"What's this?" Elder Reid chuckled, stroking his long beard.
He was sowhat pleased to see his disciple concerned about Radiant Sky Grotto being dragged into the conflict, but his words were dismissive.
"Do you think these power struggles can affect Radiant Sky Grotto? Levi dared to defy the imperial decree and returned to the imperial capital unscathed. Now, I've rely taken on a disciple. What can they possibly do to ?"
"However..." Elder Reid suddenly sighed.
"My disciple, I advise you and your Blackwood family to let go of thoughts of revenge. Even I cannot interfere in this empire's struggle. That Heavenly Path is no simple matter. Let it go."
"Let it go?!" Julian's face flushed red.
Seeing Julian's reaction, Elder Reid knew his disciple couldn't let go of the hatred.
He said, "My disciple, Lance won't allow Heavenly Path to grow stronger unchecked. That person is too ambitious. Otherwise, their projections wouldn't be spread throughout the empire. Now that you've forced them to reveal themselves, even the ancient god will eliminate them for the sake of his princes."
But as soon as he finished speaking, Elder Reid felt a pang of worry.
Julian was fiddling with the Storage Ring on his finger, the one left by Larry.
He knew the Blackwoods would never truly let go.
...
The Blackwoods were now privy to these behind-the-scenes machinations.
It turned out they had never escaped the whirlpool of the empire's power struggles.
Those high and mighty royals and officials had rely treated them as pawns, even Heavenly Path...
They were like spectators to a cruel ga, watching the Blackwoods and Heavenly Path tear each other apart.
But at this point, the Blackwoods couldn't afford to care about any of that.
They continued to cultivate their psychic powers, waiting for the decisive battle with Heavenly Path in Sunshine Mansion a century later.
Among them, the fastest cultivators were the younger generation, Benjamin and his father, Adam.
[The North]
It was a military camp, unlike any other in Azure Cloud.
Massive ability vessels were stationed at the edge of the Endless Forest, stretching towards the north.
Aboard them, nurous Psychics clad in silver armor stood in neat rows, far surpassing the Azure Cloud army of Cloudview County.
These soldiers were worthy of being called "celestial warriors."
Countless high-level power equipnt, talismans, formations, and even hundred-ter-tall Giants could be seen.
A palace floated in the sky.
Inside, a young man stood beside an old man reading a book.
The old man, though his hair was streaked with gray, had a resolute face and an air of authority that commanded respect with every move.
He was the Grand Tutor, Gilbert!
"Grand Tutor Gilbert," Benjamin said respectfully.
"Thank you for saving during my training in the demon realm. I would have died without your help."
"Saved you?" The old man lowered his book slightly and glanced at Benjamin, a hint of amusent flickering across his wrinkled face.
"You jest. You were being chased by a Developing Skill beast in my army's territory, and after being rescued, you claid to be a Blackwood and an old acquaintance. Isn't that a bit too convenient?"
Benjamin scratched his head, the awkwardness of a young man caught trying to be clever evident on his face.
"I can't hide anything from the Grand Tutor's discerning eyes."
"I know about the Blackwoods. The empire's struggle hasn't been kind to your family. I must admit, I bear so responsibility for that." Grand Tutor Gilbert didn't bother with trivialities.
"Tell , what brings you here?"
"Grand Tutor, I wish to cultivate under your guidance!"
[Your descendant, Benjamin, after years of training and with his family facing a decisive battle against Heavenly Path in Sunshine Mansion, seeks to rapidly increase his strength. He decides to try his luck with Grand Tutor Gilbert.]
[Receives a blessing from Grand Tutor Gilbert: Earth-rank technique: Heavenly Fire Tempering Formula]
[Uses psychic powers to summon heavenly fire to temper his bones, ridians, and psychic powers]
[Receives a treasure from Grand Tutor Gilbert: high-level power equipnt: Divine Fire Banner]
[Due to his diligence in cultivation, earns Grand Tutor Gilbert's appreciation and gains a new identity: adopted son of the Grand Tutor!]
One night, Benjamin stood at the bow of an ability vessel, gazing at the grand hall where Grand Tutor Gilbert read.
A dangerous glint flickered in his eyes.
"Foster father, it's best if you have nothing to do with Glory City."
...
Benjamin now served as a scout in Grand Tutor Gilbert's army in the north.
Under the starry sky, Ethan watched his son, who had pulled himself out of despair, amidst the icy plains of the north.
Benjamin, who had once wandered alone for five years, had matured.
Standing at 1.75 ters tall, he was strikingly handso.
He might seem carefree and easygoing, but at night, or when facing adversaries, his mind was sharp and calculating.
Looking at Benjamin now, clad in armor, with a hint of stubble on his face, on the verge of breaking through to Developing Skill, Ethan felt a mix of pride and concern.
This boy had been through so much from such a young age.
He had faced hardship since he was ten, constantly on the run, encountering danger at every turn.
He had found a brief respite in the fishing village, only to be forced to flee once more.
Year after year, Benjamin had made his mark in various prefectures and counties of the Erald Empire, astonishing Rising Stars everywhere with his talent.
At Benjamin's age, other Blackwood youths would be safely cultivating within the family estate, protected from harm.
But Benjamin was different.
He had experienced more than any of his peers, traveled to more places than even his elders.
He seed to have grown accustod to it.
Even now, becoming one of Gilbert's thousand adopted sons didn't seem to faze him.
[Your descendant, Benjamin, accustod to a life of solitude, adventure, and combat since his youth, gains the trait: Lone Wolf]
[Unafraid of loneliness, ntal fortitude increased by 50%, strength increased by 10% when alone]
He might put on a carefree facade, acting casually among his kin, but Ethan could see the loneliness in Benjamin's eyes.
Ethan had co to understand his descendant.
Loneliness was Benjamin's armor.
Deep down, he yearned for companionship, but... he had learned to live without it.
"Forebearer, I've been by Gilbert's side for a long ti."
Under the cover of night, Benjamin took out the Forebearer Psychic Position and spoke into it.
"Although Gilbert is conquering new territories in the north, his faction in the imperial capital is also supporting a prince. He's just not as obvious as the national advisor. I've tested the waters. Even though I'm his adopted son, getting Gilbert to help us deal with Heavenly Path is impossible."
"Just like back in Amber Hill, the Grand Tutor's faction and the national advisor's faction are keeping each other in check, content to let us fight Heavenly Path."
Ethan nodded slightly, the Forebearer Psychic Position illuminating Benjamin's face.
Sensing that his ssage had been received, Benjamin tucked the Forebearer Psychic Position back into his robes and lted into the darkness.
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