“Next, Xiao Bai!” The middle-aged tester’s cold voice rang out again, announcing the next name with mechanical precision.
A youth with a somewhat pale complexion and a thin figure swallowed nervously, lowered his head, and walked quickly onto the test stage.
He almost trembled as he pressed his hand onto the cold magic stone tablet.
A burst of light, not too bright but clear enough, welled up, and the result appeared on the tablet’s surface: Dou Zhi Qi: Four Stages!
“Xiao Bai, Dou Zhi Qi: Four Stages!
Level: Intermediate!” The middle-aged tester announced without emotion, as if he had only recorded an insignificant number.
“Next, Xiao Jing!” Another youth went on stage, and the result came out quickly.
“Xiao Jing, Dou Zhi Qi: Two Stages!
Level: Low!” The voice remained indifferent, pronouncing yet another mediocre result.
“Next, Xiao Ran!” This time, the light was slightly brighter.
“Xiao Ran, Dou Zhi Qi: Five Stages!
Level: Intermediate!” This result caused a small murmur, but it quickly subsided.
“Next, Xiao Yuan!” A young girl went on stage.
“Xiao Yuan, Dou Zhi Qi: Three Stages!
Level: Low!”
The test proceeded step by step, with the results of most disciples concentrated in the two to four stages range, and occasionally a five-stage result would stir up slight waves.
The middle-aged tester’s face was as if frozen, never showing any expression.
Until — “Next, Xiao Li!”
When reading this name, the middle-aged tester’s calm, ancient-well-like tone seemed to pause ever so slightly, and his gaze subconsciously lingered on the roster for an extra moment.
“Finally, it’s my turn!” As soon as the middle-aged tester finished speaking, a youth’s voice, clearly flamboyant and even somewhat exaggerated, rang out in the crowd.
The surrounding Xiao Family disciples immediately opened up a path.
A youth of about ten years old, with a bit of rogueishness between his brows but unable to hide his handsomeness, walked out with his hands in his pockets, striding with a swagger, a confident and cocky smile on his face.
Xiao Qing, watching this cousin who was one year older than him, subconsciously touched his chin.
‘It’s that kid Xiao Li…
In terms of Cultivate Aptitude, it seems to be slightly better than his older brother Xiao Ding.’ Xiao Qing evaluated in his heart.
Although Xiao Ding and Xiao Li were both older than him, in the eyes of Xiao Qing, who possessed an adult Soul, these two were essentially just little brats.
Having lived two lives, looking at a ten-year-old and a thirteen-year-old youth, Xiao Qing really did feel like he was looking at elementary and middle school students.
Xiao Li on the stage didn’t think so much; he carelessly slapped his palm onto the magic stone tablet, his action even carrying a bit of impatience.
Hum —!
The light blooming on the magic stone tablet was quite dazzling, instantly attracting everyone’s gaze!
Dou Zhi Qi: Five Stages!
Level: Intermediate!”
Seeing this result, the middle-aged tester’s long-tense expression finally couldn’t help but loosen slightly.
He let out a light breath, a trace of obvious surprise flashing in his eyes.
‘The Second Young Master was only at Dou Zhi Qi Three Stages in the last test, right?
In just one year, he actually made a Breakthrough of two stages, directly advancing to five stages?’ The middle-aged tester’s heart was stirred with waves.
‘And…
the Second Young Master is only just ten years old this year!
At this terrifying speed, in a few years, is it not possible for him to directly become a Dou Practitioner?’
Ten-year-old Dou Zhi Qi Five Stages; this Aptitude could definitely be considered outstanding in the history of the Xiao Family in Wutan City!
The test finished, and Xiao Li turned around, his chin slightly lifted, carrying the unique smugness of a youth.
His gaze scanned below the stage, and he happened to see Xiao Qing watching him.
Xiao Li immediately grinned at Xiao Qing, revealing a big smile, and even raised his eyebrows in an extremely flashy manner.
The expression clearly said: Did you see that?
Cousin Xiao Qing, am I not amazing?
Is this not gifted Aptitude?
‘As expected, a little brat…’ Xiao Qing felt speechless at Xiao Li’s slightly childish show-off, but the corners of his mouth couldn’t help but rise slightly.
The sincerity and smugness of a youth, although simple, had their own cuteness.
After Xiao Li walked off the stone stage, satisfied and swaggering, the middle-aged tester restrained the slight fluctuations on his face, returned to his usual indifference, and continued to read the next name on the roster: “Next, Xiao Qing!”
‘It’s my turn.’
Xiao Qing chanted silently in his heart, taking a shallow breath without leaving a trace.
Deep within his consciousness, that mysterious book glimmered slightly.
An invisible barrier completely concealed Xiao Qing’s true cultivation of a Three-Star Dou Zhe, revealing only the carefully disguised fluctuations of Dou Zhi Qi.
Even this expensive Magic Stone Tablet, capable of detecting Dou Qi cultivation, could never hope to peer through the miraculous nature of the book.
Xiao Qing’s expression was calm as he stepped onto the stone platform with steady, unhurried paces.
He skillfully extended his right hand and gently pressed it against the cold, smooth surface of the tablet.
The entire process was devoid of any hesitation or nervousness, as if he had practiced it countless times.
“Hum—!”
The Magic Stone Tablet lit up in response with a soft, clear glow.
“Dou Zhi Qi: Stage Four!”
The middle-aged examiner, who had remained expressionless, raised his eyebrows sharply upon seeing this result, his face revealing an undisguised look of astonishment for the third time.
He subconsciously looked down at the roster in his hand, which clearly recorded the information from the previous test: Xiao Qing, eight years old, Dou Zhi Qi Stage Two!
“‘In one year, he improved from Stage Two to Stage Four?!
He broke through two stages consecutively?!'”
The middle-aged examiner felt a jolt in his heart.
“‘This Xiao Qing…
his parents passed away early, and with no one to supervise him, he could actually achieve such progress?
A nine-year-old at Dou Zhi Qi Stage Four…
although not as stunning as Young Master Xiao Li, he is far superior to the average person!
Our Xiao Family’s generation is truly full of talent!'”
The middle-aged examiner couldn’t help but sigh in his heart.
He then picked up his pen and solemnly recorded “Nine years old, Dou Zhi Qi Stage Four” next to the name “Xiao Qing” on the roster.
This was an important Family record, tracking the growth trajectory of every descendant.
When he looked up again, although the middle-aged examiner tried to maintain his stern demeanor, anyone could hear the faint, imperceptible excitement and approval mixed into his tone.
His voice was significantly more vigorous and energetic than when he had announced the other Intermediate results:
“Xiao Qing!
Dou Zhi Qi: Stage Four!
Level: Intermediate!”
As his voice spread, a moderate commotion erupted below the platform.
Many peers who knew Xiao Qing cast looks of surprise and envy.
One must know that the cultivation of Dou Zhi Qi becomes increasingly difficult as one progresses.
Improving by two stages in a year was by no means an easy feat for these youths who lacked resources.
Especially since Xiao Qing cultivated alone, which served as a testament to his hard work and talent.
Xiao Qing was not at all surprised by this result.
With his expression unchanged, he withdrew his palm, bowed slightly to the middle-aged examiner, and turned to walk off the stone platform.
His expression remained calm, as if he had only completed a trivial matter, no different from before he stepped onto the platform.
This composure, far beyond his years, caused Xiao Zhan, who had been watching Xiao Qing, to nod slightly, a trace of gratification flashing in his eyes.
Yan Qian also smiled gently and nodded slightly.
After Xiao Qing’s figure disappeared into the crowd below, the middle-aged examiner gathered his thoughts, returned his gaze to the roster, and read out the next name in his usual indifferent tone:
“Next, Xiao Wu!”