Six years

Time flashed past like a white steed glimpsed through a crack, never pausing for anyone or anything.

Like fine sand slipping through fingertips, six years had quietly trickled away in the blink of an eye.

That year, Xiao Qian turned eleven, and Xiao Xun'er turned ten.

The once-tender children had grown, the years leaving their marks upon them. Neither boy nor girl still looked quite as innocent as they had in early childhood.

Those six years swept through like a gust of wind, changing many things-their height, their appearance, their bearing. Yet it also seemed that nothing had changed at all, for the bonds of their childhood remained deeply rooted in their hearts.

"Next, Xiao Qian."

The annual Dou Qi test was in full swing at the Xiao Clan Square.

Sunlight spilled across the square, illuminating the bustling scene.

This test was crucial: its results would determine how the year's cultivation resources were allocated according to everyone's Dou Qi level.

In the Xiao Clan, boys and girls sixteen or older were considered adults. It was a cruel dividing line. Anyone who had not reached Seventh Stage Dou Qi would lose the right to continue cultivating within the clan and instead be assigned to its businesses in various locations to make themselves useful.

For those approaching adulthood, this day was a pivotal moment that would determine their destiny. Anxiety and anticipation were written across every face.

Of course, none of that concerned younger children like Xiao Qian. They approached the test with a much more relaxed attitude.

"Dou Qi, third stage."

The middle-aged examiner looked at the striking characters on the Measurement Stone, then at Xiao Qian strolling back without a care. His face could not help twitching several times.

"What's going on? Why is he still at Three-Stage Dou Qi? Wasn't he already there five years ago?" someone murmured in the crowd, curiosity gleaming in his eyes.

"Who knows? Maybe Three-Stage Dou Qi is his limit? Ha... mmph!" Someone had just begun to laugh when a friend beside him clamped a hand over his mouth.

Looking nervous, that friend hurriedly whispered a warning. "Do you have a death wish? Xiao Ning spent half a year in bed after mocking him last time!"

As though he had not heard any of those deliberately hushed remarks, Xiao Qian strolled leisurely back to his place, his steps light and confident, utterly untroubled by the people around him.

The girl beside him wore a purple dress that fluttered in the breeze. Like a secluded orchid in an empty valley, she was graceful and untouched by worldly dust, exuding a captivating presence.

A familiar fragrance drifted over like a spring breeze. Whenever and wherever he caught that scent, Xiao Qian could always find calm in an instant.

"Still not planning to show your real strength?" With her hands behind her back, Xiao Xun'er tilted her head and blinked playfully, her eyes bright and enchanting as stars twinkling in the night sky.

Her beautiful face was vivid and radiant, already showing hints of the beauty that would one day topple cities and kingdoms. The boys watching blushed scarlet, and many stole glances at her, their eyes filled with adoration.

Xiao Qian slipped his hands casually into his pockets and said flatly, "I'm afraid I'll blow up the Measurement Stone."

Curiosity flickered in the girl's eyes. "It's been so long. Why haven't you tried breaking through Ninth Stage Dou Qi? Is it because you won't be able to keep widening your meridians afterward?"

"No. I tried, but failed."

A shadow passed through Xiao Qian's eyes.

Ninth Stage Dou Qi-his Dantian had long since reached that level. In theory, considering that Dantian alone, he should have been able to break through to Dou Zhe.

Yet for some reason, every attempt failed. It was as though... some mysterious power had locked his upper limit in place!

"It's all right. Your potential is limitless. You just need to keep uncovering it, little by little." Xiao Xun'er reached out with a small, snow-white hand and gently squeezed his palm.

When Xun'er's cool fingertips touched the calluses on his palm, Xiao Qian instinctively curled his fingers.

But the girl stubbornly pried open his fist and interlaced their fingers.

"You two don't look like siblings at all." Xiao Yan's faintly plaintive voice came from beside them.

He approached with a group of people, like a moon surrounded by a host of stars.

Most conspicuous at his side was a little face that combined innocence with allure. Its owner seemed to have eyes only for Xiao Yan, and the air of worship she exuded could practically be smelled from far away.

It was Xiao Mei.

"Well, look at you. Your entourage keeps getting bigger," Xiao Qian said irritably.

Xiao Yan laughed heartily. "What's youth without a little wild swagger? You think everyone's like you, caring about nothing but cultivation?"

And yet he's still only at Three-Stage Dou Qi, Xiao Mei muttered inwardly, not daring to say it aloud. She merely put on a practiced smile. "Cousin Xiao Qian." A hint of disdain flashed through her eyes, but she quickly concealed it.

The boys and girls following Xiao Yan all greeted him as well, their voices rising one after another.

The Xiao Clan's renowned Strength King was still thoroughly intimidating in person, even if they could not resist a few sour remarks behind his back.

"Mm." Xiao Qian nodded indifferently, a rare trace of curiosity in his gaze as he looked at Xiao Yan. "How many people's eyes are you planning to make pop out this year?"

"Heh, just watch. Don't die of shock." With his nose in the air, Xiao Yan swaggered onto the platform.

Under the middle-aged examiner's expectant gaze, he slowly and lightly pressed his right hand against the stone.

Hundreds of people below held their breath together. The entire square fell so quiet that only heartbeats could be heard. Everyone stared fixedly at the Measurement Stone on the platform, their eyes full of anticipation.

Large golden characters lit up instantly, their dazzling radiance blinding everyone in a flash.

"Dou Zhe, one star!"

For a moment, not a sound came from below the platform. Everyone was too stunned by the result to speak.

Eleven years old, a One-Star Dou Zhe-what terrifying talent! It was like a massive bomb exploding amid the crowd.

"Whoa!"

In the next instant, the uproar boiled into the heavens. The entire square was like a pot of water brought to a rolling boil.

Congratulations, exclamations of disbelief, and heated discussion filled the air, making the scene as lively as a New Year's celebration.

Xiao Yan held his head high, savoring every moment with his eyes half closed, brimming with satisfaction.

"He looks like a proud peacock."

The girl's soft voice came from beside Xiao Qian, carrying a hint of teasing amusement.

Unable to contain himself, Xiao Qian burst out laughing. "Hahahaha..."

His laughter stood out sharply amid the noisy square. Heads turned at once, and everyone's gaze settled on Xiao Qian.

"Brother!"

Xiao Xun'er protested, reaching out with both little hands to cover his mouth tightly.

The warmth of her soft palms diverted Xiao Qian's attention a little, and his ill-timed laughter gradually subsided.

But Xiao Yan's face darkened on the platform. "What are you laughing at?! Is my breaking through to Dou Zhe that funny?"

"S-sorry. It's not funny at all." Xiao Qian rubbed his face, struggling to suppress his smile.

Unable to resist defending Xiao Yan, Xiao Mei spoke loudly in front of everyone. "Cousin Xiao Qian, we all admire your extraordinary strength, but you can't be jealous of Cousin Xiao Yan just because your Dou Qi talent is so poor, can you? That will only make everyone look down on you."

Her voice echoed across the square. Quite a few people nodded slightly in agreement, their gazes taking on a strange cast as they looked at Xiao Qian.

"What did you say? Say it again." The girl's icy voice suddenly rang out across the square.

Xiao Mei froze. Meeting Xiao Xun'er's deep, still eyes, she could not help shivering.

For some reason, she had a feeling that something terrifying would happen if she said another word against Xiao Qian!

"Xiao Mei! Shut up!" Before she could react, Xiao Yan was the first to lose his temper. "He's my brother! I haven't even said anything. What right do you have to look down on him?"

"Ah, s-sorry, Cousin Xiao Yan. Please don't be angry..." Xiao Mei's expression changed immediately, becoming frail and remorseful, like a flower battered by a storm.

"You should apologize to Xiao Qian, not me!" Xiao Yan only grew angrier.

Compared with dealing with women, Xiao Qian was still better at getting along with men.

How could a little girl like Xiao Mei understand the loyalty shared between men?

"Oh, sorry, Cousin Xiao-"

Before Xiao Mei could finish, Xiao Qian shook his head indifferently and took Xiao Xun'er's little hand, turning to leave.

He did not want to dwell on the matter. It felt rather boring.

Xiao Mei's expression stiffened. She had not expected such a response from Xiao Qian, and it left her feeling awkward.

"Wait."

Yet Xiao Yan had no intention of letting him go. Fighting spirit shone across his self-satisfied face.

"I won't hold that laughter against you, but..."

He rolled his neck and clenched his fists, producing a series of cracks like a bugle sounding the call to battle.

"Get up here and fight me!"

His eyes burned with fighting spirit as he stared straight at Xiao Qian.