The Assessment

Gu Fang stood there, continuing to piece together the timeline of Battle Through the Heavens... His sister, Gu Xun'er, had inherited Gu Yuan's Golden Emperor Burning Heaven Flame Embryo Fire, so her strength was not particularly great.

According to news sent by Ling Ying, she had only broken through to the Dou Zhe level a few days ago!

If he remembered correctly, Xiao Yan had already suffered the humiliation of the broken engagement, and Old Yao had awakened. It was just that the path of trials had not begun yet...

He still had plenty of time!

Time to do what he wanted to do.

As Gu Fang thought this, he sensed three powerful auras approaching him. They were no weaker than Gu Yao's earlier aura—perhaps even stronger.

Gu Fang halted his thoughts and turned to look beside him.

There were three young men. The one in front wore white robes and was fairly tall. Though he did not speak, his brows and eyes already revealed a composed maturity.

Behind him stood one thin and one burly youth, both half a step behind the white-robed young man. It was obvious that they regarded him as their leader.

As he studied the three of them, Gu Fang's thoughts turned. Stronger than Gu Yao—they had to be future high-ranking members of the Black Annihilation Army.

And there were three of them together. With that...

Gu Fang identified the three before him.

Three of the four future Commanders of the Black Annihilation Army: Gu Qingyang, Gu Hua, and Gu Xing.

Gu Fang's memories of Gu Qingyang were especially clear. This man possessed a Ninth-grade Bloodline and would take over the Ancient Clan after Five Emperors Breaking Void.

But why had they come over now? Although he knew who they were, they had never interacted. Could it be because of the upcoming assessment?

As he pondered this, Gu Qingyang had already arrived before him. His smile was warm and approachable, like a spring breeze. The next moment—

Gu Qingyang spoke in a warm yet dignified voice, "Gu Fang, please forgive us during the upcoming assessment. We are all Dou Qi cultivators, and everyone understands what a Heavenly Rank Cultivation Method means.

"If we miss this ceremony, we will have to wait until we reach the Dou Zong or even Dou Zun level before we can cultivate a legacy cultivation method. The impact on our futures would be far too great.

"So, the three of us will certainly give it our all in the coming assessment."

So it really was because of this!

Gu Fang looked at Gu Qingyang and the other two, muttering inwardly.

This cultivation method inheritance ceremony was for the Ancient Clan's inherited cultivation method—the Heavenly Rank cultivation method, the Ancient Sage Treasure Codex!

Every Dou Qi cultivator understood perfectly well what a cultivation method represented.

It was the foundation of everything. A high-grade cultivation method was a pass that led to becoming an expert.

As an ancient race, the Ancient Clan naturally understood this principle well. Thus, all cultivation methods within the clan were open for clan members to choose freely.

But even so...

That did not mean everyone had the chance to cultivate Earth Rank or even Heavenly Rank cultivation methods!

First, obtaining a cultivation method did not mean one could cultivate it. The higher the grade of a cultivation method, the more it seized the fortune of heaven and earth. It required sufficiently resilient meridians, sometimes even requiring one to temper and forge their own meridians.

That demanded immense effort and resources.

Second, even successfully cultivating the method did not mean one could use it perfectly. The higher the grade, the more variations it possessed, and the greater the strain it placed on the body during battle.

Without an experienced senior cultivator to guide them, there was a great chance that problems would arise.

For those two reasons, even though the Ancient Clan had truly opened its cultivation method pavilion, very few could cultivate high-grade cultivation methods at a low Dou Qi level.

They all proceeded step by step, gradually replacing their cultivation methods!

For example, one would use an Advanced Profound Rank cultivation method from the Dou Zhe to Dou Wang stage, replace it with an Earth Rank cultivation method after becoming a Dou Wang, and only switch to a Heavenly Rank cultivation method upon reaching the Dou Zong or even Dou Zun level!

But there was one exception to all this...

The Ancient Clan's inherited cultivation method—the Ancient Sage Treasure Codex!

The Ancient Sage Treasure Codex was the Ancient Clan's inherited cultivation method. Its inheritance relied on a supreme treasure left behind by the Ancient Emperor. Though the number of slots was limited—

As long as one obtained a slot and entered to receive the inheritance, if their Bloodline Power was sufficient, they would certainly succeed in cultivating it!

Moreover, as an inherited cultivation method, the Ancient Sage Treasure Codex never lacked senior cultivators to lead the way. Solutions could be found for every problem.

In other words...

As long as one obtained a slot, they would have already successfully cultivated a Heavenly Rank cultivation method!

The eight who received the inheritance would become the hope of the Ancient Clan's new generation, capable of leaving their peers far behind.

For that very reason, this inheritance ceremony had drawn countless eyes.

Even some hidden Dou Saint experts would send a thread of soul power to observe this place.

"Mm. I will also give my all in the upcoming test and show no mercy whatsoever. I am equally determined to obtain a slot for the cultivation method inheritance!"

With a gentle smile on his face, Gu Fang looked at Gu Qingyang and spoke softly.

At Gu Fang's words, a flicker of astonishment passed through the depths of Gu Qingyang's eyes, though he quickly suppressed it. Gu Xing and Gu Hua behind him, however, did not conceal their surprise.

Their surprise soon turned into confusion and incredulity.

How could someone with the strength of a mere Dou Master have the nerve to claim he was determined to obtain a cultivation method inheritance slot?

Who had given him that confidence?

Even if Dou Master strength did not represent everything, it still reflected part of it, did it not?

And among those who could obtain a slot, who would be weak?

Everyone's gap was not that great, yet his strength was so feeble. To reverse the situation in other aspects and obtain a slot would be harder than climbing to heaven.

Even if his father was the clan chief, countless people were watching the cultivation method inheritance ceremony. There was no way to pull any tricks!

Putting all those factors together, Gu Qingyang and the other two truly did not know...

How Gu Fang had the nerve to say he was determined to obtain a slot!

The dying howl of a wolf could make its enemies wary, but the howl of a rabbit...

Would only invite ridicule from those around it.

And in the eyes of people with their strength, Gu Fang at this moment did not even qualify as a rabbit. He was more like an ant.

If not for his status as the clan chief's son, they would not have had any interest in coming over to speak with him.

Of course...

If not for being Gu Yuan's son, someone with the strength of a mere Dou Master would not even be qualified to participate in this inheritance ceremony!

Sensing the fluctuations in Gu Xing and Gu Hua's auras behind him, Gu Qingyang stepped half a pace back, shielding the two behind him.

He smiled and nodded lightly at Gu Fang. "Then that is for the best. In the coming test, let us advance together and each give our utmost."

After speaking, Gu Qingyang turned his head to the left. Gu Yao and Elder Tong Xuan were walking over side by side.

"The assessment is about to begin. Let us go!"

With that, Gu Qingyang stepped half a pace back and made way for Gu Fang, signaling for him to go first.

Seeing this, Gu Fang smiled calmly and did not decline. He returned the courtesy slightly before moving forward.

Gu Fang had a favorable impression of Gu Qingyang.

He had also noticed Gu Xing and Gu Hua's dissatisfaction, but... Gu Fang did not care.

Because Gu Fang knew that, with his bloodline seal unsealed, no matter what the later tests were, he had nothing to fear.

Under absolute suppression, they would sooner or later lower their proud heads!

In other words...

As the future clan chief, he ought to be more magnanimous toward his future clansmen!

Elder Tong Xuan, whose hair and beard were both white, brought Gu Yao into the group. He then swept his gaze over the eleven people lined up before him, waiting for the upcoming assessment. He let out a light breath, but did not announce the start of the assessment.

Instead, his gaze fell upon Gu Fang. Gu Fang's father was the clan chief, a Peak Nine-star Battle Saint. No degree of seriousness would be excessive!

His expression grew more solemn as he said, "Gu Fang, are you certain you wish to participate in the upcoming assessment?"

"I am certain!" Gu Fang nodded and answered firmly. Nonsense—Gu Fang could not wait to leave the Ancient Realm, so naturally he would not wait for the next opportunity.

And most importantly...

Having already unsealed his bloodline, Gu Fang had made up for the final weakness in the tests to come. He truly had nothing to fear!

Upon hearing Gu Fang's answer, Elder Tong Xuan's eyes flashed with an expression of just as expected.

He then said loudly, "It is true that you wish to receive the cultivation method inheritance, and because you are the clan chief's son, you have been granted the opportunity to enter the assessment directly. But you must understand that an opportunity only belongs to you if you can seize it.

"The cultivation method inheritance concerns the continuation of our Ancient Clan. If you do not possess the corresponding strength, then even as the clan chief's son, you are not qualified to receive the inheritance.

"I will conduct the upcoming assessment impartially. The clan's Supreme Elders, Elders, the Black Annihilation Army, and many other experts will jointly supervise it.

"Only by achieving an overall top-eight result in all assessments can you receive the inheritance of the Ancient Sage Treasure Codex.

"Do you understand?"

"I understand!"

"Good. Everyone, step forward and enter your designated positions. The first assessment...

Begins!"