Dou Qi Stage 4, Shock (Please Recommend)

The square was bustling, packed with roughly fifty young boys and girls. Some stood in groups of two or three, chatting with one another, their laughter and cheerful voices filling the square.

Lin Qingyun, Xiao Yan, and the others did not move closer. It was not only because Xiao Yan was somewhat unwilling to face it deep down, but also because Lin Qingyun himself disliked this kind of liveliness. On the contrary, a little peace and quiet suited him better.

Still, Lin Qingyun responded to those who greeted him.

"Brother Xiao Yan, you once told Xun'er that only by putting something down can you pick it up, that being able to let go and take hold as you please is what makes a person free." Seeing Xiao Yan lower his head slightly, not daring to look straight ahead, Xiao Xun'er smiled and spoke softly. Her voice was still a little young, yet it warmed the heart.

Hearing this, Lin Qingyun looked over as well, just in time to see Xiao Xun'er holding Xiao Yan's hand as she comforted him.

His mouth immediately twitched, and he turned his head elsewhere.

There was nothing he could do!

This dog food was too blinding.

Still, it had to be said that although Xiao Xun'er was still young, her figure was already beginning to take shape in every area. She was a beauty in the making through and through.

Sigh, it had to be said: a young man who did not indulge in romance wasted his youth. Xiao Yan's abilities were much stronger than his.

Hmm? Why did that feel a little sour?

"Ahem, all right, stand properly. The clan leader is here!"

Seeing a middle-aged man stride over with a dragon's gait and tiger's steps toward the platform built at the front of the square, then climb onto the high stage with an imposing gaze, Lin Qingyun gave a light cough and interrupted this round of dog food.

On the platform, as Xiao Zhan arrived, some of the adults who had originally been sitting there all stood up.

"Silence!"

Xiao Zhan opened his mouth slightly and said in a deep voice.

His voice was not very loud, but it carried great pressure. In an instant, the chattering boys and girls across the square all quieted down.

They quickly lined up neatly into five rows, and Lin Qingyun followed along, standing at the very back of the line.

"Very good. Another year has passed, and all of you have grown another year older. Your cultivation also seems to have improved a little. As the future of the Xiao Family, you are hope, you are..."

"..."

"...I have said enough idle words. The test begins now!"

After the long speech, with the final low shout, Lin Qingyun finally snapped awake.

As Xiao Zhan's voice fell, a middle-aged man dressed in black robes edged with gold walked onto the small platform in the square.

He was also holding a scroll in his hand. He quickly unfurled it and called out loudly, "First, Xiao Yu!"

As the examiner's voice fell, the third youth in the first row on the left jogged up onto the platform.

The boy's features were very young, and he looked a little timid. But after running onto the platform, he took a deep breath and quickly stepped forward. His small hand touched the pitch-black Demon Stone Tablet with practiced familiarity, then he slowly closed his eyes...

A moment after the boy closed his eyes, rings of light lit up one after another on the pitch-black Demon Stone Tablet. There were as many as five rings. Finally, these rings gathered together and turned into several large words.

"Dou Qi: Stage 5!"

"Xiao Yu, Dou Qi: Stage 5! Level: Middle!"

"Yeah!" the boy shouted excitedly, as if he had let out a huge breath of relief.

"Not bad. Keep working hard!" The examiner smiled faintly, then said, "Next, Xiao Yun'er!"

The testing process was not slow, but it could not be called fast either. From time to time, excited voices rang out, and of course, there were also dejected ones.

But more than anything, there were the discussions of the young boys and girls below.

"Next, Xiao Yan!"

The examiner's clear voice rang out, but in that instant, the entire square fell silent.

Almost every boy and girl turned their head to look at the last person in the fourth row.

Xiao Yan.

His name had spread throughout the entire Xiao Clan, throughout the entire Wutan City. It could be said that everyone knew it. Once, his name had been that of a genius, but now...

It was the name of a cripple...

Seeing his friend's fists clench slightly, Lin Qingyun sighed softly and said, "Don't be nervous. Just pretend they don't exist!"

"Brother Xiao Yan, Xun'er will always believe in you," Xiao Xun'er beside him also comforted him.

Xiao Yan's clenched hand loosened again, but the deep finger marks in his palm could still be seen.

The slightly long hair on his forehead covered his brows. On his young face, there was a trace of an expression that did not match his age. "I know. Don't worry!"

Xiao Yan walked up from the end of the line, under the gazes of every young boy and girl.

He lightly placed his hand on the Demon Stone Tablet, then closed his eyes slightly.

Three rings of light lit up on the Demon Stone Tablet. The rings gathered and turned into five large words.

"Dou Qi: Stage 3!"

"Xiao Yan, Dou Qi: Stage 3! Level: Low!"

Beside the Demon Stone Tablet, the examiner glanced at the information displayed on it. Somewhat regretful, he sighed softly, then spoke.

The moment the examiner's words left his mouth, as expected, they stirred up a wave of mocking commotion in the square.

"Stage 3? Heh heh, just as I expected. This 'genius' has been standing still again this year!"

"Sigh, this cripple has really thrown the family's face away."

"If the clan leader weren't his father, this kind of cripple would have been driven out of the family long ago and left to fend for himself. How would he still have the chance to stay in the family, eating and drinking for free?"

"Sigh, that genius youth who once shook Wutan City—how did he end up in such a sorry state now?"

"Who knows? Maybe he did something guilty and angered the gods!"

The disdain, mockery, pity, and sighs coming from all around fell into Xiao Yan's ears like thorns stabbing into his heart. His breathing grew a little hurried.

Three years. As always, it was like this.

He raised his head slightly, revealing that delicate yet young face. His pitch-black eyes looked calmly at those of his own age around him, and he sighed faintly. "Perhaps I really should let go! Whether a genius or a cripple, I am still me..."

Xiao Yan laughed at himself and slowly walked down from the platform.

Only, even he did not notice that the pitch-black ring on his hand seemed to glow faintly for a moment.

"Yan'er!"

On the platform in the distance, Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Yan's somewhat lonely figure and sighed helplessly.

"Next, Xiao Mei!"

As the examiner's shout rang out, the young boys and girls who were still discussing gradually lowered their voices.

"Brother Xiao Yan, are you all right?" Seeing Xiao Yan walk over, Xiao Xun'er hurriedly stepped forward and comforted him.

"Don't worry, Xun'er. I'm fine!" Xiao Yan smiled. Contrary to his usual self, he no longer had that same melancholy as before.

"Really?"

Seeing Xiao Yan's sudden change, Xiao Xun'er was still very worried.

"You silly girl, what could happen to me? Don't worry! I've let it all go!" The smile on Xiao Yan's face gradually brightened. He stretched out a hand and habitually rubbed Xiao Xun'er's head.

Xiao Xun'er froze at once. Her slightly young face flushed red, and at the same time, a bit of mist appeared in her eyes. "Brother Xiao Yan, you're finally willing to pat Xun'er's head."

Xiao Xun'er only knew that over the past three years, the relationship between Xiao Yan and her had grown more and more distant. Although she would always take the initiative to approach him, she could always feel a slight barrier between them.

But now...

That wall had actually broken!

"I have Brother Yun to thank for this!" Xiao Yan said, looking toward Lin Qingyun, who had long since turned his head to the side and was looking leisurely and carefree.

"Brother Yun, thank you. You used to say often that only by letting go of everything can a person live easily and freely. Now I've done it."

Xiao Yan smiled.

"Tch, did I say that?"

Lin Qingyun coolly turned his head aside and said lightly.

"Next, Xiao Xun'er!"

Amid the noisy crowd, the examiner's voice rang out once more.

As this somewhat elegant name rang out, the crowd suddenly fell silent, and every gaze shifted abruptly.

"It's your turn, Xun'er!"

Xiao Yan said softly.

"Then I'm going up, Brother Xiao Yan." Xiao Xun'er smiled brightly.

Her faint smile was like a freshly blooming green lotus. Her elegant purple dress set her off beautifully, and everyone's gaze moved with the young girl as she walked.

With light lotus steps, Xiao Xun'er stretched out her small hand. The purple sleeve inlaid with black-gold thread slipped down, revealing a section of snow-white, tender wrist, then lightly touched the stone tablet...

After a brief calm, light blossomed upon the stone tablet—only, it was extremely dazzling.

"Dou Qi: Stage 9! Level: High!"

"...She has actually reached Dou Qi Stage 9. How terrifying. Among the younger generation in the family, Miss Xun'er is probably undoubtedly number one." After the silence passed, the surrounding youths could not help but swallow, their eyes filled with awe.

"I didn't expect Xun'er's strength to already be this powerful!" Even Xiao Yan sighed with emotion.

"Indeed!" Lin Qingyun nodded, but he glanced at Xiao Yan, his heart wavering.

He knew the original work. Xiao Xun'er's strength had probably already reached Dou Zhe long ago. Most likely, she had only refrained from revealing her true strength to take Xiao Yan's feelings into consideration.

Xiao Xun'er quickly walked down from the platform. Under countless gazes filled with envy, jealousy, and hatred, she stood shoulder to shoulder with Xiao Yan.

"Last one... Lin Qingyun!" the examiner spoke again, though there was clearly a slight hesitation in his voice.

"Brother Yun, it's your turn!" Xiao Yan patted Lin Qingyun's shoulder and said.

"I know!"

Facing the gazes of the people around him, Lin Qingyun walked up without the slightest hesitation.

After all, this was a world where martial strength reigned supreme, and he was in a great family like the Xiao Family. Even though he had been announced as the next Fourth Elder, there were still some disdainful gazes.

Fortunately, Lin Qingyun had long since gotten used to it.

"You stinking brat, let them take a good look. Don't embarrass your old man!"

Lin Qingyun had only just climbed onto the small platform when, on the platform outside the square, Fourth Elder stood up, blowing his beard and glaring as he shouted loudly.

"Dad!"

Lin Qingyun was somewhat speechless, then placed his hand on the stone tablet.

Boom!

The Demon Stone Tablet trembled slightly, and very quickly, rings of light lit up one after another. There were four in total.

"Whoa!"

Before even the final result could be displayed, the originally quiet square instantly grew lively. Everyone looked at Lin Qingyun in shock.

Lin Qingyun's reputation was also known to everyone throughout Wutan City. That genius-like mind of his had multiplied the Xiao Family's economic strength several times over, but the news that he likewise could not cultivate had also spread throughout the entire Wutan City.

Born with blocked meridians—this was an almost incurable condition unless a Rank 4 Pill, the Pulse Breaking Pill, was used.

But...

What were they seeing now?

The Demon Stone Tablet had actually reacted!

"Lin Qingyun, Dou Qi: Stage 4! Level: Middle!"

The examiner also recovered from his daze. With a face full of disbelief, he slowly spoke.

"Hahaha! I knew this kid would definitely not disappoint me!"

Fourth Elder put both hands on his waist and threw his head back in loud laughter. The smugness on his face was only short of being written out.

"That boy Qingyun... his talent is somewhat unusual!"

Xiao Zhan looked at Lin Qingyun, his gaze narrowing slightly as he murmured to himself.

P.S. Bow down, fans, please—the recommendation tickets are departing. (Who can translate this? The author will serve you in women's clothing.)