The Coming Shock

Xiao Yan also intended to avenge the attack that had nearly wiped out the Xiao Clan all those years ago. Although the powerful warrior who had attacked his grandfather was dead, and his eldest uncle had worn that man's son down to death at the cost of his own life, those masked men who had stormed the Xiao Clan were still out there!

Before, he had known nothing about it. Now that he knew, once he had enough strength, he would go to the Imperial Capital and settle every last account!

His only regret now was that he could not help his older cousin gain the talent to cultivate.

"Brother Xiao Yan?"

Seeing Xiao Yan lost in thought, Xiao Xun'er nudged him worriedly.

Xiao Yan waved a hand. "It's nothing. I was just thinking about a few things."

At his words, Xiao Xun'er glanced at Xiao Yu's retreating back, guessing that those "things" must have something to do with Brother Xiao Yan's older cousin.

It was time for the preliminary test to begin.

"You are all the clan's fresh blood, its hope for the future. You should know how important today's test is to you."

"I will explain the testing rules here."

"Anyone who reaches the seventh stage of dou qi or above will pass. Anyone below that will fail. Once testing is complete, as in previous years, clan members who fail to reach the seventh stage of dou qi will have one chance to challenge someone who passed. If they win, they will be counted among those who passed."

"The rules have been explained. Now, let the test begin!"

Xiao Zhan rose to announce the testing rules, and with that, the preliminary test for the Coming-of-Age Ceremony began!

As Xiao Zhan's deep declaration rang out, the boys and girls grew nervous. The Testing Officer began reading out names, and each clan member called would go up to be tested.

"Xiao Xu!"

"Here!"

"Xiao Xu: dou qi, sixth stage, intermediate!"

"Boohoo..."

"Xiao Ke: dou qi, sixth stage, intermediate!"

"Fuck!"

"Xiao Ji: dou qi, seventh stage, advanced!"

"Yes!"

The boys and girls took the stage one after another, showing everyone the fruits of more than a decade of cultivation.

Some who failed covered their faces and wept or cursed bitterly, while some who passed shouted in excitement and cried tears of joy.

There was joy and sorrow, but Xiao Yu and a few others remained utterly unruffled.

"Xiao Mei!"

"Xiao Ning!"

"Xiao Shan!"

Time ticked by, and fewer and fewer clan members remained untested.

Soon, it was Xiao Xun'er's turn.

"Brother Xiao Yan, don't be too surprised in a moment~"

The lovely, immaculate girl gave Xiao Yan an adorable wink before going up to be tested.

"Don't tell me she's already become a Dou Zhe?"

Xiao Yan murmured to himself.

Xiao Yu naturally knew Xiao Xun'er's strength, so he said, "That sweetheart of yours is no ordinary girl. Just from what I've heard, I already know what a genius she is at cultivating. Becoming a Dou Zhe is no great difficulty for her."

"That's why I keep telling you to work harder, kid. Not just for yourself and Second Uncle, but so you can win the beauty's hand."

"You're only at the seventh stage now. Compared with Cousin Xun'er, you're more than a little behind. Without comparable strength, you don't even qualify to stand beside her."

"Look at those people who mock you. Most of them are jealous that you're so close to Cousin Xun'er. Why are they jealous? Because you used to have only three-stage dou qi."

After hearing this, Xiao Yan nodded almost unconsciously. Naturally, he knew that. Why else would he cultivate so desperately? It was not just because of the three-year agreement. Xun'er was part of the reason too.

"Brother Yu, what about you? What are your plans afterward?"

His older cousin certainly would not pass today, and after the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, he would have to leave the Xiao Clan. Xiao Yan wanted to see whether there was anything he could do to help.

Xiao Yu turned to glance at Xiao Yan. "Me? Of course I have plans. After the Coming-of-Age Ceremony, I'll leave Wutan City and venture out into the world."

"Leave Wutan City?"

Xiao Yan froze, then asked, "Have our clan's businesses expanded beyond Wutan City?"

Xiao Yu rolled his eyes at him. "What are you thinking? Of course not. I just want to see the world outside. I've spent more than a decade in the Xiao Clan. It's about time I went out and had a look."

Xiao Yan was startled. What? His cousin Xiao Yu meant to go out and temper himself?

"Brother Yu, you..."

Xiao Yu cut him off. "You don't need to talk me out of it. Since I've made this decision, I naturally have my reasons."

Xiao Yan wanted to say more, but in the end, nothing came out. After spending more than half a year together, he knew his cousin's word was final. Once he decided something, even Xiao Yan's father would have trouble changing his mind.

Helpless, he could only wait until the preliminary test ended and tell his father, then see whether he could persuade his cousin.

"Xiao Xun'er: One-Star Dou Zhe!"

"Gasp~"

The Testing Officer announced the result in amazement, then marveled, "Miss Xun'er, you truly deserve to be called the second such outstanding genius the Xiao Clan has produced in nearly a hundred years."

Xiao Xun'er smiled without saying anything and went straight back to where Xiao Yan was.

Everyone on the training grounds stared in shock at the Xiao Clan's most dazzling pearl at the center, drawing sharp breaths without exception.

After their initial shock, Xiao Zhan and the elders were all smiles too.

As Xiao Xun'er came down, looking at him with a smug little smile and a playful quirk of her lips, Xiao Yan teased:

"Don't get too pleased with yourself, little girl. With your talent, I'd find it strange if you hadn't become a Dou Zhe."

At that, Xiao Xun'er rolled her eyes at Xiao Yan and sat beside him in a huff, looking for all the world like an aggrieved young wife.

Afterward, the test did not stop because of Xiao Xun'er's astonishing result. Clan members continued climbing the steps one after another.

"Xiao Yan!"

Soon, it was Xiao Yan's turn to take the stage for testing.

The corners of Xiao Yan's mouth lifted slightly. Fixing his eyes on the Black Stone Stele that had subjected him to ridicule for four years, he walked up slowly.

"Today, I'll throw that label of trash right back at them!"

He laid his right hand on the stele and murmured to himself, then circulated the dou qi within his body.

The stele blazed with light!

Dou qi, seventh stage!

"Holy shit!"

"Gasp~~"

"Impossible!"

When everyone saw the large words displayed on the stele, their minds reeled, and sharp intakes of breath rose without end.

Xiao Zhan crushed the teacup in his hand and sprang to his feet in excitement.

His face showed surprise, shock, and disbelief before giving way to wild joy.

The other elders nearly had their jaws drop out of their sockets, their eyes fixed on the stele.

Below the stage, Xiao Xun'er smiled, her gaze locked on the high-spirited youth above. Her voice carried joy and a trace of heartache. "The Brother Xiao Yan of old has finally returned..."

Xiao Yu had long known this scene would unfold, so he barely reacted.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. If they're already this shocked, what will they do in a moment? Won't they faint?"

His mischievous streak flared up, and Xiao Yu's lips curved as he imagined everyone's expressions when he took his test next.

"Good, good, good! That's my son! Hahahahaha!"

Xiao Zhan's excited burst of laughter jolted everyone out of their stupor.

The First Elder and Second Elder, in particular, stared at the black-robed youth with complicated expressions.

Xiao Yan cupped his hands in salute toward Xiao Zhan, then returned to his original spot.

"Hehe, you really got to show off this time, kid. Well? How does it feel to have every eye on you? Look at those people who used to laugh at you, all dumbfounded now. Doesn't it feel amazing?"

Rubbing his nose, Xiao Yan looked helplessly at his rather cheeky cousin beside him, utterly speechless.

His cousin could be a real pest sometimes, but even that impish expression on his handsome face was not off-putting. Instead, it gave him a different kind of charm.

"I already knew that feeling four years ago. Still, seeing them all tongue-tied now does feel pretty good. Heh."

Xiao Yan also showed a rare, self-satisfied smile.

Xiao Yu nodded. "Never mind you, even I feel great just watching. I really want to experience it for myself."

"Xiao Yu!"

Xiao Yu was still talking when he heard the Testing Officer call his name.

"All right, my turn. I'll head up first. We can talk afterward."

"Brother Yu."

Xiao Yu waved a hand behind him and walked toward the stage.

There was something of "the wind keens, the Yi River runs cold; the warrior departs, never to return" about him.

The sight made Xiao Yan's heart tighten.

I'm seriously scared. Why isn't there a single person here? Is nobody reading? If anyone is reading, could you say something? Or if there's anything wrong with my writing, any basic factual mistakes, you could point those out too.