Chapter 52: The Arena Symbolizing Glory

Xiao Zhan furrowed his brows, his gaze shifting to notice that both Xiao Guan and Xiao Lu had bloodstains on their clothes, and their clothes were somewhat wrinkled, clearly indicating they had engaged in a battle with a powerful beast.

However, at this point, the reason for the delay in the journey was not the main concern.

What Xiao Zhan and the many people whose faces had turned grim were really wondering was why so few people had returned!

Other issues, such as how Xiao Lie had disappeared and whether he was alive or dead, could cause unrest, but they could also be left unsaid. After all, these were not particularly prominent issues. However, the fact that so few people had returned was a matter that required an answer!

After all, under the watchful eyes of all the Xiao family members and some of the Jiang family members, this issue could not be ignored. Moreover, Xiao Zhan did not see from the faces of Xiao Qi and Xiao Guan that the reason for the small number of returnees was a heavy one, so he decided to ask.

"Xiao Qi, why did only a few clan members return this time..."

"It's like this, Clan Head. Some people were left behind by Uncle Xiao Bai, the reason being..." As soon as Xiao Zhan finished speaking, Xiao Qi immediately answered the question.

He vividly described the real situation of the men who had stayed behind in the Xiao family yesterday afternoon, naturally adding some embellishments.

When Xiao Qi finished his description, the scene was deathly silent!

Especially when Xiao Qi mentioned that many of the Xiao family's young men were kneeling but still held their heads high, looking up at Uncle Xiao Bai, and then, with tears in their eyes, in a devout posture, declared themselves to be sons of the Xiao family and wanted another chance, many people in the audience were moved to tears!

People like Zhang Lan, Xiao Bei's mother, were already sobbing uncontrollably!

At this moment, the cohesion of the Xiao family suddenly formed a strong momentum through the situation described by Xiao Qi...

"Good, good!"

Xiao Zhan loudly called out twice, "All clan members, I believe this matter can be settled now."

The supportive voices around him made Xiao Zhan nod, then he said, "Alright, I announce that this time, the family trial will exceptionally have thirteen slots! Thirteen slots to compete for the top three... no, the top five! As long as you enter the top five in the trial arena, you will all receive rewards! The third and fifth places will receive the same reward! The family will increase the reward amount!"

"Now, let the top ten returnees from this trial ascend to the highest arena and enjoy the glory of victory!"

Xiao Zhan declared loudly.

The family martial arts hall, which was not very spacious, was filled with people, all of whom burst into thunderous applause.

As the crowd automatically made way, a path was cleared, leading directly to the highest arena on the training ground.

On one side of the path, the Xiao family's young men, including Xiao Bei, were standing.

Xiao Qi moved aside, followed by Xiao Guan and Xiao Lu.

Then, one by one, the Xiao family's young men standing in front of Xiao Bei slowly moved aside, moving to the sides.

Without a doubt, Xiao Bei, who was undoubtedly the first in this family trial for hunting beasts, appeared under the watchful eyes of the crowd.

Xiao Bei, with a calm expression, took steps, walking calmly amidst the disbelieving or envious and jealous gazes of others, heading straight for the large arena.

Since the rankings had not been announced, no one knew who the second place was, so the Xiao family's young men walked in an orderly manner, two or three abreast, following Xiao Bei.

Finally, those who were carried out, including the heavily injured Xiao Sa and Xiao Ling, appeared.

Their appearance immediately drew countless gazes, and the attention they received was almost as intense as that given to Xiao Bei.

However, at this moment, the doubts in everyone's eyes were almost gone. Every year, some of the Xiao family's young men returned from the family trial with injuries.

So, the injuries of Xiao Sa and others were not particularly surprising. If no Xiao family member was injured in the family trial, that would be strange.

Because that would only mean that the Xiao family's young men had not truly participated in the trial! They were all cowards, lacking the courage to face real beasts!

If there were still some doubts in some people's eyes, it was because Xiao Sa was a Ninth Rank Later Heaven realm martial artist, one of the highest-ranking young men in this family trial. Therefore, it was inevitable that some people would think he had been injured so severely because he fought bravely.

Xiao Bei walked at the front, and as he was about to ascend the arena, which was not very large but symbolized the honor of being the first in the beast hunt, he felt many gazes upon him.

However, Xiao Bei calmly stopped at the base of the arena.

After Xiao Bei stood at the base of the arena for a moment, Xiao Qi, led by Clan Head Xiao Zhan, also arrived at the open space below the arena, which was more spacious than the rest of the martial arts hall.

Looking at the young men who were looking at each other, unsure if they had made it into the top ten of the family trial, Xiao Qi said, "Clan Head, can I announce the other nine names of the top ten in this family trial for hunting beast heads?"

Xiao Zhan nodded.

Xiao Qi turned around and, using a voice imbued with power, said, "Now, I announce the list of the top ten young men in this year's Xiao family trial."

He paused, looked around at the people watching him, and then shouted, "First place, Xiao Bei!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire venue was in an uproar.

All eyes were on the young man.

Xiao Bei smiled slightly, then stood up and leaped.

Xiao Bei's body nimbly ascended to the arena.

Below, the cheers and applause were thunderous.

After all, regardless of Xiao Bei's past identity, status, or whether he was a bastard... at this moment, none of that was particularly important.

What mattered now was that Xiao Bei was the first in this family trial!

Thus, he deserved the applause!

Below the arena, Xiao Zhan, who was closest to Xiao Bei, looked at him with a complex expression, unable to help but ask himself, "This young man has grown so quickly. Perhaps, before long, many people in the Xiao family will also gradually get used to looking up to him... Could he possibly reach that height..."