As everyone knows.
Social death does not refer to physical death, but rather a death of the spirit, a death of one's reputation.
It is the fall of one's dignity.
It is the hanging of one's self-respect.
It is a temporary disappearance of one's sense of existence!
After experiencing such painful embarrassment, Qin Zi didn't know how to face the awkward situation in front of him, so he chose to faint.
He believed that when he woke up, he could pretend as if nothing had happened, and his father wouldn't bring it up.
After all, no one knows a son better than his father.
Just as he believed he understood his father well, he also believed that his father understood him just as well.
And indeed, that was the case.
When he woke up, Qin Chuan tactfully avoided the awkward subject, and after a heartfelt hug between the two, they returned to their usual state of fatherly love and filial piety, with no sense of disharmony.
"Xiao Zi, I have something to give you."
After a while, Qin Chuan said.
"Huh?"
Qin Zi looked at his father with surprise.
In Qin Chuan's hand appeared a golden jade pendant, crystal clear, with a faint red Vermilion Bird visible within.
"This is something your mother left for you. Originally, I didn't plan to give it to you so soon because I was worried that it might resonate with your bloodline and trigger some unforeseen changes, potentially putting you in danger."
Qin Chuan's expression was solemn as he continued:
"But after going through life and death this time, I've thought it through. It's best to give it to you. After all… a child has his own destiny. You have your fate, and I can't always make decisions for you."
With that, he handed the Vermilion Bird jade pendant to Qin Zi.
This pendant was actually the Phoenix Jade Pendant that had belonged to Lin Yi, but its appearance had been altered by Qin Chuan through his system.
"My mother left this for me?"
Qin Zi took a deep breath, carefully extending his hands to receive it—though, truthfully, it was all just for show.
In his heart.
The mother he had never met was nothing more than a symbol. No matter how much reason told him he should respect and cherish her because she was his mother, he felt no real emotional connection. After all, how could there be feelings for someone he had never met?
The reason he always acted like he wanted to find his mother was simply that he didn't want to disappoint his father.
Otherwise, his father might think of him as an unfilial son—but in truth, he was indeed a dutiful son.
Suddenly, Qin Zi's body burst into radiant golden light. The blood in his veins began to boil violently, like water coming to a rolling boil.
Moreover…
His once crimson blood gradually turned gold, growing richer and denser, like golden soup bubbling in a cauldron.
"Ah! It's so hot!"
Qin Zi cried out, and he realized the jade pendant in his hand was also glowing, resonating with the blood in his body.
"Don't worry. This is probably some kind of bloodline awakening. It's the mysterious bloodline from your mother's family!"
Qin Chuan calmly reassured him.
Hearing this, Qin Zi stopped panicking and gritted his teeth, enduring the pain of his bloodline surging and burning within him.
"Ahhh, it's coming out!"
Gradually, he felt a torrent of immense energy surging within his bloodline, as though it were about to erupt from his body.
"Ahhh!"
Finally, he let out a cathartic release, as if a dam had burst, leaving his soul emptied and relaxed.
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Three white pillars of light burst from his body, each one taller and more powerful than the last.
With the feedback from his bloodline, his cultivation broke through three times in a row, reaching the Ninth Calamity of the Emperor Realm!
He had become a peak Realm Emperor!
For someone of Qin Zi's age, reaching such cultivation was nothing short of astonishing, even breaking some records.
Of course, the true record had long been shattered by a certain crazy person who still held it...
"Excellent!"
Qin Chuan couldn't help but praise.
The effect of this bloodline was remarkable. It was well worth the 5,000 fatherhood points he had spent to copy Lin Yi's bloodline.
Lin Yi's own bloodline hadn't changed, but Qin Chuan had spent a bit more of his fatherhood points to mask Lin Yi's bloodline aura.
Even if Lin Yi were to encounter this jade pendant in the future, it would not resonate with him. At most, it might feel vaguely familiar.
"Father, this… this bloodline feels even stronger than the power of the Divine Body! It's so overwhelming!"
After a while, Qin Zi, having recovered from his exhaustion, said in astonishment.
"It's no surprise."
Qin Chuan, acting all profound, said nonchalantly:
"The so-called Divine Body is merely the strongest physique in this lower realm. In the higher realm, it's insignificant."
"As for your mother's family, even in the higher realm, they are one of the most renowned and powerful forces. The difference between them is clear."
"And you've only just begun to awaken this bloodline. Once it fully awakens… its power will far exceed your imagination."
Qin Chuan boasted confidently.
If the boast ever fell short, he could always find ways to cover it up later, but the grand image had to be maintained!
Qin Zi, listening, grew increasingly excited. His fists clenched tightly as his blood surged with anticipation.
He gazed up at the sky, as if he were already envisioning a vast, magnificent world waiting for him to explore!
"Don't get too ahead of yourself."
At that moment, Qin Chuan calmly reminded him:
"Even with this bloodline awakened, you're still only at the peak of the Realm Emperor stage. There's still a long road ahead before you can enter the higher realm."
"Yes, Father."
Qin Zi obediently nodded. Then, as if remembering something, he asked, "Father, could you help Senior Brother Jin? He loves Princess Bailu, but it seems that the White Crane King doesn't approve of him."
Qin Chuan chuckled:
"How could I help with that? Even if I'm a bit stronger than the White Crane King, I can't use force to pressure him. Besides, he's been kind to us."
Qin Zi hurriedly explained:
"Senior Brother Jin and Sister Bailu are in love with each other, and Senior Brother Jin is an exceptional person. I think the White Crane King must have some concerns. If you could ask him about it, maybe we could help resolve those concerns."
Seeing his son's earnest face, Qin Chuan pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Alright, I'll ask."
"Thank you, Father!"
Qin Zi was overjoyed.
True to his word, Qin Chuan soon sought out the White Crane King. When a weaker cultivator seeks out a stronger one, it's often said that the stronger is in seclusion and inconvenient to meet. But when a stronger cultivator seeks out another strong one, the latter quickly emerges from seclusion, ready to meet. There's no such thing as inconvenience in this case.
"Congratulations on your Nirvana, Brother."
The White Crane King respectfully greeted Qin Chuan with a bow, and soon, the two of them sat upon their respective lotus platforms, facing each other.
"I've come not only to thank you for your help but also to inquire about something regarding Jin Zhi."
Qin Chuan smiled and said:
"I've always thought highly of that young man, but it seems he hasn't quite caught your eye. Could I ask why?"
The White Crane King's expression shifted slightly, and after a moment of hesitation, he sighed and said, "It's not that I don't think highly of him. His talent and character are in no way inferior to mine when I was his age. Given time, I believe he could reach my level, fully deserving of my daughter."
Then, his tone shifted:
"However, my daughter cannot be with him. The greater her happiness is now, the greater her sorrow will be in the future."
Qin Chuan was taken aback, surprised by the statement.
If they're already happy together, what could cause such pain? Could it be that Jin Zhi's impressive stature would continue to grow out of control?
The White Crane King took a deep breath, his expression growing somber as he lowered his voice and said with deep meaning:
"I've learned some basic fortune-telling. After observing Jin Zhi many times, I'm certain he bears the fate of early death!"