"Xiao Mei! Dou Qi—Sixth Stage! Intermediate!"
On the Xiao Family's testing grounds, a girl of about eleven slowly opened her eyes. She withdrew her small hand from the magic stone tablet, a satisfied smile spreading across her face.
"Yes!"
As the result was announced, she lifted her chin proudly, glancing down at the Xiao clan members gathered below. Their eyes were filled with envy. When her gaze swept over them, several boys her age stared in admiration, practically drooling.
"As expected of a seed-level genius of our Xiao Family! Only Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Ning can surpass her. I'm so jealous!"
"Next—Xiao Ning!"
As Xiao Mei stepped down, the tester immediately called the next name.
"It's Cousin Xiao Ning!"
Excitement rippled through the younger generation. Xiao Ning was, in their eyes, the embodiment of masculine excellence—a true role model.
"Two years ago, he was already at the sixth stage. He's probably reached the seventh stage by now!"
Amid the murmurs, Xiao Ning stepped forward with confidence. Standing before the magic stone tablet, he nodded slightly before turning his head to glance at a certain graceful figure outside the field. A hint of pride flickered in his eyes.
Then, gathering the Dou Qi within his body, he pressed his hand onto the stone tablet.
"Xiao Ning! Dou Qi—Seventh Stage!"
"Advanced!"
The result came quickly.
Just as expected, Xiao Ning had broken through to the advanced level.
"Well, Xun'er?" he muttered softly, the corner of his lips lifting.
"I'm far better than that useless trash."
His gaze shifted disdainfully toward a young man standing beside Xiao Xun'er.
There was no need to guess who it was.
Once the most dazzling genius of the Xiao Family, Xiao Yan had fallen from grace.
Half a year ago, for reasons unknown, his Dou Qi had begun to mysteriously dissipate. No matter how hard he trained, his strength continued to decline. Now, he was stuck at the third stage—unable to advance even a single step.
However, neither Xiao Yan nor Xiao Xun'er paid Xiao Ning any attention.
Xiao Yan lacked the energy.
As for Xiao Xun'er—someone of her background would never spare Xiao Ning a second glance.
"Hmph… Xun'er… how am I inferior to that waste?"
Seeing himself completely ignored, Xiao Ning clenched his fists, resentment flashing through his eyes.
"Next—Xiao Ping!"
The tester's voice rang out once more.
No one noticed Xiao Ning's expression as attention shifted.
---
"Is it my turn?"
Standing among the crowd, Xiao Ping smiled faintly.
Compared to three months ago, he had already reached the level of a two-star Dou Zhe (Fighter).
After all, advancing beyond the Dou Qi stage was, in some ways, easier—especially for someone with his foundation. Years of cultivating high-level techniques had granted him a stability far beyond ordinary disciples.
Breaking through again in just three months was only natural.
"I'll just display the sixth stage."
After a brief moment of thought, Xiao Ping shook his head lightly.
Then, under countless gazes, he stepped onto the platform.
Placing his palm against the magic stone tablet, he carefully suppressed his Dou Qi, releasing only enough to match the sixth stage.
"Xiao Ping! Dou Qi—Sixth Stage! Intermediate!"
The tester, Deacon Yuan, nodded with mild satisfaction.
Given Xiao Ping's apparent talent, reaching this level was already considered quite good.
"Thank you for your praise, Deacon Yuan," Xiao Ping said modestly. "Compared to the true geniuses, I still fall far short. No matter how hard I try… I can't match them."
"Haha, talent is not something we can change," Deacon Yuan replied with a gentle chuckle, stroking his beard.
"But hard work still yields results, doesn't it?"
Xiao Ping simply smiled faintly and stepped down.
---
"Next… Xiao Yan!"
A ripple passed through the crowd.
"It's Xiao Yan's turn…"
"What a pity…"
Sighs could be heard from all directions.
Less than a year ago, Xiao Yan had stepped into the Dou Zhe realm before the age of twelve—an unprecedented genius.
And yet, in just six months, everything had collapsed.
His strength had plummeted to the third stage.
Though it had not yet been officially confirmed on the stone tablet, rumors had long spread throughout the Xiao Family—and even all of Wutan City.
---
"Brother Xiao Yan… it's your turn."
Hearing the soft voice beside him, Xiao Yan's body trembled slightly.
Fear crept into his heart.
He didn't want others to see it.
Didn't want them to know how far he had fallen.
"Don't worry," Xiao Xun'er said gently, crouching beside him. Her eyes were calm, her smile warm.
"I believe you will recover your former talent."
"No matter what happens… I'll always stand by your side."
"You will always be my Brother Xiao Yan."
Xiao Yan lifted his head, looking at her delicate face. A bitter smile appeared.
"Thank you, Xun'er… but you don't need to comfort me."
He exhaled slowly.
"The truth will come out sooner or later. There's no hiding it."
Slowly, he stood up.
With heavy steps and vacant eyes, he walked toward the testing platform—the very place that once brought him endless glory.
---
"Three years…"
Outside the field, Xiao Ping narrowed his eyes as he watched Xiao Yan's figure.
"Within three years, I must reach the level required to seize the Azure Lotus Earth Core Flame."
After observing for a moment longer, he turned away without hesitation.
With a flick of his sleeve, Xiao Ping left the training grounds and headed toward the deep mountains beyond Wutan City.
That…
was where he truly belonged.
___________________________
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