As they gazed upon the black-clad youth standing in the center with his hands behind his back, the scene was somewhat hushed. On the high platform, Xiao Zhan’s smile slowly widened until he could no longer contain his laughter.
Hearing Xiao Zhan’s triumphant laughter, the three elders exchanged glances and sighed inwardly. They did not try to stop him. The potential displayed by the youth on the field made them feel a significant sense of defeat. Four ranks in a year—such speed was enough to make anyone stagger. Their descendants might never catch up to this youth.
In a cheerful mood, Xiao Zhan stood up, clapped his hands, and announced with a smile, “Nephew Xiao Ke has failed his challenge. I hope you will work hard in the future!”
In the field, Xiao Ke, pale-faced, felt even more disheartened at the announcement. He looked at the black-clad youth not far from him with a complex expression. This person, who had been mocked as a waste a year ago, was now towering over everyone in the clan. Such a drastic change reminded Xiao Ke of the youth’s words that day: “Fortunes can change; do not scorn the poor young man!”
Shaking his head with a bitter smile, Xiao Ke struggled to get up and bowed slightly to Xiao Yan. His voice, which used to be filled with disdain, was now completely free of it: “Cousin Xiao Yan, you’ve won. Congratulations on your recovery!”
Xiao Yan nodded slightly, and his gaze slowly swept across the field. Anyone who met those dark eyes seemed to shrink back in fear.
Xiang’er’s gaze casually landed on Xiao Mei, who had been staring at him. Xiao Yan turned his head and smiled faintly at the group of unqualified clansmen, “Is there anyone else who wants to challenge?”
Seeing Xiao Yan look their way, the originally stunned youths quickly closed their mouths and feigned deep thought. No one dared to step forward as the second crab taster.
Seeing the pretense of these young and naive faces, Xiao Yan shrugged and turned to walk away.
As Xiao Yan sat down beside her, Xuner smiled charmingly. Her gaze swept across the field, and her slender fingers twirled a strand of her hair. Smiling faintly, she said, “Brother Xiao Yan, three years ago, they looked at you the same way…”
“Three years ago, I would have felt excited by their respect. Now… I don’t feel much,” Xiao Yan said, rubbing his nose with a casual smile.
“That’s because Brother Xiao Yan has matured,” Xuner teased, blinking her big, clear eyes.
“Who’s more mature? Sometimes I think there’s an ancient monster hiding in this body of a young girl!” Xiao Yan joked, finding it amusing to be called mature by a little girl. He affectionately ruffled Xuner’s hair.
Hearing this, Xuner gave Xiao Yan a playful glare, her delicate face showing a bit of indignation. Even the most open-minded girl wouldn’t like to be called an old monster.
A girl’s coquettishness is most charming, and Xuner’s unintentional display of youthful innocence made the distant boys stare wide-eyed, and even some girls couldn’t help but show envy.
“This brat, too arrogant…” Seeing Xuner’s innocent and cute appearance, Xiao Ning’s eyes almost bulged out. The jealousy in his heart threatened to overshadow his reason. In this clan, he believed only he was worthy of Xuner. But no matter how much he tried to please her, he could never make her smile. On the other hand, Xiao Yan, once a waste, could always make the girl he liked laugh. This stark contrast made Xiao Ning grit his teeth.
“Young brat, you can be arrogant now. On the day of the coming-of-age ceremony, I’ll beat you so badly in front of Xuner that you’ll crawl on the ground!” Clenching his fists, Xiao Ning shot a menacing glance at Xiao Yan, who was sitting cross-legged in the distance.
Although Xiao Ning was also shocked by Xiao Yan’s training speed, his habit of looking down on Xiao Yan was hard to discard. As the next best among the younger generation after Xuner, Xiao Ning felt a sense of crisis from Xiao Yan’s rapid progress.
While he hasn’t grown fully, give him a crushing blow and send him back to his wasteful state! With these sinister thoughts, a cruel smile slowly appeared on Xiao Ning’s lips. Though Xiao Yan was now at the seventh rank, Xiao Ning was confident in his eighth rank. After all, each rank above the seventh was a significant gap!
Laughing softly with Xuner, Xiao Yan glanced casually toward the edge of the training field and saw Xiao Ning’s sinister smile. He paused for a moment, then smiled faintly. A person who can’t hide their emotions can’t achieve much.
After Xiao Ke’s failed challenge, no one else dared to step forward. The group of unqualified clan members had to find new targets. After several rounds, only two succeeded in advancing to the qualified area through their proficiency in combat techniques and a bit of luck.
As the training field gradually calmed, Xiao Zhan, smiling, stood up and loudly announced the end of the test and the precautions for the coming-of-age ceremony in a month.
Standing up, Xiao Yan smiled at Xiao Zhan, who was basking in success on the high platform. Xiao Zhan, in turn, proudly gave a thumbs-up to his son, who had greatly impressed today.
Dusting off his clothes, a fragrant breeze suddenly blew by. Xiao Yan raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at Xiao Mei, who stood before him. He asked, “What is it?”
Seeing the coldness hidden in Xiao Yan’s clear face, Xiao Mei’s heart skipped a beat. She forced a smile and said, “Congratulations, Cousin Xiao Yan.”
“Thank you.” Nodding slightly, Xiao Yan glanced at Xuner beside him.
“Cousin Xiao Yan, tomorrow, my father will teach us the advanced Yellow Rank fighting techniques. Do you want to come?” Xiao Mei smiled, her face a mix of allure and purity, making her truly captivating.
Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s eyebrows lifted slightly. Just as he was thinking of an excuse to refuse, a pair of slender, fair, and delicate arms wrapped around his arm from the side.
Pausing, Xiao Yan turned to see a face filled with a gentle smile.
“I’m really sorry, Cousin Xiao Mei, but Xuner has already asked Xiao Yan to accompany me to the city of Wutan tomorrow. We might not be able to go to the fighting class,” Xuner said, her small, exquisite face showing a hint of regret. Amidst the stunned gazes, Xuner affectionately held Xiao Yan’s arm.
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