Eternal Cultivation Of Alchemy

Ashenfog became the one to show Alex and the rest around the palace, while the two Celestials of the Winterborn Dragons chose not to come out for that. The Patriarch of the White Tiger didn’t join them either, so no one thought anything of it.

Alex asked how many Celestials there were in total in the family, but Ashenfog gave a roundabout answer that implied there were more than two, but never outright confirmed it. In the end, Alex could only take the question back, as continuing to ask it would make their host uncomfortable.

The dragon showed them around the palace, to each and every important location that was necessary, from gardens to cultivation towers to training halls.

According to Ashenfog, when the children of the Winterborn Dragons reached 14 years of age, they were all brought away from their parents and forced to cultivate together in an environment that could be better considered a sect. They grew in the sect, made friends and enemies, and lived their lives right until they became Immortals.

If they failed to become one within a thousand years, those dragons were marked as failures and thrown out of the palace, never to return again.

There were now thousands of Winterborn Dragons roaming around the Immortal realms, all of whom carried the mark that claimed they were not rulers of the First Scar.

After roaming the palace for some time, Alex and the rest arrived at a massive arena with thousands of dragons seated around the place.

They looked through the stands, seeing nothing but one species of beast.

Bai Jingshen couldn’t help but speak up in that moment. “I must say, I was not aware that the rulers of the First Scar were purists,” he said.

“Do you discard all children that are not born with your bloodline?” Ashenfog showed no reaction to the question, keeping a calm face. “I believe that’s the term beasts use in the Land of the Blessed Sun, right? You wouldn’t be wrong in assuming as much. Yes, we are purists, but not in the way you think. Our family is big enough that we can afford to have the descendants marry among ourselves and keep the bloodline pure. All of the children that are born these days are of the Winterborn Dragon bloodline.”

Alex turned toward the head with a surprised look on his face. “Not a single one from beyond your bloodline? Do you force everyone, by any chance?”

“Of course not,” the head quickly said. “Everyone just understands their duties. It is their responsibility to preserve the bloodline.”

“That I can understand,” Alex said. “But that doesn’t mean everyone has to do the same thing. Unless… you’re hoping for a Bloodline Resurgence.”

Bai Jingshen raised an eyebrow. “Really?” he turned toward the head. The head smiled. “It seems I have no need to explain.”

Bloodline Resurgence was a one-in-a-million chance for a descendant of a particular bloodline to suddenly gain a concentration equal to that of their ancestors. It was quite truly luck-dependent, so it made sense that they would want as many of their children to breed within the species to improve the chances of that happening.

Only in the cases of the Heavenly Beasts, where their bloodline made it difficult to have many children in the first place, did this not matter as much. Even then, they tried to marry another of the same species when they could.

The many dragons in the stands were focused on a battle in the fighting arena below, where two dragons went up against each other.

“Immortals?” Alex said with some surprise. “I thought they were free from this as soon as they became one.”

“No,” the head said. “They are merely given the opportunity to name themselves. They still must remain within the family and train as much as they can.”

Water and Ice skills flew around in the arena as the two dragons fought against each other with all of their might. They were both in the Immortal Origin 6th realm, so it should have been an even match.

However, it was clear that one of the dragons had better technique than the other, and thus gained an edge. After a few more exchanges, one of them gave up.

“Is this it?” Bai Jingshen asked.

“You’re disappointed?” Ashenfog asked.

“Not the word I would use,” the tiger said. “If all they are fighting are another of their own kin, then they won’t really learn, will they?”

“Oh! Of course not,” Ashenfog said. “We invite other beasts from all around the continent to contend with our descendants. They gain a wide spread of battle experience; that much we make sure of.”

Bai Jingshen nodded.

“Although,” the head said, turning toward Alex, “they haven’t exactly had the chance to fight a human before.”

Alex raised an eyebrow. “Are humans rare in this realm?” he asked. He had seen a few around in the Land of the Blessed Sun, but they weren’t allowed as much freedom, especially around the palaces of the Heavenly Beasts, which was where he had spent most of his time.

“Quite rare,” the head said. “It’s rare to find one entering this realm even once every century. Even then, they only come here for some specific task and then leave. Those that stay aren’t exactly suitable for training our descendants, so we can’t use them.”

Alex understood the meaning of his words. “You wish to use me then?” he asked.

“Only if you wish to,” the dragon said. “I will not force you to do

something you do not want to. But it would be a great experience for these children to fight against a human, as your fighting styles are completely different from those of beasts.”

Alex slowly nodded. He wanted to refuse, but when he remembered the Flood Dragon’s scale they had gifted him, he felt guilty. He could

at least do this much, couldn’t he?

Besides, it would be good to stretch his arms a little.

“Alright. Count me in.”