Sidekick Fights Back

Su Kang nodded, finally understanding the origin of his clan's insignia—the Sky-Shaking Golden Lion. The beast they all proudly wore had once been a sacred totem; now, it was reduced to a mere clan insignia.

Yet another question lingered in his mind. He furrowed his brows and asked, "Senior, why is blood essence necessary for this ceremony?"

"Blood is the foundation of mortal life," Senior Ma replied, his voice still carrying the ritualistic cadence of the ceremony. "While ordinary blood holds little meaning for a cultivator, blood essence is different.

It is the concentrated core of our vitality and cultivation. Offering a drop of one's blood essence reflects the ceremony's profound significance—and, by extension, the immense value placed upon the woman for whom the seal is engraved."

"And the ancestor's blood essence?" Su Kang pressed. "Is it meant to be a blessing?"

Senior Ma nodded. "Indeed. The inclusion of an ancestor's blood essence signifies their acceptance of the union. It becomes a spiritual blessing, passed through the lineage to sanctify the bond."

Su Kang absorbed the explanation, a new understanding clicking into place. No wonder this tradition had faded around my father's generation—and why most clan members hadn't taken many wives or concubines.

While it might be feasible for a man to offer a single drop of blood essence for marriage, requiring a clan ancestor to contribute theirs for each union would be an excessive burden. If men pursued numerous partners, the ancestors—and by extension, the clan's foundational strength—would suffer.

Even a slight weakening of a high-level cultivator could mean the difference between survival and death in a perilous moment.

But a troubling thought followed. Why had the clan continued this practice for so long? Shouldn't it have been abandoned much earlier? Still, he kept that question to himself, sensing Senior Ma's sadness over the discontinuation of the ceremony.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior," Su Kang said with a respectful bow. "I understand now. I shall take my leave."

Senior Ma inclined his head in acknowledgment, and Su Kang exited the quiet, temple-like chamber.

The old man remained seated, his gaze rising silently to the sky. His shoulders sagged with exhaustion, and he let out a long, weary sigh.

"Perhaps I should have explained the meaning behind the ritual chants," he murmured, his voice tinged with melancholy.

"But he didn't seem particularly interested… Even the last one to undergo the ceremony doesn't care. This tradition will likely die with me." He shook his head slowly.

If not for the founding ancestor's decree, this ritual would have vanished long ago. In the Barren Lands, it is customary for men and women to engrave tribal totems before marriage.

But here in Jiang State, marriage isn't about emotion—it's about alliances and gain. I hope we won't follow in their footsteps, he thought bitterly.

His gaze turned contemplative. "But who is the young lady… for whom he did all this?" He frowned, thinking about rumors related to Su Kang, but he was unable to find an answer.

…

Su Kang returned to his residence and entered seclusion immediately. Though the loss of a single drop of blood essence wasn't serious, it was still a significant loss of vitality that would take several days to recover.

He had fulfilled his father's wish. If this seal made him seem even slightly more responsible in his father's eyes, then so be it.

He opened his eyes after what felt like a long time. I must convince the family to postpone any immediate plans to explore the new realm, he thought, his mind already shifting to what came next. I'll try to find an opportunity inside the realm with Senior Zhu.

He believed Zhu Zhihao would agree to a joint venture—though she would undoubtedly claim the lion's share of any significant treasures.

Su Kang was fine with that, so long as he secured some vital resources. More importantly, a successful joint exploration would strengthen their partnership and add to her goodwill.

He desperately needed soul-healing pills for his fractured soul foundation, more cultivation techniques for the family, and a solid defensive array for the manor.

His thoughts drifted to Yue Mei. Though he had promised to help her, he felt a sense of inadequacy. Beyond offering her shelter within the Su Manor, he could do little; her unique situation required Su Ting's presence, not his. That was why this exploration with Zhu Zhihao mattered. If I want her help, I need to be useful to her.

After that, he thought further, I should visit the Zhou Empire's secret realm. I'll give it a try—maybe I can find the alchemy inheritance there. Su Kang felt a growing urgency. With the unknown Star Imprint now fused to his soul sea, his future was no longer certain.

He had to help his family as much as he could, as quickly as possible—his death might be far nearer than he once believed.

Another strategic thought surfaced. Perhaps I should reveal partial information about Yue Mei to the clan elders. If they suspect involvement from the Xuantian Empire, they may become more cautious about exploring the new realm.

This could also pave the way for introducing soul cultivation and dual cultivation techniques in the future. The clan might attribute these methods either to the secret realm or to connections forged through this supposed Xuantian Empire link.

If they knew Yue Mei was truly from the Xuantian Empire—and currently living with them—it would only cause fear and unrest. But if she's seen as Su Ting's powerful friend with goodwill and ties, that would leave a far better impression.

It would also give Su Kang a possible source to introduce techniques and resources that might be difficult to explain.

There was still time before Zhu Zhihao returned. Su Kang intended to plan everything carefully after discussing matters with her—she had more experience than he did. For now, he resumed his routine.

He began cultivating his body again, having made noticeable progress.

His physique could now endure a greater number of Astral Qi threads. He had temporarily halted his Qi cultivation techniques; once he changed his Qi cultivation technique, his Qi would need to be transformed, and the supernatural power he had cultivated so far would be lost.

Therefore, Su Kang decided to devote all his time to body cultivation instead.

As for his soul cultivation, it had already stalled due to the damage to his foundation. Though Bai Yunxi's assistance had brought some healing, it would still take a long time to fully recover if he relied solely on her support.

He had decided to help her with soul cultivation once she reached the Foundation Building stage. At her current pace, Bai Yunxi was expected to break through within the next two to three months.

When dawn approached, Su Kang went to train Su Ting and Su Jiao and also guided some of the clan's promising younger members. Afterward, he joined Bai Yunxi for breakfast.

A small table had been set up on the upper-floor balcony. From there, they could see a serene view of the bamboo grove surrounding her courtyard.

Su Kang had intentionally planted bamboo around her dwelling, leaving only a narrow pathway open—both for privacy and tranquility. After serving the food, the maids quietly took their leave.

Bai Yunxi studied his face and noticed a faint trace of fatigue in his expression.

"How was the ritual? Was it tiring?" she asked gently.

"I told you, it was just a symbolic ceremony. It wasn't tiring. It only required a drop of blood essence. I'll recover from it within a week. Don't worry about it too much," Su Kang reassured her.

"Blood essence?" Her eyes widened slightly in shock. "How can it be a mere ceremony if it needs blood essence?"

She was clearly unconvinced. Cultivators rarely used their blood essence unless it was absolutely necessary.

It was usually used for refining high-grade weapons or artifacts or in life-and-death battles to amplify their techniques. To use it in a symbolic ritual seemed absurd to her.

Su Kang gave a bitter smile as he recalled Senior Ma's explanation, especially the part about the ancestor's own blood essence being used.

"Xi'er, the seal mark isn't what you think it is. It's not just a marriage token. It's actually the totem beast of the founding ancestor. That's why the ceremony required the blood essence of clan members who undertake it."

"A totem beast?" She repeated, confusion clear in her voice, a delicate frown appearing between her brows.

He nodded and recounted the explanation Senior Ma had given him. After listening carefully, Bai Yunxi's curiosity deepened. "Show me the seal," she saidd, her emerald eyes eager.

Su Kang rolled up his sleeve and revealed the inside of his forearm. A fierce-looking beast with two horns on its forehead was imprinted there.

The prominent veins beneath his skin formed the strands of the beast's mane, and without that flowing mane, it would have been hard to even recognize the creature as a lion.

"It doesn't look particularly good, but I want to have one on my body as well," she said after looking at it intently. Tattoos or marks on people's bodies were usually practiced in the mortal world, and even there, only some mortals did it to enhance their beauty.

She liked natural things; a black mark on her husband's skin was not pleasing to her eyes. Meanwhile, she would always see this mark every time she spent a night with him. But it was a sign of their union and love in his father's eyes, so she would accept it for him without thinking twice.