Grand Ancestral Bloodlines

The inner workings of the door couldn't have been simpler. The strength of the wind increased with every step, creating a vacuum that both tried to send one flying away while simultaneously ripping their body apart. 

While Overseer Eudo had thought that this challenge would be nothing for Ryu to cross through, the bare truth of it all was that it was ironically not so simple for Ryu. The reason for this was simple. 

Much of Ryu's combat prowess came from his Chaos Qi, the ability of his Pupils to read and react to those far above him in cultivation, and now the prowess of his lightning flame and soul. But, none of these things were related to the sturdy body one would need to cross this doorway. 

That said… Ryu had a something that that would make this task that should have been difficult for him as easy as breathing: two Heavenly Winds. 

Unlike the Northern Heavenly Wind, the Southern Heavenly Wind couldn't help Ryu to meld into the wind. However, it made his sensitivity to the wind element reach a point where Ryu felt just as in tune with it as he did lightning or fire. 

Ryu didn't move for a moment, taking in a deep breath that filled his body with a rushing vitality. He felt that just by breathing, his body could grow stronger. This level of rich wind qi soothed him to the point he forgot about his previous rage. 

'This is good,' Ailsa thought to herself. 'This will help Ryu keep a cooler head. With the strength of his flames, it's no wonder he's trigger happy. If his Wind Inheritance surpassed his Fire Inheritance, that will make many things easier…'

As powerful as Ryu's lightning flames were, it had to be remembered that his Fire Inheritance was still at the Ruler Realm. It could be said that this was something hold back the strength of Ryu's lightning flame, especially since his Lightning Inheritance had already stepped into the Dominion Realm upon the awakening of his Storm Talent, but it was simultaneously about the only thing that allowed Ryu to gain a slow rein on his emotions. 

Ryu's Dragon Blood went beyond just giving him large amounts of lust that could cloud his mind in crucial situation. It was also a conduit of simmering fury waiting to bubble up at any time. 

Ryu's Crystal Jade Body was able to balance this out with the help of his other Bloodlines. But, after its mutation, it seemed to have leaned far more into Ryu's lightning flame than anything else. 

In Ailsa's estimation, taking all of these things into consideration, she felt that this was excellent. 

SHUUU!

Ryu's gaze suddenly snapped open, a delicate, green gold wind wrapping around him as he seemed to vanish from thin air. 

With a single step Ryu crossed the barrier, entering the castle as though there had never been a blockade of wind to begin with. He could feel that presence of the Ruler Realm hovering around him. After so long, he had finally managed to enter the Ruler Realm with his Northern Heavenly Wind. 

A feedback loop of sorts flowed through Ryu's body. 

While a Heavenly Wind was an Inheritance of sorts, completing or partially completing an Inheritance could feedback to strengthen your Heavenly Wind as well thanks to the Essence of the Heavens. 

This was to say that Ryu's Embryonic Northern Heavenly Wind was enough for him to get to the Impose Realm very quickly, but beyond that he had struggled. However, now that he had improved to the Ruler Realm without relying on it, his Embryonic Northern Heavenly Wind strengthened likewise after absorbing the Essence of the Heavens. 

'Do you think that I can complete my Northern Heavenly Wind like this?' Ryu asked Ailsa. 

'If it was before you gained the Southern Heavenly Wind, I would have said no. It's not that you aren't talented enough, but there are simply some things the Heavens don't allow even with all the talent in the world. However, the Southern Heavenly Wind is like a foot in the door you can rely on… Almost like nepotism. Now, it's very much possible.'

Ryu nodded, slowly allowing the wind to disperse around him and finally opening his eyes. What he found instantly was an Overseer Eudo who was breathing a sigh of relief. Ryu had taken much longer to cross the barrier than he thought. For a moment, he thought that Ryu had actually failed and he wasn't sure how to react to such a possibility. 

"It's just the Ruler Realm, why is he making such a big fuss about it as though he's become some enlightened Deity? To have just stepped into the Ruler Realm… Just how pathetic are the candidates this time around?"

The instant he heard the voice, Overseer Eudo's expression fell. Why was it that he couldn't just have some peace?! If Ryu went off and battled everyone, even if there was a good chance he'd win, if he offended the wrong Overseer, an Overseer that Eudo wasn't confident would give him some face, what would happen then?

The one who had spoken wasn't just any normal participant. In fact, judging by their shockingly white hair and eyes, it was clear that they were a member of the Nourishing Soul branch, the only one of the four kinds of Martial Gods Ryu had yet to meet. In fact, he didn't need an Overseer like Ryu did.

Eudo took a step toward Ryu. "Listen, Ryu. Sometimes you have to learn to…"

Just as Eudo was about to continue, he realized that the depths of Ryu gaze were actually quite calm. In fact, he almost seemed to be at peace. 

Ryu looked around and found that the inside of the castle actually had a grand open concept. In fact, it felt like they were more on the outside than they were inside. 

Large holes, tubes and oddly shaped doorways and windows hung around everywhere. The locations that one shouldn't cross were barred by powerful walls of green wind. However, everywhere else was as open as could be. 

Banquet tables took up one section, an enormous arena took up another, countless formations hung in the air that even Ryu would need time to decipher, and there was even a podium, all fit within this open hall of the Wind Shrine Castle.