Grand Ancestral Bloodlines

The Southern Heavenly Wind, the Breath of Life. It was the most docile of the Heavenly Winds and its effects were the most passive. However, this didn't mean that its abilities weren't also incredibly enticing at the same time. 

A complete Southern Heavenly Wind would grant one practically infinite stamina along with heavenly healing abilities. Though these two abilities seemed simple enough, in practice, they were quite monstrous if these words weren't enough to paint the picture appropriately. 

The first point of Infinite Stamina was a highly sought after ability, especially for Body Cultivators. Thought he Southern Heavenly Wind could not replenish qi, it could replenish the body continuously and endlessly so long as there was Wind Qi in the surroundings. By proxy, the Southern Heavenly Wind could effectively give one access to an endless supply of Vital Qi. 

The extension of this ability connected with its second fundamental power, that of granting heavenly healing. This endless spring of vitality the Southern Heavenly Wind could provide would likewise give one abilities even more potent than most Heaven's Dew Branch Martial Gods. Healing would be endless, near instantaneous, and at almost no cost to the wielder of the Heavenly Wind. 

With such benefits, one might feel that it would be a no brainer for Ryu. In his current state, especially with how much reserve qi he had, his bodily stamina always ran out long before his qi did. This gap would only begin to grow more exaggerated the more techniques of his Ancient Beast Bloodline he wanted to use. 

For example, just one use of his Dragon's Claw ability pushed Ryu to the end of his rope. Had he not put Sarriel on the brink of life and death with it, he wouldn't have even had the stamina left to fight back. Such things would only become more frequent as time went on. 

As one might expect, compared to a real Dragon, Ryu's reserves of Vital Qi were practically negligible. Their much larger bodies didn't just come with downsides, but they had their upsides as well, that being their near endless reserves of Vital Qi. Trying to use their Ancestral techniques on the same scale with a fraction of the Vital Qi, then, had very predictable results. 

All of this sounded well and good and should make the choice simple. After all, choosing the Southern Heavenly Wind meant that he wouldn't have to give up either. There would always be a chance in the future for him to complete his Northern Heavenly Wind. By then, he would have the full abilities of both… 

But… These were just the thoughts of those who didn't understand just how enticing the true abilities of the Northern Heavenly Wind were. For those that didn't get it, it could all be described in just two word…

Unmatched Speed. 

If Ryu brought his Northern Heavenly Wind to maturity right this moment, he would instantly become untouchable. No matter the cultivation level, no matter the strength of the opponent, when it came to a contest of speed, he would come out on top. 

There were, of course, ways to counter the Northern Heavenly Wind, most of which were related to space. However, on the Shrine Plane, where space was not only exceptionally sturdy, but simultaneously very random and unpredictable, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that even a Sky God wouldn't be able to touch a hem of his clothing as long as Ryu was cautious enough. 

Under normal circumstances, if a mortal somehow got their hands on the Northern Heavenly Wind, they would still be limited. That's because there was a limit to the perception of a mortal. Even if you could move at a speed no one else could touch, it was a different matter as to whether or not you should. 

What good was unlimited speed if you couldn't tell where you were going or how you were getting there? It would only take running into one formation or a single danger zone for your life to be forfeit. 

But, Ryu had the Mysteries of Heaven and Earth Pupils. In addition, though it had weakened considerably, he still had the Origin Flame to help him compute things. In fact, it could be said that even now, the world was exceptionally slow to Ryu, it was just that his body couldn't keep up with his eyes or his mind. 

To make matters more complicated, this was just the tip of the iceberg and only the simplest application of the Northern Heavenly Wind. 

The second important point to note was attack speed. The speed granted would be beyond just movement of the legs, but it could also be granted to all motor movement. With attack speed practically no one could react to, Ryu's combat prowess would take an obscene leap forward. 

As though this didn't muddy the waters enough, there was a third aspect as well. 

The abilities of the Northern Heavenly Wind could be extended by touch. This meant that Ryu could make weapons that weighed as heavy as mountains feel as light as a pair of feathers in his hands. By then, he would be able to wield his Great Swordstaffs just as swiftly as his mother had wielded her twin swords. 

It was more than just weapons. Ryu could wear armor far heavier than he would normally be able to and even extend his Heavenly Wind to his mounts, increasing their speed in battle as well. The applications were almost endless. 

However… Choosing this route meant giving up the Southern Heavenly Wind forever. 

It had taken trillions upon trillions upon trillions of years for the Ice Phoenix Clan to gather just two Heavenly Winds and the resources to bring them to maturity. It would be naïve of Ryu to think that he would be able to find another Heavenly Wind so easily unless he raided the Wind Shrine, something he was far from being capable of doing. 

To say this was a difficult decision was the understatement of an Era. However… 

Ryu took a deep breath, his gaze sharpening. 

"I choose to mature the Southern Heavenly Wind."