Chapter 1248: Blood Resonance Technique and Saintliness Restraint Technique
The few Blood Race members could never have imagined that in this world there was actually a human race member whose saintliness far exceeded that of their elders.
As for Lu Ye's disdainful reference to Zhou Sifang as worthless, the few Blood Race members dared not say a word. With such strong saintliness under the same cultivation realm, any Blood Race member before him would indeed be worthless, including them.
They dared not speak, yet Lu Ye continued with his domineering arrogance: "This secret technique of bloodline summoning is quite novel, which of you performed it?"
Although the few were puzzled as to why Lu Ye asked such a strange question, they dared not refuse to answer.
Still it was the Sacred Seed who had refined the Sacred Blood that replied: "This is the Blood Resonance Technique; Fellow Daoist, have you not cultivated it?"
Lu Ye had never cultivated it; all the blood techniques he could employ mostly came from the bloodline inheritance within the Sacred Blood. However, the Blood Race's blood techniques were not immutable. Although bloodline inheritance encompassed all phenomena and was manifold, new talents constantly emerged, always developing or refining some blood techniques with special uses, which could not be acquired through bloodline inheritance.
"I'm the one asking you!" Lu Ye maintained a commanding posture. He knew that with such close contact, it was hard to say whether he would reveal any flaws, and probably couldn't deceive others for too long. Thus, his methods of action could not be too conventional. Now that they were intimidated by his strong saintliness, he should seize the moment. Appearing too weak would be inappropriate.
The few Blood Race members felt bitter in their hearts, feeling that this clansman seemed not to regard them at all. Yet, what could they do but feel bitter? If they possessed such terrifying saintliness, they probably wouldn't be much better off.
The only Sacred Seed responded respectfully: "The Blood Resonance Technique was created over a thousand years ago by a senior of the Blood Heart World, specifically to summon our Blood Race clansmen. It is quite fitting for use here. Basically, all of us can perform it, as the seniors of various domains have taught it."
"I see!" Lu Ye appeared enlightened, "I have been in closed-door cultivation all this time, not concerning myself with outside affairs, only focusing on exploring the mysteries in the bloodline inheritance. I didn't expect to miss out on these; it's unfortunate. Once I return, I should seek out a few seniors to learn from them well."
One Blood Race member immediately spoke: "If Fellow Daoist wishes to learn, there's no need to wait until returning. We can explain its intricacies now; it is not too complicated a secret technique. How does Fellow Daoist feel?"
Lu Ye nodded: "Okay!"
The Blood Race member immediately recounted the intricacies of the Blood Resonance Technique. Indeed, it was not too profound a secret technique, just an alternative application of blood technique. Anyone with a bit of foundation could understand it quickly.
In less than one incense stick's time, Lu Ye grasped the Blood Resonance Technique.
It incited the few Blood Race members to heap praises, even the only Sacred Seed was no exception: "Fellow Daoist is indeed intelligent. When I cultivated this Blood Resonance Technique, it took me a full three days, and even then, the elders of this domain praised it highly."
"It took me five days."
"I took seven days..."
Who knows if they were telling the truth; anyway, elongating the time now certainly wasn't wrong.
Lu Ye shook his body, the saintliness urged forth, and the few Blood Race members fell silent as cicadas in the cold, not knowing if their flattery had backfired.
"I don't know who was in charge before, but now that I'm here, I'll take charge. Who approves and who opposes?"
This vast Blood Sea was a fusion of several Blood Race members' Blood River Techniques. Since it was a fusion, there must have been one presiding over it and the others assisting. Only then could they exert the full might of the merged Blood Sea; otherwise, it would be chaos.
The Blood Resonance Technique was learned, so the next step was to find a way to deal with these few Blood Race members, thus he needed to seize command authority.
Dealing with a single Blood Race member wouldn't be so troublesome, but with five Blood Race members here, he had to strategize. He must ensure they could be caught all in one sweep without leaking information, and kill swiftly enough not to give them time to react.
"We have no objections!" The only Sacred Seed spoke first, and the other Blood Race members echoed in agreement.
Who dared to have objections? His saintliness was evident.
To be sure, the Sacred Seed weakly asked: "Fellow Daoist Li, may I ask if you have cultivated the Saintliness Restraint Technique?"
It wasn't that he was cautious without reason; given past lessons, it was possible that this newcomer hadn't even cultivated the Saintliness Restraint Technique, having not cultivated the Blood Resonance Technique.
To be sure, it was necessary to ask.
Sure enough, the newcomer's voice was puzzled: "What is the Saintliness Restraint Technique?"
The Sacred Seed Blood Race patiently explained.
Lu Ye slowly understood.
Still a secret technique developed by the Blood Race experts, ordinary Blood Race members could easily form alliances because none of them had saintliness, thus there was no issue of suppression among them. As long as roles were clear during cooperation, there would be no problems.
But the sacred seeds cannot.
Unless the sacred nature between sacred seeds is completely the same, otherwise, there would inevitably be suppression in the presence of strength disparity. In such a partnership, the side with weaker sacred nature would not be able to exert their full strength, making it less effective than not partnering at all.
Lu Ye had encountered very few situations in the Blood Refinement World where the sacred seeds worked together, only twice in total. Once was when two sacred seeds used some kind of secret technique to stack their sacred nature in vain to contend with him. Naturally, it was like a giant ant trying to shake a tree; at that time, his saintliness was already very powerful, not something that the combined saintliness of the two sacred seeds could contend with.
The other instance was the final great battle on Jade Pillar Peak, but that time the Blood Spirit was causing trouble, merging the powers of all the living sacred seeds at the time, which doesn't really count.
It's difficult for sacred seeds to collaborate, and even harder with ordinary members of the Blood Race due to suppression issues.
To solve this issue, a powerful blood clan member dedicated themselves to developing the Saintliness Restraint Technique. This technique, when executed, serves no other purpose but to suppress the saintliness of a sacred seed. Since it's self-imposed suppression, it's easy to perform and extremely effective. Thus, different blood clans could unite without concerns of suppression.
Ultimately, saintly suppression is only effective within the Blood Race for controlling others; it has no use against enemies of other races and could even backfire.
The five blood clans here, including one sacred seed, were able to join forces happily because the sacred seed used the Saintliness Restraint Technique to restrain its own saintliness.
Since he could use it, naturally, he had cultivated it, but the other four blood clans lacked this capability.
No doubt about it, he followed the sacred seed blood clan in cultivating the Saintliness Restraint Technique again...
Lu Ye admired the research spirit of the strong members of the Blood Race; their bloodline heritage was enough to master many complex Blood Techniques, yet they continued innovating.
This is one reason a race can remain powerful.
He intended to cultivate the Blood Resonance Technique, even if the blood clans didn't mention it, he would have sought to learn it by some means. The Saintliness Restraint Technique, however, was a chance acquisition.
In future encounters with the Blood Race, the Saintliness Restraint Technique would offer more options.
Unlike now, when he used Blood Techniques, any blood clan member would consider him kin, as that overwhelming sacred nature was impossible to conceal.
Without saintliness, however, even the Blood Race would struggle to determine if he was kin since other races, especially some magic cultivators of the human race, could also use Blood Techniques.
This cultivation took half a day, and the Saintliness Restraint Technique was undoubtedly far more complex than the Blood Resonance Technique. The blood clans showed no impatience, especially the sacred seed, who taught diligently.
While Lu Ye cultivated the Saintliness Restraint Technique, a vast Blood Sea lay across the sky. Unless blind, any nearby cultivator would see it but dared not invite trouble, biding their time in silence.
As Lu Ye practiced the Saintliness Restraint Technique, his saintliness slowly withdrew and eventually vanished completely.
The atmosphere of the Blood Sea became relaxed and pleasant.
For the blood clans, over this half a day, they had been bearing an immense pressure akin to carrying a mountain; now without the saintliness, they felt much relieved.
"Don't move—I'm going to fuse the Blood Sea," commanded Lu Ye, spreading his blood cloud outward.
He had stormed into the Blood Sea previously, yet protected himself within a blood cloud ten feet in radius. This was because once the Blood Sea fused, the Blood Race could discern him through feedback from the Blood Sea. Knowing his expertise in Blood Techniques, how could Lu Ye not have precautions?
Having learned what was needed, with nothing left to worry about, it was time to lay bare his plans.
With his activation, his blood Qi spread in all directions, saturating every corner of the Blood Sea. To prevent the blood clans from identifying him, he deliberately didn't merge the blood Qi near them.
Merging blood Qi among the Blood Race was still simple, not too complex. It just required a certain level of control; notably, the stronger blood clan in charge could manage a bigger Blood Sea.
This is why the blood clans involved in the Divine Sea struggle were divided into several teams - to ensure more gains and because too many members would hinder control of the fused Blood Sea.
A team of five to six is ideal; although not invincible, they are hard to match at this level.
The process went smoothly; given his previous warning, the blood clans obediently stayed put, minimizing any risk of exposing him.
Once Lu Ye had full control over the entire Blood Sea, he flicked into motion, heading toward the nearest blood clan. At the same time, the remaining blood Qi around him swiftly fused.
The blood clans had little guard against Lu Ye's actions, falling victim to preconceptions; each believed Lu Ye was a clan member. As Lu Ye approached closer, the blood clan began feeling puzzled: is this clan member, so strong in saintliness, trying to get close to me?