Is Xiao Yuan's Dou Emperor Bloodline the Highest Grade?

As the first rays of dawn pierced the sky, the entire Ancient Holy Mountain Range began to come alive. Figures flashed across the sky, and the sounds of gongs and drums, filled with joy, echoed throughout the mountains.

"Creak."

The tightly closed door slowly opened, and Xiao Yuan stepped out, finding everyone already waiting outside.

"Elder brother!"

Holding Xun'er's hand, Xiao Yan shouted at Xiao Yuan.

Xiao Yuan smiled and nodded, gazing into the distance at the towering palaces, and said, "The Coming-of-Age Ceremony is about to begin, isn't it?"

"Okay, let's wait for Third Brother!"

Xun'er smiled slightly, then waved her jade hand, and a snow-white, rather robust unicorn flew out from the forest, flapping its snow-white wings. It then stopped in front of everyone. Xun'er's delicate body darted away, and she and Xiao Yan appeared on the unicorn's broad back. Xiao Yuan and the others also quickly jumped on. Xun'er then gently patted the unicorn, which flapped its wings with a clear hiss and transformed into a streak of light, quickly flying towards the distant palaces.

The unicorn was incredibly fast, and in just a few minutes it arrived at the numerous palaces. Finally, guided by Xun'er, it slowly landed in the center of the palace complex.

With Xun'er by their side, Xiao Yuan and his group were undoubtedly the most eye-catching group. As soon as they jumped off the unicorn, strange gazes were cast upon them from all around.

Let's go.

Ignoring the stares, Xun'er whispered something to Xiao Yuan and the others, then took Xiao Yan's hand and headed swiftly toward the center of the massive plaza, which was completely enveloped in an ancient aura.

Around this ancient square, Black Annihilation Army warriors clad in black armor stood upright, their sharp gazes as keen as eagles, constantly scanning the surroundings. When they saw Xiao Yuan, their sharp gazes paused noticeably, but they made no other move.

After all, the way Xiao Yuan slapped Gu Yao away yesterday was just too fierce.

Around the square, many people had already taken their seats, but Xun'er did not stop there. Instead, she headed straight for the seats in the center of the square, and Xiao Yuan and the others followed without hesitation.

"Clang!"

Xun'er, oblivious to everyone else, pulled Xiao Yan into this area, with Xiao Yuan and the others following closely behind.

"Hahaha, I knew these old fogies wouldn't dare let anyone stop you anymore!"

A Xiao Yuan laugh rang out, and a figure stepped out from the area.

"Dean?"

Xiao Yuan's face lit up with joy. Although he knew that Mang Tianchi had arrived, he still had to pretend to be surprised.

"Xiao Yan, this is the Dean of the Inner Academy of the Jia Nan Academy!"

Xiao Yuan introduced Xiao Yan with a smile.

"Hello, Dean!"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan politely bowed.

"Oh, no need to be so polite. Su Qian has finally brought out a few decent students for me. Don't worry, with me here, those old fogies from the Ancient Clan won't be able to make things difficult for you."

Mang Tianchi patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder with a smile and said with great enthusiasm.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan's lips twitched. Looking at the smiling old man in front of him, he found it hard to connect him with the most mysterious Inner Academy dean of the Jia Nan Academy.

This old guy doesn't seem like the mysterious dean at all; he's more like a bandit leader from a bandit's den.

"Thank you very much, Mr. Mang."

Xun'er, who was standing to the side, also recovered from her surprise and smiled.

"It's nothing." Mang Tianchi waved his hand casually, then his gaze swept over Xun'er and Xiao Yan. "I saw you two yesterday. I said, you're something else! You actually managed to snag the most outstanding flower of the Ancient Clan!"

Hearing this, Xiao Yan touched his nose somewhat embarrassedly, and Xun'er's cheeks also flushed.

Mang Tianchi smiled, then turned his gaze to Xiao Yuan and said, "And you, you dared to lie to me last time. You are clearly so strong, but you still refused to enter the Void Thunder Pool with me. After this matter of the Ancient Clan, you will come with me!"

"Cough cough, please don't, you'll die."

Xiao Yuan shook his head frantically.

"You're not afraid of the Ancient Clan, so why are you afraid of the Black Demon Lightning? I don't care, you have to go!"

Mang Tianchi doesn't believe a single word of Xiao Yuan's nonsense now.

"Alright."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yuan knew he couldn't avoid this situation, so he could only nod in resignation.

"Let's go." Mang Tianchi smiled, then turned and walked towards a seat. Xiao Yuan exchanged glances with Xiao Yan and Xun'er, nodded slightly, and then led everyone to quickly follow, sitting down at the seat next to Mang Tianchi.

After taking their seats, Xiao Yan and Xun'er started chatting, while Xiao Yuan scanned his surroundings and observed. Most of those who were able to enter were highly respected figures within the Ancient Clan. However, among them, Xiao Yuan also recognized some familiar faces, namely Huo Xuan and his group, whom he had spoken with on the warship. When Xiao Yuan looked at them, Huo Xuan smiled and nodded at him.

Xiao Yuan smiled back at Huo Xuan, then turned his gaze to the left side of the platform, where a group of people were gathered. Most of these people were young members of the Ancient Clan. Among them, Xiao Yuan saw Gu Zhen, as well as Lin Xiu, Ling Quan, and several other Black Annihilation Army. At this moment, the latter group looked much more obedient.

In a corner at the front of this area, a figure exuding a sharp and murderous aura sat cross-legged. This person's hair was black and white, and his aura was as cold as ten-thousand-year-old Xuan Bing, making anyone who looked at him feel a chill.

Unfortunately, the first cultivation technique Xiao Yuan practiced was the Mystic Ice Art, and this chill actually felt somewhat warm.

"A defeated foe, the Gu Yao."

This guy couldn't withstand even one Flame Lotus from Xiao Yan.

Although Xiao Yan has never risked his life to the point of having to unleash the Flame Lotus over the years because of his own reasons, Xiao Yuan has no doubt about the power of the Four-Colored Fire Lotus.

As Xiao Yuan clenched his fist, an ancient bell suddenly rang out across the land, its sound spreading far and wide, eventually reaching the vast mountain range.

"The time has come; let the ceremony begin."

After the bell tolled, a vast and calm voice suddenly emanated from the Void Space. The terrifying pressure contained in that voice caused many people in the square to gasp.

"Dou Sheng, a true Dou Sheng!"

Feeling this pressure emanating from the depths of his soul, Xiao Yuan's eyes revealed a profound look. The owner of this pressure was probably much stronger than Yao Lao.

As the resounding voice slowly faded, three solemnly dressed Gu Clan Elder rose from their seats not far away and entered the center of the square. There, numerous props were already laid out. The coming- Coming-of-Age Ceremony of the Ancient Clan Ancient Clan quite complicated, because only after undergoing the Coming-of-Age Ceremony could one be considered to have fully grown up. After the ceremony, these young people could truly become the core of the clan. Even marriage could only take place after the Coming-of-Age Ceremony was completed.

"The true powerhouses of the Ancient Clan have yet to reveal themselves."

Xiao Yuan's gaze swept across this special area. Apart from a few Gu Clan Elder, he did not see any high-ranking Ancient Clan members who had reached the Dou Sheng level. Clearly, even at times like this, these important figures would not easily show themselves.

"Although they haven't shown themselves, there's a subtle aura emanating from this sky. It seems these important figures are also watching this place, they just haven't revealed themselves."

With his keen soul perception, Xiao Yuan quickly noticed the strange fluctuations in the sky, and his heart stirred slightly.

To be honest, he really wanted to meet Xun'er's father, Gu Yuan, the Ancient Clan Chief.

Although the surnames are different, the given names are the same!

Such a great connection, we should at least become sworn brothers... well, it seems like we can't do that, or the generational order will get messed up.

"The ceremony begins, Ling Quan!"

While Xiao Yuan was lost in thought, the three Gu Clan Elder on the square were all ready. Then, according to the list, they read out the first name that Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan were extremely familiar with.

Upon hearing the shouts of the three elders, Ling Quan quickly stood up and darted into the arena.

In fact, there are quite a few young adults in the Ancient Clan, but only a very few outstanding individuals can hold Coming-of-Age Ceremony in this kind of setting. They are undoubtedly the best among the younger generation of the Ancient Clan. Although Ling Quan is like a nobody in the eyes of Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan, his strength at this age is considered top genius in Central State.

In the arena, a solemn-faced Gu Clan Elder clenched his fist, and a Star Plate nearly ten feet in size appeared before him. Ling Quan also stepped forward quickly, touched the Star Plate with his palm, and closed his eyes.

As Ling Quan closed his eyes, a burst of intense light suddenly erupted from the Star Plate, and six stars slowly appeared.

Upon seeing the six stars, the Gu Clan Elder nodded and then shouted loudly, "Ling Quan, the eighth commander of the Black Annihilation Army, with the strength of One-Star Dou Zun and the Sixth Grade Bloodline, is hereby granted Gold Clan Crest after deliberation by the Elder Council!"

"It's actually Gold Clan Crest; no wonder it's the Eighth Commander."

Upon hearing the elder's shout, the Ancient Clan clansmen in the square immediately uttered voices filled with envy.

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy flashed in Ling Quan. He knelt on one knee, raised his head, and saw an Gu Clan Elder holding a golden brush. His arm danced, leaving afterimages, and then a mysterious rune appeared on Ling Quan's forehead, bursting with golden light and filled with a special energy fluctuation.

"Sixth Grade Bloodline level? Gold Clan Crest? What are these things?"

Xiao Yan was completely unfamiliar with these things, so he frowned slightly and asked Xun'er.

Heavenly Flame Venerable and the others nearby also pricked up their ears in curiosity.

"The bloodline levels of the Ancient Clan are divided into ten grades, with grade one being the lowest and grade ten being the highest. However, generally speaking, only those whose bloodline level reaches grade four or above are qualified to participate in the Coming-of-Age Ceremony. Ling Quan's achievement of grade six is quite remarkable," Xun'er explained to everyone with a slight smile. "As for the Ancient Clan Gold Clan Crest, it is the final evaluation given based on all the above conditions. This clan Clan Mark is a legacy passed down from ancient times. In times of crisis, it can temporarily increase the bloodline power within the Ancient Clan, thus turning danger into safety. This Clan Mark is divided into four grades: silver, gold, purple gold, and Seven-Colored Gold Clan Crest, distinguished by color. Ling Quan's Clan Mark is the third grade, the Gold Clan Crest."

"I just don't know how the Xiao Clan's Clan Mark are graded, and I don't know how high Third Brother's Crimson-Gold Clan Crest can reach."

Xiao Yan nodded upon hearing this, then looked at Xiao Yuan beside him and said thoughtfully.

"It's probably the top-tier kind." Xun'er thought for a moment and guessed, "After all, it's not Clan Mark activated by a specific method, so the effect is bound to be weakened. Under such circumstances, the fact that Third Brother can still amplify his Dou Qi by two levels means that even our clan's Seven-Colored Clan Mark is only this good."

Xiao Yan nodded slightly. He originally thought that this Ancient Clan ritual was just a special ritual, but he didn't expect it to have such benefits. No wonder these guys valued the Coming-of-Age Ceremony so much. It seems that the main reason is because of this Clan Mark.

"Has Xun'er's bloodline reached the tenth rank? Is she likely to obtain a Seven-Colored Gold Clan Crest Clan Mark?"

Xiao Yuan smiled.

"I haven't tested it since I came out of seclusion last time, but the tenth grade bloodline is known as a God Grade Bloodline. The Ancient Clan haven't seen one like it for almost a thousand years. I'm afraid Xun'er can't reach that level. As for the Seven-Colored Gold Clan Crest Clan Mark, there is probably only one in the clan now, and it has been shelved for a long time. No one has reached that level for a long time."

Xun'er shook her head and said.

"Hehe, according to the bloodline levels of the Ancient Clan, anyone who can reach the Ninth-Grade Bloodline has the potential to advance to the Dou Sheng. As for the God Grade Bloodline, perhaps that potential is enough to reach the Peak Dou Sheng. Of course, I think that's quite difficult, as God Grade Bloodline haven't appeared for many, many years."

Mang Tianchi was in front, also turned his head and chuckled.

"If it's Xun'er, she'll definitely be a tenth-grade student."

Xiao Yuan's soft laughter rang out.

"Next up, Lin Xiu!"

"Lin Xiu, the third commander of the Black Annihilation Army, Five Star Dou Zun, with a Sixth Grade Bloodline, and possessing Gold Clan Crest!"

"Next."

Following Ling Quan and Lin Xiu, a number of other young powerhouses from the Ancient Clan with considerable strength took to the stage, but none of them managed to raise their bloodline level above the sixth rank. Clearly, it is extremely difficult to raise the bloodline level within these Ancient Clan.

"Gu Zhen, the Grand Commander of the Black Annihilation Army, Seven Star Dou Zun, possessing the power of a Gu Zhen -Rank Bloodline, has been granted the Purple-Gold Clan Crest after deliberation by the Elder Council, recognizing his extraordinary military achievements and calm demeanor."

Just as Xiao Yuan and the others were starting to get a little impatient with the monotonous process, the bloodline levels in the arena finally began to change.

Even though he unexpectedly obtained the Purple-Gold Clan Crest, Gu Zhen's face did not show much emotion. He respectfully bowed to the three elders, then stood up and, amidst envious glances, returned to his seat. As he sat down, his gaze turned towards Xiao Yuan, and he nodded slightly to him.

Xiao Yuan smiled and nodded at his kind gesture. Overall, he had a very good impression of Gu Zhen.

"Next up, Gu Yao!"

As yet another name was read out, Xiao Yuan knew that the main event of the day had finally arrived.