A Little Trick

The younger generation of the Xiao Family was completely convinced.

All kinds of gazes fell upon that figure, most filled with envy, jealousy, and admiration.

How could they not be convinced? Try raising your Dou Qi by five stages in a single year if you had the ability.

Seeing this, Xiao Yan's eyes dimmed for a moment. Hadn't he once been like this too?

Standing on the stage in high spirits, drawing everyone's attention, as if he could point out the course of the world—but not long after that, everything had changed...

As he thought of this, Xiao Yan clenched his fists tightly, producing a continuous crackling sound.

Xiao Xun'er felt somewhat distressed. She had originally planned to challenge him, but she was only at the eighth stage of Dou Qi while he was already a Dou Zhe. That gap could not be bridged so easily.

She could still challenge him, of course, but there was no longer any point to it. There was no need.

Xiao Mei felt empty inside. Why had she left his side to stay with the other girls? At the very beginning, she had even mocked him, calling him a clown who was making a fool of himself. But now...

The outcome had been impossible to predict. Who could have imagined it would turn out this way?

He had used his strength to deliver a vicious slap across the faces of everyone who had looked down on him—a hard, painful slap.

Xiao Mei wanted to go over and congratulate him, yet she could find no reason to do so. Tears welled up in her eyes. Regret filled her heart, and she wanted to cry.

"Wait. Xiao Bai, test yourself once more. This time, I'll conduct the test myself."

Xiao Bai looked toward the speaker. It was an old man—the Second Elder of the family.

The old man's expression appeared as calm as still water, but the trace of doubt in his eyes was impossible to hide. Clearly, he did not believe Xiao Bai could raise his Dou Qi by five stages in a single year.

With the Second Elder saying this, the others became even more suspicious.

"How could Xiao Bai possibly have such monstrous talent? He must have cheated. Looks like he's been exposed now."

"I knew it! Hahaha, this is going to be a good show!"

"A person should be more honest. Once you're exposed, you won't be able to show your face anymore."

"Someone like him should just get out of the Xiao Family. I'm ashamed to be associated with him."

The people in the training ground below began clamoring. Some even directly shouted for Xiao Bai to get out, to get out of the Xiao Family.

Some people were simply like that—they could not stand seeing others do well.

When someone was worse than them, they looked down on him. When someone was better than them, they assumed that person had to be a fraud.

That was exactly how this crowd was now, looking gleeful as they waited for the elder to expose Xiao Bai's trick.

The Second Elder walked to the edge of the platform. With a push from his feet, his body flew toward the testing monument like a wild goose.

He landed lightly beside the testing stone monument like a feather, swept his gaze over the people below, and let out an angry shout.

"Silence! Before the results are out, do not jump to conclusions."

The Second Elder was an old and shrewd man. Although he did not believe Xiao Bai could raise his Dou Qi by five stages in a year, he would not voice that directly.

Better safe than sorry. If Xiao Bai truly possessed the strength of a Dou Zhe and this matter hurt his feelings, it would be an enormous loss to the family.

By then, not only would the Xiao Family become the laughingstock of Wutan City, but the family would also lose a rare opportunity.

After reprimanding those who had been shouting, the Second Elder turned to Xiao Bai. His expression became much gentler as he said with a smile, "Xiao Bai, don't overthink it or feel pressured. This is only to confirm whether you truly possess the strength of a Dou Zhe, so that your status will be beyond question and no one will doubt you afterward."

"Heh."

Xiao Bai gave a cold laugh.

"I had intended to hand over the Mystic Seal Dou Technique to the family..."

The moment they heard that, everyone was first stunned, then overjoyed.

The Second Elder and the test examiner both revealed ingratiating smiles.

When Xiao Bai saw those fawning smiles, he unconsciously moved a little farther away.

To be honest, he could not stand those smiles!

Unsolicited kindness always hid some ulterior motive.

Though they were all members of the Xiao Family, he had no favorable impression of them.

Seeing their expressions, the disdain in his heart deepened. He sneered and spoke the rest of his words.

"But since the family does not believe me, why should I take it out? After all, I spent countless efforts perfecting it."

The moment those words were spoken, the expressions of the Clan Leader, the elders, and the family members all changed.

They had witnessed the power of the Mystic Seal before, and last time, the Dou Technique had not even displayed half of its true power.

It was impossible not to covet such a powerful Dou Technique.

The Second Elder immediately became anxious upon hearing this and quickly signaled the test examiner with his eyes.

"Xiao Bai, it isn't that the family doesn't believe you. It's just that outsiders are different from us. They might question your strength and say that you relied on improper means..."

"That's right! The Second Elder, I, and everyone in the family all believe in you—you must be certain of that. And it's only one more test. It won't take much effort. It's mainly to make those outsiders shut up!"

The two of them played off each other, saying that the family meant well and that everything was for Xiao Bai's reputation and future.

Their true intentions were obvious to everyone.

Xiao Bai saw through it all with perfect clarity.

Xiao Bai interrupted their performance and swept his gaze over everyone present. The fervor in their eyes was impossible to hide, and he found it somewhat amusing.

"Test me."

Those two simple words sounded like heavenly music to the others.

Though he had agreed to the test, that did not mean Xiao Bai had submitted.

They wanted the Mystic Seal? Then they would have to offer enough benefits in exchange!

Once the Second Elder was ready, Xiao Bai pressed one hand directly against the black stele. As he did, the stele emitted a dazzling light, and large golden words appeared.

One Star Dou Zhe!

The earlier test had not been wrong. Xiao Bai really was a One Star Dou Zhe.

Ignoring the others, Xiao Bai turned and left.

"Xiao Bai, about that Mystic Seal..." the Second Elder asked cautiously.

"Offer enough benefits in exchange."

After saying that, Xiao Bai felt considerably more at ease. This had been his true goal all along.

By using a small trick to raise the stakes and maximize his own gains, this was exactly the outcome he wanted.

Now, it depended on how the family chose to respond!

Watching his departing figure, the Second Elder and the others knew that they might have made a mistake.

"Ah..."

Of course, what needed to continue still had to continue. The family assembly would not truly stop because of this. It was just that everyone was now considering how they should compensate Xiao Bai.

If Xiao Bai knew, he would definitely laugh himself silly.

The Mystic Seal was a combat technique of the family. Although Xiao Bai had completed it, that did not change the fact that it belonged to the Xiao Family.

Moreover, Xiao Bai was also a member of the Xiao Family. As a clan member, he should have put the family's interests first.

Running away was one option, but even if he truly wanted to flee, it would not be so easy.

A family that had endured for so long without decline would always possess some unknown powers and secrets.

That was the family's foundation. Once it was used, there would be no turning back.

Of course, it was not that serious. Xiao Bai merely wanted to secure a few more benefits for himself.