Xiao Yan's Pride

She had been cultivating Dou Qi for more than half a year. She had only just sensed the existence of Dou Qi and had yet to break through to the first stage.

"Next, Xiao Hao!"

A dull-looking child stepped forward and continued the test.

"Dou Qi: First Stage!"

"..."

One Xiao Clan member after another stepped forward to be tested. Starting with children under ten, the results were all at the second or third stage, causing no great stir.

"Next, Xiao Yan!"

Before the Magic Stone Stele, the black-clothed middle-aged man's voice rang across the square once more. This time, however, it was deliberately more spirited, and even his indifferent expression had changed, carrying a faint smile.

At the sound of that name, the somewhat noisy square instantly fell silent.

Everyone's gaze turned in one direction, toward the black-clothed boy standing at the front of the line.

Xiao Yan.

Hardly anyone in Wu Tan City did not know that name. He had begun cultivating at the age of four, sensed Dou Qi in less than half a year, and successfully broken through to the first stage of Dou Qi. He was a genius who had once caused a sensation throughout Wu Tan City.

Everyone in the Xiao Clan regarded him as the hope of the clan's revival.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Xiao Yan straightened his back and slowly walked toward the Magic Stone Stele, savoring the gazes of admiration and praise.

When Xiao Yan passed Xiao Ning, Xiao Ning instinctively lowered his head.

Just moments ago, he had been smug about reaching the first stage of Dou Qi. But Xiao Yan was younger than him and stronger than him, proving that there was a gap between their talents.

"Brother Xiao Yan, good luck!"

A little girl with pigtails waved her tiny hands and shouted.

"Good luck!"

A chubby boy beside her immediately echoed her, his eyes filled with admiration.

"..."

Facing the countless gazes directed at him, Xiao Yan's lips curled upward. His small face bore a trace of pride, faintly revealing an air of superiority.

So this was the beginning of the wheel of fate...

Nalan Chenfeng stood in the middle of the crowd with his arms folded across his chest, his black eyes quietly watching the scene.

He remembered clearly that Xiao Yan had begun cultivating at four, broken through to the ninth stage of Dou Qi at eleven, condensed a Dou Qi Cyclone, and advanced to become a Dou Zhe. In the Jia Ma Empire, that qualified him as a genius among geniuses.

Yet throughout that process, Xiao Yan had not kept a low profile. This had laid the groundwork for the ridicule and hostility he would face from the Xiao Clan after his strength regressed and he remained at the third stage of Dou Qi for several years.

Nalan Chenfeng had no intention of changing that. The current Xiao Yan had many flaws and bad habits. Without experiencing the warmth and coldness of human relationships, it would be difficult for him to mature.

Likewise, it served as a warning to him.

On the Dou Qi Continent, before one possessed absolute strength, it was better to keep a low profile.

Before the Magic Stone Stele.

Xiao Yan stopped and looked up at the towering black stele, the pride on his face not diminishing in the slightest.

Then Xiao Yan slowly raised his right hand and pressed his palm against the icy surface of the stele.

In an instant, the stele blazed with light, and several large words emerged.

"Dou Qi, Second Stage!"

After a brief silence, a burst of astonished cries erupted across the square.

"Second stage! Young Master Xiao Yan is only five, right? He reached the second stage of Dou Qi at five?"

"As expected of our Xiao Clan's genius. He was at the first stage last year, and now he's at the second stage. At this rate, he might break through to the third stage next year and compare with the Nalan Clan's young master."

"..."

"Our Xiao Clan has truly produced a genius. Once we return to the imperial capital, there is hope for our revival!"

Inside and outside the square, whether they were Xiao Clan elders seated in the stands or Xiao Clan members who had come for testing today—

Voices of discussion rose one after another. Every word was like a warm breeze, blowing until Xiao Yan lost himself in them.

In the Xiao Clan, I am the genius!

Xiao Yan slowly withdrew his hand and turned around, lifting his chin slightly. His gaze swept over the Xiao Clan children of his age in the square. Seeing the envy and admiration on their faces, the corners of his mouth rose unconsciously.

However, when Xiao Yan saw the faintly smiling Nalan Chenfeng, his body involuntarily shrank back.

His fiancée's older brother was highly talented. He did not know whether he would be able to catch up to him in the future. More importantly, Nalan Chenfeng's status was higher than his. Ever since he had arrived at the Xiao Clan, after beating Xiao Yan up, not even Xiao Yan's eldest or second brother had dared to help him vent his anger.

Who knew when Brother Chenfeng would return to the Nalan Clan...

Xiao Yan paused, then stopped thinking about it. He strutted back from the Magic Stone Stele into the crowd, enjoying the attention of the masses.

Brother Chenfeng was from the Nalan Clan and did not need to participate in the Xiao Clan's testing. No one would be competing with him for attention today.

"Next, Xiao Yu."

Upon hearing her name, Xiao Yu stepped forward and began the test.

"Dou Qi, Second Stage!"

When this result appeared, it did not cause as much of a sensation as Xiao Yan's, but it still drew some attention.

At seven years old, reaching the second stage of Dou Qi meant that her talent in the Xiao Clan was only a tier below Xiao Yan's.

"Next, Xiao Li..."

"..."

The testing continued. After Xiao Yu, those stepping up for testing grew increasingly older.

Very soon, the Xiao Clan's annual testing came to an end. Yet among them, no one else had appeared who drew as much attention as Xiao Yan.

The testing was over.

"Brother Chenfeng, what was it you wanted me to do just now?"

Xiao Yu leaned closer and lowered her head to look at Nalan Chenfeng, her dark eyes filled with confusion.

Nalan Chenfeng looked around. Seeing that no one was paying attention to them, he beckoned, signaling Xiao Yu to come closer.

Xiao Yu obediently lowered her head and brought her ear close.

"I want you to keep an eye on someone for me."

"Who?"

Xiao Yu asked.

"Xiao Yan."

Nalan Chenfeng's gaze fell on Xiao Yan, who was surrounded by the crowd.

"Brother Chenfeng, why keep an eye on him? His talent is pretty good, but he's younger than us."

Xiao Yu froze for a moment, then straightened up, her face full of confusion.

"Don't ask so many questions. From now on, keep an eye on him for me in the Xiao Clan. Especially at night—watch whether he runs to the courtyard where Little Sister Xun'er lives."

Nalan Chenfeng's tone was calm, and he did not explain further.

Xiao Yu blinked, seemingly thinking of something. A strange expression appeared on her face.

"Brother Chenfeng, do you like Little Sister Xun'er?"

At that, Nalan Chenfeng's face darkened, and he snorted.

"You little girl, what do you know about liking someone? I'm afraid Xiao Yan will bully Little Sister Xun'er and do something bad."

"He's my future brother-in-law, so naturally I have to keep a close eye on him. You don't know this, but three days ago, he sneaked over to Little Sister Xun'er's place alone in the middle of the night. I caught him red-handed."

Hearing Nalan Chenfeng's vivid account, Xiao Yu seemed to understand a little.

"Ah... so that guy is a little pervert..."

"Don't worry, Brother Chenfeng. I'll definitely protect Little Sister Xun'er."

Xiao Yu paused, then assured Nalan Chenfeng.

Xiao Yan's father was the clan leader, but she was not afraid of him. When she returned later, she would tell her grandfather that she wanted to move into Little Sister Xun'er's courtyard.