Grand Ancestral Bloodlines

2085  Indeed

Standing in silence, the four Sovereigns faced off against one another, but Chaotic Space didn't seem to care enough to look them in the eye. Instead, he was staring down through the clouds before, a light smile on his face as though a grandfather watching his grandson soar through the skies. Of course, the person he was watching was none other than Starlight, his disciple. The old man seemed to have completely forgotten about Ryu's existence, but how could he not? With a disciple who had cleared the Seventh Revolution of the Elemental Rage Tribulation, he would be able to gather up quite a large amount of Fate as his master. This way, the door to Dao Godhood had creaked open just the slightest bit. All he needed to do now was wait for an opportunity to walk right through it. As for this, he saw it as nothing more than a farce. Soon enough, he would be able to get what he wanted. He was here as nothing more than a formality. Aika grit her teeth, the last flickering embers of the fiery temper she once had trying to stoke themselves again only to be doused by the cold, harsh reality of what they were facing here. Her inability to control herself had gotten them here… at the very least, she could control her temper now and give them the smallest bit of a chance… Hopefully. She gripped her fists tightly, a tear rolling down her pale cheek. … Down below, Samson gripped a heavy glaive in his hand and took a step forward. Much like Jojo had said, there was only one path to take right now, and that was the path of battle. This was a fight he had to win no matter what. Even if he didn't know how he would do it, he would have to find a way. He landed on the ground and faced off against the army, trying to build up momentum for himself. But even while just sitting there silently, Starlight felt crushing. Samson felt his knees almost go weak as cold sweat poured down his back. While to another, he looked as though he was standing ramrod straight, those that knew him well knew that he was approaching the very edge of his limits… And Starlight hadn't even moved yet. "If this is all you can bring forward, what is the point?" Starlight said indifferently. "Where is Ryu Tatsuya?"

The echoes of something rumbled through the skies. Samson gritted his teeth. Remembering when he had butted heads with Old Wan over Ryu's death. Even now, he hadn't broken the news to Aika that Old Wan was the one who was responsible for Ryu's death. She was already so broken, he had no idea how he could even begin to do such a thing. Seeing that Samson didn't answer, Starlight shook his head. "I will ask you one more time. Know that I don't have the patience for your nonsense. If you cannot answer, then say you do not know. If you lie to me, I will only make your death more painful."

Samson clenched his teeth, expecting to hold his ground, but the creaking of his knees and the cold sweat that permeated his back overwhelmed him. His Dao Heart shook and he suddenly found himself speaking before he could even control himself. "He is dead! He's dead, dammit!"

Samson gasped for breath and the momentum, what little of it there was, completely deflated from the Radiant Star Sect. Jojo's eyes dimmed and she exhaled a soft sigh. It was hard to tell if that sigh was for Samson's lack of a backbone, or if it was for Ryu's death… However, what Samson didn't expect was for Starlight to frown in confusion. "When did he die?"

Samson gritted his teeth, but he felt that not speaking now would only be more embarrassing. He tried to force himself to relax and react as though he had wanted to start the conversation in the first place. So… he answered. "That's impossible." Starlight said coldly. "My master sensed him on the Eighth Heaven after the date you claim."

Samson froze, not knowing how to react to this information. "What did you say?" Aika asked from above, her voice sounding almost frantic. However, a snort echoed before she could even speak more. Aika found a force ripping into her body. She barely managed to protect herself from all of her clothing being shredded to pieces and her body being exposed to the air, but that didn't stop her from coughing up several mouthfuls of blood. "This isn't your place to intervene. Know when to be silent." Chaotic Space said coldly. Old Wan's eyes narrowed, but he didn't say anything. He had already speculated that Ryu was alive. He had even guessed that the man sent to take Selheira and Eska away was related to him as well. He had only confirmed that when a mysterious energy took away the best trump card he had against Ryu… That being Hope's fragmented soul. But now, hearing this, he was even more certain. It was a good thing that he had made plenty of preparations for this outcome. …

On the ground below, Samson was taken aback by this outcome as well and wasn't sure what to say. He stood in stunned silence, and looked up into the air as though he wanted to see how Old Wan was reacting… unfortunately, he didn't have the right to see any of what was going on up there. "So you don't know about where he is, then… You likely also don't know that he's very much wanted by a great number of powers on the Eighth Heaven. But maybe that's why your little Sect has managed to survive so long. If you did know anything, they would have long come after you.

"That man would never die so easily."

"Indeed. I wouldn't die so easily. What would the world even do without me?"

The sudden voice seemed to come from everywhere at once. Starlight's eyes narrowed into slits.