43: Bloodline Resonance and the Secrets of the Xiao Clan

Inside the core of the Illusory Spirit Palace, within the Inheritance Grand Hall.

As Xiao Xuan's remnant soul dissipated, the vast Emperor Realm pressure gradually faded, but the atmosphere in the hall did not ease much. The six individuals who successfully obtained the inheritance light spheres (the two Xiao Chens, Xiao Yan, Hai Bodong, Ya Fei, and Mo Chen) naturally formed an alliance. The five who failed (Kuang Shi, the Old Woman of the Black Emperor Sect, Ge Ye, Xie Biyan, and the lone Dou Ling) had long been terrified by the formidable power of Blood Axe Xiao Chen (a Five-Star Dou Sheng) and fled the hall, scrambling away, disappearing without a trace.

At this moment, only their own people remained in the hall. Everyone's gaze was focused on Blood Axe Xiao Chen and the young Xiao Chen. Especially when Blood Axe Xiao Chen uttered “Chen-di” and the young Xiao Chen respectfully called him “Ancestor,” the expressions on everyone's faces became incredibly varied.

“You... are you really my Xiao Clan ancestor, Blood Axe Xiao Chen?” The young Xiao Chen suppressed the excitement in his heart and confirmed again. Although the soul perception and the reaction of Xiao Xuan's remnant soul couldn't be faked, this news was simply too shocking.

Blood Axe Xiao Chen (whose slovenly old man appearance had completely changed, his eyes sharp and his aura like a mountain) nodded, complex emotions showing in his weathered eyes: “A thousand years, gone in a flash. I never thought that I, Xiao Chen, would have a day to return to my homeland and see the descendants of the Xiao Clan bloodline. Boy, your name is Xiao Chen? Good, very good! Although my Xiao Clan's bloodline is thin, heaven has not forsaken my Xiao Family! To think that two descendants with extraordinary soul talent could appear at the same time!” His gaze also swept over Xiao Yan, whose aura was steadily increasing due to receiving the Fire Soul inheritance.

“Ancestor, shouldn't you be in... the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame space?” The young Xiao Chen asked the doubt in his heart. As far as he knew, Blood Axe Xiao Chen was trapped in the Demon Flame space and became a fire slave when he fought for the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame back then.

Upon hearing this, a trace of trepidation and lingering fear flashed in Blood Axe Xiao Chen's eyes: “This is a long story. I was indeed trapped by the Purifying Lotus Demon Flame back then, and my sentience was almost erased. But just a hundred years ago, the Demon Flame space experienced violent fluctuations for unknown reasons, and a slight crack appeared in the spatial seal. I relied on a wisp of primordial Emperor Qi (Fighting Emperor Energy) that Big Brother (Xiao Xuan) had left deep within my soul, and I broke free from the shackles amidst the chaos, escaping with a wisp of my remnant soul.”

He paused, his tone heavy: “However, my main body was too severely damaged, almost annihilated. This wisp of remnant soul was also extremely weak, so I had to attach myself to this body of a Five-Star Dou Ling (Fighting Spirit) that I accidentally found, which had just perished not long ago, barely clinging to life. My strength is less than one-tenth of what it once was, and the compatibility with this body is not high, making it difficult to recover. I concealed my identity and traveled the continent, first to find a way to recover, and second to see how the Xiao Family had fared after a thousand years... until I sensed the anomaly in the Illusory Spirit Realm and perceived that Big Brother might have left behind a contingency, only then did I come to investigate.”

Everyone was horrified upon hearing this. A wisp of a remnant soul attached to another's body still possessed the power of a Five-Star Dou Ling (Fighting Spirit). How terrifying must he have been at his peak? Was this the true foundation of a Dou Sheng (Fighting Saint) expert?

The young Xiao Chen's heart was even more turbulent. He originally thought he was a lonely transmigrator, struggling to survive with the help of the system, but he never expected to have such powerful ancestors and a profound family background behind him! Although the Xiao Clan had declined, this bloodline connection and potential support instantly made him feel much more confident.

“Ancestor, what about us now...” The young Xiao Chen looked towards the depths of the hall. Xiao Xuan's remnant soul had last mentioned “keys uniting, opening the final inheritance.”

Blood Axe Xiao Chen followed his gaze, his expression becoming solemn: “Since Big Brother's remnant soul guided us here, the core of this Illusory Spirit Palace must contain his true inheritance, perhaps related to the key to my Xiao Clan's resurgence! You two, step forward.”

The young Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan stepped forward as instructed.

Blood Axe Xiao Chen extended both hands, placing them on their shoulders respectively. A gentle yet vast soul power surged into their bodies. The young Xiao Chen did not resist, allowing the power to probe.

A moment later, Blood Axe Xiao Chen's eyes burst with brilliant light, and his face showed an expression of incredible ecstasy: “Spirit Realm Soul! And such a young Spirit Realm Soul! The foundation is solid, and the soul's origin even carries a hint of chaotic aura? Good! Good! Good!” He said “good” three times, showing his excitement.

He then looked at Xiao Yan: “Bone age no more than thirteen or fourteen, Dou Qi already close to a Fighter, the fire-attribute energy within his body is pure and domineering, and there's even a faint hint of... an abnormal fire's origin? Boy, what is your name? Where are you from?”

Xiao Yan respectfully replied: “Replying to Ancestor, this junior is Xiao... Xiao Yan, my father is Clan Leader.” He hesitated for a moment but still spoke his true name. In front of an expert like Blood Axe Xiao Chen, concealment was meaningless.

“Clan Leader? You are Zhan'er's son?” Blood Axe Xiao Chen was even more surprised, then suddenly understood, “Yes, no wonder I felt your bloodline was somewhat familiar; although extremely thin, it is indeed a direct descendant of the Xiao Clan! Good! With a descendant like Zhan'er, my Xiao Clan has hope for resurgence!”

He took a deep breath, suppressing his excitement, and said to the two: “You two, one with a soul talent that is unprecedented, and the other carrying the destiny of an abnormal fire, are both the hope for my Xiao Clan's future! Now, follow me to activate the final inheritance left by Big Brother!”

He walked to the wall at the deepest part of the hall. The wall was smooth as a mirror, covered with ancient runes, and in the center were three inconspicuous grooves.

Blood Axe Xiao Chen took out the purple (lightning-attribute) inheritance light sphere he had obtained from the Old Woman of the Black Emperor Sect and looked at the young Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan: “Align the imprints that appeared on your palms after receiving the inheritance with the grooves.”

The young Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan raised their hands, and indeed, faint imprints had appeared on their palms at some point. The young Xiao Chen's imprint was a green wind pattern, while Xiao Yan's was a crimson flame.

The three simultaneously pressed the light sphere in their hands and the imprints on their palms into the three grooves on the wall.

“Buzz—!”

The wall vibrated violently! The three grooves erupted with green, crimson, and purple light, converging and merging! The runes on the wall seemed to come alive, flowing rapidly, and finally, in the center of the wall, a slowly rotating spatial gate formed! Inside the gate, starlight twinkled, emitting an aura far more ancient and vast than before!

“Go!” Blood Axe Xiao Chen shouted in a low voice, being the first to step into the spatial gate. The young Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan followed closely. Hai Bodong, Ya Fei, and Mo Chen hesitated for a moment and then also went in. They knew that there might not be an inheritance for them inside, but to witness the ultimate means left by an expert like Xiao Xuan was also a great stroke of luck.

Passing through the spatial gate, everyone appeared in a strange starry sky. Beneath their feet was nothingness, above their heads was a brilliant galaxy, and countless giant star fragments and meteorites floated around them. In the center of the starry sky, a massive altar, built from seven-colored crystals, floated. On the altar, three items were placed:

A giant axe phantom, completely black, ancient in design, with faint blood-colored patterns flowing on its axe blade!

A jade slip, enveloped in chaotic airflow, its specific contents unclear!

A drop of golden blood, suspended in mid-air, exuding endless vitality and majesty, as if containing the origin of a world!

“That is... my Blood Axe Battle Soul!” Blood Axe Xiao Chen's body trembled violently upon seeing the giant axe phantom, and his eyes showed reminiscence and excitement. That was clearly the Soul Imprint of his natal divine weapon.

Meanwhile, the young Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan's gazes were instantly drawn to that drop of golden blood! From that drop of blood, they felt a strong call and longing, originating from the depths of their souls, of the same origin and lineage!

“Xiao Clan... Dou Di Bloodline!” Blood Axe Xiao Chen's voice trembled as he spoke each word distinctly, “Big Brother... he actually... really left behind a complete drop of Dou Di Bloodline!”

Dou Di Bloodline! An unparalleled treasure containing the life essence and understanding of the rules of a Dou Di (Fighting Emperor)! It was enough to transform an ordinary mortal, giving them the potential to challenge for the Dou Di (Fighting Emperor) realm! For the descendants of the Xiao Clan, it was even the key to awakening their dormant bloodline and restoring their glory!

“I understand...” Blood Axe Xiao Chen murmured, “Big Brother's failure to become a Dou Di back then was not complete annihilation. He must have used supreme divine abilities to preserve a drop of the purest primordial bloodline, sealing it here, awaiting a fated Xiao Clan descendant of later generations! This Illusory Spirit Realm, these layers of trials, were all to select someone worthy of inheriting this drop of bloodline!”

His gaze burned as he looked at the young Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan: “You two are both chosen ones who passed the trials! Now, this drop of Dou Di Bloodline is before you! But there is only one drop of bloodline! The choice is yours! Or perhaps... let this bloodline choose who it will go to!”

A choice! A cruel choice! There was only one drop of Dou Di Bloodline, but there were two qualified Xiao Clan descendants!

The young Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan exchanged glances, both seeing complex emotions in each other's eyes. The opportunity was right before them, but kinship, righteousness, and future responsibilities weighed heavily on their hearts.

Xiao Yan gritted his teeth and spoke first, his eyes firm: “Ancestor, Big Brother Xiao! This bloodline should rightfully belong to Big Brother Xiao! Big Brother Xiao's soul talent far surpasses mine; if he obtains this bloodline, his future achievements will be limitless! He will surely lead the Xiao Clan to resurgence faster! I... I can rely on myself!”

The young Xiao Chen was moved but shook his head, saying in a deep voice: “Xiao Yan, do not belittle yourself! You carry an abnormal fire; your potential is boundless! This bloodline is equally important to you! Furthermore, my path may not overly rely on the power of bloodline...” With the system, his growth path relied more on replication and energy accumulation. While the Dou Di Bloodline was powerful, it wasn't his only option.

Just as the two were deferring to each other, the suspended golden blood suddenly vibrated on its own! It seemed to possess sentience, erupting with even more dazzling light, and then... to everyone's astonishment, it split into two! It transformed into two slightly smaller, but still brilliantly golden blood beads!

The two blood beads, as if alive, flew towards the young Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan respectively, merging into their foreheads!

“This... the bloodline has sentience! It chose its masters on its own! And... it chose both of you!” Blood Axe Xiao Chen was both surprised and delighted, “Good! Good! This shows that both of you are the true hope of my Xiao Clan! You can fight side by side in the future and together forge glory!”

As the Dou Di Bloodline entered their bodies, the young Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan simultaneously trembled violently! An indescribably vast energy, like a volcanic eruption, exploded within them! Their blood was boiling, their bones were thrumming, and their souls were quivering! Faint, complex, and profound golden patterns began to appear on the surface of their bodies!

That was... the sign that the Xiao Clan's clan mark was being awakened!

The true transformation belonging to Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan had begun! And the ultimate inheritance of the Illusory Spirit Realm was about to reveal its final secret!