Bloodline Test

What was most important to ancient clans? The Dou Di Bloodline! Ancient clans did not value status or rank; strength reigned supreme, and bloodlines reigned supreme!

The clan did not support idlers. In the Yan Clan, the purpose of the younger generation's Bloodline Test was naturally to weed out those whose bloodline grades failed to meet the standard.

After Huo Xuan finished bathing, he waited outside his home for that little girl Huo Zhi. Before long, he spotted a little girl in a red dress walking toward his house from afar.

That little girl was Huo Zhi. Her cultivation talent ranked second only to Huo Xuan's within the Yan Clan, making her the second among the younger generation. Yet this very status brought Huo Zhi trouble. Every parent wanted their child to be first, since first place was the easiest to remember. Competition was even fiercer in great clans like the Ancient Eight Clans, so from a young age, Huo Zhi's parents had used Huo Xuan as their benchmark and forced their daughter to cultivate.

Huo Zhi's talent was not poor, but surpassing Huo Xuan required ten or even a hundred times more effort than he put in. That was undoubtedly cruel for a little girl. The pressure Huo Zhi bore in her heart was far too great. During the day, she gritted her teeth and completed her cultivation, while in the dead of night, she would secretly shed tears.

Huo Xuan truly could not understand why Huo Zhi's parents insisted on making her surpass him. Wouldn't it be nice to marry Huo Zhi to him and gain a fine son-in-law?

Her parents' harshness gave Huo Xuan an opportunity to win Huo Zhi over. At first, Huo Zhi hated Huo Xuan to the bone. It was because of him that her parents pushed her so hard to cultivate; if not for him, they would never have forced her like this. But later, Huo Xuan often played with Huo Zhi, encouraged her, and frequently shared his cultivation resources with her. Whenever Huo Zhi's parents scolded her, Huo Xuan would always step forward to defend her. His actions undoubtedly brought warmth to Huo Zhi's heart and successfully changed his image in her mind from that of a villain.

After Huo Xuan's years of deliberate courting, this little girl Huo Zhi had become completely attached to him, calling him "Brother" morning, noon, and night.

"Let's go, Brother Huo Xuan. The Bloodline Test is about to begin. Are you ready?"

"Of course. Starting today, my title as the Yan Clan's number one genius will be set in stone!" With that, Huo Xuan took Huo Zhi's little hand and strode toward their destination.

The two walked along together, drawing the attention of many clan members. Geniuses really did belong with geniuses, huh? Naturally, a handsome boy and a beautiful girl were a match made in heaven.

The enormous Bluestone Square was a full thousand zhang wide. At a glance, countless young men and women stood within it, while waves of noisy chatter surged into the sky.

Within the square, the youths stood anxiously. Some geniuses who usually performed well did not look particularly nervous, while those of more ordinary talent had faces full of tension.

Along a path leading into the square, two figures approached at an unhurried pace, seemingly unruffled despite the importance of the day.

As they watched Huo Xuan walk over beside Huo Zhi, every young man in the square revealed a trace of envy and jealousy. In the Yan Clan, Huo Xuan was probably the only one who could get so close to the little goddess Huo Zhi!

But what good was envy? Anyone who wanted to approach Huo Zhi had to get past Huo Xuan first. Only by defeating Huo Xuan could they get close to her. Yet Huo Xuan bore the title of Cultivation Fanatic in the Yan Clan, and his cultivation was the highest among the younger generation. Most of those present were only at the seventh or eighth level of Dou Qi, while Huo Xuan was already a Nine Star Dou Zhe.

Defeat Huo Xuan? They certainly wanted to, but their strength did not allow it. How was someone at the seventh or eighth level of Dou Qi supposed to fight a Nine Star Dou Zhe? Wasn't that just asking for a beating?

Ignoring the gazes around him that brimmed with envy and jealousy, Huo Xuan led Huo Zhi straight to the back of the line.

"Hey! How do you think Huo Zhi ended up falling for that Cultivation Fanatic Huo Xuan?"

"Maybe she likes that type."

"That Cultivation Fanatic is only a little stronger than us, isn't he? Still, it would be great if I had talent as terrifying as his."

"Hey, hey, hey, say less. I'd advise you not to set your sights on Huo Zhi. Have you forgotten what happened to Huo Cheng last time?"

At that moment, a figure appeared in the square. Everyone below felt an oppressive pressure—the pressure of a Dou Sheng—which left them struggling to breathe.

The Yan Clan elder in charge of the Bloodline Test withdrew some of his pressure, and only then did the crowd below breathe a sigh of relief.

The Yan Clan's Bloodline Test was merely a preliminary screening to eliminate unqualified clan members. It was not as complicated as the Coming of Age Ritual. Only after undergoing the Coming of Age Ritual could one be considered fully grown, and only then could the younger generation truly become the clan's core members.

Huo Xuan swept his gaze over the seats in the distance. Every Yan Clan elder had come for this Bloodline Test; even someone of Yan Clan Chief Yan Jin's stature had appeared. Clearly, they placed great importance on this Bloodline Test.

"Tens of thousands of years ago, the Yan Clan Forefather founded our Yan Clan with his own hands. The Yan Clan has now endured for tens of thousands of years. Over these countless years, our Yan Clan..."

"The time has come. The ceremony begins!" Just as Huo Xuan was about to fall asleep, the Yan Clan elder overseeing the test finally shouted the long-awaited words.

"First, Huo Yun!"

A youth in the crowd heard his name and hurried out somewhat flusteredly, obvious nervousness written across his face.

On the high platform, the stern-faced Yan Clan elder clenched his hand, and a Star Plate nearly a zhang in size abruptly appeared before him. The youth quickly stepped forward and placed his trembling hand on the Star Plate.

After a short while, brilliant light burst from the Star Plate. One star appeared on its surface, followed by a second star lighting up. But after the second, no more stars appeared. The Yan Clan elder announced regretfully.

"Huo Yun, second-grade bloodline. Qualified!"

Upon hearing the elder's words, the youth became somewhat excited and returned to the crowd, where quite a few people looked at him with envy.

"Next, Huo Cheng!"

Unlike Huo Yun, Huo Cheng showed no obvious nervousness when he heard his name. Instead, he calmly walked up onto the platform.

This youth was the Huo Cheng everyone had been discussing earlier. He was considered a genius within the Yan Clan. Once, in a moment of foolish impulse, Huo Cheng had actually tried to harass Huo Zhi while Huo Xuan was not paying attention. As luck would have it, Huo Xuan happened to see him doing so, and Huo Cheng was then honorably "taken care of" by Huo Xuan.

Since it was Huo Cheng's first offense, Huo Xuan merely gave him a small lesson—making Huo Cheng lie in bed for a month so he could rest properly.

One star, two stars, three stars, four stars. As the four stars slowly appeared on the Star Plate, the square immediately erupted in an uproar, and even the Yan Clan elder could not help nodding. Suddenly, however, the fourth star gradually faded away.

"Huo Cheng, peak third-grade bloodline. Qualified!"

Amid the crowd's cries of amazement, Huo Cheng swaggered off the platform.

After the brief climax caused by Huo Cheng, only a few of the next several dozen participants qualified. The rest were all eliminated.

"Next, Huo Zhi!"

Under the gaze of everyone present, Huo Zhi walked steadily to the Star Plate. She extended her small hand, her jade-like fingers lightly touching the cold Star Plate. Very quickly, one star, two stars, three stars, four stars, and then another appeared.

"The fifth star!" Suddenly, however, the fifth star gradually faded away.

Looking at the result on the Star Plate, the Yan Clan elder standing to the side on the platform revealed a faint smile and announced in a delighted tone, "Huo Zhi, peak fourth-grade bloodline. Qualified!"

"Next, Huo Xuan!"

The moment Huo Xuan's name was called, the crowd below began whispering among themselves.

"Sigh, how many grades of bloodline do you think he'll awaken?"

"No idea, but third grade shouldn't be a problem, right? After all, he's the clan's number one genius."

"Hehe, if his grade is too low, there'll be a good show to watch. After all, if his bloodline grade is too low, he won't be qualified to be with Huo Zhi." Huo Cheng looked at Huo Xuan on the stage and said with a wicked grin.

"That's none of your concern. Huo Cheng, aren't you afraid Brother Huo Xuan will send you back to bed for a few more months after saying that?"

After hearing Huo Zhi's words, Huo Cheng recalled the last time Huo Xuan had beaten him senseless and immediately shut his mouth.

Ignoring the sounds around him, Huo Xuan placed his hand on the Star Plate. The pitch-black stars lit up one after another—one, two, three. The stars on the Star Plate continued to illuminate, passing six in the blink of an eye.

At last, the ninth star was condensing within the Star Plate, flickering between light and darkness. In the end, the ninth star appeared on the Star Plate!

The elders on the stage could no longer remain seated. The square was deathly silent, and even the Yan Clan elder was so shocked that he forgot to announce Huo Xuan's bloodline grade.

One had to know that before reaching a certain age, one's bloodline concentration could be improved through cultivation. Someone with a Ninth Grade Bloodline in childhood was virtually guaranteed to reach Divine Grade upon adulthood.

Even Huo Xuan was stunned by his own bloodline grade. By his own estimation, his bloodline concentration should have been no higher than somewhere between Grade 5 and the peak of Sixth Grade. Yet this result had far exceeded his imagination. The original Huo Xuan might have been a genius of his generation, but he had not been this exceptional. Could it have been caused by his fusion with the original Huo Xuan's soul?

"Huo Xuan, Ninth Grade Bloodline!"

Recovering his senses, the Yan Clan elder announced Huo Xuan's grade. His hands were even trembling uncontrollably. He had overseen the clan's tests for over twenty years, yet this was the first time he had seen such an astonishing result. Perhaps nothing like it had appeared in the last thousand years. This youth was more than worthy of being called the clan's greatest genius of the millennium!

The moment the examiner made the announcement, the emotions of everyone in the Martial Arts Arena were ignited, and a fierce wave of discussion erupted.

At that moment, every gaze in the square was fixed upon the slender figure at its center. The younger generation looked at him with awe and admiration, while their elders could not help but praise him.

Listening to the examiner's announcement, Elder Huo Zhen stared at the youth in the center of the arena, his eyes filled with undisguised joy. His son was so outstanding—how could a father not be pleased?

"Elder Huo Zhen, you truly have a fine son!"

"Indeed! It seems the Yan Clan is about to flourish!"

Looking at Huo Xuan on the stage, the elders lavished him with praise.

Slowly withdrawing his hand, Huo Xuan looked at the nine stars on the Star Plate, then walked off the stage amid the examiner's shock.

At that moment, a somewhat rugged middle-aged man in crimson robes sat among the seats, his gaze fixed intently on Huo Xuan.

The middle-aged man's eyebrows were crimson, like two flickering flames. What was even more startling were his eyes, which were completely scarlet as well, as though two flame gemstones had been embedded within them. Whenever his gaze swept across the area, even the air seemed to grow hotter. He was Yan Jin, the Yan Clan Chief.

"Huo Xuan possesses extraordinary talent and is a rare young genius of our Yan Clan. Looking across the past thousand years of our clan, I fear no one can compare to him. I hereby announce that from today onward, Huo Xuan shall be the Young Clan Leader of the Yan Clan!" Yan Jin suddenly rose to his feet and declared.

The moment those words fell, the crowd below erupted. No one had expected a Bloodline Test to lead to such a major matter as confirming the Young Clan Leader. But on second thought, with Huo Xuan's extraordinary talent and Ninth Grade Bloodline, who else could possibly be the Young Clan Leader if not him?

The younger generation all understood. From this day forward, no one would be able to contend with Huo Xuan. It would be wiser to build a good relationship with him from now on.

"Clan Chief, I will not fail in my duty. I will revitalize the Yan Clan!" Huo Xuan bowed to Yan Jin in the seats and declared in a firm, ringing voice.

"Brother Huo Xuan, congratulations!"

The moment Huo Xuan stepped off the stage, Huo Zhi rushed forward and threw herself into his arms!

Huo Xuan raised a hand and rubbed Huo Zhi's long, silky hair, smiling faintly. "All right, the test is over. Brother Huo Xuan will take you out to have some fun!"

Huo Xuan then took Huo Zhi's small hand and left the square beneath everyone's watchful eyes.

Just after leaving the square, Huo Xuan suddenly asked Huo Zhi beside him, "Zhi'er, let me ask you something. How old is Gu Xun'er of the Gu Clan this year?"

Hearing this, Huo Zhi looked puzzled, then her expression became somewhat strange. "Brother Huo Xuan, why are you asking that? I heard she's quite pretty! Don't tell me you like her?"

Noticing the change in Huo Zhi's expression, Huo Xuan first reached out and patted her head. "How could that be? I've never even met her—how could I possibly like her? Besides, no matter how pretty she is, she can't compare to our Zhi'er in my heart!"

"Then why did Brother Huo Xuan ask about her age?"

"Me? Well... Brother Huo Xuan was just curious."

Huo Zhi thought for a moment before saying unhappily, "She seems to be a little younger than Brother Huo Xuan. She should be seven, nearly eight, this year!"

Then she should be in the Xiao Family now. Xiao Yan should be eight years old at this point. This should be seven years before the original plot of Battle Through the Heavens begins. Old Ya has not awakened yet, and Xiao Yan should still be enjoying his boundless glory!

"Brother Huo Xuan, what are you thinking about?"

Huo Xuan had been lost in thought when Huo Zhi suddenly called him back. "Nothing. Zhi'er, where do you want to play today?"

That night, Huo Xuan broke precedent and did not cultivate. Lying in bed, he repeatedly recalled the original novel. From Dou Zhe to Dou Zun, there were one to nine stars. After the peak of Dou Zun came one to nine transformations before reaching Half-Saint. After Half-Saint, one still had to pass from low-level to high-level before becoming a Dou Sheng. Beyond Dou Sheng, there were still one to nine stars...

To break through to Dou Di, one could only rely on the Ancient Emperor inheritance and the Emperor Pill Embryo. The key to obtaining the Ancient Emperor inheritance was having a high affinity for flames, so the Fennel Technique was crucial!

His parents, Huo Zhi, and the Yan Clan—there were too many things he needed to protect in this life. But where there was gain, there was loss. If he wanted to protect them, someone had to make sacrifices. There only needed to be one Flame Emperor in this world.