A Dou Zhe Once More, the Genius's Name Had Never Fallen

What an exquisite nourishing technique...

Xun'er enjoyed it with great surprise.

If it had been before, she would have needed another six months to a year for her body to fully develop before she could begin cultivating Dou Qi.

But after being nourished by this technique, she could begin cultivating as soon as tomorrow.

After all that effort, perhaps because Xun'er's physique differed from ordinary people's, even Xiao Yan—who possessed six stages of Dou Qi and continuously absorbed the energy of heaven and earth with the Dou Qi Foundation-Building Art—was drenched in sweat by the end.

Only long after Xiao Yan had left did Xun'er slowly open her eyes. Looking in the direction where he had vanished, her jade lips pressed together softly. "Brother Xiao Yan..."

The next day, the entire Wutan City was shaken!

Because Xiao Yan, the Xiao Clan's genius, had begun cultivating at the tender age of four!

Having possessed the strength of four stages of Dou Qi at just one year old, Xiao Yan's name had long since spread throughout Wutan City.

Everyone was curious. Now that a genius who had practically been born with Dou Qi had begun cultivating, just how extraordinary would he become?

With Yao Lao in the ring crazily devouring Dou Qi, Xiao Yan deliberately cultivated in a cross-legged posture to show that he had only begun cultivating today. He was exceptionally diligent every day.

Of course, nourishing the meridians of Xiao Mei, Xiao Yu, and Xun'er every day with the Ice-Muscle Jade-Bone Nourishing Technique gradually became a habit as well.

Even after his heaven-defying comprehension upgraded the technique once more and made its nourishing effects even better, Xiao Yan never stopped.

Time flowed like water, slipping quietly through his fingers. Before he knew it, seven years had passed.

"Dou Qi, seven stages!"

"Xiao Mei, Dou Qi: seven stages! Grade: high!"

"Yay!" Upon hearing the examiner announce her result, the young girl turned and waved at the black-robed youth in the distance, a proud smile blooming across her cheeks.

Though she could not be called stunningly beautiful, her still-childish face carried a faint charm. Her purity and allure coexisted, making her the center of attention throughout the entire venue.

Unlike the other clan members, who looked on with envy, the girl in blue standing beside the black-robed youth said lightly, "Seven stages of Dou Qi. It seems someone has put quite a bit of effort into Cousin Xiao Mei."

Over the course of seven years, Xun'er had grown into a graceful young lady. Her calm, cool temperament was like a newly blossomed blue lotus.

Facing Xun'er's obvious implication, Xiao Yan raised a hand and rubbed his nose. "No external aid can be used during the Dou Qi stage. This is all Xiao Mei's own effort. How could anyone else help her?"

Xun'er wrinkled her delicate nose slightly. "It's a pity Cousin Xiao Yu is working hard to enter Canaan Academy. Otherwise, there would have been quite a show to watch."

Xiao Yan's dark eyes flickered slightly. Thanks to his marvelous nourishing technique, the aptitudes of all three girls had improved by a great deal.

Take Xiao Mei, for example. She had reached the seventh stage of Dou Qi three years ahead of schedule.

With Xiao Yu's original aptitude, entering Canaan Academy in the future had been a sure thing. She was simply too nervous about it herself.

"Next, Xiao Xun'er!"

The examiner's voice rang out once more amid the noisy crowd.

As that elegant name was called, the crowd suddenly fell silent, and every gaze shifted toward her.

Whether it was beauty, temperament, or talent, Xun'er surpassed Xiao Mei from before in every aspect. It was no wonder everyone reacted this way.

"I wonder how many stages of Dou Qi Miss Xun'er has reached this year!" Countless people looked expectantly toward the Magic Stone Stele.

With light, lotus-like steps, Xun'er approached the Magic Stone Stele. She extended her small hand and gently touched the stele.

After a brief stillness, dazzling light blossomed from the stele once more.

"Dou Qi: nine stages! Grade: high!"

The moment they saw the words on the stele, the entire venue fell silent!

"Tsk, tsk, nine stages of Dou Qi. That's truly amazing! At this rate, Miss Xun'er will probably become a true Dou Zhe in just half a year."

"As expected of one of the clan's top geniuses!"

After the silence, those around them could not help swallowing, their eyes filled with awe.

Dou Qi was the path every Dou Zhe had to tread. Only by cultivating it to its peak and condensing a Dou Qi cyclone could one become a respected Dou Zhe!

Xiao Mei frowned lightly as she stared at the girl before the stele, frustration written across her face.

She had worked hard over the past year as well, yet she had still fallen far behind this girl.

Xiao Yan saw it all, but he could only feel helpless.

Some things could not be caught up to through hard work alone.

Everyone had the same amount of time to cultivate. While Xiao Mei worked hard, Xun'er was not idle either.

Right now, he and Xun'er were even cultivating the same Dou Qi cultivation method. In the end, what they competed in was pure talent.

Once they broke through to the Dou Zhe realm, Xun'er would have access to all kinds of powerful cultivation methods and medicinal pills. The gap between them would only widen further.

"Xiao Yan!"

When the examiner called this name, his voice was filled with respect.

All eyes in the venue moved with his voice, turning toward the handsome youth dressed in black robes.

This was the Xiao Clan's number one genius!

"Little Sister Xun'er, don't be too surprised later," Xiao Yan said, raising an eyebrow at the green-robed girl as she returned.

Xun'er played with a strand of her hair and murmured, "Could he have advanced to Dou Zhe?"

To her soul perception, the strength of ordinary people held no secrets.

Yet Brother Xiao Yan's strength had always seemed like a mystery.

As the black-robed youth slowly walked forward, the training ground fell somewhat quiet. Pairs of burning eyes stared fixedly at him without blinking.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, Xiao Yan placed his hand on the icy black Magic Stone Stele. The incomparably vast Dou Qi within his body surged rapidly.

As Dou Qi flowed into it, the black stele remained still for a moment before dazzling light suddenly burst forth...

Dou Zhe: One Star!

Staring at the four glittering golden words on the black stele, the training ground fell briefly silent. Then, the sound of countless people sucking in cold breaths erupted like a gale, and everyone's expressions froze in that instant.

"Young Master Xiao Yan, one-star Dou Zhe!"

Shocked by the four resplendent golden words, the examiner could not help shaking his head in amazement before shouting loudly.