Suspicions, a Monstrous Talent?

[You were greatly startled and immediately raised your sword to block.]

[Perhaps because Fourth Elder only wanted to capture you, you were merely forced back several steps and successfully borrowed the force to block Fourth Elder's attack.]

[Fourth Elder fixed you with an unfriendly gaze and demanded, "Who are you?"]

[You knew that no matter how you explained yourself, Fourth Elder would not believe you. So you decisively drew your sword and said, "If Fourth Elder wishes to know, one test will make it clear!"]

[This sudden turn of events terrified your Seventh Brother and Fifth Sister, who stood nearby. Neither of them knew why Fourth Elder had suddenly attacked you.]

[Yet not only did you fail to defend yourself, you actually wanted to fight Fourth Elder? The sight left them dumbfounded. After all, Fourth Elder had broken through to the ninth level of Qi Cultivation many years ago. His strength was unfathomable.]

["Good!" Fourth Elder did not waste words. Instead, his gaze became even sharper, like an eagle's, as though he wished to find a flaw in your expression.]

[You raised your sword, sending a teal-green Sword Qi from the Nan Sword Art cleaving straight down. You held nothing back in this strike!]

[Only when Fourth Elder faced you head-on did he realize that your Nan Sword Art was not merely proficient—it was at least at Major Accomplishment, perhaps even at the Perfected realm he did not dare imagine!]

[Immediately afterward, Fourth Elder also held nothing back. As he clenched his fist, a stream of Water Spiritual Power formed into the shape of a dragon.]

[You recognized it as the Lineage's Spirit Grade Technique, Water Dragon Fist! The dragon form was unstable, indicating that it was only at Entry Level. To successfully cultivate a Spirit Grade Technique beyond one's level during the Qi Cultivation realm, Fourth Elder must have devoted years to the Water Dragon Fist.]

[Your Perfected Nan Sword Art collided with Fourth Elder's water dragon.]

[**Boom!** Even the bluestone brick ground around you was shattered into large pieces by the impact.]

[As the smoke dispersed, you and Fourth Elder faced each other.]

[At that moment, the web between your thumb and forefinger holding the sword had split open from the shock. You sighed inwardly that a Spirit Grade Technique truly lived up to its name, and Fourth Elder's cultivation was also a minor realm higher than yours. Your defeat was not undeserved.]

[However, you did not know that Fourth Elder, standing opposite you, was even more shocked. His cultivation was higher than yours, and the technique he used was also Spirit Grade, yet he could not gain the upper hand against you? That made no sense! Unless the sword art you used was at the Perfected realm.]

[But could anyone truly cultivate a sword art to the Perfected realm? Even their ancestor had not mastered a single technique at the Perfected realm!]

[Fourth Elder had now fallen into deep self-doubt.]

[The scene of you fighting Fourth Elder left Seventh Brother and Fifth Sister beside you too shocked to speak.]

[So you were this strong? You could exchange blows with Fourth Elder without falling into a disadvantage!]

[Just as Fourth Elder was about to attack again, a figure stopped him.]

[You saw clearly that it was your father!]

[Your father demanded of Fourth Elder, "Fourth Elder, why did you attack and injure my son!"]

[Fourth Elder was left staring blankly, muttering inwardly, *Wasn't I the one who sent word for you to come? Why are you questioning me the moment you arrive?*]

[But Fourth Elder still pointed at you and said, "Clan Leader, he absolutely cannot be your son, Mu Xingqi!"]

[Your father's expression darkened after hearing this. "Wouldn't I know my own son?"]

["This..." Fourth Elder was again left speechless, unsure how to respond. It was also his first time learning that his Clan Leader was such a doting son-father.]

[At this time, the other elders also arrived one after another.]

[Yet no matter how Fourth Elder insisted that you were monstrous, strange, and absolutely could not be Mu Xingqi, who had only awakened his Spirit Root one year ago...]

[Your father and mother still shielded you behind them. Your mother retorted, "Fourth Elder, my son is my son. Could it be that I, his mother, would not know him?"]

[Fourth Elder wore a bitter expression as he sighed and said, "Why is there another doting son-parent..."]

[Seeing your parents stand before you without hesitation, their trust in you made you feel love once more.]

[In the end, Grand Elder stepped forward and stated, "Take Mu Xingqi to see the ancestor. One look will make everything clear."]

[Your parents looked toward you, wishing to see your attitude.]

[You were not afraid. After all, an upright body did not fear a crooked shadow, so you decisively agreed.]

[Fourth Elder also agreed to this method. After all, no one in the Mu Family was stronger than the ancestor.]

[Your group arrived at the ancestor's secluded cultivation cave abode.]

[After your grandfather learned the full story, he placed a hand on your forehead. Following a thorough examination, he confirmed that there was nothing wrong with you.]

[Upon learning the result, both your parents breathed a sigh of relief.]

[Even Fourth Elder, who had been the first to question you, apologized to you.]

[You forgave Fourth Elder. After all, he had not caused you much harm, and you were quite magnanimous.]

[Once it was confirmed that there was nothing wrong with you, Fourth Elder was even more astonished by your talent.]

[The elders were all rendered speechless by your astounding talent.]

[Seeing this, your father could only reveal his speculation that you might possess a special talent.]

[The elders and your grandfather all agreed with your father's speculation. After all, there was no better explanation.]

[Your grandfather exclaimed, "Heaven blesses our Mu Family! With my dear grandson's talent, he will certainly reach Foundation Establishment in the future, and may even have hope of forming a Golden Core."]

[The elders were all happy for you.]

[Among them, your parents were naturally the happiest.]

[Your grandfather appointed you as the Young Clan Leader.]

[None of the elders objected.]

[However, your grandfather still specifically had everyone present swear a Heavenly Dao Oath, and particularly instructed the elders not to casually spread word of what had happened today.]

[Furthermore, the matter of your appointment as Young Clan Leader could not be easily revealed for now, or he would personally purge the Lineage!]

[You knew that your grandfather had already regarded you as the hope for the Lineage's prosperity.]

[Your grandfather granted you the Young Clan Leader's privileges. For example, you could receive one Yellow Grade High Rank Qi Gathering Pill every month and enter the Scripture Pavilion freely...]

[After all the elders had left, you specifically sought out your grandfather to ask about the Blood Demon Sect.]

[Your grandfather was shocked that you knew about the Blood Demon Sect...]