Chapter 606: Section 393: Investigating Lan Zao
Divine Wind.
Several people gathered inside the cabin.
Lan Zao lay on the bed, still unconscious.
Standing beside the bed were the Ice Eagle, the Human Race leader, and the Priest.
The priest carefully examined Lan Zao from head to toe.
Most pirate groups do not have a priest, but the Divine Wind Pirate Group was an exception. Their ship was equipped with a few priests of the Sea Wind God.
After the examination, the priest wiped the sweat from his forehead, “As for now, his condition is quite good!”
The Human Race leader was immediately surprised, “How is that possible, Priest? Does he look to be in good condition to you?”
At this moment, Lan Zao’s entire body was swollen, and his normally healthy skin color had changed, mixed with a hint of blue, as if poisoned.
The priest of the Sea Wind God shook his head and said, “I know what you want to say. These symptoms on his body are precisely the signs that his condition is improving.”
“His injuries were not severe in the first place, having healed during earlier treatments.”
“The reason he is unconscious and has these symptoms now is because his bloodline is awakening!”
“Bloodline… awakening?”
Ice Eagle and the Human Race leader quickly exchanged looks, both seeing surprise on each other’s faces.
The priest of the Sea Wind God looked at them, “You don’t mean to say you don’t know what a bloodline awakening is, do you?”
Ice Eagle and the Human Race leader immediately shook their heads, the latter said, “Of course we know!”
“It’s just unexpected that the phenomenon of bloodline awakening, spoken of in rumors, would occur in our gang member.”
A bloodline awakening refers to a qualitative change in the bloodline concentration within a life form.
This process often accompanies some physical symptomatic changes. The reason behind it is that the bloodline is fiercely transforming the life form. For example, a Beastman bloodline might grow a tail, while a member of the Demon Clan might grow horns.
Some young nobles from great families experience signs of bloodline awakening as they grow up, due to their superior bloodlines.
In the Holy Bright Empire, Marquis Jin Mang Ke, because his practice of combat energy was highly synchronized with his bloodline, would be enveloped in golden, crackling electricity throughout his body when he exerted his full strength, and his originally black hair would turn golden, bulking up and forming solid clumps, resembling engorged muscles.
These are all examples of bloodline awakenings.
Some are passive; others are active.
Including a Dragon-man youth, whenever he uses a Blood Core, forming a Ring Mound of the Smoke Dragon on his body, people consider this a sudden symptomatic change of a bloodline awakening.
The Sea Wind priest shifted his gaze back to Lan Zao, speculating in his tone, “From what I infer, he must have been stimulated during the dock escape battle under the pressure of death, triggering his bloodline and causing awakening.”
“Of course, that was just an external opportunity. The real accumulation is him growing continuously in daily life, with his bloodline concentration consistently rising.”
“Eventually at this moment, a quantitative change induced a qualitative change, reaching the minimum threshold for a bloodline awakening.”
Ice Eagle, intrigued, asked, “Then what exactly is his bloodline?”
The Sea Wind God’s priest laughed and shrugged, “How would I know that?”
“I’m just a priest of the Sea Wind God, not a person from the Life Sect. I don’t have control of the Divine Arts to detect the true nature of a bloodline.”
“However, you can make some guesses based on his external traits.”
“Of course, he’s still in the process of awakening. The bloodline traits have not fully solidified and are not particularly distinct yet. From what we can see so far, he’s likely awakening some type of Water Element bloodline.”
The Human Race leader nodded slightly, agreeing internally.
In his eyes, Lan Zao, being a member of the race and one of the gang members who had lived for many years in Snowbird Port where water elements are abundant, awakening a Water Element bloodline had a realistic basis.
Ice Eagle frowned slightly, “Priest, does someone like him need a Bloodline Stabilizer?”
The priest shook his head without hesitation, “Based on the current situation, he’s actually very well and doesn’t need a Bloodline Stabilizer. Such magic potions are used to manage conflicts between bloodlines. However, you know, he is still in the process of awakening and it hasn’t ended. Perhaps in the future, the awakened bloodline in his body might conflict with the residual mixed bloodlines, and in that case, he will indeed need a Bloodline Stabilizer.”
Ice Eagle then followed up, “Does the Divine Wind Pirate Group’s stock contain something like Bloodline Stabilizer?”
The priest denied, “Of course not. After all, cases of bloodline awakening are rare, and we wouldn’t equip such military supplies.”
“You are heading to Flower Skirt Island next. Perhaps you could find the related potions there?”
The area of Flower Skirt Island was not large, and the priest was not too certain.
Ice Eagle and the Human Race leader sent the priest off and then returned to the cabin.
Looking at the still unconscious Lan Zao, the two fell silent for a moment.
The Human Race leader spoke up, “The price of Bloodline Stabilizer is not low. Lord Ice Eagle, it seems you have high hopes for this lad. Are you planning to cultivate him?”
Ice Eagle, without hiding anything, nodded honestly, “Of course, that’s my intention.”
The old Gang Leader paused, then explained in detail to the Human Race leader, “This lad performed well in the previous dock battle, he’s my life-saving benefactor and deserves commendation.”
“I really appreciate this young fellow.”
“He’s quite energetic, isn’t he?”
“He didn’t fear the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps at all, nor was he afraid of the City Lord of Snowbird Port; his heart was filled with the fire of revenge. While previously escaping, he had even thought about bombarding the port. Although it was somewhat reckless and naive, having such courage is truly admirable.”
“After all, the gap between us and the enemy is right before our eyes.”
Ice Eagle had a deep misunderstanding about this.
In fact, at that time, Lan Zao wanted to instigate both parties to start a war and create a chaotic scene. That way, he had more opportunities to slip back into the Dragon Lion Mercenary Corps.
However, his suggestion was not adopted.
But it was noticed by Ice Eagle.
Ice Eagle sighed deeply. “The Saber Gang has suffered too much damage, the remaining members are of poor quality, and their spirit is gone.”
“The real grassroots backbone were all captured in one fell swoop by the City Lord of Snowbird Port; his preparations were really too thorough.”
“The people we have now are just the fringes, not even noticed by the City Lord of Snowbird Port.”
“Therefore, we need to recruit new members, select some talents from this group for cultivation, and become new backbones. At least, their loyalty is obvious.”
The Human Race leader expressed his concerns, “Could it really be that Mu Si is the only mole?”
Ice Eagle chuckled, a chill flashing in his eyes, “Maybe there is, maybe there isn’t, it doesn’t hinder us from rebuilding the Saber Gang.”
“In my opinion, this kid’s suspicion is still very small.”
“He has been unconscious the whole time, and his equipment is very ‘clean’.”
“We cannot let the possible existence of a mole tie our hands and slow down our progress.”
The Human Race leader nodded. “Gang Leader is very sensible.”
“I also think it’s unlikely that this kid is a mole.”
“If I were to send a spy in, I wouldn’t have them blatantly kill their own people. Instead, they should save a group on the battlefield, as a disguise.”
Lan Zao, having killed some members of the Saber Gang on the dock battlefield, had been troubled on the Divine Wind.
Ice Eagle frowned slightly and snorted coldly. “Those people troubling this kid, aside from losing some close members, are more about fighting for power and profit.”
“What’s the name of that Black Iron Level who troubled him?”
“Zhao San,” answered the Human Race leader.
“Hmph, Zhao San and his group lack courage to fight the enemy but are very good at internal strife. They just escaped death and are already thinking about fighting for power in the gang, trying to bring down this kid.” Ice Eagle knew these people’s characters very well.
He had extensive experience in leading gangs and had seen many such people.
Ice Eagle looked at Lan Zao, his tone softening slightly, “If he hadn’t had a Bloodline Awakening, I would have also brought him to my side as an attendant. Now that he has awakened his Bloodline, it’s even better.”
“His achievements should not be limited to Bronze Level. Once promoted to Black Iron Level, he can become a grassroots leader. Let that Black Iron Level Zhao San be his opponent.”
“If he can reach the Silver Level, then he will be one of the leaders of Saber Gang.”
“What do you think of this arrangement?”
Ice Eagle sought the opinion of the Human Race leader, which immediately made the latter nervous, yet also somewhat excited, and he quickly expressed that the Gang Leader’s arrangement was very appropriate, pledging his active cooperation.
Such an attitude immediately made Ice Eagle nod in satisfaction.
Only three leaders remained in the Saber Gang.
Xiong Ju was clumsy, and the Spring Boxer was still too young. The Human Race leader was far less powerful than Xiong Ju and had less potential compared to Spring Boxer, but at this stage, he was Ice Eagle’s most dependable helper.
Because he had a basic political literacy, basic management skills, and could work well with Ice Eagle.
That was why Ice Eagle patiently explained his views and plans for Lan Zao to the Human Race leader. On this matter, Ice Eagle and the Human Race leader reached a consensus. Lan Zao was to become Ice Eagle’s trusted confidante.
“Next, let’s investigate this kid’s situation,” Ice Eagle ordered, “Speaking of which, I still haven’t figured out what this little guy’s name is.”
The Human Race leader quickly nodded, “Yes.”
“There are quite a few members on the ship; we should be able to learn something from them.”
Snowbird Port.
A certain dueling field.
Zong Ge and Yue Qian’s weapons, under intense collisions, could no longer bear the strain and both broke.
“Ha ha ha, Long Fu, I didn’t expect you to be so skilled with a two-handed warhammer!” Yue Qian temporarily ceased the battle, looking at Zong Ge with admiration.
There wasn’t a single spectator in the dueling field; this was their third private clash.
Yue Qian sized up Zong Ge. “If I’m not mistaken, you’ve served in the military before, right?”
Zong Ge nodded. “Let the past remain in the past; I don’t want to bring it up again. Next up, how about we compete with two-handed greatswords?”
But Yue Qian shook his head. “It seems your greatsword skills are also not low. But I really want to have a true battle with you.”
“Long Fu, take out your Short Spear, bring out all your fighting power, use your most effective Combat Skill.”
“Today, let’s have a real contest!”