Swallowing the Stars: Heart of the Martial God

Chapter 6 Opportunity
The setting sun, like blood, dyed the square of the ancient barbarian tribe a dark red.

The young people participating in the coming-of-age ceremony, covered in blood but standing tall and proud, stood in formation amidst the cheers of their tribesmen.

The clan chief, wearing a crimson animal skin robe embroidered with a candle dragon totem, slowly walked up to the high platform.

"Children!" The clan leader's voice resounded throughout the arena, "Faced with an unprecedented beast tide, you defended the glory of the Zhulong lineage with your blood! The immortal elders personally ordered—everyone must pass the trial!"

Before the words were even finished, a thunderous cheer erupted in the square, and the sound of battle axes striking shields shook the ground.

With a wave of the clan chief's scepter, dozens of guards pushed carts full of treasure chests into the room.

"This is the reward you deserve!" the clan leader announced loudly. "Each of you will receive a complete set of Tier 2 equipment, as well as Qi Gathering Crystals to aid in Planetary-level cultivation!"

The moment the treasure chest was opened, cold and golden light shone brightly. The complete set of equipment included scale armor, combat boots, and the weapons that each person had used during the trials.

Originally, after passing the coming-of-age ceremony, the tribe would only issue a complete set of Tier 1 equipment and various secret techniques, which were of little value. Almost every family in the Barbarian Ancient Tribe could afford such equipment, so it was just a consolation and encouragement.

But this time was different. Not only did they encounter extraordinary dangers, but the rewards for being praised by the Immortal Elders as the most outstanding in history were naturally much more generous.

This reward also carries a hint of compensation, but the warmongers of the Zhulong lineage dislike the word "compensation," considering it an insult to their bravery.

Therefore, the clan's higher-ups often issue more rewards under the guise of rewarding martial prowess and praising courage.

The guards then distributed jade boxes containing three Yuan-gathering crystals that shimmered with a pale golden light.

"After taking it, it can accelerate the condensation of Origin Force, helping you break through as soon as possible!" The clan leader's comforting words reached everyone's ears on the evening breeze.

Ling Xue took out the healing ointment and applied it to the wound. The flesh torn by the monster's claws healed at a speed visible to the naked eye, and a faint medicinal fragrance filled the air.

As the last reward was distributed, the war drums on the stockade wall thundered.

Amidst shouts of "The bloodline of the Candle Dragon is invincible," the youths raised their weapons high, casting their shadows onto the totem poles as the setting sun painted an immortal battle song.

At night, bonfires blazed in the square of the Mangu tribe, the aroma of roasted meat mingling with the cheers of the warriors.

Ling Xuan had just torn two large, fragrant pieces of pork spine from the grill and hadn't even had a chance to enjoy them when he heard a deep voice calling from behind him: "Ling Xuan, come with me for a moment."

Ling Xuan turned around and saw the clan leader standing in the shadows beckoning to him.

Ling Xuan quickly stuffed the roasted meat into his animal skin coat and jogged after him.

The two walked through the noisy crowd, their footsteps gradually fading behind them, and turned behind a stone house.

The moonlight slanted across the moss-covered stone wall, gilding the wrinkles on the chieftain's face with a silvery edge.

The clan chief cautiously looked around, and after confirming that no one was there, he reached out and touched the wall. Instantly, fine runes lit up among the vines, forming a soundproof barrier.

"In the secret realm, did you master the domain?" The clan leader's voice was deep and serious, but his cloudy old eyes gleamed with excitement.

Ling Xuan paused for a moment, then nodded.

"Good! Good!" The clan chief exclaimed twice, patting Ling Xuan's shoulder heavily with his broad hand. "The youngest domain master in ten thousand years, our Barbarian Ancient Tribe is about to produce a great figure!"

After the praise, the clan leader's face suddenly darkened, and he lowered his voice to ask, "Did you obtain any special treasures?"

Ling Xuan's heart tightened, but he remained calm and shook his head, saying, "No, clan leader."

The clan chief's eyes were like torches, fixed on Ling Xuan as if trying to see through his soul.

After a long silence, he sighed heavily and said earnestly, "Good child, remember, no matter who asks in the future, always insist that you don't have it. 'Possessing a treasure is a crime,' you must keep this principle in mind." Ling Xuan nodded solemnly, deeply engraving the clan leader's admonition into his heart.

"Cultivate diligently, and come with me to the Inheritance Hall in a month." The clan leader looked into the distance, his gaze firm and full of expectation. "At that time, you must do your best to obtain as much inheritance and benefit as possible."

The deeper the inheritance, the greater the future assistance you will receive. Awakening a domain at the planetary level—looking across the entire Candle Dragon Starfield, there have been few like you in tens of thousands of years. This opportunity is once in a lifetime; you must cherish it!

After saying this, the clan chief turned and left, his figure gradually disappearing into the night.

Ling Xuan stood alone under the moonlight, gazing at the clan leader's back as he fell into deep thought.

The Hall of Inheritance mentioned by the clan leader is located on the highest peak of Manlong Star. It is the Hall of Inheritance of Zhulong, which has a deep connection with the Zhulong Ancestor.

Each royal star, such as the Savage Dragon Star, has one such temple. There are twelve such temples across the twelve main stars of the entire Candle Dragon Starfield.

The chieftains of the three major tribes on the Savage Dragon Star all entered this Hall of Inheritance when they were young, which clearly indicates that this temple is related to the laws.

Having figured all this out, Ling Xuan felt his blood boil.

He had previously found out in the virtual universe that there were only ten years left until the next peak genius battle held at the Giant Axe Arena.

Originally, with his talent, his chances of participating were slim. But now, not only has he awakened the heart of a martial god and greatly improved his comprehension, but he also has treasures to help him comprehend the laws. In addition, with the planetary-level cultivation resources distributed by the tribe, he firmly believes that he will be able to break through to the stellar level within ten years and step onto the stage of the peak genius battle.

Once you get an admission ticket, you'll have the chance to break into the top 1,000 in the entire universe, enter the core layer of the Giant Axe Arena, and take off completely.

Filled with anticipation, Ling Xuan returned to the banquet.

He grabbed the roast meat from the table and stuffed it into his mouth.

Seeing him wolfing down his food, Ling Yue quickly put down the dagger in her hand and helped him pat his back: "Third brother, eat slowly, don't choke!"

Ling Xue, holding up the cleanly gnawed animal bone, laughed tauntingly: "Is that all you've got? Boss, you're too refined. Watch me finish this bowl of beast milk wine in one gulp!"

As he spoke, he picked up a large bowl of milk wine in front of him and gulped it down.

Mr. and Mrs. Ling couldn't stop smiling as they looked at their energetic son and daughter.

The enthusiastic atmosphere of the competition quickly infected the surrounding tribesmen, and several apprentice-level children also gathered around the table, clamoring to compete with them.

Time flies, and a month has passed in the blink of an eye.

During this period, Ling Xuan practiced diligently day and night, completely mastering the Flame Domain and gaining a deeper understanding of it.

One morning, Ling Xuan was packing his things to go find the clan leader when he heard a dull thud from outside the tent as something heavy struck a stone slab.

"Little one, it's time to set off." The clan chief raised his hand and lifted the curtain adorned with beast teeth.

Ling Xuan quickly stuffed the uneaten roasted meat on the table into his mouth and mumbled, "Coming!"

Turning around, she called into the house, "Sister, I've gone to the temple with the clan leader!"

"Go on, follow the clan leader and cultivate properly, don't bring shame to our family." Ling Xue's voice came from inside the animal skin tent, mixed with the thumping sound of pounding medicine.

Before he could finish speaking, Ling Xuan felt a tightness around the back of his collar, and the clan leader lifted him up.

The opponent's burst of primal force formed an invisible lift, and the two of them shot through the morning mist like arrows released from a bow.

(End of this chapter)