After some time, the First Elder said, "That concludes today's cultivation test for the younger generation. If anyone else wants to come up, make it quick."
As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Yan flipped through the air and landed in the arena. He called up at the platform, "First Elder, Xiao Yan would like to test his cultivation."
The First Elder said with a smile, "Xiao Yan, you're only seven this year, so there's no need to rush. But if you want to try, you may. Let's begin."
Everyone present fixed their eyes on Xiao Yan. Wearing a confident expression, he strolled leisurely to the stele and placed his right hand on the Black Stone Stele.
Xiao Yan activated his Dou Qi, fully revealing his cultivation. A dazzling light blossomed from the stele.
"Dou Qi: Ninth Stage! Rank: High!"
Everyone stared at the glowing words on the stele, and the arena fell silent.
"Gasp! Ninth Stage Dou Qi at seven years old? That's terrifying! The number one among the clan's younger generation is probably Xiao Yan," the boys and girls below whispered among themselves.
Looking at the information on the stele, even the elderly man beside it showed a rare hint of a smile on his indifferent face. He said to Xiao Yan, "Young Master Xiao Yan, within half a year, you'll be able to condense a Dou Qi vortex. If you succeed, you'll become a Dou Zhe. Then you'll be the Xiao Clan's greatest genius in a hundred years!"
Under everyone's gaze, Xiao Yan left the testing area and walked down.
Seeing this, Xiao Yao smiled. When he turned around, he found Xun'er staring at him.
Xun'er blinked her large, watery eyes at Xiao Yao. Her rosy lips curled into a mischievous smile as she giggled, "Brother Xiao Yao, why don't you go up and test yourself too? Xun'er thinks your cultivation is definitely stronger than Xiao Yan's. You're the true number one of the Xiao Clan."
Seeing her playful expression, Xiao Yao reached out and rubbed her head. "Xun'er, you know what I'm like. I don't enjoy showing off. Leave this little occasion to Little Flame."
Xun'er looked at Brother Xiao Yao with her bright eyes and hugged his right arm to her chest. She coquettishly said, "I knew you didn't like showing off. But Brother Xiao Yao, could you stop touching my head? If I don't grow any taller in the future, you'll have to take responsibility."
Xiao Yao smiled without answering and turned his gaze toward the platform at the center of the arena.
Xiao Zhan stood up on the platform with a beaming face and said with a smile, "Everyone, quiet down. I have something to announce today. You've all seen Xiao Yan's strength, haven't you? But there is another person whose talent is no less than his. That person is Xiao Yan's brother, Xiao Yao. The reason the clan has had so many First-Grade medicinal pills as cultivation resources over the past two years is because Xiao Yao personally refined them. Let's give him a round of applause."
Xiao Zhan's words swept through the crowd like a spring breeze, stirring everyone present. They had only been amazed by Xiao Yan, never expecting that there was an even more hidden genius beyond him—Xiao Yao.
"Xiao Yao..." someone murmured the name softly, as though savoring its deeper meaning.
"Xiao Yao?" Another person frowned in confusion. "Why haven't I heard that name before?"
"That Xiao Yao is Xiao Yan's older brother. The two of them are twins."
"Shh, keep your voice down," someone quietly reminded them. "This is one of the Xiao Clan's greatest secrets. They say Xiao Yao's strength has already reached an unimaginable level, and he's also an Alchemist. Those First-Grade medicinal pills were all personally refined by him."
As Xiao Zhan's voice fell, the entire square sank into silence.
Everyone's eyes focused on Xiao Zhan, waiting for what he would say next.
Xiao Zhan smiled faintly and continued, "Xiao Yao is not only powerful, but kind-hearted as well. He has always quietly contributed to the clan. For the past two years, he has been studying medicinal ingredients and refining so many First-Grade medicinal pills to help everyone improve their strength, protect our Xiao Clan's home together, and gradually elevate our clan toward becoming Wutan City's number one family."
Hearing this, everyone present could not help but exclaim in astonishment. They had thought Xiao Yan was already outstanding enough, but Xiao Yao turned out to be an even more formidable hidden expert.
Xiao Zhan looked at the excited crowd below, his heart filled with emotion. He knew that today would become an important moment in the Xiao Clan's history.
Xiao Zhan looked toward Xiao Yao in the crowd and said with a smile, "Yao'er, since you're already here, go up and test yourself. Let them see exactly how strong you are."
Xun'er waved her little hands from the side and cheered, "Brother Xiao Yao, go for it! Xun'er will cheer for you from down here!"
Ding, task triggered: Task One: Refuse Xiao Zhan's request and state that you only know how to refine pills. Obtain the achievement "Fleeing in Defeat" and receive the weapon Starflame Sword. Task Two: Accept Xiao Zhan's request. Display a cultivation level during the test that can shock everyone. Receive the weapon Divine Sky Sword.
After hearing it, Xiao Yao replied inwardly, System, who are you looking down on? Do I look like the kind of person who backs down? I choose the second task.
Ding, second task successfully accepted.
Xiao Yao shrugged and said helplessly, "All right, Father."
Xiao Yao leaped into the air and landed lightly in the arena, his gaze falling on the Black Stone Stele nearby.
Xiao Yao slowly approached the stele. Looking at it, he wondered how much of his cultivation he needed to reveal to successfully obtain the reward. He made his decision at once and quietly used the Breath-Concealing Art, slightly lifting the suppression on his aura. His cultivation gradually recovered, reaching the realm of a Two-Star Dou Zhe.
Xiao Yao extended his right hand and slowly placed it on the stele. At once, the stele's surface emitted an intense golden glow, and words appeared upon it: Dou Zhe: Two Stars!
The entire venue fell silent. After a brief stillness, the crowd erupted into thunderous cheers.
"A Two-Star Dou Zhe! A seven-year-old Two-Star Dou Zhe and a First-Grade Alchemist at that! Even in the entire Jia Ma Empire, there's no one with talent like Xiao Yao's. He's a heaven-defying genius!"
"So Young Master Xiao Yao is the Xiao Clan's greatest genius in a hundred years!"
The elders on the platform all flattered Xiao Zhan. "As expected of the clan leader's sons. Each is more talented than the other. Once they grow up, they'll be able to lead the clan out of this little place and to the great cities near the Imperial Capital."
Xiao Zhan's face was full of smiles as he modestly replied to the elders, "Haha, the children are simply more capable."
Ding, congratulations, Host. Task completed. The Divine Sky Sword has been issued to the System Space.
Xiao Yao slowly walked over to Xun'er and stopped beside her.
Xun'er leaned slightly closer to Xiao Yao's cheek. A gentle voice reached his ear. "Brother Xiao Yao, that shouldn't be your true strength yet, right? Xun'er is really curious about how high your cultivation has reached now."
Xiao Yao felt a warm breath brush against him, and his face immediately flushed slightly. Noticing his reaction, Xun'er turned to look at him. Her large, watery eyes curved into beautiful crescents as she giggled, "Brother Xiao Yao, don't tell me you're embarrassed that easily?"
Seeing how playful Xun'er was, Xiao Yao copied her. He reached out, pinched a strand of her hair between two fingers, and leaned his face close to it. "Little girl, I'll tell you about my cultivation later. It's not the right time yet. Also, your hair smells wonderful," he whispered teasingly.
Hearing this, Xun'er puffed up her cheeks in annoyance. Her voice carried a hint of dissatisfaction, yet still sounded adorably petulant. "Hmph, Brother Xiao Yao, why are you so bad? You're actually teasing Xun'er."
Just as the two of them were playfully bickering, Xiao Yan walked over and said, "Brother Yao, can we talk somewhere else?"
Xiao Yao nodded and walked with Xiao Yan toward a deserted area. Xiao Yan then lowered his voice and said, "Brother Yao, can you refine a pill that helps with breaking through to the Dou Zhe realm? You know I'm at the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi. If there is one, I could shorten the time needed to become a Dou Zhe." After speaking, he looked at Xiao Yao expectantly.
Seeing Xiao Yan like this, Xiao Yao smiled and said, "Not right now, but I should be able to refine one after some time. Come find me in half a month. I should be able to make it by then."
Xiao Yan said joyfully, "I knew Brother Yao was reliable! Hehe, I'm going back to continue cultivating now. See you then."
Xiao Yao watched Xiao Yan run off and smiled. "Still acting like a child who'll never grow up."
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