Chapter 30: Divine Wrath

A terrifying divine pressure descended like the wrath of the Thunder God, transforming the heavens and earth into a tempestuous sea of lightning.

What truly chilled the soul was that this overwhelming pressure didn't just envelop the capital of the Da Qi Kingdom - it blanketed all five northwestern nations.

"What's happening? What in the world is going on?"

"This terrifying power... Could it be a Martial Emperor passing through our Da Qi?"

"Lightning heralding destruction! Which supreme expert commands armies and reigning supreme has arrived?"

From the Bloodline Sanctuary branch to the royal city, from the entire Da Qi Kingdom to all five northwestern nations, panic spread like wildfire.

All powerful cultivators within the domain raised their eyes to the apocalyptic phenomenon in the skies. Those in the Da Qi capital felt it most acutely - the higher one's cultivation level, the more crushing the pressure became, forcing many to their knees, immobilized.

Fortunately, this cosmic force came and went like lightning. Within moments, the pressure lifted, leaving gasping survivors in its wake.

The celestial lightning receded like tidal waves, revealing pristine skies once more.

In the bloodline awakening chamber, Qin Chen's eyes snapped open, astonishment written across his face. Within his veins danced an azure lightning current - a sinuous blue serpent of energy, both elusive and profound.

"That terrifying pressure... came from my own bloodline awakening? What manner of bloodline is this?"

Though Qin Chen had witnessed countless bloodlines in his previous life as an Eighth-stage Bloodline Emperor, never had he seen an awakening trigger such apocalyptic phenomena. Even legendary Ninth-grade bloodlines couldn't emanate such divine might.

Yet when he focused on this lightning within, it appeared frail - merely a First-grade manifestation.

How could this be?

"My veins were empty before. Now this thunder materializes from nothing? That cataclysmic energy clearly originated here, yet now it appears so feeble. Even those old masters at the Bloodline Sanctuary couldn't explain this spontaneous generation!"

The former Bloodline Emperor found himself perplexed. He vaguely sensed connections between this Thunderclap Bloodline, the ancient sword in his consciousness, and the Nine Star Divine Emperor Art. Perhaps these were keys to his rebirth three centuries later.

Regardless, he'd finally awakened a bloodline. Though nominally First-grade, after witnessing its initial display, Qin Chen knew this was no ordinary power.

"Thunderclap Bloodline... How intriguing."

A faint smile played on his lips as he sat cross-legged on the Bloodline Analyzer, probing this newfound power.

Crackle!

Electric currents danced across his skin, forming a crackling net of azure lightning. With focused intent, the energy coalesced around his fist.

Boom!

The thunder-charged punch struck the ground, exploding with triple-grade force despite its first-grade designation.

"Remarkable!"

Though classified as elementary, this bloodline's potency rivaled Third-grade manifestations. Even with his vast knowledge, Qin Chen had never encountered such anomaly. Typically, special First-grade bloodlines might approach Second-grade potency at best.

"Fascinating. If elevated through refinement, what heights might this thunder reach?"

His musings were interrupted by knocking.

"Young master, your time has expired," came Lin Xinrou's melodic voice from beyond the door.

Startled, Qin Chen realized over an hour had passed. Opening the door, he found the apologetic attendant: "My apologies, but your session has concluded. Will you be extending...?"

"Urgent matters require my attention. I'll return." Masking his financial constraints with practiced ease, Qin Chen inwardly lamented needing to scrounge for silver coins. Still, awakening this bloodline made the trip worthwhile.

"Please accompany me to finalize the records," Lin Xinrou smiled.

As they conversed...

In the bloodline sector, Manager Liu strolled whistling, still basking in his accidental triumph repairing Master Chen Fan's malfunctioning Bloodline Analyzer. His self-satisfaction evaporated when he spotted the ajar chamber door and Lin Xinrou's silhouette.

Cold dread gripped his heart. Had someone entered the chamber specifically marked by Director Li?

With a strangled cry, he charged inside - only to find the illuminated Bloodline Analyzer and Qin Chen standing within.

A surge of fury, like a volcanic eruption, consumed him.