"Next, Hun Feng!"
As the middle-aged man's voice echoed through the square, all the children turned to look at a black-robed boy.
Even Hun Xiu couldn't help but glance over. Hun Feng was, like him, a son of the Soul Heaven Emperor—but a half-brother.
After all, with someone as powerful and influential as the Soul Heaven Emperor, how could he have only one woman in his life?
Under everyone's gaze, Hun Feng strutted proudly toward the center of the square. He was the son of the clan leader, the Soul Heaven Emperor—how could he not be proud?
Reaching the stone monument, Hun Feng placed his small hand on it without hesitation.
Instantly, a radiant light burst from the stone, and a line of glowing words appeared: "Grade Ten Bloodline."
Seeing the words, a smug smile curled on Hun Feng's lips. He had already expected this. The test merely confirmed what he already knew.
Who was he?
The son of the Soul Heaven Emperor. The future heir of the Hun Clan. Having a Grade Ten—or divine—bloodline was simply inevitable.
The moment Hun Feng lifted his hand from the monument, a surge of powerful energy erupted from within him. His bloodline felt as if it was boiling.
The middle-aged man gave a slight nod. "Hun Feng—divine bloodline activated. Rank: Dou Shi (Battle Master)."
"Hisss..."
Gasps echoed across the plaza. Even though the crowd was made up of children, they instinctively understood the gravity of what had just happened.
A Dou Shi?
If becoming a Dou Zhe (Battle Practitioner) was the first step toward strength, then becoming a Dou Shi was the second.
And Hun Feng had just leapt over that first step completely, reaching it in a single bound just by activating his bloodline.
The divine-grade bloodline—terrifyingly powerful.
Basking in the envy of those around him, Hun Feng rejoined his group with pride practically oozing from his face.
"Hun Ya, Hun Li, Hun Yu—how about that? Pretty amazing, huh?" he said smugly to his friends.
"Pfft."
The three weren't impressed at all. Hun Feng had divine blood? So did they. Honestly, they felt no jealousy.
"Next!"
The middle-aged man continued calling names. Of the rest, only Hun Yu turned out to have a divine bloodline. Most children in the clan had Grade Five or Six bloodlines.
"Next, Hun Xiu!"
Finally.
"It's my turn?" Hun Xiu muttered, heart beating a bit faster with anticipation.
He walked slowly toward the center of the square.
Every child's eyes were now locked onto him.
They were curious. How powerful was this 'odd one out' of the Hun Clan?
Why was Hun Xiu considered odd?
Because while the rest of the children spent their early years playing, Hun Xiu was already on the mountain behind the clan, cultivating by himself.
So the rumor had spread among the children:"Hun Xiu doesn't have a Dou Emperor bloodline, so he has to train nonstop just to catch up."
As a result, Hun Xiu had been largely ostracized by the other kids. Not that he minded. It gave him more time to train in peace.
As Hun Xiu stepped toward the monument, Hun Yu whispered, "Hun Feng, what do you think Hun Xiu's bloodline grade is?"
Having already awakened his bloodline and reached Dou Shi level, Hun Yu could clearly sense that Hun Xiu was still only at Dou Qi Stage Nine—just one step away from becoming a true practitioner, but still technically not even a Dou Zhe.
Hun Feng sneered, "Probably nothing. A waste without even a trace of Dou Emperor bloodline."
He's been training for years and still stuck at Stage Nine?He might have a Grade One bloodline at best. Maybe even lower.
All eyes were now on Hun Xiu.
He respectfully bowed to the middle-aged man.Hun Xiu didn't know who this man was, but if he was responsible for awakening their bloodlines, he had to be someone powerful—perhaps even a Dou Sheng (Saint).
The middle-aged man nodded at Hun Xiu's manners. He knew a little about this child.
Compared to his peers, Hun Xiu was mature and diligent. As for the rumors among the kids, the man didn't believe them.
He was from the Hun Clan. And no one in the Hun Clan could lack a Dou Emperor bloodline.
Especially not the son of the clan leader.
He said calmly, "Place your hand on the stone."
"Yes, sir."
Hun Xiu nodded and stepped forward, pressing his small hand onto the monument.
…
Nothing happened.
"Hmm?"
The middle-aged man frowned slightly. "Is the stone malfunctioning?"
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
Hun Feng laughed coldly. "See? Trash. No bloodline at all—just garbage."
"Loser!"
"Trash!"
The insults burst forth from the crowd. The idea that the clan leader's own son might not have a Dou Emperor bloodline was unthinkable—and shameful.
The middle-aged man quickly checked the stone. He still didn't believe it.
Surely, the monument must be broken. But after a thorough inspection, it was perfectly fine.
That meant... the problem wasn't with the stone—it was with the person.
Looking at Hun Xiu's innocent, slightly confused face, the man thought:Could the rumors be true? Could Hun Xiu really have no Dou Emperor bloodline?
"No... that's impossible. The Hun Clan has never produced a child without even a trace of bloodline. And he's the son of the Soul Heaven Emperor..."
It made no sense.
Still unwilling to believe it, the man said, "Hun Xiu, remove your hand and try again."
"Yes, sir."
Hun Xiu froze briefly, then pulled his hand away.
This shouldn't be happening…He was the Soul Heaven Emperor's son—how could he have no bloodline?
Was he truly the cliché..."Tiger father, dog son"?
Hun Xiu placed his hand back on the monument.
Still, nothing.
Could it be true...?Do I have no bloodline at all? Am I really just... trash?