Chapter 416: Xiao Yuan's Dou Di Bloodline—The Strongest of Them All?
As the first rays of sunlight broke over the horizon, the entire Ancient Saint Mountain range buzzed with activity. Figures zipped through the sky, while the sounds of drums and ceremonial music echoed joyously throughout the peaks.
Creak…
The tightly closed door slowly opened as Xiao Yuan stepped out, finding everyone already waiting.
"Brother!" Xiao Yan called, holding Xun'er's hand.
Xiao Yuan smiled and nodded, glancing toward the distant palace complex. "The coming-of-age ceremony should be starting soon, right?"
"Mhm, we were just waiting for you, Third Brother," Xun'er smiled gently.
With a wave of her jade-like hand, a large, snow-white winged unicorn emerged from the forest, flapping its powerful wings as it came to a stop in front of them. Xun'er and Xiao Yan leapt onto its broad back, and the rest of the group quickly followed.
With a crisp whinny, the unicorn flapped its wings and turned into a streak of light, racing toward the densely packed palace cluster ahead.
It took only a few minutes to reach the heart of the complex. Under Xun'er's direction, the unicorn descended smoothly in the central area.
Having Xun'er present meant their group was the center of attention. As they dismounted, countless curious eyes turned their way.
"Let's go," Xun'er said calmly, ignoring the stares. Hand in hand with Xiao Yan, she led the group directly toward the massive, ancient square at the center.
Around the square, Black Abyss Army soldiers stood guard in black armor, their sharp eyes sweeping like eagles. When they spotted Xiao Yuan, their gazes noticeably faltered—but they made no move.
After all, just yesterday, they'd watched him slap Gu Yao out of the sky with a single blow.
Despite many already being seated around the square, Xun'er did not stop. She led Xiao Yan and the others to the central seating area.
Clang!
Unbothered, she strode straight in, and Xiao Yuan's group followed right behind.
"Hahaha! I knew those old geezers wouldn't dare stop you now!"
A familiar voice called out. A figure emerged from within the section.
"Headmaster?"
Xiao Yuan's face lit up with feigned surprise—he already knew Mang Tianchi had arrived.
"Xiao Yan, this is the inner courtyard headmaster of Jia Nan Academy," Xiao Yuan said with a grin.
"Greetings, Headmaster," Xiao Yan greeted respectfully.
"No need for that formality! Su Qian finally brought me a few good students. Don't worry, with me here, those old fogeys from the Gu Clan won't dare bully you," Mang Tianchi laughed as he patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder.
Xiao Yan twitched slightly at the sight of the cheerful old man—it was hard to associate him with the mysterious, aloof headmaster of the famed academy. Honestly, he seemed more like a bandit chief.
"Thank you, Senior Mang," Xun'er said politely, having recovered from her surprise.
"Not a problem," Mang Tianchi waved it off. Then, glancing between Xun'er and Xiao Yan, he smirked, "Saw you two yesterday. You've done well, kid—bagging the Gu Clan's top flower!"
Xiao Yan scratched his nose awkwardly, and Xun'er blushed.
Mang Tianchi then turned to Xiao Yuan. "And you! Lying to this old man, acting weak when you're clearly terrifying. After we finish here, you're coming with me!"
"Ahem, let's not. I'd die," Xiao Yuan coughed and waved his hands rapidly.
"What, you fear the Black Demon Lightning but not the Gu Clan? I don't care—you're going!"
Knowing he couldn't escape, Xiao Yuan sighed and nodded.
"Let's go," Mang Tianchi said, leading them to a seating area. Xiao Yuan exchanged glances with Xiao Yan and Xun'er, then followed, the group taking seats beside him.
As Xiao Yan and Xun'er began to chat, Xiao Yuan's gaze scanned the crowd. Most present were respected members of the Gu Clan, but he also spotted familiar faces—Huo Xuan and his group from the Flame Clan. Huo Xuan met his gaze and nodded politely.
Xiao Yuan smiled in return before shifting his attention to the left side of the platform. There, a group of younger Gu elites had gathered, including Gu Zhen, Lin Xiu, Ling Quan, and other Black Abyss commanders. This time, their expressions were far more restrained.
At the front of that group sat a lone figure radiating deadly chill. His hair was split black and white, his aura as cold as ancient ice.
Too bad Xiao Yuan had cultivated the Ice Technique as his first art. That kind of chill? Barely lukewarm.
"Loser. Gu Yao."
He'd never withstand one of Xiao Yan's Fire Lotuses.
Though Xiao Yan had never needed to go all-out, Xiao Yuan had no doubt about its destructive power.
As he clenched his fists, an ancient bell rang out, its sound echoing majestically through the mountain range.
"The time has come. Begin the ceremony," said a deep, placid voice that carried overwhelming soul-suppressing force. The entire square fell silent.
"A Dou Sheng… a real Dou Sheng!"
Xiao Yuan's eyes gleamed. This voice's owner… might even surpass Yao Lao in strength.
As the voice faded, three solemn Gu elders rose and stepped to the square's center. There, ceremonial tools had already been arranged. The Gu Clan's coming-of-age ritual was grand and complex. Only after completing it would the youths be recognized as full members of the clan, eligible even for marriage.
"The true powerhouses of the Gu Clan haven't appeared yet," Xiao Yuan noted. Aside from a few elders, no Dou Sheng-level figures had shown themselves—though he could sense them hidden in the sky above.
Honestly, he wanted to meet Xun'er's father—Gu Yuan.
Same given name as him. If that wasn't fate…
But adopting him as a brother? Nah, the generation gap would get weird fast.
"Begin the ritual. Ling Quan!"
As Xiao Yuan daydreamed, the elders finished their preparations. One of them called out a name he and Xiao Yan knew all too well.
Ling Quan immediately rose and entered the center.
In theory, many young Gu members were eligible for this ceremony. But only the elite few could perform it here. Though Ling Quan seemed like cannon fodder to Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan, he was still one of the Gu Clan's top young talents.
In the center, a stern elder summoned a massive star disc. Ling Quan stepped forward, placed his hand upon it, and closed his eyes.
With a flash, six glowing stars appeared.
"Ling Quan—Black Abyss Army's Eighth Commander. One-Star Dou Zun. Sixth-grade bloodline. Bestowed golden clan mark!"
The announcement triggered murmurs of admiration from the crowd.
Golden clan marks were no joke.
Ling Quan's eyes gleamed as he knelt. A Gu elder drew an intricate symbol on his forehead with a glowing brush. Golden light flared, and powerful energy pulsed from the mark.
"Sixth-grade bloodline? Golden mark? What's that all mean?" Xiao Yan frowned and turned to Xun'er.
The others leaned in curiously.
"The Gu Clan ranks bloodlines from first to tenth grade," Xun'er explained. "Only those with fourth grade or higher can join the ceremony. Sixth grade is quite good. As for the marks, they're ancient sigils passed down through generations—activated in crises, they temporarily boost a clan member's bloodline. They come in silver, gold, purple-gold, and seven-colored. Ling Quan received gold, the third tier."
"I wonder how our Xiao Clan ranks bloodlines," Xiao Yan mused. "And what rank is Third Brother's crimson-gold mark?"
"Likely the highest," Xun'er guessed. "He didn't activate it with any special method, yet it still boosts him two levels. Even our seven-colored marks probably don't match that."
Xiao Yan nodded. No wonder the Gu Clan valued this ritual so much—the clan marks were an enormous benefit.
"Then Xun'er, do you have a tenth-grade bloodline? Will you receive the seven-colored mark?" Xiao Yuan asked with a smile.
"I haven't tested since my last seclusion. But a tenth-grade—or divine-tier—bloodline hasn't appeared in nearly a thousand years. And the seven-colored mark? The clan only has one, locked away. No one has qualified in ages."
She shook her head gently.
"Just reaching ninth grade is enough to show potential for Dou Sheng," Mang Tianchi added. "Tenth-grade might mean peak Dou Sheng potential. But divine-tier? That's beyond rare."
"I'm sure Xun'er's bloodline is tenth-grade," Xiao Yuan said with a chuckle.
"Next, Lin Xiu!"
"Lin Xiu—Third Commander. Five-Star Dou Zun. Sixth-grade bloodline. Golden mark!"
One after another, Gu elites stepped forward—but none surpassed sixth-grade bloodline. Clearly, rising in grade was exceedingly difficult.
"Gu Zhen—Grand Commander. Seven-Star Dou Zun. Seventh-grade bloodline. Due to his merits and steady nature, awarded purple-gold mark."
Finally, something new.
Gu Zhen received the mark calmly, bowed to the elders, and returned to his seat. As he passed, he glanced at Xiao Yuan and gave him a nod, which Xiao Yuan returned with a smile.
"Next, Gu Yao!"
As the next name was called, Xiao Yuan knew—the real show was about to begin.
(END CHAPTER)
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