An immense pressure instantly enveloped Xiao Yu, making Xiao Ning behind her cry out in shock.
"How is this possible?"
Xiao Ning had never imagined that Xiao Yan, whom he had utterly despised for so many years, would one day achieve something like this, even standing before everyone and grinding their faces into the dirt once again.
But whatever he thought, Xiao Yan's mood was completely unaffected by the people around him. When they had first begun fawning over him, he might still have been ecstatic over their envy and praise.
Now, however, he understood that these people were nothing but clowns who bullied the weak and feared the strong. When he had the strength to stand before them, they wore expressions of respect and humility.
But the moment some mishap brought him low, they would transform into demons, mocking and ridiculing him to his face without offering a trace of their former warmth or affection.
At that thought, his gaze unconsciously settled on Xiao Mo and Xiao Xun'er in the middle of the grounds.
He immediately strode over to them and sat down between the two.
With these two friends, he wanted nothing more for the rest of his life.
Murmurs of astonishment rose from the grounds again. No one had expected that good-for-nothing to achieve such progress and make such a breakthrough.
Some had even begun to regret their actions. Had they known this would happen, they would never have mocked Xiao Yan back then. They wondered whether he held grudges.
Only then did the steward, finally recovering from his shock, remember his duties and slowly read out the next participant's name.
"Xiao Xun'er, prepare to come up."
Xiao Xun'er poked Xiao Yan's cheek.
"Brother Xiao Yan, I'll give you a surprise in a moment."
Without another word, she skipped briskly toward the stage.
Xiao Mo quietly watched the two force-feed him dog food with their lovey-dovey antics, wishing he could poke his own eyes out on the spot.
But the system's chimes in his ears soon diverted his attention.
[Ding! Congratulations, host. You have successfully obtained 1,000 shop points.] [Ding! Congratulations, host. You have successfully obtained 10 good brother affection points.]
Oh?
The rewards had arrived, leaving him thoroughly satisfied.
With another 1,000 shop points, he was now close to saving up over ten thousand. Soon, he could purchase high-level cultivation methods and medicinal pills.
If he hadn't wanted to watch Xiao Xun'er's demonstration, he would have opened the shop immediately and started buying, buying, buying.
He barely suppressed his excitement before turning his attention back to the center of the stage.
Judging by her progress, Xiao Xun'er should now be a One-Star Dou Zhe, just like him.
He breathed a sigh of relief, glad his turn came after hers. Otherwise, he really would have stuck out like a sore thumb.
After all, he had only been at the second stage during his previous test. Suddenly leaping to One-Star Dou Zhe would be even more monstrous than Xiao Yan's genius.
He had no desire to become the focus of everyone's attention.
If only I could hide my strength!
After some thought, he suddenly turned his attention back to the shop. He really didn't want to attract too much notice, nor did he want his leap in strength to seem outrageously monstrous.
Maybe I could find a way to lower it a little?
He immediately browsed the shop's products carefully and soon found a treasure among them.
[Dou Qi Modifier: Effectively blocks the testing stone's detection of Dou Qi and fabricates a false Dou Qi level.] [Want to upgrade to Dou Di? Want to bask in everyone's shocked gazes? Buy it, buy it!]
Xiao Mo immediately grew excited.
If he could get his hands on this thing, never mind Dou Di-even setting himself to Dou Emperor would be enough to shock everyone present.
But when he saw its hefty price of 5,000 points, he couldn't help sighing softly.
This thing is way too expensive. I only have close to ten thousand points right now, and this alone would eat up half of them. Isn't that a little poor value?
Before he could think it through, startled cries erupted all around him.
"My heavens, Xiao Xun'er is already a One-Star Dou Zhe?"
"Heavens, that's incredible!"
"Next, Xiao Xun'er!"
Countless spectators sucked in a breath of cold air. They clearly hadn't expected that after a gifted cultivator like Xiao Yan, there would be someone as strong as Xiao Xun'er, who had already reached One-Star Dou Zhe.
Still, Xiao Xun'er had already reached a high stage during her previous test, so her advancement to One-Star Dou Zhe was only natural.
Everyone gazed enviously at Xiao Xun'er in the middle of the grounds, and quite a few had already begun discussing how great her future accomplishments might be.
Seeing the envy in their eyes and hearing their praise, Xiao Mo immediately made up his mind and swiftly selected the purchase.
He had almost no doubt that if he went up now and everyone discovered his strength, he would indeed shock the entire crowd. But far worse, he would become the person everyone kept their eyes on.
[You are about to spend 5,000 shop points to purchase the Dou Qi Modifier. Please confirm once again: are you certain?]
Xiao Mo clicked confirm without hesitation.
Soon, something resembling a wristband appeared in his palm, and he immediately slipped it onto his wrist.
The wristband had a digital display. It was rare to see such a high-tech product in this world, and he immediately began adjusting the interface, quickly setting his strength to the eighth stage.
This shouldn't stand out too much, right?
He actually wanted to lower it further, but the eighth stage was already the minimum threshold for entry. Any lower, and he would be expelled from the school.
He still wanted to continue cultivating alongside Xiao Yan, so he had no choice but to settle on this setting.
He nervously rubbed his fingers together. Even though he had spent 5,000 points on it, he still worried that the thing might malfunction or fail to work.
Seeing how nervous he was, Xiao Yan gently patted his hand.
"Don't be nervous. You're only going up to have your strength tested. Besides, you've already reached One-Star Dou Zhe. What is there to fear?"
Those words made him freeze, and a moment later, his mind jolted.
Damn, how did I forget about this guy?
After all, neither of them could possibly hide their strength from Yao Lao. Xiao Yan had long known that he was a One-Star Dou Zhe.
If he went up there and suddenly turned into someone at the Eighth Stage of Dou Qi, how was he supposed to explain it to his junior fellow disciple afterward?
Before he could figure it out, however, the steward on the stage had already called his name.
"Xiao Mo, prepare to come up for your test."
He looked at his wrist with a conflicted expression, sighed softly in resignation, and walked up anyway.
After all, he didn't have any choice, did he?
Before you continue