Grand Ancestral Bloodlines

A surge of strength reached the tips of the woman's fingers, her gaze turning cold. Whatever frailness she had once had vanished, her body springing into action. 

Ryu shook his head internally. 

This was a shame, really. If she had been grateful like she was meant to be, he would have been able to use her to ask a favor of the Blacksmith Wynhorn. But, with how things were going, this was clearly not possible anymore. 

So deep within the Holy Battle Ground, the only others who could come so far were Sky Gods who specialized in the sword. By now, due to Ryu releasing the shackles on the Battle Ground, those that had found it easier to gain enlightenment had already been forced to retreat as the lands returned to their original difficulty. 

This was all to say that the only two here were Ryu and this woman. Even if Ryu wanted to call for help, it would be impossible. And in the face of a Sky God… What could Ryu possibly do? 

BANG!

A strong surge of qi rippled into the surroundings, surging toward Ryu. The speed was so fast that there was absolutely nothing he could do in retaliation. 

It washed over him like a flood. In that moment, it was like Ryu's connection to the rest of the world had been completely cut off. Whatever enlightenment there had been was suffocated to the point of death. 

Ryu had to admit that this was quite the clever method. He thought that maybe this woman would try to cripple his Spiritual Foundation, or maybe sever his meridians, but she had actually chosen this method instead. 

Truthfully, it was the kindness method possible. It didn't cause Ryu any pain, it simply blocked him off from the Heavens, shooting down any attempt at enlightenment that he might grasp. But, quite frankly, for Ryu, this was probably also the best method to choose against him. 

Ryu's meridians were practically indestructible. Trying to cripple them, even with the strength of a Sky God, would require attacking the exact same point that Ryu had aimed for when he failed his first Spiritual Severing. However, it was impossible for an outsider to sense that vulnerability because it existed between the Real and Ethereal Plane. The only ones who could sense it were Ryu and those that had a soul connection with him. 

Trying to sever the Third strongest material in all of the martial world with a casual attack wasn't possible even for a Sky God. This didn't even mention the fact that after Ryu stepped onto the Chaos Path by deviating from the true cultivation system, his Chaotic Silk Meridians had grown even stronger. 

Now, even if someone targeted that vulnerable location, it might not even be possible to cleave. 

Then there was targeting Ryu's Spiritual Foundation. Maybe a normal Spiritual Foundations could be shattered with a casual blow from a Sky God, but how could the same be said for one bestowed by another Sky God? 

Ryu himself almost died just trying to communicate with his original Spiritual Foundation, he hadn't even attempted to replace the Phoenix Sky God's Spiritual Foundation yet. One could imagine what would happen to someone who tried to purposely destroy it. 

To say that they would suffer was an understatement. 

There was a third way to try and cripple Ryu as well, and that was by leaving a wound on his soul. It didn't need to be large, but even a small imperfection went a long way. 

With a wounded soul, just meditating would lead to pain. One wouldn't' be able to use their Inheritances and their comprehension would both suffer and falter, resulting in a decline. 

This seemed to be the most benign of the three crippling methods, but it was the most torturous at the same time. But… Once again, it was useless on Ryu who now had an Indestructible soul. 

It was a bit funny to find out in this way, but Ryu only now realized that it was near impossible to cripple him. For someone like him who had spent the entirety of his first life as a cripple, comprehending this was like a breath of fresh air. 

'So… I still had this kind of fear hidden within me, huh?'

Ryu hadn't even realized that he had such a shadow over his heart. He was so focused on moving forward that he never really considered what was in his rearview. He was trying to 'better' himself, and become the sort of man his two wives would always love to have by their side, but he never really considered the root of his trauma to begin with. 

Hadn't it all started that day… That day he found out he couldn't' cultivate? 

Ryu released a slow breath. He didn't seem to be paying attention to anything around him, nor did he spare the woman a glance. It was as though nothing was happening around him at all, nothing mattered but what was in his own head. 

Ryu's every breath seemed to follow an enigmatic rhythm, his body becoming less and less corporeal. Despite the fact he stood right before the woman, unmoving, every time she blinked, it felt as though he had vanished. She was forced to refocus her gaze before she could finally spot him again. 

She blinked once more beside herself, but this time, a sword had inexplicably appeared in Ryu's hand. 

The pupils of the woman couldn't help but constrict. 

This sword was absolutely beautiful. Its flat edge and sharp edge were separated by a rippling pattern that looked like the waves of an ocean. The flat edge was a deep and greyish black, accented by deep golden runes. The sharp edge was completely crystalline, shimmering like a transparent crimson ruby. 

It was just a meter and half long and had a gentle sloping curve. Its handle was quite long, enough for four hands to stack and still have a bit of room left. 

But, what was most shocking was that this blade was actually at the pinnacle of the Ancestral Grade. Even her own sword wasn't so good. 

"I can cleave through anything, even your shabby curtain of qi." Ryu said lightly. 

The blade in his hand trembled as he slowly rose it up. 

When he cleaved downward, the world seemed to lose its color.