Chapter 32

The entire venue fell silent, a silence as still as death!

Everyone in the venue stared in shock at the five large characters on the stone stele. The expressions on their faces were extremely vivid. After a moment, their rapid breathing, like the sound of a windmill, echoed across the training ground.

"Crack!"

On the platform, the teacup in Xiao Zhan's hand was crushed into powder by a single slap. The tea mixed with the powder dripped down his palm.

"Seventh stage... Yan'er, you... really did it!" Xiao Zhan's eyes, slightly moist, gazed at the black-clad youth standing below the black stone stele. He knew in his heart how much effort the youth had put in to reach this point.

The three elders sitting beside Xiao Zhan were equally incredulous. From the third stage of Combat Qi to the seventh stage in just one year? This speed... was terrifying!

"Uh, hehe... The foundation-building elixir that the clan leader bought... is, is really strong, hehe." The second elder swallowed hard, his earlier mockery and shock still mingled on his face, and he laughed dryly, somewhat embarrassed.

Xiao Zhan's excitement was not hidden in the slightest. He glanced sideways at the second elder and smiled faintly, "Second Elder, do you think a second-grade foundation-building elixir could have such an extraordinary effect?"

The second elder was taken aback and shook his head awkwardly. He wasn't stupid; the foundation-building elixir could indeed speed up cultivation, but to advance four stages of Combat Qi in just one year with this thing was virtually impossible!

...

Beside the black stone stele, the examiner stared blankly at the large characters on the stele. The coldness on his face had long been replaced by shock.

"Xiao Yan: Combat Qi, Seventh Stage, Advanced!"

He took a deep breath, as if trying to expel the shock from his heart. Despite his efforts to maintain composure, his voice still trembled slightly.

Hearing the examiner's announcement, the already silent training ground became even more hushed.

"Swallow." The sound of someone swallowing hard echoed unexpectedly in the training ground.

Standing in the center of the crowd, Xiao Mei covered her red lips with her small hand, her face full of shock.

In just one year, advancing four whole stages of Combat Qi—this cultivation speed... was simply unheard of!

Even at his peak three years ago, Xiao Yan couldn't have achieved this!

However, this heart-stopping reality was now clearly before everyone's eyes.

With a complex expression, Xiao Mei stared at the youth standing below the black stone stele. A thought suddenly popped into her mind, making her head spin: His astonishing cultivation talent seems to have returned!

At the edge of the training ground, Xiao Ning, who was ready to mock Xiao Yan, also stared blankly at the large characters on the stele, muttering in disbelief, "This... how is this possible?"

...

Xiao Yan looked up at the golden characters on the stele and took a light breath. The sudden complexity in the gazes around him reminded him of the spirited youth from three years ago.

Now that his cultivation talent had returned, along with it came a more mature mind and a stronger resolve.

He took a deep look at the stele that had decided his fate several times, then smiled lightly. His calm and composed demeanor was a stark contrast to the arrogant youth from three years ago after the test.

Taking a light breath, Xiao Yan, under the watchful eyes of everyone, slowly walked to the back of the crowd. He met Xun Er's smiling gaze, then sat down beside her, cross-legged.

Even after Xiao Yan stepped back, the venue remained silent for a long time.

"Cough..." On the platform, the elated Xiao Zhan stood up, coughed, and drew everyone's attention.

"The test is over. Next, we will proceed to the next part. Those who did not pass have the right to challenge a qualified companion once. Remember, you only have one chance!" Xiao Zhan said with a clear voice.

Upon hearing this, the training ground became slightly chaotic. Those who were just short of qualifying immediately cast heated gazes at the qualified companions.

Facing the provocative gazes, the qualified clan members raised their heads disdainfully. Sixth stage and seventh stage were two different realms. Without any special circumstances, a person with sixth-stage Combat Qi would find it very difficult to defeat a seventh-stage opponent.

Those with sixth-stage Combat Qi were also well aware of this, but this was their last chance. Regardless of success or failure, they had to give it a try.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the venue became somewhat strange. Heated gazes swept over the qualified companions, and everyone was secretly choosing the easiest opponent to deal with.

Sitting on the ground, Xiao Yan suddenly raised his eyebrows. He was surprised to find that a large portion of those gazes were on him.

"Do I look like an easy target?" He felt somewhat amused.

"Xiao Yan's brother advancing four stages of Combat Qi in one year is indeed shocking, but precisely because of this shock, many people have a deep-seated disbelief. So, they naturally consider Xiao Yan's brother the best person to challenge," Xun Er said softly beside him.

Xiao Yan shrugged helplessly, lightly dusted off his clothes, and smiled faintly, "Because they don't want to believe, they choose to deceive themselves..."

Xun Er smiled faintly and nodded slightly.

At this moment, after a brief moment of calm, someone finally couldn't hold back and stood up.

A robust youth, under everyone's watchful eyes, quickly walked to Xiao Yan, bent slightly, and said loudly, "Cousin Xiao Yan, please!"

Although the youth's face seemed respectful, his eyes always flashed a hint of doubt when looking at Xiao Yan, and a faint disdain was evident on his face. It seemed he hadn't yet shaken off the image of Xiao Yan as a failure.

(Seeking recommendations O(∩_∩)O!)