Soon, the results of the first round of cultivation tests were announced.
Xiao Wu and Xiao Yu tied for first place, as expected.
Eighth Stage of Dou Power.
The ceiling for the younger generation of the Xiao Clan.
That was the result of Xiao Yu hiding her true strength.
Of course, that was excluding Xiao Ling, the one who had cheated his way to the top!
But where there were winners, there were losers. Unfortunately, Xiao Yan had earned the title of bottom of the barrel.
At that moment, the Third Elder looked toward the main platform. Seeing the clan leader and Xiao Ling nod to him, he announced,
"Next is the Arena Elimination Tournament. All participants, come up and draw lots."
At his words, the Xiao Clan youths stepped forward to draw their numbers. Many of them were brimming with fighting spirit when they saw who they would be facing.
They knew each other well enough, so no one held the kind of deep-seated grudges seen in the original story.
Even when there were disagreements, they were settled during the quarterly or Year-End Assessment.
That was a rule Xiao Ling had established.
After four years, it had become deeply ingrained.
Xiao Yan looked at his bamboo slip. A red one was written on it. Then he glanced to the side and saw a boy in a green robe, around six or seven years old, grinning at him.
"As usual, those who drew numbers one through ten will take the arena corresponding to their number. Everyone else, wait a while."
At that, Xiao Yan and the others took their places in their respective arenas.
Xiao Ning glanced at his distracted older sister and asked cautiously,
"Sis, should I head up first?"
"Go ahead." Xiao Yu turned her attention back to her younger brother and warned him, "Wait. I know you're hostile toward that little Xiao Yan because of my relationship with Brother Xiao Ling. But remember this: Brother Xiao Ling's ambitions extend beyond the Xiao Clan. Don't cause him trouble, understand?"
"Don't worry, Sis. I won't cause trouble for my brother-in-law."
Xiao Ning replied solemnly.
"You... You're asking for a beating..."
Xiao Yu's pretty face flushed red as she lifted a leg as if to kick him.
Seeing that, Xiao Ning darted away and called back over his shoulder,
"Good luck, Sis! I know you can do it..."
Xiao Yu lowered her long legs, still slender but already enough to drive men wild. She lifted her chin and glanced at Xiao Ling on the main platform. When she saw him looking back at her, her face flushed, and she quickly lowered her head, her heart pounding.
"D-did he hear that? Ah! What if he did? What should I do? Maybe... I should offer myself to him?"
On the main platform, Xiao Ling was a little baffled by her evasive gaze.
He had no idea what Xiao Yu was thinking, but from the look on her face, he could tell she was definitely fantasizing about him.
To be honest, it would be a lie to say he didn't like Xiao Yu... But right now, he wanted to focus on getting stronger.
After all, the Dou Qi Continent was cruel. If his "constitution" ever came to light, and he wasn't strong enough to defend himself, the consequences would be severe...
Down below, on Arena One, Xiao Ning leaped onto the platform and looked at the small boy in black before him.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Cousin Xiao Yan. To make up for it, I'll show you the respect you deserve and won't hold back."
Xiao Yan cupped his hands slightly and replied, "You're too kind, Cousin Xiao Ning. You haven't kept me waiting."
"All right, you two, enough with the pleasantries. Hurry up—we're waiting on you." The Third Elder waved a hand, cutting them off.
If he weren't showing consideration for Xiao Ling and Xiao Zhan, he would have already given the two boys a piece of his mind.
Xiao Yan and Xiao Ning glanced around, smiled sheepishly, and cupped their hands toward the Third Elder.
"Cousin Xiao Yan, watch out."
Xiao Ning used Wind Shadow Steps, darting in front of Xiao Yan like a phantom. He struck toward Xiao Yan's chest with his palm.
"Crushing Stone Palm!"
As his palm shot forward, Xiao Ning wore a smug look.
This was the technique his brother-in-law had personally taught him. It was completely different from the family's original Crushing Stone Palm, and at least thirty percent more powerful. It truly lived up to its name, shattering stone with a single strike.
The Xiao Clan youths watching from the sidelines applauded. They didn't mind that Xiao Ning, at the Fifth Stage of Dou Power, was using a Yellow Tier Mid-Grade Dou Technique against Xiao Yan, who was only at the Third Stage of Dou Power.
After all, Big Brother Xiao Ling had told them that history was written by the victors.
Watching from the crowd, Xiao Yu looked displeased. To wear that expression before his opponent had even fallen—Brother Xiao Ling would have called it practically asking for trouble.
As it turned out, when Xiao Yan saw Xiao Ning's smug expression, he reacted quickly and ducked at once, letting Xiao Ning's palm skim right over his scalp.
At the same time, Xiao Yan unleashed Crushing Stone Palm toward Xiao Ning's chest. Unable to dodge in time, Xiao Ning was sent flying...
But Xiao Ning reacted quickly, too. While still in midair, he struck the ground with his other palm, used the force to flip over, and landed steadily at the edge of the arena.
The crowd, which had been ready to enjoy the show, paused in surprise. Then the chatter broke out.
"Damn... Xiao Ning's pretty good!"
"Yeah. I was ready to watch him get beaten by someone weaker, but who knew he had that trick up his sleeve?"
"Did Big Brother Xiao Ling give him some special training? After all..."
As he spoke, one of the Xiao Clan youths glanced toward Xiao Yu.
"Smack!"
"You're asking for trouble, talking about that tigress!"
Watching this, Xiao Yu's expression improved. She ignored the chatter around her.
On the arena, Xiao Yan saw that even this hadn't taken Xiao Ning down, so he promptly raised his hand.
"I forfeit."
After saying that, he ignored Xiao Ning's sour expression, jumped off the arena, and headed straight for the stands.
The Third Elder nodded with a smile, pleased that Xiao Yan knew when to quit.
"Good. Xiao Ning wins this match."
Xiao Ning clenched his teeth and glared at Xiao Yan's retreating back. He could only keep this in mind for now. He'd find a chance to get even.
He quietly returned to Xiao Yu's side and sneaked a glance at her expression. When he saw that his sister didn't seem inclined to hit him, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. He'd been beaten enough as a child to fear it.
If he knew the reason his sister had hit him was that she'd been rebuffed by Xiao Ling...
What would he think?!
"Second round! Those with numbers eleven through twenty, take the arena."
Xiao Yu paid no attention to her younger brother's thoughts. She looked toward the main platform, and when Xiao Ling gave her a slight nod, a sweet feeling blossomed in her heart.
Then she leaped lightly, like a butterfly fluttering among flowers, and landed softly on the arena, drawing gasps from the crowd.
"W-was that the Xiao Clan's Yellow Tier High-Grade movement Dou Technique, Butterfly Steps?"
"It really did look like Butterfly Steps. I saw it once before, but it was too hard to master, so I didn't choose it. I can't believe Cousin Xiao Yu actually learned it."
A girl around fourteen or fifteen sighed.
On the arena, a girl in blue, around seven or eight years old, looked at Xiao Yu and suppressed her apprehension, speaking calmly.
"Please show me your skill, Cousin Xiao Yu!"
"Sure!"
Before you continue