The Tournament Begins, Xiao Xun'er Becomes a Three-Star Dou Zhe!

"What did you say?"

"I said, get lost," Xiao Xuan said.

"For Xiao Yu's sake, I won't hold it against you."

"You still dare mention my sister?"

Dou Qi began to surge within him.

"Good. Very good."

"Xiao Xuan, today I'll teach you a lesson on my sister's behalf, you worthless trash."

Xiao Ning struck at Xiao Xuan with his palm.

Xiao Xuan sat on the bed without moving at all.

Just then, a figure flashed in through the doorway.

Xiao Xun'er.

She stepped in front of Xiao Xuan and raised a hand to block Xiao Ning's palm.

"Xiao Ning, what are you doing?"

Xiao Ning's expression shifted when he saw her.

"Xun'er, move aside."

"I won't," Xiao Xun'er said coldly.

"This is between Xiao Xuan and me. It has nothing to do with you," Xiao Ning said.

"Xiao Xuan's business is my business," Xiao Xun'er said.

At those words, jealousy rose in Xiao Ning's heart.

He did not understand.

Xiao Xun'er was the Xiao Clan's genius. She had already reached One-Star Dou Zhe two days ago.

Why was she protecting a Third Stage Dou Qi good-for-nothing so fiercely?

"Xun'er, do you know what he did?" Xiao Ning said. "He injured my sister."

"I heard," Xiao Xun'er said.

"And you still want to protect him?"

"Xiao Yu said she was accidentally injured while sparring," Xiao Xun'er said.

"You believe that?" Xiao Ning demanded.

"I do," Xiao Xun'er said.

Xiao Ning trembled with rage.

Seeing Xiao Xun'er's expression, he knew he most likely could not touch Xiao Xuan today.

With Xiao Xun'er protecting him.

"Fine," Xiao Ning said through gritted teeth.

He pointed at Xiao Xuan.

"Xiao Xuan, this is all you can do—hide behind a woman."

"The Clan Tournament is tomorrow."

"When the time comes, I'll make you pay."

With that, he turned and left the room.

Xiao Xun'er watched Xiao Ning leave, then turned to Xiao Xuan.

"Xiao Xuan, are you all right?"

"I'm fine," Xiao Xuan said.

Xiao Xun'er sat beside the bed and studied his complexion.

"Xiao Xuan, what exactly happened with Cousin Xiao Yu's injury?"

"She was injured while sparring with me," Xiao Xuan said.

Xiao Xun'er looked at him, a trace of confusion flashing through her eyes.

A thought suddenly surfaced in her heart.

Xiao Xuan's strength probably isn't limited to Third Stage Dou Qi, is it?

After all, he had managed to injure Cousin Xiao Yu.

She did not press him further.

If Xiao Xuan did not wish to say it, she would not continue asking.

Xiao Xuan took a jade bottle from his robes and handed it to her.

"Xun'er, this is for you."

Xiao Xun'er accepted the jade bottle and opened it for a look.

A smooth, round pill lay quietly within.

Two faint patterns marked its surface, giving off a familiar medicinal fragrance.

Heavenly Spirit Pill.

"Xiao Xuan, is this a Heavenly Spirit Pill?" Xiao Xun'er asked in surprise.

"Yes," Xiao Xuan said.

"Where did you get it?"

"I bought it at an auction house," Xiao Xuan said casually.

Xiao Xun'er looked at him, the doubts in her heart growing deeper.

Although the Heavenly Spirit Pill was only a second-grade medicinal pill, it was still quite expensive.

"Xiao Xuan, perhaps you should keep this pill—"

"If I gave it to you, take it," Xiao Xuan cut her off.

Xiao Xun'er bit her lip and accepted the jade bottle.

"Thank you, Xiao Xuan."

She opened the bottle and poured the Heavenly Spirit Pill into her mouth.

The pill entered her stomach, and a warm medicinal force spread through her body.

Xiao Xun'er closed her eyes, sat cross-legged, and began guiding the medicinal power.

Time passed little by little.

The fluctuations of Dou Qi in the room became increasingly distinct.

Dou Qi surged through Xiao Xun'er's meridians as the Heavenly Spirit Pill pushed her cultivation steadily upward.

The bottleneck of Two-Star Dou Zhe began to loosen.

Her Dou Qi churned.

The aura around her suddenly surged.

Three-Star Dou Zhe.

Breakthrough!

Xiao Xun'er opened her eyes, a faint smile appearing on her face.

Just as she was about to speak, she discovered that Xiao Xuan had closed his eyes.

The system's voice rang out in Xiao Xuan's mind.

[The bound target's strength has risen to Three-Star Dou Zhe.]

[The host has received cultivation feedback.]

A vast force exploded within his body.

Dou Qi surged wildly through his meridians.

His cultivation began to rise.

Xiao Xuan opened his eyes, a flash of golden light passing through them.

Peak Three-Star Dou Emperor.

Xiao Xuan drew a deep breath, feeling the abundant power within his body.

The system's feedback was countless times faster than cultivating on his own.

The next day.

Xiao Clan Martial Arts Arena.

A raised platform stood in the center of the Martial Arts Arena, with a row of seats arranged before it.

Xiao Zhan sat in the seat of honor, while the three elders sat on either side.

Below the platform, the Xiao Clan disciples had gathered in full.

Today was the day of the Clan Tournament.

The Grand Elder sat in his seat, his gaze landing on Xiao Xuan below the platform as a trace of coldness flashed through his eyes.

He already knew about Xiao Yu's injury.

Xiao Xuan had used despicable means to ambush Xiao Yu and injure her.

How could a Third Stage Dou Qi good-for-nothing possibly injure Xiao Yu in a head-on fight?

The more the Grand Elder thought about it, the angrier he became.

This good-for-nothing had freeloaded off the Xiao Clan for so many years, and now he had even injured someone.

Today's tournament had to drive him out of the Xiao Clan.

He rose to his feet, sweeping his gaze over everyone below the platform.

"Today's Clan Tournament will follow different rules from before."

The disciples below the platform fell quiet and looked at him.

"In the past, Dou Qi levels were tested on the Magic Testing Stele," the Grand Elder said. "But Dou Qi level does not represent actual combat ability."

"So today's tournament will be conducted through matches."

"Two people will fight at a time. The winner advances, and the loser is eliminated."

The moment those words were spoken, discussion erupted below the platform.

The Grand Elder's intentions could not have been clearer.

This tournament was aimed directly at Xiao Xuan.

Xiao Zhan sat in the seat of honor, his expression somewhat grim.

But the Grand Elder had already said it aloud, so Xiao Zhan could hardly refute him in front of the entire clan.

"The first match," the Grand Elder announced.

He lowered his head and glanced at the list in his hand.

"Xiao Xun'er versus Xiao Mei."

Xiao Xun'er stepped out from the crowd and ascended the platform.

Xiao Mei stepped up as well, looking at Xiao Xun'er with visible nervousness.

Xiao Xun'er was the Xiao Clan's acknowledged genius.

Though she usually kept a low profile, everyone knew she was powerful.

"Begin," the Grand Elder said.

Xiao Mei gritted her teeth and attacked first.

She pushed off the ground and charged toward Xiao Xun'er, striking out with her palm.

Xiao Xun'er remained where she was without moving.

Only when Xiao Mei's palm wind reached her did she raise her hand.

A light, effortless palm strike.

Bang.

Xiao Mei's body flew straight backward and crashed at the edge of the platform.

One move.

She had used only one move.

Xiao Mei struggled to rise, staring at Xiao Xun'er with shock filling her eyes.

She could feel that Xiao Xun'er had not used her full strength at all.

"Three-Star Dou Zhe!"

Someone below the platform cried out in shock.

Everyone was stunned.

Three-Star Dou Zhe.

How old was Xiao Xun'er this year?

Fifteen.

A fifteen-year-old Three-Star Dou Zhe.

Even Xiao Yan had only reached Ninth Stage Dou Qi at fifteen.

Xiao Xun'er's talent was even more terrifying than Xiao Yan's.

"Miss Xun'er is already a Three-Star Dou Zhe."

"She's far too strong."

"The Xiao Clan's number one genius can only be her."

The disciples discussed excitedly, their eyes full of admiration as they looked at Xiao Xun'er.

In a corner, Xiao Yan lowered his head, his hands tightly clutching the hem of his clothes.

He had once been the pride of the Xiao Clan.

At eleven, he had broken through to Dou Zhe, shocking all of Wutan City.

But now, he had become a good-for-nothing at the Third Stage Dou Qi.

And Xiao Xun'er had reached the level of a Three-Star Dou Zhe at the age of fifteen.

She had left him far behind.

Xiao Yan's heart was filled with loneliness and inferiority.

Xiao Xun'er stepped down from the high platform and returned to the crowd.

She glanced at Xiao Xuan, her eyes carrying a hint of concern.

"Brother Xiao Xuan, did I do well just now?"

Seeing Xiao Xun'er's attitude toward Xiao Xuan, the surrounding gazes seemed to want nothing more than to devour him.