Proof

"Xiao Fan, One-Star Dou Zhe!"

If everyone had been shocked by Xiao Yan's restored talent and acknowledged Xiao Xun'er's gifts, then their reaction to Xiao Fan was utter disbelief.

In everyone's eyes, Xiao Fan had always been an ordinary disciple of the Xiao Clan. His strength had only ranked in the upper-middle range among the clan's disciples, and even at last year's test, he had only just reached the sixth stage of Dou Qi.

Xiao Yan had risen four stages in a year not only because advancing from the third stage to the seventh was easier, but also because his former talent was there for all to see. So although everyone was surprised, they could still convince themselves that his talent had returned.

But Xiao Fan was merely an ordinary disciple of the Xiao Clan. He had only come to everyone's attention over the past year because he had been training with Xiao Yan on Back Mountain. How could he have leaped straight from the sixth stage of Dou Qi into the ranks of Dou Zhe?

Xiao Fan paid no heed to the strange atmosphere. Under everyone's gaze, he slowly walked over and sat down beside Xiao Yan.

"Ahem..." On the raised platform, Xiao Zhan was the first to recover. Beaming with satisfaction, he gave a light cough and drew everyone's attention back to him.

Even so, some people still found Xiao Fan's progress impossible to believe.

"The testing is complete. Next, we will proceed to the challenges. Those who failed have the right to challenge a fellow disciple who passed. Remember, you have only one chance," Xiao Zhan announced loudly.

At those words, most of the burning gazes in the field turned toward Xiao Fan and Xiao Yan.

Xiao Fan had expected this, but Xiao Yan froze for a moment before giving a wry smile. "Do I look that much like a soft persimmon for them to squeeze?"

"Brother Xiao Yan advanced four stages of Dou Qi in a year, just reaching the seventh stage. Naturally, they don't want to believe in such a miraculous rise." Although Xiao Xun'er was speaking to Xiao Yan, her gaze was fixed on Xiao Fan, a rare occurrence.

Xiao Yan shrugged helplessly and exchanged a glance with Xiao Fan. "So because they refuse to believe it, they deceive themselves?"

At last, someone could no longer hold back and stepped forward into the quiet field.

Under everyone's gaze, a brawny youth walked up to them. He glanced between Xiao Yan and Xiao Fan, only to choose the stronger Xiao Fan. "Cousin Xiao Fan, please!"

Although the youth appeared respectful, faint doubt and disdain lurked in his eyes as he looked at Xiao Fan. Apparently, he too believed they had used some method to deceive the elders and fool the testing stone. After all, Xiao Fan had once been at roughly the same level as him. He refused to believe Xiao Fan could have improved so much.

Xiao Fan recognized the youth challenging him. His name was Xiao Shan, and he was another ordinary disciple of the Xiao Clan. When Xiao Fan had first transmigrated, his strength had probably been about the same as Xiao Shan's. Shaking his head, Xiao Fan declared, "I accept!"

Watching the brawny youth seize the first challenge, the others sighed regretfully, seemingly envious of the first person daring enough to taste the crab.

Xiao Fan walked into the field and gestured for Xiao Shan to begin.

Seeing Xiao Fan's calm expression, Xiao Shan felt a flicker of unease. Then he remembered that failing meant being sent to work in a remote town, perhaps never getting the chance to return for the rest of his life. His expression hardened. "Cousin Xiao Fan, watch out."

Under gazes filled with mixed emotions, Xiao Fan and Xiao Shan completed the formalities before their bout.

Holding his palms slightly upright, Xiao Shan drew a deep breath. Faint Dou Qi wreathed his hands. He stamped hard against the ground and charged toward Xiao Fan.

Low-level battles had no flashy tricks, only solid collisions of fists against flesh.

"Mountain Splitting Palm!"

As he closed in on Xiao Fan, Xiao Shan gathered Dou Qi in his right hand and viciously chopped straight at Xiao Fan's chest.

Mountain Splitting Palm was a yellow tier mid-grade Dou Technique. Only Xiao Clan disciples at the fifth stage of Dou Qi or above were eligible to learn it!

Watching Xiao Shan's palm strike, a trace of boredom flashed through Xiao Fan's eyes. With Yao Lao's guidance, the system's support, and a year of sparring with Xiao Yan, he already had ample combat experience.

A higher-ranked Dou Technique was not necessarily better; what mattered was how familiar its user was with it. Thoroughly mastering a low-level Dou Technique could easily surpass an unfamiliar high-level one.

Xiao Shan was a perfect example. He fought with the highest-ranked Dou Technique he could learn, thinking it would bring out his strength to the fullest, when in fact he was utterly mistaken. He would have been better off spending that time carefully studying a yellow tier low-grade Dou Technique. The strength he could unleash might even have been considerably greater.

As the palm drew closer, Xiao Fan stepped back with his left foot and lightly swept his left hand aside, deflecting Xiao Shan's attack. His right hand caught Xiao Shan at the waist as the youth's momentum carried him forward, and with a casual toss, he threw Xiao Shan behind him.

He had effortlessly neutralized Xiao Shan's attack without even using a Dou Technique.

On the raised platform, a trace of surprise flashed through Xiao Zhan's eyes as he watched Xiao Fan's response.

He could tell that Xiao Fan had easily countered the attack not merely because Xiao Shan was unfamiliar with his Dou Technique, but also because Xiao Fan had abundant combat experience. The fact that he had thought to turn his opponent's force against him in such a brief instant, throwing Xiao Shan without using Dou Qi, made that clear. His combat experience might even surpass that of many clan guards who had already gone out on missions.

The entire field fell silent. Xiao Shan's defeat had neatly confirmed everyone's suspicions.

Watching Xiao Fan stand in the field with his hands behind his back, everyone slowly drew in a cold breath. Since he could effortlessly defeat Xiao Shan, who was at the sixth stage of Dou Qi, without using Dou Qi himself, his strength had to be above the seventh stage. From the looks of it, his One-Star Dou Zhe strength was probably genuine.

At that thought, everyone turned to Xiao Yan again. They all knew the two had spent the past year training on Back Mountain. At first, everyone had watched them expecting a joke.

Now, seeing that both had crossed four stages of Dou Qi in just one short year, everyone began wondering whether some heavenly treasure lay hidden on Back Mountain.

Or perhaps the two possessed some secret no one else knew.

On the raised platform, Xiao Zhan watched the two youths exchange glances. Remembering all the grievances his son had endured over the past three years, he finally could not help bursting into laughter.

The Three Elders sighed inwardly as they watched Xiao Zhan laugh, but did not stop him. It seemed Xiao Fan and Xiao Yan had truly soared into the sky, while their own grandsons would never catch up to either of them. Four stages in one year-that terrifying rate of advancement was enough to leave anyone aghast.

Sweeping a casual gaze over the surrounding disciples, Xiao Fan slowly asked, "Does anyone else want to challenge me?"

Seeing the young disciples below playing dumb, Xiao Fan shrugged and walked back to Xiao Yan.

"Senior brother, congratulations! You really stole the spotlight!" Xiao Yan offered his heartfelt congratulations as Xiao Fan returned.

Xiao Fan smiled and patted Xiao Yan on the shoulder. "Three years ago, these people looked at you with the same admiring gazes. But after these three years, would those gazes still make you proud?"

Xiao Fan grinned. Although he had lost some things over those three years, they were not worth mentioning compared with what he had gained.

Beside them, Xiao Xun'er leaned her head out from Xiao Yan's side and said to Xiao Fan, "Big Brother Xiao Fan, advancing from the sixth stage of Dou Qi to Dou Zhe in a year really is astonishing!"

Hearing her words, Xiao Fan grinned. "Don't tease me, Xun'er. Xiao Yan became a Dou Zhe at twelve, after all. Besides, aren't you just the same, Xun'er?"