Chapter 252: Activating the Ancient Barbarian Bloodline

The Four Ancient Immortals were often invited by the Immortal Fairy to her immortal dwelling, where they would be her guests and taste rare delicacies.

Due to the unique nature of the Immortal Fairy's cooking, she had extremely high standards for both food and utensils.

The chopsticks, bowls, and tablecloth had all endured countless trials and remained undamaged, having passed the dual tests of time and the present world. They were truly priceless.

These utensils inevitably absorbed the aura of the five immortals.

"This just goes to show how invincible we Five Ancient Immortals are," the Immortal Fairy boasted, praising herself vigorously. "Without even lifting a finger, simply by sitting, we can imbue objects with our aura, and it won't dissipate even after 300,000 years!"

Perhaps seeing old objects put her in a good mood.

Lu Yang: "..."

But on second thought, it wasn't so bad. Acquiring an immortal item for only four thousand spirit stones was a huge bargain.

Moreover, this cloth was indestructible, definitely a good item.

"What a pity, you can't use this cloth," the Immortal Fairy said with regret, making Lu Yang choke.

"Why?"

"This tablecloth was once refined by me. Even if I've died once, the fact that it was refined won't disappear. So, only I can use this tablecloth."

"So I spent four thousand spirit stones and asked Junior Sister Tao to bid on it, just to buy a tablecloth for you?"

The Immortal Fairy sincerely replied, "Second Boss, I will remember your kindness."

In reality, after Tao Yaoye saw Lu Yang get the red silk, his expression went from excitement to disappointment, then hope flared up, only to be crushed again. The changes were quite dramatic.

"Senior Brother Lu, what's wrong?"

Lu Yang sighed, "Nothing, just ended up being a fool this time."

As he spoke, he tried to put the tablecloth into his identity jade pendant.

It failed.

"Fairy, could you please allow your tablecloth to enter my identity jade pendant?"

"Oh."

The tablecloth belonged to the Immortal Fairy, so it couldn't be directly placed in the identity jade pendant.

After the attendant gave Meng Jingzhou the spirit stones from the auction of the Twin-Flower Lotus, he also gave him three talismans stored in a jade box.

These were three God Transformation-level directional teleportation talismans. They could be used to escape attacks from God Transformation stage great demons, or to teleport God Transformation stage great demons to Demon Suppression Pass to their deaths. They had a variety of uses.

"Let's go, it's time to train in the dense forest," Lu Yang called out to the group.

The four didn't forget their purpose for coming to the dense forest. They headed directly from the auction house into the forest.

This time, the Five Eagle Mountain Heroes did not accompany them.

Lu Yang had discussed with the Five Eagle Mountain Heroes that most of the early to mid-Golden Core stage demonic beasts encountered in the outer perimeter of the dense forest posed little challenge for Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou.

To achieve their true training objective, they needed to explore deeper and enter the gathering places of late-Golden Core stage demonic beasts.

In this way, the Five Eagle Mountain Heroes' cultivation was insufficient, making it difficult to ensure their safety. Furthermore, since they had long operated in the outer perimeter, they knew little about the deeper parts of the dense forest, so their role would be very limited.

"Senior Brother Lu, aren't we progressing too quickly by rashly fighting late-Golden Core stage demonic beasts?" Tao Yaoye asked with some concern. "Shouldn't we start with late-Foundation Establishment stage ones first?"

She and Mang Gu had just reached the late-Foundation Establishment stage. They should proceed steadily, starting with battles against opponents of the same level.

The opponents Tao Yaoye had faced at the same level were either Lu Yang or the strongest Foundation Establishment cultivators of the Five Elements Sect. She hadn't won a single fight.

Moreover, as an Ascended Immortal Body, she should have been more talented than those with single spiritual roots. Yet, she was only ranked third in her batch. Therefore, she lacked confidence in her combat ability.

Lu Yang chuckled, "Junior Sister Tao, be more confident. As a contemporary prodigy, few Foundation Establishment cultivators can defeat you. Challenging opponents of higher levels isn't as difficult as you imagine."

"Not to mention fighting Foundation Establishment stage demonic beasts; even against early to mid-Golden Core stage ones, you're guaranteed to win," he continued. "If that's the case, we won't achieve the desired training effect."

Mang Gu, who was standing by, suddenly realized, "I thought Brother Lu was worried about encountering those enemies you shaved bald in the outer areas, which would cause a lot of trouble, and that's why we're heading deeper into the dense forest. My thinking was too shallow!"

Lu Yang: "..."

What a blunt truth.

Currently, the outer perimeter of the dense forest was full of Lu Yang's enemies. If Lu Yang dared to show his face, countless people would hunt him down.

"Oh, right, Junior Sister Tao, can you set up an illusion for us?"

"What kind of illusion?"

Lu Yang touched his slightly regrown hair and smiled sheepishly, "Just an illusion that makes us think our hair is still as it used to be."

Meng Jingzhou also nodded.

Tao Yaoye: "...Alright."

She performed a simple spell, making the four enter an illusion. The only difference between the illusion and reality was that Lu Yang and Meng Jingzhou had full, luxuriant hair.

"I'll find a late-Golden Core stage demonic beast first to let Junior Sister practice," Lu Yang said, then, in his mental space, he asked the Immortal Fairy to extend her divine sense to find the nearest late-Golden Core stage demonic beast.

"Fairy, please."

"I can help with that, but I want to activate the Barbarian bloodline in this little Barbarian first," the Immortal Fairy said, eager to lend a hand upon encountering her own creation.

The Barbarian tribe lacked detailed records about the ancient Barbarian race, otherwise, Mang Gu wouldn't be unaware of the Immortal Fairy's existence.

At the same time, Mang Gu didn't know how to activate his ancient Barbarian bloodline and was currently in the gradual exploration phase.

Previously, ancient Barbarians would gradually activate their bloodline as their cultivation grew, which was too inefficient.

With the Immortal Fairy's help, the process of activating the ancient Barbarian bloodline would be significantly shortened.

"Once the ancient Barbarian bloodline is activated, this little Barbarian will have an overwhelming advantage against demonic beasts," she explained. "It will be very helpful to you all!"

Lu Yang thought for a moment and agreed.

"Mang Gu, I'm going to tell you how to activate your ancient Barbarian bloodline now. Get ready."

Although he didn't know why Brother Lu knew how to activate his bloodline, Mang Gu knew Brother Lu wouldn't deceive him.

"Okay, I'm ready."

In the mental space, the Immortal Fairy would say a line, and Lu Yang would repeat it to Mang Gu in reality.

"The ancient Barbarian bloodline originates from the Immortal Fairy, a blessing from an immortal," Lu Yang relayed. "You must spread your arms and shout 'Immortal Fairy will live forever!' three times. Your body will then warm up; this is the initial manifestation of bloodline awakening."

Hearing this, Mang Gu was greatly astonished, never expecting that their ancient Barbarian race originated from the Immortal Fairy.

"Next, you must sing praises of the Immortal Fairy's status," Lu Yang continued, "calling her the supreme being, the leader of the Five Immortals, incomparable and irreplaceable."

"The praises must also be repeated three times."

"Did you remember all that?" Lu Yang asked. He understood now: the awakening ritual was essentially just flattering the Immortal Fairy.

"Uh... what was the first phrase again? 'Immortal Fairy perishes forever'?"

"It's 'Immortal Fairy will live forever!'"

Mang Gu spread his arms and shouted towards the sky:

"Immortal Fairy will live forever!"

"Immortal Fairy will live forever!"

"Immortal Fairy will live forever!"

Three heartfelt shouts startled the birds in the trees, making them fly away.

As the awakening ritual progressed step by step, Mang Gu felt his bloodline boiling within him, as if it were on fire.

His body turned crimson, his face contorted in pain, grimacing, and pea-sized beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. He felt as if his body was about to explode.

With heavy breaths, Mang Gu's bloodline gradually returned to normal, and the agonizing sensation slowly faded.

"How do you feel?"

"I feel full of power!"

"Then..."

Before Lu Yang could finish saying "good," he heard the sound of demonic beasts running from nearby.

The sounds came from multiple directions, from all sides, all heading towards their location.

*Boom—*

Trees crashed down. A scaled demonic beast, its eyes bloodshot, stared intently at Mang Gu.

*Boom—*

Behind the four, another demonic beast appeared, staring at Mang Gu as if it had found an archenemy.

One Golden Core stage demonic beast after another appeared, completely surrounding the four.

The demonic beasts' target was clear: it was Mang Gu.

"Senior Brother, this is what you meant by 'first find a late-Golden Core stage demonic beast to let me practice'?" Tao Yaoye whispered, having never seen such a grand formation.

"Fairy, what's going on?!" Lu Yang realized there was a problem with the ancient Barbarian bloodline on Mang Gu.

"Hmm, it seems the ancient Barbarian bloodline wasn't fully activated, and instead of suppressing the demonic beasts, it provoked them..." the Immortal Fairy mused. "No worries, this is all within my expectations!"

"Fairy, say that again while looking me in the eyes."

The Immortal Fairy, feeling guilty, shifted her gaze away: "This is an immortal's test."