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Chapter 7 - THE APPEARANCE OF THE CLAN LEADER OFTANSHEN VILLAGE

"L-look at that fool over there, what is he doing?"

"He's just a low-level talent. Does he really deserve to take part in this test?"

"Blah, blah, blah..."

Most of the crowd laughed at Mo Xing. In this village, weaklings were never respected—especially by the talented ones. Even some of the ordinary villagers shared the same arrogance.

"Focus… don't let those pigs distract you. Focus."

He muttered under his breath, trying to calm the tension rising inside him.

"Mo Xing, son of Lin Xing—are you really going to participate?"

"I advise you to think twice before you do anything foolish. You know how danger—"

"Just write my name. Stop talking nonsense. I have every right to take part, idiot."

His voice was sharp, and his face carried clear anger.

Discrimination existed in everything—talent, status, wealth. Humans were like that, and even demons were not much better.

His chances of success were almost nonexistent. If one had to give it a number, it would barely reach one percent.

But Mo Xing lived for curiosity. That was the only reason he was still breathing.

He carried himself with calm indifference, ignoring everyone around him.

Strong or weak, noble or poor—it made no difference to him.

Even though some people had tried to talk to him before, he never really opened up to anyone.

The childhood he lived through—he once thought it was a blessing.

But in truth, his talent had never developed. His rune ring glowed faintly, barely emitting any energy.

"Look! The Patriarch… oh heavens, he's here! He returned from the cave unharmed! I didn't expect him to come back so soon!"

The Clan Leader appeared—a man of Level 5 strength.

He wore a black robe embroidered with gold, his face hidden behind a mask that covered his entire expression.

His eyes glowed with a cold, frightening light.

Everyone could sense his overwhelming aura—he was the strongest among them.

On his fingers gleamed seven rune rings of Grade 8.

No one dared to meet his gaze.

To the villagers, he was already a living legend.

Six of the clan's elders followed behind him.

"Wait… is that really Xiao Feng of Level 4? Why would he join the test? We already offered him a place in the clan without any trial!"

The elders couldn't believe that someone with such rare talent would bother participating in the clan test.

All other participants were of Level 1, 2, or 3.

The real difference between them lay in their rune grades and physical strength—something Mo Xing relied on heavily.

"During the past few days, I was in the Jiu Li Shan mountain cave..."

The Clan Leader began to speak, but his voice was drowned out by gasps and exclamations.

"He was at Lightning Mountain?! Even Grade 6 experts can't endure that place!"

"He's too strong!"

"A true legend!"

"May the heavens protect our Patriarch!"

The entire crowd cheered and shouted his name.

"I found a new rune there," he continued calmly. "Thanks to your prayers, I have made a pact with it."

Shock spread like wildfire.

"A new rune?! In a place like that? Am I dreaming?"

Even people from neighboring villages whispered in awe:

"The Patriarch of Tanshin Village... is he truly that powerful?"

Even Xiao Feng, the Level 4 prodigy, looked at him with envy and admiration.

"Even though I'm Level 4… he's still far beyond me. Is that really our Clan Leader?"

Mo Xing inhaled deeply, trying to steady his breath.

"With all these talents here, I'll need to rely on my body.

It's impossible to match them with my current rune power.

Level Zero... I can't even compete with Level Ones.

Still… I'll give everything I have."

He didn't care what others said—not even about the Patriarch.

All that mattered to him now was finding a way to pass the test.

The Clan Leader's true name was unknown.

Even the elders didn't dare to give him one.

That was because of his rune—The Flame Hawk Rune.

It was originally a Grade 1 rune, but when refined to Grade 7, it became something beyond imagination.

Even high-level legends refused to believe it could exist.

But that power came with a price—his identity.

No great strength came without sacrifice.

When he refined the rune, the Flame Hawk devoured his name and face.

All that remained were his eyes—cold and alive with burning light.

Refining a rune beyond Grade 4 was nearly impossible.

Even geniuses risked certain death.

To upgrade from Grade 1 to 2, one needed intense training and minor achievements.

From Grade 2 to 3, a cultivator had to walk the clan's path—completing missions and gathering spiritual energy from sacred places.

From Grade 3 to 4, only those with rare talent stood a fifty percent chance of success… and an equal chance of death.

Above Grade 4, things were far more dangerous.

Those who reached Level 4 with at least three Grade 5 runes were called Elites,

while anyone with five Grade 5 runes or higher was considered Transcendent—beings of near-mythical strength.

Finding a Level 5 cultivator or beyond was nearly impossible.

Then came the booming voice of the official in charge of the trials.

"Listen carefully! According to the Clan Elders, the rules of the test are as follows!

Anyone who breaks them will be disqualified and banned from the test for five years!"

He unrolled a scroll and began reading loudly:

Rule 1: The test begins at sunrise. Anyone late is considered to have failed.

Rule 2: No external assistance is allowed. Spiritual tools or supporting herbs are strictly forbidden. Only your body and rune may be used.

Rule 3: Once a rune is activated, it cannot be stopped until its power is completely released—or the ring explodes.

Rule 4: No elders or guards are allowed to interfere during the test, even if the participant's life is in danger.

Rule 5: Regardless of the outcome, no complaints or retries are allowed for one full year.

Final Rule: Anyone caught cheating will be banished from the clan for ten years as a traitor.

"Hmm…"

The participants nodded in agreement.

A faint smile appeared on the faces of the Clan Elders.

At last, after all the noise, the Clan Test was about to begin.

Mo Xing stood silently, calm on the outside—but deep inside, tension coiled like a storm.

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