Although soul power was formless and colorless, everyone present could feel the pressure permeating the space.
After Ling Xi absorbed the Devouring Ancestral Symbol's origin, his soul power was already no weaker than that of an ordinary Sixth-grade Alchemist.
Combined with his cultivation of the Myriad Spirits Returning to Origin Art and the Devouring Power of the Devouring Ancestral Symbol, his soul power was so solid that even some Seventh-grade Alchemists might not match it.
"Peak sixth grade... soul power approaching that of a Seventh-grade Alchemist?"
Ling Yuan stared at Ling Xi in shock. A hoarse voice, tinged with disbelief, escaped his throat.
Such solid, formidable soul power was actually coming from the boy before him, who looked only eleven or twelve years old.
Although the Ling Clan had naturally powerful soul strength, someone this strong at such a young age was unheard of, even among the Ling Clan.
"That's impossible. How could a Descendant Citizen with a First-grade Bloodline possess such powerful soul strength?"
While Ling Yuan racked his brain for an explanation, Ling Yi, the person at the center of it all, had already fallen into a strange stupor.
His face was deathly pale, and a trace of fear flickered in his eyes.
"Impossible!"
The fear on Ling Yi's face swiftly turned into frenzied hysteria.
"You're nothing but a worthless Descendant Citizen with a First-grade Bloodline. How could you possibly possess such powerful soul strength?"
"You must be using some trick to fool me!"
When people encountered something they couldn't accept, their first response was often to doubt it.
Especially someone like Ling Yi, a direct line clansman of the Ling Clan, born in the Ling Realm with a high-grade Dou Di Bloodline and powerful soul strength.
A heaven's favorite, born to stand above others, could never accept the fact that a Descendant Citizen with only a First-grade Bloodline was stronger than he was.
"Go!"
Faced with Ling Yi's roar, Ling Xi couldn't even be bothered to respond.
At his command, the palm formed from formless power slammed into the thick soul barrier surrounding Ling Yi.
Boom!
The collision between the two invisible forces sent out a shocking surge of soul power.
In an instant, the tables, chairs, and furnishings throughout the hall were reduced to dust by the force of the shockwave.
Crack!
Cracks rapidly spread across the soul barrier Ling Yi had conjured, racing outward in an instant under the watchful eyes of the other three Dou Venerates.
Bang!
With another muffled impact, the already tottering barrier finally failed to withstand the force of Ling Xi's terrifying soul power.
After a sharp crack, it shattered into countless fragments!
"Pfft!"
As the soul barrier burst apart, Ling Yi immediately spat out a mouthful of blood.
His body staggered backward as if struck by a heavy blow, and he retreated dozens of steps before managing to stop.
"Dou Di Bloodline isn't anything special, either."
Ling Xi shook his head and spoke softly as he looked at Ling Yi's paper-white face.
He had actually held back just now. Otherwise, with the Devouring Ancestral Symbol's boost, his soul power would have been enough to devour all the scattered soul strength Ling Yi had lost.
"How dare you!"
Ling Yuan, who had been astonished by Ling Xi's formidable soul power, immediately snapped at his words.
"You're a member of the Ling Clan, and you have a trace of Dou Di Bloodline in your veins. How dare you question our clan's Bloodline Power like that?"
To the Ancient Races, the Dou Di Bloodline in their veins was their supreme faith.
The legacy left behind by the Dou Di had given them their lofty status, setting them above ordinary people.
That was all because their blood was different.
"I'm not questioning the Dou Di Bloodline."
Faced with Ling Yuan's fury, Ling Xi only let out a sigh.
"I was just wondering: before our ancestors broke through to become Dou Di, didn't they also lack the Dou Di Bloodline?"
"Among the Ancient Races, has anyone with a Dou Di Bloodline ever broken through to the level of a Dou Di again?"
At those words, Ling You and Ling Yang, who had remained silent, both paled.
"Recently, while studying the history of the Ancient Races with my teacher, I came across something."
"What is it?"
Ling You's expression turned grave as he asked.
"The Ancient Races are called ancient for a reason. Their histories stretch back a long way."
"But why, when they're born with strength and talent beyond the reach of ordinary people, have the Ancient Races never produced another Dou Di? Why have they only grown weaker?"
After a pause, Ling Xi gritted his teeth and finally voiced the words he had kept suppressed for so long.
"Dou Di Bloodline has never been a source of pride. It's a shackle..."
Slap!
Before he could finish the word "shackle," Ling You gave him a resounding slap.
"How dare you! How can you slander our clan's noble Dou Di Bloodline like that?"
The slap sent Ling Xi stumbling. His handsome left cheek immediately swelled and reddened.
A trace of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
"Ling You, you've certainly taught your disciple well!"
Seeing Ling You strike, Ling Yuan couldn't use it as an excuse to make trouble after all.
"Though your disciple was born a Descendant Citizen, he still carries our clan's Dou Di Bloodline."
"He's spoken such outrageous words about our clan's noble Dou Di Bloodline. I'll report this to the clan and see you punished for failing to teach him!"
Ling Yuan whipped his sleeve and prepared to leave, taking the badly injured Ling Yi with him.
"Wait. Have you forgotten something?"
Ling You's voice rang out at just the right moment.
"Where's your wager?"
"You!"
Ling Yuan whipped around at his words.
"What you tell them when you get back is your business, but our people value their word above all. You can't just welch on a bet, can you?"
Ling You spoke in an unhurried tone.
"Take it!"
Things had gone this far, and Ling Yuan was a dignified Dou Venerate. He had his pride to consider.
He tossed the Ember Extinguishing Spear Art, which he had taken from his Nakai Ring, to Ling You.
"Hmph!"
Ling Yuan gave a cold snort. Seemingly unwilling to stay there any longer, he turned and vanished on the spot.
In the end, only Ling Xi, Ling You, and Ling Yang remained in the reception hall.
"Child, why are you so ready to say anything in front of outsiders?"
After a long silence, Ling You was the first to sigh.
"Does it still hurt?"
"I'm fine. I was reckless. Thank you for holding back, Teacher."
"If it weren't for you, Elder Ling Yuan would have taken the chance to make trouble."
Ling Xi grimaced, managing a smile.
Ling You was a Dou Venerate, after all. Even a casual strike from him could have cost Ling Xi his life.
For Ling Xi to have come away with only minor injuries meant Ling You hadn't merely held back—he'd gone easy on him.
"Child, why are you so ready to say such things in front of everyone?"
Ling Yang also sighed.
"You're only a little nine-star Dou Zhe, a Descendant Citizen with a First-grade Bloodline. Why insist on saying things that could get you executed?"
Ling Xi fell silent.
"With your talent and the few years of instruction Ling You has left, you might have made it into the Ling Realm and become one of the brightest members of the Ling Clan's younger generation."
"But now that you've said those things, who knows what that scoundrel Ling Yuan will report when he gets back?"
Ling Yang paused, then gave a bitter smile.
"They might even cripple your Dou Qi and bloodline, then cast you out of the Ling Clan."
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