Return of the Mythic Bloodline-Chapter 350: You must live, Master Robert

"Oh, it cannot be helped then. I suppose I will have to exchange the remaining fifty kilograms of Grade 3 High-Tier Soul Stones for the sword technique of some other sect," I sighed, turning around.

Before I could even take my first step, the Hall Master suddenly grabbed my robe and leaned across the table, nearly lying on top of it.

"H-how many High-Tier Soul Stones did you say again?"

"Fifty kilograms," I replied, flaunting the finger that bore my space ring before him. "It is a pity that the remaining Chapters are reserved only for the Thunderbanes."

"W-wait, little Lucifer," he said, clearly having second thoughts.

After a few seconds of weighing the gains and losses, he spoke again. "I can only offer you the manual up to Chapter five. The final two Chapters cannot be shared with outsiders at any cost."

"Alright, I am fine with that," I said, agreeing instantly. "Here, check the ring."

I removed the ring and placed it on the desk.

He returned to the table and scanned the ring with his spiritual sense.

"Th-there are truly fifty kilograms of High-Tier Soul Stones in the ring," he exclaimed, nearly losing strength in his legs from sheer shock.

Without wasting another second, he took out the manual from another locker, one adorned with even wilder lightning patterns. He emptied the Soul Stones from my space ring, placed both books inside it, and handed it back to me.

"It was a pleasure doing business with you, Elder," I said with a slight bow before turning to leave the Treasure Hall.

"Little Lucifer," he called from behind. "Thank you for sharing such treasures with the Thunderbane Sect."

"You surely jest, Elder," I chuckled. "We merely had a fair trade."

With that, I left the Treasure Hall and headed toward the Core Court once more. In truth, even a fool could tell that the amount and quality of Soul Stones I had given in exchange for those manuals was far too exorbitant a price.

When I discussed the condition of the Thunderbane Sect with Master Robert, I learned that despite its outward appearance, the sect was slowly crumbling due to a lack of resources. Although the sect had been most prosperous under Father’s rule, after the fall of all active warriors of the clan, it was left without any source of income. The sect’s reserves were nearly exhausted, and the old hall masters also refrained themselves from using what little remained, saving everything for the younger generation. That was the reason they had all grown so old.

If I wished, I could have directly asked Master Robert for the swordsmanship manual, but I deliberately chose this roundabout method to provide resources to my sect.

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"Junior Brother Lucifer," Lyra called out between heavy gasps as she lay on the ground. "I have finished the two hundred rounds."

"Hmm, good," I said calmly. "Now do one hundred squats, sit-ups, pull-ups, and hold a plank for one hour with the same weight."

"W-whatttttt?" she shouted, pushing herself up into a sitting position. "Just tell me to die if that is what you want, Junior Brother."

"Are you saying something, Sister Lyra?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.

"I said I will begin right away," she muttered, rising to her feet.

While she busied herself with the tasks I had assigned, I drew the manual from my space ring and began reading it.

After my clash with Master Robert, I realized how much strength I still lacked against an Eternal Sage. He was not even at half his strength, yet he had forced me to such extremes, even when I activated Jambavan’s Blessing and Eyes of the Fallen simultaneously.

Although I was also holding back, I was not certain whether I would truly have won had I gone all out against him.

For the next three hours, I repeatedly read the first manual of the Thunderbane Swordsmanship, engraving every step, movement, and method of releasing Soulforce into my mind.

"Junior Brother Lucifer," Lyra called out. "I have completed all the tasks."

She sat before me, drenched in sweat from head to toe, her breath coming in heavy gasps. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

"How did you obtain the manual of Thunderbane Swordsmanship?" she asked in a shocked voice, recognizing the book in my hands.

"I traded for it in a fair deal with the Treasure Hall," I replied with a shrug, placing the book back into the ring.

Before she could probe further, I rose to my feet and drew my sword.

"Get up. It is time for some sword training," I said, pointing the blade at her.

"J-Junior Brother," she whimpered, chills running down her spine.

"Hurry. I do not have the whole day," I said more sharply this time.

She rose to her feet and unsheathed her sword, taking a fighting stance.

"May I use Soulforce?" she asked.

"Do everything you would do to survive," I replied, stretching my arms.

"What do you mean—"

Before she could finish her sentence, I suddenly vanished from my spot and appeared before her, my sword crashing down toward her head.

"Brother Lucifer!!!!"

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After beating, I mean sparring with Lyra, I returned to my chambers, as it was already late in the evening by the time we finished.

Upon reaching my chamber, I activated Vyaghra’s Blessing and made my way to the central hall of the sect where Master Robert resided.

The moment I entered his room, he immediately rose from the lotus position on his bed and bowed. "You should have called for me if you required anything, Your Highness."

"I wanted to see how close I needed to be for you to sense my presence," I said, canceling Vyaghra’s Blessing.

"I could only sense your presence once you were within a hundred meters of my range," Master Robert revealed.

"How is your body holding up, Master Robert?" I asked.

"I believe I can live for one more month," he replied. Yet there was no fear of death in his eyes. There was only relief, as though he no longer carried any burden.

"I cannot lose you, Master Robert," I said, shaking my head. "It is a selfish request, but I need you to take care of the sect for a few more years."

"Forgive me, Your Highness," he murmured, lowering his head. "I would have already died had I not forcefully extended my lifespan with pills and resources. But I can no longer do so. The sect is already running short on supplies."

"I am aware that you have donated all the resources you accumulated to the sect," I said, opening my inventory.

Pulling out dozens of High-Tier Grade 2 Soul Stones, I continued, "You must live, Master Robert. It is an order from the Prince of the Hundred Sky Mountains. I need you to stand beside me against the Empire and avenge the deaths of my father and all the fallen Thunderbanes."