Grand Ancestral Bloodlines

Two heated streams of white fog left Ryu's lips. The plain grey saber in his hand had already become a shining silver luster, not much unlike the changes his previous staff had undergone. While it had felt unfamiliar to him in the past, it suddenly felt like an extension of his arm, perfectly balanced and even more perfectly fitted to his palm. 

Feeling how it felt to swing such a blade, Ryu realized just how much easier it would be to dual wield a weapon like this as opposed to a polearm. 

Ryu flipped the saber in his hand. However, he seemed to have underestimated its weight. With how hit was spinning now, its blade edge would definitely land on his hand. 

Yaana gasped in horror, however, she couldn't help but be shocked by what happened next. 

The sharp edge of the blade balanced on Ryu's finger, yet there wasn't the slightest hint of broken skin or trickling blood. If those watching hadn't known better, they would have thought that Ryu was currently touching the dull edge of the blade. 

It was only after a while that the few watching felt that enigmatic air around Ryu when he flipped the saber. In just a few moments, he gained the ability to not only apply his understanding of these frequencies in normal combat, but he could even apply them in such novel situations. It was a good thing that Sabelle had already left, or else who knew how she would react? 

'This feels like a Natural Enlightenment…'

Ryu flicked his finger upward, causing the blade to spin in the air once more before he allowed it to land on the back of his finger this time. 

Ryu didn't know what it was about his Natural Enlightenments, but why did they always feel so close yet so far at the same time? Originally Ryu had thought that it was because he just hadn't grasped them firmly enough for them to appear, but what if he was wrong? 

If this mysterious force could snatch away his comprehension of Mortal Endowments, who was to say that it couldn't do the same for Natural Enlightenments? After all, they were both part of the Natural Order. 

Ryu had been vaguely aware that he had been close to grasping a Natural Enlightenment many times before, it was just that he chose not to linger on it. Trying to force a breakthrough would often result in the exact opposite of what you wanted. In fact, it would make it harder and harder to do so. 

The feeling was akin to something being at the tip of your tongue. If you tried to force yourself to remember, it might fly further and further away. Only when you relaxed might the thought come back to you naturally like a gently flowing spring. 

However, what was special about this Natural Enlightenment in specific was that its comprehension was so blatant and readily testable. Even without the support of the Heavens, Ryu could use his Pupils and its innate comprehension of the Mysteries of the world to accomplish what this Natural Enlightenment would naturally allow him to do. 

Due to these reasons, the fact that Ryu felt blocked from truly comprehending it was far more obvious now than it ever had been in the past. 

'What a joke. Will I be the first wielder of the Mysteries of Heaven and Earth Pupils in history without a Natural Enlightenment? No, will I even be able to form my Minor Godhood at this rate?'

Ryu smiled a bit bitterly. 

He didn't know what chains were binding him down right now, or more accurately, he didn't know who owned those chains or what purpose they had for chaining him down. But, likewise, he also didn't really have any ideas on how to deal with this issue either. 

"You… You entered the Monarch Realm?"

Sabelle's voice sounded. It seemed she had returned, mostly due to the pillar of light that descended not long after she had left. But, she still couldn't believe it. 

For one, going from nothing to the Monarch Realm was absolutely ridiculous. Secondly, doing so without even the guidance of another's Inheritance wasn't just ridiculous, it was enough for even Sky God's to kill themselves amid their own inferiority. And, as though that wasn't bad enough, thirdly… The skill Ryu just displayed seemed to be far beyond the Monarch Realm. 

Though it was ridiculous, Sabelle felt that Ryu should have stepped into the Dominion Realm at the very least. But, she was somewhat thankful he hadn't otherwise she might really lose it. 

"I guess so." Ryu said casually, spinning the blade again and catching it by its hilt this time. 

Godefride, Eustis and Sabelle choked on air. 

If it was anyone else who replied so casually to such a thing, they would think that he was just trying to show off. But, Ryu made it feel almost too natural. It made it difficult for them to even get angry. However, that didn't stop them from wanting to pummel his face in. 

"What did you say before? Something about starting with a weapon so late into cultivation?"

Eustis turned to Godefride to make himself feel better about the situation. Even if he couldn't get one up on Ryu, he could at least do so against this drunkard, right? 

Godefride's face turned blue. "Screw you, as if you didn't agree."

Eustis rubbed his nose. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

Sabelle rolled her eyes and eventually turned her attention back to Ryu who had leapt down from the platform. 

"Ryu, with your talent, there are many experts of my Scire Clan who would fight tooth and nail to take you in as a disciple. In fact, even if you don't take one of them on, so long as you agree to help our Scire Clan, there are many Saber techniques and Daos that we can share with you."

Ryu shook his head lightly. "I don't plan on continuing my study of the saber, I have already reached my goal. But, I did have a question.

"Your Armament Guild is the shelter for the martial world's greatest Blacksmith's, correct? I have something I would like to commission."