Before Leaving

Upon hearing the examiner's shout, all the Xiao Clan higher-ups atop the platform stopped their quiet conversations and turned their gazes toward the most outstanding genius of the Xiao Clan.

Looking at his son, Xiao Zhan nodded in satisfaction. He held a teacup in one hand and leaned lightly against the back of his chair, wearing an unruffled expression.

At that moment, the system's selection task refreshed right on schedule.

[Ding! A new system task has been released. Detected that the host's strength has reached a Five-Star Dou Spirit. The following choices have been triggered:]

[Choice 1: In tomorrow's test, overwhelmingly crush the younger generation of the Xiao Clan and show them what it means to be young and accomplished. Display at least the cultivation of a Dou Master. Reward: Earthfire Lotus Seed ×12 (Grand Dou Master reward doubled!)]

[Choice 2: Continue cultivating in seclusion and keep a low profile. Reward: one ton of Cloudmist Tea (Cloudmist Tea originates from the Cultivation World. It can cultivate one's body and temperament while refining Dou Qi.)]

[Choice 3: Your strength has already given you a certain ability to protect yourself in the Jia Ma Empire, so travel abroad! Reward: one Netherworld Poison Flame map.]

[Choice 4: I don't eat beef. Lead the Xiao Clan to unify Wutan City. Reward: one Dou Ancestor Legacy Map (located in the Magic Beast Mountains).]

I choose 1!

If he was going to leave, he certainly could not slip away quietly. Even an exit had to be magnificent. That guy next door had even played his ultimate ascension in his final battle!

Besides, if he was going to Canaan Academy, he had to reveal some of his strength to show off his talent and ability. Otherwise, if his strength grew too quickly later, it would arouse the suspicions of Su Qian and the others.

Moreover, the Earthfire Lotus Seed was a fine treasure. Known as the essence of fire spirits, one seed formed only every hundred years and contained abundant energy. Whether for pill refining, breakthroughs, or trade, it would be extremely useful.

"Dou Might! Ninth Stage!"

Beside the Testing Magic Stone Stele, a middle-aged man stared excitedly at the information displayed on it before eagerly announcing it.

"Xiao Yan, Dou Might, Ninth Stage! High grade!"

"Young Master Xiao Yan, in less than a year, you will become a true Fighter! An eleven- or twelve-year-old Fighter would be the foremost in the Jia Ma Empire!"

The examiner spoke seriously to Xiao Yan. Usually expressionless, he now displayed a wealth of emotion after witnessing the rise of a clan genius.

The youth beside the Testing Magic Stone Stele raised his head high, the corners of his lips curving upward with pride. Like a peacock spreading its tail, he basked in the praise and admiration of the crowd below.

"Lin Qing!"

The middle-aged man channeled Dou Qi into his throat and called out in a booming voice.

The clan's testing order was arranged according to rank, and Lin Qing's displayed strength came right after Xiao Yan's.

Lin Qing stepped out of the crowd and arrived before the Testing Magic Stone Stele, but he did not place his palm upon it.

Instead, before the examiner's stunned gaze, he condensed a Dou Qi Armor. At the same time, he controlled his Dou Qi and released the aura of a One-Star Grand Dou Master!

The clan's stele could not withstand Dou Qi at the Grand Dou Master level.

[Ding! Choice completed. Reward distributed to the System Space!]

Crack!

On the high platform, the teacup in Xiao Zhan's hand was crushed into powder with a single squeeze. Tea mixed with the fragments and dripped from his palm.

As he watched the white-clad youth beneath the black stone stele, Xiao Zhan's eyes grew slightly moist. He knew how much effort the youth had put in to reach this point.

"One-Star Grand Dou Master! Good! Excellent!"

Sister, brother-in-law, Qing'er had not failed your expectations. Once Qing'er married and had children, this uncle would finally be at ease.

Then he became somewhat worried. Could Qing'er have used some medicine that depleted his potential?

With part of his strength exposed, the entire area fell into a prolonged silence.

However, after Lin Qing stepped down, he quickly became the focus of discussion. Everyone present understood that Xiao Yan was no longer the Xiao Clan's sole genius worthy of special attention.

As for Xiao Xun'er, she was also concealing her true ability. Though she was already a One-Star Fighter, she displayed only Eighth Stage Dou Might, yet that still caused an uproar across the square.

Perhaps continually being spurred on by Lin Qing's cultivation, Xiao Yu had also broken through to One-Star Fighter. Like Xiao Yan's brothers Xiao Li and Xiao Ding, she was already preparing for the clan's coming-of-age ceremony.

Xiao Mei and the others were somewhat weaker, still hovering around the Fourth Stage.

Lin Qing had now become the Xiao Clan's sole genius, firmly taking over the top position Xiao Yan had held for nearly seven years. Though Lin Qing was not a blood member of the clan, that did not prevent him from representing the Xiao Clan. He possessed half of the Xiao Clan's bloodline and had been raised by the Xiao Clan.

Other than some shock, Xiao Yan felt more relieved. Lin Qing had been able to beat him senseless when they were six, and Lin Qing had always worked so hard, while he himself had cultivated while playing around. It was only natural that Lin Qing was now so much stronger than him.

"But isn't this way too strong? How am I supposed to surpass him in the future?" Xiao Yan could not help muttering.

The Bone Flame Ring flickered faintly, but Xiao Yan did not notice it at all. Within the ring, a somewhat illusory soul stared wide-eyed at Lin Qing.

"Such a young Grand Dou Master! And Fire Attribute mixed with a trace of Wood Attribute! What a pity that his soul is only as strong as an ordinary person's. Otherwise, he would have been good material! What a pity, what a pity!"

Lin Qing's lips curled up slightly. He had noticed Yao Chen observing him just now. So he had awakened long ago after all. As expected, his previous guess had been correct—this fellow had been watching Xiao Yan from very early on.

"Let's go," Lin Qing said to Xiao Xun'er and the others.

"Brother Lin Qing, the strength you revealed just now dealt quite a blow to Cousin Xiao Yu and Cousin Xiao Mei," Xiao Xun'er said with a soft smile. Her slightly childish voice was nonetheless heartwarming.

"Then it's my treat today! I'll take you shopping, then we'll have a meal at the biggest restaurant in Wutan City!"

Lin Qing smiled faintly as he softly asked them.

The three girls happily agreed. The four of them strolled casually through the Xiao Clan Market before heading to Wutan City's largest restaurant, the Royal Pavilion.

After lunch was over,

when it was time to part, Lin Qing told Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei that he would soon leave the Xiao Clan to seek his fortune before applying to Canaan Academy.

Aside from Xiao Xun'er, who had already known and was not overly saddened, both Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei were heartbroken.

The two of them immediately said that they would also go to Canaan Academy.

"Fine! As long as you enter Canaan Academy, I'll give each of you a grand gift!"

In truth, he did have some thoughts about Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei—especially Xiao Yu's long legs and Xiao Mei's blend of innocence and allure. But to him, women were merely scenery along life's road. Pursuing greater strength was what mattered most.

After eating, Lin Qing went to visit Xiao Zhan and Ye Yan.

However, when he arrived at his uncle's Living Room, he discovered that the Xiao Clan's three elders were also there.

"Uncle, Auntie! Great Elder! Second Elder! Third Elder!"

Lin Qing greeted them respectfully.

"Qing'er, sit," Xiao Zhan called gently.

Seeing his nephew already seated, with his mature and steady manner, Xiao Zhan could not help thinking of his own three sons. Sure enough, a nephew resembled him more!

Because there was such a large generation gap, after exchanging pleasantries with the three elders and awkwardly chatting with his uncle and aunt for a few moments, everyone fell silent.

Cough, cough! Xiao Zhan coughed awkwardly.

"A-Yan! Go see when Yan'er will be back for dinner!"

Ye Yan rolled her eyes at her husband before getting up and leaving.