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

He'd struck her so hard just moments ago, yet she didn't show a hint of resentment. Instead, she'd praised his strength…

He glanced up at Markham, who simply nodded at Ethan.

Ethan mused: 'Whitmores… are they trying to protect me? Why? Just because Markham and I know each other? That doesn't seem right; this guy apparently isn't very reputable in his own family. So why else would Whitmores send someone to fetch me before Silverwoods could make a move?'

Still, he had no other options right now. He was on his own, nothing to lose, nothing to fear. But Evelyn and her two brothers were still with him. Last time, he'd been the reason they'd crossed that Dissenters faction from Ninth Division. Looked like this was on him too.

...

Maria told Ethan and the others to pack their things; once they left for the Whitmore estate, they wouldn't be coming back here. They quickly gathered their belongings.

Led by Maria, they arrived directly at the residence Silverwoods had arranged for Whitmores. Ethan noticed it wasn't much different from where his group had been staying.

'I thought the Noble Eight families would at least have a much better place…'

While Ethan was still looking around curiously, Maria led them straight into the main building in the center of the courtyard.

The moment they stepped inside, he saw two women: an old matriarch and a younger woman.

'These must be the Grand-aunt and Aunt they mentioned,' Ethan figured.

As soon as they entered, the old matriarch shot to her feet. "Maria, your Dragon Soul… who injured you?" Though aged, her eyes were piercing sharp. As she spoke, an overwhelming killing intent filled the air, as if she were about to lay waste to everything around them.

The younger woman started, rushing to Maria's side and touching her forehead. She let out a long breath. "Thank goodness, the Dragon Soul isn't badly damaged, just needs rest."

Then, turning to Maria, she asked gently, "Maria, who hurt you? Was it someone from Silverwoods?" Her voice was soft, but her eyes glinted as if, had it been confirmed, she'd annihilate Silverwoods on the spot!

Maria glanced at Ethan. Instantly, the eyes of both the old matriarch and the younger woman snapped towards him.

Ethan flinched. The sheer force in their gazes was overwhelming. It wasn't a look any ordinary human should possess; it carried an supreme, authoritative aura.

The younger woman's was slightly less intense, but still exuded a regal presence. Such an aura felt out of place on women. Ethan understood: this was the presence of their Whitmore family's guardian spirit, the Dragon Soul. Just that one look made Ethan feel as if his body had been instantly riddled with holes.

"It's a misunderstanding…" Markham quickly interjected from the side.

"You shut up!"

*Smack!*

The younger woman whirled on him, scolding sharply. The old matriarch was even harsher.

*Thwack!*

She swung her cane, catching Markham squarely on the face. He spun a full three-sixty from the impact and went flying to the side.

"Maria, you tell us!" After swatting Markham, the old matriarch turned back to Maria, her expression softening.

Ethan watched, stunned. The difference in treatment was astounding. He looked over at Markham, who was already scrambling to his feet, seemingly unharmed. The spot where he'd been hit didn't even show a mark.

'No wonder his skin is so thick,' Ethan thought, 'it's been trained this way. His ability to take a beating is off the charts!'

Ethan's earlier strike had fractured Markham's arm bones, but Evelyn had already treated it. Evelyn had said she clearly heard the sound of a full break at the time. However, when she first examined him, she found only a hairline fracture.

She'd even wondered if her diagnostic skills, particularly the 'listening' aspect of her assessment, weren't up to par. Later, when treating him, Evelyn was even more shocked to find that the fracture in his arm was already showing signs of mending. So, Evelyn had merely helped alleviate the pain.

When Ethan heard this, he'd scanned Markham with his Soul Sense. It was true; in his perception, Markham's bones were indeed healing on their own. He'd wondered at the time, 'What kind of freakish body is this? From a full break, to a hairline fracture, such a degree of self-healing...'

Now he understood. Either Markham's body was genuinely abnormal, which was why everyone in the Whitmore family felt free to whale on him, or his rapid healing ability was the result of Whitmore training.

Either way, the outcome was the same: he got beaten, and beaten hard. Pushed to his limits to unlock his latent potential. If it was the latter, then Markham was truly formidable; that kind of training regimen was beyond what most people could endure.

While Ethan was lost in thought, Maria finished recounting what had happened. The old matriarch and the younger woman wore expressions of astonishment and disbelief.

"Is what you say true? He shattered your Dragon Soul Shield with a single strike, and broke that Colt's arm too?" Both women stared at Ethan, finding it hard to believe.

'He's so young,' they thought, 'yet he possesses such unfathomable power.'

'He appears to be only at the Prenatal Energy Stage. Yet he could shatter Maria's Dragon Soul Shield with one palm strike. And with the remaining force, break Markham's arm. If he truly is at the Prenatal Energy Stage, then he must possess some extraordinary Energy circulation ability or secret technique.'

But what kind of technique could allow a boy at the Prenatal Energy Stage to unleash such a powerful blow? It seems even a full-force attack from a Peak-Tier Energy Manipulation expert would barely match this, right?'

Each had her own thoughts, but both were undeniably shocked by Ethan's strength.

Maria was about to speak when Markham sidled up again. "That's not all… Whoa, I'm dodging—!" He'd barely started when the old matriarch's cane whistled through the air again. This time, Markham was prepared. He leaped back, evading the flying cane.

He looked rather pleased with himself, but Ethan could see that the old matriarch hadn't truly intended to hit him that time. Otherwise, with her power, there was no way Markham could have dodged her attack, even if he anticipated it.

"You rascal… you did well this time!" Then, turning to Ethan, she added, "And you too, young man, very good indeed!" The first part was for Markham, likely praising him for using Phantom Step at the critical moment to shield his sister. The second was for Ethan.

He understood; the old matriarch was commending him because when Markham had cried for help, Ethan had immediately stepped in to protect him.

"Thank you for your praise, Grand-aunt. I was impulsive back then! I apologize," Ethan said sincerely.

The old matriarch waved her hand. "No need to apologize. You did nothing wrong." Her face was all smiles now, the earlier killing intent completely gone.

"Though it was a misunderstanding, it's precisely at such critical moments that one's true character is revealed. For that young Colt to have a friend like you, it's his good fortune!"

"Don't just stand there, everyone, please sit, sit!" the younger woman quickly urged.

Once everyone was seated, the younger woman suddenly asked, "By the way, Colt, what did you mean just now when you said, 'That's not all'?"

Hearing this, Markham's face fell. "This tournament… Whitmores might be finished!"

"What do you mean?" the younger woman asked, even more puzzled.

"Sigh…" Markham let out a sudden sigh. His hands moved, forming a series of intricate hand seals. "By the Ancients… Dragon Soul… Manifest!"

*Voom…* The air shimmered.