"Ding—detecting a Killing Intent Value from Gongsun Lieyang of +6000."
"An Ice Element Spiritual Cat dares to claim the role of the Gongsun Family’s Guardian Beast?!"
He roared furiously at Lu Zixun.
In Gongsun Lieyang’s hand, a flame appeared and he threw it viciously towards Lu Zixun.
The flame had only flown halfway before it evaporated, and then Lu Zixun sneered, "Who told you I can’t use fire?"
A bundle of searing Spiritual Fire rose above Lu Zixun’s head. Using Gongsun Li’s arm as leverage, Lu Zixun jumped onto the glass cover.
Looking down at the cat jade pendant inside, then looking up at Gongsun Li, his eyes conveyed an inquiring intent, "Is this the so-called token?"
Gongsun Lieyang was stunned into silence, not expecting Lu Zixun to truly be able to wield Spiritual Fire.
Wanting to say something but realizing anything he said would be wrong, he could only sit down, cross his arms, and watch Lu Zixun with a cold sneer.
The token of a Guardian Beast needed bloodline verification, and Gongsun Lieyang couldn’t believe Lu Zixun could pass such a test.
"Daughter, is this the descendant of Ye Ye?"
Looking at Lu Zixun standing atop the glass cover, Gongsun Ying’s eyes showed a gentle expression.
Nodding her head, Gongsun Li approached Lu Zixun, "Lord Cat is so impressive, even being an STO Guardian Spirit Cat."
"Ding—detecting a Satisfaction Value from Gongsun Ying of +4000."
"Ding—detecting a Surprise Value from Gongsun Lieyang of +6000."
Seeing the expressions on their faces upon hearing he was an STO Spiritual Cat, Lu Zixun raised an eyebrow. Was the reputation of STO really that great?
Shaking his head and rolling his eyes, he thought these people were truly opportunist.
He raised his paw, tapping Gongsun Li’s arm, "Li Li, how do I prove that I am a Guardian Beast?"
Reaching out to hold Lu Zixun in his arms, Gongsun Ying quickly stepped forward and removed the glass cover.
He took the central cat jade pendant and offered it with both hands to Lu Zixun, "Lord Cat, please drop a drop of your blood on it."
"I have to drop blood?"
His mouth twitched a little; dropping blood was the most painful way.
An Ice Chain appeared in front of Lu Zixun, and he raised his pad to give it a small prick.
A drop of blood appeared on Lu Zixun’s pad, and he hurriedly pressed it against the cat jade pendant.
Contrary to expectation, there wasn’t any flashy glow; the cat jade pendant was merely stained red by the blood.
Turning to look at Gongsun Li, Lu Zixun was about to ask if the ceremony was complete but noticed Gongsun Li furrowing her brows, indicating something was amiss.
"Ding—detecting a Disappointment Value from Gongsun Ying of +4000."
"Ding—detecting from..."
Whispered discussions began to arise.
That’s when Lu Zixun realized something was wrong. Could it be he hadn’t passed the verification, or was there another reason?
Gongsun Lieyang, who had been previously holding back, now had a slight smirk on his face, suddenly stood up and exclaimed, "Well done, Gongsun Li, trying to pass off a Spiritual Cat as the Gongsun Family’s Guardian Beast!"
Just as Gongsun Li was about to speak up in defense of Lu Zixun, Gongsun Lieyang gave her no chance to utter a word.
He bowed to an elder seated in the deepest part of the Sacrificial Hall, "Elder Family Head, I believe Gongsun Li, as a young person, simply lacks the strength to lead the Gongsun Family forward."
"And what do you propose to do?"
A voice sounded, and without a second thought, Gongsun Lieyang responded, "I suggest we replace the Family Head by holding a fair and open vote within our clan."
Turning around and leaning on Gongsun Li’s shoulder, Lu Zixun looked eye to eye with Gongsun Lieyan, "If you want Li Li to step down, just say it outright. There’s no need to make it sound so noble and righteous—it’s quite something."
Only then did Gongsun Lieyang realise that it was Lu Zixun who had spoken, his gaze turned hostile, "This is an internal matter of the Gongsun Family; please, the Guardian Spirit Cat from STO should step out."
Already in a foul mood lately, and with Gongsun Lieyang continuing to chatter on, Lu Zixun raised his hand, a chill surged forth, and Gongsun Lieyang was instantly frozen into an ice sculpture.
Looking at the surrounding Gongsun clansmen who were preparing to make a move against him, Lu Zixun remained impassive, "The whole clan can’t even muster a Half-step King-level, and any random Abnormal Creature could wipe you out! Instead of thinking about how to improve your strength, you’re all thinking about how to divide the family?"
As he spoke, Lu Zixun leapt to his feet, and a Frost Fire Spear materialized in midair just as he landed perfectly on it.
"This spear of mine has killed a Half-step King-level. Anyone who thinks they can handle it, come up and try."
He sneered as he delivered the final line.
Looking around and noticing that no one stepped forward, Lu Zixun’s eyes were full of disdain.
"Although I don’t know what this cat jade pendant is about, to my senses, it’s just a piece of jade with no use at all. My blood can make it shine brightly?"
He asked rhetorically with mockery, "With your level of intelligence, don’t bother having Li Li as your Family Head. You might as well self-destruct."
Watching Lu Zixun fight for her, Gongsun Li bit her lower lip and turned to look in a certain direction, "Grandpa, what on earth is going on here!"
"Ding—Appreciation Value from Gongsun Du received +16000."
Sensing the gaze coming from behind the curtains, Lu Zixun was inwardly alarmed; the Gongsun Family actually had a King-level... no, an S-level presence.
The white-bearded Gongsun Du, pushed in a wheelchair, slowly emerged from behind the curtains in front of Lu Zixun and smiled faintly, "Our clan’s Guardian Beast can’t be without any temper, you know."
Upon hearing this, Lu Zixun’s brows raised slightly.
So, the appearance of Gongsun Lieyang was a test?
Looking back at Gongsun Lieyang frozen within the ice sculpture, Lu Zixun’s eyes were full of puzzlement.
This wasn’t right; the chill he conjured was Absolute Zero, and in another two minutes, Gongsun Lieyang would be finished.
As Lu Zixun was contemplating whether to melt the ice sculpture, a dagger flashing with cold light suddenly appeared behind Gongsun Li. Without a second thought, Lu Zixun immediately activated an energy shield.
Protected by energy values radiating blue light, both Lu Zixun and Gongsun Li—one human, one cat—were enveloped, and the young man wielding the dagger was repelled, crashing to the ground with force.
Lifting a front paw and giving it a shake, Lu Zixun chuckled lightly. After relentless training with Xiong Kang with no regard for his own safety, his reaction speed had reached its peak.
And to think, trying to ambush a Genetic Optimization Soldier with just a dagger was quite an overestimation of one’s own abilities.
"Ding—Killing Intent Value from Gongsun Ri detected +500."
Seeing that Gongsun Ri still wanted to make a move, Lu Zixun, annoyed by the hassle, conjured an Ice Chain that appeared and instantly bound his ankles, leaving him immobile.
Glancing hesitantly at Gongsun Lieyang and Gongsun Ri, Gongsun Du spoke indifferently, "This situation was not within my expectations. We must thank Lord Cat for that."