Family Testing Assembly Two Years Later

Two years later, on the day of the family testing assembly, the sun shone brightly and a gentle breeze drifted by.

Xiao Yao and Xun'er arrived at the annual family testing assembly side by side as they had in previous years, taking in the lively scene at the venue.

Some of the family's younger members had gathered together, exchanging greetings as laughter and conversation rose and fell around them.

At the center of the grounds, a Black Stone Stele stood silently upon the testing platform as always, having witnessed the growth and glory of countless family members.

Nearby, the tester held the family's testing roster, ready at any moment to call someone up to test their Dou Qi cultivation.

Unlike previous years, this year's testing assembly had quite a few new faces.

Most of them belonged to the younger generation of the family, filled with youthful energy and determination as they prepared to display their strength at this testing assembly.

Xiao Yao and Xun'er looked around, found a quiet corner, and sat down to wait for their turn.

Xiao Yao carefully examined the little bird standing on Xun'er's shoulder. Its eyes were slightly narrowed, and it slept with an utterly content expression.

"Xun'er, it seems to like you more than me. It keeps clinging to you and refuses to leave." Xiao Yao's teasing tone made him sound like a jealous young wife.

Xun'er gently took Xiao Yao's hand and blinked, mischief gleaming in her eyes. Her soft voice carried a touch of sweetness as she smiled. "Brother Xiao Yao, why are you even jealous of this? Maybe once it grows up, it'll cling to you instead."

"Xun'er, I have a way to make it cling to me. Do you believe me?" Xiao Yao suddenly thought of something and curled his lips into a faint smile.

Xun'er looked doubtful when she heard that. "Brother Xiao Yao, Xun'er is very curious what kind of method you have. You aren't just trying to hide your embarrassment, are you?" As soon as she finished speaking, Xun'er hurriedly covered her mouth and laughed.

Xiao Yao took out a bag of chips from his Storage Ring, tore it open, and held a chip beneath the little bird's beak. The bird seemed to catch the scent of the chips, and its beak twitched slightly. After a short while, it opened its eyes. Seeing the chip in Xiao Yao's hand, it immediately opened its beak, bit down on it, and began eating with great relish.

Xun'er could not help laughing at the sight. "Brother Xiao Yao, are you bribing it?" Her voice carried both teasing and sweetness.

Xiao Yao laughed as well. "Sure enough, it's a little glutton." As he spoke, he gently placed another chip by the bird's beak.

It began eating the chip, letting out delighted little chirps as it ate.

Seeing the bird's reaction, Xiao Yao nodded in satisfaction. "Looks like this method is very effective." As he spoke, he handed Xun'er a chip as well.

Xun'er accepted the chip, took a bite, and smiled at Xiao Yao. "Brother Xiao Yao, you're so bad. You actually used chips to tempt it." Her voice was sweet and slightly coquettish.

The two shared chips together, watching the little bird eat with such enjoyment, their hearts filled with happiness and sweetness.

Time passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was time for Xiao Yao and Xun'er to be tested.

"Next, Xun'er."

Upon hearing this, Xun'er gently extended a slender finger toward the Phoenix on her shoulder and softly called, "Phoenix Cry, come."

It lightly hopped onto Xun'er's finger, standing steadily there with its little head tilted as it looked at her.

Xun'er smiled sweetly and slowly moved her finger before Xiao Yao. Understanding her intent without words, Xiao Yao extended his own finger toward it.

The Phoenix seemed to understand what the two intended. It lightly hopped onto Xiao Yao's finger, gripping it with its soft little claws.

Curiosity glimmered in its eyes, as though it were expressing its trust and affection toward Xiao Yao and Xun'er.

Watching the Phoenix's actions, Xiao Yao gently stroked its feathers, feeling their softness and warmth.

"Brother Xiao Yao, I'll go up and test first."

After saying that, Xun'er walked onto the platform. Facing the Black Stone Stele, she extended her small hand and lightly touched the stele, beginning her test.

"Xun'er, Dou Practitioner: Three Stars!"

As they looked at the words on the stele, wave after wave of cheers erupted throughout the venue.

"A Three-Star Dou Practitioner! She can be considered one of the best among the younger generation. There are very few people her age who can reach such cultivation."

The surrounding youths could not help swallowing, their eyes filled with awe.

Xun'er turned around and slowly walked over to Xiao Yao, revealing an elegant smile. "Hehe, Brother Xiao Yao, I'm done testing. What do you think of Xun'er's performance?"

"So impressive, Xun'er. Your performance truly amazed me."

Seeing Xiao Yao raise his brows with a mischievous smile on his face, Xun'er immediately puffed out her cheeks and pouted. "Brother Xiao Yao, you're actually teasing Xun'er."

Xun'er's reaction was both adorable and somewhat coquettish. Her pout and tone carried a hint of spoiled affection that made people unable to resist teasing her further.

Seeing Xun'er like this, Xiao Yao's heart softened. He reached out and gently ruffled her hair, saying indulgently, "All right, all right, Xun'er. I was wrong, okay?"

Hearing Xiao Yao's words, Xun'er revealed a satisfied smile.

"Next, Xiao Yan!" the tester announced coldly.

Xiao Yan walked out from the crowd and headed toward the Black Stone Stele on the platform. Looking at the stele before him, he took a deep breath and slowly placed his hand upon it.

"Dou Force, Fifth Stage!"

Looking at the five glowing words on the Testing Magic Stone Stele, so bright they were almost blinding, Xiao Yan remained expressionless. A trace of self-mockery appeared at the corner of his lips. His tightly clenched palm caused his slightly sharp nails to pierce deeply into his flesh, bringing waves of piercing pain...

"Xiao Yan, Dou Force, Fifth Stage! Grade: Intermediate!" Beside the Testing Magic Stone Stele, a middle-aged man glanced at the information displayed on it and announced the result in an indifferent tone...

As soon as the middle-aged man spoke, mocking commotion unsurprisingly swept through the crowded plaza.

"Fifth Stage? Hehe, just as I expected. This 'genius' has actually regressed to this level in just two years. Sigh, this trash has truly disgraced the family."

"If the clan leader weren't his father, this piece of trash would have been driven from the family long ago and left to fend for himself. How could he still have the chance to stay in the family and freeload for so long?"

He knew that they were telling the truth, that their words reflected his current helplessness.

He had once been the pride of the family, but now he was merely trash, trash scorned by everyone.

Listening to their discussions, Xiao Yan revealed a bitter smile and prepared to walk down.

When he turned around, he saw Xiao Yao and Xun'er sitting quietly in the distance, as though they had not heard any of those mocking words.

Warmth surged through Xiao Yan's heart. He forced himself to remain composed, struggling to calm the turmoil within before slowly walking toward them.

Xiao Yao watched Xiao Yan approach, seeing the bitter smile on his face and the dimness in his eyes.

Xiao Yao patted him on the shoulder and said earnestly, "Little Flame, you need to pull yourself together. Although your strength is not what it used to be, as long as you cultivate diligently, one day you will rise again."

Xiao Yan smiled bitterly. "Brother Yao, sorry you had to see that. In a few days, I'll continue cultivating."

"Xiao Yan, are you all right?" Xun'er stepped forward as well and asked with concern.

Xiao Yan shook his head and smiled bitterly. "I'm fine. I'm just a little disappointed..."

"Little Flame, keep persevering. You'll always see hope eventually."

Xiao Yan nodded, determination shining in his eyes.

He knew he could not give up. He could not let those who mocked him have their way.

He would use his actions to prove that he was not trash, to prove that he could still become the pride of the family!