Chapter 34

Looking at the black-robed youth standing with his hands behind his back in the center of the field, the scene was slightly quiet.

On the high platform, Xiao Zhan's smile slowly widened, and finally, he couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Hearing Xiao Zhan's triumphant laughter, the three elders exchanged glances, sighed inwardly, and did not speak to stop the proceedings. The potential shown by the youth in the center left them feeling quite defeated. Advancing four ranks in a year—such speed was enough to shock anyone. Their descendants would likely never be able to catch up.

Standing up in high spirits, Xiao Zhan clapped his hands and announced with a smile, "Nephew Xiao Ke's challenge has failed. I hope you will work hard in the future!"

In the center of the field, Xiao Ke, his face pale, felt a bit disheartened upon hearing the verdict. He looked at the black-robed youth not far away with a complex expression. This person, who was mocked as a waste a year ago, had now risen above everyone in the family. This dramatic change made Xiao Ke suddenly recall the youth's cold words in the hall that day: "Thirty years on this side of the river, thirty years on the other. Do not mock a young man for his poverty!"

Shaking his head with a bitter smile, Xiao Ke struggled to stand up and bowed slightly to Xiao Yan, the disdain in his voice completely gone: "Cousin Xiao Yan, you have won. Congratulations on your recovery."

Xiao Yan nodded slightly, his gaze slowly sweeping the field. Anyone who met his dark eyes felt a bit timid and looked away.

His gaze casually swept over Xiao Mei, who had been staring at him, and Xiao Yan turned to the group of unqualified clan members and said indifferently, "Is there anyone else who wants to challenge me?"

Seeing Xiao Yan look over, the originally stunned young men quickly closed their mouths, pretending to be deep in thought, but no one dared to step forward as the second to challenge.

Seeing the young men's feigned ignorance, Xiao Yan shrugged slightly and turned to walk away.

Watching Xiao Yan sit down beside her, Xun Er smiled and scanned the field. She twirled a strand of green hair with her slender fingers, her lips curving into a slight smile. She said softly, "Brother Xiao Yan, three years ago, they looked at you like this..."

"Three years ago, I would have been excited by their respect, but now... I don't feel much." Xiao Yan touched his nose and smiled calmly.

"That's because Brother Xiao Yan has matured." Xun Er winked playfully with her bright eyes.

"Are you more mature? Sometimes I feel that under this young girl's body, there might be a thousand-year-old monster!" Xiao Yan couldn't help but laugh at being called mature by a little girl. He affectionately ruffled Xun Er's head, teasing her.

Xun Er gave Xiao Yan a coquettish glare, her delicate face showing a bit of annoyance. No matter how open-minded a girl might be, she wouldn't want to be called an old monster.

Xun Er's coquettish expression was incredibly charming, making the young men in the distance stare with wide eyes, and even some of the girls couldn't help but feel envious.

"This little rascal, he's too arrogant..." Xiao Ning, also captivated by Xun Er's coquettish manner, felt a surge of jealousy when he saw her affectionate behavior with Xiao Yan. In the clan, he believed only he could match Xun Er. No matter how hard he tried to win her favor, he could never make her smile. In contrast, Xiao Yan, once a waste, always made the girl he admired laugh and smile. This stark contrast made Xiao Ning's teeth grind in frustration.

"Little rascal, be arrogant now. On the day of the Cheng Ren ceremony, I will beat you to the ground in front of Xun Er!" Clenching his fists tightly, Xiao Ning glared at Xiao Yan, who was sitting cross-legged in the distance.

Although Xiao Ning was also shocked by Xiao Yan's rapid progress over the past year, the habitual condescending attitude from the past made it hard for him to discard the label of "waste." As the second-best among the young generation in the clan, Xiao Yan's sudden advancement had already made Xiao Ning sense a looming threat.

He needed to strike while Xiao Yan was still growing, giving him a severe blow, ideally one that would leave him devastated and unable to recover.

With sinister thoughts swirling in his mind, Xiao Ning's lips curled into a sinister smile. Although Xiao Yan was now at the seventh rank of Dou Qi, Xiao Ning was confident in his eighth rank. After all, the gap between each rank after the seventh was enormous!

Xiao Yan was chatting softly with Xun Er when he casually glanced at the edge of the training field and saw the sinister smile on Xiao Ning's face. He paused for a moment, then smiled faintly. A person who couldn't even hide his emotions—how much could he really achieve?

...

After Xiao Ke's challenge to Xiao Yan failed, no one dared to continue challenging. The unqualified clan members had to find other targets. After several rounds of competition, only two people, relying on their proficient combat techniques and some luck, managed to defeat their opponents and successfully qualify.

Seeing the training field gradually calm down, Xiao Zhan, with a full smile, stood up and loudly announced the end of the test and some things to note for the Cheng Ren ceremony in a month.

Xiao Yan slowly stood up and smiled at the elated Xiao Zhan on the high platform. Xiao Zhan, without hesitation, gave a thumbs up to his son, who had shone today.

After patting the dust off his clothes, a fragrant breeze blew toward him.

Xiao Yan's brows subtly furrowed as he looked at Xiao Mei standing in front of him and said indifferently, "What is it?"

Seeing the hidden coldness on Xiao Yan's handsome young face, Xiao Mei hesitated, forcing a smile, and said softly, "Cousin Xiao Yan, congratulations."

"Thank you." Xiao Yan nodded slightly and glanced at Xun Er beside him.

"Cousin Xiao Yan, tomorrow in the combat hall, my father will teach the advanced Huang-level combat technique. Do you want to come?" Xiao Mei smiled, her face a mix of charm and innocence, truly captivating.

Hearing this, Xiao Yan's eyebrows subtly raised.

Just as Xiao Yan was thinking of an excuse to decline, a pair of long, fair, and delicate arms reached out from the side and wrapped around his arm.

Slightly stunned, Xiao Yan turned his head and saw a clear and elegant face filled with a warm smile.

"Really sorry, Cousin Xiao Mei, Xun Er has already asked Brother Xiao Yan to accompany me around U坦 City tomorrow. I might not be able to go to the combat hall with you." In the midst of the stunned gazes around them, Xun Er affectionately held Xiao Yan's arm, her delicate face slightly apologetic.

(Recommendations can't be missed O(∩_∩)O~. A reminder every day, a little bit every day.)