Coming-of-Age Ceremony

A few days later, the Xiao Clan ceremony began.

"Sigh, the performance of the younger generation has been growing worse with each passing year!" High up on the viewing platform, the Grand Elder looked down at the Xiao Clan disciples in the arena and could not help but sigh.

"When the Xiao Clan first arrived in Wutan City, the situation was unstable. Back then, the juniors were still mindful of danger in times of peace, and remembering the glory our clan once held in the Imperial Capital, their cultivation was quite diligent. But now... sigh!"

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

Xiao Lei remarked, "Care? Then I would like some sugar-roasted chestnuts!"

"I heard that a few days ago, Young Master Xiao Yan's talent actually recovered, and he has already reached the level of a seven-stage Dou Disciple. If that is true, it is truly a blessing for our Xiao Clan!"

The Grand Elder suddenly changed the subject, though his tone was somewhat sarcastic. After all, reaching the seven-stage Dou Disciple level in less than a year was truly shocking, and most people were unwilling to believe it.

"What is the meaning of the Grand Elder's words? Are you implying that everyone who witnessed the test the other day is blind?"

His son had finally recovered his Dou Qi with great difficulty, only to be questioned by others, and Xiao Zhan was immediately displeased.

The Xiao Clan ceremony began slowly amidst this atmosphere.

"We shall now begin the cultivation assessment. Those at the seventh stage or higher, stand in the qualified area. After the assessment concludes, those who failed will have the opportunity to challenge those who passed. If you win, you may also enter the qualified area..."

Xiao Zhan briefly recited the various rules before intending to return to his seat to continue watching.

However, at this moment, Xiao Lei raised his hand high.

Who was this? Awkwardly, Xiao Zhan did not recognize Xiao Lei at all, as the latter had never shown any significant performance before.

"Speak!"

"Clan Head, I request to be the first to be tested!" Xiao Lei said loudly. His voice exploded across the arena, which had fallen somewhat silent due to Xiao Zhan's speech, like a sudden clap of thunder.

"Who is this guy? What is his cultivation?"

"It seems his name is Xiao Lei. Not long ago, news kept circulating that he was being beaten up by mercenaries. As for his strength, he was only at the sixth stage of Dou Disciple a while ago! If nothing goes wrong, he'll likely be kicked out of Wutan City!"

There were still quite a few people in the Xiao Clan who knew of Xiao Lei, if only because he had been constantly brawling with mercenaries lately.

"Isn't coming out first just asking for humiliation? Or does he think a short pain is better than a long one? Hah! Hahaha!" Xiao Ning mocked him without mercy.

The conflict between the two was simple: Xiao Ning felt that Xiao Lei had seduced his sister. One had to know that when Xiao Yu returned a few days ago, she had gone straight to see Xiao Lei, leaving even him, her own brother, behind.

The silence that had previously gripped the audience was broken by Xiao Lei, and even Xiao Yu's heart was stirred.

When she went to see Xiao Lei a few days ago, although he did not say it explicitly, based on her understanding of him and his behavior at the time, she had roughly guessed that he should be able to pass the test.

It was just that she had heard others say earlier that Xiao Lei was only at the sixth stage of Dou Disciple.

Could it be that he broke through to the seventh stage at the very last moment? That would be good; at least he can stay in the clan!

"Quiet!" Xiao Zhan gave a low shout, scanned his surroundings, and then looked back at Xiao Lei.

"Young man, you are too impetuous. I can understand wanting to show off a bit of strength, but you must mind your manners. Let this be the last time! You may go first!"

Xiao Zhan had also heard the discussions in the arena. He shared a similar view to Xiao Yu, believing that Xiao Lei must have broken through to the seventh stage at the last moment and was simply too excited to wait to show his strength.

Only Xiao Lei knew that he wasn't rushing to show off; he just wanted to finish his test early so he could get to the qualified area and keep an eye on Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan's cultivation was high, and Xiao Lei did not know how long it would take, so he had to maximize his time.

To Xiao Zhan, having the first person pass the test was a good omen, so he simply granted the request.

After speaking, Xiao Zhan returned to his seat, waiting leisurely to watch his son slap everyone in the face later.

"Come up!"

Since Xiao Zhan had approved, the person in charge of the testing naturally would not make things difficult and quickly signaled for Xiao Lei to step forward.

Xiao Lei stepped onto the platform and slowly touched the Magic Stele with his right palm.

At this very moment, even Xiao Lei held his breath. Ever since he transmigrated, he had been regarded as trash. Although he hadn't said anything, he was deeply unwilling to accept it.

Let everything be buried completely today!

The Magic Stele suddenly erupted with light, which then immediately retracted, forming large, bold characters.

Dou Practitioner — Four Stars.

"Hiss—!"

"Crack!"

A sharp intake of breath echoed through the arena, nearly giving the Xiao Lei on the stage a cold.

The teacups in the hands of several elders emitted a cracking sound, and then, in a synchronized moment, they all crumbled into fine powder.

The examiner in charge of the test was so shocked that his mouth hung open involuntarily. It was a long time before he regained his senses, realized his lack of decorum, and hurriedly shouted aloud.

"Xiao Lei, Dou Practitioner, four stars!"

The examiner's voice pulled the thoughts of everyone in the arena back. Only then did they realize they weren't dreaming; everything before their eyes was reality.

The trash who was at the sixth stage of Dou Disciple during the last test and was about to be kicked out of Wutan City had transformed into a sixteen-year-old genius who was a four-star Dou Practitioner!

"This, this, this!"

Xiao Ning stared at the Magic Stele before him, which seemed like an uncrossable chasm, ruthlessly mocking his own ignorance.

Xiao Ning felt a burning, stinging sensation on his face, as if he had just been slapped across the cheek.

Cheating, he must be cheating. How could Sister actually like such a petty cheater? I must expose him.

There would be a challenge segment after the testing concluded, and Xiao Ning would naturally be able to test Xiao Lei then.

The resentment in Xiao Ning's heart even eclipsed his desire to teach Xiao Yan a lesson.

"How... how could he be a Dou Practitioner? And a four-star one at that!"

Xiao Ning was filled with resentment and unwillingness, and Xiao Mei was no better off. It must be known that she had always looked down on Xiao Lei, or rather, she looked down on the vast majority of the younger generation of the Xiao Clan.

And now, this very Xiao Lei whom she had always looked down upon had actually revealed the strength of a four-star Dou Practitioner.

I actually looked down on such a genius! Xiao Mei felt that she was ridiculous; wasn't the genius partner she had been searching for right in front of her all along?

Have I ever offended him? I don't think so. Does that mean I can try to get close to him? Xiao Mei's thoughts immediately shifted to this; she had clearly forgotten about the events of a few days ago, as she treated most people the same way.

This little lecher, he actually hid such strong strength! And here I was worrying that he wouldn't be able to pass the test!

Xiao Yu thought to herself with a touch of annoyance, though she felt far more surprise and joy.

"Hahaha, good! Worthy of being a fine son of our Xiao Clan! This is wonderful!"

Xiao Zhan and the other elders on the viewing platform were so happy they could barely contain themselves.

A sixteen-year-old four-star Dou Practitioner, and that was without any support or cultivation resources—what did this mean?

This was the potential of a Dou Emperor!

As long as the Xiao Clan cultivated him with all their might, even if Xiao Lei did not become a Dou Emperor, becoming a Dou King would be enough for the Xiao Clan to return to the Imperial Capital.

However, in the arena, Xiao Lei, the focus of everyone's attention, only felt his heart calm down, and all the restless emotions of the past had vanished.

He bowed slightly to the examiner and was the first to walk over to the qualified area.

Afterward, Xiao Lei looked toward Xiao Zhan and activated the system.