Battle Through the Heavens: Reborn into the Xiao Clan, Starting with Xiao Xuan's Legacy — Section 23

"Seventh Stage Dou Qi, in just one year!"

"Worthy of being my, Xiao Zhan's, son!"

Seeing this, however, the First Elder was somewhat disappointed. He muttered under his breath, "Seventh Stage Dou Qi... It must be thanks to that Foundation-Building Elixir. Relying on external aids to improve oneself like this..."

Before the First Elder could finish, Xiao Zhan viciously turned his head and gave him a death glare. "First Elder, at such a joyous time, you'd better not!"

The training ground instantly fell deathly silent. Everyone stared at the information on the testing stele in disbelief.

Xiao Ning, in particular, gritted his teeth in hatred. "How is this possible?! Fine, Xiao Yi might be an exception! But how did that brat Xiao Yan also reach the Seventh Stage of Dou Qi in just one year?!"

Xiao Yan, standing on the testing platform, remained extremely calm and smiled faintly.

Then, with a light leap, he arrived beside Xiao Yi.

"Brother Yi, it's your turn. You're today's grand finale!"

Xiao Yi smiled and nodded, then slowly stepped onto the testing platform under everyone's watchful gazes.

Xiao Yi calmly circulated the Dou Qi within his body and lightly raised a hand to touch the massive testing stele.

The instant Xiao Yi's hand touched the testing stele, an intense light suddenly burst forth from its surface!

That light was more dazzling than any before it, even brighter than the light when Xun'er had taken her test!

When the light faded and four large, glittering golden words emerged on the testing stele—

[Dou Practitioner, Three Stars!]

Everyone briefly suspected they had seen it wrong.

After all, a year ago, Xiao Yi had only been at the First Stage of Dou Qi, the weakest person in the entire clan.

Yet in just one year, he had become a three-star Dou Practitioner.

Even those who had long known that Xiao Yi had returned to the Dou Practitioner realm were stunned.

"A three-star Dou Practitioner already? He rose another star in just three months..."

"This brat..."

Xiao Zhan's face was full of smiles. He even turned to the First Elder and said, "Well, First Elder? Do you still think my five hundred thousand was wasted?"

The First Elder revealed an awkward, bitter smile and could only nod along.

The next second, the previously quiet grounds erupted into an uproar.

After all, the Xiao Clan had produced such a young three-star Dou Practitioner. Anyone would be thrilled by such a thing.

At this moment, it was hard to imagine that these cheering people were the very same group who had mocked Xiao Yi and Xiao Yan a year ago...

Such a change was truly enormous.

Xiao Yi could not help but smile bitterly. "This world truly respects strength above all else..."

"Everyone! The testing has concluded!"

Xiao Zhan had never felt so Clear-Headed and Refreshed. He slowly rose, waved his sleeve, and personally presided over the next ceremony.

"Next, any clan disciple who failed the Dou Qi test may challenge someone who passed!"

As soon as Xiao Zhan finished speaking, the crowd immediately began chattering excitedly again.

"Clan Leader, can I also choose anyone I want to challenge?"

At that moment, a woman's voice suddenly rang out across the training ground.

All the other noisy voices immediately fell silent.

Xiao Yi and the others looked toward the voice and saw a figure in fitted red attire slowly emerge from the crowd.

The instant Xiao Yi and Xiao Yan saw the woman, they could not help but exchange glances.

"Why is Xiao Yu back?!"

"Didn't she go to Canaan Academy...?"

The corners of Xiao Yi's lips rose slightly as he looked at Xiao Yu, who stood out remarkably among the crowd.

Xiao Yi vaguely remembered that even when Xiao Yu was young, her pair of jade-like legs had been particularly eye-catching.

Now that she had fully grown, they were even more dazzling.

Xiao Zhan, on the raised platform, was slightly taken aback upon hearing Xiao Yu's words.

"Yu'er, today is about matters between the younger generation of the clan. What are you doing getting involved?"

Xiao Yu merely smiled and respectfully cupped her hands toward Xiao Zhan. "Clan Leader, I'm part of the younger generation too!"

Xiao Zhan frowned slightly. "That's true, but you already passed the age for the coming-of-age ceremony..."

"For today, step down first..."

But at that moment, the First Elder behind Xiao Zhan suddenly spoke up.

"Clan Leader, Yu'er has just returned from Canaan Academy after traveling all this way. Since she is rarely in such high spirits today, just let her have some fun..."

"Consider it guidance for the clan's younger disciples..."

The moment Xiao Zhan heard this, he knew what the old bastard First Elder was plotting.

Xiao Yu was Xiao Ning's older sister. Earlier, Xiao Ning had had a leg crippled by Xiao Yi. Now, Xiao Yu had stepped forward at a time like this.

Without even thinking about it, Xiao Zhan knew the opponent she would choose would definitely be Xiao Yi.

Yet before Xiao Zhan could agree, Xiao Yu on the training ground turned sideways and looked in Xiao Yi's direction.

"Xiao Yi, do you dare accept my challenge today?!"

Xiao Yi was not the least bit surprised by Xiao Yu's sudden challenge.

After all, her younger brother had been beaten up. As his biological older sister, she naturally had to come out and reclaim some face.

Otherwise, the First Elder's branch would never be able to swallow this humiliation.

Seeing Xiao Yu's aggressive manner, Xun'er instinctively wanted to stop Xiao Yi. "Brother Xiao Yi, don't pay her any attention! Her challenge violates the rules..."

But Xiao Yi merely smiled faintly. "She's called me out by name. How could I possibly hide?"

"Don't worry, Xun'er. I won't lose..."

Xiao Yan nodded as well, because he knew Xiao Yi's strength very clearly.

Although Xiao Yu had studied at Canaan Academy for several years, Xiao Yan still believed she could not possibly be Xiao Yi's match.

Seeing this, Xun'er could only nod.

Xiao Yi slowly took a step forward. "Cousin Xiao Yu, it seems you deliberately came home for me this time?"

"After not seeing you for several years, Cousin Xiao Yu has grown ever more graceful!"

Xiao Yu's expression remained calm as she said coolly, "Brat, stop running your mouth!"

"Are you accepting this challenge or not?!"

Xiao Yi nodded. "I accept. Of course I accept!"

"Then stop talking and get on the stage!"

Upon hearing Xiao Yi's definite answer, Xiao Yu lightly leaped onto the designated duel arena.

Seeing this, Xiao Yi moved with incredible speed and followed her up.

"Xiao Yi, I didn't expect you to actually reach three-star Dou Practitioner in today's test. Let me see whether your three-star Dou Practitioner cultivation is real or not!"

As Xiao Yu spoke, the Fine-Iron Steel Sword in her hand instantly left its sheath.

The three golden stars embroidered on the chest of her clothes also showed that Xiao Yu was likewise a three-star Dou Practitioner.

Xiao Yi smiled faintly. "Cousin Xiao Yu, we're both three-star Dou Practitioners. What makes you so confident that you can defeat me?"

Xiao Yu gave a disdainful smile. "The years I spent cultivating bitterly at Canaan Academy!"

"Today, I'll not only defeat you, but also avenge Xiao Ning's broken leg!"

As Xiao Yu's words fell, the aura around her instantly surged.

Streams of Dou Qi poured forth from her body.

"We're all family, Cousin Xiao Yu. What are you saying? Besides, I only broke one of Xiao Ning's legs. I didn't cripple him completely. I've already shown you plenty of respect..."

But before Xiao Yi could finish, Xiao Yu had no intention of wasting more words.

With a tap of her toes, she shot forward like a startled swan, thrusting her Fine-Iron Steel Sword toward Xiao Yi.

Xiao Yi, however, remained exceedingly calm. With a slight shift of his body, he dodged Xiao Yu's attack.

Yet at that moment, streams of Dou Qi had already gathered in Xiao Yu's palm.