18: The Xiao Family Test and Xiao Yan's Outburst

Time flew by as Xiao Chen diligently worked, and in the blink of an eye, it was the day of the Xiao Family's annual, highly anticipated family test.

On this morning, the entire Xiao Family was enveloped in an atmosphere of both tension and anticipation. The training ground was bustling with people, all Xiao Family disciples under the age of eighteen gathered, awaiting the moment that would determine their resource allocation for the coming year. On the high platform, Patriarch Clan Leader, the three elders, and other influential figures of the family were all present, their expressions solemn.

As an outsider, Xiao Chen was not qualified to participate, but since he was a guest brought by Xiao Yan and maintained a decent relationship with the Third Elder's faction, he was permitted to observe from a corner at the edge of the training ground. He had no particular interest in this, but considering the critical turning point Xiao Yan would face today, he decided to come and watch.

He found an inconspicuous spot and stood still, his spiritual perception quietly spreading out, taking in the entire situation of the training ground. He could clearly “see” Xiao Yan standing at the back of the crowd, his lips pressed together, his face calm, but a volcano-like emotion was suppressed within his dark eyes. Yao Lao's aura was completely concealed; if not for the system prompt, Xiao Chen would have barely noticed him.

On the high platform, Clan Leader's gaze occasionally swept towards Xiao Yan, his eyes filled with worry and anticipation. The First Elder, Xiao Shan (this Xiao Shan is not the Third Elder), wore an indifferent expression, even a faint, cold sneer playing on his lips. The Third Elder, Xiao Shan (same name), kept his eyes downcast, showing no discernible emotion.

The test began. One by one, Xiao Family youths stepped forward, placing their hands on the dark magic-testing stele and infusing it with Dou Qi.

“Xiao Ke, Dou Qi, Sixth Level! Grade: Intermediate!”

“Xiao Mei, Dou Qi, Seventh Level! Grade: High!”

“Xiao Ning, Dou Qi, Eighth Level! Grade: High!”

Exclamations and cheers erupted from the crowd from time to time, especially when Xiao Ning tested out at Eighth Level of Dou Qi, which caused an even greater uproar. Xiao Ning walked off the stage smugly, his challenging gaze overtly directed at Xiao Yan at the back of the crowd.

Clan Leader and the elders also had varying expressions. Xiao Ning's progress speed was indeed remarkable.

Soon, it was Xiao Yan's turn.

When the Second Elder, who was presiding over the test, called out the name “Xiao Yan,” the previously noisy training ground instantly fell silent. Everyone's gaze, whether sympathetic, mocking, or indifferent, focused uniformly on the black-clothed youth slowly walking towards the stele.

For three years, this name, which once astonished the entire Xiao Family and even Wutan City, had become synonymous with “waste.” Everyone wanted to know, what would be the result for this former genius this year? Would he continue to fall, or… would a miracle occur?

Xiao Yan walked to the magic-testing stele with a calm expression and steady steps. He could feel the burning gazes behind him: his father's worry, his clansmen's disdain, his rivals' mockery… These gazes, like needles, pricked at his heart.

He slowly raised his hand and, under the scrutiny of countless eyes, placed it on the cold surface of the stele.

One second, two seconds, three seconds… The stele remained unresponsive.

Low snickers and whispers began to rise from the crowd.

“Sure enough, it's still not working…”

“It seems he's really crippled…”

“What a pity…”

On the high platform, Clan Leader's face turned pale, his fists clenched. The First Elder's cold sneer deepened.

Just as everyone thought the outcome was decided—

The surface of the dark stele suddenly trembled violently!

Immediately after, dazzling light burst forth!

“Dou Qi… Seventh Level!”

Above the stele, four golden characters shone brightly, stinging the eyes of everyone present!

The entire training ground was deathly silent!

Everyone stared dumbfounded at the words on the stele, their faces filled with disbelief!

Seventh Stage of Dou Qi?! That waste, Xiao Yan, who had been stuck at Third Level of Dou Qi for three years, had actually leaped to Seventh Level?! How was this possible?!

“Gulp.” Someone loudly swallowed, breaking the silence.

“Se… Seventh Level? Is it real or fake?”

“Is the stele broken?”

“How can he improve four levels in one year?!”

An even louder uproar erupted from the crowd than before! All kinds of questioning, shock, and incredulous voices intertwined.

On the high platform, Clan Leader suddenly stood up, his face filled with wild joy and excitement, his body trembling slightly from exhilaration! The First Elder's face instantly turned ashen, his eyes filled with uncertainty and surprise. The Third Elder also opened his eyes, revealing a hint of astonishment.

Xiao Ning was as if struck by lightning, frozen in place, his smug smile completely solidified, replaced by twisted jealousy and disbelief!

Xiao Yan slowly withdrew his palm, feeling the long-lost, abundant sense of power within his body. Listening to the deafening uproar around him, he took a deep breath. The humiliation, unwillingness, and anger suppressed for three years, at this moment, finally transformed into a shout that pierced the clouds!

He suddenly turned, his dark eyes sweeping across the entire arena like sharp swords, finally fixing on the ashen-faced Xiao Ning. His voice, cold and clear, echoed throughout the training ground:

“Xiao Ning! You keep calling me a waste. Now, do I, this 'waste,' have the qualifications to challenge you?!”

Challenge!

Xiao Yan actually publicly challenged Xiao Ning, who was at Eighth Level of Dou Qi!

The training ground, which had just calmed down a bit, exploded into an uproar once again!

“Is Xiao Yan crazy? Seventh Level challenging Eighth Level?”

“Where does he get such confidence?”

“Just one year's progress, and he dares to be so arrogant?”

Xiao Ning's face turned from green to white from Xiao Yan's public provocation, especially when he saw the somewhat strange gazes of his clansmen around him, which made him even more furious and ashamed. He sharply said, “Xiao Yan! Don't think that just because you've luckily recovered some strength, you can be arrogant! Challenge me? You're not worthy yet!”

“Whether I'm worthy or not, we'll know after we fight!” Xiao Yan stood his ground, his gaze sharp. “What? Are you scared?”

“Me, scared of you?” Xiao Ning laughed in exasperation. “Good! Since you seek humiliation, I'll grant it to you! Second Elder, please permit me to have a family match with Xiao Yan!”

On the high platform, the Second Elder looked at Patriarch Clan Leader. Although Clan Leader was worried about his son, seeing the undeniable determination in Xiao Yan's eyes, he took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, “Granted!”

The family match officially began!

The center of the training ground was cleared, and Xiao Yan and Xiao Ning stood facing each other, the atmosphere tense.

On the sidelines, Xiao Chen watched this scene, his heart also stirring. Although he already knew the outcome, witnessing this reversal firsthand still made his blood surge. He could feel that the long-dormant power within Xiao Yan was burning fiercely!

“System, Scan Xiao Yan and Xiao Ning's real-time status,” Xiao Chen ordered in his mind. He wanted to experience this battle more directly.

【Scan: Xiao Yan】

【Strength】: Seventh Stage of Dou Qi (peak, close to Eighth Level)

【Status】: High fighting spirit, stable aura, a hidden, scorching energy latent within his body (suspected to be a boost from Yao Lao's soul power or the initial influence of Burning Art).

【Weakness】: No obvious weaknesses for now.

【Scan: Xiao Ning】

【Strength】: Eighth Level of Dou Qi (initial stage)

【Status】: Emotionally agitated, slightly restless aura, lower body slightly unstable due to old injury (System has marked).

【Weakness】: Old injury to left leg, prone to anger.

Indeed, Xiao Yan's actual combat power was probably close to, or even not weaker than, Xiao Ning, who had just entered the Eighth Level! And he still had Yao Lao as a trump card.

The battle began!

Xiao Ning launched the first attack, unleashing his Eighth Level of Dou Qi without reservation, employing the Xiao Family's intermediate Dou Technique, “Cracked Claw Strike.” His five fingers formed a claw, bringing with it a fierce gust of wind, aiming directly for Xiao Yan's face! He intended to crush this “waste” who dared to challenge his authority with overwhelming force!

However, facing this fierce attack, Xiao Yan did not dodge or evade, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. He stomped his foot hard on the ground, his body advancing instead of retreating, his right hand clenched into a fist, and a power far more condensed and scorching than ordinary Seventh Level of Dou Qi suddenly erupted!

“Octane Blast!”

A low shout rang out, and Xiao Yan's fist, striking later but arriving first, fiercely collided with Xiao Ning's sharp claw!

“Bang!”

A dull thud echoed, and a wave of air spread out from the two of them!

To everyone's horror, the aggressive Xiao Ning, like a kite with a broken string, flew backward, spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood in mid-air, finally crashing heavily onto the ground, looking utterly disheveled!

One punch! Just one punch!

Xiao Yan, at Seventh Stage of Dou Qi, had actually defeated Xiao Ning, at Eighth Level, in a head-on confrontation!

The entire arena was deathly silent!

Everyone seemed to be under a paralysis spell, staring dumbfounded at the black-clothed youth in the center, who stood with his fist retracted, his clothes fluttering.

The sunlight shone on him, as if plating him with a golden radiance.

At this moment, the once fallen genius, in an even more dazzling and domineering posture, announced his return!

“Xiao Family, Xiao Yan!”

The youth's clear voice echoed above the silent training ground, carrying unparalleled confidence and power!

Xiao Chen stood on the sidelines, watching this scene, a slight curve forming at the corner of his mouth.

The storm had begun. And he, too, would seek his own opportunities and path within this storm. Xiao Yan's rise, for him, was both a challenge and an unprecedented opportunity!