Zhenya, still pondering his next question, didn't seem bothered by Jia Qiu's scrutinizing look at all this time, like he was in a world of his own. The ethereal figure watched him with growing interest, occasionally stroking his translucent chin as the silence stretched on.
After what felt like ages for Jia Qiu, he finally saw Zhenya move. "Did ya finally think of a question?" he asked, his tone carrying a hint of annoyance beneath its casual surface. But there was also a glimmer of approval in his eyes; not many would dare keep the great Jia Qiu waiting, yet this descendant was thoughtful enough to weigh his words carefully.
"Yes, what abilities does the Heaven's Fall bloodline grant us?" Zhenya asked, crossing his fingers with a lot of effort as he was still being affected by the mysterious force that he felt after the ancestor appeared. He had his suspicions but couldn't really act on them as he didn't want to anger Jia Qiu.
Jia Qiu looked him deep in the eyes in complete silence for a while, and then he showed a toothy grin. Zhenya couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief as he thought that his question was approved and expectantly awaited the answer.
But then Jia Qiu just shook his head with a somber expression, clicking his tongue in disappointment. "Was that the best you could come up with in all that time? I'm disappointed, little one," he said softly, looking straight at Zhenya.
The boy, who had felt proud of his question just moments ago, now couldn't help but sniffle as he tried to maintain a stoic front. Deep down, however, he was disappointed in himself, feeling as though he had fallen short of the figure's expectations and missed a precious opportunity because of his own inadequacy.
Jia Qiu, seeing Zhenya react so heavily, decided to drop the facade and answer the boy seriously from now on. He had also waited for eons for a successor to his legacy. "My bad, little one. I will answer the question; also, it was a good question. Don't cry, please," he said in a very gentle voice, his earlier demeanor completely vanished.
Zhenya's face lit up when he heard the elder's words, a bright smile appearing on his face. Jia Qiu couldn't help but see his own son's silhouette in this young boy, but then his face darkened, remembering how his son had died so unjustly. Was too painful, so he shook his head from left to right and focused on helping the little boy in front of him as much as possible. "Eons of solitude are enough to even dull the sharpest grief," he whispered, barely audible.
Clearing his throat loudly, "Now, onto the topic at hand. My bloodline has the following abilities: He said, looking at Zhenya, and when he saw the boy's eyes light up. He couldn't help but crack a small smile as he continued, "The main ability of our bloodline is absorbing other abilities and sensing strong and pure bloodlines in our surroundings."
Stopping momentarily to check if Zhenya had absorbed all the information he had just revealed, Jia Qiu looked into the boy's innocent eyes and looked impressed; it didn't look like he was confused. 'This guy might be able to accomplish what I failed.' Cracking a huge grin just at the thought of that insane thought.
"Do you understand what I meant?" he asked tenderly. Zhenya just quietly nodded. Seeing that Jia Qiu cracked a small smile and continued his explanation. "And when you evolve your bloodline high enough, it will even grant you special abilities. But that's not anytime soon. For now just focus on absorbing as many new bloodlines as possible."
Zhenya sat quietly, processing the revelation about his bloodline's true nature. His mind full of possibilities, but also with the weight of responsibility. This was clearly no ordinary power. Looking up at the ancestor's ethereal form. He realized he had only one question left. This was his last chance to learn from someone who had mastered these abilities. He had to make it count.
Clearing his throat nervously, he made eye contact with Jia Qiu and started. "For my final question. I would like some advice from you. What cultivation path would best complement me and our bloodline?"
Jia Qiu looked impressed at the question the young boy asked. This was an extremely well-thought-out question for such a young child; he started clapping, and then Zhenya felt the pressure around him disappear like it was never there. Pleasantly surprised, he stretched his arms and legs quickly and sat down cross-legged again to pay close attention to Jia Qiu's answer.
Jia Qiu stroked his chin, his eyes taking on a distant look. "The dao of Emptiness will help you manage the side effects of absorbing other bloodlines because nothing comes without a price."
He traced a pattern in the air, leaving a trail of ghostly light. "Stillness is also crucial. The calmer your mind, the better you can absorb other bloodlines and the more benefits you can reap. Think of it like a still pond reflecting the moon. Any ripple distorts the image."
A translucent puppet materialized beside him, its joints moving with uncanny grace. "And puppetry..." His eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief. "Well, what better way to use multiple abilities than to have multiple bodies? Plus, puppets don't tire like flesh and blood."
The puppet dissolved as Jia Qiu's expression grew serious. "But remember this, little one. These are only suggestions, not chains. The greatest cultivators don't just follow paths; they forge them." He raised his hand, pointing his index finger right at the crescent on Zhenya's forehead. "These are the four techniques I wanted to give you. How you use them..." He smiled. "That will be your story to write."
As soon as he finished speaking, his ethereal form began to fade slowly from the bottom up. First his feet dissolved into mist, then his legs, his torso, until only his face remained. With a peaceful expression, he offered his final words to Zhenya: "Don't worry too much. It will all eventually fall into place. Just do your best."
Then he vanished completely, leaving only the lingering warmth of his presence in the air.
Zhenya stared blankly at the space where his ancestor had been floating, the weight of everything that had just happened settling over him. Standing up abruptly, he made a deep bow, his voice ringing with conviction through the chamber: "Thanks for everything, ancestor! I will not let your legacy end here!"