Alex dismissed the Sacred Heart Art from his considerations. The 45G file size exceeded his E drive's remaining 43G capacity, rendering it an unattainable prize. Dwelling on it was futile; the limitation was absolute.
The Phoenix bloodline, however, kept him in a state of indecision, its allure and risks locked in a delicate balance.
Should he copy it? The prospect wasn't unappealing. Sacrificing 30G of his C drive for near-immortality was a fair trade when viewed through the lens of lifespan extension. The Phoenix bloodline's ability to slow cache file generation could grant him centuries, perhaps even millennia, of life—a tempting bargain by any measure.
Yet, refraining from copying it also had its merits. As a traveler across the myriad planes of existence, Alex knew the possibilities were endless. In future worlds, he might encounter beings like elves or gods, their genetic bloodlines potentially offering C drive capacities of hundreds or even thousands of gigabytes. Committing 30G to the Phoenix bloodline now could limit his options later, locking him into a choice that might pale in comparison to greater opportunities.
The situation reminded him of past decisions. Copying Luo's 4G basic swordsmanship knowledge had seemed prudent at the time, but it paled next to Wuming's 28G swordsmanship file. That earlier choice had left him with less E drive space, contributing to his current inability to copy the Sacred Heart Art's 45G file.
While the E drive's knowledge constraints were regrettable, they weren't devastating. Swordsmanship, though valuable, was a skill that could be supplemented or surpassed. But the C drive was different. A misstep with his genetic bloodline could mean missing out on a truly extraordinary bloodline in the future, a loss that would haunt him far more deeply.
As Alex grappled with his decision, Xu Fu's voice broke through his thoughts, casual yet laced with intent. "By the way, young man, I have a daughter in my old age, a radiantly beautiful daughter, but I've never betrothed her to anyone. I think you're kind-hearted. How about I arrange for her to be your bride when the time comes?" he said, his tone warm and inviting, as if the idea had just occurred to him.
The words caught Alex off guard, his mind snapping to attention. "Daughter?" he echoed, his thoughts racing as he processed the unexpected offer.
In the Storm Riders original storyline, Di Shitian had no daughter. The only notable descendant mentioned was Wuming, a distant heir. The absence of any reference to a daughter in the lore made Xu Fu's claim suspicious, a potential ploy by the cunning master.
Xu Fu nodded, his expression one of paternal pride. "Yes, my daughter is in her twenties, fair-skinned and beautiful, but her standards are a bit high, so she's never found a suitable husband. I think you're kind-hearted, a match made in heaven for her," he said, his voice brimming with satisfaction, as if Alex were the ideal candidate.
Alex's mind churned. The Storm Riders narrative never mentioned Di Shitian having a daughter, even in his Xu Fu guise, where he was known to have a male disciple. So, who could this so-called daughter be?
A sudden realization hit him. "Wait, Di Shitian's so-called daughter, could it be…" he thought, his pulse quickening as a name surfaced: Luo Xian, the Goddess of Sky Gate, Di Shitian's trusted disciple.
Maintaining a calm exterior, Alex responded with measured interest. "Uncle Xu, I, Alex, have roamed the martial world for years and have yet to be engaged. I'd love to hear more about your daughter. Could you tell me about her?" he asked, his tone polite but probing, inviting Xu Fu to elaborate.
Xu Fu's face lit up, eager to comply. "Of course," he said, his voice animated. "To be honest, my daughter and you are a perfect match. Her name is Luo Xian. I see you're a martial artist, and my fairy daughter has trained in martial arts since childhood. She's mastered powerful techniques, has fair skin, a stunning appearance, and a gentle personality…"
As Xu Fu spoke, he lavished boundless praise on Luo Xian, extolling her virtues as if she were unmatched in heaven and earth. His words painted her as the epitome of perfection, a paragon of beauty, skill, and grace.
Alex tuned out the exaggerated flattery, focusing on the critical detail: Luo Xian's identity. As he suspected, she was Di Shitian's disciple, the Goddess of Sky Gate, not a literal daughter but a figure close enough to be presented as such in this deception.
The question gnawed at him: why was Di Shitian taking such a personal interest in him? To appear in person, disguised as Xu Fu, and propose a marriage to Luo Xian was an extraordinary move, far beyond what Alex had anticipated.
He had known his actions might draw Di Shitian's attention. Revealing tidbits about Di Shitian and Sky Gate to Wuming had been a calculated risk, intended to stir the martial world's currents. But the intensity of Di Shitian's response—engaging him directly and offering Luo Xian's hand—suggested a deeper agenda.
A hypothesis formed in Alex's mind, pieced together from Storm Riders lore. "Could it be? He wants to use my rumored foresight to aid his dragon-slaying plan? That's why he's appeared in person and even offered Luo Xian's hand?" he thought, the pieces aligning.
In Storm Riders, the Phoenix bloodline granted Di Shitian near-immortality, slowing his aging to a crawl, but it didn't make him invincible. A severed head would still spell his end. Dragon Yuan, however, was different. Consuming Dragon Yuan promised true immortality, an indestructible body that could survive decapitation, and immense power to boot. For Di Shitian, slaying the dragon and claiming its Yuan was the ultimate prize, a goal that dwarfed all others.
Alex's supposed foresight could make him a valuable asset in Di Shitian's quest. The marriage proposal was likely a ploy to bind Alex to his cause, leveraging Luo Xian as both incentive and leverage.
For now, Alex set aside the question of Di Shitian's motives, his mind shifting to a new opportunity. Luo Xian's existence sparked a fresh strategy.
While Di Shitian's Sacred Heart Art, at 45G, was beyond his E drive's capacity, Alex recalled that in the Storm Riders storyline, Di Shitian had taught Luo Xian a simplified version of the Sacred Heart Art. Though less potent than the full technique, lacking abilities like resurrection, it still conferred significant longevity benefits.
Crucially, as a simplified version, its file size was likely far smaller than 45G, potentially within Alex's 43G E drive capacity. Copying Luo Xian's Sacred Heart Art could grant him longevity, slowing his C drive's cache file generation and preserving space for future bloodline opportunities—a strategic compromise that balanced immediate gains with long-term potential.
The simplified Sacred Heart Art also included powerful techniques: the Four Sacred Heart Arts, the Four Sacred Heart Tribulations, the Immortal Step (a top-tier movement skill), the Heavenly Palace Phantom (an illusion technique), and the Nahai Sacred Heart Mantra, an enhanced version of the North Sea Divine Art. Even in its reduced form, these abilities were formidable, offering a significant boost to Alex's arsenal.
Though its power might not rival Di Shitian's complete Sacred Heart Art, Alex saw it as a worthy alternative. If the full version was out of reach, the simplified version was a practical and valuable acquisition.
As Alex supported Xu Fu, guiding the horse toward Luo City, their conversation flowed easily. Di Shitian, intent on ensnaring Alex for his dragon-slaying scheme, played the role of a genial elder, while Alex, fully aware of the deception, leaned into the charade, exploiting the opportunity to stay close.
The old master and the young swordsman bonded quickly, their rapport so natural that, had Di Shitian been younger, they might have sworn a bond of brotherhood. Their mutual scheming, veiled in pleasantries, created an odd harmony, each plotting while maintaining a facade of trust.
After more than an hour of travel, Xu Fu pointed to the city ahead. "Okay, Luo City is just there. Young man, please take me home first…" he said, his voice carrying a hint of relief.
Alex nodded. "Of course," he replied, leading the horse into Luo City with Xu Fu, following his directions through the bustling streets.
Under Xu Fu's guidance, they arrived at the gates of a grand mansion, its towering walls and ornate design signaling wealth and influence. As they approached, the guards at the gate sprang to attention.
"The master is back!" they shouted, their voices echoing with urgency. Some rushed to assist Xu Fu, while others hurried inside to announce his arrival.
Moments later, a striking woman in a flowing white dress emerged from the mansion, her presence radiant and composed. Luo Xian, the Goddess of Sky Gate, moved with grace, her expression shifting to concern as she saw Xu Fu.
"Father, what happened to you?" she asked, hurrying forward to support him, her voice laced with worry.
Xu Fu leaned into her aid, his tone dramatic yet warm. "My daughter, I fell on the road. Fortunately, Brother Alex brought me back. Otherwise, I might have perished out there," he said, gesturing to Alex as he introduced them.
Luo Xian turned to Alex, her eyes meeting his with gratitude. "I am Luo Xian, thank you for your help. I cannot repay you…" she said, bowing deeply, her sincerity evident despite the orchestrated nature of the encounter.
Alex waved off her thanks with a humble smile, his demeanor righteous yet calculated. "You're too polite, it's just a small favor," he replied, inwardly awarding both Luo Xian and Xu Fu an imaginary Oscar for their performances, while reserving the best actor title for himself.
The trio's exchange was a masterclass in deception, each playing their part flawlessly—Xu Fu and Luo Xian as the grateful father and daughter, Alex as the noble hero, all while their true intentions simmered beneath the surface.