Test

Xiao Chen passed through the crowd in the square and came to Xiao Xun'er's side, where he heard her voice.

"Brother Xiao Chen, congratulations."

A breathtaking smile appeared on Xiao Xun'er's delicate, pretty face as she spoke.

Xiao Chen knew that Xiao Xun'er was definitely stronger than him. After all, she had a father at the Nine Star Dou Sheng Peak.

As Xiao Chen and Xiao Xun'er spoke, the Middle-aged Man's shout rang out again from the center of the square.

"Next, Xiao Xun'er!"

After greeting Xiao Chen, Xiao Xun'er took light, graceful steps toward the pitch-black Magic Stone Tablet.

As Xiao Chen watched Xiao Xun'er's graceful figure, the gazes of everyone around them converged on her.

Xiao Xun'er's cool and tranquil bearing was like a pure lotus just beginning to bloom. Though still so young, she already possessed an otherworldly aura. It was hard to imagine just how devastatingly beautiful she would become once she grew up.

A moment later.

Xiao Xun'er arrived before the Magic Stone Tablet. She extended her small hand, and the purple sleeve embroidered with black-gold threads slipped down, revealing a section of snow-white, tender wrist. Then, she lightly touched the stone tablet.

A moment later, light bloomed from the tablet, and several bold, soaring characters appeared upon its surface.

"Xiao Xun'er, Dou Qi: Ninth Stage! Grade: High!"

The square fell silent at the sight of the words on the tablet, before exclamations of amazement erupted.

"Miss Xun'er has actually reached the ninth stage. That's terrifying!"

"This cultivation talent..."

The people in the square began discussing it excitedly, their praise filled with awe.

Dou Qi was the path every Dou Zhe had to walk. The initial stages of Dou Qi were divided into ten levels. Once the Dou Qi within one's body reached the tenth stage, one could condense a Dou Qi Vortex and become a respected Dou Zhe!

At this moment, the Middle-aged Tester spoke to Xiao Xun'er with slight deference.

"Miss Xun'er, in another half year, you should be able to condense a Dou Qi Vortex. If you succeed, you will become a true Dou Zhe! Congratulations!"

"Thank you."

Xiao Xun'er nodded lightly, then descended from the platform with graceful steps.

"Brother Xiao Chen, what do you think?"

Xiao Xun'er walked to Xiao Chen's side, a playful smile appearing on her face.

"Impressive."

Xiao Chen raised his fair hand and rubbed Xiao Xun'er's head, praising her.

Seeing Xiao Chen's gesture, Xiao Xun'er glanced at the people around them. A sunset-like flush appeared on her delicate cheeks.

The people around them looked at Xiao Xun'er's shy, pretty face, then at Xiao Chen beside her. Their eyes were filled with envy and jealousy.

Such a wonderful girl had gone to Xiao Chen.

In the end, under the jealous gazes of those around him, Xiao Chen reached out and took Xiao Xun'er's soft little hand, leading her away from the square.

At that moment, Xiao Zhan stood at the center of the platform, watching the retreating figures of Xiao Chen and Xiao Xun'er. He sighed inwardly and said, "That girl Xun'er is no simple person. As for Chen'er, he..."

Night.

The moon hung like a silver disk, with stars filling the sky.

At the peak of a cliff, Xiao Yan lay sprawled on the grass, a blade of grass held between his lips. He chewed it lightly, allowing its faint bitterness to spread through his mouth.

"Brother Chen, who do you think Nalan Yanran will choose?"

Suddenly, Xiao Yan sat up from the grass and looked toward Xiao Chen, who was lying beside him.

Hearing this, Xiao Chen fell into deep thought.

Because of Xiao Chen's appearance, the marriage agreement between the Xiao Family and the Nalan Family had also undergone some changes.

In the original story, there had been no betrothal arranged while they were still in the womb.

Instead, Nalan Yanran herself would choose whether Xiao Chen or Xiao Yan would fulfill the marriage agreement set by the two family heads.

"Definitely not me, because I already have Xun'er."

"Little Yan, women will only slow down your cultivation."

A moment later, Xiao Chen spoke calmly, though there was a strange note in his voice.

"I heard that Nalan Yanran has already been accepted as a disciple by the Sect Master of the Misty Cloud Sect." Xiao Yan shook his head and gave a bitter smile.

Just as Xiao Chen was about to say something, a voice suddenly came from not far away.

"Chen'er, Yan'er, why are you still up there so late?"

Xiao Zhan's concerned voice entered the ears of Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan.

Xiao Chen looked toward the sound and saw Xiao Zhan dressed in luxurious gray robes. His strides carried a certain majesty, while his thick brows added a touch of boldness to his face.

"Father, why have you come?" Xiao Yan was the first to ask.

"Yan'er, are you still thinking about this afternoon's test?"

Xiao Zhan strode forward as he spoke, smiling.

"Heh, what's there to think about? It was only to be expected."

Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Zhan, shook his head, and smiled. His voice carried both helplessness and confusion.

He had once been a genius.

Yet for no reason at all, he had become useless.

Even Xiao Yan found the heaven-and-hell-like gap deeply lamentable, and he simply could not accept or understand it.

"Yan'er, you're fifteen now, aren't you? In another year, it'll be time for your coming-of-age ceremony..."

Xiao Zhan's gaze swept over Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan's somewhat youthful, handsome faces as he gave a bitter smile.

Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan exchanged a glance. Xiao Yan's eyes held some helplessness, while Xiao Chen's contained an unusual gleam that others would find difficult to notice.

The coming-of-age ceremony—those who passed it would qualify to enter the Dou Qi Pavilion and seek a Dou Qi cultivation technique, thereby earning the family's attention and training.

Those who failed to pass the coming-of-age ceremony would be assigned to the family's various businesses, managing ordinary affairs for the family.

"I'm sorry, Yan'er. If your Dou Qi does not reach Seven Stages within a year, then your father will have no choice but to painfully assign you to one of the family's businesses."

"These are the Xiao Family's clan rules. Even as clan leader, I cannot change them. Besides, those old geezers are always waiting for me to make a mistake so they can seize on it."

"As for Chen'er, you should break through to the seventh stage within this year as soon as possible."

Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Yan with concern and sighed apologetically. His tone was filled with helplessness.

Being clan leader was no easy job.

"Father, I'll work hard. A year from now, I'll definitely reach Seven Stages of Dou Qi!" Xiao Yan said with a smile, comforting him.

Xiao Chen also nodded and voiced his agreement.

"As for the agreement with the Nalan Family, you two can decide for yourselves."

Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan, sighed, and spoke helplessly.

"Alright, it's getting late. You should both head back and rest early."

After saying that, Xiao Zhan waved his hand, turned, and left.

Xiao Chen watched Xiao Zhan's figure disappear into the darkness of the night. Just as he turned back, intending to say something to comfort Xiao Yan, his peripheral vision caught sight of something.

The ancient, pitch-black ring on Xiao Yan's finger suddenly lit up with an extremely faint, eerie glimmer. The glimmer vanished in an instant.

But it still did not escape Xiao Chen's sharp eyes.

It seemed Yao Lao would be waking soon as well.

"Don't worry, Father. I'll do my best! I definitely won't disappoint you!" Xiao Yan muttered as he looked in the direction where Xiao Zhan had disappeared.

Clearly, Xiao Yan had not noticed the change in the ring on his hand.

"Little Yan, keep it up!"

Xiao Chen walked to Xiao Yan's side, reached out, patted him on the shoulder, and encouraged him.

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