Xiao Zhitian glanced at the three-star Dou Zhe badge on Xiao Yu's chest and said lightly, "It seems you haven't made much progress after all these years at Jia Nan Academy. We'll see about that later."
"You… you…" Xiao Yu stared at Xiao Zhitian's irritatingly calm face, itching to punch him again. But remembering she couldn't beat him, she could only grit her teeth and suppress her anger. She turned to Xiao Xun'er. "And you, Xun'er… never mind. If Xiao Zhitian goes, you'll go. If he doesn't go, you definitely won't go. I really don't know what kind of bewitching potion this guy fed you." Then she looked at Xiao Yan. "What about you, you little rascal?"
Xiao Yan, already feeling a headache coming on from Xiao Yu's presence, replied helplessly, "I'll see when the time comes."
"Then you'd better all think carefully. I really don't understand why all the good talents are gathered on your side."
At that moment, the entire training ground suddenly fell silent.
Clan Leader Xiao Zhan and the three Great Elders ascended the high platform, leading a group of distinguished guests. Among them was Ya Fei, who subtly cast a meaningful glance toward Xiao Zhitian.
The coming-of-age ceremony soon began.
After a series of complicated and tedious procedures, the youths undergoing the ceremony were made to perform various ritual steps like puppets. Half an hour later, the ceremony finally concluded, and the re-testing officially began.
Xiao Yan was the first to step forward.
His test result: Dou Qi Stage Eight.
The crowd was shocked.
Soon after, Xiao Ning challenged Xiao Yan on the stage. Unlike before, Xiao Ning did not take any Qi-boosting powder this time due to Xiao Zhitian's earlier repeated lessons. The battle ended with Xiao Yan's victory.
Following that, more clan members went up for testing. Some were joyful, others left with disappointment.
When it was Xiao Xun'er's turn, her result—One-Star Dou Zhe—once again shocked the crowd.
As the ceremony ended, Xiao Zhitian stood and said calmly, "It's late. We should return and cultivate."
Xun'er nodded gently, bid farewell to Xiao Yu, and left with Xiao Zhitian. Xiao Yan also hurried away, afraid that Xiao Yu might suddenly explode again.
Days passed quietly.
"Break!"
Inside the mountain cave, the surrounding energy surged violently into Xiao Zhitian's body, transforming into pure Dou Qi. His meridians expanded continuously. After the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Xiao Zhitian shouted loudly, and his aura surged upward.
He had officially broken through from Dou Zhe to Dou Shi.
The liquid Dou Qi within his body gradually stabilized.
"Finally… I've broken through to Dou Shi. And the Extreme Wood Lightning has completely condensed. Double happiness."
Xiao Zhitian clearly felt that his strength had increased several times over. He summoned the Dou Qi Veil — its color was silver-green. After testing its defensive power, he found it decent, though not extraordinary.
He then began the next step: evolving his cultivation technique.
Following the method recorded in the technique, he guided the Extreme Wood Lightning into the Dou Qi vortex. The moment it entered, it was refined and absorbed. Gradually, the vortex turned deep green. Then droplets of green lightning energy flowed into every meridian.
Pain erupted instantly.
Veins bulged. His body trembled violently.
An hour later, the pain finally subsided.
Xiao Zhitian leaned against the cave wall, drenched in sweat."System, you said there was no danger. You didn't say it would hurt this much."
He examined his cultivation.
"Four-star Dou Shi… advanced three realms. The technique has evolved to Earth High-Rank. With my current strength, I can fight a one-star Da Dou Shi without using physique amplification. Worth it."
"Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully absorbing the first spiritual lightning. Reward: Earth High-Rank Flying Dou Technique — Thunder Peng Wings."
Xiao Zhitian's eyes lit up.
A flying Dou Technique!And Earth High-Rank at that.
He immediately began learning it. After absorbing the technique, a wing-shaped tattoo appeared on his back. When activated, a pair of dark blue wings formed behind him. They were covered in feathers, faint lightning flickering across them.
He practiced flight until he could move steadily through the air. He also discovered the wings could be used for attack and defense, with power comparable to Profound High-Rank techniques.
Satisfied, he dispersed the wings.
"Xun'er, if you're here, you can come out."
"Hehe, Brother Xiao Zhitian still noticed me."
Xiao Xun'er stepped out with a gentle smile.
"Why are you here?" Xiao Zhitian asked softly.
"It was Cousin Xiao Yu. She said tomorrow is the Jia Nan Academy enrollment and asked whether you were going."
Xiao Zhitian sat on a flat stone nearby, his tone calm."I will participate in the enrollment. But after registering, I'll be leaving for about a year. After that, I'll go to Jia Nan Academy and find you."
Xun'er lowered her head slightly."A whole year…"
"I know it's long. But we both need time to grow stronger."
Xun'er nodded gently."Then… Xun'er will wait. No matter how long."
Xiao Zhitian smiled warmly."And I will return."
Xun'er gave him one last look before turning and leaving quietly, her figure disappearing among the trees.
Xiao Zhitian stood there for a long moment before exhaling softly.
"A year… It'll pass quickly."