The Sacred Bloodline Grounds buzzed with activity. Qin Chen's gaze swept the bustling hall, noting two distinct lines of people.
One consisted of adult martial artists, here to enhance or repair their bloodlines. Once awakened, a bloodline could grow stronger alongside a martial artist's cultivation. Bloodline masters could also use external materials to boost a martial artist's bloodline power, elevating their strength.
The other line was filled with teenagers, accompanied by their parents, awaiting the bloodline masters' awakening rituals.
"Young sir, are you here to awaken your bloodline? Where are your parents? Didn't they come with you?" A pleasant voice broke through the din, accompanied by a refreshing fragrance. A young woman in a white dress, her figure graceful, smiled at Qin Chen.
Lin Xinrou, a service attendant at the Sacred Grounds, had noticed Qin Chen lingering and looking around, prompting her to approach.
"Young sir?" Qin Chen touched his nose, amused by the title. In his past life, at the Martial Domain's Bloodline Grounds headquarters, attendants had treated him with utmost deference. This casual address felt oddly novel.
Lin Xinrou's smile widened, bright and teasing. "You're younger than my little brother. If not 'young sir,' should I call you 'little brother' instead?"
Her cheerful demeanor was a break from the monotony of her job. Encountering a teenager without parental escort was rare, and she couldn't resist a playful jab.
"Fair enough. Arrange a private bloodline chamber for me," Qin Chen said, his eyes still scanning the hall, his tone calm but firm.
Lin Xinrou blinked, slightly amused by his authoritative manner. "Young sir, if you're here for bloodline awakening, you just need to register and join the line over there. Master Chen Fan is overseeing today's awakenings. When it's your turn, follow the others in. There's no need for a private chamber."
"I'm not here for someone else to awaken my bloodline. I have other business. Just arrange the chamber," Qin Chen clarified, realizing her misunderstanding.
Lin Xinrou paused, studying him. Bloodline chambers were equipped for awakening rituals, used exclusively by bloodline masters. Is this boy planning to awaken his own bloodline?
"If you're seeking to awaken your bloodline, it's best to have a bloodline master perform the ritual," she said, her tone turning serious. "The process is complex and dangerous. A mistake could severely damage your bloodline or even cost your life. If you're studying the ritual, you should do so with a mentor."
The Sacred Grounds had seen such incidents before. A bloodline master's apprentice once attempted an unauthorized awakening, causing irreversible harm to a youth and nearly killing him. The apprentice was expelled and harshly punished.
"Don't worry. I'm only researching the awakening ritual. There's no danger. Just do as I ask," Qin Chen said, waving a hand dismissively. His tone carried an undeniable authority.
Lin Xinrou's playful demeanor vanished, replaced by a subtle awe. Most visitors to the Sacred Grounds were deferential, seeking favors. Yet Qin Chen's commanding presence made refusal feel impossible. She mentally labeled him a bloodline master's apprentice.
"Very well, please follow me." She led him to the front desk to register. "The rental fee for a bloodline chamber is five hundred silver coins per hour. Please sign here."
"Here's the payment." Qin Chen handed over five hundred silver coins and signed his name, inwardly wincing at the cost. A standard awakening cost a hundred silver coins, but renting a chamber was five times pricier. I'll need to find ways to earn money after the academy exam.
At the bloodline chamber area of the Sacred Grounds, a middle-aged deacon in a long robe addressed a steward-like figure in a pristine room. Pointing to the equipment, he said, "Steward Liu, this batch of bloodline instruments was personally acquired by the president from the higher-tier Sacred Grounds. They're the most advanced available, used even by bloodline masters in the Martial Domain. However, they're extremely complex. Even the president is still studying them. No one in our branch, except the president, is permitted to use this chamber's instruments—not even other bloodline masters. You're in charge here. If anything goes wrong, you'll answer for it. Understood?"
"Yes, Deacon Li, rest assured. I'll issue orders immediately—no one, not even a mosquito, will get in," Steward Liu said, patting his chest confidently.
"Good. I have matters to attend to with the president. I'll leave this to you."
After Deacon Li departed, Steward Liu gazed enviously at the instruments. "So this is the market's most advanced bloodline equipment. Tsk tsk, they say it can detect bloodline concentrations as low as one-thousandth. Incredible. To think our branch has such a treasure."
As he marveled, a frantic voice called from outside. "Steward Liu! Are you there?"
"I'm here. What's the matter?" Steward Liu stepped out, frowning at the sight of an assistant to Master Chen Fan, sensing trouble.
"Steward Liu, Master Chen Fan's bloodline instrument malfunctioned during an awakening. You need to come quickly!"
"What?" Steward Liu's heart skipped a beat. Master Chen Fan was overseeing all of today's awakening rituals. A malfunction was a serious issue, potentially tarnishing the Sacred Grounds' reputation.
"Lead the way!"
In his haste, Steward Liu followed the assistant to Chen Fan's chamber, forgetting Deacon Li's strict instructions.
Moments after his departure, Lin Xinrou arrived with Qin Chen at the bloodline chamber area.
"Here are the bloodline chambers," she said, gesturing. "Each room is equipped for awakening rituals. You can use this one."
"Mm." Qin Chen nodded, about to enter, when his gaze caught on a nearby room, his steps faltering briefly.