"You… you've tampered with the president's bloodline device and think you can just walk away? It's not that easy!" Liu Tong sprang up, planting himself in Qin Chen's path. His face contorted with fury, spittle flying as he jabbed a finger at Qin Chen, nearly splattering him.
Qin Chen shifted his stance slightly, his gaze turning icy. In a low, firm voice, he said, "First, I only used the bloodline device—I didn't damage it. Second, even if it were damaged, that's your Bloodline Holy Land's problem. Or do you intend to pin the blame on me?"
A sharp, piercing light flared in Qin Chen's eyes, cold and tinged with a disdain that seemed to look down on all creation. Liu Tong shuddered, a chill seeping into his skull as primal fear clawed up from deep within.
He stumbled back two steps, trembling. "You… what are you planning? This is the Bloodline Holy Land!"
His eyes darted to the guards nearby, and clarity snapped him back to reality. His retreating steps halted, his face flushing hot with shame. *Heavens, how humiliating!* A dignified steward of the Bloodline Holy Land, rattled to his core by a mere boy—if word got out, he'd never live it down here.
Nearby, Li Wenyu's expression flickered with surprise. The aura Qin Chen exuded had startled him too. The boy was barely in his teens, yet that fleeting surge of presence made even him wary. *Interesting,* he noted silently.
"Li Wenyu, what's gone wrong in the awakening chamber?"
At that moment, a steady voice cut through from beyond the awakening area. An elder in a white robe stepped forward, parting the crowd. A single blood-stripe adorned his chest, its edge embroidered with silver. His stride was measured, his aura restrained, yet an indescribable majesty radiated from him. His deep, fathomless eyes, like an icy abyss, compelled all to avert their gaze.
"Good heavens, it's President Dongfang Qing of the Bloodline Holy Land!"
"What's happening in there to draw out the president himself?"
"My word, has an earthquake struck the Holy Land?"
The warriors gathered outside the awakening area gaped in shock, their voices booming like thunder in heated discussion. As Dongfang Qing passed, their expressions turned reverent, eyes shining with awe, as if beholding a living legend.
Dongfang Qing, president of Great Qi's Bloodline Holy Land, was among the nation's most powerful figures. A single stomp of his foot could shake the capital thrice over. Ordinary folk rarely glimpsed him—seeing him here in the awakening area signaled something monumental had occurred.
In an instant, many craned their necks, straining to peer inside, though nothing was visible.
*Fourth-rank Mysterious Bloodline Master!*
Qin Chen's gaze settled on the badge at Dongfang Qing's chest, narrowing slightly. Bloodline masters marked their rank with blood-stripes: one for first-rank, two for second, three for third. At fourth-rank, it reverted to a single stripe edged in silver; at seventh-rank and beyond, the edge turned gold. The silver-edged stripe on this man declared him a fourth-rank Mysterious-grade bloodline master.
"Li Wenyu, what's happened in the awakening chamber? Why did I have to come down here myself?"
Dongfang Qing had been jolted from his contemplation—stunned by the awakening of Qin Chen's thunder bloodline—only to be interrupted by news of trouble in the chamber. Forced to rush over, his displeasure was palpable.
Li Wenyu, haughty before Liu Tong, now shrank into deference before Dongfang Qing, cautious as a lackey. "President, sir, Liu Tong failed in his duties and let a guest into your newly established bloodline chamber…"
"What?" Dongfang Qing's irritation flared into shock, cutting Li Wenyu off. "Which bloodline chamber are you talking about?"
Li Wenyu's heart skipped, his voice tight. "The one housing the latest bloodline device you recently secured from the higher Bloodline Holy Land."
The calm on Dongfang Qing's face vanished. Fury gathered in his eyes like a volcano on the brink of eruption. A wave of chilling intent swept through the bloodline area, leaving everyone trembling in dread.
"Damn it! Didn't I warn you a thousand times—no one was to enter that chamber? You can't even handle something this simple—what are you all good for? If that bloodline device is damaged even slightly, none of you will stay in the Holy Land. Pack your bags and get out!" Dongfang Qing's enraged roar thundered through the hall, his resonant voice rattling minds and threatening to topple those who heard it.
Then, like a gust of wind, he stormed into the nearby bloodline chamber.
Li Wenyu and the others trailed after him in panic, bracing for the president's wrath. But when they peeked inside, they found no outburst—Dongfang Qing stood motionless before the active bloodline device, staring as if struck dumb. The scene was as eerie as it was surreal.
Li Wenyu and his group felt their hearts sink. Cold sweat drenched them, soaking their robes, their limbs turning to ice.
While awaiting Dongfang Qing, they'd all prayed the device was unharmed. If it was intact, letting a guest slip in might still be salvageable.
But if it was damaged…
And now, seeing the president's stunned expression, one thought gripped them all—
*It's over!*
*The bloodline device is ruined.*
*Thud!*
Liu Tong, barely steady on his feet, felt his vision blur. He collapsed to the ground, nearly fainting.
Li Wenyu's mouth twitched, his heart pounding with dread as he instinctively retreated two steps, a chill seizing him.
The guards, meanwhile, edged far from the doorway, holding their breath, desperate to avoid becoming targets of the president's fury.
Everyone could already envision Dongfang Qing's impending explosion. Staying near him now was a death sentence.
Sure enough—
Under countless watching eyes, President Dongfang Qing stirred. He approached the humming bloodline device, each step heavy as if bearing a thousand pounds. His trembling hands brushed over its buttons, his wide eyes fixed on the glowing array patterns.
His facial muscles twisted slowly, his complexion flushing red.
*Here it comes!*
Li Wenyu and the others held their breath, steeling themselves for Dongfang Qing's earth-shaking rage.
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