Chapter 248: The Inferior Bloodline
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The Southern Kingdom Royal Court.
The Grand Priest, his white hair and brows giving him an air of wisdom, stood solemnly at the palace entrance, gripping his scepter. “This divine descent does not belong to any deity worshipped by the Southern Kingdom. It seems…”
“No divine miracle of such kind has ever manifested before…” He furrowed his brows deeply.
Upon the dragon throne sat an elderly emperor, his face etched with countless lines of time. His slightly opened eyes surveyed the gathered princes and princesses beside him.
“It is likely a minor deity showing presence somewhere. Who could possibly compare to our own worshipped Zong Bai, the Judicial Deity? He governs justice and maintains order over the entire Divine Realm.”
“Zong Bai has six junior disciples, each a formidable power in their own right.”
“Would such an insignificant deity be worth any attention?” The voice of a woman, laced with arrogance, resonated through the hall.
She was Nan Feng Yu, the emperor’s daughter.
The Southern Kingdom placed immense value on bloodline. Her mother hailed from the prestigious Su Clan, a family that had once summoned a deity. This lineage rendered her descendants exceptionally precious.
With both imperial and Su Clan blood coursing through her veins, Nan Feng Yu possessed an extraordinary talent for summoning deities.
Once, she had been the emperor’s most cherished daughter, the brightest hope for the throne, and the most gifted summoner of deities. She had the greatest chance of ascending to power.
The Southern Kingdom did not limit its succession to males alone.
For the favor of deities leaned towards women, a fact that had led to the rise of many female emperors in its history.
Yet fate took a twisted turn…
The emperor was once ambushed and, in his injured state, was rescued by a common woman. Stricken with amnesia, he married her and fathered a daughter who was raised among the common folk.
Upon reclaiming his throne, he searched for them tirelessly, yet never found them.
Thus, he delayed passing the throne.
“A divine presence would naturally exude spiritual energy. If it was capable of transforming a mere koi into a dragon, it cannot be a nameless minor god.” The Grand Priest shook his head gently.
Nan Feng Yu lowered her gaze slightly.
The emperor waved a hand. “A divine descent has appeared twice now in Northern Zhao. Send someone to investigate.”
His expression turned wistful.
“And while at it… search for that child. It has been thirty-five years. By now, she must have long been married with children.”
Nan Feng Yu’s lips curled slightly in mockery, though it disappeared in an instant.
“Father, she is but a commoner, an inferior bloodline. Bringing her back would only taint the prestige of the Southern Kingdom!” A glint of cruelty flashed in Nan Feng Yu’s eyes. That wretched woman… If she were to be found, she must be eliminated.
The emperor coughed lightly, his aged face filled with compassion.
“Raising her is of no burden.”
Nan Feng Yu clenched her teeth. “Of course, Father. A lost sister must indeed return to her rightful home.”
“Even if she bears an inferior bloodline, we are certainly capable of supporting one more.”
Upon exiting the main hall, Nan Feng Yu’s composed expression shattered.
Suppressing her fury, she stormed back to Feng Ming Hall.
“What is Father thinking?! He should have passed the throne to me long ago! Why does he hesitate? Does he plan to give it to that lowly creature?” With a swift motion, she sent a decorative object crashing onto the floor, shattering it into fragments.
Palace attendants knelt in fear.
“The Su Clan has summoned deities countless times. Our bloodline is noble. Can the Yun bloodline possibly compare to an inferior commoner?” Nan Feng Yu’s expression darkened with wrath.
“That useless Shadow Guard! He failed to even dispose of a mere woman!” She had dispatched her secret forces to investigate, intending to have the woman eliminated on sight. Yet, upon entering Northern Zhao, all traces of them vanished.
“Mother, why should you trouble yourself over this? The Southern Kingdom holds the bloodline of divine servitude. Only we can communicate with the gods. Why fear a mere mortal?”
“Besides, you have my sister and me.”
In the Southern Kingdom, princesses did not marry out—they brought their husbands into the palace, and their offspring were considered royal heirs.
The hierarchy was determined by one’s talent in summoning deities.
Nan Feng Yu exhaled slowly, looking at her son, Nan Mu Bai, with satisfaction.
“Your talents are unmatched. Even Father acknowledges that. You are right; that wretch is of a lowly birth, with neither bloodline nor potential. How could she possibly surpass me?” Nan Feng Yu nodded slightly.
“But Father refuses to pass the throne. He must be plotting something.” She bit her lip.
“Then let me personally take care of this matter. Mother, do you not trust me?” Nan Mu Bai assured her.
Nan Feng Yu nodded. “I will trouble you, my son.”
Nan Mu Bai bowed slightly. “For years, the Southern Kingdom has failed to summon a deity. What can that lowly woman do?”
“Even her children must bear an inferior bloodline. Nothing to be concerned about. Worry not, Mother. I will ensure she never returns.”
The mother and son exchanged smiles.
Little did they know…
The so-called inferior bloodline had birthed a true deity.
A legitimate, almighty god.
Even the very deities they worshipped would bow in her presence.
Northern Zhao.
The Crown Prince carefully guided incense-laden divine energy into Lu Chao Chao’s small body, infusing her with warmth.
The little one, feeling utterly comfortable, drifted into deep slumber.
When she awoke, she blinked her dry eyes, struggling to sit up with her round little body rolling side to side.
Yu Shu propped her up.
“Why am I home? Wasn’t I at the Sunshine Festival?” Her soft, confused voice melted into the room.
Yu Shu’s eyes were red and swollen. “You scared me so badly! His Highness the Crown Prince personally carried you back and watched over you all night before just now leaving.”
“The household forbade calling a physician. We were worried sick.”
“Little Miss, do you feel unwell anywhere?” Yu Shu asked anxiously.
Lu Chao Chao suspiciously patted herself.
Yesterday, her eyes, heart, and entire body had been in agony.
But now…
“No pain. Not at all.”
[Yesterday, that was the pain of my heart and eyes being gouged out in my past life.]
A shiver of fear ran down Lu Chao Chao’s spine. In her previous life, she had endured it, but in this life, her reborn human form had her wailing in pain. So embarrassing.
She squeezed her tiny limbs, sensing the lingering divine energy within her.
It had shielded her from the phantom pain.
Lu Chao Chao bounced up gleefully. “So happy, so happy!”
“Yu Shu Jiejie, Chao Chao is so happy!”
No more pain, no more pain—never again!
After her sacrificial demise, her divine soul had shattered across the realms, yet she had never escaped the torment of pain.
It had been relentless, numbing.
Even after reincarnation, the phantom pain never truly disappeared. It was both her heart’s demon and the price she had paid.
But now, it was gone completely.
“Children find joy in the strangest things…” Yu Shu didn’t understand, but seeing her smile, she couldn’t help but smile as well.
“Where are my big brothers?” Lu Chao Chao asked, tilting her head.
Yu Shu’s smile brightened.
“Today, the results of the Capital Examination are being announced. They are waiting in the outer courtyard.”
Lu Chao Chao gasped. “Oh no! I need to see!”
She bolted toward the outer courtyard.
“Big brother! Big brother!”
Just as she entered, a servant rushed in excitedly, shouting, “Great news! The eldest young master has taken first place in the examination—he is the top scholar!”
“The eldest young master is the top scholar!”
Madam Xu shot up, tears streaming down her face.
“Top scholar! Big Brother won first place!” Lu Chao Chao leaped with joy.
“Tomorrow, he will enter the palace for the Imperial Examination!” The servant beamed, pocketing his reward money.
“Quick, send word to the Xu family!” Xu Shi Yun’s voice trembled with elation.
“Make sure to take a detour past Father’s grave!” Lu Chao Chao called out.