Xiao Yan's Downfall

Watching Xiao Zhan's look of disbelief mixed with understanding, Xiao Li helplessly covered his forehead and hurriedly explained; he didn't want to end up like Xiao Yan, being nagged by readers for over a decade even after the book had finished.

After some explanation, Xiao Zhan barely understood.

"Since you have no home, little one, if you don't mind, come to our Xiao Clan."

Seeing Xiao Li, Xiao Zhan's mood brightened considerably, and a kind smile appeared on his weary face, causing Little Fairy Doctor, who was hiding behind Xiao Li, to heave a sigh of relief.

"Thank you, Uncle Xiao."

Xiao Zhan waved his hand dismissively, then turned to look at Xiao Li, sizing him up from head to toe.

"I can't even see through your strength anymore, not bad. Once the coming-of-age ceremony passes next year, I wonder how many young ladies from noble families will be sending matchmakers."

Little Fairy Doctor's expression tightened; she looked at her own petite figure and bit her lip.

Xiao Li laughed dryly and didn't dwell on the topic.

"Little Yan said he wanted to surpass me; how is he doing now?"

Mentioning Xiao Yan, Xiao Zhan's cheerful face stiffened. He sighed gloomily and said, "Let's talk as we walk. By the way, I brought you a gift."

Xiao Zhan forced a smile and took out a book.

Seeing Xiao Zhan's demeanor, Xiao Li understood in his heart; it seemed Yao Lao had started to exert his influence.

Taking the book, Xiao Li's eyes widened.

"Mystic-tier low-grade cultivation method, Azure Thunder Abyss Art!"

"Father, this..."

"Yan'er has run into some trouble. Originally, resources were to be split between you two geniuses, but now the clan has chosen to provide primarily for you. Plus, since you haven't used clan resources for a year, I fought to get this method for you," Xiao Zhan explained.

Xiao Li gripped the manual, his heart filled with mixed emotions. "Thank you, Father."

Not to mention that he hadn't used clan resources for a year, even if the entire Xiao Clan went without food or drink for a year, they couldn't afford this manual. He could imagine how much Xiao Zhan had sacrificed for it.

Patting Xiao Li on the shoulder, he said, "Alright, come home with me. The Canaan Academy recruitment is coming up soon. I hope you can settle down at home for a year before heading to Canaan Academy to study; it will be better for your progress."

Xiao Li nodded. He had considered this over the past year. Although rewards come with risks, entering Canaan Academy was clearly much safer than the Black-Corner Region, and the benefits were not low—at least enough for him to cultivate smoothly to the rank of Dou Wang.

...Xiao Clan

"Dou Force, eighth stage!"

Looking at the five dazzling, almost blinding characters on the Test Magic Stele, the youth remained expressionless, a hint of self-mockery at the corner of his lips. His tightly clenched fists caused his slightly sharp nails to dig deep into his palms, bringing a piercing pain...

"Xiao Yan, Dou Force, eighth stage! Level: High-grade!"

Beside the Test Magic Stele, a middle-aged man glanced at the information displayed on the stone and announced it with a tone of regret.

Once the clan's second genius, how had he fallen so far?

The middle-aged man secretly felt it was a pity. At the Third Young Master's age, the eighth stage was still peerless among his contemporaries, but he had been a Dou Zhe just a year ago.

As soon as the middle-aged man's words left his mouth, they unsurprisingly stirred up a wave of discussion in the crowded square.

"Ah, the Third Young Master's cultivation still hasn't recovered. He was at the ninth stage a few months ago, how is it still..."

"Yeah, could it be that the aftereffects of forcibly breaking through to Dou Zhe haven't faded yet?"

"Really, I don't know what the Clan Head and the Elders are doing, not helping the Third Young Master with his illness."

Because of Xiao Li, the cohesion of the younger generation of the Xiao Clan was far higher than in the original story. Even Xiao Yan's original arrogance had been polished away by Xiao Li, and the Xiao Clan's perception of Xiao Yan was quite good. Thus, when Xiao Yan fell, the clansmen felt pity rather than mockery.

On the viewing platform, the First Elder shook his head with heartache. "It's a pity for Xiao Yan."

The Second Elder sighed silently, then shook his head again. "Fortunately, there is still Xiao Li, otherwise our Xiao Clan's younger generation would really have no one outstanding."

Mentioning Xiao Li, the First Elder's expression improved significantly. "Indeed, Xiao Li is even more of a genius than Xiao Yan. I don't know what the Clan Head is thinking, letting Xiao Li go out to train alone without even telling us where he went. Otherwise, I would have dragged him back!"

Mentioning Xiao Zhan, the three Elders all wore expressions of gnashing teeth.

Below the stage, Xiao Ning draped his arm over Xiao Yan's shoulder. "Hey, hey, stop sighing. You haven't cultivated for a year and your cultivation is still higher than mine; I'm the one who should be sighing."

The dejected Xiao Yan shook his head and laughed. "It's alright, I've gotten used to it this year. But I won't give up; maybe I'll recover tomorrow, so don't let me leave you behind!"

Xiao Yan smiled optimistically, completely unaware of the flash of light from the ring on his finger.

Yao Lao clicked his tongue in wonder. "Good lad, a year of wasted time hasn't crushed you. Your character is neither arrogant nor discouraged. But you haven't been crushed in a year; I wonder what will happen in two or three years, hehehe..."

Xun'er stood guard in the corner of the testing grounds. Seeing this, Xiao Ning gave a knowing, strange laugh, patted Xiao Yan's shoulder, and walked away.

Xiao Yan smiled helplessly and walked to Xun'er's side.

"Xun'er..."

"Brother Xiao Yan, don't be discouraged. Your strange illness will surely be cured soon!"

On the young girl's beautiful, pretty face appeared an elegant smile that made the surrounding girls jealous.

Seeing this, Xiao Mei paused her steps and stomped her feet resentfully. "That hateful Xiao Xun'er, she beat me to it again!"

Xiao Yan nodded, looking into the distance with a touch of melancholy.

The path of a genius always seems to be tortuous. A year ago, he was a genius youth at the peak of his reputation, yet he suddenly received the cruelest blow of his life. Not only did the Dou Qi vortex he had painstakingly cultivated for years vanish overnight, but the Dou Qi in his body also grew strangely less and less as time passed...

"It's really hard to be a genius..."

No, that wasn't right. Thinking of the second brother who always patted him on the head, Xiao Yan gritted his teeth again. His second brother was definitely still a genius. If they were both geniuses, why was he the only one going through something like this!

He thought of his second brother, Xiao Li, who had left for training last year, and his eldest brother, Xiao Ding, who had left to become a mercenary after the coming-of-age ceremony last year.

"Damn it, I haven't even seen this magnificent world yet; how can I fall here in this tiny Wutan City!"

Watching Xiao Yan hiding in the corner muttering such melodramatic words to himself, thinking no one could hear him, Yao Lao, hiding inside the ring, was laughing so hard he was practically convulsing.

"This little guy is interesting. It seems the time for the trial can be shortened a bit. It's fortunate he has a good second brother who can keep him in check."

Thinking of that other equally gifted little guy, Yao Lao raised an eyebrow. "It seems two familiar auras are approaching."

"One is the head of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Zhan, and the other... it seems to be Xiao Li. Hiss... this strength!"

Shifting his gaze toward Xiao Yan, who was squatting in the corner, Yao Lao's eyes held a hint of pity.

"You want to surpass your second brother? I'm afraid that's going to be a bit difficult."