"Dou Force, Third Stage!"
Looking at the five large characters that shone so brightly on the Testing Magic Stone Tablet they were almost blinding, the young man Xiao Yan's face was expressionless. Although he had expected it, when he actually saw the result, he found that he wasn't as indifferent as he had imagined.
He was, after all, a Mortal. In this world that truly possessed great power, it was impossible for him to be content with being a Mortal. And—
He glanced out of the corner of his eye and saw the woman who was as elegant as a lotus among the crowd. He was the one being tested, yet when it came to nervousness, she seemed no less nervous than him.
At this moment, Xiao Yan saw a hint of frustration flash across her small face. He couldn't help but think of the times she would constantly find excuses to give him some Pills. His heart stirred. She must have put a lot of thought into his situation, right?
She really is a stubborn Girl. If only you were like Xiao Mei and the others, perhaps things would be much easier?
Xiao Yan sighed softly in his heart, then his gaze narrowed slightly. He was unwilling, yet he was helpless. It had been three years, and he still hadn't figured out what was wrong with him.
A hint of self-mockery touched his lips. His tightly clenched hand caused his slightly sharp fingernails to dig deeply into his palm due to the force, bringing waves of piercing pain.
"Xiao Yan, Dou Force, Third Stage! Level: Low Grade!"
Beside the Testing Magic Stone Tablet, the Third Elder glanced at the information displayed on the tablet, then looked at Xiao Yan, who was clenching his fists and hanging his head in silence. He gently patted his shoulder before announcing the result of his test.
Although he no longer held any expectations for Xiao Yan, as a Clan Elder, he still knew how to care for and protect the younger generation. In his eyes, whether Xiao Yan was a Genius or a waste, he was still a junior of the Xiao Family.
But while he paid attention to these details, the young people below were different.
As soon as his words left his mouth, they predictably caused a wave of mocking commotion in the crowded Plaza.
"Third Stage? Heh heh, just as I expected, this 'Genius' is still stuck in place this year!"
"Sigh, this waste has really disgraced the family."
"If it weren't for the Clan Head being his father, this kind of waste would have been driven out of the family long ago to fend for themselves. How could he still have the chance to stay in the Clan and eat and drink for free?"
"Alas, how did that talented young man who was famous throughout Wutan City back then fall into such a state?"
"Who knows, maybe he did something bad and angered the Deity…"
The disdainful laughter and regretful sighs from the surroundings fell into Xiao Yan's ears as he stood rooted to the spot like a Wooden stake. He thought he had gotten used to these taunts, but those words still pierced his heart like sharp thorns, making his breathing slightly rapid.
He thought he had gotten used to these taunts, but in the end, he found that it was impossible to get used to them?
Every test was a reminder that he was no longer the Genius he once was, but a waste who couldn't even break through the Third Stage of Dou Qi!
After a long while, he let out a self-mocking laugh and slowly raised his head. His dark eyes scanned the mocking peers around him blankly, finally pausing only on the girl in the green dress before quickly moving away. Then, as if he had lost his soul, he slowly walked down the stage, quietly returning to the back of the line. His lonely figure seemed somewhat out of place with the world around him.
"Next, Xiao Xun'er!"
The Third Elder felt a bit of reluctance but did nothing else, simply speaking up at the right time to divert the attention of the Little Guys below.
It wasn't that he didn't want to protect Xiao Yan, but he knew that sometimes, their protection would only make these rebellious young people even more jealous, causing them to intensify their efforts to find balance by targeting Xiao Yan.
Because those young people didn't understand what it meant to be Clan members, they would only wonder why Xiao Yan, a waste, had so many people protecting him.
And once these rebellious people got stuck in a rut, it wouldn't be as simple as the current ridicule. Perhaps, it would lead to the scandal of Brothers Fighting Within the Walls.
And just as the Third Elder expected, as soon as the people below heard his call, they unanimously focused their gazes on Xun'er. The men's eyes held admiration, while the women's held jealousy.
Upon hearing this, Xun'er did not immediately go up. Instead, she turned her head, seemingly searching for something, until she saw Xiao Yan's lonely figure under the old tree at the back of the crowd. A look of joy appeared on her face.
Immediately, her lotus-like steps moved slightly, and she also took a detour around the steps, walking slowly up. When she reached the Testing Magic Stone Tablet, she extended her small hand, revealing a section of her snow-white and delicate wrist from her green long sleeve, and then gently touched the Stone Tablet.
Her Jade Hand gently touched the cold black Stone Tablet. Xun'er slowly closed her eyes, and the Dou Force within her body surged rapidly. As the Dou Force was input, the black Stone Tablet, after a moment of silence, emitted a dazzling light.
"Dou Disciple! Four-Star!"
Looking at the radiant light emanating from the Stone Tablet, the field fell into a moment of silence, followed by large gasps of cold air and continuous sounds of swallowing saliva.
Even if they didn't see the result, just from the dazzling light, they knew that the girl on the stage had reached a level far beyond their reach, just like Xiao Yan once did.
"Xiao Xun'er, Four-Star Dou Disciple!"
The Third Elder was also surprised by this result, but quickly calmed himself and announced the result loudly.
After speaking, he subconsciously glanced at Xiao Yan, who seemed out of place on the edge of the crowd, and sighed in his heart:
If there were no accidents, he would probably be at this level as well, right?
Back then, Xun'er had condensed her Qi Cyclone right after Xiao Yan. Originally, the Xiao Family had two Geniuses in one Gate. Without any accidents, they would definitely be able to return to the Imperial Capital. But Fate played tricks on them.
Now, two people who were once almost evenly matched, one was already a Four-Star Dou Disciple, having walked halfway down the Dou Disciple Route, while the other had not advanced but regressed, stuck at the Third Stage of Dou Qi. It truly could be said that Creation played tricks on them.
"This Talent is truly terrifying. I wonder what kind of Deity Old Brother Gu Yuan is. This Talent is probably something even the Cloud Mist Sect would treasure!"
Listening to the result announced by the Third Elder, Xiao Zhan on the high platform took a deep breath and muttered in his heart.
The most terrifying force he had ever seen was the Cloud Mist Sect, and the only thing he could compare it to was the Cloud Mist Sect. In comparison, he even felt that Xun'er's Talent was definitely much stronger than the so-called Geniuses in the Cloud Mist Sect.
Immediately, he opened his mouth, but no words came out. It also turned into a sigh. If there were no accidents, his son would also be able to enjoy this glory.
The few people beside him were also full of shock. They also subtly glanced at Xiao Yan, and then at Xiao Zhan. In the end, no one spoke.
On the stage, Xun'er heard the Third Elder's words and did not linger. With a light tap of her toes, she directly leaped over the crowd with a large backflip and walked towards Xiao Yan, causing many of her admirers to look at Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan was still in a daze. He should have been the one receiving such attention, but…
He clenched his fists once again, shook his head at Xun'er, and then turned and left alone.
Seeing his lonely expression, Xun'er's steps paused for a moment, but only for an instant. She then followed him again, but only from a distance, not getting close.
She knew that no matter how indifferent Xiao Yan appeared, his heart would not be calm. For Xiao Yan, every test was like reopening a wound, and beneath the wound, it might not be a scab, but new blood seeping out again.
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