“Elder Second, is the test over?” Xiao Yan gazed at the golden characters on the stone tablet, slowly withdrawing his palm. He glanced at the somewhat dazed Elder Second beside him and inquired indifferently.
“Oh, uh, yes… it’s over…” Startled by Xiao Yan’s voice, Elder Second nodded somewhat flustered. From his drifting and scattered gaze, it was clear he was still in shock.
“Ah, five segments of Dou Qi in a year? This cultivation speed… is terrifying.” After a long while, as he gradually regained his composure, Elder Second looked at the young man before him with a complex expression. In his heart, he inexplicably sighed. The doubts in his old eyes finally dissipated completely in the face of reality.
The golden light on the black stone tablet gradually faded, and after a moment, it returned to its deep, cold black. As the golden light dissipated, the entire venue remained silent, clearly still stunned by the earlier revelation.
“Cough…” On the high platform, Elder Second’s cough finally drew the attention of everyone.
“The ritual retest has been completed. According to the usual rules, Xiao Yan will now accept a challenge. The challenger must be under the rank of Fighter. Who would like to challenge him?” Elder Second scanned the younger generation of the Xiao family, and announced softly.
If the ritual test was to measure the strength of Dou Qi, then this challenge was to evaluate the cultivation and mastery of combat techniques. After all, once in a life-or-death battle, combat skills were also an important factor in determining victory or defeat. Each family placed great importance on this, no less than on the cultivation of Dou Qi.
Hearing Elder Second’s call, there was a slight commotion in the audience. The younger generation of the Xiao family exchanged glances, too timid to speak. The golden light on the black stone tablet had shattered their last hopes of surpassing Xiao Yan, who had displayed an eight-segment Dou Qi.
They no longer had the right to show off in front of Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan stood quietly in the center of the arena, his gaze casually sweeping over the peers in the audience. Whenever his gaze landed on someone, those young people would hastily take a step back.
“Hmph, a bunch of cowards!” Seeing the retreating clansmen, Xiao Ning scoffed disdainfully. Lifting his head, he provocatively stared at the black-robed youth in the arena. Just as he was about to step forward, a jade-like hand pulled him back.
Frowning, Xiao Ning looked at his sister with annoyance. “What?”
“He’s also an eight-segment Dou Qi now. It’s not certain that you can beat him,” Xiao Yu said with a sigh.
Xiao Ning’s mouth twitched slightly, hesitating for a moment. His eyes, against his will, glanced towards Xuner, who was nearby. He saw the gentle and affectionate gaze she directed at Xiao Yan in the arena, a look that she had never shown him…
Grinding his teeth, Xiao Ning shook off Xiao Yu’s hand. His slightly childish face was filled with coldness and jealousy. “I’ve been an eight-segment Dou Qi for over a year. Can’t I handle a rookie who just made it?”
Looking at Xiao Ning’s stubborn and jealous expression, Xiao Yu was somewhat helpless. After a moment’s hesitation, she suddenly took out a smooth green pill, fondling it for a while with reluctance. Then, she quickly stuffed it into Xiao Ning’s hand and whispered, “This is a second-grade pill, ‘Qi Boosting Pill.’ It can temporarily give you the strength of a Fighter, but after taking it, you’ll have to spend a month in bed. Only use it if absolutely necessary.”
Hearing this, Xiao Ning immediately grabbed the pill in delight. “With this, I can definitely teach that guy a lesson!”
Xiao Yu furrowed her brows and chided, “Don’t go overboard. Give him a little trouble, but don’t hurt him badly. If you do, even Grandfather won’t be able to save you. He’s not the waste he used to be.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know…” Nodding carelessly, Xiao Ning smiled smugly, his gaze turning to Xuner. “I’ll make you see that he’s just a pretty pillow.”
Smirking, Xiao Ning broke free from Xiao Yu’s grasp and climbed onto the high platform, shouting, “I will challenge!”
Hearing the response, everyone’s gaze focused on Xiao Ning. This attention made his smugness grow even more.
Seeing Xiao Ning approaching, Elder Second frowned and cast a glance at the VIP seats, where he saw the displeased expression of the Grand Elder. He sighed helplessly and cursed in his heart, “Fool! Do you still think Xiao Yan is the same waste as before?”
Xiao Ning, not noticing Elder Second’s disapproving look, strode forward confidently. “Xiao Yan, let me test your fighting strength.”
Raising his eyes lazily, Xiao Yan didn’t even bother to respond.
“Xiao Ning, challenging Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan, do you accept?” Seeing Xiao Ning in the center of the arena, Elder Second had no choice but to announce loudly.
“You won’t refuse, will you? Xuner is watching. You wouldn’t disappoint her, would you…?” Touching the pill in his sleeve, Xiao Ning’s confidence swelled. Glancing at the elegant, lotus-like girl in the audience, he smirked.
“Idiot…” Muttering the word, Xiao Yan touched his nose. Under the watchful eyes of everyone, he nodded slightly and said indifferently, “I accept.”
Seeing Xiao Yan nod, Elder Second sighed helplessly again. Waving his hand, he retreated, whispering only loud enough for them to hear, “Remember, stop when it’s enough!”
Xiao Ning sneered. Xiao Yan shrugged indifferently.
As Elder Second stepped back, the atmosphere on the high platform became tense!
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