The Back Mountain’s Secrets and a Royal Encounter

Overnight, Su Han’s meditation had granted her a deeper understanding of the Bloodline system, yet she still hadn’t broken through to a First-Tier Bloodline. This was because the foundation of cultivating the Bloodline Refining God Art first required body foundation establishment and body tempering. Body tempering, as it was known, involved immersing oneself in the blood of high-grade demonic beasts, heating it to a boil with Earth Core Fire, and then absorbing the blood’s essence to be assimilated into one’s own body. This method not only allowed for a breakthrough in one’s bloodline but also rendered the physical body incredibly potent, far surpassing others of the same rank.

However, Su Han naturally wouldn’t opt for such an overbearing method as being boiled alive in a grand cauldron or an alchemy furnace. Instead, she preferred a gentler approach, akin to soaking in a hot spring, slowly absorbing the essence. After all, her current physical body was far too fragile; attempting such a forceful tempering to establish her foundation would undoubtedly lead to her demise.

A series of gentle knocks echoed. “Bang, bang, bang.” Su Han opened her door to find a woman with black hair tied in a single ponytail standing before her.

“You are?” Su Han inquired politely, a hint of curiosity in her voice.

“Oh, I’m your mentor. You can call me Mentor Ruolin from now on!” Ruolin, seeing the student before her, immediately felt a surge of affection, speaking with exceptional warmth.

After an early breakfast, Su Han was led by her mentor, Ruolin, on a tour of the Cangnan Outer Courtyard. “This is the training grounds,” Ruolin explained. “It contains many rooms: some are meditation chambers for mages, others are gravity rooms for knights, and there are also rooms designated for mech pilots and bloodline cultivators. Students of Cangnan Academy can choose to use the training room best suited for them by expending contribution points.”

Ruolin gestured towards a plaza ahead. “That area is the dedicated arena where students typically spar and battle. It’s protected by master-level inscriptions, so even an Archmage might not be able to break through it.”

Su Han listened intently, nodding subtly to herself. Even though this was merely the Outer Courtyard of Cangnan Academy, the facilities and treatment far surpassed those of other academies.

“To the left,” Ruolin continued, “is the library. It houses books on mages’ insights, the history of the continent, and even a selection of low-level magic spells.”

Ruolin chuckled lightly before adding, “Of course, most of it is common knowledge, and the magic spells on display are all below Saint-tier. After all, our Outer Courtyard isn’t like the Inner Courtyard, so the classics and scriptures we preserve can’t be overly precious.”

“To the right is the Fortress Battlefield, where knights typically train. Since I see you’re a mage, I’ll just give you a brief overview.”

“Is there a place for Bloodline system cultivation?” Su Han asked in a low voice.

“Hmm? Are you perhaps a bloodline cultivator yourself?” Ruolin eyed Su Han with keen interest.

“Not exactly,” Su Han replied. “I’m just curious!”

“Bloodline cultivators usually go to the blood pools and gravity training rooms in the back mountains,” Ruolin explained. “However, the back mountains are generally not open for casual entry; they are an exclusive domain for bloodline cultivators.”

“Oh, right! Bloodline cultivators from the Outer Courtyard are only found on the lowest level of the back mountains, while the top levels are the territory of Inner Courtyard bloodline cultivators! If you go, remember to be careful!” However, as Mentor Ruolin spoke these words, Su Han wasn’t truly listening, her mind already engrossed in thoughts of bloodlines.

[The back mountains connect both the Inner and Outer Courtyards and are dominated by the bloodline cultivation system!]

Though bloodline cultivators were few in number, their immense power often made them rather unruly.

Su Han didn’t possess extensive knowledge of the Bloodline system, unfamiliar with many common facts. Hearing that bloodline cultivators resided in the back mountains, a glimmer of excitement appeared in her eyes.

“Adjacent to the library is the Magic Equipment Vault,” Ruolin continued. “Inside, you’ll find not only magic robes and staves suitable for mages but also magical weapons for knights, and even armaments for the Bloodline system. As for mechs, they’re just low-grade magical mechs. There are also various spiritual materials, essential for the academy’s many alchemists and apothecaries.” She paused, then added, “Naturally, the most valuable items are the magical weapons, though their tiers aren’t exceptionally high—at best, they’re fine-grade equipment. Epic, Evil Spirit, and Legendary-tier equipment are exclusive to the Inner Courtyard; as for Mythical-tier, I haven’t even heard of it. Overall, the Outer Courtyard simply can’t compare to the Inner Courtyard…” Mentor Ruolin elaborated on each point in detail.

Throughout their journey, Mentor Ruolin meticulously explained the entire Outer Courtyard’s situation, emphasizing the crucial importance of contribution points. Although acquiring contribution points required undertaking various tasks, it secretly astonished Su Han. She finally understood why so many people desperately vied to join Cangnan Academy; the Inner Courtyard, she imagined, must be even more formidable.

Once one became a member of Cangnan Academy, the training grounds, library (accessing books was free, but spells required contribution points), and magic weapon vault could all be entered freely using contribution points, allowing students to utilize the academy’s resources and enhance their cultivation.

A master may lead you to the gate, but cultivation depends on the individual.

“You can cultivate here for now. If you have any questions, come find me.” With that, Mentor Ruolin left, casting a final remark over her shoulder.

“The back mountains?” Su Han didn’t waste another word, heading straight there.

The back mountains were a forbidden zone for Cangnan Academy students, encompassing a vast, dense forest. Various low-grade demonic beasts were even left to roam freely there.

Upon reaching the back mountains, Su Han cast a Floating Spell beneath her feet and ascended into the forest.

The Floating Spell, a magic only accessible to Archmages, differed from the Flight Spell. While Flight allowed one to soar freely through the air, Floating only permitted one to drift for a few dozen meters in mid-air for a limited duration.

Su Han cautiously surveyed her surroundings. It bore a striking resemblance to the outskirts of the Darkmoon Forest, with dense woods and an abundance of low-grade birds and beasts.

Precisely because bloodline cultivators expended considerable stamina, low-grade demonic beasts were reared in the back mountains to serve as their provisions.

“What are you doing lurking around here?” A voice echoed from behind Su Han.

“Ah? I…” Su Han stammered, then cast a Haste Spell and bolted.

“Stop!” To her surprise, the person behind her was even faster than Su Han with her Haste Spell. They seized her shoulder, forcibly halting her.

“Tell me,” the voice demanded, “what is your purpose in coming to the back mountains?” Su Han felt the hand on her shoulder, icy cold, and her hairs immediately stood on end.

She quickly drew her magic staff, while with her other hand, she instantly cast a Wind Blade, breaking free. When Su Han finally got a clear look, she saw her assailant was a detached, queen-like figure with long, icy-blue hair, looking down at her imperiously.

“High Elf?” Seeing the sharp, pointed ears and regal demeanor of the other person, Su Han couldn’t help but blurt out.

“Oh? You know?” the person asked, arms crossed, their tone tinged with disdain.

Of course, she knew. Su Han had spent an entire day in the library, not just perusing books on cultivation systems, but also delving into the continent’s history and various races, cross-referencing them with memories in her mind that didn’t quite feel her own.

Though historical records regarding High Elves were scarce, her NPC memories provided a relatively detailed account. High Elves were considered a superior existence to regular elves, possessing more exquisite and captivating appearances, along with bloodlines far more potent than those of elves. Their sole drawback was a lack of the exceptional magical talent typically found in elves. Instead, they relied on the power of their bloodline, using it to unleash their inherent potential.

Bloodline power could manifest superpowers akin to magic. However, while similar in nature, their essence was entirely different.

Mages communicated with the elements of heaven and earth, using their bodies as vessels to gather and then manipulate these elements within themselves to unleash various spells. A mage’s incantations served to enhance their communication and control over these elements. Instantaneous casting, on the other hand, was only possible when one’s affinity with the elements reached a certain level, allowing them to cast without the aid of chants.

Superpowers originated from the bloodline power within one’s own body. Though often singular in attribute, they were purer and more potent than magical elements. Furthermore, the physical strength of High Elves was exceptionally formidable, capable of contending with ancient dragons.

High Elves were the most unique race, fewer in number than even dragons and Titans, yet more favored by the heavens. Otherwise, they wouldn’t have coexisted with Titans and dragons in ancient times, only to survive while the Titans and dragons were now extinct.

High Elves were divided into seven major families: the Ice Spirit Clan, Fire Spirit Clan, Dark Spirit Clan, Light Spirit Clan, Wind Spirit Clan, Thunder Spirit Clan, and the Life Goddess Clan. Among these, the Life Goddess Clan was the most powerful, largely due to the current High Elf Empress hailing from their lineage.

For instance, the Ice Spirit Clan could only wield ice-based superpowers, and the Fire Spirit Clan, fire-based. The Life Goddess Clan could utilize immortality-based superpowers. However, each High Elf Empress was exceptionally unique, capable of manifesting a wide array of bizarre and formidable superpowers.

In the eyes of most, High Elves were thought to be extinct, yet this was not the case. The higher one’s standing, the more one would discover that High Elves had not, in fact, entirely vanished.

Gazing at the blue-haired High Elf before her, Su Han knew she must belong to the Ice Spirit Clan of the High Elves.

“You guessed correctly, but only half of it,” the High Elf said, a hint of languor in her voice. “I’m a hybrid of the Wind Spirit and Ice Spirit Clans. Now, your turn. Tell me, what is your purpose for being here?” Ye Qi sauntered towards Su Han.

‘Mind reading?!’

Though Ye Qi’s steps appeared nonchalant, her invisible aura and queenly presence were nearly suffocating Su Han.

“Speak,” she pressed. “What exactly do you want?”

“I… I wish to cultivate the Bloodline system!” Su Han stammered timidly.

“Hmm? You haven’t undergone body tempering and foundation establishment yet?” Ye Qi asked, a playful smile gracing her lips. “Tell me, what race are you?”

“A… Destruction Dragon!”

“Tsk~” Ye Qi clicked her tongue. “A Dragon, then!”

Hearing Ye Qi’s click of the tongue, Su Han dared not breathe, lowering her head, as shy and submissive as a new bride, submissively yielding to her imposing aura.

“Don’t you know that Dragons, Titans, and High Elves were sworn enemies during the Ancient Era?” Hearing Ye Qi say this, Su Han nearly wet herself, instantly regretting why she had come to the back mountains and encountered such a terrifying woman.

“However,” Ye Qi continued, “the Destruction Dragon race and our High Elf clan actually have a very good relationship. So, come with me!” She cast a cold glance at Su Han and then walked directly towards the mountaintop.

Su Han patted her chest, taking deep, gasping breaths. “That aura was absolutely terrifying, truly! It was overwhelmingly oppressive!” She wiped sweat from her brow, then flung her hand. She tried to cast a Floating Spell to follow Ye Qi, only to discover that magic was forbidden here!

With no other choice, Su Han had to follow hastily, taking short, quick steps and awkwardly bouncing her rather ample chest.