The next day, the Xiao Clan's annual test began under bright morning skies.
The wide training square bustled with activity. Dozens of clan juniors stood in formation before the ancient stone monument, each preparing to have their potential judged.
Up on the ceremonial pavilion, Clan Leader Xiao Zhan stood tall in his formal robes, flanked by Gu Wenxin, the three clan elders, and—unexpectedly—Ya Fei from the Miteer Auction House. The dignified beauty drew curious glances, but it was Gu Wenxin's mischievous smirks that truly caught attention.
From time to time, Gu Wenxin whispered something to Ya Fei, causing the latter to blush fiercely. The elders exchanged glances, clearly dying to know the topic, but the women spoke too quietly to be overheard.
Elsewhere, Xiao Yan stood calmly before the monument, accompanied by Nalan Yanran, whose gaze occasionally flicked toward the pavilion with mild curiosity. Standing near them was Xiao Xun'er, seemingly uninterested in the event—until her golden eyes occasionally darted toward Gu Wenxin and Ya Fei, filled with quiet suspicion.
But before the ceremony could begin, a low ripple of chaos stirred through the crowd.
It began subtly—soft whispers, stifled gasps, and wild glances.
Then it spread like a spiritual wildfire.
> "Is that him…?!"
> "The Fourth Young Master! He actually showed up?!"
> "Didn't he catch fire yesterday?!"
---
The pavilion stirred. Xiao Zhan blinked. Xun'er and Ya Fei froze mid-sip.
All eyes turned toward the main gate of the courtyard.
There, stepping into full view, was Xiao Ranyu.
The entire testing ground fell silent.
He walked with easy grace, loose light crimson robes fluttering slightly as he moved. His molten red hair shimmered like flowing flame under the sun, his golden eyes calm, unreadable. Even the faint sigil glowing on his forehead added a hint of mystery and majesty.
He didn't look like a young cultivator.
He looked like a Divine Prince who had come to the mortal world.
The elders straightened.
The juniors gawked.
And the pavilion exploded into chaos.
> "He's glowing!"
> "He smells like sandalwood !"
> "Is this what catching fire means? If it is then let me catch fire too!"
> "I saw him in my dreams last night! I SWEAR!"
Xiao Ning, Xiao Mei, and several others were struck dumb. Even Nalan Yanran raised her brows in open surprise.
Ya Fei clutched her fan tightly.
Xun'er's eyes narrowed.
> "So he showed up," she muttered. "Looking like that."
> "He really does need that mask," Ya Fei said grimly. "Or Wu Tan City might implode."
Gu Wenxin, however, simply smirked—clearly enjoying the reactions.
> "Oh my. The poor monument might explode from how many hearts he's breaking just by walking."
Xiao Zhan cleared his throat.
> "Begin the test."
But even as the elders activated the ancient testing array, every pair of eyes remained glued to one person:
The fiery boy who had, overnight, gone from a quiet background figure…
…to the most dangerous heartthrob Wu Tan City had ever seen.
---
One by one, the juniors of the Xiao Clan stepped forward to place their hands on the monument's crystal orb. As each palm pressed against its smooth surface, ripples of light flickered—dou qi levels revealed for all to see.
"Dou Qi Stage Four!"
"Stage four!"
"Stage Six!"
"Stage five"
A round of polite clapping followed. Some elders nodded, others made notes. These results were —above average for their age.
Then came a hush.
Xiao Nian stepped forward confidently, his back straight, chin raised just a little too high.
He walked with deliberate arrogance, each footstep practically declaring: Watch me outshine you all.
He placed his hand on the crystal.
"Dou Qi—Stage Seven!"
A huge cheer erupted from his supporters.Since Dou qi stage seven at age 14 was very rare in wutan city.
As he descended the steps, he swept his gaze across the crowd… and stopped.
His eyes locked onto Xiao Ranyu—and in that moment, he smirked.
A provocative glint sparkled in his gaze.
He didn't say a word, but the message was clear:
I'm ahead of you. Stay in the shadows where you belong.
Xiao Ranyu didn't react. He simply arched one elegant brow, as if watching a particularly confident chicken walk by.
Next, Xiao Mei ascended the platform.
She moved with graceful confidence, her robes swaying gently, drawing more than a few admiring gazes. When her hand touched the monument, a brilliant light pulsed.
"Dou Qi—Stage Seven!"
Another stir among the crowd.
But unlike Xiao Nian, Xiao Mei didn't smirk or gloat. Instead, as she walked back down, her eyes lingered—just a second too long—on Xiao Ranyu.
A curious, complicated look.
Desire?
Admiration?
Whatever it was, it didn't go unnoticed.
Xiao Xun'er's gaze darkened.
Ya Fei's smile vanished.
In perfect sync, the two girls turned their heads toward Xiao Ranyu and shot him a frosty glare.
He blinked.
"...What did I do?"
They didn't answer.
But the air around them dropped by several degrees.
Servants nearby shivered.
> "S-Strange... why does it suddenly feel cold?" one whispered.
> "The temperature just dropped—did someone use an ice technique?" asked another.
"...No," a trembling elder muttered, pulling his robes tighter. "That's just... girl trouble."
The crowd grew restless again when Xiao Yan stepped onto the platform.
With everyone else pushing past Stage Five and above, the expectations were high.
He placed his hand on the monument. The light flickered weakly.
"Dou Qi—Stage Three."
Silence.
Then the snickering began.
> "The genius has fallen so far…"
> "Xiao Yan? More like Xiao 'Can't.'"
He ignored the laughter and was indifferent.
But before it could escalate further, Xiao Xun'er stepped forward.
Graceful as moonlight and poised like a noble swan, she ascended the steps and calmly placed her hand on the crystal.
It pulsed—
BOOM!
A flash of golden light surged from the monument.
"Dou Qi—Stage Nine… Peak!"
Gasps erupted from the audience.
Even the elders sat up straighter.
> "Peak of Stage Nine?! At her age?!"
> "Unbelievable! She's only a step away from the Dou Fighter realm!"
Surprise flickered in Xiao Zhan's eyes.
Xiao Yan looked stunned.
Even Gu Wenxin's lips curled into a satisfied smile.
But the center of attention didn't linger on stage long. Xiao Xun'er descended calmly, her eyes cool as her gaze swept past Xiao Mei—and then rested briefly on Ranyu.
He raised a brow.
She looked away.
Then the moment everyone had been waiting for arrived.
---
When he stepped forward, the square held its breath.
No one knew what to expect.
Not even Xiao Yan, who had grown up with him.
Not Xun'er.
Not Ya Fei.
Not Gu Wenxin.
Not Xiao Zhan.
Not the elders.
He had always been mysterious—quiet, reclusive, avoiding public appearances. And after the incident last night...
Speculation spread like wildfire.
> "Did he have a breakthrough?"
> "Or was it just a fluke…?"
> "Maybe he's still at Dou Qi Stage One and just got lucky with good lighting."
> "Watch him fail," Xiao Ning muttered, unable to hide his anticipation.
Even the hidden guard Uncle Ling watching from the shadows behind Xun
'er tensed.
Up on the pavilion, Xiao Zhan narrowed his eyes. The monument was ancient, built to reveal one's true cultivation regardless of concealment or external aura. There would be no hiding now.
Xiao Ranyu reached out.
Placed his hand on the orb.
And smiled faintly.