Coming-of-Age Ceremony, Another Stage Up

A month passed quickly.

Tomorrow would be the Xiao Clan's annual coming-of-age ceremony.

Xiao Yan accompanied Xiao Xun'er to familiarize themselves with the venue for the coming-of-age ceremony in advance.

At that moment, clan elders were explaining the ceremony's procedures and precautions to everyone.

The process was very simple. First, a lock of hair had to be cut; second, a Xiao Clan jade pendant would be bestowed; third, Dou Qi would be retested.

Though simple, there was no room for mistakes.

That was because tomorrow's coming-of-age ceremony would not only be attended by members of the Xiao Clan, but friendly forces would also be invited to observe.

In a courtyard somewhere within the Xiao Clan.

"Big Sis, when did you come back?"

Xiao Ning looked at the girl before him with pleasant surprise.

The girl wore academy attire and carried a sword at her waist. Tall and slender, she was Xiao Ning's elder sister, Xiao Yu.

Xiao Yu smiled. "I came back yesterday."

"I returned this time to accompany my mentor in recruiting students in Wu Tan City."

Xiao Ning's eyes lit up upon hearing that. His sister attended Jia Nan Academy, one of the top academies on the Dou Qi Continent.

If he could enter Jia Nan Academy, he would have the chance to learn high-level cultivation methods and Dou Techniques.

Moreover, with the status of a Jia Nan Academy graduate, others would think more highly of him when he ventured across the Dou Qi Continent in the future.

Therefore, many young people longed to enter Jia Nan Academy to study.

Looking at her younger brother's expression, how could Xiao Yu not know what he was thinking?

She smiled. "Don't worry. You meet the academy's admission requirements, even if only the minimum standard. But I have a good relationship with my mentor, so she will definitely take you."

Jia Nan Academy's minimum admission standard was eighteen years old or younger, with Eighth Duan Dou Qi or above.

Only then did Xiao Ning relax, and the two began chatting about family matters.

Before they knew it, the conversation turned to Xiao Yan.

At the mention of Xiao Yan, Xiao Yu frowned, and a trace of disgust appeared in her eyes.

Several years ago, Xiao Yu had been bathing in a hot spring behind the mountain when Xiao Yan happened to pass by and accidentally saw her.

Because of that, Xiao Yu had chased Xiao Yan for half a year.

However, Xiao Yan had not yet lost his talent back then, so Xiao Yu had been unable to defeat him.

Xiao Yan was also the clan leader's son. She could not report him, or everyone would learn that Xiao Yan had seen her naked.

"I never expected that trash Xiao Yan would have a chance to turn things around. What a surprise."

Xiao Yu was somewhat surprised when she heard from her brother that Xiao Yan had tested at Seven-Stage Dou Qi during the clan's preliminary assessment.

But that was all it was—surprise.

After going to Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Yu had seen countless geniuses. In her eyes, Xiao Yan's talent was merely average.

It no longer carried the shock it once had.

"Big Sis, you have to help me."

Xiao Ning grabbed Xiao Yu's arm and told her that he liked Xun'er, but because Xiao Yan was around, Xun'er had always ignored him.

At tomorrow's coming-of-age ceremony, he would challenge Xiao Yan and knock him off his pedestal again, making Xun'er see him in a new light.

Xiao Yu fell silent. Though she despised Xiao Yan, she could tell from Xiao Ning's words that Xiao Yan had done nothing wrong in this triangular relationship.

Xiao Xun'er simply did not like her brother and liked Xiao Yan instead, so Xiao Ning had placed all the blame on Xiao Yan.

Still, Xiao Ning was her younger brother.

And since it would also deal a blow to the Xiao Yan she hated, Xiao Yu was naturally willing to help.

"This is a second-grade medicinal pill, Qi Increasing Powder. It can temporarily give you the strength of a Dou Zhe, but after taking it, you'll have to spend the next month bedridden. So unless absolutely necessary, it's best not to use it."

Xiao Yu took out a jade bottle from her robes and handed it to Xiao Ning somewhat reluctantly.

Xiao Ning said delightedly, "Don't worry, Big Sis. I have Eighth Duan Dou Qi, while that little bastard Xiao Yan only has Seven-Stage Dou Qi. I've got the advantage. I probably won't need it, and I'll return it to you afterward."

The next day, a plaza within the Xiao Clan was packed with people and buzzing with excitement.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er sat below the stage, watching the ceremony proceed with some boredom.

Just as he was about to close his eyes and rest, he sensed two gazes directed at him. He slowly shifted his eyes toward their owners.

In the distance, Xiao Ning was staring at Xiao Yan, who was chatting and laughing with Xun'er, with a face full of jealousy. When he saw Xiao Yan look over, he immediately raised his fist in provocation.

"Idiot!"

Xiao Yan's lips moved slightly as he mouthed the words at Xiao Ning.

His gaze shifted to the somewhat familiar girl on the left. After thinking briefly, he recalled who she was.

In his memories, she seemed to despise him greatly because she had misunderstood and believed that he had deliberately peeped on her bathing.

Xiao Yan rubbed his nose, then turned away without giving it much thought and closed his eyes to rest.

In the distance, Xiao Yu clenched her fists, her emotions complicated.

"Big Sis, you saw it too. Look how arrogant Xiao Yan is. His mouth was cursing me just now—you saw it too."

Xiao Ning added fuel to the fire from the side.

When the coming-of-age ceremony had reached its midpoint, it was finally Xiao Yan's turn.

Upon hearing Xiao Yan's name, the invited guests on the high platform all looked toward the black-haired youth, curiosity and doubt in their eyes.

Over the past month, news of Xiao Yan's return as a genius who had advanced four stages in a year had spread throughout all of Wu Tan City.

They wanted to personally verify at close range whether Xiao Yan had truly returned to being a genius.

On the stage, Xiao Yan followed the Second Elder's instructions like a puppet and completed the first two parts of the ceremony.

"The final part of the ceremony: Dou Qi retesting!"

With such a grand occasion and outsiders present, the Second Elder maintained a smile throughout.

The Dou Qi retest was intended to reconfirm the Dou Qi stage of qualified clan members.

Moreover, the Magic Stone Tablet used to test stages this time was of a higher grade, making mistakes nearly impossible.

The Second Elder walked up to the black Magic Stone Tablet, pressed his hand against it, and infused his Dou Qi to activate it.

As his Dou Qi entered it, the black Magic Stone Tablet emitted a faint white glow.

"Xiao Yan, step forward and test yourself."

Standing to one side, the Second Elder watched the black-haired youth with a faint smile.

Even now, the Second Elder still harbored doubts about the youth's miracle of advancing four stages in a year.

Expressionless, Xiao Yan slowly stepped forward. Looking at the rather high-grade Magic Stone Tablet, he gradually placed his palm against it.

The youth's action also drew the attention of everyone present.

Whether advancing four stages in a year was truly a miracle or whether the previous Magic Stone Tablet had malfunctioned would soon be revealed.

Light suddenly burst forth from the high-grade Magic Stone Tablet, and five dazzling characters appeared clearly upon it.

"Dou Qi: Eighth Stage!"

Silence. The entire venue fell silent!

Everyone stared blankly at the five characters on the Magic Stone Tablet.

From the guest seats on the high platform came one sharp intake of breath after another.

They had only wanted to confirm whether the miracle of four stages of Dou Qi in one year was real, yet they had instead witnessed the legend of five stages of Dou Qi in one year.

Five stages of Dou Qi in one year—this cultivation speed was simply terrifying.

"The Xiao Clan has produced a true dragon this time!"

Every guest thought in shock, able to imagine just how brilliant Xiao Yan's future would be.

With this cultivation speed and such talent, would the Xiao Clan produce a Dou Emperor in the future?!

Even within the Jia Ma Empire, there were only two or three Dou Emperor-level powerhouses. Every one of them possessed the ability to overturn heaven and earth and fight ten thousand enemies alone.

No empire would easily choose to offend a Dou Emperor powerhouse.

If the Xiao Clan produced a Dou Emperor, it would rise into a colossal, super-first-rate force.

"Clan Leader Xiao, Young Master Xiao Yan's cultivation talent truly is astonishing!"

Among the guests, Ya Fei of the Temir Auction House, who sat beside Xiao Zhan, kept her eyes fixed on the black-haired youth in the arena. Her red lips parted as she praised Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan was also stunned by his son's outstanding test result. Hearing Ya Fei's words, his face was full of smiles, though his tone remained calm and casual.

"Miss Ya Fei flatters him. This little fellow's talent has always risen and fallen. You know what kind of blow he suffered during the previous three years. No one knows whether that kind of change might happen again..."

Ya Fei's alluring eyes curved slightly as she laughed softly. How could such a scenario of talent vanishing possibly happen again and again?

Her captivating gaze shifted slightly, and she had already made up her mind to associate more with the Xiao Clan in the future and build a good relationship with them!

"Damn it! Why is that little bastard so lucky? He went up another stage in such a short time?"

Below the stage, Xiao Ning cursed irritably.