[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-ancient-tears-bloodline":3,"chapter-ancient-tears-bloodline-ancient-tears-bloodline-chapter-960":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","Ancient Tears BloodLine",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1256988,1684,"Chapter 960 - 960 Faction's Canteen","ancient-tears-bloodline-chapter-960",960,"\u003Cp>Chapter 960: Faction’s Canteen Chapter 960: Faction’s Canteen From MC’s Perspective: The following day, I woke up earlier than usual, my body still carrying a slight buzz from the energy cultivated the night before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After completing my morning routine-washing up, stretching, and gathering my thoughts for the day-I decided to focus on cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As I was settling in, something caught my attention: the faint glow of a notification on my communicator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An unread message in the inbox.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Curious, I opened it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My eyes widened with surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sender was none other than Master Ann herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her message was direct, almost casual: she wanted me to visit her at the manor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Someone will come to pick you up,” she said, and asked me to be ready.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I raised an eyebrow, intrigued.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Interesting,” I muttered under my breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no immediate rush, so I decided to take my time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A long bath felt like the right way to start the day.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I let the hot water soothe my muscles, washing away the tension that had been building from constant training and meditation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fifteen minutes passed in a blur, but by the end of it, I felt refreshed and more than prepared.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once dried off, I slipped into the black uniform, adorned with the silver thunderbolt crest of the Thunderflame Faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The material clung to my body, sleek and fitted like a second skin, but it wasn’t heavy like battle armor-more of a flexible suit meant for quick movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its subtle weight reminded me of my allegiance and the power we wielded in the faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I was about to leave, my stomach growled unexpectedly, the deep rumble cutting through the stillness of my quarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I hadn’t realized how hungry I was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warriors of our caliber could go days without food if needed, but nourishment was still important, especially when that nourishment came from monster meat-rich in energy and strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The faction’s canteen came to mind, and I remembered the online news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thunderflame was generous to its own; meals were provided freely to its members, a rare privilege among the top factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But for outsiders?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d have to pay in points, something I’d seen mentioned, though I had yet to confirm it for myself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite knowing the canteen could be a place where trouble often brewed, I decided food would be my first priority.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trouble could wait; hunger couldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a deep breath, I left my room and started walking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The canteen wasn’t far, just past the residential area, and I had a feeling this would be the calm before the storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few minutes later, I arrived at the canteen, following the route on my map precisely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The open space was bustling with activity, filled with warriors in their black uniforms, the Thunderflame crest visible on each one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Men and women, some fresh-faced and others bearing the hardened expressions of seasoned fighters, moved about with purpose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few headed inside, likely as hungry as I was, while others walked out, their meals finished, laughing and talking in low, relaxed tones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took a moment to survey the scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The canteen itself was a grand hall, designed to accommodate the sheer number of warriors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Long tables stretched out across the space, and the air was thick with the scent of cooked meats and savory spices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The low hum of conversations, clinking utensils, and footsteps filled the atmosphere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After sweeping my gaze across the area, I spotted the food counter on the far side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My stomach rumbled again, urging me to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I made my way through the crowd, stepping in line behind one other warrior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t seem to pay any attention to me as he collected his food and moved aside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When it was my turn, I stepped forward confidently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Monster meat,” I said, my voice firm but polite.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The staff member behind the counter nodded without a word, moving quickly to prepare a plate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within moments, he handed me a tray piled with thick steaks of wild boar monster, their surfaces glistening with juices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The rich aroma hit me immediately, making my mouth water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I took the tray and scanned the room for a seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most of the tables were occupied, but in the far corner, I spotted an empty spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I made my way over and settled into the seat, the clatter of my tray blending into the background noise of the bustling hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To my relief, no one seemed to pay me much attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warriors around me were engrossed in their own conversations, eating, chatting, and occasionally bursting into laughter.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The atmosphere was light, almost casual, a rare moment of peace amid the constant training and competition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was strange yet comforting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I couldn’t help but smile to myself, feeling a small sense of contentment as I cut into the meat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each slice of the boar was tender, and as I bit into it, I could feel the surge of energy coursing through me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The flavor was rich, the meat almost melting in my mouth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I ate slowly, savoring each bite, my body absorbing the energy it provided.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as I was enjoying my meal, something nearby caught my attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A group of warriors at the next table seemed to be engaged in a heated conversation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their voices, though low, carried enough tension to pull me in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were discussing something serious, something that piqued my interest: the Dark Variant Faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I slowed my chewing, listening in while keeping my eyes on my plate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hey, should we let those dark b@stards off so easily?” one of them said, his voice laced with frustration.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re always picking fights with us,” another added.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was sharp, and I could sense the anger simmering beneath the surface.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s because our elements counter theirs,” a third warrior chimed in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Thunder and fire against their dark element.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They want to weaken us, keep us on edge.” There was a collective murmur of agreement, but it was the next statement that struck me the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Main Elders aren’t taking this seriously enough,” the first one said bitterly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If this keeps up, it’s going to damage our reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>We need to act.” I glanced around discreetly, realizing this conversation wasn’t limited to just one table.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Warriors all over the canteen were talking in hushed tones, their expressions serious, their eyes darkened with concern.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Dark Variant Faction wasn’t just a minor nuisance, it was a looming threat, one that seemed to weigh heavily on everyone’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was clear now that tensions were high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The constant skirmishes with the Dark Variant Faction weren’t just about personal grudges.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was becoming a larger issue, one that could affect the entire faction’s standing within the university.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And from the sound of it, many warriors were already planning how to deal with the situation, taking matters into their own hands if the elders wouldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I leaned back in my chair slightly, the weight of the situation sinking in.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like it’s not going to be easy to walk around the university without running into trouble,” I thought, my gaze shifting to the entrance of the canteen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Originally, I had been thinking about stepping out of the faction to explore the university grounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the university had common training facilities available for members of all Halls, and as a member of the Outer Hall, I had access to the Outer Hall facilities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But judging from the conversations around me, it seemed even the Outer Hall might not be as peaceful as I had hoped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, I had made up my mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite the unease, I wanted to take a look around the Outer Hall later, see for myself what the atmosphere was like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before that, I had to visit the Healing Palace as instructed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Master Ann was expecting me, and from the sound of things, I might need her healing teachings now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I continued to eat, cutting into another slice of the monster meat as I quietly absorbed the conversations around me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tension in the canteen was palpable, but it wasn’t just about the Dark Variant Faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snatches of other discussions reached my ears-complaints, strategies, and rumors floating through the air like static.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, in the midst of all the noise, I caught something unexpected.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>My name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was subtle, but unmistakable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I glanced toward a table nearby, where a group of warriors had their heads close together, speaking in low tones.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their expressions were less animated than the others, more calculating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“…he’s the newcomer, right?” one of them said, not bothering to lower his voice much.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I kept my gaze forward, pretending to focus on my food, but my ears were keenly tuned to their words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yeah, that’s him,” another voice confirmed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shows up and gets attention right away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not surprising, but still…” “It’s always the same,” someone else muttered, his tone dripping with irritation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The faction’s got plenty of warriors who’ve been here longer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just because he’s got a bit of talent doesn’t mean he should be the focus.” I smirked inwardly, keeping my expression neutral.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t surprising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In a place like this, filled with ambitious warriors striving for status and power, competition was inevitable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But their dissatisfaction was more revealing than they likely realized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If anything, it only confirmed that I was on the right path-if they were talking about me, it meant I was already making waves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>CREATORS’ THOUGHTS Aravind_S Creation is hard, cheer me up!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>VOTE for me!\u003C\u002Fp>",1582,"2026-06-05T15:57:06.191Z",1,"novelbin.me","804870f87c9542e4357f5c8ac997a086e9f61d1984edd59aa4723dc3bd4617f5","ancient-tears-bloodline-chapter-961","ancient-tears-bloodline-chapter-959",1498,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fancient-tears-bloodline-cover.jpg"]