Kate wore a complicated expression when she heard Blood's words. The notion of being stuck was undoubtedly not a good sign.
She wasn't certain whether to believe what he was saying. But he was only a Bronze Realm cultivator; how elaborate could his lies be?
As a Silver expert, she trusted her instincts to pierce through any of his deception, but something about his tone carried sincerity.
Nonetheless, Kate remained wary of him. Not only did they share an unfavorable contract that bound them together, but he was also the lord of that realm. That fact unsettled her.
The idea of holding control over such a place had never occurred to her, at least not until she had seen its potential for herself. If the realm proved to be of great importance, then it was wholly unsuitable for him to continue owning it. She would have to suppress him, and force him to transfer its ownership to her.
I've never heard of a realm granting inheritor-level trials, except in the Polarity Eggwall. she thought, a peculiar glint flashing in her eyes. And not one that allows direct teleportation, as he claims. It seemed there was more to this than he was revealing.
Her gaze seemed to change as she scrutinized the boy beside her, as though trying to gouge out his secrets, however, Blood's face remained innocent, almost infant‑like, his expression transparent.
He even looked at her as if apologizing for not telling her sooner. Kate could only sigh, pondering deeply. Still, she knew one way or another she must visit that realm, no matter the cost.
Blood remained composed, refusing to get ahead of himself. He had thought carefully about how to draw her in, to make her his Blood Follower. But the young lady's cold personality was infamous. It was so cold that not even a fly dared to approach her.
He had conspired with Ballock for a long time, working strategies, just to keep a close tab on her. And now, it seemed he was succeeding, and slowly drawing her in. Just a little more, and she would be within his grasp. Never once had he imagined that his father's constant story classes would help him this much.
Blood's heart pounded silently against his chest as he looked at her. He knew she still had doubts and wouldn't be deceived easily. But he also knew he had struck at the right moment.
Her interest was firmly fixed on exploring the domain, and the benefits of such a place were immense. There was hardly any reason for her to back away now—especially when the realm lay directyl beneath her nose.
To make his attempt less obvious, Blood spoke after a long moment of silence.
"I also want to explore that domain as much as you do, but we can't enter without you undergoing the selection process. It's simple, really. You don't have to be so cautious—it's just becoming a normal follower; I won't have any command over you.
"It only allows me to keep a close eye on the domain, and with its rules, it's easier to deter intruders. No one can enter unless I permit it. Otherwise, they would have to destroy the domain entirely and end up with nothing. Still, so you don't think otherwise, I'll tell you one more thing."
Blood hesitated briefly before continuing. "Even though I'm the current Lord of the domain, the trials still stand."
Kate's eyes glittered secretly at his words, her gaze turning devious as if warning him not to play clever games. His tone appeared genuine, and the order he described seemed like something the legacy master had devised. Yet she remained cautious.
Blood smiled faintly and continued. "Anyone can challenge those phases. If they reach a higher phase than the Lord, they naturally become the next Lord. Of course, I won't just wait to be surpassed. With the privileges of the Lord, I can escape danger at any time within the domain. I can move freely and vanish when needed. I'll make it difficult for anyone who tries to take this privilege away, because I am very unwilling to let it go.
"That's also why we wanted to keep this secret. But that channel exposed everything. It gave us away." His teeth clenched as he spoke, resentment flashing across his young face.
Increasing her chances a little could help lower her guard. One would hardly believe such polished words came from a fourteen‑year‑old.
Kate squinted her eyes, mulling over his explanation. If it was truly as he said, then this could only be an inheritance. And one thing she could confirm without doubt was that defeating an inheritance holder was no simple matter.
But the kid clearly hadn't realized what he possessed yet.
Inheritance… she thought, her eyes narrowing. Legacies left behind by powerful cultivators, containing powerful treasures and items. Even setting up such a ground requires immense resources, and one as vast as what he described only confirms it. There must be an inheritance hidden in that realm. She began to study Blood carefully.
Blood was young and had never attended an academy. Rumors even claimed that he hadn't been properly taught basic worldly lessons at home. Kate sighed inwardly, realizing she might have suspected him wrongly.
Her voice cut through the silence after some time. "If all you've said is genuinely true, and you have control over the realm, then you should be able to move that entrance from my yard, so we wouldn't disturb that family's peace. If you can't do something as simple as this, then this conversation is futile. That would mean you've been playing around the whole time." She looked deeply into Blood's eyes, as it testing him.
Blood's expression changed slightly but quickly returned to normal. "Hmm, it seems you didn't understand me, or perhaps you've forgotten. Even if I could shift the location, no matter where the entrance is moved, I still can't enter with you." His face showed displeasure, though he was inwardly sneering.
"But unfortunately, I can't move the entrance. It's a fixed point between that forest and the outside. It's a fixed channel. You should know there's no way to move a fixed channel. Expecting too much could lead to devastation." he added, his voice changing.
I'm bringing you in today. Those humiliations I suffered from you will be worth it. he thought, contempt flashing in his heart.
Kate placed her hand on her chin, deep in thought. Though she believed Blood was ignorant of the looming predicament, she also suspected she might be played again, just as before.
That contract had surely been tampered with. She would need to tread carefully this time. But the temptation of a perennial realm was not something to be dismissed.
"How should we go about the selection you mentioned?" she finally asked.
Blood was overjoyed, almost grinning wide enough to show his well‑set teeth. She was finally turning up. This was his chance to bind someone remarkable, even though he didn't yet know what a Blood Follower could truly do.
Treasures were powerful, as long as they held value.
Blood's voice was steady, though his heart raced. "First, do you agree to join and become my follower?" he asked officially, his tone carrying a weight far beyond his years.
Kate scoffed, her annoyance was clear. "Humph. Don't be excessive and arrogant. Just tell me the terms, then it's left to me whether I accept—or kill you right here." Her words were sharp, but beneath them was an edge of impatience.
Naturally, Blood himself didn't even know the terms or the procedure for accepting anyone who wished to follow him.
He masked his uncertainty, though and with calmness, he said, "Just tell me if you're interested or not. Then, perhaps, I'll tell you the terms." He spoke, trying to figure out a way forward.
Kate suddenly smiled sweetly, catching him off guard. Her expression was disarming, yet her words carried a dangerous undertone. "Fine. It seems you're making this too big of a deal. But... you win.
"It's not that I'm interested in being your follower—nor will I ever be. My only interest lies in that realm. So you'd better start talking, unless you want to receive a beating."
Suddenly, her hand reached for her whip, the weapon gleaming faintly, its length covered in a thin frost that shimmered under the pale light. The silence of the skies around them trembled. It appeared the whip had been quiet for far too long.