First and foremost, in terms of raw power, Takeyo had experienced an explosive leap forward, from the intermediate demon level straight to the peak of intermediate demon class, only a hair's breadth away from breaking through to superior demon.
This dramatic advancement stemmed entirely from the king-level sign-in reward: the Origin of Human Blood.
[Origin of Human Blood: In the endless expanse of the multiverse, there exists a special world that serves as the origin point of the boundless cosmos.
In this world, all creatures gain power from the origin of heaven and earth itself. After battles conclude, the victorious life form absorbs both the strength and origin of their defeated opponent.
In that realm's final conflict, a human emerged victorious. In that world, he became regarded as the ancestor of all humanity.
The Origin of Human Blood represents his primordial essence. It possesses the conceptual potential to easily surpass single-universe level beings, and even achieving multi-universe transcendence isn't beyond its reach.
Raises the host's affinity for all attributes to their absolute limits!]
Based on the description, this should be something comparable to, if not superior to, the top ten incarnations of Vishnu. However, as merely bloodline essence rather than a fully realized ability, it couldn't grant instantaneous overwhelming power.
But...this meant Takeyo now possessed that capital for future growth.
After all, according to the description, the original bearer had ultimately transcended everything by becoming the victor of that primordial battle. Takeyo still had a long path ahead to reach such heights.
His very life form had fundamentally transformed.
At least in terms of innate talent and bloodline potential, he'd surpassed virtually all creatures across the heavens and myriad realms.
"However, this time really was dancing on death's edge," Takeyo murmured to himself, lying in the unfamiliar bed. "If I hadn't obtained that incarnation beforehand, I honestly don't know if I could have survived..."
He analyzed the reasons he'd managed to pull through after using the Original Incarnation.
First, because he'd previously obtained the Celestial Gift of supreme quality, both his origin and vitality had been tremendously enhanced, providing the foundation to withstand such strain.
Second, after the battle concluded, Takeyo had gained the Origin of Human Blood, which further reinforced his foundation and literally dragged his dying self back from the brink of oblivion.
Third came the Phoenix Tears and medical treatment from others.
Though honestly, that third factor probably hadn't been strictly necessary. Even if Takeyo had been abandoned in some remote mountain without food or water, the overwhelming power of the Origin of Human Blood would have allowed him to slowly recover on his own. But waking up naturally might have required a full year or even longer.
"I really should thank her," he mused, thinking of Jeanne. "Though right now, she doesn't seem to need my gratitude...what she needs is my love?"
Takeyo shook his head helplessly.
Well, having one more addition to the household wasn't a problem. His home was quite spacious, with more than a dozen empty rooms available.
While Takeyo examined his physical condition internally, the young girl outside, Zhuge Liang, completed her medical examination.
"Basically, there's nothing seriously wrong anymore. He just needs proper rest to fully recuperate," Zhuge Liang announced with a professional smile. "Miss Jeanne, this is truly a blessing in disguise."
"Yes! Thank you so much!" Jeanne responded with heartfelt sincerity.
Zhuge Liang, this petite strategist who'd inherited both the name and bloodline of the legendary tactician, wasn't originally part of their team.
It had been at Jeanne's specific request that Cao Cao had spent considerable effort searching the ancient eastern lands across the ocean, finally convincing the young prodigy to emerge from her secluded studies.
According to the original timeline, Zhuge Liang would have become their ally during an international competition much later. But for now...she hadn't yet officially joined the Hero Faction.
Beyond possessing a Sacred Gear with both strategic and tactical applications, Zhuge Liang had proven remarkably proficient in medical practices, skills Cao Cao had recognized even before her recruitment, hence his willingness to make the journey.
"But...this gentleman's body is truly extraordinary," Zhuge Liang observed thoughtfully. "Just examining his physical resilience alone, he's approaching the level of a semi-transcendent being."
The so-called semi-transcendent level corresponded roughly to the ultimate-class devil ranking.
"If he uses a Sacred Gear, he should be capable of wielding tremendous power. I really can't imagine what kind of enemy you must have encountered to leave him in such condition."
"Yes...a very powerful enemy indeed," Jeanne murmured vaguely, unwilling to reveal that they'd faced the Supreme God of the Indian Pantheon, and that Takeyo had somehow defeated Vishnu himself.
"Well, I don't pry into such matters," Zhuge Liang said with a slight shrug. "But his body's condition is genuinely unusual. At this stage, he can only recover through his own natural regeneration. I'm sorry to say I haven't been much help..."
The young strategist felt a twinge of professional frustration. She understood that Takeyo's awakening had little to do with her medical treatment, which bruised her pride.
"Ahem!"
Takeyo, who'd been resting quietly, suddenly sat up, coughing up another mouthful of blood. With practiced efficiency, he covered his mouth with a handkerchief.
Within moments, the white cloth was stained golden.
"Don't worry," Takeyo assured them calmly, seeing both Jeanne and Zhuge Liang tense with alarm.
Truth be told, he'd gained substantial benefits during his comatose period. It was simply that he'd lost consciousness, so many sign-in opportunities had expired before completion.
He could verify this by checking his remaining sign-in slots, only two or three remained active.
"By the way, how long was I unconscious?"
As Zhuge Liang watched with evident curiosity, Takeyo tucked the stained handkerchief into his inner pocket.
After this experience, he'd definitely decided to implement an automatic timekeeping system within his interface.
"From the time I first found you until now, twenty-seven days have passed," Zhuge Liang calculated after a moment's thought.
"Then I really was severely injured," Takeyo said with a rueful smile. It seemed he had plenty of explaining to do back home.
Just as he finished speaking, a man's voice drifted in from beyond the door.
"Your injuries are indeed serious. You consumed an entire drop of Phoenix Tears, after all, hero who claims to have inherited Rama's legacy?"
A man casually leaned against the doorframe, an ornate spear held loosely in one hand, his gaze fixed on Takeyo with unmistakable interest.
"Cao Cao, didn't you say you were going to meet Ophis?" Jeanne asked, puzzled.
"The boss already brought her back," Cao Cao replied with a slight grimace. "No choice in the matter. She keeps wandering toward that place called Kuoh Town. Those of us who serve as subordinates have to retrieve her."
Cao Cao sounded genuinely annoyed.
He had no idea what attracted Ophis to Kuoh Town so persistently.
At that moment, Takeyo's attention focused intently on Cao Cao.
An exclamation mark appeared above the spear-wielder's head in his perception.
[Ding!]
[Congratulations to the host for triggering a plot sign-in! Sign-in level: Gold!]
[Sign-in Plot: The Hero's Descendant!]
[Plot Details: The legendary hero Cao Cao has heard rumors of your victory over a god. He's intensely interested in your strength and wants to determine who represents the superior hero, desiring to test himself against the god-slayer!
Challenge: Defeat Cao Cao!]
[Sign-in time limit: 1 day!]
[Remaining time: 1 day!]
I didn't expect Cao Cao would be interested in me, Takeyo thought. In the past, I would have definitely chosen to avoid this confrontation, but now...there's no need.
Even without using his incarnations, he had confidence in defeating Cao Cao.
"Are you Cao Cao?" Takeyo asked aloud, studying the legendary hero's descendant. "The holy spear's radiance is rather dazzling. However, while I inherited Rama's bloodline, I don't particularly enjoy others calling me by that name. Just call me Takeyo."
Upon hearing those words, Cao Cao's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
"As someone who's inherited a hero's legacy, are you certain it's acceptable not to use your ancestor's name? Everyone here uses their ancestor's title, Jeanne, Cao Cao, Heracles, and so on."
Cao Cao walked further into the room, the True Longinus held casually in his grip, his expression full of curiosity.
Takeyo recognized that look intimately, Vali had gazed at him with identical interest not long ago.
Facing Cao Cao's question, Takeyo offered his own answer.
"Only those who lack confidence in surpassing their ancestors cling to their names as shields."
"Oh?"
Cao Cao's eyes sharpened considerably.
"In other words, you believe you've already surpassed your ancestor?" A faint smile played across his lips. "Well, if you truly succeeded in slaying a god as Jeanne claims, I suppose you do have that capital."
Gods typically possessed strength equivalent to at least ultimate-class demons. Most gods operated at demon king level or higher.
Cao Cao didn't believe some third-rate deity with mere ultimate-class power could have reduced Rama's descendant to this condition.
"Would you care to spar with me? I'm also quite interested in surpassing our ancestor, Cao Cao."
Cao Cao gazed at his holy spear with evident satisfaction.
"Wait, Cao Cao! Can't you see that Takeyo is seriously injured right now?" Jeanne immediately stepped forward to intervene.
"I know. That's why I'm asking him," Cao Cao spread his hands reasonably. "If he thinks there's a problem, I definitely won't force the issue."
Hmm, has this woman already fallen under the influence of romantic entanglement? Cao Cao thought with mild amusement.
Still, considering she'd brought such a powerful potential partner to their organization, he'd overlook this particular lapse for now.
Wasn't the value of beautiful women throughout history precisely their ability to win over heroes?
In Cao Cao's assessment, Jeanne had now lost her qualifications as a pure hero's descendant.
Of course, serving as the wife or concubine of another hero's descendant was perfectly acceptable. With Takeyo as her partner, Jeanne would likely still strive toward that direction, wouldn't she?
The prerequisite being confirming whether this self-proclaimed Rama before him possessed a genuine hero's will. If not, they'd have to rely on Jeanne employing honey trap tactics instead.
A mutually beneficial arrangement, really.
After listening to Cao Cao's explanation, Takeyo simply shrugged. I can't very well refuse when someone's offering to hand me a sign-in reward on a silver platter.
"No problem. I have absolute confidence in winning," Takeyo stated firmly. "But I need to clarify something in advance."
In his current condition, using the Limit-Surpassing Incarnation would definitely prove awkward. However, with his dramatically increased base power, employing the fundamental incarnations posed no issues whatsoever.
"What is it?"
Cao Cao raised the True Longinus slightly, his competitive spirit clearly piqued.
What's this? You claim absolute certainty in defeating me?
Do you understand what I'm holding? Do you realize that even gods and demon kings will die if I stab them with the fully unleashed True Longinus?
Don't let defeating a single pillar god make you arrogant!
The so-called hero's greatest danger lies precisely in arrogance. When a hero becomes too proud, it signals the end of their epic tale.
"I understand your current thinking, but I'm sorry, I didn't deliberately seek you out for combat."
"Oh?"
Cao Cao's eyes flickered with surprise. As a hero's descendant, you're this lacking in ambition? Don't you want to join us after learning about our plans?
"If you want me to join your faction, then produce tangible results first. If you can demonstrate sufficient achievements, I'll consider joining. After all, right now you're merely discussing ideals."
Takeyo spoke while coughing, another mouthful of golden blood soaking into his handkerchief.
"Well...I must admit we currently have nothing except our own strength and ambitions. You make a fair point."
Cao Cao stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Indeed, even his legendary ancestor had faced tremendous difficulty recruiting high-level talent when he possessed neither territory nor substantial assets.
"But are you certain you want to fight me? Do you understand what this weapon is?"
The corner of Cao Cao's mouth curved upward as he regarded the self-proclaimed inheritor of Rama's bloodline named Takeyo. This individual...seems quite interesting.
Whether as an ally, as a rival, or even as a nemesis, all possibilities appear equally intriguing.
"It's just a spear," Takeyo said with a dismissive smile.
At the same time, materializing in his hand, the ordinary-looking silver divine sword appeared, its true name hidden beneath deceptively simple appearance.
The Blade of Salvation.
☆☆☆
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