First Check-in

[Ding. The gears of fate have officially begun to turn. System loading complete. Host, please receive it!]

[This system is the Check-in System. The Host may choose check-in locations on his own. A single location can only be checked in at once. Check-in Rewards are entirely "random."]

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

Below the stage, Xiao Tian heard the mechanical voice ringing in his mind. Though it did not sound pleasant, to Xiao Tian, who had bitterly waited two and a half years, it was practically music from heaven.

"System, check in," Xiao Tian silently said in his heart.

[Ding. Check-in location: Xiao Family Test Plaza. Check-in successful. As this is the first check-in, rewards obtained: Physique: Thunder God Body. Cultivation method: Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Art (evolvable). Thunder Attribute Dou Techniques: Thunder Burst (Mystic Rank High Grade), Thunder Bird (Mystic Rank Intermediate Grade), Thunder Lion (Mystic Rank Intermediate Grade).]

Boom.

After glancing at the system's rewards, Xiao Tian was stunned numb on the spot.

"Foster father—pah, dear System, what does this physique do? And how does an evolvable cultivation method evolve? Don't tell me I have to go looking for thunder to eat?"

"The Host's physique can increase Cultivation Speed and activate the physique-exclusive skill Thunder God's Wrath, which can raise Dou Qi by three stars without side effects. It can also summon the Thunder God Avatar to increase attack power and defensive ability. Duration depends on your own strength."

"The evolvable cultivation method is different from Xiao Yan's Flame Mantra. It does not require devouring Thunder Tribulations. The Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Art is divided into six stages: Yimu Thunder, Binghuo Thunder, Gengjin Thunder, Guishui Thunder, Wutu Thunder, and the fusion of the five thunders into the Great Five Elements Thunder. The Host can cultivate on his own and condense an exclusive Spirit Thunder. Once an exclusive Spirit Thunder is formed, the cultivation method will automatically evolve. Thunder Origin and Thunder Heart Source may also appear during check-ins to help the Host condense his exclusive Spirit Thunder faster, with no risk whatsoever."

After Xiao Tian finished listening to the system's rewards, he cried out inwardly: Wuhu, taking off!!!!

Everyone, please call me Thunder Emperor. It's Thunder Emperor!! Not "Ladies and"!

"Next, Xiao... Yan."

Xiao Tian recovered and looked toward Xiao Yan on the stage.

"Xiao Yan, Dou Qi, Third Stage. Level: Low." Beside the Magic Stone Tablet, the middle-aged Tester announced it in an indifferent tone.

Xiao Yan looked at the five glaring words "Dou Qi, Third Stage" on the Magic Stone Tablet before him, and listened to the faint waves of mocking laughter coming from below the stage. A self-deprecating smile could not help appearing at the corners of his mouth. However, when his gaze turned toward the young man leaning against a tree, a trace of gratitude surfaced in his eyes.

If not for his older brother catching those who liked to mock him and giving them a beating and a warning, perhaps the ugly faces of certain people below the stage would have been fully displayed, and they would have mocked him without the slightest restraint. Xiao Yan silently walked down the stage and returned to his original spot.

Xiao Tian looked at Xiao Yan beside him. The three-year trial was just about over, and Yao Lao should be about to appear, too. Xiao Yan was also about to learn the reason his Dou Qi had vanished, and receive Yao Lao's unstinting teaching and protection. Though Xiao Yan was a bit of a scumbag and a little irresponsible, when it came to conduct, he valued affection and loyalty. For those who had helped him, he would always repay them even more. For example, Hai "Angel Investor" "Only Fights Peak Matches" Bodong, Yao Lao, and so on.

In the Endless Fire Territory, there is Yao Lao, yet he is not seen...

"Xiao Yanzi, don't lose heart. Gold will always shine!" Xiao Tian patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder and comforted him.

"I understand, Tian Ge. Thank you." Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Tian with dim eyes and thanked him.

"Next, Xiao Mei."

A girl who was no more than fourteen, with childishness still lingering on her small face, nevertheless carried a faint charm. The contradictory combination of purity and allure made her the focus of everyone present. The young girl slowly placed her hand on the Magic Stone Tablet.

"Xiao Mei, Dou Qi, Seventh Stage. Level: High!" the Tester said as he looked at the words displayed on the Magic Stone Tablet.

After the young girl finished the test, she walked down the stage, heading in Xiao Tian and the others' direction. Once she approached, she called out, "Cousin Xiao Tian, Xun Er Jiejie, Cousin Xiao Yan!"

The three of them smiled and nodded in acknowledgment.

"Cousin Xiao Yan, Mei'er believes that you'll regain your former talent later and slap their faces hard." Xiao Mei spoke to Xiao Yan, who looked somewhat dejected.

"Thank you, Cousin Xiao Mei. Don't worry, I'm already used to it. I'm not that easy to knock down either."

After Xiao Mei heard Xiao Yan's words, she smiled and made a don't-give-up gesture at him, then stood directly beside Xun'er and whispered with her. However, most of the time it was Xiao Mei speaking while Xiao Xun'er quietly listened.

Because of Xiao Tian's appearance, someone who did not belong to this world, along with Xiao Tian's talent and protective nature, Xiao Mei had not become cold toward Xiao Yan like in the Original Work. Instead, their relationship was still fairly good at present.

"Next, Xiao Xun'er."

"Xiao Tian Gege, I'm going up for the test!" Xun'er said to Xiao Tian, then moved Xiao Mei's hand aside and walked toward the stage to be tested.

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

"Miss Xun'er has actually reached Ninth Stage Dou Qi! What terrifying talent."

The people below the stage could not help swallowing and stammering, their eyes filled with awe.

After Xiao Xun'er walked down from the stage, she stood before Xiao Tian. Xiao Tian raised his thumb and praised her, "Xun'er is amazing. As expected of a genius girl with extraordinary talent and both beauty and brains."

"Next, Xiao Tian."

After Xiao Tian heard his name called, he gently stroked Xun'er's hair, then walked toward the testing platform. Arriving beside the stone tablet, he familiarly placed his hand on it. After the stone tablet emitted a burst of dazzling light, four glaring words appeared.

Dou Zhe, One Star.

Crack.

The instant he saw those dazzling words on the stone tablet, the teacup in Xiao Zhan's hand was crushed directly by him. The other three elders were also startled into standing up, while below the stage came a large wave of gasps, jaws dropping so far they could hardly close.

The Tester struggled to calm himself and said in a trembling voice, "Xiao Tian, Dou Zhe, One Star!"

After the crowd below the stage recovered, an enormous discussion erupted. "Isn't this too terrifying? He became a Dou Zhe before even turning fifteen? Then what do those of us at the Fifth or Sixth Stage of Dou Qi count as? Did we waste our lives on dogs? That talent..."

Below the stage, Xiao Ning was even more incredulous. He stared blankly at the large words on the stone tablet and muttered in a lost voice, "How is this possible? Impossible. This has to be fake!"

Xiao Tian ignored all the voices and quietly walked straight down the stage, heading toward Xiao Xun'er. He asked, "Well? Did I scare you?"

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

Xiao Yan also smiled faintly. After congratulating Xiao Tian on breaking through to Dou Zhe, he turned and left dejectedly. Xiao Mei also said that she was going to work hard at cultivating, then left.

After seeing Xiao Yan leave, Xun'er said, "Xiao Tian Gege, Xiao Yan seems a little down."

Xiao Tian looked at Xiao Yan's gradually receding back and said, "Don't worry. It won't be long before he finds his fighting spirit again!"

After saying that, Xiao Tian took Xun'er's hand and walked out of the plaza as well. The two strolled around the family for a while before each returning to their own place.

After returning to his own courtyard and closing the door, Xiao Tian sat cross-legged on the bed and impatiently opened the System Panel. Looking at the unclaimed rewards displayed on it, Xiao Tian said, "System, claim the rewards!"