Chapter 712 Coming of Age Ceremony

Xiao Ling followed that sharp gaze and his eyes finally settled on a figure sitting cross-legged.

This person's hair is divided into two colors, black and white. The jet-black hair strands intertwine with the snow-white ends, exuding a somewhat eerie and chilling aura.

His aura was as cold and piercing as ten thousand years of ice. The murderous intent that had accumulated from countless battles was almost tangible. Even if someone just glanced at him, they would feel a chill run from the soles of their feet to the top of their head, and even their breath would feel frozen.

That murderous intent had long been integrated into this person, becoming part of his own temperament, like an innate mark surrounding him.

Even without consciously releasing it, the mere posture of sitting still seemed to conceal countless withered bones and cold blades around him, and even the surrounding air seemed to be slightly stagnant due to the cutting effect of this fierce aura.

Upon seeing the distinctive features of the man with black and white hair and an aura of killing intent, Xiao Ling instantly knew the answer: this man was none other than Gu Yao, the Asura Commander of the Ancient Clan's Black Annihilation Army.

Previously in Zhongzhou, Xiao Ling had some interaction with this Shura Commander.

At that time, the ancient demon's murderous aura was already beginning to show its sharpness, but it was still relatively restrained, unlike now.

Clearly, after years of wielding power and engaging in countless life-or-death battles within the Black Annihilation Army, his aura had undergone a complete transformation.

His cultivation level has improved unimaginably compared to when he first met Zhongzhou, and the hidden pressure he exudes is many times more concentrated than it was back then.

Upon sensing the nine-star Dou Zun cultivation hidden beneath the killing intent, Xiao Ling couldn't help but feel a surge of interest.
"Tsk tsk, such a breakthrough in just a few years is quite impressive. It must have been his experience in Zhongzhou that really spurred him on. It's just a pity that he stopped there."

Xiao Ling still remembered the boastful words the ancient demon had uttered when they first met. Now that he had met the person, a fleeting interest stirred within him.

But times have changed. With his current cultivation level and perspective, those past contests were nothing more than child's play. The ancient demon before him no longer held any weight that could truly pique his interest.

No one else could see what Xiao Ling was thinking, but the moment their eyes met in mid-air, a scorching light flashed in Gu Yao's eyes.

It was like the excitement of a lurking beast catching the scent of its prey, or the burning desire of a battle-hardened warrior meeting a worthy opponent.

The previously subdued killing intent around him seemed to be ignited by this gaze, even his black and white hair seemed to tremble slightly, and the cold silence he had been sitting in before completely disappeared, replaced by an almost urgent sharpness.

It was as if he was about to break free of his restraints and use his fists to prove to Xiao Ling that his transformation over the years was not in vain and that his bold words back then were not empty talk.

The sharp glint in their eyes as they clashed in mid-air was quickly noticed by those around them.

Those ancient clan members and guests who knew a little about the inside story immediately stopped chatting and their eyes became more interested in watching a good show, their gazes shifting back and forth between Xiao Ling and Gu Yao.

Everyone present knew that the Black Annihilation Army's Asura Commander's feelings for Miss Xun'er were always straightforward and undisguised.

Even though he knew that Miss Xun'er had already fallen for Xiao Ling, he still expressed his affection for her in public time and time again, never hiding from the eyes of others.

After all, Miss Xun'er's excellence is obvious. Her outstanding talent in cultivation, her noble status as a direct descendant of an ancient clan, and her peerless beauty that could eclipse the heavens and earth, make almost every young talent of the ancient clan admire this proud daughter of heaven.

Most people are self-aware and aware of the differences between them, so they only dare to keep their feelings to themselves and never dare to take the initiative to show goodwill.

However, this Asura Commander was clearly not among those who "backed down in the face of difficulties".

No matter how persistently he tried to win her over, or even when a high-ranking elder from the clan spoke up for her, Miss Xun'er never gave him the slightest response.

Not only did this Shura Commander repeatedly run into obstacles, but Miss Xun'er's attitude towards other young men in the clan who expressed their love remained consistently distant and indifferent, like a frost-covered moonlight, beautiful and clear, yet carrying a chilling aura that kept people at a distance, allowing only distant admiration and no way to get close.

This situation also led many of the younger generation of the ancient clan who kept their love for Miss Xun'er hidden in their hearts to secretly transfer their resentment to Xiao Ling, whom they had only heard of in rumors.

Because, in their eyes, it was that despicable Xiao Ling who took away the unattainable princess in their eyes, completely shattering all their unrealistic hopes.

The moment Xiao Ling and Gu Yao locked eyes, Xun'er, standing beside him, also keenly sensed something amiss.

Her delicate hand tightened subtly, a faint hint of coldness flashing in her clear, beautiful eyes. She then leaned closer to Xiao Ling, her voice soft yet clear:
"Brother Xiao Ling, this person is Gu Yao, the Asura Commander of the Black Annihilation Army. Ever since his conflict with you in Zhongzhou, he has been cultivating desperately since returning to the Ancient Clan, determined to formally challenge you to a duel the next time we meet, in order to prove himself..."

She paused slightly, then Xun'er's tightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed, her previously clenched hands loosened, and a gentle smile filled with complete trust bloomed on her lips:
"However, with Brother Xiao Ling's current cultivation level, there is naturally no need to take this ancient demon seriously. But what Dean Mang Tianchi said is also true. Brother Xiao Ling, you really don't need to expose your cultivation level completely in advance, so as not to attract unnecessary trouble."

"Don't worry, little girl, I know what I'm doing." Xiao Ling chuckled, her tone casual and relaxed.

He shifted his gaze from the ancient demon, whose fighting spirit still lingered, a hint of casualness flashing in his eyes:
"If this guy behaves himself after that, I won't bother with him. But if he's really overestimating himself and dares to provoke me, I'll show him a little skill and teach him a lesson."

At this point, his smile deepened, and he added, "This is also a good opportunity to shut up those old folks in your clan who don't like me."

"After that, things will probably develop in the same way that Brother Xiao Ling thought."

Xun'er responded in agreement, her tone filled with complete trust in Xiao Ling.

"Being able to show a little bit of strength at this moment can indeed reduce a lot of pressure, and it can also help you and your cousin Xiao Yan avoid some unnecessary trouble when you enter the Heavenly Tomb for cultivation later."

Xiao Ling was chatting leisurely with Xun'er, completely unaware of the gazes gathering around him, his expression relaxed.

On the other side, the ancient demon, who was originally full of fighting spirit, saw that Xiao Ling only glanced at him casually and then looked away. It was clear that he did not take him seriously at all. The sharp light in his eyes suddenly stopped, and a few obvious surprises flashed across his face.

Gu Yao could clearly sense that although Xiao Ling's gaze had fallen on him, it carried an almost indifferent indifference, without any response to the fighting spirit, nor any seriousness as if he regarded him as an opponent. It was as if he was no different from the ordinary guests in the square, with nothing special about him, and completely unworthy of Xiao Ling's attention.

The feeling of being completely ignored instantly twisted the fighting spirit in Gu Yao's chest into a stifled rage. His knuckles clenched tightly, turning bluish-white, and beneath his black and white hair, his eyes suddenly darkened. His previous astonishment had long been replaced by anger, and even the murderous aura around him seemed to become even more ferocious due to the surge of this emotion.

"Fine, fine, Xiao Ling!" he thought to himself through gritted teeth, his gaze fixed on Xiao Ling and Xun'er's figures as they chatted idly, a fierce resentment gleaming in his eyes.
"Damn it, how dare you look down on me like that! Since you don't take me seriously, then just wait! I'll show you later that I haven't wasted these past years! You dare to underestimate me like that, I'll tear your indifference to shreds in front of everyone!"

As his thoughts raced, his aura deepened, and the dormant ferocity almost broke through his restraint, as if it was just waiting for an opportunity to sweep towards Xiao Ling.

The ancient demon's surging malevolent aura had already attracted a lot of attention. Just as everyone was wondering whether he was going to make a move on the spot, an ancient and powerful bell suddenly rang out between heaven and earth.

The bell tolled loudly, like a call from ancient times, sweeping across the square with a heavy pressure, spreading layer by layer through the vast mountains, and even the air seemed to tremble slightly from the sound.

The gazes that had been fixed on the ancient demon were instantly drawn to the sudden commotion, and everyone's attention turned to the direction from which the bell sound came.

Before the lingering echo of the bell's chime had faded, a calm yet undeniably authoritative voice slowly resounded from the void:
"The time has come. Let the ceremony begin."

The terrifying pressure contained in that voice was like an invisible mountain pressing down on everyone's hearts. Many of those with weaker cultivation levels in the square immediately turned pale, instinctively gasping for breath, with only one thought in their minds.
"It's a Dou Sheng! A true Dou Sheng powerhouse!"

The moment that resounding voice fell, three elders dressed in neat ancient clan attire with solemn expressions immediately rose from their seats on one side.

With steady steps and a sense of solemnity, they slowly entered the center of the square, where various ritual props engraved with ancient patterns had already been set up, exuding a strong sense of clan heritage.

The coming-of-age ceremony of the ancient tribe has always been complicated and solemn, because according to the tribe's rules, only by going through this ceremony can a member of the tribe be considered to have truly grown up.

Only after the ceremony can these young people join the core of the clan. Even marriages approved by the clan can only be discussed after the coming-of-age ceremony is completed.

Xiao Yan's gaze swept around the core area, but apart from a few unfamiliar ancient clan elders, he did not see any top figures like the ancient clan patriarch.

He pondered to himself, "The true powerhouses of this ancient clan have probably yet to show themselves. These important figures rarely reveal themselves, even on occasions like coming-of-age ceremonies; they are quite mysterious. But I wonder which member of the ancient clan uttered that voice carrying the pressure of a Dou Sheng?"

He concentrated his spiritual power and sensed for a moment, quickly detecting several faint yet powerful fluctuations of energy in the sky. He suddenly understood and muttered to himself:
"It seems that although they haven't shown themselves, these important figures are clearly watching this place from the shadows, but they just don't want to show themselves easily."

"Hehe, your perception is quite sharp; you can even detect those deliberately concealed auras."

A soft laugh came from Xiao Ling in front of him. He turned to look at Xiao Yan, his tone knowing.

"But don't overthink it. What you see right now, or even what you've sensed, is not even the tip of the iceberg of the ancient clans' true strength. It's not the time for you to face these things yet, so there's no need to worry about it too much..."

"It seems my little tricks couldn't escape your perception, Cousin Xiao Ling."

Xiao Yan also turned to the side, a relieved smile appearing on his face, then his tone became somewhat wistful.
"The foundation of this ancient clan is indeed unfathomable. However, being able to personally experience the pressure of a Dou Sheng expert today, even if only through sound, makes this trip worthwhile."

"The ceremony begins, Lingquan!"

In the center of the square, three elders of the ancient clan had already arranged the ritual props properly.

The leader held a yellowed, ancient register, his voice clear and solemn as he announced the first name throughout the hall.

As soon as the list was read aloud, a figure in the crowd immediately stood up; it was Ling Quan.

He lightly touched the ground with his toes and leaped into the field like a swallow, his movements exuding the youthful vigor and spirit unique to young people.

Upon landing, he bowed deeply to the three elders with a respectful demeanor.

It should be noted that although there are many eligible young men in the ancient tribe, only the most outstanding ones are qualified to participate in the coming-of-age ceremony on such an important occasion.

With such an honor bestowed upon him, it's no wonder that Lingquan's eyes held a hint of undisguised pride, and even his back was straighter than usual.

In the arena, a solemn-faced elder of an ancient clan raised his hand and clenched it, and a star chart nearly ten feet in size, engraved with intricate patterns, appeared out of thin air in front of him. Ling Quan quickly stepped forward, placed his palm on the star chart as instructed, and slowly closed his eyes.

The moment he closed his eyes, the star chart suddenly burst forth with dazzling light, and six shimmering white star shadows slowly emerged on the chart, their swirling light exuding a mysterious aura.

Seeing this, the elder slowly nodded, then raised his voice and shouted, his voice echoing throughout the square.
"Ling Quan! The current Seventh Commander of the Black Annihilation Army, with a cultivation level of One-Star Dou Zun and a bloodline level of Sixth Grade! He has been granted a golden clan emblem by the Elder Council!"

"It's a golden clan crest! As expected of the Seventh Commander!"

As soon as the elder finished speaking, a murmur of envy arose among the ancient clan members and guests in the square. The golden clan emblem symbolized extremely high recognition in the ancient clan, something that ordinary outstanding individuals could hardly achieve.

Upon seeing this scene, a look of wild joy flashed in Lingquan's eyes. He immediately knelt on one knee and raised his head slightly.

Another elder held a golden brush, and with a wave of his arm, he left afterimages. In an instant, a mysterious and intricate golden rune was imprinted on Lingquan's forehead.

The moment the rune took shape, golden light burst forth, and a pure and unique energy wave spread out.

Even the slightly noisy discussions around them quietly faded away at this moment.

The people in the square fell silent, their eyes all fixed on the golden rune imprinted on Ling Quan's forehead. (End of Chapter)