Chapter 90: The Xiao Family Trial Arena

"I don't know what's wrong with this star stone lately. The transmission power has become unstable, fluctuating in strength, and there's no accurate way to predict it..."

Xiao Bei had already dispelled the martial aura enveloping his body. After sensing no one around him, he now stood in his room, holding the ink-black stone he had named the star stone, muttering to himself.

His eyes were completely focused on the star stone.

The star stone, still as black as ink, emitting a mist-like black glow, had become increasingly unstable in recent days. The energy flow for transmission varied in strength, and sometimes the timing of the energy transmission was inaccurate.

This made Xiao Bei somewhat worried.

For example, the energy transmission that should have occurred every thirty seconds sometimes happened after just twenty seconds... This was what truly concerned Xiao Bei!

After all, the energy transmitted by the star stone in one fluctuation was enough to match Xiao Bei's hour-long cultivation. If not for the fact that Xiao Bei didn't feel his cultivation bursting, he would have long severed his connection with the star stone.

But now... even without bursting, Xiao Bei couldn't help but feel some concern... "This small stone, although it doesn't seem to pose any danger to me according to the 'Star Canon,' shouldn't be acting like this. Could it be that the star stone has a life, and thus has periodic changes?"

Xiao Bei's eyes focused on the star stone again, his brows furrowed... As night passed, dawn arrived.

Today, Xiao Bei did not go to the family trial arena to see who would win.

After almost confirming Xiao Yun's final method of enhancing his strength through the performances of He Lian and others, Xiao Bei lost interest in why Xiao Yun was so unafraid of him.

Throughout the day, Xiao Bei remained immersed in the subtle sensations of the star stone's dynamics. In his mind, he vaguely felt he had grasped something, but the moment he tried to grasp this indescribable feeling, it would dissipate, leaving Xiao Bei unable to understand what the star stone truly was.

The fluctuations also became something Xiao Bei constantly deduced in his mind, trying to see how they differed from the fluctuations of life.

But Xiao Bei couldn't figure it out.

"My martial realm is still not high enough, and my deduction ability is still lacking... However, why does the central star in the Star Palace, as described in the 'Star Canon,' tremble violently and burst into rapid rotation every time I grasp that vague sensation? There must be a connection!"

His brows furrowed even more, Xiao Bei closed his eyes again. He wanted to break through this barrier. He knew from the good performance of the central star that once he grasped that vague sensation, he would undoubtedly advance in his realm!

Just as he was about to close his eyes, Xiao Bei sensed a familiar aura entering the courtyard he shared with his mother.

It was already dusk, and the person, illuminated by the setting sun, looked at the room where Xiao Bei was, a smile on his lips and admiration in his eyes.

This person was the Xiao family steward.

"Master Bei, I humbly invite you," the steward said, bowing towards the room where Xiao Bei was.

"Alright, I'll come right away."

Xiao Bei's body almost instantly appeared at the door.

"Master Bei, six matches have been completed today, and six people have been decided. So, I have come to take you to the family martial hall for another draw."

"Thank you, Steward Xiao."

Xiao Bei expressed his gratitude.

The steward quickly waved his hand, saying there was no need to thank him, but his eyes showed even more admiration because of Xiao Bei's gratitude.

...

The Xiao family martial hall was unusually bustling today.

In fact, it could be said that today's Xiao family martial hall was even more "lively" than the day they welcomed back the most outstanding family trial disciples.

This was because there were many unfamiliar faces among the crowd at the base of the largest arena in the martial hall.

Of course, these unfamiliar faces were not Xiao family members; otherwise, they wouldn't be unfamiliar. Perhaps, except for Xiao Ting, who hadn't been seen by the Xiao family for a long time... the rest were all outsiders!

Among them was the Zhou family's patriarch, Zhou Jiao!

Beside Zhou Jiao was an elder whom Xiao Bei knew well, Wang Yi, whom he had encountered in the "Wanxiang Hall" after transforming into a masked, muscular man.

And beside Wang Yi, the Zhou family's beloved princess, Zhou Yue, was also there!

At that moment, she was smiling, watching the family members who had excitedly made it to the top seven in the Xiao family trial arena.

In addition to these three people Xiao Bei knew well, the several Imperial-grade martial artists who had met Xiao Ting in the He family's sky the previous day were also present. Beside them were a few more people, all of whom were also Imperial-grade martial artists!

However, these people had not brought their clansmen; they had all come personally.

When Xiao Bei and the steward entered the only door that led to the Xiao family martial hall, Xiao Bei immediately sensed the auras of the Imperial-grade martial artists below the arena.

"These people, I wonder what they're thinking... I doubt any of them have good intentions. On the surface, they're probably here to protect the Xiao family and prevent the masked, black-robed, muscular man from attacking the Xiao residence again. But in reality, if I were to appear again as that masked, black-robed, muscular man, not only would no one help me, but more would likely take advantage of the situation. Such is the world, such are people..."

Lost in thought, Xiao Bei followed the steward into the martial hall.

"Look, it's Xiao Bei, Xiao Bei is here." One of the Xiao family members standing at the door shouted loudly when he saw Xiao Bei appear behind the steward.

All eyes in the arena immediately turned to Xiao Bei.

This commotion naturally caught the attention of the Imperial-grade martial artists, including Zhou Jiao, who were sitting with Xiao Ting.

So, Zhou Jiao and the others also turned their heads to look at Xiao Bei.

Wang Yi and Zhou Yue naturally did the same.

"This is Xiao Bei, right? Haha, I've heard a lot about this young man recently. Xiao Ting, with such a descendant, you should feel comforted. I heard that this young man, who couldn't practice martial arts, has now reached the Eighth Rank of the Innate Realm in just a few months?"

On the other side, the short, fat old man who had expressed his amazement in the sky above the He family's residence spoke to Xiao Ting.