"Dou Huang, Nine Stars!!"
Staring at the magic test stone tablet, where five dazzling golden characters glowed brightly, the young man remained expressionless—only the corner of his mouth curled slightly.
"Young Master Xiao Yan, Dou Huang, Nine Stars!"Next to the test stone, a middle-aged man exclaimed in shock, announcing the result with a flattering tone.
As soon as the middle-aged man's words left his mouth, the crowded square burst into a wave of bootlicking and admiration.
"As expected of Young Master Xiao Yan, truly a rare genius in the Xiao Clan in a hundred years."
"Yes, yes! Once Young Master Xiao Yan matures, our branch might become one of the royal bloodlines of the Xiao Clan!"
"Young Master Xiao Yan is not only gifted in cultivation, but excels in other areas as well!"
Someone couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
A fifteen-year-old Dou Huang with nine stars—if nothing goes wrong, he's very likely to possess a mythic bloodline!
Compliments flooded in from all directions. The young man lifted his fair and handsome face, a subtle smile playing at his lips.
"Clan Head, the young master's talent is terrifying,"On a high platform, several clan elders and the Xiao Clan Head Xiao Zhan were watching the boy.
The young man, clearly not yet fifteen, resembled a slumbering dragon ready to soar into the skies.
Among the younger generation of the Dou Qi Continent, perhaps only that jewel of the Gu Clan could compare.
"Hehehe, my son Xiao Yan has the bearing of a Dou Di!"
Xiao Zhan was grinning ear to ear at the elders' praise.
The elders couldn't help twitching their mouths at Xiao Zhan's words. Compliment him a little, and he rides it straight to the heavens.
Still, Xiao Yan was indeed an exceptionally rare genius within the clan. If only he didn't get involved in shady activities, he'd be perfect.
"Next up, Xiao Mei!"
Hearing the examiner's shout, a young girl dashed out of the crowd.
The girl, around fourteen, wasn't exactly a stunning beauty, but her youthful face carried a mix of innocence and charm.
That kind of look was certainly attractive to men.
She quickly walked up, placed her small hand confidently on the black stone tablet, and slowly closed her eyes…
"Xiao Mei, Dou Ling: One Star!"
"Whoa, this little girl Xiao Mei actually broke through to Dou Ling!"
"Yeah, though her talent isn't on par with Xiao Yan, it's still pretty good. She might even become a Dou Zun in the future!"
As the chatter rose around her, Xiao Mei wore a trace of pride. But the moment her gaze landed on the black-robed boy, her pride instantly turned into docility.
She trotted over with her fair legs and grabbed onto Xiao Yan's arm.
"Brother Xiao Yan, how can you improve so fast? Last year you were only a Two-Star Dou Huang, and now you're already Nine Stars!""You're amazing, I admire you so much!"
"Hah, this little green tea is getting better at her craft."
Xiao Yan silently felt the newly developed body press against him and waved his hand with a feigned helplessness.
"I didn't want to progress this fast either! But even drinking cold water boosts my Dou Qi—I couldn't slow down even if I tried!"
"Ugh, you're so annoying!"Hearing words that could enrage countless geniuses, Xiao Mei pounded her small fists on Xiao Yan's arm.
Xiao Yan smiled faintly and didn't push her away.
A little coyness—so what?
As long as you're strong enough, who cares if someone's "green tea"?
Just call her: a good little sister!
While the two joked around, suddenly, a wave of powerful auras swept through the sky. The crowd in the bustling square instinctively looked up.
"It's the Gu Clan!"Their robes bore the distinct markings of the Gu Clan.
"Heavens, why did so many strong Gu Clan members come?"
People whispered among themselves. Among the Seven Ancient Clans, the Gu Clan was second only to the Xiao Clan, and their leaders had a good relationship. So, relations between the two clans were decent.
"Look at that girl—how old is she? She's already formed Dou Qi wings!"Someone suddenly gasped.
In the sky, beside a dignified middle-aged man, a young girl in a purple dress flew with her Dou Qi wings spread.
Her cool and elegant temperament was like a lotus blooming in spring. At such a young age, she already radiated otherworldly grace. It was hard to imagine how stunning she would become once fully grown…
Judging by her youthful face, she couldn't be older than fifteen.
Among the Ancient Clans, many could form Dou Qi wings. But to do it at that age—she was a rare genius, even by their standards.
If she were just a Dou Wang, it would be one thing. But if she were a Dou Huang…
Some couldn't help glancing at the boy also staring into the sky.
"Could she be… Xun'er?"Xiao Yan silently stared at the young girl, who stunned countless people with her brilliance.
If things had gone as they were supposed to, she should have been his childhood sweetheart.
It had been fifteen years since he arrived in this world, and Xiao Yan realized—this really was the world of Battle Through the Heavens.
But... the world line had clearly shifted drastically.
Fifteen years ago, he was just an ordinary man on the blue planet—over thirty, unmarried, with modest career success.
Then one day, while slacking off in the office and rereading his favorite childhood novel, Battle Through the Heavens, an accident happened. The next thing he knew—he had transmigrated!
He truly had crossed over into the world of Battle Through the Heavens.Only…the plot was completely different!
In this world, Xiao Xuan, the patriarch of the Xiao Clan, hadn't died in battle. He broke through and became a Dou Di!
And from that moment, the world line changed.
Hun Tiandi, once an ambitious master strategist, was slapped to death by Xiao Xuan in one strike.
The enemy Hun Clan was annihilated, leaving only scattered, weak branches.
The Xiao Clan became the strongest force on the Dou Qi Continent. Period.
As for Xiao Yan, the tragic fate he was supposed to have? Gone.
He was born already at the finish line most people would never reach.
His grandfather Xiao Lin didn't die either. He was now a peak-level Dou Sheng.
His father Xiao Zhan was slightly weaker but still a Dou Zun, serving as vice-commander of the Tianyu Army.
His mother, daughter of an elder from the Yao Clan, was alive and well—currently a peak Tier-7 Alchemist.
His eldest brother Xiao Ding and second brother Xiao Li, though less gifted, had after years of training reached the level of Dou Zong.
From the moment he was born, Xiao Yan's starting line surpassed the endgame of almost everyone else.
Late at night, Xiao Yan often wondered…Was he living the main character's story—or the villain's?
Since birth, his life had one word: smooth—ridiculously smooth.
A life without even a bit of hardship… was that really a protagonist's life?
The Gu Clan team in the sky quickly vanished, not paying attention to the Xiao Clan members below. They were clearly headed to the clan's inner sanctum.
"I wonder… on this world line, will I still cross paths with that Gu Clan heiress?"Xiao Yan stared at the fading figure in the sky.
"Brother Yan! Brother Yan!"A group of boys snapped Xiao Yan out of his thoughts.
A tall youth, panting heavily, rushed over.
With a hint of panic on his face, he shouted:"Brother Yan, something's wrong—my sister's about to get into a fight!"
(End of Chapter)