"What is Bhima of the Shi Clan doing with that piece of trash?" exclaimed a young disciple of the Long Clan.
The boy wore a dark crimson robe embroidered with golden dragons. Tall and slender, his chin raised with arrogance, he crossed his arms while staring at Wang Chen as if he were looking at something filthy.
A disciple from the Xuan Clan, with narrow eyes and a pale face, squinted like a vulture watching its prey. His fingers idly played with the sleeve of his black robe.
"You're right. Besides, what is he even doing here? Just because he's the Village Chief's grandson doesn't mean he deserves a place among us."
The Long Clan disciple let out a contemptuous snicker. But the moment his gaze drifted toward the top of the steps, his smile froze.
At the summit of the altar, Wang Shixiong was watching him.
The old man said nothing, yet his gray eyes were as cold as steel. The young Long Clan disciple quickly looked away, suddenly pretending to pay attention to the ceremony.
Just as the tension reached its peak, a familiar voice cut through the venomous whispers.
"Wang Chen! Wang Chen! Hey! Brother Wang Chen!"
Behind him, a young man of the same age pushed through the crowd with surprising ease. He had delicate features and a slightly carefree, almost lunatic gaze—far too cheerful for the occasion.
It was Bhima Shi, the prodigy of the Shi Clan.
He was already famous throughout the Hidden Village for a rare achievement. The elders of the Shi Clan claimed that his blood had already reached the stage of a Perfect Bloodline.
He stopped beside Wang Chen with a bright smile and placed a friendly hand on his shoulder.
"Brother Wang Chen, how are you? Has your health finally stabilized?"
His eyes shone with sincerity, a stark contrast to the cold atmosphere surrounding them. Bhima was one of the very few—perhaps the only—friends Wang Chen had in this village of wolves.
"I believe in you, Chen. After the ceremony… we can finally have a real match, alright?"
Wang Chen gave a faint smile, touched by the unexpected support, but he had no time to answer.
"Bring forth the first candidate!" thundered Elder Long from the top of the steps.
Silence instantly fell over the plaza.
A young man from the Hai Clan stepped forward trembling and slowly climbed the black stone steps under the merciless gazes of the seven elders.
When he reached the top, he grabbed the ebony dagger and cut his palm.
A drop of blood formed and fell onto the inverted runes of the altar.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then a faint bluish glow rose from the stone.
"Common Bloodline!" the officiant announced in a monotone voice.
The boy descended the steps, his shoulders slumped with bitter joy.
"At least I have a bloodline. Not like that sickly grandson hiding behind the Village Chief."
Wang Chen stared at the blood left on the black stone.
At his wrist, the black vein burned so intensely that he had to clench his fist to keep from crying out.
"My turn soon…"
"Next!" the officiant shouted.
A young man from the Lin Clan stepped forward.
Lin Tao climbed the steps with a tense expression and cut his palm above the runes.
A weak light appeared, almost dying.
"Weak Bloodline."
Lin Tao's face turned pale.
He descended without looking at anyone.
"Next!"
Shen Yu stepped forward.
His blood touched the stone, and this time a stable bluish glow spread across the altar.
"Common Bloodline!"
The boy sighed with relief. In this village, normality was already a victory.
Then it was Han Rui's turn.
When his blood fell upon the black stone, the runes lit up with a stronger intensity.
A murmur spread through the crowd.
"Pure Bloodline!"
Han Rui walked down with his head held high, bathed in the envious gazes of his peers. He was the first true talent of the day.
Finally, Lei Jun stepped forward.
The light was moderate, yet perfectly stable.
"Superior Common Bloodline."
The ceremony continued relentlessly.
The line slowly grew shorter.
The eyes of the crowd turned toward the last remaining candidates.
Wang Chen felt the gazes of the seven elders pressing down on him like vultures.
The black vein on his wrist now burned through his entire forearm. The pain was so intense that dark spots danced before his eyes.
When the remaining candidates of lesser status left the line, only the heirs of the great families remained.
Wang Chen turned toward his friend.
"Brother Shi… by the way, I didn't see Sister Long Yun. Don't tell me she got lost again somewhere… or that she's still sleeping?"
He gave a small smirk, tinged with concern.
"I meant to pass by the Long Clan district before coming here, but I completely forgot… I'm sure she's going to scold me. I promised her."
Bhima blinked.
A look of pure panic suddenly crossed his face.
"W-what? Brother Wang Chen… you were planning to go see her?"
"If she finds out we came without her… we're dead, brother!"
Bhima shivered.
"Do you remember last time? She forced us to wear girls' clothes and put makeup on! The entire Hidden Village laughed at us for months!"
He grabbed his head in despair.
But the moment of joking ended abruptly.
"Next! Bhima of the Shi Clan!" the officiant's voice thundered.
Bhima Shi straightened instantly.
He cast Wang Chen one last encouraging glance, his eyes shining with absolute confidence.
"Watch closely, Brother Chen. I'll warm up the stage for you!"