Ceremony Retest

The Coming of Age Ceremony passed quickly, and before long, it was all over. Next came the Dou Qi testing.

Xiao Ying stood beside the Magic Stone Tablet and began calling out names one by one. The young men and women below took the stage in turn for their tests. Before long, Xiao Jin heard a familiar name and turned his gaze over.

"Next, Xiao Mei. Come up for testing." As Xiao Ying's words fell, a young girl stepped onto the stage. She wore a pale pink dress, her brows and eyes carrying the clear innocence of someone untouched by worldly affairs. Yet when she smiled, an unconscious charm rippled from the corners of her lips, like a peach blossom soaked in morning dew in spring—clean, yet alluring. Though she could not compare to Ya Fei or Xiao Yi Xian, she was still among the prettiest girls beneath them.

Xiao Mei was very happy today. After several days of hard work, along with the Qi Gathering Pill Xiao Jin had given her, she had finally broken through to Dou Qi Stage Nine on the night before the Coming of Age Ceremony.

A confident smile appeared on Xiao Mei's lips as she stepped forward and placed her palm on the Magic Stone Tablet. "Dou Qi Stage Nine." Five large words appeared, and Xiao Ying loudly announced them. He then looked at Xiao Mei in surprise. "This girl's got talent. She was still at Stage Eight during last month's preliminary test. Looks like she really worked hard this month. What a pity Xiao Jin already has Xiao Yi Xian. Otherwise, this girl would have been quite a good match." Xiao Ying shook his head regretfully.

"Next, Xiao Huohuo. Come up for testing." A young man rose from the crowd below and walked toward the stage. The girl beside him cheered him on, while Xiao Jin also turned his gaze toward the youth, his eyes full of admiration. Xiao Jin had always admired Xiao Huohuo—admired his ruthlessness toward enemies and himself, but never toward friends. He also admired Xiao Huohuo's character. He truly was someone who would take a knife to the ribs for a friend. That was also the main reason he had later been able to establish the Tianfu Alliance.

Looking at Xiao Huohuo before him, Xiao Ying could not help but marvel at his talent. At the same time, he felt fortunate that he had listened to Xiao Jin. Ever since Xiao Jin had warned him, he had never again mocked Xiao Huohuo. On the contrary, he greeted him with a smile every time they met, leaving Xiao Huohuo somewhat baffled.

Xiao Huohuo pressed his palm against the Magic Stone Tablet, and five dazzling golden words emerged. "Xiao Huohuo, Dou Qi Stage Eight." Xiao Ying announced it loudly, his voice trembling slightly. The Xiao Family members below the stage and the guests above all drew in sharp breaths. During last month's preliminary test, Xiao Huohuo had only been at Stage Seven. Yet in merely one month, he had broken through again and reached Dou Qi Stage Eight. Such cultivation speed was beyond their understanding.

Xiao Jin smacked his lips below the stage. As expected of the child of destiny. That cultivation speed is truly terrifying. Xiao Jin had long guessed at Xiao Huohuo's strength, so he was not particularly surprised.

Xiao Zhan on the raised platform was also somewhat startled. Then came boundless ecstasy, and he burst into laughter. "Worthy of being my son! Worthy of being a descendant of the Xiao Family!" The heads of the various families in the guest seats looked on at Xiao Zhan's proud laughter with great envy.

Xiao Huohuo returned below the stage and continued chatting and laughing with the girl beside him.

Not far away, Xiao Mei looked at Xiao Huohuo with a complicated expression, her heart filled with mixed feelings.

"Next, Xiao Xun'er." The girl beside Xiao Huohuo rose to her feet. "Brother, don't be too surprised in a moment," she said playfully to Xiao Huohuo.

As he watched the purple-dressed girl stand up, a flash of amazement passed through Xiao Jin's eyes. Worthy of being the female lead. With looks like that, she's probably even more beautiful than Ya Fei and Xiao Yi Xian.

The girl in the purple dress stepped onto the stage and began without hesitation. Golden light flashed once more, but this time there were only four large words. "Xiao Xun'er, 1-star Dou Practitioner." Xiao Ying announced loudly.

"Miss Xun'er, you may return now," Xiao Ying said respectfully to Xiao Xun'er.

Xiao Xun'er was not of the Xiao Family's bloodline. Only a few of the family's higher-ups knew about this. The expert who had brought her to the Xiao Family back then had been far too terrifying; the entire Xiao Family could not afford to offend such a person. Thus, these Xiao Family elders all treated Xiao Xun'er with great respect.

Xiao Xun'er said nothing. She directly walked toward Xiao Huohuo, sat beside him, and continued chatting with him.

Another wave of cries of surprise rose from below the stage and the guest seats. "What is going on with the Xiao Family? Their younger generation is more impressive than the last." "Exactly. Once these young men and women grow up, the Xiao Family may become the strongest family among the surrounding towns." The heads of the large and small families in the guest seats began discussing it. Naturally, they did not want the Xiao Family to continue developing, but with their strength, even if all their families joined forces, they would still be no match for the Xiao Family. They could only watch as the Xiao Family continued to grow.

"Next, Xiao Jin." Xiao Ying's voice on the stage was somewhat excited. It was finally time for him to show off. What does a 1-star Dou Practitioner amount to? If my grandson reveals his true strength, won't you all be scared out of your wits?

Xiao Jin stretched lazily below the stage and slowly walked up. The moment he stood, everyone below the stage and in the guest seats focused their gazes on him. They also wanted to know what strength the youth who had defeated a 1-star Dou Practitioner two months ago possessed now.

"Linglong, hide my strength." Xiao Jin gave the system an order in his mind. A strange aura spread out, concealing Xiao Jin's strength. Unless someone was more than three major realms above him, they would absolutely be unable to see through it.

Xiao Jin went directly onto the stage and placed his palm on the Magic Stone Tablet. "Xiao Jin, 2-star Dou Practitioner." Xiao Ying announced loudly. His brows furrowed, but soon relaxed again.

The people below the stage and in the guest seats did not react much either. Perhaps they had already gone numb.

Xiao Jin returned to his seat and continued staring blankly in boredom, only hoping that this Coming of Age Ceremony would end soon.

At that moment, Xiao Jin sensed someone watching him. He looked over and saw Xiao Huohuo gazing at him curiously. Xiao Jin said nothing, merely giving Xiao Huohuo a faint smile before resuming his daze.

Seeing Xiao Jin smile, Xiao Huohuo returned it with a smile. Then he looked away.

Xiao Huohuo's actions did not escape Xiao Xun'er's notice. She softly asked him, "Brother, are you very familiar with Xiao Jin?" Xiao Xun'er naturally knew Xiao Jin as well. After all, they had lived in the same family for so long, and the family was only so large—they were bound to meet eventually. However, all her attention was on Xiao Huohuo, so she naturally did not know much about Xiao Jin.

"Mm, we have some acquaintance. He's a mysterious fellow," Xiao Huohuo said gravely. His words successfully aroused Xiao Xun'er's curiosity.

Should I send Elder Ling to investigate him? Forget it. As long as he doesn't threaten Brother or harbor ulterior motives toward him, who cares? Xiao Xun'er abandoned the thought and continued chatting and laughing with Xiao Huohuo.

Neither she nor Xiao Huohuo noticed that, in the distance, a pair of eyes was fixed on them with deadly intensity, filled with fury and a trace of jealousy.