As soon as the old man entered, the room fell deathly silent. Master Tao and the disciples already in the sect immediately stood and saluted, their movements stiff and formal. "Headmaster!"
The old man waved a hand dismissively, a polite smile on his face. "No need for ceremony." His gaze shifted, following Master Shen's gesture, pinning Xuan like a hawk spotting its prey. "You," he said warmly, "may I see your hand?"
Xuan blinked, glancing between the Headmaster and Master Shen, wondering what was going on. Slowly, he stepped forward, extending his hand.
Leaning in slightly, the Headmaster scrutinized the back of Xuan's hand, his old eyes narrowing as a faint trace of intrigue flickered across his face. Master Shen had already briefed him about the mark, but seeing it up close was another matter entirely.
This is it… the Headmaster thought, keeping his face neutral.
A decree had been established long ago: the bearer of this spider-like mark, if genuine, was to be nurtured and supported at all costs. It was said to signify the chosen of the sect's ancient ancestor, the very founder of the Venomthread Sect. Yet, in all the sect's history, such a mark had never appeared at their location—only in the main branches had they appeared before. This was a chance for their branch to finally rise.
The Headmaster glanced at Xuan. "How did you come by this mark?" he asked gently, his tone almost paternal. He wanted to figure out everything about this situation.
Hesitation clouded Xuan's face as he searched for the right words. A hazy image of a monstrous spider lingered in the back of his mind. "I… don't know," he admitted at last, his voice quiet. "But I remember seeing… something. A spider. It was gigantic, but everything after that is just a blur."
The Headmaster's gaze deepened, as though peering into Xuan's soul. He nodded thoughtfully before lifting his hand. "Allow me to confirm it."
From the tips of his fingers, a shimmering golden droplet with intertwined streaks of green formed, suspended in the air. It pulsated with an ancient force, so powerful the room felt heavy. Gasps rippled through the room as the disciples instinctively stepped back, their expressions a mix of awe and apprehension.
"Hold still." the Headmaster commanded.
And then with a flick of his wrist, the droplet descended, touching Xuan's hand. The moment it touched the mark, a reaction erupted. The spider-shaped imprint absorbed the golden-green droplet in an instant. A deep hum resonated in the air, as though the blood itself acknowledged the mark.
The Headmaster's lips curled into a smile, one of both relief and profound awe. "It's true," he murmured. "The mark is genuine."
Meanwhile Xuan felt a faint warmth spreading from the mark on his hand, like a gentle ripple moving through his body. It was soothing at first, but that calm quickly turned into something far more intense. The energy surged, carrying an unmistakable arrogance, a raw force that seemed to originate from an ancient and powerful source. It spread through him like a tide, not asking for permission but claiming dominance, seeking to impose its will upon his bloodline.
This energy wasn't ordinary. It was the blood of an ancient creature far above Xuan's current cultivation level. Even separated by generations and distilled into a single drop, it still carried a commanding presence that dwarfed Xuan's current strength. As it clashed with his own bloodline, the struggle was immediate and fierce.
Xuan's Kun and Peng bloodlines immediately flared to life in defiance, as the ancestor's blood sought to overpower and assimilate his bloodline, intending to make itself the dominant force. A clash rippled through Xuan's entire body, an internal battle of wills between the spider ancestors blood and his bloodlines untamed potential.
For a moment, it seemed like the ancestor's blood would succeed. But then, his Kun and Peng heritage roared back, their ferocity overwhelming the foreign force. Bit by bit, Xuan's bloodline began to absorb the drop of ancestral power in reverse, turning its strength inward to fortify itself. Eventually it fully absorbed the bloods power.
As the struggle subsided, Xuan's body felt different. Glancing inwards, he noticed something unusual—a few faintly colored dots appeared within his veins. Some shone a vibrant blue, while more others gleamed green. Though their numbers were few, their presence was unmistakable. His blood had changed, partially awakened by the absorption of the ancestor's blood, leaving behind this strange, new sign of power.
Xuan flexed his fingers, unease prickling at the edges of his mind as the newfound strength coursed through him. The strange colors that had appeared in his blood gnawed at his thoughts—what had just happened to his body? He wanted to examine it further, to understand the changes, but his focus was abruptly shattered.
Master Shen's voice called out sharply, dragging him back to the present. "Headmaster, shall we proceed to the talent testing room?"
The Headmaster nodded. "Indeed. Where is it located in this castle?"
Master Shen gestured toward the southern wing. "The south tower, third floor. It was set up there when we moved into this site."
"Excellent," the Headmaster said brightly, a hint of satisfaction in his tone. They finally had a chosen one of their own. "What are we waiting for? Let's go."
But before they could move, the nearby Master Tao cleared his throat. "Headmaster, the… others are currently using the room."
Xuan, already bewildered by the situation, felt his frown deepen. Others?
But the Headmaster waved dismissively. "It doesn't matter."
"Also, Headmaster," Tao interjected, his expression tightening, "testing him is pointless. He can't unlock his dantian. His nodes are incomplete."
A confused expression spread across the Headmaster's face as he tilted his head. "What are you talking about? He's already unlocked his dantian."
"Unlocked his dantian?!"
The murmurs in the room erupted into full-blown gasps.
"That's impossible!"
"It's only been four months—"
"And he's a cripple!"
Master Tao's face twisted with disbelief. In a blur of motion, he was in front of Xuan. Xuan instinctively tried to step back, but Tao was faster, pressing a hand to Xuan's abdomen before he could react.
A jolt ran through Tao's body as his qi probed Xuan's dantian. His eyes widened, and he stumbled back, his voice a strained whisper. "It's true… He really unlocked it. How…?"
Quickly Master Shen stepped forward, stopping Master Tao before he offended their new chosen one. His expression was cold as he grabbed Tao's arm, pulling him back. "Enough, Tao. Stop this nonsense."
Prepared to argue, Tao opened his mouth, only to be silenced mid-thought by a glance from the Headmaster.
With a light clap of his hands, the Headmaster's tone shifted to one of cheerful authority. "Now that we've cleared that up, let's head to the testing room. Shen, Xuan, come with me. Tao, stay here and teach the class."
Xuan hesitated, his gaze shifting to Bo Cai, seeking reassurance in a familiar face. But Bo Cai still seemed frozen in shock, his expression unreadable. Eventually, feeling Xuan's eyes on him, Bo Cai blinked and snapped out of it, offering a quick, faint nod. It wasn't much, but it was enough.
Drawing in a steadying breath, Xuan squared his shoulders and stepped forward, following the Headmaster and Master Shen.
The group moved swiftly through the castle, their footsteps echoing against the cold stone walls. Eventually, they stopped in front of an imposing door, its surface adorned with intricate carvings of webs and arachnid motifs.
"This is it," Master Shen said as he pushed against the door.
When the heavy doors creaked apart, Xuan's breath hitched. His eyes widened, locking onto a figure within the room. Standing there, illuminated by the faint glow of a torch, was a face he never thought he'd see again.