Grand Ancestral Bloodlines

"The entourage… Its actually called Lixa in our language. When a Martial God ascends to Queen or Kingship, there's a whole host of ceremonies they have to complete in order to be blessed by our Ancestors. According to tradition, the Lixa, or the retainers or entourage in your language, are meant to become the protectors of the Queen during this 'journey'."

Ailsa raised an eyebrow.

"But you are only in the Path Extinction Realm. How could you possibly protect her? Is it just symbolic?"

Though Ailsa asked this, she immediately felt that she had to be wrong. For Isemeine to be taking this so seriously, it had to be more than just symbolism. If it really was just that, why would she look so nervous and apprehensive?

"No, it isn't symbolic… But, during the ceremony, the only thing that matters is combat prowess relative to your cultivation Realm. Meaning, how much stronger you are in comparison to others of your cultivation Realm is what decides the strength you could display. Essentially, during this event, if you're a poor enough World Sea Realm expert, it's even possible to lose to a child in the Awakening realm.

"Of course, this would never happen because one needs to be at least an Immortal to be a Lixa or part of a Lixa, but the concept is the same."

"I see…" Ailsa's gaze narrowed.

It was no wonder the Martial Gods placed such great emphasis on their rankings. This also explained why they chose such an odd method as well.

"This still doesn't quite explain why your reaction is like this, though. And, if there's an emphasis on your combat prowess, what is it that you're fighting, exactly?"

"I… I don't know…"

Isemeine mumbled beneath her breath, but there was a clear fear that reflected within her eyes. Compared to her usual self, it was like she had retreated into a cocoon. Her fingers trembled lightly as though she was recalling a terrible memory.

"… Can it be… That it's not a 100% certainty that someone will become a King? Have we misunderstood?"

Isemeine shivered, not answering Ailsa immediately.

All this time, both Ryu and Ailsa had believed it was just a normal ceremony. Eska had never given Ryu any details about just what it meant to become a Queen of the Martial Gods. As far as they were aware, it was just an empty title handed down to the most talented of the World Sea Realm experts, experts with a good chance at becoming Sky Gods in the future.

Of course, this 'good chance' was just relative. But, that hardly mattered now.

Ailsa frowned and looked toward Ryu. Didn't this mean that Elena would be in danger as well?

The only explanation for all of this was that there was something of great importance to the title of King and Queen that Ryu and Ailsa were ignorant to. It was even possible that Isemeine was ignorant to it as well or else it was likely that Eska would have mentioned something about it.

Whatever it was Isemeine was aware of was likely vague and incomplete. In fact, it was likely that the only reason she knew anything to begin with was because of who her parents were. If it was anyone else, they'd likely not even have this small clue.

"All I know is that unless one is a King or Queen, it is impossible to become a Sky God…" Isemeine said lightly.

Ailsa's gaze narrowed.

It was one thing to bestow a title upon someone who had a great chance. But, it was a completely different matter if anyone without it was automatically barred from reaching a new level.

As a Cultus Faerie, much of Ailsa's training revolved around analyzing case studies. Nurturing the growth of people, beasts and herbs wasn't an exact science. Even two of the exact same species could present differently. A Cultus Faerie needed to be flexible and thus have a wide range of knowledge and a deft capacity to apply it even in situations it had never been applied in before.

With Ryu, Ailsa had a unique perspective as she was his Life Partner. As such, guiding him was far easier in comparison to guiding anyone or anything else.

This was to say that Ailsa had a very large scope when it came to matters of cultivation and the world. She had seen and read about all sorts of things. The idea that anyone would be able to guarantee with 100% certainty who would or wouldn't become a Sky God was absolutely ridiculous. The fact that Isemeine was saying basically implying as much meant that this matter was far deeper than it seemed.

The only explanation was that this ceremony wasn't about recognizing a talent. Rather, it was about opening a path for a talent.

Simply put, those without the King and Queen title could never become Sky Gods precisely because they never underwent this ceremony.

Ailsa's gaze narrowed. 'Is this a quirk of the Martial God Bloodline? If they really come from another world, it is very possible that their cultivation system is different. I've always found it a bit odd that they seem to progress along the same path…'

There were many in history of other cultivation systems popping up. It was just that, in the end, only the Mental, Qi and Body Realms survived as they were now. However, this didn't mean there weren't countless other systems that failed to withstand the test of time.

Of course, it was possible that this was a universal truth across all worlds and existences. But, something was nagging at Ailsa.

She stripped things down to the bare bones and began to pick at the details one by one. By the time she got to the end, her Pupils constricted into pinholes and her heart trembled.

What did it mean to be a Sky God? It meant etching your name into the annals of history and stepping into Godhood. You received Karma, worship, Faith… But, at the core of it all, you were snatching a piece of the Heavens for yourself and becoming something that existed beyond the bounds of time and space.

However, what would happen if you came from a different world?

A parent might tolerate a child of their own ruining their things, scratching up their furniture, dirtying their kitchen floors… But what if it was someone else's child? Would you be able to get away with such a thing so easily? In this sort of situation, no matter how you looked at it, the Sky God were that very troublesome child that this world was being forced to babysit.

In such a situation, why would the Heavens continue to entertain these 'guests'. If such a guest wanted to stay, wouldn't they thus need to work much harder than anyone else? What if the reason this ceremony was needed was to appease the Heavens of this world so they might allow the Martial Gods a path toward becoming Sky Gods…?

Ailsa's gaze narrowed.

If that was really the case, why did Elena need to do this? She was born here, was she not? Why was she not recognized by the Heavens?

Then again, from the fear Isemeine was displaying, she too would one day have to undergo the same trial. And, Isemeine was most definitely young enough to be have been born in this world as well. In fact, this coming generation of World Sea Realm experts should all be the same. Yet, Isemeine's fear was almost palpable…

However, wasn't Elena different? After all, one of her parents was most definitely a native of this world. Was there no leeway for this?

Ailsa's gaze narrowed further, her mind spinning at faster and faster speeds.

There were only two explanations for this.

The first was one Ryu would definitely not want to accept. In that case, Elena had felt the same fear that Isemeine did but simply never told Ryu about it. If this was really what happened, there was a very good chance that Elena had known about all of these matters for a long time already and simply kept Ryu in the dark.

As for why she would do this…? What better way to keep tabs on a genius the Martial Gods felt was threatening enough to ruin before even his birth than by placing a woman by his side? Elena would have been with Ryu practically all the time. That way, she could ensure that Ryu never found a method to cultivate.

But… If that was the case… Wouldn't Elena have also stopped Ryu from killing himself on that fateful night?

Ailsa shook her head, things were getting muddled and it was becoming more and more difficult to tell what was and wasn't the truth.

The second explanation was that Elena did gain a benefit from having one parent from this world. As such, the fear that Isemeine faced now was something she didn't come to know until much later in her cultivation journey…

"Isemeine," Ailsa spoke softly, "this fear you feel… Where does it come from?"

Isemeine wrapped her arms around herself. For a long time, it seemed that she wouldn't respond at all.

"… When I… entered the Path Extinction Realm… I felt a pressure that threatened to destroy me in body and soul… It wouldn't be as simple as dying… It would be like I have never existed… Even those I called family and friend would forget that I ever existed…

"I would have been wiped from existence… And every time I cultivate… The feeling gets heavier…"