Chapter 18: The Grand Gathering of the Soul Clan—Soul Cang Seeks an Opportunity!

On the desolate land, a rift suddenly appeared in the void, steadily widening, within which a swirling halo of light rotated.

A figure shot out from within!

He was a handsome young man, his black eyes calm and composed.

It was none other than Hun Cang, who had just left Utan City.

Behind him, his battle qi wings fluttered, suspending him in midair as his gaze lifted, fixed on a certain area.

After a few moments, a wisp of black smoke-like mist emerged from the place Hun Cang was staring at, rolling forward in great waves.

Unmoved, Hun Cang let it envelop him.

When the smoke cleared, his figure had vanished from the sky.

“Young Master Cang.”

“Greetings, Young Master Cang.”

Just as he steadied himself, respectful voices greeted him.

Before him stood a towering city, vast enough to house tens of millions, practically a region in itself.

Hun Cang nodded sternly and strode directly into the city.

The streets inside were lively, adorned with lanterns and decorations.

The annual test was of great importance to the entire Soul Clan.

After thousands of years of development, the Soul Clan was no longer a small tribe of a few thousand.

Over time, the differences in talent among individuals had grown apparent, with clear divisions in status and lifestyle.

Hun Cang’s mother was not of noble birth; she bore him due to the favor of the Soul Emperor.

As a result, Hun Cang was allotted a courtyard in the heart of the city.

Upon returning home and pushing open the door, a woman rushed out, holding a spatula.

“Son, you’re back? Have you suffered outside? You look thinner,” the woman asked with concern.

Hun Cang smiled and replied, “Mother, do you want me to get fat like a pig before you’re satisfied?”

“Stop talking nonsense! You’re a fine young man; why compare yourself to a pig?” Hun Linhua scolded lightly, patting his arm.

She pulled him inside, seating him by the table before retreating to the kitchen.

Soon, four dishes and a soup were laid out on the table.

They began to eat.

Hun Linhua barely ate, focusing instead on serving her son.

“Mother, how am I supposed to eat like this?” Hun Cang sighed, setting down his chopsticks and looking at the towering pile of food with a mixture of amusement and helplessness.

“Simple, watch me,” Hun Linhua said, not grasping his meaning. She brought over a rice bowl, dumping both rice and dishes into it, then pushed the bowl into Hun Cang’s wide-eyed hands.

Patting her hands, she smiled proudly. “Son, now I can serve you dishes without interrupting your rice eating, right?”

“...”

Hun Cang was speechless. He couldn’t refuse his mother’s kindness.

He quickly ate, then grabbed hold of Hun Linhua, who was about to clear the table. “Mother, I have something to tell you.”

“Found a wife on your trip?” Hun Linhua placed her hands on her knees, eyes full of expectation.

“...” Hun Cang drew a few black lines on his forehead and shook his head. “No, mother, it’s serious. I’ve broken through to Dou Huang.”

“Dou Huang? Hah, what’s that... Wait, you mean you broke through to Dou Huang?” Hun Linhua was initially dismissive but suddenly froze.

She stared at Hun Cang, incredulous.

Hun Cang nodded earnestly, demonstrating his strength as proof.

“But... didn’t the test say your talent only allows you to reach Dou Wang’s peak?” Hun Linhua felt dizzy.

“I had a fortunate encounter outside,” Hun Cang said evasively.

After a pause, he added, “Mother, I want to compete in this test!”

Upon learning her son had surpassed his talent limit, Hun Linhua smiled. But when she heard his last words, her smile froze.

After a long moment, her eyes clouded with complexity. “Son, sometimes a little sacrifice is necessary. We have no background; we can’t compete with them.”

“No, mother. Believe me. I want to compete not just for you, but for other reasons as well,” Hun Cang said firmly.

Within the Soul Clan, a strict rule prevailed: to rise, one must prove their ability by standing out among rivals to gain support.

Otherwise, life in the clan was just that of an ordinary member.

Hun Cang refused to face the day when the Soul Emperor ascended to Dou Di and he, powerless, would be offered as a mere sacrifice.

...

Several days later.

The Soul Clan buzzed with excitement, figures walking midair everywhere.

For Utan City, Dou Wang and Dou Huang experts were as common as messengers within the Soul Clan.

For the Gamma Empire, Dou Zong experts were only regarded as high-ranking patrol guards.

This was the true face of the Dou Qi Continent, the deep heritage of the ancient Eight Clans.

Sometimes, Hun Cang found it strange that despite the Soul Clan’s rich heritage, they had allowed Xiao Yan to grow step by step until he became unstoppable.

Black smoke streaked across the sky, converging into a figure, beside whom another figure appeared.

Powerful, imposing, and cold.

This was Hun Cang’s first impression of the other.

“Greetings, Clan Leader!”

The Soul Clan bowed in unison at the sight of that figure.

The Soul Emperor’s face was like frozen ice, devoid of any smile as he spoke indifferently, “Rise...”

After a few brief words, the testing ceremony began.

Not everyone gathered in one place; otherwise, the test would drag on for months.

Arrangements were made according to status at different locations.

Hun Cang, as an illegitimate son and a relative, took the test alongside other direct descendants in the inner area.

The Soul Emperor was present there as well, accompanied by Void Swallow Flame.

Soon, Hun Cang stepped onto the stage. When detected as a one-star Dou Huang, a faint murmur of surprise rose.

The Soul Emperor’s face remained expressionless.

After all, even breaking through the talent limit to one-star Dou Huang was not extraordinary in the Soul Clan.

Before long, the test ended, and the Soul Emperor rose, naming several individuals like Hun Yu, Hun Ya, and Hun Li.

And now... taking a deep breath, Hun Cang stepped forward. “Father!”

A stir broke out on the scene. Many eyes turned to Hun Cang with surprise, most wearing expressions of confusion and curiosity.

“What is it?” The Soul Emperor turned to look at him.

“I want a chance!” Hun Cang said calmly. “I want to contribute to the Soul Clan, just like them!”

“You?” The Soul Emperor furrowed his brow.

Among those selected, many sneered at Hun Cang.

The weakest among them was above six-star Dou Zong, and the strongest nearly two-star Dou Zun.

Hun Cang, as a one-star Dou Huang, clearly could not compare.

As a family that had produced Dou Di before, they possessed a so-called divine bloodline, granting them superior cultivation and strength at birth compared to ordinary people.

It had been many years since anyone had volunteered like this... The Soul Emperor pondered for a second.

“Give me a reason.”