The Clan Gathering Begins

As the dawn broke through the clouds and cast its light upon the land, the Dragon Clan erupted in a sudden clamor, a lively atmosphere enveloping the Dragon Domain.

When Yuan Gan brought Long Jiuyyao and Yuan Xin to the clan competition plaza, it was already bustling with excitement, a considerable crowd gathered as far as the eye could see.

"Greetings, Clan Leader." As Yuan Gan arrived, everyone present bowed respectfully to him and said in unison.

"Heh heh, since everyone is here, let's begin." Yuan Gan smiled slightly, an invisible yet earth-shattering majesty emanating from him.

As Long Jiuyyao stepped onto the clan competition plaza, all the participants sized him up, as did the Dragon Clan elders on the platform.

Likewise, Long Jiuyyao was observing them. His gaze immediately fell upon a man in a green shirt. His appearance wasn't particularly striking, but the hint of arrogance on his youthful face made him unforgettable at first glance.

At this moment, the man in the green shirt stood with his arms crossed, also staring at Long Jiuyyao.

He must be the battle maniac Liu Qing. As expected of a maniac, he has such arrogance at such a young age, Long Jiuyyao mused inwardly.

This is Long Jiuyyao, born in the Dragon Clan's burial ground, possessing the Ancient Dragon Bone from birth. Interesting, I wonder about his combat strength. True to his reputation as a battle maniac, his thoughts never strayed from combat.

The two men nodded at each other. Long Jiuyyao then looked at someone behind Liu Qing and asked, "Xin'er, who are the people behind Liu Qing?"

Yuan Xin looked and replied, "Yan Shan and Yan Feng, the two brothers. Both are at the early Earth Origin Realm. Ji Ling'er is at the middle Earth Origin Realm, but her brother, Ji Wentian, is at the half-step Origin Core Realm."

"Basically, they are the grandsons of elders and people with strong talent and diligence."

"Uh, so there are no clan members in the Earth Origin Realm?" Long Jiuyyao touched his nose.

"Yes, there are, the two of us," Yuan Xin said with a smile.

"I meant, besides the two of us, are there any others?" Long Jiuyyao pressed.

"No, just the two of us."

As the siblings were conversing, a long horn blast echoed. Afterward, everyone except the participating teams moved away from the center of the plaza!

The Great Elder of the Dragon Clan, Tian Sha, looked at the contestants below and slowly spoke, "The Dragon Clan is prosperous, giving birth to countless prodigies. Our clan decided to hold a grand clan competition every three years to promote the martial arts spirit and forge the names of prodigies!"

Great Elder Tian Sha's impassioned voice resonated throughout the Dragon Domain, as if possessing a peculiar magic that stirred the hearts and ignited the passions of countless people!

Great Elder Tian Sha's expression remained unchanged as he looked at the countless handsome figures below. The teams participating in this grand clan competition were, as always, nearly a hundred strong!

At this moment, Great Elder Tian Sha spoke again, his voice clear and resonant, "Now, you may ascend the War Drum Ancient Path and reach the summit to beat the war drums. Everyone must strike the drum, striking it continuously. Those who fail to strike the drum nine times will be eliminated!"

The Drum Beating was the first trial of this grand clan competition. Due to the limited number of final mirror combat arenas and the excessive number of participants, it was necessary to eliminate many people in the first round!

On the ancient path stood ten war drums, allowing ten people to beat them simultaneously. However, these war drums were extremely difficult to strike. Someone at the middle Earth Origin Realm might only manage to strike it once with their full strength. To strike it nine times continuously would likely be difficult!

Furthermore, the war drums had to be struck continuously without interruption. If you struck a few times and then rested for three breaths before striking again, the subsequent strikes would be invalid!

The hundred participants walked out one by one, their figures stepping onto the ancient path with solemnity. There was no boisterousness; even Yuan Xin was behaving herself. Everyone ascended the ancient path step by step, showing respect for the grand clan competition!

Not long after, the first person ascended the Drum Beating platform and walked before a giant drum. As the long robe on this person's body fluttered, a powerful aura permeated from him, maintaining a distance of one step from the drum. It was as if his body was covered in Yuan Power armor, exuding a heavy presence!

"It's the Sixth Elder's grandson, Tai Feichen! I heard his cultivation has already reached the late Heavenly Yuan realm. He's a strong contender for the top ten in this clan competition!"

"He's the first to beat the drum. Is he trying to tell everyone that Tai Feichen is aiming for first place?"

At this moment, the crowd's attention was focused on him. Tai Feichen, the grandson of the Dragon Clan's Sixth Elder, was also a strong contender for the top ten in this clan competition, a seeded player!

Tai Feichen's entire fist seemed to transform into a mountain as he violently punched out. In an instant, a deafening drum sound erupted, shaking the heavens!

Terrifying gale winds whipped Tai Feichen's long hair. The drumbeats continued incessantly, ringing nine times. A powerful force fed back from the drum, striking Tai Feichen's body. However, Tai Feichen stood as steady as a mountain, unmoving!

"To achieve the name of a Dragon Clan prodigy, it starts with beating the drum. Today, I will make everyone know my name, Tai Feichen!"

As Tai Feichen's voice fell, the drumbeats did not cease. His fist struck out again, carrying an incredibly fearsome punch!

The crowd only saw that terrifying might violently strike Tai Feichen. The drum sounded three more times, but his fist did not stop. He struck again, unleashing chaotic air currents that even lifted Tai Feichen's robes. Tai Feichen took a step forward, standing before the drum, allowing the fierce winds to batter him, yet his body remained as steadfast as ever!

Those around Tai Feichen who were about to beat the drum looked at him, forgetting their own actions, their hearts filled with shock!

Ultimately, Tai Feichen beat the drum nineteen times, the lingering echoes reverberating throughout the entire Dragon Domain!

"Nineteen drumbeats! So powerful!"

Beside the ancient path, the Sixth Elder, Tai Chenshan, wore a smile, a look of satisfaction on his face. Seeing Tai Feichen's achievement, he was very happy!

Many elders had also come to witness the achievements of their sons and grandsons.

After Tai Feichen, people continued to beat the drum. However, most achieved only ordinary results, and many couldn't even manage nine beats, leaving in dejection. As for nineteen beats, it was never seen again!

One hundred people tested themselves before the ten drums. Even with ten drums, it still took a considerable amount of time. Yet, the spectators on both sides of the ancient path were incredibly quiet, showing great patience!

The clan competition, held once every three years, was a cherished opportunity to watch, even for the first trial, the Drum Beating challenge.

However, starting from this Drum Beating stage, the geniuses within the clan had already begun to show their competitive spirit!

"Half the people couldn't even manage nine beats. Just how terrifying are these nine giant drums!"

Long Jiuyyao stared at the drums ahead and thought to himself. Of the people before him, very few had managed to pass. This elimination rate shocked him!

After all, those who participated in the competition were geniuses with strong confidence in their own abilities; they wouldn't come just to make up the numbers and humiliate themselves!

"Twenty beats!"

Just then, a thunderous drum sound erupted. Long Jiuyyao stared at a figure above. Out of a hundred people beating the drum, half failed to reach nine beats. Twenty beats – what a terrifying achievement!

"It's Ji Xian! He's the grandson of the Fourth Elder, Ji Ming! He's broken Tai Feichen's record of nineteen beats! I heard Ji Xian has always been one step ahead of Tai Feichen, and it seems that's still the case today!"

Someone said, revealing Ji Xian's background. Ji Xian's strength was indeed formidable. After the initial nine beats, each additional beat required resisting a significantly greater feedback force. The fact that Ji Xian could achieve twenty beats showed just how terrifying his strength was!

Tai Feichen, who was not far away, saw Ji Xian refresh his record and snorted in dissatisfaction. However, he didn't do anything else. After all, Ji Xian's strength was evident, so there was nothing he could say!

"Ji Xian is so strong. Yan Shan also went up and only managed eighteen beats of the Drum Beating. He should have been an extremely dazzling presence, but his thunder was stolen by Tai Feichen and Ji Xian!"

Although the Drum Beating couldn't determine the final ranking, it was still a clash of geniuses within the clan. Especially after Tai Feichen forcefully struck nineteen beats, all the prodigies were unwilling to be outdone!

Next, many powerful figures took their turns!

Yan Feng struck seventeen beats! Ji Ling'er struck eighteen beats! Ji Wentian struck twenty beats!

"It's Liu Qing! It's Liu Qing's turn to act!"

At this moment, countless gazes converged on one person. It was Liu Qing, the disciple of the former Disciplinary Elder Qing Zhi!

He was considered in a league of his own among the clan's geniuses.

Liu Qing walked leisurely to the war drum, his expression calm, and then he struck. The drum sounded twenty-three consecutive beats! This shocked everyone!

Liu Qing, who had just appeared, suddenly struck and directly broke the record. Moreover, judging by his demeanor, he seemed to still have strength to spare. His combat power was immense. Could it be that he had already reached the Minor Perfection of the Core Formation realm?