Chapter 60: Chapter 60: The Power and Shackles of the Bloodline

The next morning.

Pei Ze arrived early at Medicine Garden No. 8. As soon as he entered, he saw Yin Xue standing before a medicinal patch, watching him with a gentle smile.

Her neck was fair and slender. Paired with her long, snow-white hair, she seemed to shimmer under the warm sunlight.

Her bright and stunning features were a dazzling sight.

"Senior," Pei Ze greeted her.

Yin Xue’s eyes narrowed as she looked him up and down, as if seeing him for the first time.

"Junior, you really took me by surprise this time."

"I never thought that even Gu Lin and Yin Guang would be no match for you."

Yin Xue stared intently at Pei Ze, as if trying to see right through him.

When she heard what had happened from Yin Guang yesterday, she was quite shocked. She never would have guessed that the low-key, steady junior was already a Third-level Wizard Apprentice.

If Yin Guang’s description wasn’t exaggerated, then Pei Ze’s strength was astonishing.

Even many third-year students probably couldn’t compare to him.

Yin Xue marveled inwardly.

She had originally given Pei Ze the books and potion formulas on a whim, never expecting such a pleasant surprise.

Now, it seemed her investment was clearly well worth it.

"I was just lucky. I managed to have a breakthrough during the trial," Pei Ze said with a slight smile, smoothly changing the subject. "Senior, is there something you needed me for today?"

Yin Xue composed herself and said with a gentle smile, "It’s not me. Teacher wants to see you."

Pei Ze was slightly taken aback.

’Mo Weng?’

’Why would that famous Alchemist want to see me?’

Pei Ze’s mind raced, but he couldn’t think of any reason why Mo Weng would want to see him, so he had to ask Yin Xue.

Yin Xue pursed her lips into a smile and shook her head. "I’m not sure either. You’ll know when you see Teacher. Come with me."

With that, she turned and walked toward the deeper part of the medicine garden.

Completely baffled, Pei Ze had no choice but to follow.

On the way, Yin Xue suddenly said, "Junior, you know about Bloodline Wizards, right?"

Pei Ze glanced at her, not understanding why she had suddenly brought up the topic, but he nodded nonetheless.

"A little."

"I’ve heard that some Wizards extract the bloodlines of certain powerful creatures, replace their own blood with it, and then use mysterious methods to transform and evolve their own power systems. These Wizards are collectively known as Bloodline Wizards."

Yin Xue nodded slightly, acknowledging Pei Ze’s explanation, and said softly, "The bloodline power of a Bloodline Wizard can be passed down to their descendants through certain means. Over time, this forms a Bloodline Wizard Clan."

She turned back to look at Pei Ze, her expression serious. "The Pei Family is one of the most powerful Bloodline Wizard Clans in Chenxi City."

A flicker of understanding crossed Pei Ze’s eyes. He had a vague idea of what Yin Xue was trying to tell him.

"Senior, are those who don’t inherit the bloodline known as the ’bloodless’?"

"That’s right." Yin Xue nodded. "A Bloodline Wizard Clan’s Meditation Techniques, modified Magic, and all their resources are prepared for those who inherit the bloodline. Under this comprehensive cultivation system, the strength of a bloodline inheritor often increases very rapidly." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"Especially after they advance to Wizard and awaken their bloodline, their power will skyrocket in a short amount of time."

"In contrast, the cultivation speed of the bloodless is similar to that of an ordinary Wizard. In fact, because they are excluded from the cultivation system, their progress can be even slower. As a result, they are often marginalized and disregarded within a Bloodline Clan."

Hearing this, Pei Ze now fully understood.

He was, as it happened, one of those marginalized, bloodless individuals.

It was precisely because he was disregarded that when the inheritance left by his parents was deceitfully seized, no one spoke up for him. In the end, they even plotted to drive him out of the family.

Learning the full story behind it all, Pei Ze felt no grief or indignation. Instead, he found it somewhat laughable.

’Although I don’t know much about Bloodline Wizards, I know there’s no such thing as a free lunch.’

’The power of a bloodline might make a Wizard strong quickly, but it must also come with some unavoidable flaws.’

’Otherwise, if there were such a convenient way to become stronger, the world would have been overrun with Bloodline Wizards long ago.’

Sure enough, he then heard Yin Xue say:

"The bloodline is the source of a Bloodline Wizard’s power, but it is also a shackle."

"Once a Wizard fuses with a bloodline, it becomes difficult for them to ever surpass the creature that was the source of the bloodline and become a more powerful existence."

"Furthermore, their bloodline thins with each passing generation, and the strength of their descendants grows progressively weaker."

"Unless a descendant can find a legendary creature with the same bloodline and extract its blood for purification, the bloodline will disappear after a few dozen generations at most, and the Bloodline Wizard Clan will fall into decline."

"This is also why Wizards who are ambitious enough to want to walk further down the path of truth often choose not to fuse with a bloodline."

Pei Ze nodded in understanding.

Just then, Yin Xue’s tone suddenly shifted. She said, "Pei Shaoqi’s father, Pei Yonggao, is a Bloodline Wizard. You need to be careful of him from now on."

Her words were abrupt and seemed to come out of nowhere, but Pei Ze immediately understood what she meant.

Others might guess or have their suspicions about how Pei Shaoqi died, but after hearing the details from Yin Guang, Yin Xue already had the answer in her heart.

"An Official Wizard..."

A glint flashed in Pei Ze’s eyes.

’Official Wizards hold a respected status and possess formidable strength. Within Chenxi City, they are figures who command deep reverence.’

’For such an existence, there are countless ways to harm a mere Wizard Apprentice.’

’Even if he doesn’t act personally, plenty of other Wizard Apprentices would be scrambling over each other to do his bidding just to curry favor with him.’

’To a Wizard Apprentice, even the slightest ill will from an Official Wizard is no less than a catastrophe.’

’This is determined by the vast gap in status and strength between the two.’

That being said, Pei Ze felt no regret.

’If I were given another chance, I would still kill Pei Shaoqi without a moment’s hesitation.’

’There was no longer any room for reconciliation between me and the father and son.’

’Was I supposed to believe that if I had spared Pei Shaoqi, he would have been moved to tears with gratitude, repented for his sins, and returned the family assets he stole from me with both hands?’

’That was obviously impossible.’

’Besides, this is the High Tower Academy.’

’Even an Official Wizard can’t just do as they please here.’

’As long as I remain at the academy, Pei Yonggao will have to think twice before trying to harm me.’

’And by the time I graduate, I’m confident I’ll have already advanced to become an Official Wizard myself.’

’Then, Pei Yonggao will be the one who needs to worry.’

The two of them tacitly moved on from the subject and started talking about other things.

Suddenly, Pei Ze remembered something and asked, "Senior, what exactly is the Realm of Truth?"

He remembered that he still had one chance to enter the Realm of Truth.

At the mention of this, a glimmer appeared in Yin Xue’s eyes. She explained in a soft voice, "The Realm of Truth is rumored to be a strange, secret realm created by a Great Wizard based on their understanding of rules. It contains a Great Wizard’s insights into truth and rules."

"By coming into contact with these insights within the realm, not only can you improve your aptitude, but you can also receive different gifts depending on your personal circumstances. Some people comprehend a powerful form of Magic, some gain a vast amount of knowledge in alchemy, and others directly master metamagic techniques."

"However, the Realm of Truth is only effective for Wizard Apprentices, and the number of times it can be opened in a short period is limited. Otherwise, it would cause irreversible damage to the realm itself. Because of this, very few Wizard Apprentices are granted entry each year, making every spot extremely precious."

"Each year, aside from the first-place winner of the new student trial who is guaranteed a spot, only apprentices who have made great contributions to the academy are permitted to enter."

Pei Ze’s eyes lit up.

’If that’s true, then the effects of the Realm of Truth are incredible!’

’Improving one’s aptitude alone would be enough to make countless Wizard Apprentices flock to it.’

’Compared to contribution points and Magic Items, a spot in the Realm of Truth is clearly the most valuable prize for winning the trial.’

"Senior, have you ever been inside the Realm of Truth?" Pei Ze asked curiously.

The corners of Yin Xue’s lips curved up, and a hint of playful pride appeared on her face.

"Don’t underestimate me, Junior."

"I was the first-place winner of my trial, too."