204: Bloodline Curse

Qinglan Academy, Qinlan Hall.

Inside the solemn main hall, nearly a hundred Divine Power Realm Cultivators stood as still as pine trees, silent as the grave.

At their waists, they all wore qinglan tokens; on the back of the black background, four cold, hard five-pointed stars were embossed, silently proclaiming their status.

However, the few people in the front row did not have black tokens at their waists, but rather Gold Tokens that shimmered with a restrained golden light. Although they were also four-star, they exuded a distinctly different nobility.

All gazes converged on the high platform in the hall.

On the stage, a figure stood with his back to the crowd, draped in a black robe embroidered with intricate and mysterious tree patterns.

At his waist hung an even more dazzling Gold Token. One side bore the word "Song" written in a dragon-like, cursive script; on the other side, seven five-pointed stars, as if containing a profound sea of stars, were quietly arranged.

He turned slowly.

His face was ordinary, save for a pair of eyes as sharp as blades.

Not a shred of Spiritual Pressure leaked from his body, yet the nearly one hundred Divine Power Realm experts below the stage all lowered their heads in unison, none daring to look directly at the invisible yet mountain-heavy dignity.

"Xuansha, have you thought it through?" The voice was not loud, but it clearly pierced the silence of the hall and fell into the ears of the youth in the first row with the Gold Token.

The youth—Song Xuan Sha—straightened his back and said in a clear voice:

"Dean, I have made up my mind! As a member of the Song Kingdom Royal Family, how can I be content as a bird in a cage or a flower in a garden?

I must go to this ruin!"

Before his voice had even faded, the space beside him split open silently, revealing a pitch-black fissure.

A white-haired old man stepped out from within. He bowed slightly to the high platform, his voice hoarse but steady as a rock:

"Academy Master, although this old man is but a withered bone, my meager cultivation in the Star God Realm remains. With me accompanying and protecting him, you may rest assured regarding Your Highness's safety."

Academy Master Song Qianji's gaze fell upon the old man, his expression becoming more solemn:

"Since Senior Song Cultivator is willing to come out of seclusion, I am naturally relieved!" He nodded slightly, then his gaze, like lightning, swept toward another person below the stage, "Xiao Buyu!"

"Subordinate is here!" A young Cultivator, also wearing a Gold Token, responded solemnly.

"For this trip to the Divine Ability ruin, you will lead the team and must ensure the safety of Your Highness Song Xuan Sha!" Academy Master Song Qianji's voice suddenly turned sharp, every word like iron,

"If Your Highness suffers even the slightest mishap, you will be held responsible!"

Xiao Buyu cupped his hands, his voice as heavy as metal clashing:

"Subordinate will strictly obey the Dean's orders!" The moment he lowered his head, a cold, snake-like glint flashed deep in his eyes, too fast for anyone to notice.

To everyone, it was perfectly normal for this elite of the local forces within the academy to be entrusted with the duty of protecting Your Highness.

Song Xuan Sha, however, secretly curled his lip: "Hmph! With Uncle Song Cultivator by my side, what need is there for these uninteresting people?

Academy Master, you underestimate me too much!"

On the stage, Academy Master Song Qianji's voice once again quelled the faint discussions in the hall:

"There is one more matter. The Prefect and I have both received an edict from the Imperial Capital—"

He paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over every face below the stage,

"The Spirit Tax policy is about to change!"

Once these words were spoken, it was like a giant stone thrown into a deep pool.

Although no one dared to make a scene below, an invisible vibration instantly filled the air, and countless secret Divine Thoughts were quickly transmitted among the Cultivators.

"Brother Qing, history records that three hundred years ago, there was no such thing as a 'Spiritual Qi tax' in Qinglan Prefecture... This change is likely malicious!" A Divine Thought was transmitted with worry.

Ignoring the silent commotion, Academy Master Song Qianji continued:

"The implementation of the new policy will inevitably meet with resistance. The Spirit Tax Division urgently needs to expand its manpower! Everyone here is an elite of our Qinglan Academy. If you are interested in serving the Spirit Tax Division, you may come to me to sign up.

Anyone who joins the division will be granted the rank of Commander!"

The word "Commander," like a pebble thrown into calm water, instantly caused ripples in many people's hearts.

Those Cultivators who had been stuck in the Divine Power Realm for many years, feeling hopeless about breaking through to the Star God Realm, felt a quiet heat ignite in their eyes.

After the meeting.

On the cloud terrace outside the hall, Song Xuan Sha looked at the surging sea of clouds in the distance, his face clearly showing displeasure:

"Uncle Song Cultivator, today was truly boring!

The whole hall was full of Divine Power Realm, and I am the only one in the True Fetus Realm. Look at the eyes of those people, a bunch of country bumpkins; they have no awe for me at all!"

The Uncle Song Cultivator beside him advised in a low voice:

"Your Highness, the Law of this world is that the weak are prey to the strong.

Only by ascending to the Star God Realm can one make all sides bow.

Your Highness should break through to the Divine Power Realm as soon as possible and not dwell on that Spatial True Intent..."

Song Xuan Sha turned abruptly, his expression as sharp as a frost blade:

"Uncle Song Cultivator, stop trying to persuade me! If I do not comprehend the Spatial True Intent, I will never break through to the Divine Power Realm!

This may... be the only opportunity for our Song Clan Royal Family to break that Bloodline Curse!"

His voice rose sharply, carrying a kind of tragic resolution, "If I am to take that 'god-stealing pill' that steals the Foundation of the Divine path and live on in the Star God Realm, I would rather die and have my Dao extinguished!

How can I have the face to inherit the throne with such a Realm?

Our Song Kingdom in the Lintian Domain has long become a laughingstock!"

Song Cultivator's expression changed slightly, his sleeves fluttered without wind, and an invisible barrier instantly enveloped the two of them.

"Your Highness, watch your words!" His voice was urgent,

"Do not mention the god-stealing pill again!"

Looking at the heat and unyielding spirit burning in the young man's eyes—enough to burn himself—Song Cultivator felt a complex mix of emotions, not knowing whether to be gratified by this pride or saddened by the almost inevitable outcome.

A thousand-year curse, Royal Bloodline, comprehending Spatial True Intent before the Divine Power Realm?

How slim the chances!

For a thousand years, no one had succeeded.

That hope was more like a candle in the wind.

Song Xuan Sha took a deep breath, suppressing his surging emotions, and changed the subject:

"Uncle Song Cultivator, do you still remember that kid named Zhang Sheng in the Heavenly Injury City arena?"

Song Cultivator pondered for a moment, his fingertips moved slightly, and a stream of information flowed into his palm:

"Hmm. This person has entered the fledgling tiger ranking. It is said that he once killed thousands of True Fetus Realm desolate beasts alone, ranking in the top two thousand of the list, with combat power comparable to an ordinary Divine Power Realm. He is currently a Three-Star Qinglan Guard in our academy."

"Oh?" A hint of interest flashed in Song Xuan Sha's eyes, "Interesting. I am the only True Fetus Realm in the team, which is too boring. It will be him!"

Before he finished speaking, a golden rainbow had already torn through the clouds and mist, instantly landing in front of a group of palaces deep in the Qinglan Academy.

"Zhang Sheng! This Highness is here, why don't you come out to welcome me immediately!" A clear but unmistakably dignified voice rang out. The sound wave, like an invisible awl, easily penetrated the protective Formation outside the residence.

Inside the quiet room, in front of the Pill Furnace.

Zhang Sheng was just guiding his hand seals to the critical point when this voice, containing a special penetrating power, suddenly pierced his ears. His mind was shaken, and the spiritual power at his fingertips suddenly stalled!

Hiss—!

The medicinal liquid essence that had been flowing gently in the furnace suddenly went berserk, rising into a thick, pungent green smoke and turning into a pool of charred ash.

"This voice... is Song Xuan Sha!" Zhang Sheng's pupils contracted.

Since entering the Qinglan Academy, he had long inquired about the background of this "pestilence star"—a member of the Song Kingdom Royal Family sent down for training, with a Star God Realm guardian following him like a shadow!

Calling himself "Your Highness" at this moment, his identity was self-evident!

He dared not be the slightest bit negligent. His figure flickered, and he appeared outside the hall door, bowing and saluting to the golden rainbow figure, his posture very low:

"Zhang Sheng welcomes Your Highness Song Xuan Sha! The humble abode is simple, and I happen to have two pots of crude spirit wine. I wonder if Your Highness would be willing to do me the honor of tasting it?"

"Haha, good! Then I will taste your crude brew!" Song Xuan Sha laughed loudly and stepped into the hall first.

The hall was elegant.

With a flip of his hand, Zhang Sheng produced two warm jade pots in his palms.

The spouts tilted slightly, and the clear, bright spirit wine, shrouded in faint mist, poured like a trickling stream into three white jade wine cups.

The aroma of the wine was clear, and although not strong, it had a unique charm.

Zhang Sheng's peripheral vision swept over the empty space beside Song Xuan Sha without a trace, knowing that the invisible guardian must also be there.

"Your Highness, this wine is brewed from fog-gathering spirit fruit, supplemented by the local methods of my hometown. The spiritual power is thin, and I fear it may not be worthy of Your Highness's Dharma Eye. I hope Your Highness will not mind." Zhang Sheng said respectfully.

"Good, then I will taste your hometown flavor!" Song Xuan Sha picked up the wine cup.

Just as the wine cup was about to touch his lips, he paused in an extremely subtle way.

Almost simultaneously, the wine in the other wine cup beside him disappeared silently by half.

Song Xuan Sha seemed to notice nothing, tilted his head, and drank the wine in the cup in one gulp.

"Hmm..." He smacked his lips, a flash of surprise in his eyes,

"Although the spiritual power is far from the nectar of the palace, the flavor is unique and quite distinctive! Not bad!"

Setting down the wine cup, Song Xuan Sha's gaze was like a torch, locking onto Zhang Sheng:

"Kid, in the arena that day, I saw that your Foundation was not bad, so I told you to come find me when you arrived at the Qinglan Academy.

You, on the other hand, treated my words as wind in your ears?" His tone was flat, but the innate pressure of a superior quietly permeated.

Zhang Sheng's heart tightened, and he quickly said: "I had eyes but did not recognize Mount Tai that day, and I offended Your Highness. After entering the academy, I learned of Your Highness's noble status. My background is humble, how could I dare to disturb you rashly?"

"Heh, you didn't come to find me, I can not hold it against you." Song Xuan Sha's mouth curled into an ambiguous arc, his body leaning forward slightly, carrying an irresistible Aura,

"Now, I have come to your door personally to invite you to explore a Divine Ability ruin together—"

He asked, his gaze burning, word by word:

"Are you coming? Or are you not coming?"