Eighth-grade Talent, Song Family's Resolution

The Sixth Elder, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them. He looked at the sturdy child on the stage and a smile played on his lips.

In good spirits, he turned his head to a Li Family steward beside him and said, "Ninth-grade talent. I think this child is quite good."

The Li Family steward beside him smiled and chimed in, "Yes, Elder. The last time we detected a ninth-grade talent was twenty years ago."

"It's a pity that child died while out on a trial. Otherwise, the family might have gained another Elder."

The Sixth Elder said with some regret.

The talent test continued in full swing.

Unfortunately, after an hour, no more children with graded talent appeared.

"Mom, why isn't it our turn yet?"

Xingzong asked anxiously, holding his mother's hand.

"We came a bit late, but it's coming soon, almost our turn."

The woman stroked Xingzong's head and said softly.

Another fifteen minutes passed.

"Next, Li Xingzong!"

Hearing his name called, the mother and son's spirits lifted.

"Go up, Xingzong. You are your father's son, don't shame him!"

Xingzong nodded and, under his mother's encouraging gaze, walked up with his head held high and chest puffed out.

"This child is quite something. With so many people, he's not nervous at all."

Someone praised.

"Yes, quite a few little ones in front were so nervous they cried."

Allowing the needle to prick his finger and watching the blood drip onto the talent testing stone, Xingzong's heart pounded.

I must pass!

I must pass!

Xingzong stared intently at the talent testing stone, his eyes unblinking.

The talent stone began to flash, emitting a faint red glow.

Once.

Twice.

Thrice!

Four times!!

Five times!!!

"It flashed five times, five times! I'm not seeing things, am I?"

The Li Family cultivator in charge of the test rubbed his eyes in disbelief.

"Eighth-grade talent! It's the legendary eighth-grade talent!"

Someone shouted first, and the atmosphere in the collateral ancestral hall exploded.

Countless collateral clan members danced with joy and cheered wildly.

Even the usually calm Sixth Elder was so shocked that he stood up.

With a leap, he arrived at the talent testing stage, grabbed Xingzong's hand, and pressed it onto the talent testing stone.

The talent testing stone flashed again, five times in a row.

Li Yanzhao's entire body trembled slightly. He couldn't quite believe it, "Eighth-grade talent, it really is eighth-grade talent!"

"It seems the heavens truly favor our Green Maple Li Clan!"

"Child, your name is Li Xingzong, isn't it?"

Li Yanzhao trembled as he asked.

"Yes, Elder. My father named me Li Xingzong, hoping I would bring glory to our ancestors."

Xingzong's eyes reddened as he thought of his father, who had been devoured by a tiger.

"Good child."

Li Yanzhao patted Xingzong's head, his face filled with relief.

"Your father has cultivated a pillar of talent for our Li Family!"

With eighth-grade talent, if he doesn't fall midway, reaching the Qi and Blood Realm is a certainty.

Following the Patriarch, with one seventh-grade talent and one eighth-grade talent, the Li Family has successors.

Xingzong lunged towards his mother, who covered her mouth, unable to believe any of it.

"Mother, I did it! I didn't disappoint Father! I'll work hard to become stronger, and I'll be someone useful to the family!"

The woman hugged Xingzong and burst into tears.

"Husband, did you see? The child you raised has succeeded!"

Half an hour later.

With the last child eliminated, this year's New Blood Selection Assembly officially concluded.

This year, a total of:

Eighth-grade talent: one person (Li Xingzong) Ninth-grade talent: one person (Li Wu) Upper-grade talent: eleven people (Extras with no names...)

These children would all be brought back to Green Maple Valley, and Li Xingzong and Li Wu would be officially recorded in the family registry.

"Elder, the harvest from this New Blood Selection is the greatest in years."

"In previous years, it would have been good enough if the collateral branches produced a few children with upper-grade talent."

"Last year, there were only three with upper-grade talent."

The steward exclaimed in amazement.

"Since the Patriarch took the throne, our Green Maple Li Clan has truly been getting better and better."

Hearing this, the Sixth Elder nodded in agreement.

The Sixth Elder was immensely impressed and awed by the Patriarch, who was only the age of his own son.

"By the way, Elder, shouldn't we take these new recruits back to the family immediately?"

The steward suggested with a solemn expression.

The Sixth Elder suddenly came to his senses, his expression also turning grave.

"You are right. Fortunately, you reminded me. First, send a message to the family and dispatch people to meet us. Also, issue my order to return to the family immediately."

An eighth-grade talent was truly astonishing.

The Li Family already had Li Xinge, who had grown up. If another Li Xingzong emerged, many people would likely become restless.

Although the Li Family was strong now, there would always be those who took risks.

After all, a genius who hasn't grown up isn't a genius.

Without any delay, the group, bringing the new recruits, sped towards the family.

Meanwhile, in a certain corner.

A flying eagle flew in a certain direction at extreme speed.

Baibo Valley.

The location of the Baibo Song Clan.

A flying eagle landed on a pavilion.

A middle-aged man approached, untied the message tube bound to the eagle's leg, and took out the secret letter.

He unfolded the secret letter: "Li Family's new blood, one with eighth-grade talent, one with ninth-grade talent, have returned to Green Maple Valley."

The middle-aged man's pupils contracted, his face turning green, then white.

Song Family's Council Hall.

Eight elders sat in order, exuding a stern aura and solemn expressions.

Patriarch Song Tianbo sat at the head seat, frowning.

"Greetings, Patriarch!"

The eight elders bowed in unison.

"The matter is urgent, so let's dispense with these formalities. Our hidden agents report that the Li Family's New Blood Selection has produced a genius with eighth-grade talent!"

Song Tianbo said with a grave expression.

His words instantly shocked several elders of the Song Family.

The First Elder of the Song Family even plucked out a clump of his white beard.

"What do you think our Song Family should do in response?"

The Song Family's Second Elder slammed his hand on the table, shouting angrily, "Do we even need to think about it? Patriarch, this brat absolutely cannot be kept alive. Li Yanzhao from the Li Family is already suffocating us; if another one like him appears, will our Song Family still have a place in Baihe County?"

"The Second Elder speaks wisely. Our Song Family and the Li Family have always been enemies. If the Li Family grows stronger, our Song Family will be the first to suffer. Why don't we go all out and eliminate this new blood of the Li Family!"

The Fourth Elder made a throat-slitting gesture.

"Patriarch, I volunteer to personally handle this disaster!"

The Song Family's Second Elder cupped his fists and requested. He possessed the cultivation of the Great Perfection of Body Realm, and the Li Family's Sixth Elder was truly nothing in his eyes.

"Patriarch, if we make a move, it will truly be an endless feud with the Li Family," the Song Family's First Elder said with deep concern.

"First Elder, you are too cautious and overthink things. If we don't act, will the Li Family spare us once they gain the upper hand?" the Second Elder retorted angrily.

"But the Grand Elder is in seclusion for cultivation and has not come out yet. Shouldn't we wait for him to emerge before making a decision?" the First Elder frowned.

"The Grand Elder has been in seclusion for months. By the time he comes out, it'll be too late,"

"Exactly, we can't wait any longer. Patriarch, give the order!" the elders said in unison.

At the head of the table, Song Tianbo took a deep breath.

The elders all looked at him quietly, not uttering another sound. They knew very well that the decision their Patriarch was about to make would determine the rise and fall of the Baibo Song Clan!

"Kill!"

Song Tianbo gritted his teeth.

The First Elder sighed, "Since the Patriarch has decided, this old man supports it! Let's kill them. I'll go."

To be the First Elder of the Song Family, his strength was naturally not low; he was the third strongest after the Song Family's Grand Elder and Song Tianbo.

Song Tianbo waved his hand.

His gaze turned cold, and killing intent surged as he declared, "I will go personally!"

All the elders were startled. For a cultivator in the Qi and Blood Realm to deal with Li Yanzhao, who was in the Body Realm, wasn't that overkill?

As if sensing the elders' thoughts, Song Tianbo continued, "Even when hunting a rabbit, one must use their full strength. Since we've decided to act, we must have a ten-tenths chance of success. Me going is the most secure option!" Song Tianbo's eyes gleamed.

"The Patriarch is wise!"