Chapter 3: Bloodline Test (Part 1)
In the 9991st year of the Yulan Calendar, nine-year-old Lin Lei, along with his little shadow mouse Bebe and Hilman, the captain of the Baruch Family's guard team, left their hometown of Wu Shan Town.
Meanwhile, Xinghui remained in Wu Shan Town, diligently continuing his warrior training.
He didn't try to intercept the Coiling Dragon Ring from the old man, nor did he try to snatch Bebe for several reasons:
Firstly, Lin Lei was his brother.
Secondly, Lin Lei's journey hadn't been smooth sailing. On the contrary, he had narrowly escaped death several times, especially during the soul mutation. Xinghui didn't believe he could replicate, let alone surpass, Lin Lei's path.
Thirdly, Lin Lei was deeply affectionate and loyal. As long as his soul remained intact, he would undoubtedly bring prosperity to those around him.
And lastly... well, there were many reasons, but those were the key ones.
Over the past few years, Xinghui had slightly improved the Baruch Family's financial situation, thanks to his unique thinking and knowledge from his previous life—knowledge that was vastly different from what was commonly known in the Yulan Plane. At the same time, he had tempered his body through rigorous warrior training, preparing for the day he could undergo the Dragonblood Density Test.
Through the Dragonblood Warrior bloodline amplification, shared by Xinghui, or possibly the help of the Azure Dragon Bloodline, his physique far surpassed that of ordinary people. While he wouldn't boast about it, he was confident that he had the best physique in Ding'an City.
It was unfortunate that while the Li Family was wealthy, their foundation was too shallow. There was no cultivation path within the family. They could only hire martial arts experts to teach some basic routines.
But Xinghui never felt troubled by the lack of cultivation. Instead, he focused on martial arts, earning money through business ventures, and securing his family's well-being.
After all, unlike the Xinghui in Coiling Dragon, who lacked money but had access to a path of cultivation, this version of Xinghui was focused on using money as a tool while developing his own skills in a steady, measured way. He didn't rush—there was no need to. Whether it was cultivating the secret manuals of battle qi after activating his bloodline, or awakening his mage talents to practice magic, these were broad avenues of power.
Despite the lack of a clear cultivation path, he was taking it slow and steady. In his previous life, he had lacked money. In this one, he lacked the cultivation system, but neither was insurmountable. There was time.
While Lin Lei would rise to greatness in less than a decade, spending time on business ventures wouldn't help him grow stronger. As for his family's situation, the Baruch Family wasn't what it used to be. They were no longer so poor they had to sell family heirlooms just to survive.
Still, Xinghui didn't aim for commercial empires. The world situation was different, and he knew too much wealth could invite trouble without the strength to protect it. His focus was always on power. The sooner he gained strength, the better.
"Brother, I miss Big Brother," Walton said after a long day of training, lying exhausted under a tree's shade.
Xinghui, watching his younger brother, rubbed his head comfortingly. It had been months since Lin Lei left Wu Shan Town. Walton had initially cried, but now he just felt the absence deeply.
"When we go back, I'll help you write a letter. You can tell Big Brother everything you want to say, and I'll send it to him," Xinghui said, his voice calm but reassuring.
Walton, at just six years old, had always been attached to Lin Lei. Since their father, Hogg, was serious and distant, and their second brother ignored him, only Lin Lei had played with Walton and cared for him. Naturally, Walton missed Lin Lei more than anyone.
Children, unlike adults, didn't think much about the future or choices—they just wanted to stay with the people they loved.
Xinghui couldn't help but feel a little helpless. He had never really taken care of children in either his past or present life. But as he sat with Walton, trying his best to console him, he wasn't left alone for long.
"Walton, Xinghui, Lord Hogg wants to see you," Hilman said, walking over with a smile.
As childhood friends who grew up together, Hilman and Hogg were more partners than subordinates. Hilman regarded these two young masters of the Baruch family as his own nephews, and the Baruch Family was a tight-knit one.
With Lin Lei's immense potential, once he grew, the Baruch Family's martial strength would be solidified. Xinghui, with his steady and astute nature, might not have great talent, but he could manage the family business expertly. As for Walton, his future remained uncertain, but with the brothers united, they could face anything.
Hilman couldn't help but feel a sense of optimism for the Baruch Family's future, despite the worry buried deep in his heart.
"I wonder if Hogg will be able to confidently entrust the family to the children," Hilman thought, though he kept that to himself.
Later, after taking the two boys to the Baruch Family mansion, Hilman left. Xinghui and Walton walked to the living room, where a tall grandfather clock stood in a corner—a luxury item that only wealthy or noble families owned. However, neither Walton nor Xinghui paid much attention to the clock. Their eyes were fixed on their father, Hogg, who was not in his usual simple attire, but dressed in a solemn, luxurious outfit.
Seeing this, Xinghui felt a sense of anticipation stirring within him. He knew exactly what day it was.
"Walton, Xinghui, come with me to the Ancestral Hall," Hogg said, his voice serious.