Level 1 to Infinity: My Bloodline Is the Ultimate Cheat!

Long Chapter.

—-

Down below, every eye was fixed on the sky.

The moment people realized what they were seeing, the entire crowd fell into stunned silence. Four figures floated in the air above them, locked together in an unmistakably intimate embrace. For a heartbeat no one reacted, as if their minds refused to process the scene, but then the shock hit all at once.

Jaws dropped across the plaza.

"What the hell?"

"Am I seeing things?"

"Who is that guy? I could understand hugging one of them, maybe... but three? All three goddesses at once?"

"Does he have no fear of divine punishment?"

"This guy... this guy is legendary."

"I have to know how he pulled that off. Aren’t the three of them practically sisters?"

"Forget ’practically.’ They are."

The quiet shattered as the crowd erupted. Voices overlapped, people pointing, shouting, arguing, all trying to make sense of the impossible sight unfolding above them.

In the middle of it all, Ethan simply looked down.

He was holding all three women in his arms, and the expression on his face carried a faint trace of disdain. His gaze swept across the masses below like they were insects crawling over the ground.

’How could you possibly comprehend my greatness?’

The thought amused him enough that he chuckled under his breath, clearly enjoying the moment far more than he probably should have.

Then suddenly, without warning, pain exploded on both sides of his ribs.

"YEOWCH!"

Two attacks landed at the exact same moment. It felt like some universal technique that women across all worlds instinctively understood. A divine skill that bypassed every known defense.

Even Ethan’s famously thick skin could not stop it.

Slender fingers slipped straight into the soft flesh beneath his ribs and twisted mercilessly, a full three hundred and sixty degrees.

"OWWW!"

Ethan howled like a wounded wolf.

The three women burst into laughter, their smiles blooming with a thousand charms. Their bright laughter hung in the air, and for a moment Ethan froze, staring at them in a daze.

The pain faded from his mind almost instantly.

Instead, his hands began wandering.

The change in Lyla and Amber’s expressions was immediate. Both women flushed deep red and pulled away from him, glaring with embarrassment that only made their beauty more striking.

"Hold your own Rainie," Lyla said with a huff.

"Hmph."

Amber snorted in agreement, though neither of them managed to hide their smiles very well.

Rainie, still caught in Ethan’s arms, looked completely flustered. Her face burned as she tried to figure out where to put her hands.

Ethan only grinned wider. He adjusted his hold and smoothly scooped her up properly, lifting her in a classic princess carry.

"Eep!"

Rainie instantly buried her face in his chest, mortified.

The tiny sound she made sparked something mischievous in Ethan. He burst out laughing, loud and unrestrained, before suddenly moving.

In the blink of an eye his figure vanished from the sky.

A moment later he reappeared far away, chasing after the retreating Lyla and Amber.

Down below, the crowd stood frozen. Their minds were still trying to catch up with what they had just witnessed.

Then someone noticed the body.

"Hey... isn’t that the Zenith Cult’s Second-in-Command?"

It was the broken figure Ethan had casually dropped earlier lay on the ground below, with limbs now twisted at unnatural angles.

A wave of realization spread through the crowd.

Everyone knew that the Zenith Cult guarded the entrance to the territory. The man lying there was the master’s junior brother and a formidable fighter in his own right. More importantly, Sir Gideon doted on him. Under normal circumstances he would never allow anyone to kill the man right under his nose.

"Then... Sir Gideon must be..."

Someone finally voiced the thought that had been forming in everyone’s mind.

"He’s alive. Look."

Far in the distance, an old man in white could be seen racing across the mountains toward the Silverwood estate’s main hall. He was moving quickly but did not dare take to the air. Within Silverwood territory, only family members were allowed to fly.

Not that many of the family members were even capable of doing so. What puzzled everyone most, however, was the expression on Sir Gideon’s face.

There was no anger, only tension.

---

Sir Gideon reached the entrance of the main hall a short while later, gasping for breath. He did not even attempt to go inside.

The hall was only opened during official meetings, and at the moment the place was empty. After a brief hesitation he turned immediately and ran toward the Matriarch’s estate instead.

Of course he was desperate.

Yes, he had listened to bad advice. Yes, he had made a mistake.

But if that mistake caused his cult to be expelled from Silverwood territory, there were only two paths left to them. One was to fight the Divine Sea Temple to the death. The other was to submit to them and survive by preying on innocent Energy Users.

Sir Gideon wanted neither.

He reached the estate and rushed forward, only for the door to slam shut right in front of him.

Silverwood guards stepped forward to block the path.

He did not dare force his way through. Instead he stood there stiffly, waiting.

Minutes crawled by.

Then, without warning, a figure appeared before him as if emerging from thin air.

"Ninth Granduncle Silverwood!"

Sir Gideon rushed forward and bowed deeply.

He did not even have time to speak, A slap landed across his face with terrifying force, sending him spinning through the air.

"Shut up. Disturbing my great-grandchildren like this? I should grind you into paste."

This slap was nothing like Ethan’s notorious. Sir Gideon theoretically could have dodged it, but the air around him suddenly felt as heavy as a mountain, crushing down on his body and locking him in place.

The palm struck his cheek cleanly.

Within seconds the entire side of his face swelled like a balloon.

"I..."

"What ’I’?" Donovan Silverwood barked. His eyes bulged fiercely, his massive frame making them look like two copper bells. "The territory entrance is unguarded. If those small fry break in, you’re the one answering for it."

Sir Gideon silently accepted the scolding. He lowered his head and said nothing.

"GET LOST." Donovan’s foot shot forward.

BOOM.

Sir Gideon was launched like a missile straight off Silverwood Peak, hurtling across the sky toward the territory entrance.

Yet when he finally descended, the brutal force that had propelled him vanished. In its place a gentle energy slowed his fall, allowing him to land safely on the ground.

Sir Gideon’s eyes flickered with realization.

It felt humiliating, but the Ninth Granduncle had not actually harmed him. The slap had been a warning. The kick had been a reminder.

’Stop wasting time and do your job.’

Back on the peak, Donovan watched Sir Gideon’s figure disappear into the distance before turning toward the stunned Silverwood disciples nearby.

"Spread the word. Prepare for war."

"Huh?"

They stared at him blankly.

"Huh my ass," Donovan snapped. "Tell everyone we’re hitting those Divine Sea Temple bastards. Now move. MOVE!"

His brows slammed together as if he was ready to start swinging if anyone hesitated.

The disciples scattered instantly like startled roaches.

"Those little brats have had it too easy for too long," Donovan muttered, rubbing his hands together with excitement. "That kid Ethan’s back. Things are finally going to get interesting."

With a grin, he vanished.

---

Inside the Main courtyard, the main house had fallen quiet. Four people stood facing each other.

Outside, not a single sound could be heard.

Ethan slowly rubbed his hands together, a grin spreading across his face as he looked at the three breathtaking women in front of him.

"So," he said thoughtfully, "Ninth Granduncle said he wants great-grandchildren..."

Then he lunged forward.

"SCREAM!"

All three women shrieked and scattered in different directions, dodging him like prey escaping a starving wolf.

---

A few minutes later, Ethan sat at the table looking deeply annoyed.

He poured himself tea again and again, downing cup after cup in quick succession.

Across from him, the three women tried and failed to hide their laughter, covering their mouths as they giggled.

"You... you’re too much," Amber managed to say.

Ethan glared at them, speechless with frustration. He had almost succeeded earlier.

Then suddenly they had stopped resisting. Instead of struggling or protesting, they simply lay there with their eyes closed, completely still, allowing him to do whatever he wanted.

They gave no reaction, none at all.

The message was obvious. Take what you want. We cannot stop you anyway. If you can live with yourself afterward, go ahead.

That tactic broke him instantly that he couldn’t help hanging his head in defeat.

Now the frustration burned inside him like fire.

"Fine," Lyla said at last, slipping behind his chair. She placed her hands on his shoulders and began gently massaging them, leaning close enough to whisper into his ear. "After we deal with what’s coming... we’ll all be yours."

Ethan’s eyes lit up instantly.

"All?"

His spirit revived as if dry grass had suddenly burst back into life.

"Mm. Don’t you want that?" Lyla asked with a playful wink.

"Want..." Ethan nodded so hard it looked like his neck might snap.

He turned to look at Amber and Rainie.

Both women had heard the conversation clearly. Their faces flushed crimson as they glared at Lyla, clearly embarrassed.

But neither of them refused. That was enough for Ethan.

"LET’S GO," he shouted as he jumped to his feet. "We’re smashing those bastards. Divine Sea Temple? Watch me tear you apart."

Power erupted from his body.

He took one step forward and did not even bother opening the door. The wooden panels exploded outward as he blasted straight through them and shot into the sky above the combat training ground.

His overwhelming energy burst outward like a storm, instantly drawing every eye in the area.

Donovan Silverwood, Matriarch Whitmore, and numerous powerful experts appeared almost immediately.

Donovan glanced toward the mountain peak, then back at Ethan, muttering under his breath, "This kid talks big... but that fast?"

Beside him, Matriarch Whitmore turned slightly.

"What are you muttering about, old man?"

She had not caught the words. His voice had been too low.

Unfortunately for Donovan, Ethan’s senses were far sharper than hers.

Midair, Ethan’s body twitched slightly.

Donovan’s muttering had escaped Matriarch Whitmore, but it certainly had not escaped Ethan’s Soul Sense.

He shot Donovan a wounded look. Inside his head he couldn’t help screaming.

’You don’t understand, old man.’

"Huff. Huff."

After taking a few deep breaths to regain his composure, Ethan looked down at the crowd gathered below. Every single person was staring at him with curiosity.

"You don’t know me," he said calmly. "But some of you have heard my name."

He paused.

The crowd immediately erupted into murmurs, people pointing and whispering among themselves.

"Quiet."

Ethan narrowed his eyes and spoke softly.

No one listened, causing his expression to darkened.

"Cover your ears."

Blackie suddenly appeared beside Donovan and the others, urgently warning them. He clamped his own hands over his ears and crouched down, hugging his head.

Donovan and Matriarch Whitmore reacted a split second too slowly.

"EVERYONE SHUT THE HELL UP!"

BOOM.

A visible shockwave blasted outward from Ethan’s body. Soul energy rippled through the air as his voice hammered into every ear like a thunderclap.

The sound tore across the training ground.

"AHHH!"

Almost everyone present screamed in pain. Even Donovan and Matriarch Whitmore instinctively grabbed their ears.

It was too late.

The piercing blast had already struck their eardrums.

"Damn kid..." Donovan muttered through clenched teeth.

Several long minutes passed before the ringing slowly faded and people’s hearing returned.

Now they simply stared at Ethan in silence. No one dared speak.

Many had already noticed how close he seemed to be with the new Matriarch, which meant he was probably her man. On top of that, the earlier display had revealed something far more shocking.

Ethan was a Soul-Wielder. And not just any Soul-Wielder, the legends surrounding that power ran deep.

Some of the older figures in the crowd suddenly remembered a name that had disappeared for a long time.

A monster who had once killed Director Vaughn of the Ninth Division.

His name had been Ethan.

Director Vaughn had also been a powerful Soul-Wielder, yet his soul had never reappeared after that battle. The only logical explanation was that he had faced someone even stronger.

Someone capable of destroying a soul entirely.

That realization confirmed it. Ethan was definitely a top-tier Soul-Wielder.

"Quiet now? Good," Ethan said with a satisfied nod. "Let me introduce myself. You can call me Ethan Caelum."

The surname Caelum made several eyes flicker. Those who knew the name understood immediately.

Those who did not looked confused.

"I won’t waste time," Ethan continued. "I just want to ask something. Do you cowards really think hiding here will save you forever?"

A mocking grin spread across his face.

"You..."

"Arrogant!"

"Exactly. You’re just a kid. Being a Soul-Wielder doesn’t make you special."

"If we’re cowards, why are you hiding here too?"

"Yeah. Go fight the Temple by yourself if you’re so brave."

"You think the Matriarch backing you up gives you the right to insult us?"

The crowd erupted again, this time with open anger.

Ethan simply leaned back slightly in the air, looking completely relaxed as his leg bounced idly.

"Insult you? Sure. So what?" he said with a grin. "Honestly, I kind of enjoy watching you hate me when you can’t do a thing about it."

Matriarch Whitmore and the others quietly looked away, clearly embarrassed by his behavior. None of them had any idea what he was trying to accomplish.

Only Donovan seemed delighted. He stood there grinning like Ethan’s antics were the most entertaining thing he had seen in years.

"You... you..."

Several weak-willed people below pointed at Ethan while trembling with rage. A few elderly men and women even coughed up blood and collapsed from the emotional shock.

"You what?" Ethan replied lazily. "You want respect? Then earn it."

His expression suddenly sharpened.

"It’s time to kick those Divine Sea Temple bastards out of this world. If you’re not cowards, come fight with me."

He pointed down at them.

"But if you’d rather stay here hiding like soft eggs, that’s fine too. No judgment. You are soft eggs, after all."

Then he pointed behind him.

"Starting today, every Silverwood, including them..."

Lyla, Amber, and Rainie stood further back near Donovan and the others.

"They’re coming with me. We’re going to face the Temple head-on. As for Silverwood territory..."

Ethan shrugged casually.

"You soft eggs can stay here and guard it. Whether it survives or not is your problem."

Lyla, Amber, and Rainie stepped forward at that moment and rose into the air, floating calmly to Ethan’s side.

Seeing the three women stand beside him without hesitation made the crowd’s hearts pound.

"Counterattack?"

"But the council just said we should play it safe."

"Screw playing safe. I’ve wanted out of this place for ages."

"Yeah. Count me in."

"Me too."

"I’m no soft egg."

"Soft eggs can stay here. I want blood. Revenge for my family."

The crowd exploded into chaos again.

Some people were burning with hot-blooded excitement. Others shrank back in hesitation.

Ethan’s mixture of mockery and challenge had struck directly at the pride of the younger generation, igniting their fighting spirit.

The older ones, meanwhile, watched with flickering eyes as they carefully calculated their options.

Finally Ethan raised one arm. Silence fell instantly.

"One hour," he said. "Pack everything. Supplies and materials. This will be a long fight."

His gaze swept across the crowd.

"One hour from now, assemble at the territory entrance."

Then he vanished.

"What? Take all the supplies? Then how are we supposed to survive here?"

Several people cried out in panic, their faces turning pale.

"Oh?" someone nearby said coldly. "So you soft eggs were planning to stay behind?"

All eyes turned toward them.

"I... I..."

"You what?" another voice snapped. "Get him. Take his supplies."

The crowd surged forward.

Within seconds several unfortunate people were swallowed by the mass. Clothes were torn away in the chaos, belongings snatched from every direction.

Before long, a few of them were left standing there completely stripped bare. Even their underwear went flying.