First Check-In

[Ding! The gears of fate had begun to turn. System loading complete. Host, please receive your system!]

[This is the Check-in System. The Host may choose where to check in. Each location can only be checked in at once, and Check-in Rewards are entirely "random."]

[Choose a location and think "check in" to complete a check-in. No need to speak aloud. Host, please perform your first check-in.]

Below the stage, Xiao Tian heard the mechanical voice in his mind. It was hardly pleasant, but after waiting two and a half years, it sounded like music to his ears.

System, check in, Xiao Tian thought.

[Ding! Check-in location: Xiao Family Test Plaza. Check-in successful. As this is your first check-in, you have received: physique—Thunder God Body; cultivation art—Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Art (evolvable); Thunder Attribute Dou Techniques—Thunder Burst (Mystic Rank High Grade), Thunderbird (Mystic Rank Intermediate Grade), Thunder Lion (Mystic Rank Intermediate Grade).]

Boom!

One look at the rewards left Xiao Tian stunned.

"Dear system—no, my savior! What does this physique do? And how does an evolvable cultivation art evolve? Don't tell me I have to go looking for lightning to eat."

"The Host's physique can accelerate cultivation and unlock its exclusive skill, Thunder God's Wrath, which raises Dou Qi by three stars without side effects. The Host can also summon the Thunder God Avatar to increase attack and defense. Its duration depends on the Host's strength."

"Unlike Xiao Yan's Flame Mantra, this evolvable cultivation art does not require devouring Thunder Tribulations. The Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Art has six stages: Yimu Thunder, Binghuo Thunder, Gengjin Thunder, Guishui Thunder, Wutu Thunder, and the Great Five Elements Thunder formed by fusing all five. The Host can cultivate and condense each into a personal Spirit Thunder. The art will evolve automatically whenever one is formed. Thunder Origin and Thunder Heart Source may also appear as check-in rewards, helping the Host condense personal Spirit Thunder faster and without risk."

After hearing about his rewards, Xiao Tian wanted to shout, I'm taking off!

Everyone, call me the Thunder Emperor! The Thunder Emperor, not Thunder Edison!

"Next, Xiao Yan."

Xiao Tian came back to himself and looked toward Xiao Yan on the stage.

"Xiao Yan. Dou Qi, third stage. Grade: low." The middle-aged examiner beside the Magic Stone Tablet announced the result without emotion.

Xiao Yan stared at the glaring words "Dou Qi, third stage" on the Magic Stone Tablet. Faint laughter rose from below the stage, and a bitter smile tugged at his lips. But when he looked toward the young man leaning against a tree, gratitude entered his eyes.

If his older brother had not sought out the people who mocked him and given them a beating and a warning, some in the crowd would probably have shown their ugliest sides and ridiculed him without restraint. Xiao Yan quietly stepped off the stage and returned to his place.

Xiao Tian looked at Xiao Yan beside him. The three-year ordeal was almost over. Yao Lao should appear soon, and Xiao Yan would finally learn why his Dou Qi had vanished. Then he would gain Yao Lao's wholehearted guidance and protection. Xiao Yan might be a bit of a scoundrel and somewhat irresponsible, but he was loyal and repaid those who helped him many times over. Just look at Hai "angel investor, only fights at the top" Bodong, Yao Lao, and the others.

The Endless Fire Territory had Yao Lao, but no sign of...

"Don't lose heart, Xiao Yanzi. Gold always shines eventually!" Xiao Tian said, patting Xiao Yan on the shoulder.

"I know. Thank you, Tian Ge." Xiao Yan looked at him with dull eyes.

"Next, Xiao Mei."

The girl was only fourteen, yet her youthful face held a hint of allure. That blend of innocence and charm made her the focus of the crowd. She slowly placed her hand on the Magic Stone Tablet.

"Xiao Mei. Dou Qi, seventh stage. Grade: high!" the examiner announced, reading the words on the tablet.

After the test, Xiao Mei stepped off the stage and headed toward Xiao Tian and the others. As she approached, she called, "Cousin Xiao Tian, Xun Er Jiejie, Cousin Xiao Yan!"

The three smiled and nodded in greeting.

"Cousin Xiao Yan, I believe your old talent will return, and then you'll show them all," Xiao Mei told the downcast Xiao Yan.

"Thanks, Cousin Xiao Mei. Don't worry. I'm used to it, and I'm not that easy to defeat."

Xiao Mei smiled and made an encouraging gesture. Then she stood beside Xun'er and began whispering to her. Xiao Mei did most of the talking while Xiao Xun'er listened quietly.

Because Xiao Tian had come from another world, and because of his talent and fierce protectiveness, Xiao Mei had not grown distant from Xiao Yan as she had in the Original Work. Their relationship was still quite good.

"Next, Xiao Xun'er."

"Xiao Tian Gege, I'm going up for my test!" Xun'er said. She gently freed herself from Xiao Mei's hand and walked toward the stage.

"Xiao Xun'er. Dou Qi, ninth stage. Grade: high!"

"Miss Xun'er has reached Ninth Stage Dou Qi? Her talent is terrifying!"

People below the stage swallowed hard and stammered, their eyes full of awe.

When Xiao Xun'er came down, she stopped in front of Xiao Tian. He gave her a thumbs-up. "Amazing, Xun'er. You really are a talented and beautiful genius."

"Next, Xiao Tian."

At the sound of his name, Xiao Tian gently stroked Xun'er's hair and walked onto the stage. He reached the Stone Stele and placed his hand on it with practiced ease. A blinding light flared, then four dazzling characters appeared.

Dou Zhe, one star.

Crack!

The instant he saw the words on the Stone Stele, Xiao Zhan crushed the teacup in his hand. The other three Elders sprang to their feet in shock. Below the stage, a wave of sharp gasps rose from people too stunned to close their mouths.

The examiner struggled to steady himself. "Xiao Tian. Dou Zhe, one star!" he announced, his voice trembling.

Once the crowd recovered, discussion erupted. "That's terrifying! A Dou Zhe before he's even fifteen? What does that make those of us at the fifth or sixth stage of Dou Qi? Have we wasted our lives? That talent..."

Xiao Ning stared at the words on the Stone Stele in disbelief. "How is that possible? No, it can't be. This has to be fake!"

Ignoring every voice, Xiao Tian calmly stepped off the stage and walked over to Xiao Xun'er. "Well? Did I scare you?"

"So you really did break through to Dou Zhe, Xiao Tian Gege," Xiao Xun'er said, rolling her eyes at him.

Xiao Yan gave a faint smile and congratulated Xiao Tian on his breakthrough. Then he turned and left, looking dejected. Xiao Mei said she needed to work hard at her cultivation and left as well.

Watching Xiao Yan go, Xun'er said, "Xiao Tian Gege, he looks a little down."

Xiao Tian watched Xiao Yan's retreating figure. "Don't worry. It won't be long before he finds his fighting spirit again."

With that, Xiao Tian took Xun'er's hand and led her out of the plaza. They strolled around the family grounds for a while before going their separate ways.

Back in his courtyard, Xiao Tian shut the door and sat cross-legged on his bed. Eagerly opening the System Panel, he saw the rewards waiting to be claimed. "System, claim my rewards!"