No time to mourn fallen geniuses, now entering the stage is the genius Xiao Li!

At the Xiao Clan training grounds, the middle-aged man flipped through the roster, confirmed no one was missing, and announced loudly, "The testing is over. I hope everyone continues to work hard. Let us encourage one another!"

"Wait a moment!"

At the entrance to the training grounds, Xiao Zhan, Xiao Li, and Little Fairy Doctor walked in. "Xiao Li hasn't been tested yet."

"The Second Young Master?!"

"Xiao Li?!"

The crowd gasped, looking at the youth who had matured significantly. He had grown several centimeters, nearly reaching 1.8 meters, his shoulders had broadened, and most importantly, his aura had become far more profound and expansive.

Xiao Mei's eyes sparkled with countless little stars. If both the Second Young Master and the Third Young Master were pursuing me, who should I choose?

One was a domineering, monstrous genius; the other, a melancholic, down-and-out handsome man. It was such a difficult choice, and Xiao Mei, who had secretly read countless local romance novels, felt a bit hesitant.

Xiao Ning's eyes erupted with a look of worship. To the younger generation of the Xiao Clan, Xiao Yan was a peer and a rival; while they respected him, they didn't exactly worship him.

But it was different for Xiao Ding, Xiao Li, and Xiao Yu, who were a few years older. They were objects of pure, unadulterated worship.

A beautiful woman in green robes leaned against a large tree. She carried a long sword at her waist and possessed a tall, slender figure. Most striking of all were her long, shapely legs; although she was only about sixteen, she was already breathtakingly beautiful.

Xiao Yu stood in the distance. "Xiao Li... I wonder if you're planning to enter Canaan Academy this year as well."

Looking at the clan members present, Little Fairy Doctor's gaze trembled, but she immediately clenched her fists, as if cheering herself on, telling herself not to feel inferior.

Meeting Xiao Yu's gaze, Xiao Li gave an indifferent smile and nodded. This girl had refused to submit to him for years, arguing for over a decade about who was older, only to lose every single sparring match they'd had since they were children.

Seeing Xiao Li return, the middle-aged man hurriedly stood back up. "Now, I invite Xiao Li to the stage for testing."

Accompanied by the gaze of the entire crowd, Xiao Li stepped onto the testing platform with ease. His calm, collected demeanor made Little Fairy Doctor feel a sense of reflected glory; the person she liked was simply different from the rest.

Wait, liked?

Little Fairy Doctor noticed the change in her own heart and lowered her head unnaturally, unable to hide the shyness in her eyes.

Setting aside the rose-tinted glasses of the Xiao Clan members and Little Fairy Doctor, Xiao Li felt like he had just climbed a flight of stairs, and he had no idea what they were all shouting about.

He glanced at Xiao Yan's delicate features—not exactly handsome, just clean, like a boy. By contrast, being too handsome was also a kind of trouble!

With a slight sigh in his heart, Xiao Li placed his hand on the testing stele. The life-and-death trials of the past year were not for outsiders to know; only Little Fairy Doctor knew how hard he had pushed himself.

Following Xiao Li's movement, the previously boisterous crowd suddenly fell silent, all eyes instantly focused on him.

"Da Dou Shi, one star!"

The golden characters shone brilliantly, and the massive Xiao Clan testing ground fell into a deathly silence.

"The testing... stele... is it broken?"

"But it was accurate just a moment ago..."

"So that means..."

The silent crowd suddenly erupted into a clamor, the sky-piercing shouts nearly overturning the testing grounds.

"Da Dou Shi!!!"

"My heavens, what is this?!"

On the viewing platform, the First Elder stumbled and fell to his knees, seemingly unaware. "Old Patriarch above, Heaven bless my Xiao Clan!"

The Second and Third Elders were equally ecstatic. "Ten years! Within ten years, we will surely return to the Imperial Capital!"

The young people below the platform had gone nearly insane, excitedly surrounding the testing stage; some were even flushed with excitement.

"Second Young Master, you're so handsome, I! I!" The young girl looked back at her parents, unable to finish her sentence.

"The Second Young Master could probably be the Patriarch now!" Suddenly, a discordant voice rang out. Its volume and infectious nature caused the entire testing ground to fall silent once more.

In the distance, Xiao Zhan, who had been just as happy as the rest, saw his smile vanish. His face stiffened, and his mouth twitched.

But then Xiao Zhan had a second thought: perhaps it wouldn't be bad to establish him as the Young Patriarch now. He had originally wanted the steady eldest son, Xiao Ding, to take the position, but after Xiao Yan lost his talent, that guy had insisted on building a foundation for Xiao Yan, saying it would prevent him from being relegated to managing clan industries or becoming a mercenary. It had infuriated Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Li looked back at Xiao Zhan and shook his head slightly.

Xiao Zhan understood and suppressed his thoughts. He had been blinded by joy; with talent like Xiao Li's, he clearly could not be bound by the clan. The vast world outside was where he truly belonged.

Standing in the corner, Xiao Yan felt a bitter taste in his heart. It seems it will be very hard to surpass Second Brother.

Immediately after, Xiao Yan steeled his resolve. But I won't admit defeat. I will definitely become the Xiao Clan's number one genius!

Xun'er, who was about to speak words of comfort, covered her mouth and chuckled. It seemed Brother Xiao Yan didn't need her comfort after all.

Inside the ring, Yao Lao nodded to himself, sighing at Xiao Yan's mature temperament. It seems one year is enough. Suppressing this little guy too much and making him lose all confidence would have been counterproductive. Now that the gap between him and his second brother isn't too large, he has the confidence to chase after him.

Having made his decision, Yao Lao looked at Xiao Li with some amazement. As far as he knew, even in the Yao Clan, one of the eight ancient clans, Xiao Li's talent would not be considered mediocre.

After the boisterous celebration, Xiao Li finally squeezed out of the crowded throng and found Xiao Zhan, the First Elder, and the others who were chatting.

"Father, First Elder, Second Elder, Third Elder." Xiao Li bowed respectfully.

The First Elder and the others were increasingly satisfied the more they looked at him. "Xiao Li, it's rare that you've returned. Why not simply announce your status as Young Patriarch now?"

Xiao Li shook his head. "I thank the First Elder, but my ambitions lie in the four corners of the world. I wish to travel, so the position of Young Patriarch should..."

Xiao Li's meaning was clear, and the First Elder had no choice but to give up with regret.

Xiao Zhan changed the subject from the side. "Canaan Academy will be here to recruit in another week. Ding'er's heart isn't in it, and among the Xiao Clan, you and Xiao Yu have the best talent. Xiao Yu has already decided to join Canaan Academy. Li'er, what are your thoughts?"

Xiao Li pondered for a moment. He intended to go to Canaan Academy, but there were still matters to settle before his departure.

"Father, I do indeed wish to join Canaan Academy, but I would like to handle some affairs in Wutan City first."

"Hm? What kind of affairs?" Xiao Zhan asked, puzzled. Was there anything left in Wutan City worth delaying Xiao Li for?

"Annihilate the Jia Lie and Aoba clans, and let our Xiao Clan stand alone!"

Xiao Li's calm words stirred waves in the hearts of Xiao Zhan and the others. Ever since their clan's experts perished during the retreat from the capital, the Xiao Clan had not only been forced to shrink into Wutan City but had also been compelled to share power with the Jia Lie and Aoba clans. It was a humiliation for a family that had once been a prominent clan of the Gama Empire.

Xiao Li's talent caused the long-suppressed edge of the Xiao clansmen to resurface. Xiao Zhan's eyes sharpened as he made the final decision.

"Very well. In that case, invite the Jia Lie and Aoba clans to the Xiao Clan tomorrow to observe a ceremony and discuss an alliance. If they refuse, we shall strike down their leaders on the spot, mop up their remnants, and seize absolute control of Wutan City in one fell swoop!"