Chapter 2209: Feng Jiuge

Families with legacies spanning thousands of years have many branches. When younger generations venture out for trials, they might be killed, trapped, or encounter opportunities that lead to their disappearance. Their fates often remain unresolved mysteries in family records, yet in reality, their descendants continue to live on.

This is similar to Yun Chitian's declaration across the entire Divine Realm, prohibiting the taming or trading of dragon bloodlines. His purpose is to bring scattered collateral branches back into the clan.

Zhang Xuan's current situation would allow him to perfectly impersonate a member of such a scattered branch and attend an assessment with the other family.

As long as the bloodline verification reveals no anomalies, there would be no danger.

As for whose identity...

Many branches have lost their lineage for thousands, even tens of thousands of years. Where would one even begin to investigate?

There's simply no way to trace them!

"That's the plan..."

After mulling it over and confirming there were no issues, he swiftly flew towards the closest of the three great families.

This was the territory controlled by the Conferred God King Huoyu. The houses lining the streets were fiery red, and under the scorching sun, half the city felt like a steaming furnace.

If not for the fact that all residents here had reached the God realm and possessed robust bodies, they likely wouldn't endure another minute.

Zhang Xuan's body, having been tempered in the Moon-Clear Pond, was already comparable to a top-grade Heavenly Divine Artifact, making this level of heat insignificant.

He continued on, asking for directions to the Fire Phoenix clan's residence, and soon arrived before it.

It was a massive mansion, similar to the Qi family's, surrounded by formidable formations that deterred easy entry.

Instead of rushing over, Zhang Xuan found a large tavern on the opposite side.

The guards knew little about the three great families. This place was a melting pot, so he might be able to gather some useful information, ensuring he wouldn't be completely in the dark when the time came.

He found a window seat, ordered some wine and meat, and had just taken a few bites when the nearby gate "creaked!" open, and a figure stumbled out, falling to the ground.

"Get lost!"

Immediately after, two young men emerged, exuding an air of arrogance.

"Feng Chao, Feng Xiang, don't push your luck!"

The fallen youth struggled to his feet, his fists clenched.

He appeared to be in his twenties, with a flame-colored mark on his brow and an unhealthy pallor, suggesting he had sustained a considerable injury.

"Pushing our luck?" The young man named Feng Chao scoffed, "Feng Jiuge, do you still think this is two years ago? You're no longer a genius, your bloodline is exhausted, and you've been completely expelled from the core! Get lost, or we'll be forced to intervene, and you won't like the consequences..."

"Two years ago, you were talented and powerful, able to flaunt your superiority over us. But now... what are you? Just a useless piece of trash! If you don't leave quickly and stop spouting nonsense, we could even toss you into a beast cage, and no one would dare say a word!"

Feng Xiang sneered.

*Grinding sounds*

The young man named Feng Jiuge clenched his fists, seemingly on the verge of speaking, but ultimately held his tongue. A hint of despair crossed his face as he turned and walked away.

"What a shame!"

"Indeed, this Feng Jiuge was one of the most brilliant talents in the Fire Phoenix clan just a few years ago. Unfortunately, during an incident, his bloodline was completely ruined. Not only did his cultivation stagnate, but it even regressed significantly. He was later expelled from the core and has since become everyone's target for bullying."

"That's how it is with family disciples. If you have power and a strong bloodline, you're a respected core member. Without either, your status immediately plummets to rock bottom; you're nothing."

"With spiritual energy dissipating, even the Fire Phoenix clan has limited resources. Non-core disciples receive no resource allocation, thus their achievements are limited. There's nothing that can be done about it..."

Many people in the tavern witnessed this scene, and quiet discussions began.

After listening for a while, Zhang Xuan understood the situation.

Two years ago, this Feng Jiuge was considered one of the most brilliant talents in the entire Fire Phoenix clan. He had reached the Middle-grade Heavenly God realm at a young age, and among the younger generation, no one could rival his understanding of martial arts. For a time, he enjoyed unparalleled glory.

Unfortunately, good fortune is fleeting. During a trial outside the city, this dazzling star of the clan experienced something unknown. Not only did he suffer severe injuries, but his bloodline also seemed to have been stripped away, disappearing without a trace.

After his injuries healed, his resource allocation drastically decreased, and his standing within the clan was questioned. A few days ago, another bloodline test revealed that its concentration had fallen to a level lower than even ordinary disciples. Consequently, he was stripped of his core disciple status and expelled from the family.

Unwilling to endure such humiliation, he attempted to regain his former status but was injured by Feng Chao and Feng Xiang, leading to the scene Zhang Xuan had just witnessed.

"Back then, he was the clan's star, admired by all, with the potential to become a God King. Countless people flattered him, and even powerful figures on the God King Potential List would call him brother. Feng Chao and Feng Xiang were among his most devoted followers. Now that he's lost that status, it's only natural that they're the ones retaliating the most harshly!"

"That's just how people are: the more humble and fawning they once were, the more vicious and arrogant they become when circumstances change!"

The crowd shook their heads.

In the Divine Realm, cultivation reigns supreme. Without strength, one is nothing.

No one else was to blame.

Amidst the murmurs, Feng Jiuge, covered in wounds, walked into the tavern, sat down not far away, and began to drink heavily.

Zhang Xuan looked his way.

This former genius's cultivation was indeed not very strong, merely at the Lower-grade Heavenly God realm. Furthermore, his true qi was weak, indicating that he not only wouldn't be able to break through but might very likely decline further.

"His cultivation is declining? What exactly did he go through?"

Zhang Xuan found it exceedingly strange.

Under normal circumstances, unless one suffers severe injuries that destroy all meridians and internal energy, cultivation that has reached a certain realm is very difficult to regress.

His physical condition, as described by others, indicated that at his peak, he likely reached the pinnacle of the Upper-grade Heavenly God realm, similar to Zhang Xuan himself. Now, he not only lacked that strength but was also on the verge of falling below the Heavenly God realm entirely...

What on earth did he encounter to suffer such a severe backlash?

"Let me see..."

His Eye of Insight swirled, and as he carefully observed the young man, his brows furrowed involuntarily.

"An aura of slaughter?"

The young man before him contained a dense aura of slaughter within his body. Although it was well hidden, it couldn't escape the scrutiny of the Eye of Insight.

"An aura of slaughter is common among those who have experienced combat, especially soldiers and generals who've seen battlefields. Zhuo Feng possessed it too back then, but..."

Zhang Xuan was filled with confusion: "His aura of slaughter is actually quite similar to that of the Demons."

The young man named Feng Jiuge, not far away, actually contained the aura of slaughter unique to the Demons, instantly sparking Zhang Xuan's intense interest.