"Next, Hun Feng!"
The voice of the middle-aged man resounded, and all the children on the square turned their attention to a young boy in a black robe.
Even Hunxiu felt the same way; Hunfeng is the son of Hun Tian Di, just like him. However, they share only a half-sibling relationship. After all, someone as impressive as Hun Tiandi surely didn't have just one partner.
Amid all the stares, Hunfeng confidently took small steps towards the center of the square. After all, he's the son of the patriarch Hun Tiandi, so why shouldn't he be proud?
Once he reached the stone tablet, Hunfeng didn't hesitate and placed his little hand on it. The tablet immediately lit up, displaying the words "Tenth-Grade Bloodline."
Observing the "Tenth-Grade Bloodline" on the stone tablet, a slight smile curled on Hunfeng's lips. He had already expected to possess a tenth-grade bloodline, and the tablet's confirmation only bolstered his confidence. After all, he was the son of the patriarch Hun Tiandi, and having a tenth-grade bloodline was practically a given.
When Hunfeng removed his hand from the stone tablet, he felt a surge of power within him, and a potent aura emanated from his body.
Seeing this, the middle-aged man couldn't help but nod and say, "Hun Feng, activate the blood of the Dou Di and advance to Dou Shi."
Gasps echoed throughout the square when the middle-aged man spoke. What does Dou Shi represent? If becoming a Dou Zhe is the first step towards becoming a powerful figure, becoming a Dou Shi is the second step. Hunfeng had just activated Dou Di's bloodline, and he had already reached the second step, leaving people astounded by the power of his tenth-grade bloodline.
Feeling the envious gazes from all around, Hunfeng's proud expression blended into the crowd.
"Hun Ya, Hun Li, and Hun Yu, what do you think? Am I not incredible?" Hun Feng asked proudly as he approached his friends.
"Cut," Hun Yu replied disdainfully upon hearing Hunfeng's words. Hunfeng's status as a tenth-grade bloodline holder left him unimpressed, as he had the same grade of bloodline. To be honest, he didn't envy Hunfeng at all.
"Next person..."
The middle-aged man called out multiple names in a row, and aside from Hun Yu, who also possessed a tenth-grade bloodline, most of the other Hun children had fifth and sixth-grade bloodlines.
"Next, Hunxiu!"
...
"Is it finally my turn?" Hunxiu muttered to himself as he heard his name called. With measured steps, he moved towards the center of the square.
At this moment, all the children turned their attention to Hunxiu. They were genuinely curious about what grade of bloodline this peculiar "Hunxiu" possessed.
Why was Hunxiu considered peculiar? While they were still playing at the age of three or four, Hunxiu often practiced alone on the mountain. This led to a rumor circulating among the children: "Hunxiu doesn't have Dou Di's bloodline, so he never has time to play; he's always practicing."
The Hun clan children then began to ostracize Hunxiu, which suited him just fine. It allowed him to practice undisturbed each day.
Hun Yu looked at Hunxiu as he made his way to the central stone tablet and asked, "Hunfeng, what do you think Hunxiu's bloodline grade is?"
Hun Yu had activated Dou Di's blood and now stood as a powerful Dou Shi. Given his strength, it was clear to him that Hunxiu was only at the ninth stage of Dou Zhi Qi, making him seem like a waste in comparison.
Hunfeng replied, "I guess he's just a useless, bloodline-less individual."
What bloodline could a cultivator at the ninth stage of Dou Zhi Qi have after three or four years of training? First grade? Second grade?
...
Under everyone's attention, Hunxiu finally reached the center. First, Hunxiu bowed respectfully to the middle-aged man; even though he didn't know who the man was, he understood that he was responsible for activating their bloodlines, indicating he was of significant importance.
The middle-aged man, having heard of Hunxiu's precocity and diligence compared to his peers, nodded slightly upon seeing the polite gesture.
As for the rumors among the children, the middle-aged man paid no heed. He knew that everyone in the Hun clan possessed Dou Di's bloodline. As one of the heirs to Patriarch Hun Tiandi, Hunxiu certainly couldn't be without it. How could the patriarch's bloodline be weak?
The middle-aged man calmly instructed Hunxiu, "Place your hands on the stele."
Hunxiu nodded and slowly moved towards the stone tablet, putting his small hand on it. But the tablet remained silent.
"Is everything okay?" The middle-aged man was surprised by Hunxiu's lack of reaction. "Could it be that the stone tablet is broken?"
The children in the square began to murmur.
Hunfeng sneered and said, "See, this waste doesn't have the blood of a Dou Di; he's trash."
"Waste!"
"Rubbish!"
...
There was a burst of insults from the crowd, all directed at Hunxiu. After all, being a member of the Hun Clan and the patriarch's son, not having Dou Di's bloodline made him seem like a failure.
The middle-aged man hastily inspected the stone tablet. He found it hard to believe that Hunxiu could lack Dou Di's bloodline. In his view, a member of the Hun Clan couldn't be without it, especially the patriarch's son.
After a thorough examination, he confirmed that the tablet was functioning properly. The situation was unexpected.
Seeing Hunxiu's young face, the middle-aged man mumbled to himself, "Could the rumors be true? Does Hunxiu truly lack Dou Di's bloodline?"
"It can't be. The Hun clan couldn't possibly have someone without Dou Di's bloodline, especially not the patriarch's son. The patriarch's bloodline is powerful; such a thing can't happen."
The middle-aged man didn't believe that Hunxiu lacked Dou Di's bloodline and said to him, "Hunxiu, remove your hand and step back."
Hunxiu was momentarily frozen, contemplating the situation. Was it possible that he truly lacked Dou Di's bloodline and was a failure?
Upon hearing the middle-aged man's words, Hunxiu quickly snapped back to reality, lifted his hand from the stone tablet, and then placed it on again. However, the tablet remained unresponsive.
Hunxiu murmured, "Could it be that I truly lack Dou Di's bloodline? Am I truly worthless?"