Level 1 to Infinity: My Bloodline Is the Ultimate Cheat!
Chapter 390 - 390: The Royal Clans

Ethan and his companions continued their journey. No one spoke as they followed behind him in silence. Even Uncle Jed found himself quietly questioning the true extent of Ethan's strength. Clara, too, was lost in thought.

She had witnessed him dispatch the Long-Arm Ape Tribe—powerful Exalted-rank Beastfolk. But the Moon-Gazing Rhinoceros Tribe was different. They were a recognized higher-rank clan, their power leagues above the Long-Arms. The Underworld Hound Tribe, too, ranked far higher. Adult Moon-Gazing Rhinos were considered Exalted-rank at minimum—yet one of them had been instantly killed by Ethan.

A headshot. With a single finger.

If she told anyone, they'd call her insane. But she had seen it. Right before her eyes.

"Ethan," Inugoro spoke up from behind, "should I call our clan to send some mounts? They shouldn't be far. We're heading to Beastfall City, and walking will take time. Plus…" He glanced around warily. "We need to watch for powerful enemies."

He pulled out a signal flare, waiting for Ethan's response.

They were still at least a thousand miles from Beastfall City. On foot, the journey would be grueling.

"No need," Ethan replied, shaking his head. "Just tell me more about the Beastfolk."

Currently, Beastfall City had become a convergence point for young elites from the various Beastfolk clans. Most of them held old grudges, and skirmishes had become a daily occurrence. Backstabbing, sneak attacks—everything short of outright war. Officially, the city prohibited large-scale conflict. Unofficially, it tolerated everything else.

To Ethan, it looked like some twisted form of natural selection—survival of the fittest. Or maybe even a setup orchestrated from the shadows.

Half a day later, Inugoro kept glancing back at their odd procession: six people and a monkey, walking through dangerous territory without a single mount. It was absurd. In this region, clans were bound to take offense or seek trouble. His gut churned with unease.

They passed several other groups along the road, each moving with caution. Ethan didn't even try to avoid them. He walked straight ahead, ignoring others completely. More than once, they came across battlefields littered with corpses. Some had been caught in a Pincer-Tailed Sand Badger swarm; others had clearly been taken down by rival tribes.

Suddenly, chaos erupted ahead.

Roars. Screams. Clashes of metal and flesh.

In the distance, two massive groups clashed in a storm of violence. The rain poured down, soaking the ground, turning it to muck. But the intensity of their battle made it feel like the rain itself had paused. Tigers bounded through the air, claws flashing, tails lashing so violently the very air seemed to ripple. Opposite them, fiery-maned lions radiated blistering heat, their aura collapsing the space around them.

"The Greatfang Tiger Tribe and the Blazefire Lion Tribe…" Inugoro stopped dead in his tracks, staring ahead. "Sworn enemies. And we ran straight into their blood feud… They fight to the death. Always." Еnjоying thе stоry? Disсоvеr mоrе оn МVLЕМРYR.

Ethan's eyes glinted as he watched. This—this was real combat. Compared to this, the Long-Arm Apes and even the Moon-Gazing Rhinos were child's play. This was bloodline suppression at its peak—Beastfolk fighting with their ancestral might.

"What rank are those two clans?" Ethan asked, still walking forward.

Inugoro hesitated. "Royal Clan," he finally muttered.

Ethan didn't say a word. He just kept walking, eyes fixed on the battlefield ahead.

By the time they reached the edge, the fight was nearly over. The Blazefire Lions had clearly held the upper hand—fewer than ten Greatfang Tigers remained. Even so, the Lions had paid for their win. Nearly a third of their warriors lay dead in the mud. Flames still flickered on their corpses, the heat lingering even in death.

Throughout the journey, Inugoro had begged Ethan to avoid this battlefield. Both the Tiger and Lion clans were volatile, aggressive. Walking into their turf with no warning was suicidal. To them, Ethan's group looked weak—barely worth acknowledging. Even Ethan, despite his strength, didn't radiate an intimidating presence. And unlike the Moon-Gazing Rhinos, these two clans wouldn't hesitate.

But Ethan ignored every warning, striding straight into the heart of the wreckage.

The Blazefire Lions noticed immediately.

"Underworld Hound Tribe?" A massive lion, clearly their leader, growled. Its voice rumbled out in the human tongue, sharp with contempt. "Get out."

It didn't even look at Ethan. The humans were beneath notice—just weak servants tagging along.

Now both sides were watching them. Even the battle-worn Tigers growled low, their rage barely contained. For a minor clan like the Underworld Hounds to bring humans here—it was insulting.

Inugoro's hair stood on end. He could feel it—each of these lions carried a bloodline that eclipsed his own. The pressure crushed down on him. Cold sweat slid down his back. His knees almost buckled.

With a low snarl, a dozen Blazefire Lions broke off and surrounded them.

"If you want to live, scram," one of them barked. "Last warning."

They were confused—why had the Underworld Hound Tribe brought a few humans here? Was there something they weren't seeing?

Ethan looked around, unfazed. "Can you put out your flames?" he asked calmly.

The lions froze. What?

They stared, confused. What was this human talking about?

Ethan turned to Inugoro. "Can they?"

Inugoro, drenched in sweat, quickly shook his head. "That's their innate flame… It's what their name comes from."

"Oh," Ethan nodded thoughtfully. He turned back to the lion blocking his path. "Then sitting on you would scorch my ass."

He took a step forward, brushing past the lion like it wasn't there.

"You dare—!?" the Blazefire Lion roared. "You'll pay for your arrogance!"

It charged. As it moved, its towering form shrank, streamlining for battle. When fighting humans, they often took a smaller, faster form. All around, the other lions exploded with fury, their flames flaring.

This human had just mocked them—called them unfit to be mounts. The insult was beyond belief.

"You want to die? Good," Ethan said coolly. "I'll grant your wish."

He drove his steel spear into the ground.

Uncle Jed blinked. He was still half-terrified from before, but now mostly just confused. Why does he always throw away his weapon before a fight? Then why even bring it?

"Bear Form… Activate!"

With a sudden burst, Ethan charged.

The lion lashed out, claws slicing through the air, sharp and fast. Ethan met the blow with open palms.

"Heavy Strike."

Bang—!

The impact burst outward, churning the surrounding air. For a moment, time seemed to freeze.

"Heh… You're finished," Ethan said with a twisted grin.

The lion's eyes widened. Ethan had blocked the blow—barehanded. And now he was smiling?

A chill ran down the beast's spine. Something was wrong.

Crack—

Pain surged through its paws.

"Aooww—ROAR!"

It tried to retreat.

"Trying to run?" Ethan growled. "No chance."

"Lacerate!"

He pulled his arms apart. A tearing sound split the air. Blood mist exploded outward, shrouding everything in red.

As the rain resumed, and the mist settled, everyone saw Ethan standing in the center—soaked in blood, holding the remains of his enemy in both hands.

Clara and Nora froze. They felt it in their chests—a punch of raw power. Their breathing quickened as they stared at him, speechless.

Then, Dot broke the silence.

"Wow! Uncle Ethan is so cool!" she cried. "Dot wants to marry Uncle Ethan when she grows up!"

Ethan had just reached down to pick up a crimson crystal when she shouted. He stumbled mid-motion, nearly falling over.