"Congratulate me on what?" Xiao Yan's eyes flashed with confusion.
"Of course, to congratulate you. You are now at Dou Qi Stage Five, so your talent must have returned," Xiao Zhitian said with a smile.
Upon hearing this, a hint of panic flickered in Xiao Yan's eyes. He subconsciously touched the ring on his hand. Yao Lao communicated through his mind: "Don't worry, he can't sense me."
Hearing this, Xiao Yan felt greatly relieved. "Indeed… I couldn't hide it from you. My Dou Qi is gradually recovering, bit by bit, and it's no longer dissipating. Feeling that it wasn't dissipating anymore, I've been cultivating desperately during this period, afraid it would dissipate again. But now I'm certain the previous situation won't happen again."
"That's truly wonderful! Our Xiao Family's genius has finally returned to his rightful place," Xiao Zhitian said happily, putting an arm around Xiao Yan's shoulder. In his heart, he thought: I need to start planning my Black-Corner Region Black Factory Manager project. There's no better candidate for a factory manager than him.
"Xiao Yan Zi, where are you planning to go?"
"I'm going to the Dou Technique Hall to take a look. Tian Ge, where are you going? Also, this is the money I borrowed from you earlier." Xiao Yan pulled out a black gold card and handed it to Xiao Zhitian.
"Then you go ahead. I'm going to find Xun'er. After cultivating for so long, I'm ready to go on a date, hahaha." Xiao Zhitian took the gold card with a laugh and walked away.
Xiao Yan felt as if he had been fed a mouthful of dog food by Xiao Zhitian's words, his face full of black lines. Even Yao Lao stifled a laugh inside the ring: "Xiao Yan Zi, why don't you find a little girlfriend too?"
"Women will only affect my cultivation speed. I don't need women," Xiao Yan muttered.
Xiao Zhitian accompanied Xiao Xun Er for the entire day. During this time, Xun'er's smile never faded, and her resentment from not seeing Xiao Zhitian for two months had long vanished without a trace.
As dusk approached, the two returned to the Xiao Family. On a small path, they saw a group of people surrounding Xiao Yan. The leader was Xiao Ning, grandson of Old Man Zhang.
"Xiao Yan, you trash! You still have the face to show up! How about we spar? In a few months, you'll be kicked out of the family and assigned to a branch family, living a life of a good-for-nothing. We won't even see you then!" Xiao Ning said arrogantly.
"Oh? Then do you dare to spar with me?" a sudden voice interjected.
"Come on, spar then! Whoever doesn't dare is a grandson!" Xiao Ning blurted, trying to show off.
Suddenly, Xiao Ning noticed the expressions of his followers had changed. He turned and saw Xiao Zhitian walking leisurely down the path. Panic instantly washed over him, recalling the brutal beating he had suffered two years ago. He deflated like a balloon, swallowed hard, and stammered, "It… it's Cousin Xiao Zhitian. There's no need for us to spar. I still admire your strength."
"Didn't you just say whoever doesn't dare is a grandson? Where's all that ambition now?" Xiao Zhitian said coolly.
"I was just joking, creating a bit of atmosphere for everyone to enjoy," Xiao Ning replied, shrinking into himself.
"Get lost! If I see you bullying a fellow clan member again, I'll beat you so badly your grandpa won't recognize you. I told you before: stop being a bully at home all the time. Cultivate seriously. If you want trouble, go find it with members of the other two clans."
"Yes, yes, yes!" Xiao Ning nodded repeatedly and scurried away with his subordinates.
"Thanks, Tian Ge," Xiao Yan said with gratitude.
"Don't thank me. Even if I hadn't shown up, you'd definitely be fine. I can sense your approximate strength. With your Dou Qi Stage Five, sparring with Brother Xiao Ning, who is at Dou Qi Stage Seven, is no problem. Have you chosen a Dou Technique yet?" Xiao Zhitian asked.
Xiao Yan raised the scroll in his hand. "I've chosen one. Tian Ge, I'll head back first. You and Xun'er can take your time strolling."
After Xiao Yan left, Xiao Zhitian and Xun'er took a brief stroll, then he sent her back safely.
Over the next six months, Xiao Zhitian devoted himself to cultivating, refining medicine, and occasionally accompanying Xun'er. He took the refined pills to the auction house to sell, also using the opportunity to interact with Ya Fei. However, he was frequently kicked out for being too hands-on.
Xiao Zhitian: This isn't my fault. It's mainly because black silk is too alluring. Who can resist that, brothers? ╮(╯▽╰)╭
"Phew, I should be able to break through to Dou Shi in about three more days of cultivation. And the Extreme Wood Lightning is almost completely condensed. It's at nine and a half wisps; I estimate it'll be complete in about a month and a half," Xiao Zhitian thought as he opened his eyes and internally examined his body.
Knock knock.
After a knock on the door, a soft girl's voice followed: "Brother Xiao Zhitian, it's time to get up. Today is the day of the re-test ceremony! This time, Brother Xiao Zhitian, you can't be absent."
This was the official coming-of-age ceremony. Previously, Xiao Zhitian had been allowed to skip the tests due to his overwhelming aura, sensed by the clan leader and the three great elders. As for Xiao Yan, he had tested as Dou Qi Stage Seven and defeated the challenging Xiao Ke, shocking everyone.
Hearing the girl's voice, Xiao Zhitian quickly washed up, changed his clothes, and opened the door. Outside stood Xiao Xun Er, dressed in a light pink dress, elegant and extraordinary, with an ethereal aura. Her skin was delicate, and her scent like a secluded orchid, utterly gentle and charming.
"I was wondering why the flowers in my courtyard were drooping. My Xun'er is still as beautiful as ever, making the flowers blush and the moon hide," Xiao Zhitian praised.
Hearing this, Xun'er's delicate eyebrows curved into crescent moons of happiness.
Xiao Zhitian closed the door, took her hand, and they walked towards the testing ground. At sixteen, Xiao Zhitian had already grown over 1.8 meters tall, wearing a well-fitted white robe with golden lines and blue accents, his posture tall and straight, exuding a smooth, refined aura.
Hand in hand, bathed in sunlight, everyone who saw them couldn't help but exclaim: "A man as jade on the road, a gentleman unparalleled in the world."
The two arrived at the testing ground and walked directly to Xiao Yan's side, seeing him restored to full vigor. "Xiao Yan Zi, it's been a long time since I've seen you like this. Not bad, not bad."
"Xiao Zhitian, I heard you bullied my younger brother?" A sudden remark interrupted their conversation.
Xiao Zhitian turned and saw Xiao Yu approaching aggressively. This tomboy is back again, he thought.
"Who are you calling a tomboy?" Xiao Yu snapped, drawing the sword at her waist, ready to strike. Xiao Ning hurriedly intervened: "Sis, Grandpa said Xiao Zhitian is already a high-level Dou Zhe, you can't beat him."
Xiao Yu looked at Xiao Zhitian in disbelief. "What did you say? He's a high-level Dou Zhe ⊙▽⊙?"
Xiao Zhitian looked at her calmly. "Can you change your temper? Otherwise, no one will want you later. Also, you're slandering me. Was I bullying your younger brother? I was teaching him. Look at him now, bullying others by relying on his connections. If he hadn't bullied fellow clan members, would I have needed to intervene? I'm helping him establish proper values. You should even thank me."
Xiao Yu, realizing this, turned to look at Xiao Ning. Xiao Ning immediately played the ostrich, looking guiltily at the ground. Seeing this, Xiao Yu knew Xiao Zhitian was telling the truth. She glared fiercely at Xiao Ning: "Cultivate properly during this time. You're not allowed to go anywhere. If you cause trouble again, I'll break your legs."
Xiao Ning's face turned bitter. He opened his mouth, but Xiao Yu glared again, and under the instant bloodline pressure, he immediately swallowed his words.
"Jia Nan Academy's recruitment will be in a while. Are you two coming?"