"That's the Blood Stone?"
Looking at the red crystal slowly swirling above Xiao Dingtian's palm, Xiao Yan asked with a hint of curiosity.
"Don't underestimate this thing. It's said that this Blood Stone comes from a land of slaughter, formed by absorbing the bloodlines of countless living beings. Therefore, it has an extremely strong ability to attract bloodline power. That's why the family uses it to test the bloodline quality of its members."
Xiao Lei nodded slightly and explained with a smile.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan turned his gaze back with great interest, and at the same time, Xiao Dingtian, who was holding the Blood Stone, also shouted out the command.
"A total of fifty people will participate in this Clan Ritual. After deducting the elders and deacons, forty people remain. Each of you should come forward and apply for a Blood Stone. Only after passing the Blood Stone test will you be qualified to enter the ancestral hall."
Xiao Dingtian stood majestically on the high platform, his authoritative voice immediately resounding. The people present also shifted accordingly, splitting into two groups and waiting quietly.
With Xiao Ming and Xiao Yuehua standing in front of them to keep them in check, these people were unusually quiet at this moment.
Offstage, Xiao Yan watched the crowd quickly disperse, and couldn't help but feel a little surprised. He had seen many outstanding young members of the Xiao Clan at the clan meeting that day, and thought that was all there was to it. But now, he realized that he had underestimated the Xiao Clan's strength.
In retrospect, even what Xiao Dingtian said at this moment may not represent the entirety of the top younger generation of the Xiao Clan.
The Xiao Clan's strength, which allows them to stand among the top powers on the entire continent, is probably far beyond his imagination!
Upon realizing this, Xiao Yan couldn't help but chuckle self-deprecatingly. Thinking it over, what he had seen of the Xiao Clan so far was still just the tip of the iceberg. As for Xiao Mingyuan, he had only met half of the ten elders, and the strength of the others was even more difficult to assess. The vast Xiao Clan must possess terrifying beings unknown to ordinary people; those people were the true core of the Xiao Clan, while the people standing before him were merely the rulers within the Xiao Clan.
"First place, Xiao Shaojun."
Just as Xiao Yan was lost in thought, Xiao Dingtian's sharp and hoarse shout suddenly rang out, echoing like a bell in the quiet courtyard. As the young clan leader, Xiao Shaojun was naturally among those listed first.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Xiao Shaojun slowly stepped forward and took the Blood Stone from Xiao Dingtian's hand. However, he did not rush to test it, but instead stepped aside. At that time, everyone present would start the test together.
"Second place..."
"Me! Me! Me!"
As Xiao Shaojun stepped aside, Xiao Dingtian was about to speak when a sharp and playful shout suddenly rang out, instantly breaking the quiet atmosphere. Even Xiao Yan couldn't help but raise his eyebrows in surprise. Looking over, he saw a familiar figure shoot out from the crowd and quickly arrive in front of Xiao Dingtian.
It was Xiao Ling'er.
Looking at the mischievous girl with a playful smile, Xiao Yuehua and Xiao Ming on the stage immediately relaxed their furrowed brows. Looking at the entire family, it was probably only this clever little devil in front of them who could leave them helpless.
"This girl, relying on the Grand Elder's doting affections, runs rampant in the clan, yet she's also favored by these two—an honor even her brother doesn't possess."
While teasing her, Xiao Lei cast an envious glance at the girl. Xiao Yan chuckled in response. He had witnessed Xiao Ling'er's strength before. Although she was not considered formidable, her foundation was not bad. Most importantly, she was young and inexperienced, yet she had already achieved so much. With the guidance of her ancestors, her future achievements were truly limitless!
As the two were talking, Xiao Siyu, who had made the move earlier, stepped forward to take the Blood Stone. As she stepped back, the crystal in her palm suddenly emitted a red light, which then changed continuously to purple. When it flashed with white light, a gasp of astonishment immediately rang out in the arena.
Ultimately, the ever-changing light settled on white, but it appeared even whiter than before.
Staring at the Blood Stone in her hand, which was just one step away from advancing another level, Xiao Siyu frowned with dissatisfaction. She threw away the crystal, looked at the bloodstains on her palm, coldly shook her hand, and stepped aside. Xiao Shaojun quickly stepped forward to tease and comfort her.
"This... indicates her bloodline level?"
Upon seeing the scene ahead, Xiao Yan couldn't help but ask with curiosity in his eyes.
"A bloodline of the 'deep white' grade, only one step away from 'crimson gold,' it can be considered extremely outstanding."
Xiao Lei clicked his tongue, looking amazed.
"Within the Xiao Clan, the bloodline level determined by the Blood Stone is divided into five types from low to high: red, purple, white, crimson gold, and radiant gold. As long as a drop of one's own essence blood is integrated into the Blood Stone, it will emit light. The deeper the color, the stronger the bloodline power. This is of great benefit to cultivation as well as future development and status within the clan."
Xiao Zhuobin, however, was somewhat unconvinced and calmly recounted the information he knew.
"This also means that the descendants of those in charge of the family who possess superior bloodlines are destined to become the rulers of the family. This is the family's only, and also its greatest, drawback."
Suddenly, Xiao Feng appeared beside Xiao Yan without anyone noticing. At this moment, Xiao Yan's usually calm face showed a look of disgust.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan fell silent for a moment, his mind replaying the past. Back then, hadn't he also been subjected to disrespect and criticism from other races because of his bloodline power? This was true in the Dou Qi Continent, and it was also true in the Origin Martial Continent.
With this in mind, Xiao Yan immediately raised his eyes and looked around, but indeed he did not see Xiao Yang's figure.
He had heard a lot about the " Blood Fury," but he never expected that Xiao Yang would lose his qualification to participate in the Clan Ritual because of it.
Feeling a wave of helplessness and regret, Xiao Yan could only shake his head and sigh softly. He didn't hate the lack of competitiveness of his bloodline; he just hated the injustice of the world!
"I don't hate that this bloodline is uncompetitive; I only hate the injustice of this world."
Suddenly, Xiao Feng uttered the same sentence as the former, causing Xiao Yan to turn his head. Xiao Lei and the other two remained silent. Then, Xiao Dingtian's sharp and sarcastic shout came from in front.
"Next up, Xiao Yan!"
As soon as he finished speaking, everyone's gaze turned to Xiao Yan, their expressions varying. What kind of exciting drama would unfold between these two sworn enemies today?
"Call..."
Exhaling softly, Xiao Yan slowly raised his gaze and met Xiao Dingtian's eyes. When he saw the faint sneer on the latter's old face, a sharp glint flashed in his eyes as well.
Just then, Xiao Lei, who was standing beside him, patted him on the shoulder and laughed heartily:
"Don't worry, although my grandfather is harsh, we are in charge of today's Clan Ritual. He wouldn't dare to make trouble for you."
Upon hearing this, the latter smiled in relief, met Xiao Xuan's gaze, and saw the latter nod with a smile. Without hesitation, he stepped forward and walked towards Xiao Dingtian.
Upon approaching, all four people on the steps focused their gazes on Xiao Yan. Xiao Yuehua and Xiao Ming even narrowed their eyes, their sharp gazes seemingly trying to see right through him. They were quite curious about this outsider who had caused quite a bit of trouble in their clan over the past six months.
"Hmph, Xiao Yan, if you don't want to lose face at today's Clan Ritual festival, it's not too late to leave now."
As he stepped forward, Xiao Dingtian's voice quietly reached Xiao Yan's ears, causing the latter to frown slightly and look at him with suspicion. Then, he sneered and, amidst the abrupt gazes of the crowd, slowly spoke:
"Sorry, I prefer the challenge of trouble to giving up."