Upon hearing that the Ancient Emperor Chenxing could grant her a divine-grade bloodline, even the most concentrated divine-grade bloodline of his own when he first became an Emperor, Xingxiu was stunned, her face filled with disbelief.
It was well known that such a top-grade divine-grade bloodline had not appeared among the eight ancient clans for thousands of years.
Thousands of years ago, something strange seemed to have happened on the Dou Qi Continent; all the Dou Di of the eight clans mysteriously disappeared, and no one knew where they went.
After the disappearance of those Dou Di, the bloodlines of each clan began to decline to varying degrees, and strong individuals became increasingly rare. No one in the eight clans could ever again touch the supreme realm of Dou Di.
For thousands of years, the successive patriarchs of the eight clans were almost all trapped at the Nine-Star Dou Sheng realm. While these patriarchs of Dou Di families were desperately seeking the Dou Di realm without success, a Dou Di powerhouse suddenly appeared in the Central Continent—the Ancient Emperor Tuoshe.
When they heard about this Dou Di powerhouse, all the patriarchs of the eight clans went crazy, vying to see Tuoshe Ancient Emperor and learn how he had advanced to the Dou Di realm. However, Tuoshe Ancient Emperor didn't tell them anything. Instead, he left behind an ancient jade, telling them that the method to become an emperor lay within it, before disappearing again.
The eight clans tried to investigate, but couldn't find a single clue. It was as if Tuoshe Ancient Emperor had vanished from the Dou Qi Continent. Some speculated that Tuoshe Ancient Emperor, like their Dou Di ancestor thousands of years ago, had left the Dou Qi Continent. The specific reasons and methods for leaving were unknown to them; these were things that could only be known after reaching that level.
After the disappearance of the Ancient Emperor Tuoshe, the ancient jade he left behind was known as the Tuoshe Ancient Emperor Jade by the eight clans at the time. Although the bloodlines of the eight clans had dwindled and they no longer had Dou Di level experts, their top-level combat strength was not significantly different. A conflict over this jade could have far-reaching consequences, and no one knew what the outcome would be.
Therefore, the clan leaders divided the jade into eight pieces and formed an alliance of non-aggression pacts, stipulating that if one clan attempted to seize it, the other seven clans would jointly punish it. Each clan then took the jade back to study it, and it has been passed down to this day.
In recent years, apart from their own Soul Clan and Ancient Clan, whose bloodlines have been well maintained and whose top-level combat strength remains formidable, the other clans have declined considerably.
Even the Xiao Clan, once comparable to the Soul and Ancient Clans, has completely vanished from the Central Continent. Even if these two clans maintain their bloodlines well, they haven't produced a single high-grade divine bloodline. Even ordinary divine bloodlines are extremely rare, appearing only once every thousand years.
While both appear to be divine bloodlines, there is a fundamental difference between them; they are simply incomparable. Even with the Void Devouring Flame, which can help clansmen enhance their bloodline power, the Soul Clan has no way to elevate a divine bloodline to the high-grade level. A high-grade divine bloodline even contains some of the aura of a true Dou Di (Battle Emperor), a realm that the Void Devouring Flame cannot currently reach.
As the most favored daughter of the Soul Clan, Xing Su was familiar with these secrets and possessed knowledge of them within her own family. She naturally understood the preciousness and importance of a superior divine bloodline. It's no exaggeration to say that if Xing Su could achieve a superior divine bloodline, upon returning to the Soul Clan, she would only need to demonstrate her bloodline power.
She wouldn't even need to do anything; the position of the Soul Clan's young patriarch would instantly be hers. Even if the current young patriarch, Soul Feng, had a father who was the Soul Emperor, it wouldn't matter. The Soul Clan always valued talent and strength, and the Soul Emperor was no exception.
Therefore, one can imagine the immense shock Xing Su felt upon hearing that the Ancient Emperor Chenxing could elevate her to a superior divine bloodline. This shocking news stirred a storm within her, leaving her unable to calm down.
At this moment, Xingxiu's mood was like that of someone on a roller coaster. Originally, Xingxiu was somewhat depressed because of the loss of her bloodline power. She was overwhelmed by this sudden and huge surprise. The joy of regaining what she had lost made her feel as if she were dreaming, with a dreamlike feeling.
"Ancestor, I..."
Overwhelmed by immense joy, Xingxiu was somewhat dazed, stammering as he spoke to the Ancient Emperor Chenxing, unsure of what to say. Seeing Xingxiu's state, the Ancient Emperor Chenxing gave a strange smile, then changed the subject, saying,
"Although these three bloodline origins can make you a superior divine bloodline, your current bloodline power is destroyed, your foundation is unstable, and your bloodline is tainted with this person's aura, making it extremely impure.
If you were to refine these three bloodline origins, the process would be incredibly difficult, and you would endure unspeakable pain. A single misstep could lead to your complete death, and even your soul would be scattered by the immense energy within the bloodline, vanishing entirely from this world. Are you sure you still want to refine these three bloodline origins?"
Upon hearing the Ancient Emperor Chenxing's words, Xingxiu's initial excitement instantly subsided, and after a moment's thought...
She glanced at the unconscious Hun Changqing beside her, staring blankly at him for a moment before a complex emotion flashed in her eyes, then solidified into a resolute look. She turned her head, her gaze fixed intently on Emperor Chenxing.
"Ancestor, please allow me to refine those three bloodline origins. I've experienced the helplessness of being powerless countless times; I don't want to go through that again. Whether it succeeds or fails, Hun Tong will die without regret!"
Xingxiu said firmly to Emperor Chenxing, her words filled with determination. Upon hearing this, a hint of satisfaction flashed in Emperor Chenxing's eyes, but his expression remained strange. He then said to Xingxiu,
"It's commendable that you've made up your mind. However, if you truly cannot withstand the energy of those bloodline origins and perish as a result, what do you plan to do with this boy?"
Emperor Chenxing pointed at Hun Changqing beside Xingxiu, speaking to her with a strange expression and a hint of amusement.
Upon hearing this, Xing Su glanced at Hun Changqing beside her, then a glint of cold light flashed in his eyes.
"If anything happens to me during the refining process, please, Ancestor, finish what you haven't completed. If I die, his life will be meaningless to me. So, if anything happens to me, let him come down and join me."
A strange smile appeared on Xing Su's lips as she looked at Hun Changqing and spoke to the Morning Star Ancient Emperor in a low voice.
"Hehehe, good! Very good! That's more like my bloodline descendant. Xiao Tong, you are very good, hehehe."
Upon hearing Xing Su's words, the Morning Star Ancient Emperor immediately burst into laughter, extremely satisfied with Xing Su's character and ruthlessness, his eyes full of praise. It could be said that Xing Su was also a selfish person. Allowing Hun Changqing to live was entirely for her own sake, for the various desires and emotions within her. Even knowing she might die, Xing Su was able to harden her heart, demonstrating her decisiveness and ruthlessness. In the eyes of the Morning Star Ancient Emperor, this was the kind of person truly capable of reaching the pinnacle.
"Since you have made your decision, I will say no more. Begin refining the bloodline origin. If you succeed, everything will be fine; if you fail, further words are useless."
The Morning Star Ancient Emperor glanced at Xing Su with satisfaction, then waved his hand. Xing Su immediately felt her body uncontrollably levitate, then float towards the dark disc in the center of the plaza. Although this feeling of being out of control made Xing Su somewhat uncomfortable, she didn't resist, allowing the Morning Star Ancient Emperor to guide her to the disc.
As Xingxiu slowly landed before the disc, dazzling starlight suddenly rose from the luminous disc, unleashing bursts of energy that rippled outwards.
With the energy's release, the disc began to rotate along its spiral patterns. Then, at the center of the rotating disc, a pitch-black hole appeared, from which three colorless and formless energy sources, each with only a faint outline around them, floated, circling Xingxiu.
Xingxiu gazed at the three invisible energies floating before her, sensing the familiar aura emanating from them that resonated with her own being. A glint of light flashed in her beautiful eyes; she knew these were the three bloodline origins that the Morning Star Ancient Emperor had spoken of.
When these three bloodline origins appeared, a solemn expression appeared on the Morning Star Ancient Emperor's face. Although his tone had been playful and somewhat teasing, what he said was true. Xingxiu's current state made refining these bloodline origins extremely dangerous, a near-certain death sentence.
"These three are the bloodline essences I refined. You still have a way out; I've left behind many precious resources. Even without relying on bloodline power, you can still become a strong person with those resources. However, once you start refining the bloodline essences, no one can help you. Everything will depend on you. The process is extremely dangerous. Are you sure you've thought it through?"
The Morning Star Ancient Emperor solemnly advised Xing Su once more. Xing Su's expression remained resolute after hearing the Morning Star Ancient Emperor's words, his heart unwavering. Looking at the three clumps of bloodline essences before him, he took a deep breath and said,
"Thank you, Ancestor. I have made up my mind. Cultivation is all about striving. Countless people have risked their lives for opportunities, and now that opportunity is before me, I will not rest in peace if I don't fight for it."
Hearing Xing Su's words, the Morning Star Ancient Emperor's solemn face broke into a smile, his eyes filled with satisfaction.
"Since that's the case, I won't try to persuade you any further. Although you will face a near-death experience this time, once you succeed, with your talent and your willpower, you might be able to go to that place and leave your mark."
The Morning Star Ancient Emperor stared at Hun Tong with a deep, enigmatic gaze, uttering words that left everyone puzzled. Xing Su, upon hearing the Morning Star Ancient Emperor's words, felt a slight unease. Could the place his ancestor spoke of be related to the disappearance of the Dou Di powerhouses on the Dou Qi Continent?
"Get ready, it begins!"
Before Xing Su could ponder further, he heard the Morning Star Ancient Emperor's loud shout. He quickly suppressed his doubts, focusing all his attention on achieving peak performance.
In Xing Su's vision, a blinding starlight erupted from the Morning Star Ancient Emperor's illusory soul form, instantly illuminating the entire plaza.
As the starlight appeared, the entire plaza trembled violently, emitting thunderous roars. The several eerie, dark pillars surrounding the disc began to rotate and shift around Xingxiu. These pillars then
formed a strange array around Xingxiu, drawing in the brilliant starlight. Rays of starlight converged, connecting the pillars together, making the nine pillars appear like a constellation of nine stars. As the pillars were connected by starlight
, beams of starlight energy flowed towards the dark disc within them. The disc, infused with this energy, also emitted a dazzling light. The black hole where the bloodline's essence had previously floated before the disc instantly became incredibly bright, and a beam of energy radiating a soft glow shot directly into Xingxiu's body.
After being enveloped by this energy ray, Xing Su instantly felt as if she were being wrapped in warm, gentle sunlight, her whole body feeling warm and comfortable. The bloodline energy within her, which had been damaged and become very dormant, began to stir again under the illumination of this light.
This comfortable and pleasant feeling relaxed her previously tense mind somewhat, and she was a little puzzled. This comfortable feeling seemed different from the pain that the Morning Star Ancient Emperor had described?
However, before Xing Su could think further, she noticed that the three streams of bloodline essence in front of her began to float towards her body, and then she heard the ancient voice of the Morning Star Ancient Emperor.
"Don't relax, this is just the beginning."
Upon hearing this, Xing Su quickly steadied her mind, which had become somewhat relaxed due to the pleasant feeling. Under Xing Su's gaze, the three streams of bloodline essence slowly merged into Xing Su's body.
Instantly, Xingxiu felt the immense, explosive energy contained within the three orbs of bloodline essence erupt within her body, like a volcanic eruption. This explosive energy surged through her, and Xingxiu felt as if every inch of her skin, bones, and blood was being soaked in molten lava. The intense pain caused her to let out a piercing wail…
The wail echoed continuously with the twinkling starlight in the hall, lingering for a long time. After an unknown amount of time, the starlight continued to twinkle, but the wail gradually dissipated, and the entire hall returned to calm. However, faintly, one could hear frenzied and eerie murmurs emanating from the empty hall, accompanied by the grinding of teeth, sending chills down one's spine.