The reason is simple, not that they don’t want to choose, but they can’t afford to.
The Blood Origin path requires extreme caution when selecting a bloodline; it must be "one kind," and this type of bloodline must have growth potential. Ideally, this type should have seen Legendary Level creatures emerge from it.
One can imagine that the Blood Origin path requires a vast amount of resources, not just once-off, but long-term and persistent investment to get the best feedback.
Most of the Wandering Wizards are strapped for cash, and following the path of Blood Origin would only exacerbate their already impoverished lives.
In short, they are poor!
And although not everyone who follows the path of Blood Origin is wealthy, the majority are indeed well-off.
Because of this, Nigel’s McField Manifesto, even if it’s not worth mentioning and is merely a laughingstock, still resonates with many Wandering Wizards.
Dox is one of those infected by the McField Manifesto.
The so-called internal conflict between Pureblood and Blood Origin, expressed in layman’s terms, is a typical envy of the rich mentality.
"So don’t try to persuade me, I must solve Gray Merchant myself. This is a destined duel, a battle between men." After Vay finished reciting the McField Manifesto, Dox resumed his rant.
"Others might not even want to fight with you, maybe you’re just being wishful," Vay retorted to Dox’s enthusiasm.
The Wise Sovereign then showed a look of realization: "So that’s how it is... Previously, Blood Origin and Pureblood stood on the same front, both had major disputes with the Modification lineage, but now there’s conflict between Blood Origin and Pureblood too."
Vay: "Your Lordship misinterprets. This is the one-sided resentment of Pureblood Wandering Wizards, Blood Origin Wizards have no real issue with Pureblood Wizards."
Although Blood Origin Wizards might consider their lineage superior, it’s a normal mindset. Similar to how in Metallography, the Blending lineage believes it to be better than Enchantment, while Enchantment thinks Blending lacks flexibility and is instead more straightforward. It’s a subjective bias: the theory I studied must be the best.
Though there is this sense of superiority, Blood Origin Wizards also appreciate some of Pureblood Wizards’ philosophies. In particular, the Condensation Technique and Bloodline Purification Technique from the Pureblood lineage are mandatory studies for Blood Origin Wizards, and, crucially, the most important skill for Bloodline Wizards: Bloodline Purification, was created by predecessors from the Pureblood lineage.
So, Blood Origin Wizards do acknowledge most of Pureblood Wizards’ philosophies.
Contrarily, as stated by the Wise Sovereign, Blood Origin Wizards have greater disdain for Modification Wizards as their philosophies completely oppose each other, akin to two extremes. Hence, whenever there’s a philosophical dispute, regardless of the occasion, Blood Origin Wizards and Modification Wizards just don’t get along.
The situation within the Bloodline side is generally like this, seemingly chaotic, but in reality, it’s the norm in the Wizards’ Realm. Not only is the Bloodline side affected, but also the Mysterious side and Elements side face issues of incompatible ideologies internally.
"Whether Grey Merchant has any opinions on the Pureblood lineage or not, I’m calling it a destined battle!" insisted Dox, hellbent on confronting Grey Merchant.
Angel was indifferent to this, anyway, there were just two Wizards from the opposing side, whoever he faced off with didn’t matter.
Nonetheless, Angel still asked: "What bloodline did Grey Merchant choose?"
The Wise Sovereign pondered for a moment: "I can’t pinpoint the specific bloodline, it may be a recently developed bloodline of thousands of years, but I can show you his appearance after the bloodline is activated."
After saying this, the Wise Sovereign intended to manipulate some Illusion Nodes to create an illusion but found that despite the abundance of Illusion Nodes here, none could be invoked?
Bear in mind, the Wise Sovereign had confronted True Knowledge Level Illusionist Wizards, and even when surrounded by their illusionary realms, there was some weak control over Illusion Nodes that he could manipulate.
Yet now, within the extravagant illusionary realm of Angel’s castle hall, he couldn’t use even one Illusion Node?
Was Angel’s spiritual power so strong he could control all the Illusion Nodes?
While the Wise Sovereign was puzzled, Angel coughed twice, softly tapping his fingertips on the table, manifesting a structured pattern of Illusion Nodes before the Wise Sovereign.
No explanation from Angel was needed, as the Wise Sovereign could instantly tell by a glance that by lightly applying spiritual power, he could make these Illusion Nodes form the illusion he desired.
Although it’s convenient...the Wise Sovereign still wondered why Angel’s illusionary realm had no weak Illusion Nodes at all?
The Wise Sovereign cast a deep look at Angel but refrained from questioning. After all, having signed a contract meant they were on the same side, probing too deeply might spark mistrust.
With readily available Illusion structures, the Wise Sovereign didn’t refuse, stirring the air with a finger.
An illusion materialized before everyone.
If not for the Wise Sovereign’s prior explanation, it would be very difficult to discern Grey Merchant within the illusion, or even the semblance of a human form.
Though the overall shape seemed human, the entire surface was covered in crystals, a multitude of amber crystals formed a jagged armor, enveloping the head save for two fierce blood-red eyes, with blood-red horns on his forehead which, upon closer inspection, were also crystal-made.
And this was just the upper half; below the waist was more outrageous. Not only was his physique as robust as a small mountain, now his legs even resembled those of an elephant, huge, thick, and full of bulk. Thick referred to diameter, dense described crystal coverage, and big referred to the muscles that crystals couldn’t conceal.
Behind him, there was also a tail filled with energy, made of earth-toned crystals.
Overall, rather than a human, it looked like a crystal monster.
Wise Sovereign: "This is Grey Merchant after his bloodline activation, I don’t know what bloodline this is, have you seen it?"
After a moment of silence, Dox swallowed his saliva and asked: "How many bloodlines were activated?"
Wise Sovereign mused: "It’s probably the initial form."
Dox: "..."
Dox turned his head to Angel, hesitated briefly, and finally looked towards Black Earl: "Well, my talent hasn’t been restored yet, fighting now would be tough. Maybe you should take on the task?"
Black Earl snorted coldly, but said nothing.
Vay simply covered his mouth and laughed out loud.
The Wise Sovereign looked at Dox with confusion, weren’t you keen on that destined battle, why retreat suddenly now?
The Wise Sovereign didn’t comprehend until Black Earl provided the answer.
"Grey Merchant’s initial bloodline is the renowned Crystal Earth Lizard from the Wild Realm, a bloodline purified and developed thousands of years ago, which upon emergence became one of the top bloodlines on the Blood Origin side."
"Crystal Earth Lizard isn’t very strong, but its type of bloodline has been thoroughly explored. Reportedly, there are Blood Origin Wizards from Origin World who’ve developed it to the sixth stage."
Developing means finding bloodlines similar to Crystal Earth Lizard. This belongs to a lineage continuation, increasing success rate and force.
Sixth stage implies a discovery of a six-step evolution of the same type of bloodline to Crystal Earth Lizard.
Although the strength differs per bloodline, giving rise to variations across stages, generally speaking, a fourth-stage bloodline suffices to reach Legendary Wizard. While sixth stage... it’s unimaginable.
"Grey Merchant has currently reached the second stage, Gemstone Earth Dragon bloodline. His subsequent bloodline choices can be Abyssal Dragon or Barbaric Dragon among Wild Gods, and for the fourth stage, Void Rainbow Dragon can be selected. After that, I’m not sure." Black Earl outlined the progression path for Crystal Earth Lizard bloodline.
The Wise Sovereign wasn’t well acquainted with Gemstone Earth Dragon but was quite familiar with Abyssal Dragon and Void Rainbow Dragon. Abyssal Dragon has the potential to attain Legendary status, with substantial probability; as for Void Rainbow Dragon, it belongs to the mature dragons, undeniably Legendary in state.
Having grasped the might of this lineage’s bloodline, the Wise Sovereign roughly understood.
So, did Dox change his mind suddenly because the opponent’s bloodline is too strong?