Clan Mark Manifestation

Everyone on the platform turned their gaze toward Liuli, who sat at the very edge, making the Young Girl's skin crawl.

"Lan Ge is joking. Liuli feels unworthy of you." Though Liuli was cursing up a storm inside, she still had to put on a good-tempered act and force out an awkward smile.

"No, Miss. You are gifted and naturally beautiful. From the moment I first saw you, I was already captivated." Gongsun Lan clasped his hands and smiled.

Hey, hey, hey! We first met when I was eleven, didn't we? Don't tell me you're into little girls?

Liuli felt like she was about to explode, but she still held herself back. "Liuli cannot make this decision. Lan Ge should ask my father to decide."

"Miss must look down on my current strength. That is understandable. To be worthy of Miss, one must at least be an exceptional genius with extraordinary strength. Though I am no great talent, I dare claim a place among the top three of the younger generation of the Sword Clan. Miss need not rush. I am merely making a proposal today. When I have the ability to stand among the continent's strong individuals, I will propose to you again." Gongsun Lan stroked the dazzling Purple Gold Clan Mark on his forehead and smiled.

It's not that I look down on you at all! I'm just not interested in you!

"Ahem." Liuli coughed twice. "Let's talk about it later. The Coming-of-Age Ceremony is still underway. We should not delay those behind us."

"It was my oversight. Elder Sanbu, pardon the interruption." Gongsun Lan chuckled, bowed to Gongsun Sanbu, stared at Liuli for a long while, and finally stepped through the air onto the viewing platform.

"Whew..." Liuli let out a breath. Without the surrounding gazes upon her, her head began to ache again.

I finally found a quiet place!

"Ahem." An aged cough rang out, carrying a trace of pressure that swept across the entire venue and drew everyone's attention back to the platform.

"Alright, the ceremony will continue. Next, Gongsun An." Gongsun Sanbu resumed presiding over the Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

After a girl who had received a Fifth-grade Silver Clan Mark happily flew back to the viewing platform,

Gongsun Sanbu paused before continuing, "The two hundred and fifty-seventh, Gongsun Liuli."

She stuffed the last bite of the Spirit Fruit into her mouth, chewed, and swallowed. The Pink-haired Girl rose to her feet and slightly circulated her Dou Qi. A pair of silver Dou Qi wings spread behind her. Liuli lightly tapped the ground with her foot, beat her wings, and flew toward the platform. A few seconds later, she landed steadily.

After bowing to the three elders, Liuli walked toward the illusory longsword.

"Grip the hilt," Gongsun Sanbu said.

The Young Girl did not answer, merely reaching out and lightly gripping it.

The next moment, Liuli's eyes flew open.

She was no longer standing in the square.

Everything around her was gloomy, with countless swords of varying shapes embedded in the earth.

"Where is this?" Liuli looked around, somewhat at a loss.

Before she could familiarize herself with her surroundings, the world before her began to shift again. In the end, she found herself above a starry sky. Huge floating spheres filled the distant surroundings. Before her, however, two figures stood facing each other.

"Azure Emperor, submit to my clan, and you can at least become a Demon Emperor. Otherwise, once my clan's army suppresses you, both you and the world behind you will be destroyed. Join us, and at least you will all remain alive." Black mist swirled around the figure on the right, whose voice was hoarse.

"No, you will never make it here. Being together with wandering mites like you would make me want to vomit." The figure on the left wore a white robe, with a wine gourd at his waist and a three-foot-long sword in his hand. A teasing smile appeared on his handsome face.

"You refuse to submit and insist on fighting?" There was a hint of anger in the dark figure's voice.

"Do you think you can beat me?" The white-robed man calmly raised the sword in his hand.

"Thirteen Swords, you will become a corpse!"

The entire circular square began to tremble slightly. The clouds in the sky emitted seven-colored light and split apart from the center, revealing the top of the heavens—a massive Space Gate.

The Space Gate slowly opened, and a seven-colored Light Pillar descended, instantly enveloping Gongsun Liuli.

The Young Girl within the Light Pillar floated slightly in the air, her pale pink hair drifting gracefully around her. A small seven-colored sword mark appeared on her forehead, while her strength began to rise rapidly.

Five-star, Six-star, Seven Stars, Eight-star, and finally, it stopped at the level of a Nine-star Dou Huang.

The Light Pillar slowly dissipated and withdrew. The Young Girl within it gradually descended, maintaining the posture of gripping the sword.

The Space Gate closed, and the Sea of Clouds gathered, burying the gate from view.

The Young Girl slowly opened her eyes. A silver gleam flashed through her violet-blue pupils, while the seven-colored Sword Mark on her forehead shone brilliantly.

"Gongsun Liuli, sixteen years old, Nine-star Dou Huang, Tenth-grade Divine Bloodline, bestowed the Seven-colored Sword Clan Mark!" Gongsun Sanbu shouted.

The entire venue erupted. Cheers, gasps, and discussion rose one after another.

Yet the brightest jewel in the entire venue was currently staring blankly into space.

"What was that just now?" Liuli murmured.

Half a month later

The Coming-of-Age Ceremony had only recently ended, and its excitement still lingered throughout the Sword Clan. The most talked-about matters were the young peak master of Chixiao Peak proposing to the clan leader's daughter, and the clan leader's daughter awakening a Divine Grade Bloodline.

The Young Girl closely tied to both matters, and even the central figure in them, was currently lying in bed, refusing to get up.

"Miss, it is time to get up. The clan leader has summoned you." A green-robed maid stood beside her bed and spoke gently.

"Mmm... wait a little longer. Is there something urgent?" Liuli burrowed her head beneath the blanket and mumbled.

"It seems to be about Miss entering seclusion," the maid said.

The little lump beneath the blanket suddenly shuddered. Then the covers were thrown aside, and the Young Girl sat up, shouting excitedly, "Has the time for me to leave... enter seclusion been decided?"

"I... I think so." The green-robed maid was confused by her sudden change in attitude.

"Wonderful! Go out first. I'll come over after I change and wash up." Liuli straightened her slightly disheveled nightclothes, jumped out of bed, and headed toward the bathroom.

"How strange. Didn't Miss hate boring cultivation the most? Why is she so happy to hear about entering seclusion?" The green-robed maid was baffled.

Ya Yuan Main Hall Side Room

"Dad, when can I leave?" Liuli crouched beside Gongsun Lin, who was seated in a chair. She placed both hands on his wrist, lifted her little face, and looked at him expectantly.

"Leave whenever you plan to leave." Gongsun Lin glanced at the little girl beside him and sighed inwardly.

Does this girl really want to leave that badly? A grown daughter can't be kept at home.

"Why wait for another day when today is perfect? I'll just say goodbye to Mom, then I can leave!" Liuli immediately became excited and stood up.

"Hey, wait a moment." Gongsun Lin waved his hand and pointed to the table beside him. Three blue Storage Rings rested on a wooden tray.

"Of these three Storage Rings, the first contains a Spatial Jade Slip, which can instantly bring me to wherever you are. The second contains a small transmission wormhole that can take you to a city at the edge of the Central Continent with a transmission wormhole, but it can only be used once. The third contains some cultivation resources. However, the latter two are temporarily sealed. You must pass a test before they can be unsealed," Gongsun Lin said calmly.

"What test?" Liuli stared at the three Storage Rings, her eyes practically glowing.

"You must leave the Seeking Demon Mountain Range on your own, then reach Fengxiao City near the mountain range's edge. Once you get there, the seals will naturally be lifted."

"Alone? Crossing the Seeking Demon Mountain Range?" Liuli was dumbfounded. She asked in disbelief, "Are you sure you want your Nine-star Dou Huang daughter to cross the Seeking Demon Mountain Range?"

The Seeking Demon Mountain Range was home to countless Magical Beasts. Even someone with the strength of a Dou Zong had to tread carefully within it. One careless mistake, and she might become the meal of some Eighth Order Magical Beast.

"Dad, are you trying to send me to my death?" Liuli said unhappily. Her little face was full of grievance as one small hand gently hooked around Gongsun Lin's sleeve and gave it a light tug.

"Isn't there a Spatial Jade Slip? If you truly encounter danger, crush it, and I will naturally save you." Gongsun Lin remained unmoved and continued, "But if it comes to that, the test will be judged a failure. Then forget about going to Jia Nan Academy. Stay obediently in the clan, or go study at the Myriad Sword Pavilion."

"You're so heartless~" Liuli feigned sorrow.

"One question: are you going or not?" Gongsun Lin said faintly. "There are plenty of good things in those Storage Rings..."

"I'm going! Why wouldn't I? It's just crossing the Seeking Demon Mountain Range. I'll do it!" The Young Girl immediately turned serious and replied firmly.

"Then take the Storage Rings and prepare. You may begin whenever you wish." Gongsun Lin waved his hand, and the three Storage Rings on the tray floated into Liuli's hands.

"Bleh!" The Young Girl stuck out her tongue at him, then turned and ran off.

"Hehe..." Gongsun Lin smiled helplessly. Then his expression became serious again. He raised his hand, sending out a strand of spatial consciousness.

"Clan leader, what are your orders?" A strand of consciousness returned.

"Go speak with those Seventh and Eighth-grade Magical Beasts in the Seeking Demon Mountain Range. They had better behave themselves. When they see the little girl, they may pressure her a little, but if they dare use real force, they die!"

"Yes."

"You should also follow behind her in secret. Do not get too close; her senses are very sharp."

"Yes."