Chapter 191: Humiliation Again! Xiao Yan''s Reluctance!


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    "The time hase, let the ceremony begin!"


    In the grand za, as the sound of a bell echoed, a majestic yet calm voice suddenly resonated from the void.


    As that voice slowly faded, three elders of the Gu n stood up solemnly from their seats. They walked to the center of the za, where various ceremonial tools had already been prepared.


    "The ceremony begins. Ling Quan!"


    Following the announcement from the three Gu n elders, the first name on the list was called out.


    Upon hearing his name, Ling Quan promptly stood up, moving forward with a confident stride, and respectfully bowed to the elders.


    Within the Gu n, although many young members were of age, only a select few were qualified to participate in this ceremony. These individuals were undoubtedly among the elite of the younger generation within the Gu n. No wonder Ling Quan had a hint of pride on his face.


    In the center of the za, one of the solemn elders clenched his hand, and arge star disk, nearly a meter in size, appeared before him. Ling Quan swiftly stepped forward, cing his hand on the disk and closing his eyes.


    Shortly thereafter, the star disk emitted a strong light, revealing six stars.


    "Ling Quan, the eighthmander of the ck Submerged Army, with the strength of a one- star Dou Venerate, possessing a sixth-grade bloodline. After deliberation by the Elder Council, you are granted the Golden n Mark!"


    "The Golden n Mark! Truly befitting of the eighthmander!"


    Upon hearing the elder''s deration, the Gu n members in the za expressed their admiration with envious murmurs. A sh of joy passed through Ling Quan''s eyes as he knelt on one knee, looking up.


    At this moment, one of the Gu n elders held a golden brush, waving it swiftly. A mysterious symbol appeared on Ling Quan''s forehead.


    "Daddy, Mommy!"


    As Gu Fei, Xiao Yi Xian, and Cai Lin took their seats, Xiao Xian Yue and Wu Shuang, the two little ones, were also brought to the ceremony by Zi Yan and Qing Lin.N?v(el)B\\jnn


    By now, Zi Yan''s strength was widely known within the Gu n. Even some of the highly respected elders showed great courtesy towards her.


    "In another twenty years, this stage will belong to you two!"


    Gu Fei gently ced the two little ones on hisp, now appearing as a doting father without a trace of his usual sharpness. His current state of mind had moved beyondpeting with the younger generation,rgely due to his vast strength, making such actions unnecessary.


    "Sixth-grade bloodline? Golden n Mark? What are these things?"


    In the za, Xiao Yan was unfamiliar with these terms, so he turned his head and asked, but even Venerable Feng couldn''t answer.


    The Falling Star Pavilion''s members had no ess to the secrets passed down among ancient ns.


    "Heh, you don''t even know that?"


    Their conversation was met with a sneer from a strong practitioner from arge sect in Central ins.


    "Ancient ns have ten grades of bloodlines, with the first being the lowest and the tenth the highest! n marks are passed down through the Gu n from ancient times. In times of crisis, they can temporarily boost the power of the Gu n members'' bloodlines, enhancing their strength to turn the tide!"


    "n marks are divided into four levels: Silver, Gold, Purple Gold, and Rainbow Gold. Ling Quan''s mark ranks third, the Golden n Mark..."


    "These n marks have such effects?"


    Although the man mocked him, Xiao Yan was more surprised than resentful. He hadn''t expected the Gu n members to possess not only innate advantages in cultivation but also such powerful means to boost their strength.


    "Elder, during theing-of-age ceremony, do I have the right to challenge anyone?"


    After receiving his n mark, Ling Quan did not step down. Instead, he nced at Xiao Yan and respectfully inquired of the elders.


    "Hmm?"


    The three Gu n elders frowned simultaneously, uncertain of Ling Quan''s intentions, but the rules were indeed clear.


    "ording to tradition, you may challenge any member of our n. However, if the person is not from our n, their consent is required before engaging in a duel..."


    Upon hearing the conversation on the tform, Xiao Yan suddenly recalled the strange looks the Gu n members had given him earlier.


    "Xiao Yan, I''ve heard you''re a descendant of the ancient Xiao n. Do you have the courage to challenge me, Ling Quan, so that everyone can witness the current prowess of your ancient Xiao n?"


    As expected, the next moment, Ling Quan directed his gaze towards Xiao Yan, but his words left Xiao Yan confused.


    "The ancient Xiao n?"


    Since entering Central ins, Xiao Yan had heard of the ancient Xiao n, but he was unaware that he was a descendant of that now-declined n.


    At this moment, although Ling Quan wanted to fight Xiao Yan, he felt Xiao Yan was too weak, so he tried to provoke Xiao Yan into challenging him first.


    "Xiao Yan, you are indeed from the Xiao n, but the ancient Xiao n is now a mere shadow of its former self. You don''t need to pay any attention to Ling Quan!"


    Originally, Xun''er had avoided sitting near Xiao Yan to prevent Gu Fei from misunderstanding. However, seeing Ling Quan''s actions, she worriedly approached Xiao Yan to warn him.


    At this point, most of the people present wore expressions of schadenfreude, especially the two members of the Yao n who had arrived for the ceremony.


    "It seems that the disciple of that abandoned one is quite disliked. It also turns out he''s a descendant of the ancient Xiao n. This should be interesting!"


    Yao Xingji''s interest was piqued instantly. He hadn''t expected such amusement at the very start of the Gu n''sing-of-age ceremony.


    "Hehe, Xiao Yan, if you''re too scared, you don''t have to challenge me!"


    "The ancient Xiao n, haha!"


    On the tform, Ling Quan''s eyes turned cold when he saw Xun''er approaching Xiao Yan, and


    he sneered.


    "Such a waste, challenging Ling Quan, a one-star Dou Venerate? How could he dare?"


    Everyone understood that Ling Quan''s actions were intentionally meant to publicly humiliate Xiao Yan, a member of the ancient Xiao n.


    "My ancient Xiao n was once a great n equal to the Gu n, but now, in my generation, it has fallen to this?"


    Upon learning of his identity, Xiao Yan felt a deep sense of humiliation and unwillingness. He contemted whether to fight Ling Quan to uphold his n''s honor, even if it meant risking


    his life.


    "Enough, Ling Quan, step down! Don''t waste any more time!"


    Just as Xiao Yan was seething with anger and indecision, Gu Yao, who was sitting cross-


    legged on the ground, exuding an icy aura, suddenly spoke up.


    His words were not meant to defend Xiao Yan but were purely out of disdain for him.


    To Gu Yao, Xiao Yan was nothing but a waste of time, a mere hindrance to the ceremony''s


    progress.


    There was simply no need for this.