The Test

The two storage rings were extremely simple, without anything particularly remarkable about them. Hun Xiu could not fathom how these two rings constituted a test for leaving the family.

Was the test simply to take the rings and leave the family? Or perhaps to wear them around his neck?

Just as Hun Xiu was puzzled, Hun Tiandi spoke slowly:

"Among these two rings, one contains cultivation resources, while the other holds a copy of the clan's fighting skills, along with information about the various forces on the continent."

"So..."

"If you wish to leave, you must first exhaust all the cultivation resources in one ring and study all the fighting skills in the other. Only then can you leave."

Hun Xiu: "..."

His mind went blank and short-circuited for a moment.

What kind of test was this?

This was clearly just an excuse to prevent him from leaving the family.

One ring contained all the family's fighting skills, while the other was packed with cultivation resources.

There was no need to think further—using up so many resources and studying so many skills would take an eternity. By the time he could leave the family, flowers would have withered, and daylilies would have grown cold.

"Father, you can't do this. You said I could leave if I won first place in the clan competition," Hun Xiu protested, unwilling to back down.

He understood very well that the so-called test was just a façade. Hun Tiandi's true intention was to keep him within the family.

Given the amount of training resources and fighting skills in those rings, digesting all of them would be impossible in the short term.

"Are you questioning my decision?" Hun Tiandi's eyes sharpened as he spoke coldly.

The oppressive aura was domineering.

Clang!

Whenever Hun Tiandi was displeased, his oppressive aura flared, forcing Hun Xiu to kneel helplessly.

Although he was now an eight-star Dou Huang, he couldn't withstand his father's overwhelming aura. This was the gap in strength between them.

Lowering his head, Hun Xiu gritted his teeth and replied, "Xiu'er dares not."

"Hmph..."

Hun Tiandi snorted coldly. "Of course, you don't dare. Even if you had twice the courage, you still wouldn't dare."

Hearing this, Hun Xiu muttered inwardly, Give me double the courage, and I'll try it.

On the surface, however, he remained silent, lowering his head further.

Looking at the kneeling Hun Xiu, Hun Tiandi continued, "As I've said before, if you wish to leave the Hun Clan, you have two options: wait until you're sixteen and officially an adult, or exhaust all the cultivation resources and study all the fighting skills in these rings. The choice is yours."

With that, two storage rings appeared before Hun Xiu.

As he hesitated, the system's voice suddenly rang in his mind.

"Beep."

"The host is found to be indecisive. The system is providing options to assist in making a better decision."

"Option 1: Accept the two storage rings, exhaust the cultivation resources, and study the fighting skills within. Reward: 21 Sub-Fires from the other Heavenly Flames. [As the host already possesses the Sub-Fire of the Void Devouring Flame, it will not be included in the reward.]"

"Option 2: Wait seven years to inherit the position of Soul Clan Young Master. Reward: Blue Lotus Earth Core Fire."

Hun Xiu was surprised and delighted to hear the system.

He quickly asked, "System, if I choose Option 1, how long will it take to exhaust the cultivation resources and study the fighting skills?"

"Four years," the system replied.

Seven years versus four years... Hun Xiu weighed the options and knew which to choose.

He looked up at Hun Tiandi, reached out, and grabbed the two storage rings, saying resolutely, "Since Father has requested this, Xiu'er will comply. I will pass the test, and Father must keep his word."

"Good."

Hun Tiandi smiled faintly, his heart murmuring, By the time you've exhausted all the cultivation resources and studied all the fighting skills on those rings, you'll already be over sixteen. Foolish child.

The resources he had prepared were enough for a genius of divine bloodline to cultivate to the Dou Sheng level. These would sustain secluded cultivation for decades, not to mention the countless fighting skills in the other ring.

By the time Hun Xiu completed the task, he would already be a mature adult and well past the age to roam freely.

Changing the subject, Hun Tiandi warned, "Since you've chosen the test, I hope you won't regret it."

The oppressive aura intensified, causing cracks to appear beneath Hun Xiu's knees.

Crack!

Hun Xiu gritted his teeth and replied, "Don't worry, Father. Xiu'er will stand by his choice."

Sweat dripped from his forehead as he endured the immense pressure, determined not to collapse as he had in the past.

"Good."

Seeing Hun Xiu endure without falling, Hun Tiandi nodded in satisfaction. With a wave of his hand, he withdrew his aura.

"Haah…"

Hun Xiu exhaled heavily as the pressure lifted, feeling as though a great burden had been removed.

Hun Tiandi glanced at his son, murmuring inwardly, You may be a genius within the Soul Clan, but outside, you're nothing. The world is dangerous—I only do this for your own good.

With a wave, he dismissed Hun Xiu. "You may leave. Remember your choice."

"Xiu'er understands."

Hun Xiu stood with difficulty and left the study.

Once outside, he paused to look at the two rings in his hand, then gazed up at the bright moon. In it, he imagined Gu Xun'er waving at him and calling, "Brother Hun Xiu, come play with Xun'er!"

Clenching the rings tightly, he resolved, Xun'er, wait for me. I'll come to find you in four years. Protect yourself until then.

With that, he returned to his courtyard.

From the shadows, Void Devouring Flame watched him leave and smiled faintly. "Hun Tiandi, if you want to push his cultivation forward, there's no need to be so obvious."

With cultivation resources sufficient to reach Dou Sheng, Hun Xiu would never finish in just a few years. By the time he completed this "test," he would have long passed the age of sixteen.