Twenty-Four: A Challenge to Xiao Yan!

On the high platform, Xiao Yu looked at those four large characters, and shock flashed through her beautiful eyes as well.

In just three months, he had risen five stars in a row. That was simply a level ordinary people could never hope to reach. Even she, who had obtained an Earth-Rank Cultivation Technique, lagged far behind.

"What heavenly treasures did this guy even eat? His cultivation speed is ridiculously terrifying!"

Xiao Yu muttered to herself. Hearing this, Xiao Ning shook his head and sighed deeply. "Ever since this guy regained his talent, I haven't been able to understand him."

"It must be because that person helped him that everything has gone so smoothly. I'm really jealous!"

He had only broken through to the Dou Zhe realm a few days ago and had foolishly thought he might stand a chance in battle. In the end, the clown had only been himself.

"This rate of improvement is simply unheard of. Even his former self was nowhere near comparable, was he?"

Xiao Yu's eyes flickered. Five stars in three months—even that monstrous woman from Jia Nan Academy could not compare.

With that thought, she looked toward the shade of a nearby tree. There, Xiao Dongchen gently waved a feather fan, his expression as calm as ever, as though everything had been within his expectations.

Sure enough, was even his casual assistance already the absolute limit of what people like us could imagine?

"Is the assessment finished, Second Elder?"

Xiao Yan looked at the four glowing golden characters and curled his lip disdainfully.

Still too slow. At this rate, who knew when I would even catch a glimpse of Brother Chen's back?

"Oh, yes. The test is complete."

The Second Elder, who had been staring blankly in a daze, finally came back to his senses. He nodded somewhat hastily and replied.

Five stars in three months—such a thing had never even been heard of in the entire Jia Ma Empire. The Xiao Household was about to produce a dragon!

Xiao Yan slowly withdrew his palm and stood with his hands behind his back. The golden light gradually faded, yet the entire audience still seemed immersed in shock.

"Ahem. The ceremonial retest has concluded. According to the Xiao Household Tradition, Xiao Yan will accept one challenge. The challenger must be under eighteen. Who is willing to take the stage?"

Second Elder Xiao Ying coughed lightly and swept his gaze across the younger generation in the arena before asking somewhat awkwardly.

His words naturally drew the entire crowd's attention once more. The representatives of the various factions all wanted to know just what level Xiao Yan's strength had reached, or whether he merely possessed a hollow realm with no substance to back it up.

At the Second Elder's question, the younger members of the Xiao Household all looked at one another, lowering their heads with flushed faces and not daring to make a sound.

That was a six-star Dou Zhe!

Most of them had only reached the seventh or eighth stage of Dou Qi. Even the most outstanding among those who had been adults for a year or two had only just stepped into the Dou Zhe realm. Going up there would be no different from asking for a beating.

In just over three months, the situation had completely reversed. Now, they were no longer worthy of mocking the youth in the arena.

Xiao Yan merely smiled at the sight. His gaze swept over them, and every youth he looked at shrank back, not daring to meet his eyes.

Xiao Ning, however, stood stubbornly where he was. His teeth itched with fury, but he could do nothing about it.

After all, the gap between people could be this immense!

"How about this? Once the standard is lowered later, I'll give it a try as his sister."

Looking at Xiao Ning's jealous and unwilling expression, Xiao Yu shook her head slightly. Her slender hand rested on her sword hilt as she helplessly prepared to step forward.

She still had to spoil her own little brother!

If no one under eighteen could do it, the Second Elder would surely raise the age limit. Then she would fight him!

Though it would seem like bullying the younger with the older, she only needed to stop at the right point. It would at least help her brother vent some frustration.

However, while the idea was beautiful, before the Second Elder could ask again, Xiao Dongchen beneath the tree shade took several strides onto the platform. He smiled faintly and said, "Since no one is willing to come up, then I will."

At the sight of the white-robed youth before him, his clothes fluttering and his bearing peerless, Xiao Yan's body suddenly stiffened. The corners of his mouth twitched violently, and his little face instantly turned bitter.

Brother Chen, did I break some heavenly law? Why are you messing with me like this?

You can knock a Dou Ling over with a casual punch. You want me to fight you? Are you sure?

Then I'm really a heifer doing somersaults—damn impressive!

Needless to say, Xiao Dongchen's appearance onstage instantly drew the entire crowd's attention. Their eyes shone with excitement, their expressions utterly exhilarated.

A battle between a king and a god!

Today, would they finally see the mysterious Xiao Dongchen make his move?

Even if only a small corner of that mystery were unveiled, it would still reveal an extraordinary world!

Xiao Zhan, seated in the place of honor, wore a strange expression. He gave a dry laugh and thought to himself, I hope my worthy nephew goes easy on him. My son, this is just the Xiao Household Tradition. Consider yourself unlucky, haha.

Naturally, he knew Xiao Dongchen was merely testing Xiao Yan's true strength. Still, the kid would probably suffer a little.

Not far away, Xun'er rested her chin on her hand as she watched Xiao Dongchen's showy back. She could not help smiling sweetly, her autumn-water eyes curving as her pale green dress swayed in the breeze.

You broke through to the Dou Ling realm three months ago, and you're bullying a Dou Zhe. Aren't you ashamed of yourself?

Even a Dou Wang wouldn't be enough for one of your hands to handle, right?

"Don't worry, I won't make things difficult for you. I'll suppress my realm to the Dou Zhe level."

"Attack however you wish. Let me see how well you've cultivated."

Xiao Dongchen stood with his hands behind his back and spoke calmly, looking every bit the elegant gentleman.

Xiao Yan blinked twice. Upon hearing those words, his heart immediately burned with excitement, and his eyes rolled rapidly.

The Dou Zhe realm? You said that yourself?

There's a huge chance!

My Eight Extremes Collapse has reached mastery. Teacher said I could contend against a low-star Dou Master. Brother Chen, if you accidentally fall into my hands, hehehe!

At that thought, the youth's lips rose higher and higher, and his gentle smile gradually became lecherous.

"What's wrong? Are you that happy to fight me?"

Seeing that strange smile, Xiao Dongchen raised an eyebrow, rubbed his nose, and looked at him with amusement.

Don't tell me you really think you can defeat me. Who gave you that confidence?

Fine, fine. Just don't cry later!

"It's... it's not bad, I suppose. Brother Chen, I, Xiao Yan, accept your challenge!"

Coming back to his senses, Xiao Yan immediately restrained his smile and assumed a fighting stance. His pair of dark eyes were filled with calm determination.

More than three months of arduous cultivation would be proven through this battle!

Seeing Xiao Yan's serious expression, Xiao Dongchen instead felt somewhat uneasy. Thinking of how this man from Battle Through the Heavens always fought opponents above his level in unbelievable ways—and always won—could something go wrong this time too?

Impossible. Absolutely impossible!

At Xiao Yan's current realm, he definitely could not withstand Yao Lao possessing him. Besides, even if he could, what did Xiao Dongchen have to fear?

Over the past three months, he had cultivated the Great Desolate Prisoner's Finger to the third finger. Even if a Dou Emperor took the field, he was confident he could withstand two moves!

Besides, even if he possessed heaven-defying methods, what could he do if I summoned Ancestor Xiao Xuan with one hand?

Thinking of this, Xiao Dongchen shook his head slightly. He was getting carried away. Against a kid like Xiao Yan, he only needed to beat him down normally!

Seeing the two youths facing each other, the Second Elder nodded, then stepped back and shouted, "You two, spar civilly and stop when appropriate!"

Upon hearing this, the two handsome youths both nodded slightly, then smiled at each other.

And with that smile, the tense atmosphere climbed to its peak!