The entire arena was silent, as still as death! All the people in the field stared at the five large characters on the stone tablet, their expressions were extremely vivid. After a moment, the rapid breathing, like windmills, echoed throughout the training grounds.
“Crack!” On the high platform, Xiao Zhan’s teacup crumbled into powder with a single slap. The tea mixed with the powder dripped down his hand. “Seventh stage… Yan’er, you… really did it!” His eyes fixed on the black-robed youth under the black stone tablet, Xiao Zhan’s eyes were slightly moist. He knew that to reach this point, the young man had made immense efforts.
The three elders sitting beside Xiao Zhan were equally incredulous. A year ago, he was only at the third stage of Dou Qi, and now he was at the seventh? This speed… was terrifying!
“Gulp, haha… The Foundation-Building Spirit Liquid that the clan leader bought… is, indeed powerful, haha.” The second elder swallowed, the mix of previous sarcasm and disbelief making for an extremely interesting spectacle. He forced a laugh, embarrassed. Xiao Zhan’s excitement was unmasked, glancing at the second elder, he said with a faint smile, “Second Elder, do you really think that a rank-two Foundation-Building Spirit Liquid could have such a miraculous effect?”
The second elder paused, awkwardly shaking his head. He wasn’t a fool; while the Foundation-Building Spirit Liquid could indeed accelerate cultivation, it was almost impossible to advance four stages of Dou Qi in a year!
…
Beside the black stone tablet, the examiner stared dumbfounded at the large characters, his usual cold demeanor replaced by shock. “Xiao Yan: Seventh stage, high-level Dou Qi!”
He exhaled deeply, as if trying to expel the shock from his heart. Despite his efforts to remain calm, his voice still trembled slightly.
As the examiner announced the results, the already silent training ground became even more hushed.
“Gulp.” Suddenly, the sound of someone swallowing loudly rang out in the training ground.
Standing in the center of the crowd, Xiao Mei covered her red lips with her small hand, her face full of astonishment. In one year, to advance four stages of Dou Qi, such a cultivation speed… it was almost unbelievable!
Even three years ago, when Xiao Yan was at his peak, he couldn’t have achieved such a feat. Yet, this shocking reality was unfolding before everyone’s eyes.
Staring at the youth standing beneath the black stone tablet, Xiao Mei’s thoughts suddenly turned chaotic. It seemed that his astonishing cultivation talent had returned!
At the edge of the training ground, Xiao Ning, who was preparing to mock Xiao Yan, gaped at the large characters on the stone tablet, muttering in disbelief, “How… how is this possible?”
…
Lifting his head to gaze at the golden characters on the stone tablet, Xiao Yan exhaled lightly. The complex gazes around him reminded him of the brilliant youth he once was. Now, his cultivation talent had returned, along with a more mature mindset and a resolute spirit.
Looking deeply at the stone tablet that had several times determined his fate, Xiao Yan smiled lightly. His calm demeanor, unlike the overconfident boy three years ago after the test, was a stark contrast.
Exhaling lightly, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Xiao Yan slowly walked to the back of the crowd. He met Xuner’s smiling gaze, then sat down cross-legged beside her.
As Xiao Yan withdrew, the field remained silent for a long time.
“Cough…” On the high platform, Xiao Zhan, his face beaming, stood up, coughed, and drew the attention of the crowd. “The test is over. Next, we will proceed to the next item. Those who did not pass have the right to challenge those who passed. Remember, you only get one chance!” Xiao Zhan laughed loudly.
Hearing this, the training ground became slightly agitated. Those who were just short of passing immediately cast eager gazes at their qualified companions. Facing these challenging gazes, the excellent clansmen sneered, raising their heads disdainfully. The difference between sixth and seventh stage Dou Qi was vast. Without any special circumstances, a person with sixth stage Dou Qi would find it very difficult to defeat a seventh stage opponent.
Those with sixth stage Dou Qi were well aware of this, but it was their last chance. Whether they succeeded or failed, they had to give it a try.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the field was strange. Fiery gazes swept over the qualified companions as everyone secretly chose the easiest opponent to deal with.
Sitting cross-legged, Xiao Yan raised an eyebrow. He was surprised to find that many of the gazes were directed at him. “Do I look like an easy target?” Slightly startled, Xiao Yan found it amusing.
“Although Brother Xiao Yan’s leap of four stages in a year is stunning, because of this, many people subconsciously refuse to believe it. Therefore, they naturally see Brother Xiao Yan as the best person to challenge,” Xuner smiled softly.
Shrugging helplessly, Xiao Yan brushed off the dust on his clothes, smiling faintly, “Because they don’t want to believe it, they choose to deceive themselves…”
Xuner smiled and nodded slightly.
At that moment, after a brief silence, someone finally couldn’t resist stepping forward. A robust youth, under the watchful eyes of all, quickly walked to Xiao Yan, bowed slightly, and loudly said, “Cousin Xiao Yan, please!”
Although the youth appeared respectful, his eyes betrayed a flicker of doubt and a hint of disdain. It seemed he hadn’t yet come to terms with Xiao Yan’s previous reputation as a failure.
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