3: Coming of Age Ceremony

A few days later, the Xiao Family's coming-of-age ceremony took place.

"Alas, in recent years, the performance of the Family's disciples has gotten worse and worse!" On the viewing platform, the Grand Elder looked at the Xiao Family disciples in the arena and couldn't help but sigh.

"When the Xiao Family first arrived in Wutan City, the situation was unstable, and the younger generation still lived with a sense of danger, while also remembering the Family's glory in the Imperial Capital. Their Cultivation was still considered diligent, but now... alas!"

The Second Elder echoed from the side. After all, they were both Elders of the Xiao Family, and they still cared about the younger generation of the Xiao Family.

Xiao Lei said, "Care? Then I want sugar-fried chestnuts!"

"I heard that a few days ago, Young Master Xiao Yan's talent actually recovered, and he has already Cultivated to the level of Seven-segment Dou Qi. If it's true, it would truly be a blessing for our Xiao Family!"

The Grand Elder suddenly changed the subject, but his tone was somewhat Yin and Yang. After all, Cultivating to Seven-segment Dou Qi in less than a year was truly astonishing, and most people were unwilling to believe it.

"What does the Grand Elder mean by that! Is he saying that everyone who watched the test together a few days ago was blind?"

His own son had just recovered his Dou Qi with great difficulty, yet he was still being questioned. Xiao Zhan immediately became displeased... The Xiao Family's coming-of-age ceremony slowly began in such an atmosphere!

"Now, we will begin the Cultivation test. Those who are at Seven-segment and above should stand in the qualified area. After the test, those who are not qualified will have a chance to challenge the qualified ones. If they win, they can also enter the qualified area..."

Xiao Zhan briefly explained all the rules, then planned to return to his seat to continue watching.

However, at this moment, Xiao Lei raised his hand high.

Who is this person? Awkwardly, Xiao Zhan didn't recognize Xiao Lei at all, because the latter had never shown any significant performance before.

"Speak!"

"Clan Chief, I request to be the first to be tested!" Xiao Lei said loudly, his voice exploding like a clap of thunder in the arena, which had been somewhat quiet due to Xiao Zhan's speech.

"Who is this person? What's his Cultivation?"

"It seems his name is Xiao Lei. A while ago, there were often reports of him being beaten by mercenaries. As for his strength, he was Six-segment Dou Qi a while ago! If nothing unexpected happens, he'll probably be kicked out of Wutan City!"

There were still some people in the Xiao Family who knew Xiao Lei, given that Xiao Lei had been fighting with mercenaries recently.

"Then isn't coming out first just asking for humiliation, or does he think short pain is better than long pain, hmm! Hahaha!" Xiao Ning scoffed mercilessly.

The conflict between the two was simple: Xiao Ning believed that Xiao Lei was seducing his Elder sister. He knew that when she returned a few days ago, she went straight to see Xiao Lei, even leaving him, her younger brother, behind.

The previous silence below the stage was immediately broken by Xiao Lei, and even Xiao Yu's attention was drawn.

When she went to see Xiao Lei a few days ago, although Xiao Lei didn't say it explicitly, based on her understanding of Xiao Lei and his demeanor at the time, she could roughly guess that Xiao Lei should be able to pass the test.

However, she had just heard people say that Xiao Lei was Six-segment Dou Qi before.

"Did he Break through to Seven-segment at the last minute? That would be good, at least he can stay in the Family!"

"Silence!" Xiao Zhan shouted in a low voice, scanning the surroundings, then looked at Xiao Lei again.

"Young man, you are too impetuous. I can understand wanting to show off a little strength, but you must pay attention to etiquette. Don't let it happen again! You go first!"

Xiao Zhan had also heard the discussions in the arena just now. He shared Xiao Yu's view, believing that Xiao Lei must have Broken through to Seven-segment at the last moment, and was excited, so he wanted to be the first to test and display his strength.

Only Xiao Lei himself knew that he wasn't rushing to show off, but rather that by testing first, he could get to the qualified area sooner and keep an eye on Xiao Zhan.

Xiao Zhan's Cultivation was high, and Xiao Lei didn't know how long it would take, so he could only try to increase the time.

For Xiao Zhan, having the first person to qualify in the test was also a good thing, so Xiao Zhan agreed.

After speaking, Xiao Zhan returned to his seat, leisurely waiting to watch his son make a fool of everyone.

"Come up!"

Xiao Zhan had already agreed, so the Examiner responsible for the test naturally wouldn't make things difficult and quickly motioned for Xiao Lei to step forward.

Xiao Lei stepped onto the stage, his right palm slowly touching the demon stele.

At this moment, even Xiao Lei held his breath. Since his Transmigration so long ago, he had been regarded as a good-for-nothing. Although he didn't say anything, he was ultimately unwilling in his heart.

"Let everything be completely buried today!"

On the demon stele, a light burst forth, then immediately contracted, forming large characters.

Dou Practitioner — Four Star.

"Hiss—!"

"Crack, crack—!"

A sudden gasp of cold air echoed through the arena, almost making Xiao Lei on the stage catch a cold.

The teacups in the hands of several Elders made cracking sounds, and then, in a tacit understanding, they all turned into dust at the same instant.

The Examiner responsible for the test was so startled that his mouth involuntarily opened slightly. After a long while, he came back to his senses, realizing his impropriety, and quickly spoke loudly.

"Xiao Lei, Dou Practitioner, Four Star!"

The Examiner's voice pulled everyone's thoughts back to the arena. Only then did everyone come back to their senses, and at the same time realized that they were not dreaming; everything before their eyes was real.

The good-for-nothing who was Six-segment Dou Qi at the last test and was about to be kicked out of Wutan City, had transformed into a sixteen-year-old Four Star Dou Practitioner Genius!

"This, this, this!"

Xiao Ning looked at the demon stele before him, like an insurmountable chasm, the latter mercilessly mocking his ignorance.

Xiao Ning felt a burning pain on his face at this moment, as if he had been slapped.

Cheating, he must have cheated. My sister actually likes such a cheating scoundrel. I must expose him.

There would be a challenge segment after the test, and then Xiao Ning could naturally test Xiao Lei.

Xiao Ning's resentment in his heart even overshadowed his desire to teach Xiao Yan a lesson.

"He... how could he be a Dou Practitioner? And Four Star!"

Xiao Ning was resentful and unwilling, and Xiao Mei was not much better. She had always looked down on Xiao Lei, or rather, on most of the younger generation of the Xiao Family.

And now, this very Xiao Lei, whom she had always looked down upon, actually displayed the strength of a Four Star Dou Practitioner.

"I actually looked down on such a Genius!" Xiao Mei felt absurd. Wasn't the Genius other half she had been searching for right in front of her all this time!

"Did I ever offend him? Probably not. So, can I try to get to know him?" Xiao Mei's thoughts immediately turned to this. She had clearly forgotten what happened a few days ago, because she treated most people this way.

"This Xiao Selang, he actually secretly possessed such powerful strength. I was even worried that he wouldn't pass the test!"

Xiao Yu said in her heart, somewhat annoyed, but more so, she was surprised and happy.

"Hahaha, good! Worthy of being a fine young man of my Xiao Family! Excellent!"

Xiao Zhan and the other Elders on the viewing platform were so happy they almost danced with joy.

A sixteen-year-old Four Star Dou Practitioner, and without any support or cultivation, what was this?

This was the demeanor of a Dou Huang!

As long as the Xiao Family fully Cultivated him, even if Xiao Lei didn't become a Dou Huang, just a Dou Wang would be enough to bring the Xiao Family back to the Imperial Capital.

However, in the arena, Xiao Lei, the focus of everyone's attention, felt a sense of calm in his heart, and all his previous anxious emotions had disappeared.

He slightly cupped his hands to the Examiner, and Xiao Lei was the first to arrive at the qualified area.

Then, Xiao Lei looked at Xiao Zhan and activated the System.