Genetic Ascension

Chapter 1287: Harder

The words darkened the atmosphere, the laughter doing little to alleviate the heft of it all.

The death of an in-name disciple wasn’t rare. In fact, it could be said that it happened quite often. The survival rate among in-name disciples was decent at around 60% or so, and that made sense—considering unless you were special in some way, you would never catch the eye of a Lineage Head to begin with.

But that still meant that they died 40% of the time. It was common enough to the point that almost one died for every two that were introduced. It was hardly something that would shock the masses.

That said... the death of one in-name disciple at the hands of another was a different matter entirely. The fact that it was almost near the end of the 713rd cycle only made it worse.

The closer you were to the end of a cycle, the less time a Lineage Head would care to spend on a new disciple. F-tiers and E-tiers, and even those at the beginning stages of the D-tiers, would require far too much hands-on help.

A disciple was also the reflection of a master’s capability as well. And if the Lineage Head of the following cycle didn’t descend from the former Lineage Head, it would be considered a breaking of the line of succession and an insult to the Lineage Head’s former master—not to mention a stain on their future as a core member of the Sanctum following this.

That was to say that every Lineage Head, even those that took in many disciples, would take each one very seriously. There were good odds that the very best disciples a Lineage Head would take in would be the first few and the last few.

For someone usually as selfish as the 713rd Rhino Warlord to take in a disciple at this time, whoever it was had to be someone he had high hopes for.

And now... that person had died... at Sylas’ hand?

The most ridiculous part was that Sylas hadn’t even mentioned it, as though he didn’t care very much at all.

By now everyone was clear on the fact Sylas had taken out the Beastguards for the sake of the reputational part of his rites. Did he not consider the death of another in-name disciple as something worthy of his résumé?

They were all members of the Beast Path. Their Warlord Armors all required hypersensitivity to Will and an understanding of it. Looking at Sylas, they could practically feel his towering arrogance. It bore down on them like wafting fumes of sulfur—sharp and uncomfortable.

It was quite a well-known stereotype that barbarian Races and those more in tune with nature were more straightforward and sensitive to these sorts of things. In the Sanctum... things worked out exactly like this.

”Is this true?” Thorak looked to Sylas for the very first time, but once again, it was Captain Herrs’ laughter that answered him.

”Not only is it true, but our Sanctum has welcomed its first unprotected Royal Line. Who would have thought, the quiet, unassuming Gralith Duskthorn would take in such an unruly, troublemaker of a disciple?”

Thorak was still looking at Sylas, and Sylas was only looking back calmly. His gaze seemed to be extremely difficult to read, as though he was only looking to see if Thorak had strength worthy of him paying any attention to at all.

The roar of two beasts suddenly echoed through the air, the spirit of a Rhino rising up behind Thorak.

Sylas hardly moved at all, and no spirit took shape behind him. And yet...

Chi.

Thorak’s Rhino split into two. And then four. And then dozens all at once.

The Rhino Lineage disciple took a single step back, his eyes wide and focused on his feet as though he couldn’t believe what had just happened.

Grade Slayer.

They all had the same thought at the very same time.

Not only did Sylas have Grade Slayer, he had a Will that was superior to Thorak’s. Even if he had Grade Slayer alone, it would be meaningless had his Will not been.

An F-tier with Will beyond Forging?

”Is there a rule book for the Sanctum?” Sylas asked.

”Yes,” Gralith replied. ”But you don’t have the right to see it yet.”

”Alright. I would like to take whatever tests remain now, then.”

Gralith only nodded.

He thought about telling Sylas how much more difficult he had made things on himself by taking this route, but somehow he had a feeling that despite not having seen the rule book, Sylas was all too aware.

With a wave of his hand, Gralith had already taken Sylas. The Sentinel seemed to want to speak, but they were moving far too fast. In the end, he was lucky to hear Gralith’s voice leave something behind.

”Interrogate the others first as you please. If you still have a need to speak to my disciple after this, then you may. Be thorough.”

There was no hint of threat in his tone, but it might as well have been as clear as day nonetheless.

Investigate well. If there was any corruption, Gralith would see to it personally.

There was no way that someone like Captain Herrs had sunk their claws so deep into the Sanctum without help from even higher up.

The easy answer was the now suddenly very silent Aurex. But both Gralith and Sylas knew that that answer was almost too easy, too convenient.

If Aurex was really in on it, he wouldn’t be so stupid as to show up here today. He would have already gotten word that something was wrong.

Someone had more than likely sent him here today to be the fall guy, and he would more than likely suffer for that very soon.

Right now, though, Sylas didn’t really care. His focus was on becoming a True Disciple. And as he had guessed, his actions today had made that far harder.

Thorak’s gaze flashed with murder as he turned, his blackened skin writhing beneath the sunlight.