Chapter Seven: The Portrait of the Lady, The Xuan Yuan Heart Sutra

What is a bloodline? It is a lineage, a heritage—like the Western bloodlines of the Radiant Angel or the Fallen Angel, or those of the mythical beasts: dragon, phoenix, black tortoise, vermilion bird, white tiger, qilin, Devouring Beast, Chaos. There are also the legendary Eastern bloodlines: the Immortal bloodline, the Three Pure Ones bloodline, the Supreme Emperor bloodline.

Bloodlines are the most expensive commodities for merchants in the apocalypse, often costing tens of thousands, even at a discount.

Now, Yang Fan had been granted a reward to draw a bloodline—how could he not be delighted?

He immediately confirmed his choice, and before him appeared a disk that only he could see. On it were inscribed the names of powerful bloodlines: Radiant God, Three Pure Ones, White Tiger, Qilin, Supreme Emperor, Red Emperor, and many more. Yang Fan caught only a glimpse, but among them were also some utterly worthless bloodlines.

For example, the Demonic Rat bloodline, the Stone Man bloodline—these were essentially trash.

The most critical aspect of a bloodline is its potential value, divided into nine grades: SSS, SS, S, A, B, C, D, E, F. F and E are practically useless, D and C are mediocre, B and A are considered good, as for S, SS, SSS, Yang Fan dared not even dream.

“Begin the draw.”

Yang Fan wasted no words and started the lottery. The disk spun—once, twice—True Dragon bloodline... Void bloodline... City Guardian bloodline... Earth Dragon bloodline... One bloodline after another passed by, until the disk abruptly halted at [Yanhuang Bloodline].

Instantly, a stream of information flooded his mind.

[Yanhuang Bloodline]

Current Level: F.

Potential Grade: A.

Effect One: For each level advanced, all attributes increase by 20.

Effect Two: When consuming attribute potions, minimum effect is 5.

Description: The bloodline of the descendants of Yan and Huang, concealing countless mysteries.

——

“Congratulations, player, on acquiring an A-grade bloodline. Additionally, you have received the Portrait of Maidens, created by the ancient mighty Emperor Xuanyuan, and the introductory volume of the Xuanyuan Heart Sutra.”

The system’s cold mechanical voice echoed—a double blessing. Yang Fan couldn’t help but laugh aloud, causing everyone outside to look at him in bewilderment.

Suddenly, they saw something appear in Yang Fan’s hand—a scroll.

The apocalypse system did not come with storage space, so the item appeared directly in his hand. At that moment, Yang Fan closed his eyes, letting his mind immerse itself in the [Xuanyuan Heart Sutra].

[Introductory Volume of Xuanyuan Heart Sutra]

Current Grade: B.

Potential Grade: S.

Current Progress: Basic mastery.

Innate Skill: Dual Cultivation of Yin and Yang (Description: Absorb yin to supplement yang, command three thousand maidens, attain the Dao. Dual cultivation is mutually beneficial, capable of healing wounds and possessing miraculous effects—best paired with the Portrait of Maidens.)

Current Effect: All attributes increase by 10.

——

This was the Xuanyuan Heart Sutra. Yang Fan hadn’t expected the heart technique to be so extraordinary—a B-grade technique. In his previous life, he had never learned any heart technique, though he’d heard Qin Ziwen and the others mention that they only practiced F-grade ones.

Now, he was learning a B-grade technique, and its potential was S-grade. Yang Fan felt as though he had stepped into a dream.

But... this Xuanyuan Heart Sutra was quite something—the opening skill was dual cultivation of yin and yang. If some lecherous demon acquired this, it would be a treasure, but Yang Fan, though mischievous, would never force another.

Therefore, he decided not to cultivate the Xuanyuan Heart Sutra for now. Skills started with basic mastery, followed by minor accomplishment, then comprehension of the heart sutra, and finally perfect great achievement—four realms in total.

Yang Fan emerged from the heart sutra and returned to reality. Instantly, warm currents surged through his body—a surge of power. The Xuanyuan Heart Sutra had increased his all-round abilities by ten points, while the Yanhuang bloodline required advancement for further gains.

He felt his body crackling as if he had trained for a decade, his entire body brimming with strength. Ten points added to all abilities was equivalent to gaining the strength, agility, reflexes, mental power, and wisdom of an ordinary person.

At that moment, Yang Fan’s mind was clear and sharp; his body and intellect had ascended dramatically.

Soon the sensation faded, but his body remained filled with power. To others, this was terrifying—they feared Yang Fan might transform into a green giant. Yang Fan, meanwhile, noticed something new in his hand—a painting depicting a peerless beauty.

[Special Equipment]

Portrait of Maidens.

Equipment Grade: Silver.

Potential: Legendary.

Effect 1: Can accommodate living beings, but only women. Inside, a new world can be developed and anything can be cultivated.

Effect 2: Can summon the Maiden’s Gaze, which automatically selects suitable maidens to accompany the holder for dual cultivation and the path of immortality.

Description: This was Emperor Xuanyuan’s artifact upon attaining immortality, a rare celestial treasure.

——

A legendary item—Yang Fan couldn’t help but draw a sharp breath. It was simply outrageous, though the restriction was rather awkward: only women could enter, and what in the world was the Maiden’s Gaze?

Yang Fan tried to put away the Portrait of Maidens, and it vanished on its own—a marvel. Liu Qiaoqiao and the others were astonished.

“Come out,” Yang Fan called. The Portrait of Maidens reappeared.

“Go in?” Like a child, Yang Fan summoned the Portrait in and out several times, thoroughly entertained. After a while, he grew bored and put it away. Just as he raised his head, another stream of information appeared.

[Liu Qiaoqiao]

Type: Gentle

Current Appearance: B-

Potential Appearance: S+

Current Favorability: A (can become an intimate girlfriend)

——

Attitude toward host: Likes.

Suggestion: Target meets requirements for Portrait of Maidens; host may choose to accommodate as one of the maidens. Recommended approach: gentle treatment.

——

Yang Fan was dumbfounded. He switched to another person.

[Bai Su]

Type: Cold and proud

Current Appearance: A+

Potential Appearance: SS+

Current Favorability: D (ordinary friend)

Attitude toward host: Slightly dislikes.

Suggestion: Target meets requirements for Portrait of Maidens; host may choose to accommodate as one of the maidens. Recommended approach: more forceful treatment.

——

The Maiden’s Gaze... This was essentially a tool for picking up women! If it existed before the apocalypse, it would be the ultimate flirting artifact. With upgrades, it might even read minds.

The entire Xuanyuan Heart Sutra, paired with the Portrait of Maidens, was a miraculous treasure for absorbing yin and supplementing yang. Yang Fan couldn’t quite accept this concept for now and decided not to use it. Given the situation, who had the leisure to play with women?

Below, screams echoed endlessly. Yang Fan closed the windows and glanced at those present. Only Liu Qiaoqiao had an A-grade favorability toward him and was unlikely to betray him. The other four girls had C-grade favorability—a slight fondness. Bai Su was D-grade, as was Wu Yinmei, who was simply afraid of him.

Yang Fan peered through the curtains at the people below. Zombies chased the panicked survivors and devoured them. Of the nearly six thousand people at the school, fewer than five hundred would survive. He sighed—at the outbreak of the apocalypse, out of ten billion, less than a third survived. Most perished at the hands of zombies.

The cause was fear and terror; only the brave survived. Had he not followed others at the time, he too might have died in the school.

Yang Fan furrowed his brow, glanced at the books around him, and an idea struck. He searched for a pen, found one, took out a thick notebook, and began writing.

Time passed. Yang Fan scribbled away as the others sat in boredom. Soon hunger crept in. The sky had darkened, and the clock on the wall showed it was seven-thirty.

Normally, now would be time for a delicious meal, but after the excessive fear and running, everyone was famished—yet none had the appetite to eat.

“All done.”

At that moment, Yang Fan’s face lit with joy as he spoke.

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