"How is that possible?!"
Below the platform, an uproar erupted. Countless people cried out, unable to believe their eyes.
As far as they were concerned, even if Xiao Yan was not a Dou Wang, he should at least have been a Dou Shi or a Da Dou Shi!
How could he possibly be at the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi?!
Was the Magic Testing Magic Stone Tablet malfunctioning?
Yet many members of the Xiao Clan had long since grown accustomed to this. This was hardly their first time witnessing such a scene.
The first time they had seen Xiao Yan at the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi, he had been nine years old, and everyone had thought his talent was terrifying beyond belief.
The second, third, and fourth times they saw Xiao Yan at the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi, they gradually came to believe that their genius had fallen.
Now, seeing Xiao Yan test at the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi again, everyone could only conclude that he was unfathomable, capable of controlling his strength at will so that even the Magic Testing Magic Stone Tablet could not detect it.
How else could they explain his strength?
Xiao Ning stood amid the crowd, staring at the bold characters on the Magic Testing Magic Stone Tablet, their strokes dancing like dragons and soaring phoenixes. His expression was utterly conflicted.
"Even now, Xiao Yan still won't reveal his true strength. Isn't he treating us like fools? What person at the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi is anything like him?!"
Those nearby who did not know the truth turned toward him, realization dawning on their faces at Xiao Ning's words.
So that was what was going on.
Of course! How could the Xiao Clan's young master possibly be only at the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi?
Little did they know that Xiao Yan, standing on the platform, felt just as helpless. Did they really think he was unwilling to reveal his strength?
The real problem was that this Magic Testing Magic Stone Tablet could only measure up to the Ninth Stage of Dou Qi!
As the golden light on the Magic Testing Magic Stone Tablet faded, Xiao Yan cupped his hands slightly toward the Second Elder.
"Second Elder, may I step down now?"
"Ahem!"
The Second Elder coughed, then said earnestly, "Xiao Yan, the Coming-of-Age Ceremony is, after all, an extremely important day in your life. Why don't you test yourself once more?"
Xiao Yan shrugged. "Forget it. It'll be the same no matter how many times I test."
"You... you're good in every other way, but you enjoy hiding your abilities far too much."
"Ah... fine. You may step down."
The Second Elder waved a hand, skipping the challenge segment that should have followed.
Given Xiao Yan's strength, among the Xiao Clan's younger generation...
Who could challenge him? Who would dare?
After Xiao Yan stepped off the platform, the Second Elder's voice rang out again.
"Next, Xiao Xun'er!"
Seeing Xun'er approaching him, Xiao Yan smiled. "I'm looking forward to your performance, Xun'er."
Usually reserved and restrained, presenting a cool face to others, Xiao Xun'er was especially affectionate with Xiao Yan. Beaming, she said, "Don't worry, Brother Xiao Yan. My strength will definitely give you a fright."
"Haha, then I'll keep my eyes peeled!"
A moment later, as Xiao Xun'er placed her hand on the Magic Testing Magic Stone Tablet, golden light blazed forth.
Dou Zhe: Nine stars!
The entire gathering was stunned!
In the VIP seats, the representatives of the various factions all sucked in sharp breaths.
The Xiao Clan was about to soar!
First there had been Xiao Yan, and now there was Xiao Xun'er.
A fifteen-year-old Nine-Star Dou Zhe. Unless something went wrong in the future, she would likely become another Dou Huang expert.
Oba Pa took out a handkerchief and shakily wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, inwardly overflowing with relief.
Thank goodness. Thank goodness I surrendered quickly enough!
Otherwise, once the Xiao Clan grew into its strength, it would spell utter disaster for the Ao Ba Family.
Then he thought of the Jia Lie Family, which still dreamed of fighting the Xiao Clan to the death, and inexplicably began to smile.
Although the Ao Ba Family and the Jia Lie Family had once been allies, seeing the Jia Lie Family headed for disaster... ah, his mood brightened again.
Beneath the shade of a tree, Xiao Yan stood beside Xiao Yi Xian, lazily enjoying the cool air.
She glanced at the Magic Testing Magic Stone Tablet and could not help exclaiming, "Xiao Yan, your Xiao Clan really is terrifying. Apart from you, even Xun'er's talent is this frightening."
After all, Mu She, formerly the strongest person in Qingshan Town, had been only a Two-Star Dou Shi.
Yet Xiao Xun'er had already reached Nine-Star Dou Zhe at just fifteen.
The gulf between them was far from small.
Watching the girl approach from the platform, Xiao Yan smiled faintly.
"Xiao Yi Xian, don't belittle yourself. Xun'er's talent is naturally outstanding, but yours is no weaker. One day, we'll all stand together... at the pinnacle of the continent."
"Mm!" Xiao Yi Xian answered in a voice as faint as a mosquito's buzz, her cheeks flushing slightly as a vision of that future surfaced in her eyes.
That's right. Together...
Lasting from early morning until dusk, the Xiao Clan's Coming-of-Age Ceremony came to an end.
The representatives of the various factions all wanted to become acquainted with Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan, but Xiao Zhan politely declined them in the end. Only Ya Fei and Gu Ni remained.
The Xiao Clan and the Mittel Auction House had been on friendly terms for quite some time. Since the two rarely had the chance to visit, Xiao Zhan naturally intended to entertain them properly.
Seeing his father approach with Ya Fei and Gu Ni, Xiao Yan cleared his throat softly and told the two girls beside him, "You two head back first. I'll go entertain Sister Ya Fei and Mr. Gu Ni."
Xiao Xun'er glanced at Ya Fei's voluptuous, shapely figure, gave a soft huff, and pulled Xiao Yi Xian away.
Once they were some distance away, Xiao Yi Xian recalled the alluring woman, so full of captivating charm, and asked curiously, "Who was that woman just now?"
Xiao Xun'er's steps faltered slightly. After a moment's thought, she said, "Someone Brother Xiao Yan has taken as an older sister."
Meanwhile, Xiao Zhan had already reached Xiao Yan, with Ya Fei and Gu Ni following behind him.
"Sister Ya Fei, Mr. Gu Ni, it's been a while!" Xiao Yan said with a light smile.
"Little Brother Xiao Yan, it certainly has!"
Ya Fei looked at Xiao Yan, a teasing half-smile appearing on her exquisite face, her voice alluring and melodious.
Beside her, Gu Ni was even more careful not to neglect any courtesy. He bowed slightly, his gaze carrying a measure of respect as he looked at Xiao Yan.
"My greetings, Young Master Xiao Yan. Seeing your abilities today has truly opened this old man's eyes."
Xiao Yan waved a hand casually and smiled modestly.
"You flatter me, Mr. Gu Ni. I merely had the good fortune to obtain a little opportunity left behind by a predecessor."
"All right, Little Brother Xiao Yan. Surely you don't intend to entertain us right here?" Ya Fei's red lips parted slightly, her eyes seeming to ripple as she looked at him.
"Haha, you're right, Sister Ya Fei. That was thoughtless of me. This way, please."
As he spoke, Xiao Yan gestured for them to proceed.
The four chatted as they walked, soon arriving at the Xiao Clan's main hall.
Once they were seated, Xiao Zhan cupped his hands in thanks. "Miss Ya Fei, Mr. Gu Ni, the Xiao Clan has benefited from your care all this time. On behalf of the Xiao Clan, I thank you both."
Ya Fei hastily demurred. "Clan Head Xiao, you're too kind. If anyone should be offering thanks, it's me. If Little Brother Xiao Yan hadn't entrusted his medicinal pills to me for auction, I'm afraid my family still wouldn't be taking me seriously."
Gu Ni echoed her sentiments from beside her.
Seeing this, Xiao Zhan did not insist, and the conversation that followed left both hosts and guests thoroughly pleased.
After the two departed, Xiao Zhan stopped Xiao Yan, who was also preparing to leave. "Yan'er, what do you plan to do next? Jia Nan Academy will begin recruiting in another six months."
Xiao Yan was slightly taken aback by Xiao Zhan's question.
After pondering for a moment, he said, "I'll definitely go to Jia Nan Academy, but not now."
He was determined to obtain the Fallen Heart Flame, but the comfortable life within the academy was not suited to his cultivation.
Besides, his cultivation required vast quantities of resources, which Jia Nan Academy could not provide.
A place like the Black-Corner Region, on the other hand, suited him quite well.
After all, the Black-Corner Region was the free country of the Dou Qi Continent-a paradise for shopping without paying!
Letting him loose in the Black-Corner Region would be simply glorious!
Before you continue