Treasured Artifact Shocks the Heart

After the Spring Festival Ancestor Worship Ceremony, the clan's martial arts demonstration is a unique tradition of the Yin Clan. Other Blood Demon families in the Western world do not have such rituals. Yin Tianjue and the others, after all, came from Eastern cultivation families; this is a custom unique to the Eastern Cultivation World.

Over a hundred thousand Yin Clan members surrounded the arena, silent as the grave. Not a single person dared to make the slightest sound.

For hundreds of years, the Yin Clan's martial arts demonstration had developed its own unique rules and procedures. Without needing Yin Tianmie, who was presiding over the ceremony, to say a word, two elders of the Heaven Generation, clad in dark gold and red robes and wearing tall crowns, their bodies exuding an oppressive aura, leaped onto the stage.

Three hundred and sixty Yin Clan experts, with strength at the Count level and above, sat cross-legged below the arena. They placed their hands on the ground, channeling their Blood Demon power into the Demon Talismans carved into the earth. The ground around the arena flickered with light and shadow, and a thin, transparent blood-red barrier rose from the edge of the stage, firmly enclosing the entire arena.

The two Yin Clan elders smiled and clasped their fists in greeting. Then, their robes behind them burst open, and a pair of enormous bat wings unfurled with a whoosh. The arena was immediately filled with an eerie wind, and blood mist and blood flames rose, coiling around the two elders like twisted dragons, making them appear as evil and majestic as demons from hell.

"Eighteenth Brother, I await your guidance!" one Yin Clan elder said, clasping his hands before his chest and nodding with a smile.

"Likewise!" the other Yin Clan elder replied with a carefree smile, clearly not taking this martial display seriously.

For elders like them, participating in a martial demonstration was truly "acting." Their strengths were not significantly different, and they could fight for half a month without determining a winner. Their purpose was simply to showcase their martial prowess to the younger generation, letting them know what true strength was and dispelling any arrogance or conceit they might harbor.

Without further ado, the two began chanting incantations simultaneously and waved their hands forward. Instantly, thousands of blood-red fireballs, each the size of a water vat, materialized out of thin air, streaking forward with long trails of fire. In moments, thousands of fireballs appeared and then collided heavily.

The fireballs exploded with dull thuds upon impact. Although the arena was covered by the barrier, isolating the force of the explosions within, the muffled roars still made the internal organs of the Yin Clan members in the plaza tremble. The adults were fine, but the thousands of young disciples were all struck pale, many covering their mouths, nearly vomiting.

Among them, Yin Xuejiao, Yin Xueao, and others who had broken through to Star Warrior level three months prior were the most affected. They had been immensely proud of their achievements and talents, believing themselves to be extraordinary. However, witnessing the terrifying scene of thousands of fireballs appearing and disappearing, constantly roaring and exploding, they finally understood that in the hands of true powerhouses, they were merely ants.

In the blink of an eye, thousands of immensely powerful fireballs vanished without a trace. The two elders simultaneously chuckled and let go.

The next instant, their bodies moved. The bat wings, spanning over ten meters wide behind them, flapped gracefully, carrying their figures in hundreds of afterimages. They drifted lightly across the arena, their movements shifting, and in an instant, they circled the stage hundreds of times.

The air was filled with piercing sonic booms. The two elders moved so fast that the air itself was torn into white shockwaves. Their speed was astonishing, and gradually, fewer and fewer people could track their movements. All that could be seen was a blur of figures darting all over the stage.

Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed, and the countless afterimages of the two elders dissipated simultaneously. They hovered in mid-air, their four hands slamming together heavily. Waves of blinding blood-red light continuously erupted from their palms.

One elder's palm spewed blood-red flames nearly a meter high, while the other's palm continuously emitted blood-red ice. The blood flame and blood ice clashed and rubbed against each other, creating thunderous roars. The energy within the two elders was constantly depleted, and gradually, a column of blood-red steam, tens of meters high, erupted from above their heads, forming a crown that hovered above them.

Yin Tianjue suddenly darted forward. With a sway, he entered the arena barrier. Pulling out a metal sphere about a meter in diameter, cast from special alloy, from somewhere, he threw it towards the blood-red steam crown above the two elders.

With a hissing sound, the metal sphere was silently corroded, turning into countless rust flakes that sprinkled down.

The two elders exchanged a glance, then burst into laughter simultaneously and released their strength. They landed on the ground, slightly breathless, and then smiled, clasping their fists in greeting to Yin Tianjue. Yin Tianjue returned the gesture and said, "You two brothers have worked hard. Please go down and rest."

As the two elders flashed off the stage, thunderous applause erupted from the plaza.

In the martial arts demonstrations of the past twenty-odd years, the Yin Clan elders' performances were purely like magic tricks, using flashy special effects to fool the younger generation. But this time, the two elders had unleashed their true power. The waste gases they expelled could corrode such an incredibly sturdy metal sphere into slag; one could imagine how terrifying their strength was.

"You have seen the power of the clan elders!" Yin Tianjue said, hands behind his back, his eyes coldly scanning the countless clan members below.

"The power you possess is insignificant! And power determines everything. Power determines the benefits and authority you enjoy within the clan! Therefore, we hope all clan members will cultivate diligently and possess greater strength to earn more power and enjoyment!" Yin Tianjue's words were incredibly blunt, filled with utilitarian temptation. But this was the way of the Blood Demon Clan, their temperament.

After these brief words, Yin Tianjue flashed away from the stage.

Eight Yin Clan elders of the Earth Generation simultaneously took the stage. They divided into two camps and engaged in fierce combat, with various blood skills and blood arts appearing endlessly. These eight elders of the Earth Generation all possessed the strength of a Duke, and each had mastered at least dozens of powerful blood skills and blood arts.

While the Heaven Generation elders demonstrated overwhelming strength, these elders showcased varied tactics and dazzling, ever-changing skills.

After a fierce battle lasting a quarter of an hour, the eight Yin Clan elders also ended their fight with a head-on clash of palms. After they retracted their hands and stepped off the stage, the residual light from their blood arts still flickered on the arena. Applause roared like thunder from the plaza, especially from the young Yin Clan members and disciples, who cheered with excitement.

Yin Xuege also watched the elders' and seniors' martial displays intently. The elders' magnificent and unfathomable strength, the seniors' profound and exquisite blood skills and blood arts—these were Yin Xuege's pursuits!

Clapping and cheering as vigorously as the young disciples, Yin Xuege's heart beat powerfully, propelling the viscous blood within his body to flow slowly. He had completely absorbed the twenty drops of 'Duke's Essence Blood' gifted by Farnburg. All the blood in Yin Xuege's body had transformed into a magnificent deep cyan, but within that deep cyan, reminiscent of the night sky, a hint of dazzling silver light was about to burst forth!

In the Blood Demon Clan, only the blood of a senior Viscount would turn deep cyan and contain that trace of peculiar silver light!

Having absorbed twenty drops of Duke's Essence Blood, Yin Xuege's strength had now reached the level of a formal Viscount. Furthermore, his life essence was a hundred times more vast and surging than when he was a child! His current physical functions and recovery abilities were far superior to those of an ordinary Viscount.

A deep cyan glow, imbued with silver light, flickered in his eyes. Yin Xuege recalled the various blood skills and blood arts used by the elders just now, comparing and verifying them with the blood skills and blood arts he had comprehended over the past month. He secretly calculated under what circumstances and using which skills would be most appropriate and effective.

Suddenly, a malicious gaze, filled with intense killing intent, fell upon Yin Xuege. His strength had advanced rapidly, and his senses were a hundred times sharper than ordinary people. Yin Xuege suddenly looked up, following the malevolent gaze.

Yin Xuejiao stood beside Yin Jiwu, glaring fiercely at Yin Xuege. Seeing Yin Xuege look at him, Yin Xuejiao raised his right hand and made a vicious gesture of slitting his throat. Yin Xuejiao's eyes had turned completely blood-red, with a faint tinge of cyan light flashing within his pupils.

Yin Xuege looked at Yin Xuejiao with great astonishment. This guy had actually broken through to the level of a high-ranking Night Warrior? That meant he had already condensed thousands of drops of Blood Demon Essence Blood and was not far from undergoing full body blood transformation and stepping into the Baron realm?

How did this guy manage it? Yin Xuege mused, stroking his chin, then looked towards Yin Jiwu, who stood beside Yin Xuejiao with a slightly pale face, a sickly greenish-gray hue showing through the paleness!

If Yin Jiwu sacrificed a portion of his own life essence, he could completely boost Yin Xuejiao's strength in a short period! However, every member of the Blood Demon Clan held their essence blood in extremely high regard. Yin Jiwu's willingness to make such a sacrifice was truly beyond Yin Xuege's expectations.

Next was the martial display of the Nameless Generation clan experts. This round of the demonstration had a competitive edge. The Nameless Generation Yin Clan members, who usually cultivated in seclusion, saw the annual clan martial demonstration as the best opportunity to showcase their strength. Whether their strength had grown over the past year, and by how much, would directly impact the benefits they enjoyed within the clan.

After over a hundred Nameless Generation experts, whose strength had greatly improved, demonstrated their achievements over the past year, their rankings within the clan had changed significantly. Based on the strength they displayed, the benefits and treatment they received within the clan had all been considerably enhanced.

Several Yin Clan experts whose strength had made a breakthrough and who now possessed Marquis-level strength received rewards comparable to Yin Xuege's: independent luxury castles, clan stewards for close personal service, hundreds of clan warriors as guards, and a varying number of exclusive Blood Servants, with at least two thousand people.

As for other cultivation resources, the Yin Clan bestowed them generously.

After a flurry of activity, the outside world had entered the night. The Blood Mist Barrier slowly dissipated. Countless stars shone brightly in the night sky, their brilliant starlight illuminating the earth, making everything appear clean and translucent, as if washed.

A long wolf howl echoed from a distant tower. Yin Xuege turned his head and saw Wumu, transformed into a silver wolf, standing atop the tower, looking up at the sky and roaring, "Yin Xuege, kid, don't lose to those brats! I'm your follower. If you lose, Lord Wumu will have no face to show!"

Waving his hands vigorously, Wumu howled hysterically, "Crush those brats' balls, beat them to death, don't give Lord Wumu any face, beat them mercilessly! For every one you kill, I'll eat one!"

Dozens of Yin Clan experts spread their bat wings, stirring up strong winds, and charged towards the tower where Wumu was, forcefully driving him away. The Yin Clan's martial arts demonstration, such a solemn ceremony, could not tolerate a wild wolf howling from the sidelines, especially with his foul mouth—killing one and eating one, what did he take the Yin Clan's young disciples for? Snacks?

Yin Tianmie, presiding over the martial arts demonstration, glanced expressionlessly in Yin Xuege's direction, then gently clapped his hands. Wumu's loud curses could be heard from a distance, but soon his curses became muffled. It was unclear who had used what to gag him, silencing him completely.

The corners of Yin Tianmie's mouth twitched as his voice spread throughout the entire venue.

"The Extreme Generation clan members are responsible for the daily affairs of the clan. According to custom, they do not need to participate in the martial arts demonstration!"

"Now, it is time for the young disciples to show their abilities!"

With a 'hehe' chuckle, Yin Tianmie slowly walked onto the stage, glancing around at the clan members.

"As everyone knows, this year, among our Yin Clan's Young Disciples, several exceptionally talented youngsters have emerged! They've all successfully broken through and possess the strength of Star Warriors before the age of eighteen. Therefore, the winner of this year's Martial Arts Tournament's Young Disciple competition will receive a grand reward from the clan!"

With a gentle pull from his sleeve, Yin Tianmie drew out a long sword, its entire body a magnificent crimson.

"The other rewards aren't worth mentioning. This 'Blood Spirit Sword' alone is something that must be properly introduced."

"This sword is not a creation of this era. It's a rare treasure that the Supreme Elder Yin Tianjue found by chance before the Era of Dharma Decline. This isn't just an ordinary sharp weapon; it's a sentient Magic Artifact. This sword accompanied the Supreme Elder in battle for three hundred years, laying the foundation for the Yin Clan's current prosperity. Afterward, the Supreme Elder sealed it in the clan's Blood Transformation Pool, where it absorbed countless essences of blood energy, increasing its power immensely."

Gripping the scabbard with one hand and the hilt with the other, Yin Tianmie forcefully drew the Blood Spirit Sword.

A stream of blood-red light erupted from the scabbard, and a sword's cry echoed throughout the venue. The Blood Spirit Sword, like a living thing, broke free from Yin Tianmie's grasp, transforming into a two-meter-long streak of blood-red light that whizzed around the arena nine times before slowly coming to a halt, suspended before Yin Tianmie.

The sword was over five feet long, slender and delicate in design. Its blade was a semi-transparent crimson, becoming more transparent the closer it got to the tip. The last foot or so of the blade was practically invisible without straining one's eyes.

Just a distant glance at the Blood Spirit Sword was enough to feel its invisible sword intent slice at everyone's vision. Countless people felt a sharp pain in their eyes, and almost everyone present instinctively closed their eyes for a moment before slowly opening them again.

"An unparalleled spiritual treasure!"

"Such a valuable item, how could the Supreme Elder take it out?"

"And to bestow it upon a mere Young Disciple, it's simply, simply preposterous!"

"With such a treasure, if it were given to us, it would at least increase our combat power tenfold. Why give it to those brats?"

Countless Yin Clan Experts present began to clamor. Just looking at the Blood Spirit Sword from afar, they knew it was an incredibly formidable divine weapon. Such a supreme treasure, if wielded by a Marquis, could even potentially kill a Duke by surpassing their level!

A treasure like this, capable of solidifying the foundation of a powerful aristocratic family, should be controlled by a true expert, not given to a Young Disciple?

"What a wonderful treasure, it must be mine!" Compared to the Yin Clan Experts, the Young Disciples' feelings were vastly different. Yin Xueao, who had also broken through to the Star Warrior realm and had been rivals with Yin Xuege since childhood, burst into laughter, rolling up his sleeves forcefully.

"That's not necessarily true. Divine weapons belong to the virtuous. Little brother Xueao, brother here won't be holding back!" Yin Xuekui, who was several years older than Yin Xueao and only a few months away from turning eighteen and leaving the Children's Hall, also burst into laughter.

"You're all a bunch of trash. This Blood Spirit Sword will definitely be mine!" Yin Xuejiao's eyes widened as he stared intently at the Blood Spirit Sword!

Yin Xuege's blood circulation suddenly accelerated significantly. A vein bulged on his forehead, and he too gazed at the Blood Spirit Sword with burning eyes, already considering the divine weapon his own.

The divine weapon that had followed Yin Tianjue for three hundred years and laid the foundation for the Yin Clan was being offered as a prize at this year's Martial Arts Tournament. Yin Xuege instantly understood the intentions of Yin Tianjue and the other clan elders – the clan's support and cultivation of the 'Sunwalkers' was officially beginning. However, whether Yin Xuege could truly grow and become an unparalleled powerhouse would depend on his own efforts!

If Yin Xuege became the number one in the Young Disciple competition of the clan's Martial Arts Tournament, the Blood Spirit Sword would be his, and the clan's future support and cultivation would naturally be endless.

If Yin Xuege, this Sunwalker, were to be defeated by another Young Disciple, his status and importance in the eyes of Yin Tianjue and the others would undoubtedly be diminished, and whether he could continue to enjoy sufficient privileges in the future would be another matter entirely!

With a soft snort, Yin Xuege suddenly leaped forward. A blood-red light enveloped his body, and he left over twenty afterimages, instantly appearing on the stage.

"This Blood Spirit Sword, I, Yin Xuege, claim it!"

"If anyone disagrees, come forward!"

With a twist of his hands, a patch of blood flame rose from Yin Xuege's palm. With a whistling sound, nine fist-sized blood-red fireballs appeared around him, spinning rapidly.

******

Pig Head has been traveling around these past few days, so the two daily chapters have been merged into one update!

Please continue to support Pig Head with your recommendation votes!

I don't know if I'll have time to write these next couple of days. (To be continued)