Chapter 3 Testing
Chapter 3: The Test
Xiao Chen walked through the crowd in the square to Xiao Xun'er's side and heard her voice.
"Brother Xiao Chen, congratulations."
At this moment, a beautiful smile appeared on Xiao Xun'er's delicate face as she spoke.
Xiao Chen knew that Xiao Xun'er's strength was definitely greater than his, after all, Xiao Xun'er had a father who was a peak Nine-Star Dou Sheng.
As Xiao Chen and Xiao Xun'er conversed, the middle-aged man's shouts echoed again in the center of the square.
"Next, Xiao Xun'er!"
Hearing this, Xiao Xun'er bid farewell to Xiao Chen, then gracefully stepped towards the dark magic stone tablet.
Xiao Chen watched Xiao Xun'er's graceful figure, which drew the attention of everyone around her.
Xiao Xun'er's cool and indifferent aura, like a freshly bloomed lotus, already possessed an otherworldly charm at such a young age. It was hard to imagine how stunningly beautiful she would become when she grew up.
A moment later.
Xiao Xun'er arrived before the magic stone tablet, extended her small hand, and her purple sleeve, embroidered with black and gold thread, slid down, revealing a section of her snow-white, tender wrist. Then, she lightly touched the stone tablet.
After a moment, a light bloomed from the stone tablet, and several elegant characters appeared on it.
"Xiao Xun'er, Dou Qi: Nine Segments! Level: High!"
Looking at the characters on the stone tablet, the 場 fell into a moment of silence, followed by gasps of astonishment.
"Miss Xun'er has reached Nine Segments, that's incredible!"
"This cultivation talent..."
At this moment, the people in the square discussed and praised her, their voices filled with awe.
Dou Qi is the path every Battle Practitioner must take. The initial stage of Dou Qi is divided into one to ten segments. When the Dou Qi within the body reaches ten segments, one can condense a Dou Qi vortex and become a respected Battle Practitioner!
At this moment, the middle-aged tester spoke to Xiao Xun'er with a slight bow:
"Miss Xun'er, in half a year, you should be able to condense a Dou Qi vortex. If successful, you will become a true Battle Practitioner! Congratulations!"
"Thank you."
Xiao Xun'er nodded gently, then gracefully stepped down from the high platform.
"Brother Xiao Chen, how was it?"
Xiao Xun'er walked to Xiao Chen's side, a smile on her face, and asked playfully.
"Amazing."
Xiao Chen reached out his fair arm and ruffled Xiao Xun'er's head, praising her.
Xiao Xun'er looked at Xiao Chen's actions, her beautiful eyes glancing at the people around them, and a blush like the evening glow appeared on her delicate cheeks.
The people around looked at Xiao Xun'er's shy face, then at Xiao Chen beside her, their eyes filled with envy and jealousy.
Such a wonderful girl, it was Xiao Chen's good fortune.
Finally, amidst the jealous gazes of those around them, Xiao Chen reached out and took Xiao Xun'er's soft little hand, leaving the square.
At this moment, in the central position on the high platform, Xiao Zhan watched Xiao Chen leading Xiao Xun'er away, sighed in his heart, and said:
"This girl Xun'er is not simple. As for Chen Er, he..."
Night.
The moon was like a silver disk, and stars filled the sky.
At the top of the cliff, Xiao Yan was lying on the grass, a blade of green grass in his mouth, chewing lightly, letting the faint bitterness spread in his mouth.
"Brother Chen, who do you think Nalan Yanran will choose?"
Suddenly, Xiao Yan sat up from the grass and looked at Xiao Chen, who was lying beside him, asking.
Hearing this, Xiao Chen fell into contemplation.
Because of Xiao Chen's appearance, the engagement between the Xiao Family and the Nalan Family had also undergone some changes.
In the original story, the arranged marriage by birth did not occur.
Instead, Nalan Yanran herself was to choose whether to fulfill the engagement set by the two family heads with Xiao Chen or Xiao Yan.
"It definitely won't be me, because I already have Xun'er."
"Xiao Yan Zi, women will only affect your cultivation speed."
A moment later, Xiao Chen said lightly, with a hint of something unusual in his voice.
"I heard that Nalan Yanran has already been accepted as a disciple by the Yunlan Sect's Sect Master." Xiao Yan shook his head and smiled bitterly.
Just as Xiao Chen was about to say something, a voice suddenly came from not far away.
"Chen Er, Yan'er, it's so late, why are you still up here?"
Xiao Zhan's concerned voice reached Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan's ears.
Xiao Chen looked in the direction of the voice and saw Xiao Zhan, dressed in luxurious grey robes, walking with a majestic stride, possessing a certain dignity. The thick eyebrows on his face added a touch of boldness to him.
"Father, why are you here?" Xiao Yan was the first to ask.
"Yan'er, are you still thinking about this afternoon's test?"
Xiao Zhan said as he strode forward, smiling.
"Hehe, what's there to think about? It was expected."
Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Zhan, shook his head, and smiled. His voice contained helplessness and confusion.
Originally, he was a genius.
But for no reason, he had become a good-for-nothing.
This kind of disparity, like heaven and hell, made even Xiao Yan sigh with regret and found it hard to accept or understand.
"Yan'er, you're fifteen now, aren't you? In another year, it will be time for the coming-of-age ceremony..."
Xiao Zhan's gaze swept over Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan's somewhat young and handsome faces, and he smiled bitterly.
Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan exchanged glances. Xiao Yan's eyes held some helplessness, while Xiao Chen's eyes held a subtle difference that others could hardly detect.
The coming-of-age ceremony: anyone who passes it qualifies to enter the Dou Qi Pavilion to find Dou Qi cultivation techniques, and thus be valued and nurtured by the family.
Those who do not pass the coming-of-age ceremony will be assigned to various family businesses to manage ordinary affairs for the family.
"I'm sorry, Yan'er, if your Dou Qi doesn't reach Seven Segments in one year, then Father will have to reluctantly assign you to the family's businesses."
"This is the Xiao Family's rule; even as the patriarch, I cannot change it. And those old fellows are always waiting for me to make a mistake so they can make a fuss."
"As for Chen Er, try to break through to Seven Segments within this year as soon as possible."
Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Yan with concerned eyes, sighing apologetically. His tone held some helplessness.
Being a patriarch is not easy!
"Father, I will work hard. In one year, I will definitely reach Seven Segments of Dou Qi!" Hearing this, Xiao Yan smiled and comforted him.
Xiao Chen also nodded in agreement.
"As for the agreement with the Nalan Family, you two decide for yourselves!"
Xiao Zhan looked at Xiao Chen and Xiao Yan, sighed, and said helplessly.
"Alright, it's getting late. You two should go back and rest early."
After Xiao Zhan finished speaking, he waved his hand and turned to leave.
Xiao Chen watched Xiao Zhan's figure disappear into the night, then turned his head, about to say something to Xiao Yan to comfort him, when he caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye.
He saw that the ancient, dark ring on Xiao Yan's finger suddenly lit up with an extremely faint, strange glow, which vanished in the blink of an eye.
But it still did not escape Xiao Chen's keen gaze.
It seems that Old Yao is about to awaken.
"Don't worry, Father, I will do my best! I definitely won't disappoint you!" Xiao Yan looked in the direction where Xiao Zhan's figure had disappeared, muttering to himself.
Evidently, Xiao Yan did not notice the change in the ring on his hand.
"Xiao Yan Zi, you can do it!"
Xiao Chen walked to Xiao Yan's side, extended his palm, and patted Xiao Yan's shoulder, encouraging him.