Coming-of-Age Ceremony

A few days later, the Xiao Clan's Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

"Alas, the younger generation of our clan has been performing worse and worse in recent years!" The Grand Elder looked at the Xiao Clan's youths gathered below and couldn't help sighing.

"When the Xiao Clan first came to Wutan City, the situation was unstable. The younger generation still knew to prepare for danger in times of peace, and they remembered the glory our clan had enjoyed in the imperial capital. They were fairly diligent in their cultivation. But now... Alas!"

The Second Elder chimed in. After all, they were both elders of the Xiao Clan and still cared about the younger generation.

Xiao Lei said, "Care about them? Then I want some candied chestnuts!"

"I heard that Young Master Xiao Yan's talent recovered a few days ago, and that he's already reached the Seventh Stage Dou Qi. If it's true, that would be a blessing for our Xiao Clan!"

The Grand Elder abruptly changed the subject, his tone oddly sarcastic. After all, reaching the Seventh Stage Dou Qi in less than a year was truly astonishing, and most people were reluctant to believe it.

"What do you mean by that, Grand Elder? Are you saying that everyone who watched the test a few days ago was blind?"

His son had finally recovered his Dou Qi, only to have people question him. Xiao Zhan was immediately displeased.

The Xiao Clan's Coming-of-Age Ceremony slowly began amid this atmosphere!

"Next, we'll test everyone's cultivation. Those at the Seventh Stage or above, please stand in the qualifying area. Once testing is complete, those who didn't qualify may challenge someone who did. If they win, they can also enter the qualifying area..."

Xiao Zhan briefly explained all the rules, then prepared to return to his seat and continue watching.

At that moment, however, Xiao Lei raised his hand high.

Who was this? Awkwardly, Xiao Zhan didn't recognize Xiao Lei at all. The latter had never done anything particularly notable before.

"Speak!"

"Clan Leader, I request to be tested first!" Xiao Lei called out. His voice rang through the grounds, which had fallen somewhat quiet during Xiao Zhan's speech, like a clap of thunder on a clear day.

"Who's that? What's his cultivation?"

"I think his name's Xiao Lei. A while back, there were always rumors about him getting beaten up by mercenaries. As for his strength, he was still at the Sixth-Stage Dou Qi recently! If nothing unexpected happens, he'll probably be kicked out of Wutan City!"

Quite a few people in the Xiao Clan knew of Xiao Lei, since he'd been picking fights with mercenaries lately.

"Isn't coming out first just asking to be humiliated? Or does he think a short burst of pain is better than a long one? Hahaha!" Xiao Ning sneered without mercy.

The conflict between the two was simple enough: Xiao Ning thought Xiao Lei was trying to seduce his older sister. After all, a few days ago, she'd gone straight to see Xiao Lei as soon as she returned, putting even her own younger brother second.

The silence below the stage was immediately broken by Xiao Lei's appearance. Even Xiao Yu's attention was drawn to him.

A few days ago, she'd gone to see Xiao Lei. Though he hadn't said so outright, she knew him well enough to guess from his behavior that he could probably pass the test.

But just now, she'd heard someone say that Xiao Lei had still been at the Sixth-Stage Dou Qi not long ago.

Could he have broken through to the Seventh Stage at the last moment? Good. At least he can stay in the clan!

"Quiet!" Xiao Zhan barked, looking around before turning his gaze back to Xiao Lei.

"Young man, you're too impatient. I understand wanting to show off when you have some strength, but mind your manners. Don't let it happen again! You can go first."

Xiao Zhan had heard the discussion just now. Like Xiao Yu, he thought Xiao Lei had broken through to the Seventh Stage at the last moment and was so excited that he wanted to test first and show off his strength.

Only Xiao Lei knew that he wasn't rushing to show off. If he tested first, he could get to the qualifying area sooner and keep an eye on Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan was powerful, and Xiao Lei had no idea how long he would need. All he could do was make the most of the time he had.

As far as Xiao Zhan was concerned, having even one person qualify first was a good thing, so he readily agreed.

After speaking, Xiao Zhan returned to his seat, content to wait and watch his son slap everyone in the face.

"Go ahead!"

Since Xiao Zhan had approved it, the person in charge of testing naturally wouldn't make things difficult. He quickly gestured for Xiao Lei to step forward.

Xiao Lei strode onto the stage and slowly placed his right palm against the Magic Stele.

At that moment, even Xiao Lei held his breath. Ever since he'd crossed over, he'd been regarded as a good-for-nothing. Though he hadn't said anything, deep down, he'd never been reconciled to it.

Let everything be buried for good today!

The Magic Stele blazed with light, then immediately dimmed again, revealing a row of large characters.

Dou Zhe—Four Star.

"Hiss—!"

"Crack, crack—!"

A collective gasp rang out from the crowd, nearly sucking the stage-bound Xiao Lei into a cold.

The teacups in several elders' hands cracked, then turned to dust at the exact same moment, as though by mutual agreement.

The examiner was so stunned that his mouth fell slightly open on its own. Only after a long while did he recover and realize how rude he'd been. He quickly announced loudly:

"Xiao Lei, Dou Zhe, Four Star!"

The examiner's voice brought everyone back to their senses. Only then did they realize they weren't dreaming; everything before them was real.

The good-for-nothing who'd still been at the Sixth-Stage Dou Qi during the last test, on the verge of being kicked out of Wutan City, had transformed into a sixteen-year-old Four-Star Dou Zhe genius!

"Th-this...!"

Xiao Ning stared at the Magic Stele before him as if it were an impassable chasm, ruthlessly mocking his ignorance.

Xiao Ning's face burned, as if someone had slapped him across the face.

He cheated. He must have cheated! My older sister actually likes a cheating scoundrel like him? I'll expose him for sure.

After the tests, there would be a round of challenges between the participants. When the time came, Xiao Ning could naturally test Xiao Lei for himself.

Xiao Ning seethed with resentment, so much that it even overshadowed his desire to teach Xiao Yan a lesson.

"H-he's a Dou Zhe? And a Four-Star one at that?"

Xiao Ning was angry and unwilling to accept it. Xiao Mei was no better off. After all, she'd always looked down on Xiao Lei—or rather, on most of the Xiao Clan's younger generation.

And now, this very Xiao Lei, whom she'd always looked down on, had revealed the strength of a Four-Star Dou Zhe.

I looked down on a genius like him! Xiao Mei couldn't believe how ridiculous she'd been. The talented partner she'd always been searching for had been right in front of her all along!

Have I ever offended him? I don't think so. Maybe I can try getting closer to him? Xiao Mei's thoughts immediately went there. She'd clearly forgotten what had happened a few days ago, since she treated most people this way.

This little wolf! He secretly got this strong, and I was worried he wouldn't pass the test!

Xiao Yu grumbled inwardly, but she felt even more surprised and happy.

"Hahaha, good! As expected of a fine young man from the Xiao Clan! Wonderful!"

Up on the viewing platform, Xiao Zhan and the other elders were so delighted they could hardly keep from dancing with joy.

A sixteen-year-old Four-Star Dou Zhe, with not the slightest bit of support or training—that was...

That was the makings of a Dou Emperor!

As long as the Xiao Clan trained Xiao Lei with everything they had, even if he failed to become a Dou Emperor, becoming a Dou Wang would be enough to let the Xiao Clan return to the imperial capital.

Yet Xiao Lei, the center of everyone's attention, felt his heart settling into calm. All the agitation he'd felt before had vanished.

He cupped his hands toward the examiner, then went straight to the qualifying area.

After that, Xiao Lei looked at Xiao Zhan and activated the system.