Chapter 46 : Chapter 46
Chapter 46: Eighth-Grade Talent, The Song Clan’s Decision
The Sixth Elder, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them as well. Looking at the sturdy, tiger-headed child on the stage, a smile rose to his lips.
In an excellent mood, he turned his head and said to a Li Clan steward beside him, “Ninth-grade talent. I think this child is quite promising.”
The Li Clan steward beside him also smiled and echoed, “Indeed, Elder. The last time someone was found to have ninth-grade talent was twenty years ago.”
“It is a pity that child died while venturing outside for experience. Otherwise, the clan might already have gained another elder by now.”
The Sixth Elder said with some regret.
...
The talent testing continued in full swing.
Unfortunately, even after another full hour had passed, not a single child with talent that had entered the grades appeared again.
“Mother, why isn’t it our turn yet?”
Holding his mother’s hand, Xingzong asked anxiously.
“We arrived late. It will be soon. It’ll be our turn any moment now.”
The woman stroked Xingzong’s head and answered softly.
Another short while later.
“Next, Li Xingzong!”
The moment they heard his name being called, both mother and son were instantly invigorated.
“Go on, Xingzong. You are your father’s son. Do not disgrace him!”
Xingzong nodded and, beneath his mother’s gaze full of encouragement, walked forward with his head held high and his chest thrust out.
“This child is rather unusual. With so many people here, he is not stage-frightened in the slightest.”
Someone praised him.
“That’s right. Quite a few of the little ones before him were so nervous that they cried.”
...
He let the needle pierce his finger, and as he watched his blood drip onto the Talent Testing Stone, Xingzong’s heart pounded wildly.
I have to pass.
I have to pass.
Xingzong stared fixedly at the Talent Testing Stone without blinking.
The stone began to flicker, giving off a faint red glow.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Four times!
Five times!!!
“It flashed five times! It flashed five times! I’m not seeing things, am I?”
The Li Clan cultivator in charge of the test rubbed his eyes in disbelief.
“Eighth-grade talent! It’s the legendary eighth-grade talent!”
No one knew who shouted it first, but the atmosphere in the collateral branch ancestral hall exploded at once.
Countless collateral branch clansmen began cheering wildly, dancing with excitement.
Even the normally composed Sixth Elder was so shocked that he stood up on the spot.
With a single leap, he landed on the testing platform, grabbed Xingzong’s hand, and pressed it down onto the Talent Testing Stone.
The Talent Testing Stone flashed again, five times in succession.
Li Yanzhao’s whole body began trembling slightly. He could hardly believe it. “Eighth-grade talent... It really is eighth-grade talent!”
“It seems Heaven truly favors my Qingfeng Li Clan!”
“Child, your name is Li Xingzong, is that right?”
Li Yanzhao asked in a trembling voice.
“Yes, Elder. My father named me Li Xingzong because he hoped I would bring glory to our ancestors.”
As Xingzong thought of his father, who had died in the tiger’s jaws, his eyes reddened.
“Good child.”
Li Yanzhao stroked Xingzong’s head, his face full of gratification.
“Your father has raised a pillar of talent for my Li Clan.”
With eighth-grade talent, so long as he did not die midway, advancing into the Qi-Blood Realm was all but guaranteed.
After the Family Head, the Li Clan now had one child with seventh-grade talent and another with eighth-grade talent. The clan’s future successors were assured.
Xingzong threw himself into the arms of his mother, who was covering her mouth, unable to believe any of this.
“Mother, I did it. I didn’t let Father down! I will work hard to become stronger. I will become someone useful to the clan!”
The woman hugged Xingzong and burst into tears.
Husband, do you see this? The child you raised has finally made something of himself!
...
A short while later.
With the final child eliminated, this year’s New Blood Selection Assembly officially came to an end.
This year’s results were:
One with eighth-grade talent (Li Xingzong)
One with ninth-grade talent (Li Wu)
Eleven with high-grade talent (extras with no names...................)
All of these children would be brought back to Qingfeng Valley, while Li Xingzong and Li Wu, in particular, would be entered into the clan register.
“Elder, this New Blood Selection has brought the greatest harvest in all the past years.”
“In previous years, it would already have been considered quite good if the collateral branches produced a few children with high-grade talent.”
“And last year, there were only three with high-grade talent.”
The manager sighed in amazement.
The probability of mortals giving birth to children with talent that had entered the grades was extremely low.
“Ever since the Family Head took office, our Qingfeng Li Clan has truly been getting better and better.”
Hearing those words, the Sixth Elder also nodded in agreement.
Toward the Family Head, who was only about the same age as his own son, the Sixth Elder felt boundless admiration and reverence.
“By the way, Elder, should we not immediately take these new blood members back to the clan?”
The manager suggested in a solemn tone.
The Sixth Elder suddenly came to himself, and his expression also turned somewhat grave.
“You are right. Good thing you reminded me. First, send word back to the clan and have them dispatch people to meet and escort us. Also, pass down my order—we return to the clan immediately.”
Eighth-grade talent was simply too astonishing.
The Li Clan already had one Li Xingge who had grown into power. If another Li Xingzong appeared, many people would likely be unable to sit still.
Although the Li Clan was already strong, there would always be those willing to take desperate risks.
After all, a genius who had not yet grown up was not truly a genius.
The group wasted no time and sped toward the clan with this batch of new blood members.
And in a certain corner,
a hawk flew off at great speed toward some distant direction.
...
Baibo Valley.
The seat of the Baibo Song Clan.
A hawk landed atop a pavilion.
A middle-aged man walked over, untied the small tube fastened to the hawk’s claw, and took out the secret letter inside.
He unfolded it and read:
“Among the Li Clan’s new blood, one has eighth-grade talent and one has ninth-grade talent. They have already begun returning to Qingfeng Valley.”
The middle-aged man’s pupils contracted, and his face shifted between green and pale.
...
Inside the Song Clan council hall.
The eight elders sat in order, their auras severe and their expressions solemn.
Family Head Song Tianbo sat at the head seat with a frown on his face.
“Greetings, Family Head!”
The eight elders saluted in unison.
“There is no need to stand on ceremony. The matter is urgent. Word has come from our planted spy that in this year’s New Blood Selection, the Li Clan has produced a genius with eighth-grade talent!”
Song Tianbo said in a grave voice.
His words instantly shocked the Song Clan elders.
The Song Clan’s Grand Elder even tore off a tuft of his white beard.
“What do you all think our Song Clan should do in response?”
The Song Clan’s Second Elder slapped the table and shouted angrily, “What is there to think about? Family Head, this child absolutely cannot be allowed to live! One Li Xingge has already pressed us down until we can scarcely breathe. If another one appears, will there still be any place left for our Song Clan in Baihe County?”
“The Second Elder is right. Our Song Clan and the Li Clan have always been enemies. If the Li Clan grows stronger, the first to suffer will be our Song Clan. Why not simply go all the way and wipe out this batch of the Li Clan’s new blood?”
The Fourth Elder made a throat-cutting gesture.
“Family Head, I am willing to go personally and eliminate this future disaster!”
The Song Clan’s Second Elder cupped his fists and volunteered.
He possessed cultivation at Perfection in the Physical Body Realm. In his eyes, Li Yanzhao, the Li Clan’s Sixth Elder, was truly not much to look at.
“Family Head, if we make a move, then it will truly become a struggle to the death between us and the Li Clan.”
The Song Clan’s Grand Elder said with deep worry.
“Grand Elder, you always hesitate and overthink things. If we do not act, will the Li Clan spare us once it gains power?”
The Second Elder rebuked him angrily.
“But the Supreme Elder is still in seclusion cultivating and has not yet emerged. Should we not wait until the old patriarch comes out before making the decision?”
The Grand Elder frowned.
“When the Supreme Elder goes into seclusion, he stays there for months at a time. By the time he comes out, it will already be far too late.”
“Exactly. We can’t wait any longer. Family Head, give the order!”
Several elders said in unison.
At the head seat, Song Tianbo drew in a deep breath.
The elders all looked at him quietly without speaking again. They all knew clearly that the decision their Family Head made at this moment would determine the rise or fall of the Baibo Song Clan within Baihe County.
“Kill!”
Song Tianbo said through gritted teeth.
The Grand Elder sighed. “Since the Family Head has already decided, this old man supports it. Then kill it is. I will make the trip myself.”
As the Song Clan’s Grand Elder, his strength was naturally formidable. He was the third strongest in the Song Clan, after the Supreme Elder and Song Tianbo himself.
Song Tianbo waved his hand.
His gaze turned cold, and killing intent surged from him. “I will make the move personally!”
The elders were all startled.
Was it not using an ox-cleaving blade to kill a chicken for a dignified Qi-Blood Realm cultivator to personally deal with Li Yanzhao, who was only in the Physical Body Realm?
Seeming to read their thoughts,
Song Tianbo said, “Even a lion uses its full strength to catch a rabbit. Since we have already decided to move, then we must do so with absolute certainty. If I go, it will be the safest course.”
“Family Head is wise!”