Chapter 9 – The Weight of Blood and Legacy (part 1)
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His gaze seemed to pierce through space itself.
"My spirit can sense that there is someone outside your mansion who has cultivated the Eight Body Trigram, a family signature body art. Every newborn of our Ashbound lineage practices it to stimulate their body's potential before beginning their true cultivation journey."
He paused, letting his words sink in.
"Since someone outside has mastered it, he was likely trained by your great-grandfather after arriving in this world. That person was left behind for a reason—to ensure your survival and guide you in your future path. You can trust him completely."
Ansh's eyes widened slightly.
He immediately understood.
The old butler.
He was the only one who had been with the family since the beginning. His father and grandfather had trusted him without question. Now everything made sense—his unusual strength, his unwavering vitality even in old age.
So this was the reason.
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The old man continued, his voice steady yet distant.
"As I can sense, the world's essence is generating quite well. According to my estimation, within at least a month, this world will ascend into the Inner Space."
Ansh held his breath.
"That will be the moment when the System blesses every living being with its power. Even non-living entities, given enough time, may develop consciousness."
A brief silence followed before he added,
"Though you will not receive this blessing, do not be disheartened. The essence this world will gain after ascending will be immense—enough to begin cultivation. At present, it is insufficient."
His tone softened slightly.
"However, you can still strengthen yourself by practicing the Eight Body Trigram. It does not require essence and will give you a significant head start."
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Then his expression turned grave.
"Remember this well—although the System does not acknowledge our existence and considers us forbidden beings, it has never truly restricted us from becoming strong."
Ansh frowned slightly, listening carefully.
"Yes, it does not grant us blessings. But there are many other paths to power, and the System does not interfere with them."
His voice deepened.
"If it truly wished, it could stop us entirely. The System is omnipotent—no one dares to oppose it. Yet, it follows its own rules. Rules it never breaks."
A faint pause.
"In the end, it grants power only to those willing to face challenges and prove themselves worthy."
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"When this world ascends into the Inner Space," he continued, "it will be tested."
Ansh's heart tightened.
"That test… will be a monster invasion."
The words echoed heavily.
"The System will open portals to the Monster World. Creatures will pour into this world, bringing destruction and chaos. The responsibility to protect this world will fall entirely upon its inhabitants."
Ansh swallowed subconsciously.
"If they succeed, the System will bless them based on their contributions."
"Although you will not receive direct blessings," the old man added, "your efforts will not go unrewarded. You will gain benefits through other means—items, heavenly treasures, and rare opportunities."
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Ansh felt a chill run down his spine.
The scale of destruction… was unimaginable.
Sensing his fear, the old man smiled faintly.
"You need not worry so much. The number of monsters summoned will be equal to the number of living beings in this world."
Ansh blinked.
"Their strength will only be slightly above the majority."
A small pause.
"And for you… it will be even easier."
Ansh looked up.
"If you fully master the Eight Body Trigram, your strength could rival that of a Level 5 being. The monsters will at most reach Level 2."
The tension in Ansh's chest loosened.
"All you need to do… is kill more monsters. The more you contribute, the greater your rewards."
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Ansh let out a quiet breath.
It was dangerous—but not hopeless.
"The System is fair," the old man continued. "It gives everyone a chance to grow stronger."
His voice carried a sense of certainty.
"Even a talentless person can rise. It ensures they reach a minimum level of strength and provides opportunities to surpass their limits."
A brief pause.
"But nothing comes for free. Every opportunity carries risk—sometimes even death. Yet those who succeed gain immense power."
"It also maintains balance."
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Ansh listened intently.
"A powerful being from a higher realm could destroy an entire world with a single strike. If left unchecked, such beings would eliminate weaker worlds to prevent future threats."
A faint, knowing smile appeared.
"But they do not."
"Because the System prevents it."
"It restricts stronger beings from descending into lower spaces. They can only ascend further toward the universe's core—not descend freely."
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Ansh hesitated before asking,
"Ancestor… if that is the case, then how did my great-grandfather come here when we originally belonged to the innermost space?"
The old man smiled.
"As I said, the System is fair. But we, the Ashbound, are anomalies. Since we are not recognized by the System, its restrictions do not fully apply to us."
Ansh's eyes flickered.
"This… is one of our greatest advantages."
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"Then why didn't others descend?" Ansh asked quickly. "Why only great-grandfather?"
The old man shook his head slowly.
"It is not that simple."
"Each space is separated by a barrier—a layer easy to cross from the outside, but nearly impossible from within."
His voice grew heavier.
"Even I, at the peak of the innermost space, could only create a small crack in that layer with all my power."
Ansh's expression stiffened.
"The only reason Alok succeeded was because we gave him a treasure capable of breaking that barrier just enough for one person to pass."
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"Still, dangers remain," he continued. "While stronger beings cannot easily descend, those within the same space can attack."
"They may not destroy the world outright—but they can still cause harm."
"And worlds can connect through special means… sometimes even provided by the System itself."
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"So remember this," his voice turned firm, "you will not only face enemies from this world, but also intruders from others."
"Protecting your world is essential."
"Think of this world as your root," he said calmly. "Just as a tree with strong roots grows tall, a being grows stronger as their world ascends closer to the universe's core."
"But if the world is destroyed, it limits everyone born within it."
"At worst… they may never ascend."
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Ansh spoke again, more thoughtfully this time,
"If my mother is from this world… then I am bound to it as well?"
The old man nodded.
"Yes. The world recognizes you as one of its own."
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At that moment, Ansh noticed it.
The old man's figure was beginning to fade.
"It seems… my time is ending," he said softly.
Ansh's chest tightened.
"One last thing…"
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"We, the Ashbound, have ruled several worlds. The treasures we accumulated are hidden in our homeland within the innermost space."
"Only those of our bloodline can access them."
"When you reach that place… claim them."
"They will greatly aid your growth."
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"We also sent two treasures with Alok when he descended."
"First—a cultivation technique created by our second ancestor, designed to unlock the full potential of our bloodline."
"Second… a mysterious treasure of unknown origin."
Even his fading voice carried a hint of gravity.
"Even we could not fully comprehend it."
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"It has one extraordinary ability—it can track potential."
Ansh's eyes sharpened.
"It can locate individuals with the highest growth potential, regardless of race or species."
"Even hidden or unawakened potential… it can detect."
"It can identify up to three individuals with the greatest potential in a world."
"And within this world… it can scan across an entire nation."
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"But it has limitations."
"It can only detect those whose talents have not yet been awakened by the System."
"And it can only track three individuals at a time."
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"So… use it wisely…"
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With those final words, the old man's figure dissolved into nothingness.
Silence filled the space.
Ansh stood alone—
but no longer lost.