Three years later.
Time flew by. In the blink of an eye, three years had passed. Now, Hun Xiu was already seven years old.
At the same time, his strength had reached Dou Qi, Ninth Stage—just one step away from condensing a Qi Cyclone and becoming a respected Dou Zhe (Battle Qi Practitioner).
However, Hun Xiu had yet to condense his cyclone and become a Dou Zhe—not because he couldn't, but because he didn't want to.
Why?
Because Hun Xiu wanted to wait until his Dou Emperor bloodline was awakened before taking that step and becoming a Dou Zhe.
Today was that day.
The annual bloodline awakening ceremony for seven-year-old children of the Hun Clan had arrived. Early in the morning, Hun Xiu rose with the help of handmaidens dressing him.
On the central plaza, hundreds of children—all about the same age as Hun Xiu—had already gathered. After all, the Hun Clan was a powerful ancient race, and the clan's powerhouses had been diligent in expanding their lineage.
At the center of the vast plaza stood an ancient stone tablet, simple and unadorned. It had stood silently in that spot for many years, yet time had left no mark on it.
It remained as it was—calm, immovable.
Beside the stone stood a middle-aged man in black robes, his expression solemn, and a faint but terrifying aura quietly emanating from him.
With Hun Xiu's current strength at Dou Qi Stage Nine, he couldn't even sense how powerful this man was.
"The bloodline awakening ceremony begins now. Everyone, quiet down!"
With the middle-aged man's voice echoing out, the plaza quickly quieted.
He nodded slightly at the obedient silence and said:
"When I call your name, come forward and place your hand on the stone tablet. Your Dou Emperor bloodline will then be awakened."
"Let's begin."
"Hun Dan!"
"Present!"
A chubby little boy quickly ran to the man, bowing slightly.
The middle-aged man nodded and said, "Place your hand on the tablet."
"Yes, sir."
Hun Dan didn't hesitate. He placed his chubby little hand on the ancient stone.
All the children's eyes turned toward the tablet—everyone wanted to see what grade Hun Dan's bloodline would be.
Even Hun Xiu couldn't help but fix his gaze on the stone.
What was the Dou Emperor bloodline?
In the Dou Qi Continent, it was basically the equivalent of a built-in cheat code. Talents and natural gifts were nothing compared to the might of a high-grade Dou Emperor bloodline.
The bloodline was ranked from Grade One to Grade Ten, with Grade Ten known as Divine-Grade Bloodline. Those who awakened it were said to be destined to become emperors.
Even though the Dou Qi Continent no longer had source energy, meaning no one could become a Dou Di (Battle Emperor), someone with a Divine-Grade bloodline could still rise to become a peak Dou Saint, the apex of power.
As soon as Hun Dan placed his hand on the tablet, it glowed intensely.
Moments later, glowing words appeared:
"Grade Eight Bloodline."
"Hun Dan, Grade Eight bloodline," the man announced.
Grade Eight!
For most ancient clans, that would make him a once-in-a-generation prodigy.
But in the Hun Clan?
It was commonplace—hardly worth mentioning.
Thanks to Void Swallowing Flame's presence, the bloodline of the Hun Clan was still at its peak, unlike other clans whose bloodlines had gradually thinned.
Hun Dan looked at his result, disappointed. He had believed himself to be Grade Nine.
But only Grade Eight? That letdown was clearly written all over his face.
He pulled his hand away.
Immediately, the aura in his body rose rapidly, shocking the other children—none of them dared to even breathe loudly.
Eventually, the energy calmed and the man announced:
"Hun Dan. Bloodline activated: Grade Eight. Cultivation level: Dou Zhe, Eight-Star."
"Hiss…"
Even though the children didn't fully understand the implications, they instinctively sucked in a breath of cold air.
Dou Zhe was the first step to becoming strong. Without becoming a Dou Zhe, one couldn't even be considered on the path.
And now, Hun Dan had jumped straight to Dou Zhe Eight-Star, just by awakening his bloodline.
Even Hun Xiu's mouth twitched watching this.
After years of hard cultivation, he had barely reached Dou Qi Stage Nine.
And this kid?
One touch of the stone, and boom—Dou Zhe Eight-Star!
Hun Xiu was speechless. This was the terrifying power of the Dou Emperor bloodline.
At this moment, he couldn't help but question the meaning of all his hard work over the past few years.
If the bloodline could carry you this far instantly, why bother training at all?
Why hadn't he just played and had fun for three years instead?
While Hun Xiu doubted his life choices, Hun Dan left the stage—still looking disappointed.
"Next, Hun Qiu!"
"Here!"
Hun Qiu eagerly dashed to the stone tablet, too excited to wait for instructions.
Before the black-robed man could even speak, Hun Qiu slapped his hand onto the stone.
After all, he had just seen how it was done.
The middle-aged man didn't scold him—after all, kids were kids, and he too had once been young.
As Hun Qiu's hand touched the tablet, the glow returned, and a new line of words appeared:
"Grade Seven Bloodline."
The man frowned slightly and said:
"Hun Qiu, Grade Seven bloodline."
"Huh…?"
Hun Qiu stared at the result, stunned. Grade Seven?
He had thought he'd be Grade Eight, like Hun Dan!
Instead, he was one level lower.
He pulled his hand back, visibly dejected.
As he did, the aura in his body began to rise, finally settling at Dou Zhe Seven-Star.
"Hun Qiu. Bloodline activated: Grade Seven. Cultivation level: Dou Zhe, Seven-Star," the man announced.
Hun Qiu walked away, disheartened.
As he left, the man called:
"Next, Hun Feng!"