Chapter 41

"Second Elder, is the test complete?"

Xiao Yan looked at the golden characters on the stone stele, slowly withdrew his palm, glanced at the Second Elder who seemed somewhat dazed, and asked indifferently.

"Oh, uh, it's done..." Awakened by Xiao Yan's voice, the Second Elder nodded somewhat flustered. From his drifting and scattered gaze, it was clear he was still in shock.

"Sigh, five ranks of Dou Qi in a year? This cultivation speed... is terrifying." After a long while, the Second Elder gradually regained his composure, looking at the young man in front of him with a complex expression. The doubt in his old eyes finally vanished in the face of reality.

The golden light on the black stone stele gradually dissipated, and after a moment, it returned to its deep, cold black.

Even after the golden light dissipated, the entire venue remained silent, as everyone was still immersed in the shock from earlier.

"Cough..." The cough from the Second Elder on the platform finally drew everyone's attention back.

"The retest ceremony is complete. According to the old rules, Xiao Yan will accept a challenge. The challenger must be below the rank of a Fighter. Who wants to come forward?" The Second Elder's gaze swept over the younger generation of the Xiao family, and he called out softly.

If the Cheng Ren ceremony was to test the strength of Dou Qi, then this challenge was to test the cultivation and mastery of combat techniques. After all, in a life-and-death battle, combat techniques were also a crucial factor in determining victory. Each family valued this aspect no less than the cultivation of Dou Qi.

Hearing the Second Elder's call, there was a slight commotion below the platform. The younger generation of the Xiao family all exchanged glances, hesitant and afraid to speak. The brilliant golden light of the eighth rank of Dou Qi on the black stone stele had shattered any remaining侥幸 in their hearts.

Now, they no longer had the right to show off in front of Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan stood quietly in the center of the venue, his gaze casually sweeping over the young people below. Each time his gaze fell on someone, those young men would quickly step back.

"Hmph, a bunch of cowards!" Seeing the retreating clan members, Xiao Ning sneered, lifted his head, and stared provocatively at the black-clad young man in the center. Just as he was about to step onto the platform, a jade hand pulled him back.

Frowning, Xiao Ning looked at his sister with displeasure. "What?"

"He is also at the eighth rank of Dou Qi. You might not be able to beat him if you go up there." Xiao Yu sighed.

Xiao Ning's mouth twitched, and he hesitated for a moment. His gaze involuntarily glanced at Xun Er not far away, seeing the gentle girl watching Xiao Yan in the center of the venue with a tender and charming expression, one she had never shown him...

Clenching his teeth, Xiao Ning shook off Xiao Yu's hand, his slightly childish face filled with coldness and jealousy. "I've been at the eighth rank of Dou Qi for more than a year. Can't I handle a rookie who just advanced?"

Seeing Xiao Ning's stubborn and jealous face, Xiao Yu was also somewhat helpless. After a moment of hesitation, she suddenly took out a smooth green pill, caressed it reluctantly for a while, and then quickly pushed it into Xiao Ning's hand, whispering, "This is a second-grade pill, 'Qi Enhancing Powder.' It can give you the strength of a Fighter for a short time, but after taking it, you'll have to stay in bed for a month. Use it only if absolutely necessary."

Hearing this, Xiao Ning was immediately delighted and grabbed the pill, saying happily, "With this, I can definitely give that guy a good lesson!"

Xiao Yu frowned and scolded softly, "Don't go overboard. Just give him a taste of his own medicine. If you seriously injure him, even Grandfather can't protect you. He is no longer the waste he used to be."

"Okay, I understand..." He nodded indifferently, smiled, and cast his gaze at Xun Er, thinking smugly, "I'll show you that he's just a stuffed dummy."

With a cold laugh, Xiao Ning broke free from Xiao Yu's hand, climbed onto the platform, and called out loudly, "I'll do it!"

Hearing someone respond, all eyes immediately focused on Xiao Ning. This feeling of being the center of attention made his smugness even more pronounced.

Seeing Xiao Ning walk over, the Second Elder frowned and glanced at the VIP seats, where he indeed saw the First Elder's somewhat displeased face. He sighed helplessly, thinking, "Stupid fool! Do you still think Xiao Yan is the waste he used to be?"

Xiao Ning didn't notice the Second Elder's displeased face. He walked over confidently and smiled, "Xiao Yan, let me test your combat strength."

Lazily lifting his eyes, Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Ning in front of him but didn't even bother to respond.

"Xiao Ning, you challenge Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan, do you accept?" Seeing Xiao Ning already in the center of the venue, the Second Elder had no choice but to call out loudly.

"Are you going to refuse? Xun Er is watching. You won't disappoint her, will you..." Feeling the pill in his sleeve, Xiao Ning's confidence swelled. He glanced at the elegant girl below, who was like a green lotus, and sneered.

"Idiot..." Xiao Yan muttered under his breath, touched his nose, and nodded slightly under everyone's watchful eyes, saying indifferently, "I accept."

Seeing Xiao Yan nod, the Second Elder sighed again, waved his hand, and as he stepped back, he whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Remember, just until the point of no return!"

Xiao Ning sneered.

Xiao Yan shrugged indifferently.

As the Second Elder stepped back, the atmosphere on the platform instantly became tense!

(There will be another update tonight. I suddenly realized I've become a 1K party member, which is really embarrassing. I promise there won't be any chapters over a thousand words in the future. Also, please vote! ^^)