Preparing to Leave, the Stirring in His Heart

The people around them chattered away, marveling that the Xiao Clan was about to soar into the heavens. Perhaps another Dou Emperor powerhouse would emerge in the future.

After all, Xiao Yan's talent was plain for all to see. If he truly recovered, then even if he had been delayed for a few years, it would not matter much.

As for why they said "another one"? Naturally, Xiao Yan was not the Xiao Clan's only genius!

Afterward, things unfolded as before. Xiao Ning chose to challenge Xiao Yan, but the current Xiao Yan was no longer someone Xiao Ning could defeat. Even after taking the Qi-Increasing Powder, it was still useless.

Looking at the defeated Xiao Ning, Xiao Yu sighed, but she made no excessive reaction. She merely lamented that Xiao Ning had completely exited this pursuit of Xiao Xun'er. However...

Her gaze hardened as she looked toward Xiao Wujiu.

She, Xiao Yu, would never leave the stage!

After that battle, more clan members stepped forward. Everyone was still savoring the shock Xiao Yan had brought them until Xiao Xun'er's test caused another uproar.

The strength of a one-star Dou Zhe. Though such a result could not compare to Xiao Yan's back then, it was still exceptionally rare.

Finally, when Xiao Ying read out that name, it immediately drew everyone's attention!

"Next, Xiao Wujiu!"

Xiao Ying looked toward Xiao Wujiu in the stands, and everyone's gazes followed. By then, Xiao Wujiu had separated from Ya Fei, though they were still sitting together.

No one found it surprising that Xiao Wujiu was seated there. Some had noticed him long ago, but geniuses always had a few privileges, did they not?

Hearing that it was his turn, he smiled at Ya Fei before rising. With a leap, he arrived before Xiao Ying.

"Second Elder, let's keep the earlier parts of the ceremony simple."

"Alright, alright, of course there's no problem."

Xiao Ying nodded. Even if Xiao Wujiu had not said so, he would have done the same. After all, he was immensely curious about Xiao Wujiu's strength.

Immediately afterward, he completed the ceremony as quickly as possible and moved on to the final stage of the test.

Before everyone's expectant gazes, large golden words appeared again. The light on the black stone stele was brighter than it had ever been!

"Dou Master, five stars!"

The moment the test result appeared, it stirred up an enormous uproar!

"A Dou Master! Wasn't Xiao Wujiu only a three-star Dou Zhe a year ago? How did he suddenly break through to the Dou Master realm, and even reach five stars?!"

"Breaking through ten minor realms and one major realm in a year... is he even human?"

"I can't take this anymore. I thought Xiao Yan was already outrageous enough, but there's another monster here. I declare that Xiao Wujiu is the true dark horse!"

"The Xiao Clan's rise is unstoppable!"

Praise erupted all around, but Xiao Zhan, seated upon the high platform, merely smiled knowingly. He felt relieved. He was now certain that Xiao Wujiu's strength was at least in the same realm as his own!

With Xiao Wujiu's low-key and cautious nature, he had definitely concealed his true strength!

Now, he had seen through everything!

Ya Fei, meanwhile, wore a smile as she murmured softly, "This little fellow is truly low-key. A dignified nine-star Dou Ling pretending to be a five-star Dou Master."

"But that's fine. A low-key and cautious temperament will let you go farther."

Xiao Wujiu's figure was reflected in Ya Fei's eyes, and a sweet smile curved her lips.

Xiao Wujiu glanced at the stunned Xiao Ying and asked, "Second Elder, is it done?"

"Oh... oh, yes, it's done."

Only then did Xiao Ying come back to his senses and announce Xiao Wujiu's test result.

With the latter's test concluded, this coming-of-age ceremony finally came to an end. Information concerning Xiao Wujiu gradually began spreading through Wutan City.

Along with the news of Xiao Yan's restored talent, the title Xiao Clan Twin Stars was mentioned once more. The one thing everyone was certain of was this: the Xiao Clan was going to rise!

Xiao Clan, within an antique room.

Xiao Xun'er looked out the window and asked softly, "Elder Ling, have you found out who stands behind Cousin Wujiu?"

"Are there claws from other factions involved?"

She seemed to be speaking to herself, but at that moment, a black figure emerged from a shadow in the room. A voice then answered Xiao Xun'er.

"Reporting to Miss, after investigating, Xiao Wujiu does not appear to have any involvement with other factions. However, he suddenly disappeared for some time not long ago. By the time I discovered that he had returned to the clan, he was already a nine-star Dou Ling."

"Furthermore, his realm is not unstable. His blood and qi are vigorous, his Battle Qi is condensed, and his foundation is solid. There are no signs that his growth was forcibly accelerated."

Ling Ying reported every one of his findings to Xiao Xun'er in meticulous detail.

"No?"

"It seems Cousin Wujiu also has some secrets unknown to others."

"Forget it, Elder Ling. There is no need to continue watching him. If we keep doing so, we may be discovered."

"However, keep an eye on his movements. If you find anything amiss, inform me at once."

"Yes." Ling Ying replied respectfully. Then his voice fell silent as he once again sank into the darkness.

Xiao Xun'er gazed out the window. Golden flames seemed to surge and burn within her calm eyes.

"Cousin Wujiu, I hope you will not harm Brother Xiao Yan. Otherwise..."

Meanwhile, Xiao Wujiu did not return to the Xiao Clan. Instead, he followed Ya Fei to the Mittal Auction House.

Upon returning to Ya Fei's room, she could not wait to kiss Xiao Wujiu.

In response, he wrapped an arm around Ya Fei's slender waist and accepted the passionate kiss filled with love.

Breathing in the fragrance of the beauty in his arms, they gradually moved their battle to another place.

After an intense bout, Ya Fei lay sprawled atop Xiao Wujiu's broad chest. Her fingertips traced his chest as she asked, "After this, you're leaving Wutan City?"

"That's right. I should not have lingered here for so long. Now that everything has been taken care of, it is naturally time to leave."

Xiao Wujiu took Ya Fei's boneless little hand, placed it against his cheek, and smiled.

"I plan to travel and train for a while. Half a year from now, I'll return to enroll in Jia Nan Academy, then take another leave to continue training. After the Three-Year Agreement is over, I'll come back and take you away."

After saying that, he took out a Storage Ring and handed it to Ya Fei.

"There are some pills I prepared for you inside. During this time, return to the Imperial Capital and cultivate properly. There are several pills within that can speed up cultivation. For instance, there is a fourth-grade pill called the Purple Ganoderma Pill, which can increase your strength and also accelerate cultivation for a period of time..."

"But what if I miss you...?"

Xiao Wujiu had been carefully explaining the pills inside when Ya Fei's words left him speechless.

He turned to look at Ya Fei, only to meet those eyes brimming with tears and overflowing with love. He froze.