Xiao Family's Back Courtyard

Xiao Family's back courtyard.

Inside the enormous bluestone training ground, more than a hundred youths and young girls stood in formation, wave after wave of clamor rising into the sky.

A huge black testing stele stood in the training ground. Beside it was still the same cold Tester from before.

On the High Platform to the left of the training ground sat some of the Family High-Level Officials. In the center were Clan Head Xiao Zhan and the Three Elders.

The youths and young girls waiting to be judged stood uneasily in the field. Those who usually performed well did not look particularly nervous, while those with mediocre or poor talent wore expressions of confusion and apprehension.

At this moment, as they watched Mo Yu walk in alongside Xiao Mei'er, the youths in the field all revealed traces of envy on their faces.

Ever since he had defeated Xiao Ning with a single strike in the Dou Technique Pavilion, the usually low-key Mo Yu had become famous throughout the family. His reputation now rivaled that of the mysterious and powerful Xun'er.

At the edge of the Square, Xiao Ning was surrounded by a large group of his peers. His eyes stared at Mo Yu, fury mixed with a trace of fear.

"Damn it, this guy stole all the attention." After muttering resentfully, Xiao Ning said nothing more. Clearly, the lesson he had received last time had left a deep impression on him.

Ignoring the waves of envious and jealous gazes, Mo Yu went straight to the back of the line. Xiao Mei'er followed closely behind him step by step, as if deliberately showing off something.

On the High Platform, Xiao Zhan watched this scene with a thoughtful expression, apparently mulling something over.

"Clan Head, I think Mei'er seems interested in Mo Yu, and Mo Yu's talent has recently become obvious to everyone. I suggest betrothing Mei'er to him to win him over. What do you think?" the Third Elder suddenly asked beside Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan shot him a sidelong glance, furrowing his brow before shaking his head. "That wouldn't be appropriate. Xiao Yu and Mei'er are both still too young. It's too early to discuss this now.

"Besides, marriages are decided by the parents and matchmakers. Although Xiao Yu's parents aren't here, doesn't he still have a Grandfather? I'd better wait until I ask Steward Mo for his opinion."

Xiao Mei'er was the Third Elder's granddaughter. Clearly, he had taken a liking to Mo Yu's talent and wanted to use marriage to draw him into the elders' faction.

As Clan Head, Xiao Zhan naturally disliked this, so he directly found an excuse to refuse.

After being rebuffed by Xiao Zhan, the Third Elder's expression turned slightly ugly. Beside him, the Second Elder let out a sinister snort. "I remember that Xiao Yan is supposed to participate in this test as well. Why hasn't he arrived yet? Is he worried that he won't pass?

"The Third Elder is only thinking of the family, too. In my opinion, Mo Yu's talent isn't inferior to Xiao Yan's back then."

Hearing this, anger flashed across Xiao Zhan's face. He was already irritated, and this guy had deliberately brought up the one thing he didn't want to hear. Just as he was about to retort, a slight commotion suddenly arose in the field.

His gaze shifted. At the path at the far end of the distant Square, two figures were slowly approaching. Their unhurried steps showed no sign of haste despite the importance of today's occasion.

They were Xiao Yan and Xun'er.

Seeing them arrive, the Family High-Level Officials on the High Platform also stopped arguing.

Xiao Zhan immediately rose and shouted in a deep voice, "According to the rules of the test, the seventh stage of Dou Qi and above is considered passing, while anything below that is considered failing. However, according to the additional rule used in previous years, after the test is completed, anyone below the seventh stage of Dou Qi has the right to challenge a Companion above the seventh stage once. If the challenger wins, they can also enter the passing ranks!

"Since everyone understands, the test begins!"

As Xiao Zhan's deep shout fell, the youths and young girls in the training ground immediately grew nervous.

Beside the black stone stele, the cold Tester stepped forward and took a roster from his robes. His icy voice made those whose names were called tremble all over.

Mo Yu stood in the field like a pine or cypress, seemingly detached from everything around him. His eyes were slightly closed, while Xiao Mei'er stood closely behind him.

Xiao Yan found a clean bluestone floor and sat cross-legged. Xun'er sat beside him, resembling an immaculate Green Lotus.

For a time, these two areas seemed isolated from the rest, completely out of place amid the tense atmosphere.

"Xiao Mei!"

As one youth after another stepped onto the platform, Xiao Mei's name was called as well.

"Cousin Mo Yu, I'm going."

Mo Yu merely nodded expressionlessly.

"Dou Qi: Eightth Stage!"

Powerful light burst from the black stone stele, and large, dignified characters floated across its surface.

"Xiao Mei: Dou Qi, Eighth Stage, Advanced!" After glancing at the black stone stele, the cold Tester nodded slightly and announced in a deep voice.

Hearing the Tester's voice, Xiao Mei sighed in relief. Immediately afterward, pride rose on her small face. In one year, she had advanced from the seventh stage to the eighth stage. Such progress was enough to place her among the top five in the family. With such an impressive result, it was no wonder the young girl felt satisfied.

After the Tester's voice rang out, a commotion spread through the training ground. Wave after wave of envious gazes shot toward Xiao Mei.

"Advancing one stage of Dou Qi in a year. Barely acceptable..." Xiao Yan rubbed his nose and commented indifferently before looking in the direction of Mo Yu.

"I wonder how strong Cousin Mo Yu is now?"

"I can't see through him, but he's very strong—so strong that even Xun'er has no confidence in securing victory." Xun'er toyed with a strand of her hair, her gaze somewhat solemn as she looked toward the Green-shirted Youth.

For some reason, despite all her wondrous methods, she still couldn't discern the Youth's strength. He seemed to be shrouded in mist, making him completely unreadable to Xun'er.

Hearing that even the usually mysterious and powerful Xun'er had no confidence in defeating Mo Yu, Xiao Yan's gaze focused slightly. He then sighed, "I originally thought my progress had already been tremendous. I didn't expect that I still couldn't surpass these two monsters, Xun'er and Cousin Mo Yu, within the family."

"Hehe, Brother Xiao Yan, don't sell yourself short. Xun'er has certain reasons that can't be spoken of, while Cousin Mo Yu surely has his own fortuitous encounter. In any case, Brother Xiao Yan, your potential is enormous. Didn't Cousin Mo Yu say that you would one day become famous across the continent...?"

After hearing Xun'er's encouragement, Xiao Yan also recalled Mo Yu's encouragement from the past. A trace of confidence appeared on his resolute face.

At that moment, after Xiao Mei's outstanding performance, only one of the next dozen or so youths reached the seventh stage of Dou Qi. The rest were eliminated.

"Xiao Xun'er!"

Under this name, the Tester's cold voice unexpectedly carried a faint trace of emotion.

The gazes of everyone in the field followed the voice and abruptly shifted toward the beautiful, immaculate Young Girl.

Mo Yu raised his brows and lazily opened his slightly lowered eyes. Looking at the girl's beautiful back, he murmured, "Unless something unexpected happens, she should have already advanced to Dou Zhe. However, after this test ends, I'm also prepared to break through to Dou Zhe."