Chapter 40

Silence, complete silence!

All eyes, after a brief moment of shock, were fixed in a daze on the black stone tablet shimmering with golden light.

In the VIP seats, the sound of teacups dropping to the ground could be heard clearly. The representatives from various factions in U坦 City were all dumbfounded, their faces filled with disbelief.

Their purpose in coming here was merely to confirm whether Xiao Yan had indeed advanced four levels of Combat Qi within a year, as the rumors suggested.

However, the situation unfolding before them not only confirmed the truth of the rumors but also far exceeded their expectations.

Four levels of Combat Qi in a year? It now seemed to have become five levels in a year... This cultivation speed could only be described with two words in everyone's hearts: terrifying!

"The Xiao family has hit the jackpot this time..." In the VIP seats, everyone couldn't help but draw a sharp breath, muttering to themselves. A clan member who could advance five levels of Combat Qi in a year could only mean a bright future ahead.

"Following this cultivation progress, perhaps... in a few decades, the Xiao family might produce a Dou Huang-level super powerhouse." The people in the VIP seats exchanged glances, and a shocking thought flashed through their minds simultaneously.

Dou Huang, if any small clan in the Jia Ma Empire produced a Dou Huang-level powerhouse, the status of that clan would immediately rise, regardless of its inherent limitations. At that time, even the three major clans of the Jia Ma Empire would not dare to suppress it. After all, Dou Huang-level powerhouses in this vast empire were few and far between, with only a handful of them. Each one possessed the ability to overturn the heavens and earth, and to fight a thousand enemies alone. No rational empire would easily choose to offend a Dou Huang powerhouse!

More than three hundred years ago, the only Dou Huang powerhouse in the Jia Ma Empire, enraged by the war launched by a neighboring country that led to the tragic death of his loved ones, single-handedly slaughtered an elite ten-thousand-strong iron cavalry. The massacre resulted in rivers of blood, and his fierce reputation shook the entire nation.

Since then, empires on the continent of Dou Qi rarely dared to offend a Dou Huang powerhouse! This shows just how formidable Dou Huang-level powerhouses are on this continent.

Therefore, upon seeing Xiao Yan's displayed talent, everyone felt extremely envious of the Xiao family.

On the central platform, Xiao Zhan's eyes were stung by the golden characters on the black stone tablet, making them feel slightly sore. After a long while, he slowly exhaled, casting a gratified gaze at the black-clad youth in the arena and smiled lightly, "The best decision I've made in my life is probably not letting Yan'er and me, his father, have any estrangement..."

As Xiao Yan's father, Xiao Zhan understood his son's character very well. He could still clearly remember how cold his young son had been towards him when he was a child, with those icy eyes looking at him as if he were a stranger, not his own father.

Fortunately, that coldness gradually melted away under Xiao Zhan's heartfelt care and affection...

Thinking back to the cold war between the little guy and himself when he was young, a faint, gentle smile appeared at the corners of Xiao Zhan's mouth.

"Clan Leader Xiao, Young Master Xiao Yan's cultivation talent is truly astonishing. Your Xiao family is likely to produce a remarkable powerhouse this time," said Ya Fei, her beautiful eyes fixed on the black-clad youth in the arena, her lips slightly parted in a smiling manner.

Xiao Zhan laughed heartily, the pride and excitement on his face hard to conceal. He politely clasped his hands at Ya Fei and said, as if casually, "Miss Ya Fei, you flatter him. This little guy's cultivation talent always surprises us. You know, he suffered a great blow in the past three years. No one knows if such a setback will happen again. If it does... sigh."

Ya Fei's alluring eyes curved slightly, and she smiled coquettishly. Whether Xiao Yan's talent would last or be a fleeting phenomenon, she didn't know. The only thing she knew was that the current Xiao Yan had the potential to be someone she should take seriously, and that was enough.

Her captivating gaze flickered, and Ya Fei had already made up her mind to strengthen ties with the Xiao family in the future and try to befriend them!

...

Below the platform, Xiao Yu's small mouth was slightly open, her pretty face somewhat stiff. Her eyes were fixed in shock on the black stone tablet in the arena. After a long while, her chest heaved dramatically, and she lowered her head, scolding Xiao Ning, who was equally shocked, "Didn't you say he was only at the seventh level? How did he level up again?"

Xiao Ning opened his mouth, mumbling somewhat guiltily, "He was indeed at the seventh level last month... This month, he seems to have broken through again?"

"From the seventh level to the eighth level in a month, how is that possible? Even if that guy had recovered his previous talent, it wouldn't be possible to make such progress!" Xiao Yu scolded, her eyebrows furrowed. Five levels of Combat Qi in a year? Damn brat, this speed is almost comparable to that monster woman at the Jia Nan Academy.

"How should I know..." Xiao Ning said blankly, then his gaze shifted to Xun Er in the distance, seeing her intently watching the youth on the platform, completely ignoring his gaze.

"Damn brat!"

Being ignored by the girl he liked, the jealousy in Xiao Ning's heart surged uncontrollably. He lifted his head and glared fiercely at Xiao Yan in the arena, his slightly immature face looking somewhat fierce as he gritted his teeth.

(Please support with recommendations, I'm about to be caught and overwhelmed. Thank you, everyone! I'll try to update three times today ^_^)