Thunder Ancestral Symbol, the Entire Clan Shaken!

Wu Tan City.

Xiao Family.

Within the enormous bluestone training grounds stood over a hundred young men and women, their waves of chatter soaring into the sky.

At the center of the training grounds stood the massive Testing Black Stone Tablet.

Beside the black stone tablet stood a cold-faced examiner.

Today was the day of the preliminary assessment, held one month before the Xiao Family Coming-of-Age Ceremony.

On the high platform to the left of the training grounds sat several internal members of the family. At the center were Clan Chief Xiao Zhan and the Three Great Elders.

Within the grounds, the young men and women awaiting judgment stood anxiously.

Those who usually performed well did not seem particularly nervous, while those with average or poor talent wore lost expressions.

"Today is the day of the Coming-of-Age Ceremony assessment. Cousin Xiao Lei, where are you..."

At the edge of the square, Xiao Xun'er stood quietly in a corner. Her delicate brows furrowed almost imperceptibly as she could not help looking toward the far end of the square, murmuring to herself inwardly.

Although the other Xiao Family disciples wanted to strike up a conversation with Xiao Xun'er, none of them had the courage.

On the high platform, Xiao Zhan and the Three Great Elders exchanged a heated verbal battle. Then Xiao Zhan rose to announce the assessment rules and matters requiring attention before finally shouting, "Since everyone understands, the assessment will begin!"

As Xiao Zhan's deep shout fell, the young men and women on the training grounds immediately grew nervous.

Beside the black stone tablet, the cold-faced examiner stepped forward and drew a roster from his robes. His icy voice made everyone whose name was called shudder.

Those who met the Seven-Stage Dou Zhi Li standard breathed sighs of relief, while those who failed wore dejected expressions and were nearly in tears.

"Xiao Xun'er!"

Before anyone realized it, it was Xiao Xun'er's turn. The examiner's cold voice seemed to carry a faint trace of emotion when he called her name.

All eyes followed his voice and abruptly shifted toward the beautiful young girl, immaculate as untouched dust.

At the edge of the square, Xiao Yan slightly raised his head and looked over, curiosity in his eyes.

Among the younger generation of the Xiao Family, there were two people he could not see through. One was Xiao Lei, and the other was Xiao Xun'er before him.

On the high platform, every member of the family's upper ranks stopped their quiet discussions, their gazes gathering on the Xiao Family's most dazzling pearl.

Under the gaze of the entire crowd, Xiao Xun'er remained as calm as still water as she slowly walked up to the black stone tablet. She extended her jade-like hand and gently touched its icy surface, the Dou Qi within her body flowing steadily.

Very soon, the silent black stone tablet suddenly burst forth with intense light!

Dou Zhe: Four Stars!

As they looked at the four large, golden words on the black stone tablet, the training grounds fell briefly silent before a wave of sharp inhalations rang out like a sudden gale.

"Miss Xun'er, Four-Star Dou Zhe!"

Shocked by those four gleaming golden words, the examiner could not help shaking his head in amazement as he announced loudly.

Hearing the examiner's announcement, everyone in the Xiao Family on the square and training grounds looked at Xiao Xun'er with eyes full of shock.

After Xiao Xun'er, the assessments of the others failed to cause any further commotion.

Before anyone knew it, only Xiao Yan and a handful of others remained untested.

"Xiao Yan!"

Not long after, it was Xiao Yan's turn, ranked last.

Xiao Yan swept his gaze around the training grounds. The gloating looks directed at him made him let out a soft, cold laugh.

Then, with a calm expression, Xiao Yan walked toward the black stone tablet. He extended his palm and lightly pressed it against the icy stone.

"Dou Qi: Seven Stages!"

The large golden characters on the tablet once again stirred a commotion throughout the grounds.

Many people stared at the golden words on the black stone tablet in disbelief.

A year ago, Xiao Yan had clearly only been at the third stage of Dou Qi!

On the high platform, Xiao Zhan was especially agitated. He directly crushed the teacup in his hand with a slap and could not help exclaiming excitedly, "Yan'er, you... really did it!"

Beside the black stone tablet, the examiner stared blankly at the large words on the tablet. The coldness on his face had been replaced by shock as he announced loudly, "Xiao Yan: Dou Qi, seven stages, high grade!"

Hearing the examiner's announcement, the already silent training grounds became even quieter.

"What's wrong with everyone? Have you all been turned to stone?"

Just then, a clear voice suddenly came from the far end of the square.

As the voice fell, a handsome young man in a blue robe strode over.

"Cousin Xiao Lei, you're back!"

Xiao Xun'er was the first to react. A delighted smile immediately bloomed on her face as she rose and hurried to greet him.

"It's Cousin Xiao Lei!"

"Cousin Xiao Lei is back too!"

"We haven't seen Cousin Xiao Lei in over half a year. I wonder what realm he's reached now!"

"..."

On the high platform, Xiao Zhan and the Three Great Elders also revealed delighted expressions when they saw Xiao Lei return.

Over half a year ago, when Xiao Lei had left the Xiao Family, he had already revealed the cultivation of a One-Star Dou Shi. In the hearts of Xiao Zhan and the Three Great Elders, Xiao Lei had been extremely important.

When the assessment began and they had not seen Xiao Lei return, they had even felt somewhat worried.

Now that they saw Xiao Lei had returned safely, the four of them immediately set aside their concerns. Even the grievances between them were temporarily cast aside.

Xiao Lei smiled. "Is the assessment over? It seems I came back a little late."

The Second Elder smiled. "Not late, not late at all!"

"That's right. Everyone also wants to see what realm the number one genius of our Xiao Family has reached now," the Third Elder chimed in.

Xiao Zhan and the First Elder also wanted to know how much Xiao Lei had improved over the past half year.

"I'll take the assessment first." Xiao Lei gently rubbed Xun'er's head as she arrived beside him, speaking softly.

At that moment, the system's reward notification sounded in Xiao Lei's mind once more.

Ding! You touched Gu Xun'er and obtained the Thunder Ancestral Symbol!

Thunder Ancestral Symbol?

Hearing the system reward, Xiao Lei was overwhelmed with delight.

The Thunder Ancestral Symbol came from the world of Wu Dong Qian Kun. Whoever controlled the Thunder Ancestral Symbol could command the power of thunder between heaven and earth!

For a Thunder Attribute cultivator like him, the Thunder Ancestral Symbol was truly the most desirable reward!

"Mhm." Xun'er lightly nodded, the corners of her lips lifting slightly. "I also want to see what realm Cousin Xiao Lei has grown to."

"You'll know soon enough." Xiao Lei smiled faintly, gathered his thoughts, and walked toward the black stone tablet.

"Cousin Xiao Lei." Xiao Yan, who was returning from the black stone tablet, saw Xiao Lei approaching and took the initiative to greet him.

"Congratulations. Your talent has returned, and you passed the assessment." Xiao Lei patted Xiao Yan's shoulder and offered his congratulations.

This time, however, no reward appeared.

Xiao Lei was already used to it and did not feel disappointed.

Xiao Yan smiled shyly. "With results like mine, I'm afraid I can't compare to Cousin Xiao Lei at all."

"Once you break through to the Dou Zhe realm, I believe you'll soon advance by leaps and bounds!"

Xiao Lei smiled faintly. "I'll go take the assessment first."

Then, Xiao Lei continued forward and soon arrived before the black stone tablet.

Under the gaze of the entire crowd, Xiao Lei slowly extended his palm and pressed it against the black stone tablet, then gradually activated the Dou Qi within his body.

The tablet remained quiet for a moment. Then, intense light burst forth, dazzling everyone's eyes!

The enormous golden characters on the tablet made every heart present seem to stop beating in that instant.

"Dou Shi: Eight Stars!"