The two interspatial rings were simple and ancient in design, giving no indication of anything unusual. Hun Xiu found it hard to believe—were these rings really the test he needed to pass in order to leave the clan?
Was the test just to carry them out of the clan?Or… was he supposed to wear them around his neck?
Just as Hun Xiu puzzled over the matter, Hun Tiandi spoke slowly:
"Within these two rings, one contains cultivation resources. The other holds copies of clan Dou Techniques, along with intelligence on various factions across the continent."
"So...""If you want to leave, you must first use up all the cultivation resources within, and study all the Dou Techniques. Only then can you depart."
Hun Xiu: "…"
His mind went completely blank.
This was the trial?
This was clearly just an excuse to stop him from leaving!
"Father, you can't do this! You promised me that if I won first place in the clan tournament, I could leave!" Hun Xiu snapped out of it and protested indignantly.
He could see through it. This so-called trial was nothing but a façade. The real purpose was to keep him tethered to the clan.
One ring was full of cultivation materials. The other—copies of clan Dou Techniques and continent-wide intelligence.
Did they think he was stupid? With that much content, how long would it take to use and study everything? A lifetime?
By the time he finished, flowers would've wilted, meals would've gone cold, and the opportunity would've long passed.
"Hmm?"
Hun Tiandi's gaze turned sharp, voice cold:
"Are you questioning my decision?"
His aura exploded outward.
BOOM.
Hun Tiandi released his dominance without warning—and Hun Xiu? He dropped to his knees immediately.
No hesitation.
Even though Hun Xiu was now an Eight-Star Dou King, he still couldn't bear the pressure from his "cheap old man," Hun Tiandi.
This was the gap in strength.
Kneeling, Hun Xiu could feel the oppressive force weighing down on him like a mountain. He clenched his teeth, unwilling—but still forced himself to say:
"Your son dares not question you."
"Hmph."
Hun Tiandi snorted coldly:
"Of course you don't. Even if you had two lives, you still wouldn't dare."
Hun Xiu grumbled silently in his heart:
"Then give me two lives, let's test that theory."
But outwardly, he remained silent and kept his head bowed.
Hun Tiandi stared at the kneeling boy.
"I'll say it again. If you want to leave the clan, fine.""You have two choices: either wait until you turn sixteen, or finish using all the cultivation resources and study all the Dou Techniques inside these rings. Then, you may go."
"The choice is yours."
With that, the two rings floated in front of Hun Xiu.
As Hun Xiu hesitated, a familiar sound rang out in his mind:
Ding!System detected host's intense hesitation. Initiating Choice Prompt to assist in decision-making.
Option 1: Accept the two rings. Use all the cultivation resources and practice the Dou Techniques within.Reward: 21 True Source Flames of Heavenly Fire(Note: Void Swallowing Flame's True Source is excluded, since host already possesses its sub-flame.)
Option 2: Wait seven years to claim the title of Soul Clan's Young Master.Reward: One Green Lotus Core Flame
Hun Xiu was both surprised and delighted.
"System, if I choose Option 1, how long will it take to consume all the contents of the two rings?"
System: "Approximately four years."
"Good. Got it."
Seven years or four years? Hun Xiu wasn't a fool—he knew what to choose.
He raised his head, reached out, and grabbed the two rings with resolve.
"Father, since this is your request, I will follow it faithfully.""But once I complete the trial, I hope Father won't go back on his word."
"Of course not."
Hun Tiandi smiled faintly at his son's determined expression.
But in his heart, he murmured:
"By the time you've used up those resources and learned all those techniques, you'll be well past sixteen, you silly child."
The resources he'd prepared in that ring were enough to let a divine-bloodline genius cultivate all the way to the Dou Saint level.
That was at least twenty years of secluded cultivation.
And that was just one ring—the other was full of complex Dou Techniques.
Twenty years? That was just the beginning.
By the time he digested everything in both rings, not only would he have come of age—he could probably marry a dozen wives, if he wanted to.
Suddenly, Hun Tiandi's tone shifted, his voice now laced with warning:
"Since you've chosen this path, I expect you not to regret it."
At that moment, the pressure on Hun Xiu intensified again.
CRACK.
The floor beneath his knees fractured. His legs sank.
The burden he bore now was not something an ordinary Eight-Star Dou King could endure.
"Don't worry, Father. I'll stand by my choice." Hun Xiu growled through clenched teeth.
Cold sweat rolled down his forehead.
He was enduring it.
He had to.
He didn't want to end up like before—flattened under pressure like a dead dog.
He was no longer the weakling of the past. Now, he was an Eight-Star Dou King.
There was a massive gap between One-Star and Eight-Star.
"Good."
Hun Tiandi was pleased as he watched his son resist without collapsing.He nodded, then withdrew his aura.
"Huff…"
Hun Xiu gasped for breath. As the pressure vanished, his body deflated like a balloon, palms falling to the ground.
Hun Tiandi glanced at him, and thought to himself:
"With this level of strength, you want to leave the clan? Within the Soul Clan, you're a genius. Out there in the brutal world, you're nothing.""Don't blame me—I'm doing this for you."
Then, he waved his hand and said:
"You may leave. Just don't forget the path you chose."
"Yes, Father."
Hun Xiu struggled to his feet and left the study.
Outside the study, he paused briefly.
He looked at the two rings in his hand, then gazed up at the moonlit sky.
In that brilliant moon, he seemed to see Gu Xun'er, waving at him with a cheerful smile:
"Brother Hun Xiu, come play with me!"
He gripped the rings tightly, determination filling his eyes:
"Wait for me, Xun'er. In four years, Brother Hun Xiu will come for you. You must take care of yourself."
Then, he turned and headed toward his courtyard.
From the shadows, Void Swallowing Flame watched Hun Xiu's back as he left. He chuckled and said:
"Tiandi, if your goal was to strengthen him, you didn't have to make it so obvious.""Those resources in the ring—enough to cultivate all the way to Dou Saint. By the time he finishes, he'll be long past sixteen. Not just old enough to leave… he'll be old enough to marry."