Bloodline Gleams Gold, Identity Confirmed

The night passed in silence.

The next day.

A thin mist swirled in the air.

Xiao Ze awoke from his cultivation.

He skillfully opened the system interface to inspect his status.

[Host: Xiao Ze]
[Age: 20]
[Cultivation: One-Star Dou Huang]
[Dou Techniques: Holy Spirit Sword Technique, Myriad Transformation Phantom, Heaven Burning Palm]
[Weapon: Taixiao Sword]
[Trust List: Xiao Yan (Half-Star), Xiao Zhan (One-Star), Great Elder (One-Star), Second Elder (One-Star)...]
[Current Trust Points: 5732]

"Hoo~"

"Another day full of hope!"

Xiao Ze let out a long breath, stood up, and stretched his body toward the gentle sunlight outside the window, his bones popping and cracking in a rhythmic cadence.

He felt a wave of comfort wash over his entire body.

The vast, river-like Dou Qi rested quietly within him, resembling a dormant volcano gathering strength; with the slightest movement, it could unleash world-shattering power.

Knock, knock, knock.

A knocking sound echoed.

A member of the Xiao Clan poked his head in nervously, speaking with a hint of panic: "Ancestor, the Clan Head invites you to the clan grounds."

"Understood."

After a brief freshening up, Xiao Ze followed the Xiao Clan youth toward the clan grounds.

Along the way, the boy, who looked to be only fourteen or fifteen, kept glancing at Xiao Ze nervously, his clear eyes filled with immense confusion.

Ever since Xiao Ze appeared last night, the entire Xiao Clan had known that a remarkably young-looking ancestor had emerged!

Every member of the Xiao Clan was filled with curiosity.

The youth before him was, naturally, no exception.

On the way to the Xiao Clan grounds, Xiao Ze felt quite relaxed.

Because he had exchanged for the Xiao Clan bloodline, he was now a genuine member of the clan.

No matter how the bloodline test was conducted, there would only be one result.

And that was to confirm his identity as an ancestor of the Xiao Clan!

Arriving at the clan grounds, the area was bustling with activity today. As it concerned the return of a Xiao Clan ancestor, nearly eighty percent of the clan members had come to watch.

In the center of the crowd, the high-ranking members of the Xiao Clan stood respectfully, waiting quietly for Xiao Ze's arrival.

"Ancestor, you have arrived!" Xiao Zhan stepped forward respectfully.

"Mm, let's not waste time. Let's proceed with the bloodline test immediately."

Xiao Ze did not delay.

He prepared to undergo the bloodline test right away.

After the high-ranking members of the Xiao Clan busied themselves, they finally retrieved the instrument used specifically for testing bloodlines from within the grounds.

It was a palm-sized, golden device resembling a compass; the tester only needed to drip their blood into it for the instrument to identify the bloodline.

Once all preparations were complete, Xiao Ze sliced his palm and dripped his blood onto the jade stone at the center of the instrument.

Whoosh—

The next second, the previously unremarkable compass instantly erupted with a brilliant golden light, which swirled like golden clouds three inches above the device, never fading.

"The bloodline is gold."

"This is something that only those with the direct bloodline of the Xiao Clan could ever achieve!"

"He truly is the ancestor of our Xiao Clan!"

Watching the golden mist rising in swirls from the compass, every member of the Xiao Clan was filled with joy and excitement.

Because this clearly meant that Xiao Ze was indeed their Xiao Clan ancestor!

"Ancestor! Ancestor!"

Countless shouts rose one after another.

Slowly, these voices merged together, forming a roar as earth-shattering as a landslide or a tsunami.

[Xiao Clan member xxx has developed trust in you, current trust level: one star]

[Trust points +1000]

[Xiao Clan member xxx has developed trust in you, current trust level: one and a half stars]

[Trust points +2000]

[Xiao Clan member xxx has developed trust in you, current trust level: two stars]

[Trust points +5000]

[...]

[Current trust points: 103452]

As all the Xiao Clan members let out deafening cheers, Xiao Ze's vision was instantly flooded with a barrage of notifications.

At this moment, he had gained the recognition of everyone in the Xiao Clan!

Simultaneously, his trust points were skyrocketing.

In just a few short minutes, his trust points had returned to the six-figure range.

Not only that, but his trust points were still climbing at a terrifying rate of over a thousand per minute.

"One hundred thousand, I've already reached one hundred thousand trust points?"

As expected, the decision to impersonate the Xiao Clan ancestor was the right one!

Looking at the trust points that had surged to one hundred thousand in just a few minutes, Xiao Ze was pleasantly surprised.

Just as he was rejoicing over his initial decision, another shocking notification suddenly appeared before his eyes.

[Child of the Plane Xiao Yan's trust in you has increased, current trust level: one star]

[Trust points +500000]

[Current trust points: 610485]

"How much?"

"Five hundred thousand trust points?"

"It exploded, it exploded again!"

Staring at the five hundred thousand points that had suddenly appeared, Xiao Ze's mouth curled into a wide grin.

Is this the terrifying nature of a protagonist?

Wonderful, simply wonderful!

With the bloodline test concluded, it was officially declared that Xiao Ze was firmly seated on the throne of the Xiao Clan ancestor.

Subsequently, the Xiao Clan patriarch, Xiao Zhan, along with other high-ranking members, unanimously agreed to hold a grand banquet to welcome the return of Xiao Ze, the ancestor of the Xiao Clan.

This banquet lasted from day until night.

All the members of the Xiao Clan were immersed in the joy of their ancestor's return.

Deep into the night, the bright moon hung high, and the stars shone brilliantly.

In the main hall of the Xiao Clan, a group of high-ranking members were leading their juniors to pay their respects to Xiao Ze one by one, while Xiao Zhan, as the patriarch, stood by his side to make introductions.

"Ancestor, this is the current Great Elder of the Xiao Clan, responsible for..."

"This is the Second Elder..."

"This is the Third Elder..."

"...and this is a direct descendant of our Xiao Clan, Xiao Ning."

"...this is also a direct descendant, her name is Xiao Mei."

"And this..."

Xiao Ze sat upright in the main seat of the great hall, assuming his role as the ancestor.

He listened carefully to Xiao Zhan's introductions.

Before long, Xiao Ze had a general understanding of the current structure of the Xiao Clan.

As a youth of fifteen or sixteen with short black hair approached him, Xiao Zhan, standing to the side, wore a somewhat awkward expression before finally introducing him to Xiao Ze.

"Ancestor, this is my son, Xiao Yan."

"He is currently ranked third in the family..."

Xiao Yan stepped forward, cupped his hands toward Xiao Ze, and said, "Xiao Yan greets the ancestor!"

Looking at the Xiao Yan before him, a smile appeared on Xiao Ze's face involuntarily; he could sense a faint fluctuation of Dou Qi emanating from the boy.

It seemed he had officially met Elder Yao last night.

And he would now officially embark on the path to becoming the Flame Emperor.

"Good, good, good..." Xiao Ze said the word 'good' several times with a smile, then continued, "Xiao Yan, is it? I have high expectations for you. I hope you continue to work hard and fulfill the three-year agreement I set last night!"

"Yes, Ancestor, rest assured! This junior will certainly strive with all his might!"

If Xiao Yan had felt uncertain about his future last night, then today, his heart was filled with hope.

And this change was entirely dependent on that old gentleman hidden within his ring!

My Dou Qi can finally condense again.

With the help of that mysterious old gentleman, my strength will surely advance by leaps and bounds.

The three-year agreement...

It doesn't seem like an impossible task after all!

Xiao Yan clenched his fists, secretly making a firm resolution in his heart.

No matter what, he would avenge the humiliation of the broken engagement from last night!