Dou Qi: Third Stage

"Of course." Xiao Shuang answered and strolled toward the square.

For the family assessment, Xiao Shuang could already imagine how much criticism Xiao Yan would face.

Once a genius, now fallen into the depths.

It was truly sigh-worthy. If it had been an ordinary person, they probably would have been unable to bear such a blow long ago.

Though he had been away for some time, the Xiao Family members still recognized this genius who had once stood alongside Xiao Yan.

As Xiao Shuang entered the square, a stir also rose through the crowd.

Ignoring their discussions, Xiao Shuang glanced around before finding Xiao Yan at the very end of the line.

At this moment, Xiao Yan had long lost his former carefree composure, bitterness lingering at the corners of his mouth.

Xun'er was still by Xiao Yan's side as usual, but the laughter and cheer of the past were gone, and the atmosphere was somewhat stifling.

Without the slightest hesitation, Xiao Shuang headed straight toward Xiao Yan.

The crowd automatically made way for him. None of them dared offend this Xiao Family genius who had advanced another rank.

"Little Yanzi, I'm back." He sat beside Xiao Yan, ignoring the appraising gazes around them.

Xiao Yan merely hummed in response, looking utterly listless.

Seeing Xiao Yan so dispirited, Xiao Shuang felt a trace of sympathy. Just as he had when they were children, he patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder.

"Little Yanzi, do you remember? You once said that only those who could pick things up and put them down were truly free."

"Heh, I was only good at saying it." Xiao Yan shook his head with a bitter smile, then slowly walked toward the testing monument when his name was called.

"Dou Qi: Third Stage."

As expected, a burst of laughter erupted from the crowd around the square. Seeing the once-proud genius in such a state made many of those with mediocre talent feel much better, so naturally they did not hold back their mockery.

"Enjoying yourselves? I, Xiao Shuang, accept your provocation!"

To everyone's surprise, Xiao Shuang leaped onto the square and coldly swept his gaze across the surroundings.

At that moment, most of those present fell silent. None of them had broken through to Dou Zhe, so how could they possibly fight Xiao Shuang?

Seeing this, the examiner frowned and rebuked him in a low voice, "Get down. This is not a place for you to make trouble."

"Hmph. Why didn't any of you dare laugh like that before?" Leaving those words behind, Xiao Shuang pulled Xiao Yan down from the testing platform.

This time, no one made another sound, and the assessment continued amid the strange atmosphere.

"Little Yanzi, I don't know what happened to you, but I still believe that you'll reclaim the glory that belongs to you." Xiao Shuang's voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable certainty.

"And before you reclaim your dignity, I'll protect it for you. That's why I came back!"

After saying this, Xiao Shuang waved to Xun'er, and the three of them left the square together.

Hearing those words, something seemed to appear in Xiao Yan's eyes, and an unfamiliar emotion welled up in his heart.

"A Shuang, I... do I still have the right to call you that?"

Hearing the same form of address from their childhood, Xiao Shuang froze for a moment before smiling. "Of course, Little Yanzi!"

Seeing that Xiao Yan had regained much of his spirit, a faint smile also appeared on Xun'er's delicate face.

"Brother Xiao Yan, Xun'er believes that you'll definitely rise again!"

"Alright. That day will come."

Though he said so, Xiao Yan did not have much confidence. Still, he was far better off than before.

After Xiao Shuang returned this time, the clan leader and elders summoned him for a long round of encouragement. After all, he was the future of the Xiao Family. He had already reached Dou Shi at such a young age—who knew what he would become in a few more years?

Moreover, he had an engagement with a Princess of the Royal Family. Shouldn't they protect him like a treasure?

The Third Elder was the happiest. Anyone would feel the same upon seeing his grandson so outstanding. Yet in contrast, the worry in Xiao Zhan's eyes was nearly impossible to conceal.

Once, the Xiao Family had two geniuses. Now, his own Yan'er...

The next day, guests were due to arrive. The last guests the Xiao Family had treated with such importance were from the Royal Family, so who could it be this time?

Xiao Shuang felt that he should know, but for some reason, he simply could not remember.

Entering the main hall, he saw the clan leader and the three elders seated above. Why did this scene feel so familiar...

After finding his own seat, Xiao Shuang glanced at the seat beside him and discovered that the seat that should have belonged to Xiao Yan was nowhere to be seen.

Frowning slightly, Xiao Shuang beckoned to the maid standing behind him while the guests had yet to arrive.

"Go. Add another seat here."

Xiao Shuang's status in the family was quite high now. Even some of the elders would do him a favor. Upon hearing his request, the maid nodded without the slightest hesitation.

Not long after, the guests whom the Xiao Family had treated with such solemnity arrived.

Three strangers entered the Xiao Family's main hall: an Elder in Moon-White Robes accompanied by a young man and a young woman.

Seeing that they had nothing to do with him, Xiao Shuang immediately lost interest. Propping up his chin with one hand, he yawned.

Xun'er sat beside him, flipping through an ancient book in her hands. When she saw the young woman among the three, an inexplicable meaning appeared in her eyes.

However, she paid it no mind, merely lowering her head with an indifferent expression.

"Father, three Elders!"

At that moment, a voice rang out. Xiao Yan strode forward and respectfully bowed.

"Heh, Yan'er is here? Hurry and take a seat."

With a smile and a nod, Xiao Yan swept his eyes across the hall. Spotting an empty seat beside Xiao Shuang, he walked over on his own.

"What's going on? This seat looks like it was prepared at the last minute."

Having just sat down, Xiao Yan felt somewhat puzzled. He glanced at the drowsy Xiao Shuang but held back his questions.

"Heh, Brother Xiao Yan, you should thank Brother Xiao Shuang. He had the maid prepare this seat when he arrived."

Noticing Xiao Yan's confusion, Xun'er slowly closed the ancient book in her hands and explained in an elegant voice.

"He really helped me out. Those people actually wanted to embarrass him in front of the guests. Luckily, Xiao Shuang noticed in time." Hearing Xun'er's explanation, Xiao Yan looked toward Xiao Shuang beside him, his eyes carrying a few more traces of gratitude.

However, Xiao Shuang was already nearly asleep, so Xiao Yan did not disturb him. Sitting here really was rather boring...

Just as Xiao Yan was losing interest in these guests as well, Xun'er opened the ancient book in her hands again and smiled. "By the way, Brother Xiao Yan, do you know who these people are?"

Bored out of his mind, Xiao Yan immediately turned his head and asked in surprise, "What? You know?"

"Did you see the Silver Sword on their cuffs?"

Hearing Xun'er's words, Xiao Yan immediately looked at the cuffs of the three people.