Longshan territory spans sixty million miles, most of which are uninhabited.
Atop a peak thousands of feet high, Lin Yuan sat cross-legged, with the space around him faintly distorted. The terrifying aura was confined within a radius of a few dozen feet. If released, it would likely sweep across hundreds of millions of miles in an instant.
"The 'Mountain Dragon' bloodline is the most obvious among the many bloodlines of the Longshan family and the easiest to sense."
"So, the people of the Longshan family mainly focus on excavating the Mountain Dragon bloodline."
"Two thousand years ago, the first Viscount of the Longshan family excavated the Mountain Dragon bloodline to the fifth rank."
Lin Yuan's thoughts wandered as he continued to ponder.
"But the easiest to sense doesn't mean the strongest. Over the years, I've nearly dissected all my bloodlines and discovered an extremely faint one."
"This bloodline is at least ninth-rank, possibly even a peak ninth-rank close to tenth."
For the past century, besides regaining his strength, Lin Yuan has been studying the cultivation system of this world.
The so-called knight cultivation method essentially involves tapping into the deep potential of one's bloodline, ultimately achieving a 'return to ancestry.'
Under the constraints of the world's rules, even sixth-rank legendary knights rarely live beyond a thousand years. The slow cultivation method of the main universe is evidently unsuitable here.
Excavating one's bloodline and following the path of the ancestors to break through quickly aligns with the trend of this world.
In the main world of human civilization, becoming a fourth or fifth rank before the age of 100 is rare even in a star domain.
But in this world, becoming a fourth or fifth rank knight before the age of 100 is uncommon but not unheard of.
Tapping into bloodline potential means there are almost no bottlenecks until the bloodline limit is reached. The only question is how much bloodline potential one can excavate.
"If I want to spread the martial evolution path in this world, I must adapt it. The original cultivation method won't compare to the native knight cultivation methods."
Lin Yuan thought to himself. The martial evolution path involves comprehending external rules, but the beings of this world have corresponding rule essences hidden deep within their bloodlines.
Comprehending external rules can't compare to comprehending the rule essences within their bloodlines, especially under the drastically shortened lifespan constraints of this world. Lin Yuan also began studying bloodlines, adapting the martial evolution path to local conditions.
"The faint ninth-rank bloodline within me, though thin, has been continuously purified over the years. I roughly know where it comes from."
Lin Yuan raised his right hand, revealing a seven-colored stream of light. A terrifying pressure emanated from it.
The Seven-Colored Dragon Clan.
The most powerful beings in this world, born at the beginning of creation. One of the twenty-four main gods residing in the Sea of Light is a Seven-Colored Dragon, known as the Seven-Colored Dragon God, the ultimate faith of dragon-related bloodlines.
Whether Rock Dragon, Mountain Dragon, or even sub-dragons, their bloodline source is the Seven-Colored Dragon Clan.
"I've studied many knight cultivation methods, including the imperial family's top-secret methods. With my unrivaled insight at the ninth-rank level, I've maintained the core of the martial evolution system while adapting it to focus on excavating internal bloodlines."
"The adapted martial evolution path prioritizes excavating the bloodline with the greatest potential and suitability, rather than being confined to specific knight cultivation methods."
Lin Yuan thought.
The knight cultivation methods of this world target specific bloodlines.
For example, the Longshan Cultivation Method only excavates the 'Mountain Dragon' bloodline. Other bloodlines can't be excavated using the Longshan Cultivation Method.
But Lin Yuan's 'localized' martial cultivation method has no such limitation. While it may not surpass the specialized knight cultivation methods in specific aspects, it suits every knight or potential knight.
This adaptability ensures the rapid spread of the martial cultivation method in this world.
Of course, the 'localized' martial cultivation method is only suitable for dissemination in this world. In the main universe, without the constraints of drastically shortened lifespans, comprehending external rules is better.
This is evident from how this world's powerful beings need the faith of the masses to elevate their divine kingdoms.
In the main universe, human civilization evolvers open up internal worlds without relying on external forces, leading to a further path with fewer hidden dangers.
"However, excavating the Seven-Colored Dragon bloodline has indeed enhanced my physical strength by sixty percent. The bloodline cultivation path has its merits."
Lin Yuan touched his chin. The sixty percent increase referred to the fundamental strength of his body, not considering various amplifications, akin to soaking in the Eternal Spring.
Furthermore, Lin Yuan sensed that he hadn't reached the end of excavating the Seven-Colored Dragon bloodline. The deeper he excavated, the stronger his body would become.
"In the past century, I've also reopened my internal world, reaching the eighth rank. I only need to accumulate enough to reach the peak of the eighth rank to smoothly transition to the ninth rank."
Lin Yuan withdrew his aura and stood up from the mountaintop.
According to the world's ranking comparison, the eighth rank corresponds to the divine spirits who elevate their divine kingdoms.
Once a divine spirit elevates their divine kingdom, they must enter the Sea of Light or the Abyss of Darkness.
According to the agreement of the twenty-four main gods, divine spirits are not allowed to remain in the mortal world, as their presence would impact the masses, which is a cost the gods relying on the faith of the masses cannot bear.
This means that with his current strength, Lin Yuan is virtually invincible in the mortal world.
"Not yet. Although the gods won't appear in the mortal world, they can still descend upon it. The most powerful twenty-four main gods are limited, so I still need to cultivate discreetly until I return to the ninth rank and fear nothing."
Lin Yuan thought.
This return to the eighth rank was without any suspense for Lin Yuan, the only surprise was the newly awakened physical ability.
Elemental Body.
It could immunize ninety percent of all elemental attacks of the same rank.
In this world, elements are the equivalent of rules in the main universe.
Elemental attacks are rule attacks.
For seventh, eighth, and stronger evolvers, the main method of attack is using rule power. Even the world power within internal worlds is a convergence of various rule powers.
The same attack, with a power level of ten, but with rule augmentation, the power level could reach ten thousand or a million.
Immunizing ninety percent of rule attacks of the same rank makes Lin Yuan nearly invincible among ninth-rank evolvers.
Unless using external power, which ninth-rank evolver could kill Lin Yuan?
Not just kill, even injuring Lin Yuan would be an enormous challenge, especially since Lin Yuan also had the Blood Rebirth ability, instantly healing any wounds.
The immunity of the Elemental Body to rule attacks doesn't overlap with defensive treasures, meaning the two can be combined.
Most importantly, this ability can grow with Lin Yuan.
At the ninth rank, Lin Yuan can immunize ninety percent of all ninth-rank rule attacks.
At the tenth rank, he can immunize ninety percent of all tenth-rank rule attacks.
"Ridiculous, absolutely ridiculous."
Lin Yuan marveled. Combined with Blood Rebirth, this ability was the ultimate defensive combination.
After finishing his cultivation for the day,
Lin Yuan returned to Longshan City.
In the Longshan family hall, several powerful knights stood guard.
"Patriarch," a knight respectfully greeted upon seeing Lin Yuan.
In the past hundred years, the original Viscount Longshan had long passed the title of viscount and patriarch to Lin Yuan. Despite Lin Yuan concealing his strength, he was publicly known to have reached the fourth rank over eighty years ago, making him one of the top powers in Longshan territory and the surrounding viscount territories.
The transition of power in the family went smoothly, mainly because Lin Yuan's strength was sufficient. Many past viscounts and patriarchs of the Longshan family hadn't reached the fourth rank before their succession.
They had to rely on the family's vast resources to barely reach the fourth rank after becoming patriarch.
Lin Yuan, with his absolute fourth-rank strength before succession, and his potential to become a fifth-rank great knight, commanded respect from the family.
"Ling, have the family members started training with that cultivation method?" Lin Yuan asked softly from his seat on the viscount's throne.
The 'Ling' he referred to was Longshan Ling, who had once fervently pursued Lin Yuan.
Eventually realizing there was no hope, she shifted her focus to family affairs and became highly valued by Lin Yuan.
"Patriarch, the cultivation method is working well. It doesn't seem to be limited to specific bloodlines. Our family's prospective knights are even discovering bloodline power other than the 'Mountain Dragon' bloodline."
Longshan Ling's tone was slightly excited. She knew very well what this cultivation method meant.
Many family members had the potential to become knights but couldn't cultivate the Longshan Method due to their thin 'Mountain Dragon' bloodline.
But the method Lin Yuan gave her would automatically excavate the most suitable bloodline, not limited to 'Mountain Dragon.'
Once this method was widespread, the number of knights in the Longshan family would surge.
And the more knights, the stronger the Longshan family. The stronger the family, the more resources they could obtain, creating a positive cycle.
"If that's the case, then spread it," Lin Yuan said calmly.
The martial cultivation method he gave to Longshan Ling was the 'localized' martial evolution path.
During this transmigration, besides strengthening himself, Lin Yuan hadn't forgotten to 'spread the way'.
Before reaching the strongest level, one needs an ultimate leap. The more beings cultivating the martial evolution path, the more it would benefit Lin Yuan.
The beings of this world were the source of faith for the gods, and Lin Yuan wanted a share.
There wasn't a strict conflict between the two. Lin Yuan didn't need the faith of the masses; he just needed them to cultivate the martial evolution path.
"Spread it." Longshan Ling shivered inwardly. She knew the value of the method Lin Yuan gave her.
While spreading it would significantly enhance the family's strength, it couldn't prevent the method from leaking out.
Other territories' knights would also obtain this method, leveling the playing field and diminishing the Longshan family's advantage.
"Don't worry. Do as I say. There won't be any problems."
Lin Yuan gave Longshan Ling a reassuring look.
His goal was to spread the localized martial evolution path as widely as possible, starting with the Longshan family and then beyond.
As for the family being overshadowed? With Lin Yuan as the viscount, the family's future glory would far exceed Longshan Ling's imagination.
"Are the people from the 'Lust' Church still in Longshan City?" Lin Yuan asked about the second matter.
The 'Lust' Church was one of the demigod churches severely suppressed by the empire. Over a hundred years ago, they had fled to the vicinity of Anpu City.
The original Longshan Yuan's depletion of essence energy was closely linked to the 'Lust' Church.
Over the past century, Lin Yuan had mostly figured out that the 'Lust' Church aimed to secretly control the Longshan family to collect faith for the 'Lust' Mother Goddess.
According to the information Lin Yuan had, the 'Lust' Mother Goddess was a powerful demigod who had escaped the Order Church's clutches several times.
Although the gods couldn't directly intervene in the mortal world, powerful main gods like the Order God could descend in avatars with near-god-level combat power.
A century ago, the 'Lust' Church targeted Longshan Yuan. But after Lin Yuan's consciousness descended and he returned to Longshan City, he showed no intention of returning to Anpu City, thwarting the 'Lust' Church's plans.
Reluctantly, the 'Lust' Church sent someone to infiltrate Longshan City, hoping to reconnect with Longshan Yuan.
Unfortunately, the charming fox girl who infiltrated Longshan City waited fifty years, aging and fading, without seeing Lin Yuan again.
In fact, this fox girl had seen Lin Yuan several times up close, but Lin Yuan ignored her.
Fifty years later, the now aged fox girl left in disappointment, but the 'Lust' Church didn't give up on Longshan territory. They sent a young girl instead.
This time, the 'Lust' Church didn't target Lin Yuan but the current heirs of the Longshan family.
Lin Yuan immediately saw through their plans.
For an organization like the 'Lust' Church, which was wanted by the empire, they wouldn't act unless necessary. Any clues would attract the Order Church's attention.
Realizing they couldn't deal with Lin Yuan, the 'Lust' Church decided to wait for him to die and then proceed with their plans.
"Trying to outlast me?"
Lin Yuan found this amusing. In this world's rules, even fourth and fifth-rank knights rarely lived past two hundred years.
The 'Lust' Church's plan wasn't flawed for ordinary knights.
But for Lin Yuan? Even without mentioning his true lifespan, he had over a thousand years left here. Could the 'Lust' Church outlast him and face Lin Yuan at his peak, capable of slaying true gods?
...
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