Little one, do you crave power?

Bloodline test.

As the name suggests, it is a ritual used to test one's bloodline.

It is a tool used by some large clans specifically to verify bloodlines.

With this, they can also, to a certain extent, prevent spies from other factions.

As one of the former overlords of the Dou Qi Continent, the Xiao Clan still maintains its corresponding bloodline ritual, even though it has declined time and again.

The current Xiao Clan possesses a set of instruments specifically for detecting bloodlines.

"A bloodline test?" Xiao Ze felt a jolt of panic in his heart upon hearing this, but he maintained his composure, his expression showing slight dissatisfaction as he said, "Does this old man still need such a thing?"

Xiao Zhan gave an awkward smile. "Ancestor, this has been a clan rule of the Xiao Clan since time immemorial."

"Any suspected descendant of the Xiao Clan must undergo a bloodline test."

"Only after being confirmed as a member of our Xiao Clan can one enter our ancestral grounds and study our clan's cultivation techniques..."

Looking at Xiao Ze's increasingly unfriendly gaze, Xiao Zhan let out a dry laugh. "Of course, for an ancestor, this kind of test is certainly somewhat insulting."

"But rules are rules."

"As the current Clan Head of the Xiao Clan, I naturally cannot violate the clan rules."

"I hope the ancestor will understand..."

Xiao Zhan's waist was bent almost to the ground.

His tone was as sincere as it could possibly be.

He was practically begging him on his knees to undergo the bloodline test.

In such a situation, what else could Xiao Ze say?

Refuse?

How could he?!

Had he not heard that this was a Xiao Clan rule?

In a large clan like the Xiao Clan, clan rules are above everything else. Although they have declined, the clan rules still bind the vast majority of the Xiao clansmen.

If he did not undergo the bloodline test, would that not be an indirect denial of his status as an ancestor of the Xiao Clan?

Even if he relied on his strength to stay in the Xiao Clan, so what?

Without the recognition of the Xiao clansmen, he would not be able to harvest [Trust Points], and without [Trust Points], his strength could not improve.

Unless he gave up the pretense of being a Xiao Clan ancestor, he had to undergo this bloodline test.

The identity of a Xiao Clan ancestor is still too important to me.

Unless absolutely necessary, I cannot give it up.

Sigh, it seems I can only take it one step at a time for now...

Xiao Ze sighed inwardly, then feigned indifference and said, "Fine, since it is a clan rule, this old man naturally cannot go against it."

"As you say, let us proceed with the bloodline test."

"However, it is getting late today; let us speak of it tomorrow!"

Although Xiao Ze agreed to the bloodline test, he decided to delay it for one night to see if he could come up with a solution.

"Very well, tomorrow it is!" Xiao Zhan breathed a sigh of relief, a joyful smile appearing on his face.

He bowed deeply to Xiao Ze.

"Thank you for your understanding, Ancestor!"

Xiao Ze waved his hand and returned to his courtyard, heavy with worry.

Not long after Xiao Ze left, the other Xiao clansmen departed one by one.

In the vast meeting hall, only Xiao Zhan remained, sitting upright in the Clan Head's seat, sighing.

He rubbed his temples while worrying about the future of the Xiao Clan.

"Sigh..."

"Troubled times, truly troubled times!"

At this moment, Xiao Yan walked over from somewhere.

"Father..."

He spoke in a low voice, startling the sorrowful Xiao Zhan.

"Ah, Yan'er, is there something on your mind that you have come to see me for?"

Xiao Yan said with a heavy gaze, "Father, I am worried about the three-year agreement."

Hearing this, a flash of helplessness crossed Xiao Zhan's eyes, and he said, "Yan'er, this matter is my fault to you."

"Although we cannot confirm whether this person is truly our Xiao Clan's ancestor, since he has already set the three-year agreement in the name of our ancestor, our Xiao Clan must acknowledge it."

"Otherwise, our Xiao Clan will have no place to stand in Wutan City, nor in the Gama Empire, from here on out."

"Three years from now, you must go to the Misty Cloud Sect and challenge Nalan Yanran!"

Looking at his father's stern expression, Xiao Yan gave a bitter smile: "Yes, Father, I understand!"

"Yan'er, it has truly been hard on you..." Xiao Zhan stroked Xiao Yan's head, offering comfort.

Xiao Yan forced a strained smile and then asked, "By the way, Father, do you believe the ancestor is truly our Xiao Clan's ancestor?"

"Do you think it is possible he is an impostor?"

In Xiao Yan's mind, the domineering scene from just moments ago surfaced; with only a few words, the man had intimidated the elder of the Misty Cloud Sect.

He had even forced the Misty Cloud Sect to deliver twenty Qi Gathering Pills within a month.

Qi Gathering Pills were Tier 4 medicinal pills, worth a fortune. His Xiao Clan had never even seen a single one, let alone twenty!

And that wasn't all—there was also a Tier 5 medicinal pill.

A Tier 5 medicinal pill...

Let alone him, even his father had likely never seen one.

Such power completely exceeded his understanding.

"Yan'er, this matter has nothing to do with you," Xiao Zhan said with a heavy expression.

"The strength of this person far exceeds mine."

"No! He doesn't even hold the Nalan Clan in his eyes..."

"A powerhouse of this caliber should have no reason to covet our Xiao Clan."

"Besides, our Xiao Clan has nothing that could possibly be of interest to such a powerhouse..."

His tone was somewhat helpless, yet it was also the reality.

With the current foundation of the Xiao Clan, it was indeed not enough to attract the attention of a powerhouse of that level.

If it were the Imperial Capital Xiao Clan of the past, perhaps it might have been possible.

"So, Father, you believe he is our Xiao Clan's ancestor?" Xiao Yan asked.

"That's right!" Xiao Zhan nodded. "It's almost certainly true!"

"As long as the bloodline test passes tomorrow..."

"Then he shall officially become our Xiao Clan's ancestor!"

"Yan'er, from now on, whenever you see him, you must be respectful, respectful, and even more respectful!"

Xiao Yan nodded: "That goes without saying!"

The father and son chatted in the hall for a while longer.

Finally, Xiao Yan left, his heart heavy with thoughts.

He left the hall and made his way to the back mountain of the clan, sitting on the hillside. As he let the night breeze blow against him, he gazed into the distance at the Magical Beast Mountain Range, which was shrouded in mist.

He took a deep breath and muttered to himself.

"I truly hope he is our Xiao Clan's ancestor!"

"If our Xiao Clan had such a powerful expert guarding us, the entire Wutan City... no! The entire Gama Empire might have a place for our Xiao Clan!"

"Perhaps our Xiao Clan could even restore the prestige of the Imperial Capital Xiao Clan from back then!"

Xiao Yan clenched his fists, his eyes filled with determination.

Restoring the Imperial Capital Xiao Clan.

That was the lifelong dream of his father, his grandfather, and his great-grandfather!

According to the clan records, the Imperial Capital Xiao Clan of the past was magnificent, not only known as one of the four great clans of the Gama Empire, but it also had Dou Wang powerhouses guarding the clan.

They were a force to be reckoned with!

It was even rumored that in more ancient times, his Xiao Clan had even produced Dou Huang powerhouses!

However, all of that had faded with the passage of time.

Now, his Xiao Clan was huddled in this Wutan City, and he did not know when they would ever regain their former glory.

Just as Xiao Yan was immersed in thoughts of the Xiao Clan's future, an old and strange laugh suddenly echoed in his ears.

"Heh... I made a mistake."

"Hehe, little doll, do you crave power?"