Coming-of-Age Ceremony, a Gift for Xiao Xun'er

The Xiao Clan's coming-of-age ceremony did not consist of just one test.

A preliminary test was held a month before the official ceremony began.

Those who reached the seventh stage of Dou Qi would be allowed to enter the Dou Qi Pavilion and choose cultivation techniques in advance.

Those who failed to reach it could only await their fate of being assigned elsewhere, reduced to fringe members of the Xiao Clan.

Xiao Yan had not participated in the preliminary test a month ago.

After all, he had been stuck at the eighth stage of Dou Qi for a long time before this and had already met the requirement.

He had no use for the Xiao Clan's cultivation techniques, so there was no need to waste his time.

Even this coming-of-age test was merely to give his father, Xiao Zhan, an explanation.

This was the official coming-of-age ceremony.

The Xiao Clan had invited quite a few guests.

There were weapons magnates who monopolized the city's weapons trade, nearby mercenary group leaders, and Ya Fei, the chief auctioneer of the Mittal Auction House.

Xiao Yan swept his gaze across the high platform, lingering on Ya Fei for only a moment.

She was a woman who had had many dealings with him in the original story.

Now, because his experiences differed from those of the original Xiao Yan, he no longer needed to refine and sell pills himself, and naturally had no dealings with her.

Sneaking a glance at Ya Fei's tall, voluptuous figure, Xiao Yan withdrew his gaze and thought, Perhaps we won't exchange a single word for the rest of our lives.

Shaking his head slightly, he stopped dwelling on it and walked straight onto the platform.

Then... he became a statue.

The coming-of-age ceremony was not merely a test of strength; there truly was a ritual involved.

Xiao Ying had Xiao Yan stand in place while he brought over various ceremonial items one by one and hung them on him: sashes, incense, ceremonial garments.

Xiao Yan stood there for a full half hour before the coming-of-age ritual was finally complete.

He silently thought that if he ever became clan head, he would definitely get rid of all these cumbersome formalities.

"The test begins!" Xiao Ying shouted!

His shout drew the attention of every clansman in the square. On the high platform, Xiao Zhan and the others also focused intently.

Everyone was curious about Xiao Yan's current cultivation, after his strength had regressed and he had been stuck at the eighth stage of Dou Qi for so long.

Xiao Yan did not keep them in suspense. Calm and composed, he walked to the Black Stone Stele and placed his hand upon it.

Everyone in the Xiao Clan square held their breath, as though even heavy breathing sounded piercingly loud.

All eyes were fixed upon the face of the Black Stone Stele.

A golden light emerged, and large golden characters, vigorous as dancing dragons and soaring phoenixes, slowly appeared upon the stele.

Dou Zhe: Nine Stars!

The entire Xiao Clan square sank even deeper into deathly silence.

Naturally, Xiao Yan was not surprised. He merely glanced at the words on the Black Stone Stele, withdrew his hand, and quickly stepped off the platform.

No one questioned it. No one dared to question it. No one could question it.

Seeing the dazzling words "Dou Zhe: Nine Stars!" on the Black Stone Stele, every member of the Xiao Clan who had witnessed Xiao Yan's former glory had only one thought at that moment.

The Xiao Clan genius, Xiao Yan, whose name had once shaken the entire Jia Ma Empire—

Had returned!

Only the people from the other factions on the high platform revealed looks of shock, their faces filled with disbelief.

Xiao Yan returned to Xun Er's side, and the people around them automatically made enough room for him.

The gazes directed at him—whether envious, jealous, worshipful, admiring, longing, or regretful—never entered his eyes.

No one came to disturb him.

The coming-of-age ceremony continued.

After quite some time, the ceremony finally approached its end.

Xiao Xun'er was the last to step onto the platform.

After another half hour of various rituals, the Dou Qi test began.

Four glowing golden characters appeared on the Black Stone Stele.

"Dou Zhe: One Star."

Xiao Yan smiled as if he had expected it and looked toward his Storage Ring.

Inside was the gift he had prepared for Xiao Xun'er.

Xiao Xun'er stepped off the platform and returned to Xiao Yan's side. With an expectant look, she said, "Brother Xiao Yan, I'm already a Dou Zhe. What gift did you prepare for me?"

"Let's leave first." Xiao Yan glanced at the many Xiao Clan members watching them.

Xiao Xun'er had no objection. After hesitating briefly, she took the initiative to place her hand in Xiao Yan's and blushed. "Brother Xiao Yan, Xun Er's hand is cold~"

"Mm, my hand is warm." Xiao Yan could not help secretly reveling in it.

Holding hands, the two made their way back to the courtyard where Xiao Xun'er lived.

Xiao Yan led Xiao Xun'er into her room before finally releasing her hand.

Xiao Xun'er blushed, feigning calm as she asked, "Brother Xiao Yan, what exactly is this gift? Why did you have to be so secretive?"

Xiao Yan did not answer immediately. Instead, he said directly, "Before I give you this gift, I hope you can ask that hidden guard to leave for a while."

Xiao Xun'er's body stiffened, and she lifted her head in disbelief. "Brother Xiao Yan, what did you say?"

Xiao Yan said, "Xun Er, I know far more than you imagine."

"So, are you willing to trust me?"

Xiao Xun'er's breathing quickened. After closing her eyes and hesitating for two seconds, she still spoke toward the empty air. "Elder Ling, please move farther away for a while."

"Yes." An aged voice came from somewhere, neither sorrowful nor joyful.

After waiting a few seconds, Xiao Yan asked Yao Lao in the ring and confirmed that Ling Ying had left before raising his hand.

More precisely, he raised the Storage Ring on his hand.

He poured Dou Qi into it, and a brand-new scroll appeared in his hand.

"Kid, is this the scroll you were sneakily writing two days ago? You wouldn't even let this old man see it. So it was a gift for your little girlfriend," Yao Lao teased from within the ring.

Xiao Yan ignored Yao Lao. Looking directly at Xiao Xun'er, he slowly said:

"This scroll records a secret technique. Its specific effect is..."

"To purify the bloodline within one's body."

Xiao Xun'er's breath caught, and her eyes widened abruptly.

It was like a thunderclap exploding in her mind.

As the daughter of the Ancient Clan's patriarch, how could she not understand the immense value of a secret technique that could purify one's bloodline?

To the several ancient emperor clans that still existed in this world, it was worth far more than any high-grade Heaven Rank cultivation technique or Dou Skill.

"Brother Xiao Yan." Xiao Xun'er called his name, yet she had no idea what to say.

Xiao Yan merely smiled. "Xun Er, I know your family background is far from ordinary. I obtained this secret technique by chance. Though it sounds impressive, purifying one's bloodline is not easy in practice. It takes time and effort, and if the bloodline is too thin, it will be useless as well."

Xiao Xun'er hurriedly shook her head. "No, even so, this secret technique is still incredibly valuable."

"That's good, then. At least it's worthy of you, Xun Er." Xiao Yan made no attempt to conceal his feelings.

What a joke. Leaving aside the fact that Xiao Xun'er was exactly his type and that they had accumulated years of affection between them,

Her background alone made her a powerful supporter. What was wrong with saying a few sweet words?

He was still waiting for Xiao Xun'er to repay him properly.

Sure enough, tears welled in Xiao Xun'er's eyes as she said directly, "Brother Xiao Yan~"