Ch. 21 - Imperial Blood

“You know who I am?” the old man asked, puzzled, staring at Xu Zimo. “Back in the day, Grand Emperor Fei Yu had nine great generals under his command. According to legend, when the fourth general reached the end of his lifespan, he took on a disciple and passed down all he had learned,” Xu Zimo said calmly. “That disciple inherited his legacy and later made a name for himself in the Northern Continent, fighting his way up from nothing. People came to call him… Elder Blackwood.” Hearing this, the old man smiled in surprise. “I didn’t expect that after so many years, there are still people who remember that name.” His eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Xu Zimo. “Kid, you clearly know everything about us, what’s your purpose?” “I don’t have any ill intentions toward you,” Xu Zimo replied. “More precisely, I’m interested in something in your possession.” “What do you want?” Ji Baiyu asked from the side. “The Imperial Blood left behind by Grand Emperor Fei Yu,” Xu Zimo said, enunciating each word as he looked at her. “Impossible,” Ji Baiyu’s face changed, and she shook her head quickly. “So, it really is in your possession,” Xu Zimo said with a smile. He hadn’t been sure before, but her reaction now confirmed it. “That blood was meant to help restore the Ji Clan’s bloodline,” Elder Blackwood interjected. “It can’t all go to you.” “I never said I wanted all of it, just one drop is enough,” Xu Zimo replied. “And what are you offering in exchange?” the old man asked curiously. “A promise,” Xu Zimo said confidently. “In the future, when I carry the Heaven’s Will and ascend to the throne of Grand Emperor, I will grant you a promise: In my era, I will protect the Ji Clan, and help restore the glory of your ancestors.” “Become a Grand Emperor? You?” Ji Baiyu laughed coldly. “Why should we believe you? You expect us to trade away the Imperial Blood for a meaningless promise?” “You have no choice but to trust me,” Xu Zimo said plainly. “Either you trust me and we all benefit… Or I kill you and take the blood myself.” “Kill us?” Elder Blackwood chuckled. “You? A brat who just stepped into the Spirit Meridian Realm, and you dare talk like that?” The moment he finished speaking, a dazzling sword light sliced into the room from outside. It moved like thunder, heavy as a mountain. Blackwood’s face turned serious as he raised his right hand from within his sleeve. It was withered, like the root of a dead tree, covered in swirling black energy. A cold gleam flashed in his eyes as he caught the incoming sword light with one hand, then crushed it, dissolving it into black mist. Vastsky entered the room, longsword on his back, chuckling. “Quite the crowd in here,” he said casually. Blackwood’s expression darkened as he stared at him. “This is your trump card?” He shook his head slightly. With several loud bangs, all five of the elder’s Meridian Gates opened at once. He, too, was a cultivator at the True Meridian Realm. “If that’s all you’ve got,” the elder said calmly, “it’s not enough.” Vastsky was also at the True Meridian Realm. Though he might have a slight edge, if the elder wanted to escape, Xu Zimo wouldn't be able to stop him. “Hold on,” Xu Zimo said. He lowered his head and rummaged through his storage ring. A moment later, he pulled out a silver-white jade token and smiled. “This was given to me by my father,” he said. “He told me to use it if I was ever in danger. It contains one of his spiritual avatars. While not as strong as his true body, it still holds the power of a half-step Empyrean Meridian Realm cultivator. Wanna try your luck?” This jade token had been given to Xu Zimo long ago by his father, Xu Qingshan, out of concern for his safety. Xu Zimo wasn’t lying. The avatar inside truly held the power of a half-step Empyrean Meridian cultivator. But the jade token was incredibly precious. Xu Zimo preferred not to use it unless absolutely necessary. To create it, Xu Qingshan had split a part of his own soul and infused it into the jade. He had paid a heavy price and spent an entire year recovering. Elder Blackwood studied the jade token. Its surface was etched with intricate, obscure patterns that even he, an expert at the True Meridian Realm, could not decipher. He was silent for a long time before finally saying, “Fine. I’ll give you a drop of the Imperial Blood. But… in addition to that promise, you must agree to one more condition.” “No,” Xu Zimo said without hesitation. “…Don’t you even want to hear the condition first?” The Elder Blackwood looked genuinely stunned. “Go on,” Xu Zimo said. “I don’t like haggling.” “I want Baiyu to join the True Martial Sacred Ground,” the old man said plainly. “Grandpa Blackwood, why?” Ji Baiyu asked, clearly confused. But the elder just shook his head and looked at Xu Zimo again. “Well?” “What’s so great about the sect? She might as well come serve as my personal maid. The future’s bright. Once I carry Heaven’s Will, I’ll even name her my General,” Xu Zimo joked. “No need,” Elder Blackwood said, shaking his head. “Baiyu may have a modest background, but she’s not someone to be ordered around.” “Alright, your loss,” Xu Zimo replied lightly. “But don’t regret it later. In a little while, the True Martial Sacred Ground will be holding its grand disciple recruitment. Just have her show up and report my name, I’ll make the arrangements in advance.” “Very well. I’ll hold you to that,” Elder Blackwood nodded. Ji Baiyu took out a small bottle from her storage ring. The bottle was as brilliant as a star, glimmering with a cosmic radiance. Inside were three drops of blood, perfectly separated from one another. At a glance, the blood didn’t look special, almost like ordinary blood. But the moment Ji Baiyu removed the lid, mystical phenomena began to emerge. A rising sun. A full moon. A towering tree. Birds in flight. One by one, visions appeared around the bottle's mouth, vivid and powerful. “This single drop of Imperial Blood weighs 5,000 kg. Ordinary containers can’t hold it, it has to be stored in a Starcloud Bottle,” Ji Baiyu explained. She pulled out a new bottle from her storage ring and carefully poured one drop of the Imperial Blood into it, reluctantly handing it to Xu Zimo. Xu Zimo took the Starcloud Bottle, inspected it briefly, then tucked it away with a satisfied smile. “If there’s nothing else, young master, please leave now,” Ji Baiyu said quietly. “I’m feeling a bit tired.”