The Alchemist Identity Is Exposed (Revised)

After some time, the First Elder said, "That concludes today's cultivation test for the younger generation. If anyone else wants to come up, hurry."

As soon as he finished speaking, Xiao Yan flipped through the air and landed in the arena. He called up to 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 into testing. But if you want to try, then go ahead."

Everyone present fixed their eyes on Xiao Yan. With a confident expression, he slowly strode up to the stone tablet and placed his right hand upon the black monument.

Xiao Yan circulated his Dou Qi, fully revealing his cultivation. A dazzling light bloomed from the tablet, and words appeared: "Dou Qi: Ninth Stage! Rank: High!"

Everyone stared at the shining words on the tablet, and silence fell over the arena.

"Gasp, ninth-stage Dou Qi at seven years old—how terrifying! The number one among the younger generation of the Lineage is probably Xiao Yan," the youths below whispered among themselves.

Looking at the information on the tablet, the elderly man beside it even revealed a rare smile on his otherwise impassive 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 Practitioner. Then you'll be the Xiao Clan's foremost genius of the past century!"

Under the gaze of the entire crowd, Xiao Yan left the testing arena and walked down.

Xiao Yao smiled when he saw this, then turned around and noticed that Xun'er had been staring at him.

Xun'er blinked her bright, watery eyes. Looking at Xiao Yao, her rosy lips curved into a playful smile as she giggled, "Brother Xiao Yao, why don't you go test yourself too? Xun'er thinks your cultivation is definitely better than Xiao Yan's. You're the true number one of the Xiao Clan."

Seeing Xun'er's playful appearance, Xiao Yao reached out and rubbed her head. "You know what I'm like, Xun'er. I don't enjoy showing off. Let Little Yan have the spotlight for such a small occasion."

Xun'er looked at Brother Xiao Yao with her watery eyes and hugged his right arm against her chest, acting coy. "I knew you didn't like showing off. But, Brother Xiao Yao, could you stop patting my head? If I don't grow any taller in the future, you'll have to take responsibility."

Xiao Yao smiled without answering, turning his gaze toward the platform in the center of the arena.

At that moment, Xiao Zhan stood up on the platform, beaming with pride. He said with a smile, "Everyone, quiet down. I have something to announce today. You've all seen Xiao Yan's strength, haven't you? In truth, there is another person whose talent is no less than his. That person is Xiao Yan's older brother, Xiao Yao. The reason the Lineage 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 stirred everyone present. They had originally been amazed by Xiao Yan, but they had never expected that, beyond Xiao Yan, there was an even more deeply hidden genius—Xiao Yao.

"Xiao Yao..." someone softly repeated the name, as though savoring its deeper meaning.

"Xiao Yao?" Another person furrowed his brow 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 it down." Someone quietly reminded them, "This is a major secret of the Xiao Clan. 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 words 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 quietly contributed to the Lineage all this time. Over the past two years, he has studied medicinal herbs and refined so many first-grade medicinal pills to help everyone improve their strength, protect the Xiao Clan's home together, and gradually bring the Lineage closer to becoming Wutan City's foremost Lineage."

Hearing this, everyone present could not help but cry out in amazement. They had thought Xiao Yan was outstanding enough, but Xiao Yao was an even more hidden expert.

Xiao Zhan looked at the excited crowd below, his heart filled with emotion. He knew that this day would become an important moment in the Xiao Clan's history.

Xiao Zhan looked toward Xiao Yao's place in the crowd and said with a smile, "Yao'er, since you're already here, go up and test yourself. Let them have a good look at your strength."

Xun'er waved her little hands at the side and cheered, "Brother Xiao Yao, go for it! Xun'er will cheer for you from down here!"

Ding, mission triggered:

Mission One: Refuse Xiao Zhan's request and say that you only know how to refine pills. Obtain the achievement "Fleeing in Defeat" and receive the weapon Starflame Sword.

Mission Two: Accept Xiao Zhan's request. Display a cultivation level on the testing ground that can shock everyone, and receive the weapon Divine Sky Sword.

After hearing it, Xiao Yao replied inwardly, System, who are you looking down on? Do I seem like the kind of person who retreats? I choose the second mission.

The system's voice rang out. "Ding, Mission Two 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 turning toward the black stone tablet nearby.

Xiao Yao slowly approached the tablet. Looking at it, he wondered how much of his cultivation he needed to reveal to successfully obtain the reward. He immediately made his decision and secretly used the Breath-Concealing Art, slightly lifting its suppression. His cultivation gradually recovered somewhat, reaching the realm of a two-star Dou Practitioner.

Xiao Yao extended his right hand and slowly placed it on the tablet. A powerful golden light immediately burst from its surface, and words emerged: "Dou Practitioner: Two Stars!"

The entire venue instantly fell silent. After a brief stillness, astonishing cheers erupted across the arena.

"A two-star Dou Practitioner! A seven-year-old two-star Dou Practitioner and a first-grade alchemist! Even in the entire Jia Ma Empire, there isn't anyone with talent like Xiao Yao's. What heaven-defying talent!"

"So Young Master Xiao Yao is the Xiao Clan's foremost genius of the past century!"

The elders on the platform all praised 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 clansmen out of this small place and to live in the great cities near the imperial capital."

Xiao Zhan was all smiles as he modestly replied to the elders, "Hahaha, the children are simply more capable."

Ding, congratulations to the host for completing the mission. The Divine Sky Sword has been issued to the system storage space.

Xiao Yao slowly walked toward Xun'er and arrived at her side.

Xun'er leaned slightly closer to Xiao Yao's cheek, and a gentle voice sounded beside his ear. "Brother Xiao Yao, this shouldn't be your true strength yet, right? Xun'er is very curious about how far your cultivation has reached now."

Xiao Yao felt a warm current brush past him, and his face immediately reddened slightly. After noticing his unusual reaction, Xun'er turned to look at his face. Her bright eyes curved into beautiful crescents as she giggled, "Brother Xiao Yao, don't tell me you're embarrassed that easily?"

Seeing Xun'er acting so playfully, Xiao Yao imitated her. He reached out, pinched a lock of her black hair between two fingers, and leaned his face close to it. "Girl, I'll tell you about my cultivation later. The time isn't right yet. Also, your hair smells really nice," Xiao Yao teased softly.

After hearing this, Xun'er puffed out her cheeks in annoyance. Her voice carried a trace of dissatisfaction, yet also a cute, playful pout. "Hmph, Brother Xiao Yao, why are you so bad? You actually teased 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 he and Xiao Yan walked toward an empty place. Xiao Yan then said quietly, "Brother Yao, can you refine pills that help with breaking through to Dou Practitioner? You know I'm at ninth-stage Dou Qi. If there are any, I could shorten the time and reach Dou Practitioner sooner." After speaking, he looked at Xiao Yao expectantly.

Seeing Xiao Yan like this, Xiao Yao said with a smile, "Not right now, but I'll be able to refine them after some time. Come find me in half a month to collect them. I should be able to refine them by then."

Xiao Yan said joyfully, "I knew Brother Yao was reliable. Hehe, I'm going back to continue cultivating now. See you then."

Thus, Xiao Yao watched Xiao Yan run back and smiled. "Still acting like he'll never grow up."