Chapter 17 – White Clan and the Kingdom 2

During another adventure, Jax got lost and found an inheritance too. He got a drop of blood with a cultivation manual. He assimilated with the blood, which allowed him to cultivate the cultivation manual.

After cultivating, Jax's growth became faster.

He became as strong as his friend Alan Rex. During this time, they both gained fame. Alan became famous for his decisiveness and incredible strength.

Jax was also known for his unbelievable strength as well as his cultivation method. This is because once he mastered his cultivation to the 2nd level, his attacks produced a White glow.

The White glow became more and more famous as Jax improved. Eventually, this is where the White Clan's name came from. Jax Grant, who became known as Jax White, became famous, throughout the kingdom.

Jax and Alan expanded their influence and formed an army. They conquered and united the independent forces and established the Illumination Kingdom.

After their successful ventures, Alan Rex became the king. He wanted to give half of the kingdom's land to Jax White. However, he refused and only took the average city of Ferli and its surrounding villages.

At Ferli, Jax White built his family, which became the famous White Clan and his secret force. The cooperation between the first king and Jax solidified the kingdom's standing. Once a stable foundation was built, Jax had grandkids.

Jax's descendants inherited his bloodline and talent, allowing them to cultivate with ease. Jax noticed that there was a tremendous power gap between the masses of the kingdom. His family possessed a high-level cultivation manual along with a strong bloodline.

The other clans could not compare and compete with them, with their inferior cultivation manuals and bloodlines.

Recognizing that his family's influence affected the prosperity of the kingdom, and cause a problem to the kingdom and his old friend the king.

He divided the White Clan's cultivation manual into three parts.

He took the last part with him away from the kingdom and declared that anyone that completes the second manual should seek him to get the last part of the manual and advance.

Leaving the kingdom was not too hard for the adventurous Jax White. In fact, he left with no regret. He had the anticipation of an adventure, reminding him of his early days that he missed dearly.

This created a situation where the White clan's experts would leave in search of improvement and follow on Jax's footsteps. This ensured the stability of the kingdom, preventing a power struggle.

This prosperity lasted a few generations, and during this time, the first king of the kingdom also left in search of more adventure.

Subsequently, two generations behind the current king, the kingdom's only prince was very weak.

As the heir of the kingdom, he became the crowned prince.

His father noticed the prince's lack of authority and felt threatened by the White Clan's steady progress.

He waited for the top-level cultivators of the White clan to leave in search of the third part of the cultivation manual.

He then forced his way to the clan and took the second part of the cultivation manual.

He placed a cursed on the clan members that had already learned the manual.

Preventing them from disclosing anything about the king's doings.

Preventing them from going against the kingdom/king.

Preventing them from reclaiming their cultivation manual.

Preventing them from helping the future generation.

Only allowing them to take part in the clan affairs during Wars.

He did not destroy the clan; I assume because he was aware of the clan's hidden force and did not want to go too far.

This way, he ensured that the new king's position will not be challenged. He had done similar things to many powerhouses and weakened the kingdom.

With an incompetent prince and suppressed nation, the kingdom weakened.

Eventually, his weak son became the king, Janus Rex. Bringing the whole kingdom down and creating unrest that has lasted until now.

The weakened kingdom lost the clans and people's support. This unrest brought in a lot of foreign parties trying to take advantage of the situation."

Duke White paused for a while.

He said in a downcast voice, "Similar to the kingdom, our clan is on a downward spiral: without fresh blood taking responsibility and replacing the sealed ancestors, it is only a matter of time before we disappear. We cannot advance without the second part of the cultivation manual.

Unlike Janus Rex, his son, the current king is not trash at cultivation.

He would not freely give us the cultivation manual because he does not want to create another unstable factor in his kingdom. I cannot force him to return our clan's manual with my cultivation.

The only path left for me to salvage our clan's future is to take back our cultivation method.

Without power, I cannot do that, the only path available to me was the demonic cultivation."

Hunter had been listening attentively, he understood everything.

He understood Duke White's choice, he sighed and asked: "What about your clan's secret force can they not they help, they do not seem to be affected by the loss of the manual?"

Duke White shook his head and said: "All that was written in the letter was that the secret force is forbidden to act against the royal family."

Hunter then asked, "Are you sure that the letter you got is true and not a plot to turn the White Clan against the Empire."

Duke White, "I am not sure, but I have found evidence that the empire suppressed other clans at the same time, I assume similar things happened to our clan too."

———

Aile had been listening, and from what he learned from the Voice, it seemed that most of what Duke White said was true. But something did not add up. Aile was happy that he had learned the signs of deceit.

If he had not, he would not have noticed that there was a bit of an unconscious hesitation in Duke White's story. Which indicates lies and deceit, this along with his gut feeling, Aile knew that what Duke White had said was not the full story.

He believed that Duke White had another agenda, and he would not risk it all for the benefits of others. This is because if he knew that the second part of his cultivation was faulty, he could simply change his cultivation method.

Although this would make him temporarily weak, it is a far better choice than threading the demonic path.

Demonic cultivators cultivate evil energy. Evil Energy is generated through the negative emotions of people.

It also has a unique cultivation path.

Thus, anyone can cultivate it without affecting their previous element, but there are two huge drawbacks.

Most Demonic Cultivation requires killing, torturing, and maiming people. From the negative energy generated by their action, they become stronger.

The second drawback is that evil energy is very corrosive, and it can affect a person's mentality. If one is infected, they will turn into a killing machine; becoming stronger while losing their sanity and turning into a sort of demon. Therefore, it is called demonic cultivation.

Evil energy is complementary to dark energy. Thus, anyone with Dark Element can tread further in the demonic path. A person with dark attribute who is a demonic cultivator is usually 2 times stronger than one that cultivates with other elements. As such, dark energy had mostly turned synonymous to demonic cultivation.

Aile had just seen how persuasive Duke White can be and how easily he can manipulate people's thoughts and opinions. For the first time, he realized how much of a challenge he has to face to overcome this obstacle.

"I have to be prepared mentally to not get persuaded and used by Duke White," thought Aile.

———

"Duke, has the demonic cultivation affected your mind?" Hunter asked with care.

"No! It has not changed me. Hunter, do not worry too much, I am strong up here." Duke White said with a smile pointing at his head.

"That is good, be careful and stop if you notice any changes." Hunter had a glint in his eyes as he said that.

Noticing how hunter behaved, Aile thought, "I have to be aware of this fox too, he is just playing dumb."

Aile had guessed that Hunter already knows that Duke White's personality is changing.

Then the two just talked about random things.

From their conversation, Aile learned that Duke White is expecting his third child one of these days.

Most of the other information was irrelevant and just about the clan's affairs.

Although they seemed pointless, Aile noted them to get a general idea.

He noticed that the security is good, in the Duke's fief. No deaths, robbery, or fighting in the city.

The economy is doing great and profitable after the empire's tax.

The people are content, and food production is satisfactory.

While Duke White was talking about the empire's taxes, there was a hint of murderous intent.

Aile remembered this, as it seems that the enmity with the crown is deeper than he thought. Perhaps he can use this as an advantage in the future.

They talked until it was late at night.

The conversation was coming to an end when Duke White said: "let me see the kid."

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