Chapter 25: The Ceremony Evaluation
In the blink of an eye, more than half of the three-month period had passed, and only a single month remained before the coming-of-age ceremony.
After acquiring the Mysterious Ice Art, Xiao Yuan officially began cultivating as a Dou Zhe.
Just like with Dou Techniques, he adapted to the cultivation method extremely quickly.
Though Mysterious Ice Art was a high Xuan-tier technique with considerable difficulty, it posed no issue for Xiao Yuan.
As a result, even though he was only a newly advanced Dou Zhe, his energy absorption rate while circulating his technique rivaled that of a Dou Shi.
At this moment, a faint chill pervaded Xiao Yuan's room.
He sat cross-legged, fingers forming a complex seal as he cultivated.
Advancing through the Dou Zhe ranks was far more challenging than progressing through Dou Qi stages.
Previously, Xiao Yuan had managed to advance one Dou Qi stage per month.
But now, after two months, he had only just reached two-star Dou Zhe.
Even so, Xiao Yuan was quite satisfied.
After all, a year ago, he didn't even possess Dou Qi.
This upcoming preliminary evaluation before the ceremony would definitely shock quite a few people!
Checking the time, Xiao Yuan stopped cultivating, changed into a brand-new white robe, and stepped outside.
Today was the day of the evaluation.
"Brother!"
"Xiao Yuan-gege!"
Two familiar voices called out. Xiao Yuan turned and saw Xiao Yan in black and Xun'er in a light teal dress.
Seeing the pair, Xiao Yuan smiled and nodded, then patted Xiao Yan's shoulder and asked warmly, "Eighth stage?"
"Mm! I've reached the eighth stage!"
Xiao Yan nodded confidently.
He had already known about Xiao Yuan's breakthrough to Dou Zhe from that encounter on the back mountain two months ago.
It was precisely because of that revelation that Xiao Yan had trained harder than ever and had now broken through to the eighth stage just in time for the coming-of-age ceremony.
Xun'er, on the other hand, looked at Xiao Yuan with a hint of bewilderment.
She had already known he had advanced to Dou Zhe, but reaching two-star Dou Zhe in just two months… wasn't that a bit too outrageous?
What kind of monstrous talent was that?
"Xun'er is amazing too."
Xiao Yuan smiled meaningfully.
"Xiao Yuan-gege is even more incredible."
Xun'er shook her head earnestly.
"Hehe, come on. Let's give the clan a little taste of genius today!"
Xiao Yuan grinned and waved them forward, leading the way to the training ground where the evaluation would be held.
Xiao Yan and Xun'er exchanged glances and quickly followed. They could tell—Xiao Yuan was in an excellent mood today.
Within the massive stone training grounds, over a hundred boys and girls stood nervously, the air buzzing with chatter and tension.
At the center stood the massive testing monument. Beside it was the same cold-faced examiner from the year before.
On a raised platform to the left sat the clan's internal members, while in the central seats were Clan Leader Xiao Zhan and the three elders.
When the trio of Xiao Yuan, Xiao Yan, and Xun'er entered, the noise in the venue noticeably lessened.
Many already knew that Xiao Yuan's talent had returned. However, few believed the claims from the guards about him possibly reaching Dou Zhe. Most assumed those guards had been bribed to spread favorable rumors.
After all, no one would believe that someone could go from having zero Dou Qi to becoming a Dou Zhe in under a year—without seeing it themselves.
As for Xiao Yan, long labeled a "waste," his low profile over the past few months had led many to assume he was still stuck at stage three.
Upon seeing the trio, Xiao Zhan and the three elders lit up with anticipation.
The elders, in particular, looked at Xiao Yuan with burning intensity.
In their minds, Xiao Yuan had probably already reached stage nine, maybe even advanced to Dou Zhe with the help of the Qi Gathering Powder Nalan Yanran had gifted him.
To cultivate for a year and become a Dou Zhe—such talent could surely produce a future Dou Wang or even Dou Huang!
With someone like that, the Xiao family's status would skyrocket, potentially becoming one of the top-tier clans in the Jia Ma Empire.
Even the three noble families of the capital merely boasted Dou Wang-level powerhouses.
Xiao Yuan's potential could surpass that—perhaps even reaching the realm of Dou Huang!
The revival of the Xiao family was in sight!
Feeling the scorching gazes of the elders, Xiao Yuan shifted his shoulders awkwardly.
Meanwhile, Xiao Zhan was practically beaming with joy.
He knew that his two sons were about to give him some serious surprises.
Glancing at the sky to check the time, Xiao Zhan stood and looked around the now-quiet training ground before speaking in a deep voice:
"You are the new blood of the clan. You all understand how important today's test is. The rule is simple: those at stage seven or higher pass. Below that, you fail.
After the test, those below stage seven may challenge a peer above stage seven. If you win, you'll be considered qualified.
Now, let the evaluation begin!"
As Xiao Zhan's words echoed across the training grounds, the youths visibly tensed.
The cold-faced examiner stepped forward, pulling a scroll from his chest. His icy voice made every name he called send chills down spines.
Meanwhile, Xiao Yuan, Xiao Yan, and Xun'er watched calmly and with great leisure.
They truly had nothing to fear.
As for those peers who wept in despair after being eliminated... well, not their problem.
When those same kids once looked down on Xiao Yuan and Xiao Yan to feel superior, they never imagined this day would come.
Serves them right.
"Xiao Mei!"
The examiner's cold voice caused Xiao Yan to raise an eyebrow slightly and lift his eyes lazily.
Xun'er, always paying attention to him, wrinkled her nose at his reaction.
"Heh. She used to cling so closely to your Brother Xiao Yan…"
Xiao Yan chuckled as he watched the confident red-clad girl approach the monument.
Hearing that laugh, Xun'er blinked, then tilted her head and asked with a smile, "I wonder how she'll treat Brother Xiao Yan after today?"
Xiao Yan shrugged slightly, replying softly:
"Some things, once broken, stay broken. No matter how you try to patch them, the cracks remain. In this family, there are only a few people I truly trust."
"Does that include Xun'er?"
Her rosy lips curved into a playful smile as she asked with a laugh.
Xiao Yan returned her smile warmly. Reaching out, he took a lock of her green silk hair between two fingers, letting it slide gently down as he replied:
"Of course."
"Ahem! You two are making me feel like a third wheel here."
Xiao Yuan cleared his throat and spread his hands with a helpless look.
Both Xiao Yan and Xun'er blushed, embarrassed under his teasing gaze.
Under the warm morning sun, the trio chatted and laughed.
Meanwhile, their peers who had failed the test stood frozen in the shadows of the clouds, looking utterly devastated.
On the ground, the division between sunlight and shadow was sharp and unmistakable.
(END CHAPTER)
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