Chapter 30

Looking at Xiao Yan, who walked side by side with Xun'er, the young men in the field all showed a bit of jealousy on their faces. In the Xiao family, the only person who could walk so close to Xun'er was probably this notorious good-for-nothing.

At the edge of the square, Xiao Ning, surrounded by a large group of peers, glared at Xiao Yan with eyes full of anger.

"Brat, just wait and see what face you'll have left to be with Xun'er after today," he muttered, a cold, gloating smile on his face.

Ignoring the envious and angry gazes, Xiao Yan led Xun'er directly to the back of the line and they whispered and laughed together.

Seeing Xiao Yan's relaxed and carefree demeanor, the elders on the high platform were somewhat surprised. Didn't this guy know that today's test would change his future path?

"Hehe, he's probably just planning to go all out and give up," the Second Elder sneered.

Thinking that after saying this, Xiao Zhan would fly into a rage again, the Second Elder waited for a while but detected no movement. He couldn't help but look at Xiao Zhan in surprise.

"Second Elder, let's wait until the end before drawing conclusions. Otherwise, we'll only end up slapping our own faces..." Xiao Zhan glanced deeply at the young man in the field with his head bowed and eyes closed, speaking calmly.

The corner of the Second Elder's mouth twitched, and he coldly snorted, "I hope so. I also look forward to him surprising me."

"Alright, time's up, no more dawdling," the First Elder interrupted their argument with a stern voice.

Xiao Zhan nodded slightly, stood up, and looked around the now quiet training ground, then said firmly, "You are all the new blood of the family. You should know how important today's test is for you. The rules are: those who reach the seventh level of Combat Qi or higher are considered qualified; those below are unqualified. However, according to the additional rules, those below the seventh level of Combat Qi have the right to challenge someone above the seventh level. If they win, they can also enter the qualified area!"

"Since everyone is clear, the test begins!"

With Xiao Zhan's stern command, the young men and women in the training ground immediately became tense.

Beside the black stone stele, the cold-faced examiner stepped forward, took out a list from his pocket, and his icy voice made those called up shiver.

Sitting cross-legged on the clean blue stone floor, Xiao Yan calmly watched the peers who were dejected and weeping because they failed the Combat Qi test. He curled his lip in indifference, feeling no pity. Those who liked to mock those below them didn't deserve sympathy.

When they found pleasure in mocking those below them, they probably never thought that they would eventually face the same fate.

Those who humiliate others will always be humiliated.

Sitting beside Xiao Yan, Xun'er's face was elegant and serene, like a lotus leaf free from dust. She played with a strand of her hair, occasionally glancing at the young man beside her with his head bowed. Like Xiao Yan, she didn't pay much attention to the dejected young men and women.

"Xiao Mei!"

The examiner's cold voice made Xiao Yan's eyebrows twitch slightly, and his lazy eyelids lifted.

Xun'er, who had been watching Xiao Yan, couldn't help but wrinkle her nose at his expression.

"Hehe, she used to be very close to me, Xiao Yan..." Xiao Yan looked at the composed red-clothed girl walking forward, and smiled faintly.

Xun'er blinked her bright eyes and turned to look at the faint mockery on Xiao Yan's lips, smiling, "I'm curious about how she will treat Xiao Yan after today."

Xiao Yan shrugged slightly and said softly, "Some things, once destroyed, are destroyed. No matter how much you try to fix them, there will always be glaring cracks. In this family, there are few people I can truly recognize... a few, that's all..."

"Does Xun'er count?" Her rosy lips curved into a playful smile, and Xun'er giggled.

Xiao Yan's smile was warm, and he reached out, pinching a strand of Xun'er's hair between his fingers, letting it slide slowly, and smiled, "Of course!"

Her bright eyes curved into beautiful crescents, and Xun'er's gaze became slightly hazy, the scene almost penetrating her soul, bringing a warm feeling, slowly appearing...

The little boy who sneaked into her room in the middle of the night when she was young, using his clumsy, almost laughable methods to nurture her seemingly frail body. Although he knew it wouldn't have much effect, the little boy persisted for two years...

A cute dimple appeared on her delicate face, and Xun'er tilted her head slightly, smiling to herself, "In this family, there are few people Xun'er can truly recognize... only you..."

In the distance, Xiao Ning's face twitched as he watched Xiao Yan's intimate actions with Xun'er. The jealousy in his heart made him want to rush over and stomp on that pitiful face.

"Combat Qi: Eighth Level!"

On the black stone stele, a bright light burst forth, and the large, neat characters floated on the surface of the stele.

"Xiao Mei: Combat Qi, Eighth Level, Advanced!" The examiner glanced at the black stone stele, nodded slightly, and announced in a stern voice.

Hearing the examiner's voice, Xiao Mei let out a sigh of relief, and then her face lit up with pride. In one year, she had advanced from the seventh level to the eighth level. This progress was enough to rank her in the top five in the family. Such remarkable achievements were no wonder the girl felt very satisfied.

After the examiner's announcement, a stir arose in the training ground, and envious gazes shot toward Xiao Mei.

"Advancing one level of Combat Qi in a year, barely..." Xiao Yan touched his nose and commented indifferently.

"Um." Xun'er played with her hair, her gaze casually sweeping over Xiao Mei, who was surrounded like a princess by the crowd.

After the climax with Xiao Mei, only one of the next dozen or so people reached the seventh level of Combat Qi, while the rest were eliminated.

"Xiao Xun'er!"

The examiner's cold voice, when pronouncing this name, actually carried a hint of emotion.

All eyes in the field turned to the pristine and beautiful girl.

"Xiao Yan, don't be surprised later..." Standing up straight, Xun'er leaned down and said playfully to Xiao Yan.

Raising an eyebrow, Xiao Yan watched the beautiful and alluring back of the girl and muttered, "Did she advance to the Fighter level?"

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