Grand Ancestral Bloodlines

If the woman could hear Ryu's thoughts, maybe her already crumbling Dao would completely collapse. How could a Dominion with such momentum still possibly feel incomplete? However, that was exactly how Ryu felt. 

This Dominion that Ryu had comprehended was quite special and he also felt as much. But, the requirements and restrictions on it were too great. The woman was right to feel that this wasn't something Ryu could easily replicate. Whether it was the assassin Sky God or her, they were very special circumstances that required just the right conditions. 

However, what Ryu wanted wasn't something he had to scheme and dodge about to use. Though he could do so, it wasn't his style and he didn't like it. 

If a court minister was given the Dominion Ryu had just comprehended, it likely wouldn't be long before they became the Emperor. If Ryu applied himself and used his intelligence more rather than his fists, he could likely crush and sweep through the Martial Gods with this ability as well. But… How long would this take? How many years of hiding away and scurrying around like a rat would it take for him to accomplish this? 

The worst part was that as a Dominion, it was still a bit too weak. Ryu would still need to improve it into the future. But, with his heart not in it, how could he possibly do so? 

Ryu didn't linger on this disappointment for long. Building a Dao was a very long process and the fact he had only taken a year to reach this step spoke volumes about his talent. 

Plus, this was just one blade. Didn't he still have another? If he could build a Dao that complemented this one and made it less… useless, wouldn't that be perfect. 

'A blade that can see through Fate and sever Karma...' Ryu rotated his wrist back and forth, allowing the blade to shimmer beneath the dimming qi lights. 

"I'll call you Dividing Karma."

The moment Ryu spoke these words, the starry skies released a blinding light, a clap of thunder that rang through the martial world causing the Planes of Existence to quake. 

Ryu didn't seem to react much to this at all. For him, it was only a matter of time regardless. The only real good he felt coming out of all of this was that he was ever closer to the pinnacle of the Immortal Ring Realm now. 

With a flip of his palm, his sword vanished and returned to his spatial ring. Of course, this sword that the woman found to be so beautiful was one of the few top tier sword treasures the Tatsuya had in their inventory. Despite its greatness, though, Ryu didn't feel particularly attached to it. 

Ironically, the Dominion Ryu had just comprehended wasn't a Sword Inheritance, so he was technically still a novice in the sword. But, after his experience, he felt that he had already grasped what he needed from the sword and didn't feel the need to study it any longer. 

Ryu's gaze shifted upward, meeting the gaze of the woman. 

"What's your name?" Ryu asked. 

An Immortal Ring Realm expert asking such a casual question to a Sky God was likely something that had never happened in history. Yet, Ryu did it so casually without even blinking an eye. Judging by the fact this woman was still here, he could guess a few things. 

The woman's gaze narrowed but in the end she sighed. 

"Ryza."

"I assume you'll need to follow me from now on?"

Ryza's brow twitched, but she had no idea how to respond. 

Ryu had not only harmed her Godhood, but he had also become a Heart Demon of hers. It was impossible to just wish a away a Heart Demon, especially when you were a Sky God. The only way to do so was by facing it head on. 

Unfortunately, Ryza's Heart Demon stemmed from her fear of Ryu's growth. The only way to get rid of it, the only logical method, was to help facilitate it. If she wanted to get over her fear of Ryu, she had to help Ryu grow. 

Never in her life did she think that she would be thrust into such a situation. If she knew this would happen, she would have left Ryu to his own devices and ignored this matter completely. But, to think that not only could she not kill Ryu before he grew, but she also had to make sure that no one else did either. 

She simply couldn't' believe how unlucky she was. But, Ryu's next words only made her more speechless. 

"In truth, I don't want a bodyguard. Not only am I not a fan of the idea of having someone I don't know follow me around, but you'll only hinder my growth. I've grown used to relying on myself and haven't had a Dao Protector in a very long time. 

"Unfortunately, I also don't have the strength to tell a Sky God to piss off if she's insistent on following me, so it doesn't really seem like I have much of a choice either. I only hope that you can follow a certain set of rules. 

"For one, don't interfere in anything I do. I don't want nor do I need your advice. And, even if I seem to be on my last breath, so long as the individual is beneath the World Sea Realm, let me handle it. Stifling my growth won't help you recover your Godhood. 

"Second, I have two wives and I hope you understand the concept of privacy. I am far more sensitive to Spiritual Sense than others would be, even if it comes from a Sky God, so I hope you understand propriety and don't overstep your bounds by delving too deeply into matters that have nothing to do with you.

"Third, I have many enemies and don't need someone who will stab me in the back. If you want to follow me, you'll need to swear a Blood Oath. You've already proven yourself to be an untrustworthy person willing to repay kindness with enmity, so no, I won't take your word for it. If you're unwilling, I think you'll find out very soon that you're not the only Sky God I can form relationships with. 

"Finally, since you're of the sword faction, I'm sure you've heard of Supreme Blacksmith Wynhorn, correct? I hope you can help me make contact with her."

Ryza stood in silence for a very long time. 

Suddenly, she really felt like killing this boy.