Chapter 924: Origin Of The Blood Race
When the matrons' sharp glares came over, the expert standing next to Li Qiye was crying in agony on the inside. He lamented his bad luck and why he had to be standing next to such an unlucky star!
"Bam!" Right at this second, the four matrons attacked Li Qiye with their whips and sleeves. They surrounded him in a flash.
"Whoosh!" They instantly hauled him to the sky and left him hanging there while standing in four different directions. It seemed that they were ready to inflict the dismemberment by four horses punishment.
The four matrons then stared at each other. None of them wanted to stop. If this kept on going, then Li Qiye would be divided into four pieces by them.
"Hey, you four, how old are you? If you are just little girls, then the old geezers back at the primal ground are too untrustworthy. They actually sent a bunch of emotional brats here to deal with this matter…"
"… But if you are the old grandmas from back then… it would be a bit too scary. So old yet still so competitive. Let me tell you something, just calm down. My time is very precious. We should perform the baptism and the ceremonial procedures, then all of us can be happy." Li Qiye calmly spoke while hanging in the air.
The crowd turned silent again. This brat was simply a lunatic! He actually dared to say such things!
The four maidens' eyes became fierce; they seemed to be posturing to tear him into pieces. They also increased their pulling strength. The whips and sleeves that were wrapped around Li Qiye's body were creaking as well.
"Ugh." Li Qiye was in pain from their pulling. He stared at them and said: "Damned grandmas, the four of you actually want to dismember me? Wait until I become the Blood Forefather, then I'll exile you all to do hard labor, or you can be my palanquin bearers instead!"
The experts from the four branches were astounded after hearing this. Where did this crazy guy come from? He's so insensible and reckless! Anyone else would have been scared to death already.
"Such audacity!" The four matrons were enraged, especially the Spring Matron who had a hot temper; her hair was swaying in the air. She was definitely ready to teach Li Qiye a lesson.
"Okay, little girls, don't get angry." Li Qiye interrupted the Spring Matron and said: "Do you actually want to kill me? I am the only survivor from the Sky Dome, and I also obtained a fortune from within. To be more blunt, I will be your future Blood Forefather. Hurry and take me to the blood pool instead of torturing me here."
"Such a big tone!" Such words made the Winter Matron, who had the coldest personality here, utter: "You aren't the only one that has received the blessing across all the generations."
"Of course I know that." Li Qiye leisurely said: "However, across all the generations, I am the only one who can become your Blood Forefather."
The Summer Patron, who was more lively among the four, curiously asked: "So? What kind of blessing did you receive?"
"You wouldn't know even if I told you. I don't care if you are the old matrons or ones from a newer generation, you wouldn't be able to understand the blessing required for someone to become the Blood Forefather. Even the old men from your primal ground wouldn't know …" Li Qiye explained nonchalantly.
"However, all of you should mentally prepare for when I become your Blood Forefather. I am a vengeful person, and you all have offended me. After becoming your forefather, I will definitely assign all of you to servitude!" Li Qiye smiled at this point: "I personally hope that you are the generation in the legends. Yes, making the four of you carry my palanquin is not a bad idea at all!"
"Stop spouting nonsense!" The Autumn Matron, who was the quiet and graceful one, slowly spoke: "Even if you have received the blessing, a human like you wouldn't be able to become the Blood Forefather!"
Her words were reasonable. For millions of years now, countless Blood disciples had entered the Sky Dome. However, none of them had received the legendary blessing, not to mention a human like Li Qiye. Even if he obtained something, it wouldn't be the legendary blessing!
For the Blood Race and especially those in the primal ground, they didn't think that their progenitor would pick an outsider to become their new forefather!
"Whether I can or not will easily be determined after the baptism in the blood pool." Li Qiye calmly spoke: "For your race and the primal ground, the second coming of the Blood Forefather is a grand event. The forefather will be able to command the Blood Race…"
"… As your forefather, I am worried for all of you due to your amateurish conducts here. You four actually hurt your precious forefather like this and have become the sinners of the clan. Even if I pardoned your crime, it would still leave a bad mark on your bloodline!"
Such a remark left the four matrons furious to the point where they almost vomited blood.
The Winter Matron coldly said: "It seems like you know a lot."
Li Qiye smiled: "Well, this is due to your lack of knowledge. As a cultivator, you shouldn't just be training all day. One should read more, understand? In your clan, the matter of the Blood Forefather isn't a secret or anything. Time flows by so people would naturally write things down. The more you read, the more you know. Do you not understand such simple logic?"
The matrons were quivering with anger right now. They had extremely high statuses in the Blood Clan, but Li Qiye dared to talk like this in front of them. Where did this crazy guy come from?!
Li Qiye relaxingly said: "Well, it doesn't matter whether you are part of the old or new generation, it seems like something strange is going on when the four of you have been relegated to this task. We shouldn't waste time, let us go to the blood pool."
"Hmph, you aren't in charge here!" The Spring Matron snorted.
Li Qiye continued with his carefree demeanor: "I only want what's best for you four. Just think about it, if you are the generation in the legends, then you have been living for too long. How hard must it be? Sealed inside Blood Era Stones for ages… each time you come out, your lifespan would deplete…"
"Every emergence would result in aging. Which girl isn't afraid of aging? Your beauty would wither, turning you all into old grandmas — that wouldn't be good. I am someone who is very considerate of the fairer sex, so I will have a guilty conscience if I just stand here and watch the four of you turn into old grandmas!"
"If you blabber less, we would waste less time!" The Winter Matron retorted.
"Hahaha, I know now." Li Qiye leisurely said: "I don't need to remove your masks to prove your identities. So the four of you really are the matrons from the legends. Aizz, how wonderful, how unfathomable. After so many years, you all are becoming younger and younger. It seems that your bloodline is indeed incredible. The four of you actually managed to break through the chains of your blood!"
"Aizz, women who become younger as they age, even I wasn't able to recognize it." Li Qiye was very proud of his discovery.
The four matrons were extremely annoyed with him. The graceful Autumn Matron stared at him and said: "It seems like you have some ability with scheming. Spouting nonsense for half a day just to find out our origins!"
"Thank you." Li Qiye leisurely said: "I'm only curious about the current level of your bloodline, that's all. Even though you are a bunch of old women that have lived for countless years, your personalities are still like unruly little girls. Aizz, what a lamentable thing."
"Take him away!" In the end, the four of them completely lost their patience with him. They knew that Li Qiye was neither crazy nor a fool. He tried to figure out their true identities several times, showing that he was more than what he seemed!
The experts from the four branches came and carried him away.
No matter how he was being carried, he was still as calm as ever. He lied there and teasingly glanced at the four matrons: "Little girls, it is not too late to apologize. Be my palanquin bearers and this forefather shall forgive you, or else I'll really exile the four of you to be manual labor!"
The four matrons ignored him. If it wasn't for him being blessed, they would have made sure to dismember him.
"Aizz, it seems like all of you don't believe that I can become the Blood Forefather." Li Qiye leisurely stated: "I'll let you know something. Once I become the forefather, I'll use that thing in the blood pool to spank your butts."
924 TeaserWhen the matrons' sharp glares came over, the expert standing next to Li Qiye was crying in agony on the inside. He lamented his bad luck and why he had to be standing next to such an unlucky star!
"Bam!" Right at this second, the four matrons attacked Li Qiye with their whips and sleeves. They surrounded him in a flash.
"Whoosh!" They instantly hauled him to the sky and left him hanging there while standing in four different directions. It seemed that they were ready to inflict the dismemberment by four horses punishment.
The four matrons then stared at each other. None of them wanted to stop. If this kept on going, then Li Qiye would be divided into four pieces by them.
"Hey, you four, how old are you? If you are just little girls, then the old geezers back at the primal ground are too untrustworthy. They actually sent a bunch of emotional brats here to deal with this matter…"
[collapse]Chapter 925: Blood Race's Secret
The rude teasing enraged the four matrons once more. They glared at Li Qiye and wanted to tear him into pieces. Alas, they had to endure this anger. The Winter Matron said: "You alone actually want to take it? No one has ever been able to! Stop daydreaming!"
Li Qiye slowly said: "Mmm, I'm now relieved. So that sword is still there, very good, I'll definitely take it."
The four matrons immediately turned silent as if there was an egg in their mouths. They didn't know whether to be angry or crazy. Li Qiye was simply toying around with them. They scowled and chose to ignore him. The other experts didn't say anything either. This seemingly insane fella was trying to find out more information by provoking them.
"Aizz, when I was studying back then, I heard this one legend. It says that your Blood Primal Ground isn't the direct branch from your progenitor. It states that it was a usurp from the original Blood Race…" Li Qiye was being carried by his limbs by four experts. However, he didn't seem to care at all while leisurely talking to the four matrons.
This vexing attitude towards the matrons made others think that he wanted a beating. The matrons learned their lesson and chose to turn the other way. They knew exactly what he was up to.
Although no one paid attention to him, he still kept on going: "I saw in an ancient scroll that you guys made up the legend about the immortal blood turning into a living being, your Blood Forefather. Another one claims that your real progenitor was a devil that mated with an old female corpse that gave birth to your race…"
The Autumn Matron immediately shouted: "Nonsense! Watch your tongue!"
Li Qiye didn't care for such a threat and lazily went on: "I'm not the one who said it. There is evidence for this. You four are the matrons in the legend, so you should also know about these old matters. Outside of the Mortal Emperor World, some Blood members believe these theories. Even if you cut off my tongue, you still wouldn't be able to stop the rest of the world from talking about it. It isn't a big secret at all. Back when the different groups competed for the main lineage and caused a big commotion, the entire nine worlds found out about it!"
"Hmph…" The Autumn Matron scowled. Although she was reluctant to admit it, it did cause a huge uproar back then.
"Immortal blood turning into a living thing." Li Qiye pondered for a moment before speaking: "How should we go about this theory? You know, if your primal ground really wants to prove your bloodline, it isn't that hard. First, immortals must exist in this world. If there are no immortals, then everything is wrong and your theory has no basis, right?"
"There are immortals!" The Spring Matron looked at Li Qiye and sneered: "Just how vast is this world? How could a junior like you imagine its immensity? Your vision is limited to the nine worlds!"
"So there are other locations outside of the nine worlds." Li Qiye said: "I have read millions of volumes so how come I didn't know about these places?" 1
"Just because you don't know doesn't mean that they don't exist!" The lively Summer Matron added: "There are many things that aren't written down in the records and places not known to people since the start of time. Immortals are in places unknown to the world."
"Really? I've read a lot of books, don't think about fooling me." Li Qiye shook his head to say: "There's no point in talking without proof. You guys don't know if there is such a place or not, you're only making assumptions. You're trying to prove that your lineage came from the legendary immortals by gossiping."
"Why do you think we don't know?!" The Winter Matron snorted.
"Then are you saying that your primal ground has attempted to find these locations before?" Li Qiye laughed then leisurely continued: "It seems like the ancient records weren't wrong. The Immortal Emperors from your race indeed left behind some findings for your primal ground. I'm a bit curious, what kind of findings are they? Is there anything to prepare for the future?"
The four matrons almost vomited blood again. The guy spoke for almost half a day only to dig another hole for them to jump in. He managed to trick them and obtained more information. The other experts became even more scared. This insane guy was too devilish, they had to be more careful.
"Really, I'm about to become your Blood Forefather, so you can talk to me about it." Li Qiye continued: "Maybe you will even need me in the future."
The Autumn Matron coldly looked at him and said: "It seems like you know a lot of things!"
Li Qiye laughed while being full of himself: "Reading ten thousand books is the same as walking one thousand miles. I have countless records stored in my head. I know of the blue sky above and the underworld river below. There is nothing that I don't know and nothing that can elude my understanding. Even though my cultivation is limited and I'm not too handsome, my very being is priceless. Someone like me becoming your Blood Forefather will be the glory of your race."
"Really now?" The Autumn Matron sneered: "Fine, I'll test you then. If you can answer this, then it will show that you are somewhat capable. Even if you can't become the Blood Forefather, I will still forgive you of your insolence!"
"No, no, you are mistaken. Me becoming the Blood Forefather is already written in stone. It is not you forgiving me but me that shall be forgiving you. Of course, I still need to think about it." Li Qiye smiled and gently shook his head.
His arrogance was so rage-inducing that it caused the four matrons to glare at him. Nevertheless, he didn't seem to care and nonchalantly chuckled: "But if you want to test me, then I'll show you just how knowledgeable your Blood Forefather is so that all of you will prostrate before my great style…"
"… Aizz, I am a person who can't say no to pretty girls. It is one thing if you are part of a newer generation of matrons, but I can't do anything about it if you are part of the legendary generation. How could I say no to such pretty girls?" Li Qiye teasingly winked after saying that.
"Nonsensical junior!" The Spring Matron yelled: "No one in this world has seen our true appearances!"
"Not necessarily." Li Qiye smiled: "There is no absolute secret in this world. Perhaps someone had seen your faces and painted you all. And perhaps I have coincidentally seen these records."
At this time, all four matrons had dark expressions. The Summer Matron had to yell: "Rubbish! If you keep on talking, I'll pull out your tongue!"
"Haha, don't be so aggravated, I'm only kidding. Judging from your style, you all must be very pretty beauties." Li Qiye quickly calmed her down: "When I become your forefather, I will definitely take off your masks to look at your faces for a bit."
The four matrons only stared at him coldly while the experts here didn't dare to say anything. However, they were curious about what the four matrons looked like as well. Very few people in the primal ground had seen their real appearances! Perhaps not even the ancestors had this privilege.
"Okay, since you guys have such a negative impression of me, if I don't show off my talents, you would really start to think that I am just bragging." Li Qiye leisurely said: "Go ahead and ask your questions. I'll let you see my peerless talents."
The four matrons really didn't like this narcissistic fella, but they had to admit that he was a bit talented and knew quite a few things.
They glanced at each other and eventually, the Autumn Matron broke the silence: "Very well. You said that you had seen in an ancient record the different theories regarding our Blood Race, so I'll test you about that. Since that legend created such an uproar, it won't be any secret anyway. Hmph, devil? Are there real devils in this world? That was only a fake accusation."
"Oh, little girl, you are trying to fool me. But I don't mind, it can only be said that you are not knowledgeable enough." Li Qiye leisurely added.
This was met with an angry glare from the Autumn Matron. He continued on cheerfully: "You certainly know a little bit about this, but you're not completely certain. In fact, even your primal ground itself is not sure about this. Back then, the supporters for the other theory of the Blood Race's origin had an unfathomable item, I won't say more about it…"
Li Qiye coughed here before resuming: "According to the ancient records in a distant era, there was a corpse left behind that was full of evidence…"
"You!" The four matrons' expressions quickly shifted after hearing this.
Li Qiye chuckled: "There's no need to be alarmed. You four as well as the rest of the Blood Race in this world have never seen it, you all only know of the corpse's existence. However, as for what this corpse proves, you do not know just like the others."
It says Li Qiye rubbed his chin here, but earlier, he was being carried by four people by his limbs so I omitted the chin rubbing part. ↩Chapter 926: Blood Pond
The matrons were shocked after hearing this because very few were aware of this secret, yet Li Qiye was about to spill it so easily. They couldn't help but take a more careful look at him; they no longer dared to look down on him. This brat knew too many things and would flaunt his knowledge in such an astonishing fashion.
"Really now, maybe you and your primal ground will ask for my help. After I become the Blood Forefather, I will gladly lend you a hand." Li Qiye was as relaxed as always: "Of course, although I am a nice person, I still wouldn't offer my assistance for free, even if we are family. I have to charge something because if I provide my service for free, others would start asking and my legs would break from all the running."
At this time, the four matrons were no longer willing to test Li Qiye because some secrets couldn't be discussed carelessly.
They, along with the experts, carried Li Qiye to the blood pond. Recently, this period of time was very different for the primal ground, so it had no outsiders. The entire location was closed off and all the worshiping activities were suspended.
The blood pond was a very important location in the primal ground. Legend states that the Sky Dome was the skull of the progenitor while the blood pond was his ocean of blood. Inside were many secrets of the Blood Race.
For millions of years, the primal ground and the entire race had wanted to obtain something from this pool of blood. However, across the generations, although many disciples were baptized and they obtained quite a few things, they still couldn't obtain the legendary item.
The baptism was very popular and many disciples willingly participated, especially those with humble backgrounds. The cultivators from weaker backgrounds would become great after receiving the blessing as well as the baptism. They could then choose to stay at the primal ground or join the imperial lineages of the Blood Race.
These imperial lineages would be happy to accept such disciples due to their unlimited potential. Thus, this was a great opportunity for lowly cultivators; it was akin to a carp jumping over the dragon gate!
Of course, a few geniuses had experienced the baptism as well because they wanted to prove themselves. After the ceremony, not only did they get amazing treasures and heaven-shattering creations, they also managed to prove that they were the heavens' proud children, those that were accepted by the progenitor.
The dual ceremonies had a great significance for the tribe. It showed that the person's bloodline was extremely noble!
The blood pond was located in a dark region. It was a heavily guarded old palace. Outsiders simply couldn't enter.
"A human?" After Li Qiye was carried into the palace, a hoarse voice from within the darkness came about as if they were very surprised by this development.
Each baptism was presided by some ancestors from the primal ground in the dark because they wanted to see how talented the disciples were as well as the creations they would obtain. If the disciples were amazing, then the primal ground would hold them back for training.
Until now, only the Blood Race was able to exit the Sky Dome, so others could only dream about participating in a blood baptism. For the primal ground as well as the entire race, the baptism was too important so it should naturally only belong to their Blood disciples.
But now, a human came out of nowhere. How could the ancestors running the baptism not be taken aback?
"A human, is this possible?" Another old voice appeared. He was suspicious of this matter as well.
This was not to say that there were no humans in the primal ground or the other sects of the Blood Race. In fact, many sects, including even imperial lineages, had human disciples. Some human disciples held power as well.
But this was different when it came to the two ceremonies. This was the internal affair of the Blood Race. The appearance of a human was too sudden.
"He is the only survivor from the Sky Dome this time. He said he received the blessing from the progenitor." The Summer Matron spoke.
"Words are not sufficient in this case." An ancestor pondered in the darkness before speaking.
Li Qiye looked into the darkness and smiled: "It seems like this time is special, so many old geezers have come out from your primal ground."
"Junior, do not be disrespectful." A different voice emerged from the darkness.
Li Qiye laughed: "I am not being disrespectful. I am only curious as to what is different this time around. The four matrons themselves are taking the lead and so many geezers are overseeing the blood baptism. It seems that your pool has changed." With that, he walked towards the blood pond.
The blood pond was located in the center of the palace. It was not large and resembled a typical looking pond. In this dark palace, it emitted waves of light.
There was liquid flowing inside. However, on a closer examination, it was not a liquid but more like moving flames that resemble blood.
It was spewing out something that had the features of blood and fire, giving off an indescribable sensation as if it was from the deepest parts of the earth. If, say, the earth had blood, then the thing flowing from the pool was the blood of this earth.
What was even more extraordinary was that this fiery blood was reversing space and time. In the middle of it all was something that resembled a mirror. To be more exact, it was a portal that led to a different world, or at least that was the illusion it gave off.
"So this is the case. No wonder all of you are placing so much emphasis on the baptism this time." Li Qiye looked at the pool of blood and murmured: "Fiery blood resembling a mirror… this is a special sign. According to the legends, this has only happened once before!"
The ancestors in the darkness were silent. This brat was too much to handle. In this place, even the most incomparable geniuses and their ancestors would be very deferential in the presence of this blood pool. However, this brat didn't seem to care at all.
"Junior, don't say crazy things…" An ancestor raised his voice in the dark. This was a stern warning.
Li Qiye gently waved his sleeve dismissively: "Okay, don't try to trick me, I am someone who has read a lot. Even the four matrons cannot fool me, let alone other people. I remember that this has been written down before in the ancient records, a scene of fiery blood forming a mirror in the blood pond!"
With that, his eyes shifted towards the four matrons as he slowly spoke: "It went on to say that the changes in the blood pond that time had something to do with the four matrons in the legends!"
"What else was recorded in your book?" The Winter Matron's eyes were fierce at this moment. She stared at Li Qiye with animosity.
In fact, she wasn't the only one. The other three matrons were also glaring at him. Without a doubt, the four matrons were very sensitive about what happened in the past.
"No, that's all. It doesn't mention what happened exactly. It seems like the wise sage who wrote the scroll didn't know either." Li Qiye shook his head.
The four matrons glared at him, aiming to find some clues from his demeanor. However, they couldn't notice anything and could only scowl.
An ancestor in the darkness inquired with a serious tone: "Who is this kid?"
No one, not even the four matrons could answer this question because no one knew how Li Qiye got into the Sky Dome.
Li Qiye shook his head and said: "Who I am is not important, wouldn't you say? The important part is my baptism right now."
"Kid, you know this is the blood pond, but you are a human." A different ancestor reminded him.
The person was not malicious, he only wanted to remind Li Qiye.
Li Qiye smiled in response: "If I am not mistaken, there are no rules forbidding humans from participating in the blood pond in your primal ground!"
The ancestors in the darkness pondered for a bit. An ancestor eventually responded: "Although there are no rules about it, the baptism's guidelines are up for our primal ground to decide!"
"I know." Li Qiye added: "However, have you thought about this possibility? Why is it that after millions of years of baptisms, after millions of years of receiving blessings, your primal ground has yet to produce a Blood Forefather? How your progenitor didn't pass his lineage down to a Blood disciple? Or maybe this is the reason why your primal ground does not want to have other races involved."
An ancestor thunderously shouted: "Preposterous!"
Li Qiye only smiled in response: "How could you know without trying at all? Only a baptism will show whether I am speaking the truth or not."
"So, you think you can become the Blood Forefather?" Another ancestor coldly uttered.
A human coming out of nowhere completely disrupted the expectations of the ancestors. They thought that an extraordinary Blood disciple would come out of the Sky Dome and would receive the supreme blessing.