Time passed quickly.
In the blink of an eye, the day of the Li Family's New Blood Selection Assembly arrived.
Sixth Elder Li Yanzhao and dozens of Li Family cultivators had arrived in Li Family Town a day ahead of time.
Li Family Town was home to more collateral-branch clansmen than any other town, with a population of around fifty thousand.
At the crack of dawn,
Li Family clansmen who had come from all directions packed the collateral branch's ancestral hall until not even a drop of water could get through.
Li Yanzhao and the others had yet to enter, but the crowd was already chatting excitedly with people they knew.
"I heard the Sixth Elder is presiding over this New Blood Selection Assembly?"
A collateral-branch clansman holding a child's hand asked with curiosity.
"That's right. The Sixth Elder is the youngest elder of the Main Branch. They say he'll become the youngest Qi and Blood Realm Cultivator after the Main Branch's clan head."
"Speaking of the Main Branch's clan head, he's truly remarkable. At just over ten years old, he already commands the Main Branch and can summon the wind and rain."
A younger-looking collateral-branch clansman said enviously.
"Isn't he just? With the Main Branch's clan head's talent, even the legendary Innate Realm is well within reach. When that happens, Green Maple Li Clan's name will spread throughout the prefectures and counties."
"Who do you think has a chance of passing the Main Branch's New Blood Selection this time and returning to the Main Branch?"
A busybody asked in a low voice.
"I think the mayor's child has a chance. I heard he's freakishly strong despite being so young. A few strapping adults can't even beat him. And I also heard the mayor say that his ancestors came from the same branch as the Main Branch's clan head. By seniority, he even has to call the clan head Grandpa."
"He sure knows how to pull strings. And at his age, he's not even embarrassed!"
Someone immediately scoffed.
"Pulling strings with the Main Branch's clan head is nothing to be ashamed of. He's a phoenix among men. Forget us ordinary folk—which great clan wouldn't want to get close to him?"
"Li Chengjia's daughter in the eastern part of town is good too. She's so young, but her swordsmanship is already masterful."
"That little Long from the neighboring town has a chance too."
Outside Li Family Town.
"Xingzong, we're almost there. Li Family Town is just ahead."
The woman carried a bundle on her back and pointed at the town in the distance as she spoke to the boy beside her.
"I know, Mother."
Xingzong's small face was set with fierce determination.
"You have to make us proud. Pass the selection, return to the main clan, and let your father rest in peace."
The woman wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.
"Mother, don't worry. I won't let you down again."
Xingzong secretly clenched his fists.
The collateral branch's ancestral hall.
"Silence! The Sixth Elder has arrived!"
A loud voice rang out, and the previously clamorous ancestral hall fell quiet in an instant.
The crowd conscientiously parted to make way.
Dozens of Li Family cultivators strode calmly through the crowd, hands resting on their sabers, then took up positions on either side of the ancestral hall.
The stern-faced Sixth Elder strode forward and first cupped his hands in greeting to the branch's ancestral hall.
Then, with an imposing air, he declared, "I am Li Yanzhao, Sixth Elder of the Main Branch. By order of the Main Branch's clan head, I will preside over this New Blood Selection Assembly!"
His voice wasn't loud, yet it carried clearly to every person's ears.
"Greetings, Sixth Elder!"
More than ten thousand people bowed as one, their voices shaking the heavens and stirring the heart.
"First, I'll explain the rules of the New Blood Selection Assembly. There is no distinction between boys and girls. Any collateral-branch clansman between five and ten years old may participate."
"Those taking part will drip their blood onto the Talent Testing Stone. One flash means low talent, two flashes means average talent, three flashes means high talent, and four flashes means talent of a grade!"
"Anyone with talent of a grade will pass the selection directly, be entered into the clan register, and receive the family's special cultivation resources."
"Those with high talent will receive the same treatment as ordinary Main Branch clansmen!"
"Those with average or low talent will not qualify. But don't lose heart. If you can break through to the Body Forging Realm before you turn ten, you can still return to the main clan."
"Did you all understand?"
"Understood!"
The crowd answered in unison.
Li Yanzhao nodded. "I now declare the 171st New Blood Selection Assembly of the Green Maple Li Clan officially open!"
As soon as Li Yanzhao finished speaking, deafening firecrackers went off with a crackling roar.
Once the firecrackers had stopped, the talent testing began.
"First, Li Le'an!"
A Li Family steward called out loudly.
A boy of about six or seven walked forward, looking nervous. He tremblingly held out his hand and closed his eyes.
A Li Family cultivator in charge of the talent test pricked his finger with a needle. Blood dripped onto the Talent Testing Stone, which flashed once before falling still.
"Li Le'an, low talent. Not qualified! Next!"
The cultivator shook his head and announced the result.
His words were like the cold, merciless verdict of the god of fate.
Li Le'an walked off the platform with red-rimmed eyes, then burst into tears in his disappointed father's arms.
"Li Ze'an, average talent. Not qualified. Next!"
"Li Shan, low talent. Not qualified. Next!"
"Li Heng, low talent. Not qualified. Next!"
"Li Yuzhen, high talent. Qualified!"
After more than twenty children had been eliminated in a row, the first child to pass the selection had appeared.
His parents wept with joy.
Everyone around them looked on enviously. With such a promising child, they'd have food and clothing without worry for the rest of their lives.
Li Yanzhao, however, remained composed.
High talent capped out at the Body Realm; it wasn't enough to move him.
"Next, Li Zhe. Average talent. Not qualified!"
"...Not qualified!"
"Li Xuanzhong, high talent. Qualified!"
"...Not qualified!"
"...Not qualified!"
"Next, Li Wu!"
A sturdy child with a round, tiger-like face stepped onto the platform. Without the slightest fear, he proactively held out his hand.
Someone immediately recognized him.
"That's the mayor's child!"
"People outside say he was born with immense strength, even at such a young age. Looking at him now, it's no rumor. He's only seven or eight, but built like a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old."
"What use is great strength? Without the talent, he'll still be washed out."
Someone said sourly.
But soon, the talent test results slapped him in the face.
After Li Wu's blood dripped onto the Talent Testing Stone, it flashed four times in a row, immediately causing an uproar!
"Oh my heavens, he has talent of a grade!"
Someone shouted in astonishment, and the crowd erupted like a pot boiling over.
"Ninth-grade talent! As expected, the future holds another Fourth Elder!"
"The Fourth Elder was also found to have ninth-grade talent back then. The family gave him special cultivation resources, and he became a prominent member of the family with immense power!"
"I always said the mayor's son was extraordinary. I never expected him to leap over the dragon gate in one go!"
"You weren't saying that just now!"
Someone teased him.
Li Wu's father, the mayor of Li Family Town, couldn't believe it. He slapped himself hard across the face.
The burning pain confirmed he wasn't dreaming.
Without a shred of dignity, he fell to his knees and wept aloud. "Ancestors, do you see? After a hundred years, my branch can finally return to the ancestral lands!"
No one mocked him for losing his composure. Their eyes held nothing but pure envy and jealousy.
Returning to the ancestral lands and bringing glory to one's ancestors was the dream of every collateral-branch Li Family clansman.
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