Another Prodigy

Everyone's eyes turned to Xiao Yu, the Xiao Family's acknowledged second genius after Xiao Yan!

Xiao Yu rose to his feet and walked toward the Demon Stone Tablet. A faint smile appeared on the examiner's cold face as he said, "Young Master Xiao Yu should have entered the ranks of Dou Zhe this year, shouldn't he? Such an achievement would be second only to your third brother, Young Master Xiao Yan!"

Xiao Yu smiled faintly. "Perhaps I might even surpass my third brother."

The examiner gave Xiao Yu a surprised look. Xiao Yu then placed his palm directly onto the Demon Stone Tablet. Xiao Zhan and the three Elders of the Xiao Family seated on the platform were all rather tense. Xiao Zhan feared that Xiao Yu might suffer the same situation as Xiao Yan, while the three Elders feared that if Xiao Yu's strength surpassed the Nine Stages of Dou Qi, their branch would never again have a chance to rise within the Xiao Family!

The young men and women below the platform also stared intently at the Demon Stone Tablet. Only Xiao Xun'er, standing at the very back, wore a faint smile at the corner of her lips, seemingly not nervous at all.

Xiao Yan, who had already completed his test, stood beside Xiao Xun'er and asked, "Has Little Yu already broken through to Dou Zhe?"

Xiao Xun'er looked at Xiao Yan and said softly, "Brother Xiao Yu said he wanted to surprise me. Perhaps he has done more than just break through to Dou Zhe!"

Xiao Yan was slightly dazed. Breaking through to Dou Zhe at fourteen was already a genius seen once in a century. Looking at Xiao Yu on the platform, he thought, If my cultivation had not regressed, perhaps I would have reached the strength of a three- or four-star Dou Zhe by now!

Under the gaze of so many people, Xiao Yu showed no sign of nervousness. Not long after his palm touched the Demon Stone Tablet, an intense flash of light suddenly burst forth, forming a white pillar of light that lingered above the tablet!

Dou Zhe: Four Stars!

The instant he saw that white pillar of light, Xiao Zhan crushed the teacup in his hand with a crack. The other three Elders of the Xiao Family stared blankly, unable to believe what they were seeing!

The examiner standing beside Xiao Yu was even more stunned. He muttered blankly, "Xiao Yu, Four-star Dou Zhe, Dou Zhe Level: Intermediate!"

When the young men and women below heard the examiner's words, sharp gasps rose from the crowd. Then their faces heated up uncontrollably. Dou Zhe Level: Intermediate? What were people like them, with Four-stage, Five-stage, and Six-stage Dou Qi, supposed to do—bang their heads against a wall?

Xiao Ning stood below the platform, disbelief in his eyes as he muttered, "Impossible, absolutely impossible! Breaking through to Dou Zhe is one thing, but how could he break through within a year and leap three stages in a row to become a Four-star Dou Zhe?"

The word monster rose uncontrollably in everyone's heart. Even freak no longer suited Xiao Yu. They now seriously suspected that Xiao Yu had deliberately slowed his cultivation before this, just so he could show off at a moment like this. But no matter what, Xiao Yu had shown off very successfully!

Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yan were also stunned by the four gleaming golden words on the Demon Stone Tablet. This truly was a surprise—not merely a pleasant one. A Four-star Dou Zhe at fourteen... with such strength, it was hard not to suspect that Xiao Yu might reach Dou Master by the time he came of age at sixteen!

Ignoring their shocked and jealous gazes, Xiao Yu walked straight down from the testing platform and came before Xun'er. He asked smugly, "Well? Surprised?"

Xiao Xun'er rolled her eyes at Xiao Yu. "Surprised. I'm shocked to death."

Xiao Yan also smiled faintly before turning and leaving.

Xiao Yu and Xiao Xun'er exchanged a look. Watching Xiao Yan's retreating back, Xiao Yu said, "Don't worry. He'll regain his fighting spirit."

Xiao Xun'er sighed as well. "I hope so."

Then, clasping her hands behind her back, Xiao Xun'er asked playfully, "Brother Xiao Yu, now that you've broken through to Dou Zhe, shouldn't you treat Xun'er to a good stroll around Wutan City?"

Xiao Yu laughed heartily. "Of course. Let's go now!" As he spoke, Xiao Yu grabbed Xun'er's right hand and pulled her out of the Training Ground. Amid the envious gazes of the crowd, they ran toward Wutan City. Xun'er was startled by Xiao Yu's action, but merely followed behind him with flushed cheeks and did not pull free!

When Xiao Zhan on the platform saw Xiao Yu leaving while holding Xiao Xun'er's hand, his expression stiffened. Then he thought with mixed feelings, That brat dares to grab anyone's hand!

Xiao Yu took Xun'er around Wutan City for an entire day. The two only returned from Wutan City at dusk. After parting in the Xiao Family's front courtyard, Xiao Yu headed straight to his room, sat cross-legged on his bed, and began cultivating.

With the system, Xiao Yu would be even less likely to slack off. He still had to venture out into the world. With this little strength, he was not even worth mentioning on the Dou Qi Continent, was he?

Xiao Yu naturally understood that only Dou Emperors could be said to have a voice on the Dou Qi Continent. Although there were Ten Great Experts in the entire Gamma Empire, Xiao Yu also remembered that Yun Shan of the Misty Cloud Sect had become a Dou Zong with the Soul Clan's help. Though his strength as a Dou Zong was somewhat unstable and he belonged to the lowest rank of Dou Zong, he was still a Dou Zong, enough to stand above everyone in the Gamma Empire!

Xiao Yu formed seals with both hands, drawing the Dou Qi of heaven and earth toward himself. Before long, the Dou Qi between heaven and earth surged toward him, forming a Dou Qi vortex centered on Xiao Yu. It poured into his body through every pore and acupoint, then gathered in his Dantian, causing the Dou Qi Vortex there to rapidly grow!

While Xiao Yu cultivated, Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan were also talking at the Back Mountain. At the end of their conversation, Xiao Zhan said to Xiao Yan, "Go back and rest early. We will have distinguished guests at home tomorrow!"

"Distinguished guests? Who?" Xiao Yan asked in confusion.

"You'll find out tomorrow," Xiao Zhan said with a chuckle.

The next day.

An elderly voice came from outside Xiao Yu's window. "Fourth Young Master, distinguished guests have arrived at the residence today. The Clan Leader asks that you go to the main hall!"

Having finished cultivating, Xiao Yu casually replied, "Got it."

The footsteps gradually faded away. Only then did Xiao Yu remember that today should be the day Nalan Yanran came to break off the engagement. Without giving it much thought, he stretched his body, changed into a proper set of white clothes, and walked out.

As he was nearing the main hall, Xiao Yu happened to meet Xun'er, who was also heading there. Xun'er skipped over with a smile and looked at Xiao Yu. "Brother Xiao Yu looks so handsome today!"

Xiao Yu wore a long white robe, with a Jade Pendant at his waist. If he had a folding fan in hand as well, he would truly be a jade-like gentleman upon the road, unmatched beneath the heavens!

Xiao Yu smiled faintly and complimented Xun'er as well. "Xun'er is very beautiful today too!"

The two entered together. Everyone in the Xiao Family's main hall turned their eyes toward Xiao Yu and Xun'er, silently praising them in their hearts: What a golden boy and jade girl!

Xiao Yu paid no attention to the others' gazes. Holding Xun'er's hand, he walked straight to a corner and sat down. After sweeping his eyes around, he spotted the three extra people in the hall. That exceptionally delicate-looking young woman was presumably Nalan Yanran!

Xiao Yu saw through the strength of all three at a glance. The old man was a Seven-star Da Dou Shi, the proud-looking young man was a Four-star Dou Zhe, and Nalan Yanran was a Three-star Dou Zhe!

Xiao Yu did not notice that the instant he entered, Nalan Yanran's gaze had immediately fallen upon him!