Just then, a sonorous voice carrying powerful Dou Qi exploded, clearly spreading to every corner of the Martial Arts Square and instantly drowning out all the clamor: “The Dou Zhi Qi test officially begins!” The voice came from the cold-faced middle-aged tester standing beside the Magic Testing Tablet.
His gaze was like lightning as he scanned the field, announcing the start of this annual grand event.
Xiao Zhan shifted his gaze from Yan Qian to the massive black stone tablet in the center of the plaza.
His expression regained the composure of a Family Head as he spoke to Xiao Qing in a deep voice, “The test is about to begin.
Go, relax your mind.
No matter the result, just do your best.
There’s no need for too much pressure.” “Qing’er, don’t be too nervous,” Yan Qian also softly urged, a gentle, encouraging smile on her pale face.
“I will!
Uncle, Aunt, I’ll head over now.” Xiao Qing nodded, his expression calm.
His gaze also turned toward the noisy center of the plaza, an invisible fighting spirit quietly gathering in the depths of his clear eyes.
Xiao Qing no longer hesitated and stepped forward.
Following the flow of people moving forward, he steadily walked toward the testing tablet that would determine the short-term fate of many of his peers.
At this moment, Xiao Yan, whose small hand was being held by his mother, looked up.
His clear black-and-white eyes sparkled with undisguised envy as they closely followed Xiao Qing’s receding back.
Xiao Yan subconsciously clenched his small fists so hard that his knuckles turned white.
A voice in his heart was shouting excitedly: ‘Dou Zhi Qi!
I can officially start to Cultivate next year!’ No one knew that within the body of this three-year-old child resided an adult Soul from another world.
Having Transmigrated over three years ago, when Xiao Yan finally confirmed that the supernatural powers of this world were real, the wild joy and anticipation in his heart were beyond words.
That thrill of ‘my fate is determined by me, not heaven’ and climbing to the Peak by one’s own strength had long since made Xiao Yan yearn for it, unable to wait any longer!
Beside the Black Testing Tablet— The middle-aged tester, whose face was perennially indifferent, held a register in his hand and began to read out the names of the first batch of Family disciples to participate in the test in his flat tone.
“First test, Xiao Teng!” As the words fell, a youth in the crowd who looked about eleven or twelve years old with a fairly clean-cut face visibly stiffened.
Taking a deep breath and carrying undisguised nervousness and apprehension, he walked onto the testing platform step by step.
Standing before that massive black stone tablet, he appeared somewhat small.
After hesitating for a moment, Xiao Teng slowly reached out his right hand and pressed it against the cold, smooth surface of the tablet.
After a moment of silence, the surface of the pitch-black Magic Testing Tablet suddenly flickered with faint glimmers of light, like stars being lit in the night sky.
The light gradually converged, finally forming a clear line of energy characters: Dou Zhi Qi: Stage Four!
The middle-aged tester glanced at the number on the stone tablet, his expression unchanged, as if he had only seen an insignificant pebble.
After all, the middle-aged tester had to test hundreds of Family disciples every year; he had seen too many such Low-to-Intermediate Aptitudes, and it could no longer stir any emotion in him.
Unless a truly dazzling Genius appeared, his face would likely maintain this common, indifferent look.
The middle-aged tester cleared his throat and, with that indifferent voice that seemed to pronounce the youth’s future fate, slowly spoke, his voice spreading across the plaza: “Xiao Teng, Dou Zhi Qi: Stage Four!
Grade: Intermediate!” As the first youth’s test result was announced, a buzz of discussion immediately rose among the many Family disciples waiting below.
Some were excited and eager because they were further down the order; others became even more apprehensive, their faces turning pale for fear that their own results would not even reach Stage Four.
“Next…” The middle-aged tester continued to read the names on the register without emotion.
“Xiao Ding!” As soon as this name was called, a small commotion immediately broke out below.
A handsome youth about thirteen or fourteen years old, surrounded by the cheers of his peers, stepped onto the testing platform with a confident and even somewhat flamboyant smile and steady steps.
He clearly enjoyed this feeling of being the center of attention.
Below the platform, Xiao Qing looked at this high-profile cousin who was currently in high spirits.
His mouth couldn’t help but twitch slightly, feeling a bit of helplessness.
This was Xiao Zhan’s eldest son, Xiao Qing’s cousin, Xiao Ding!
‘Who would have thought that Xiao Yan’s eldest brother, Xiao Ding, who was strategically deep and steady in the original work, would actually be this flamboyant in his youth?’ Xiao Qing complained inwardly.
But on second thought, Xiao Ding was only thirteen now, only four years older than himself.
With a youthful Heart-Nature and decent talent, it was normal to have some arrogance.
Not only that, Xiao Ding also had a second brother, Xiao Li, who was ten years old this year.
On the platform, Xiao Ding confidently pressed his right hand onto the Magic Testing Tablet.
He didn’t even look at the tablet; instead, he slightly raised his chin and scanned the crowd below.
The next moment, the Magic Testing Tablet suddenly erupted with light several times brighter than before!
The brilliant light drew everyone’s gaze, finally condensing into several exceptionally dazzling characters: Dou Zhi Qi: Stage Seven!
Seeing this number, the middle-aged tester, whose eyes had been as still as a well, finally couldn’t help but let a flash of surprise pass through them.
His pupils contracted slightly as he thought to himself: ‘As expected of the Clan Chief’s eldest son, this talent is indeed extraordinary!’ He took a deep breath.
When he spoke again, his originally indifferent voice actually carried a hint of undetectable excitement and volume, seemingly affected by the result: “Xiao Ding!
Dou Zhi Qi: Stage Seven!
Grade: Advanced!” Hearing the result, Xiao Ding finally let out a light breath, the pride and arrogance on his face becoming even more evident.
Xiao Ding withdrew his palm and, like a young general returning in victory, waved to the companions supporting him below before walking off the platform in high spirits.
At this moment, the plaza completely boiled over!
“Dou Zhi Qi Stage Seven!
Senior Xiao Ding is way too amazing, isn’t he?” an ordinary-looking youth gaped, his face full of worship.
“Heavens!
Senior Xiao Ding is truly remarkable!
He’s only thirteen!” A pretty young girl clutched her heart, her eyes filled with admiration.
Another girl standing next to her had an equally fervent gaze, as if she had seen her ideal partner.
She excitedly agreed, “At this rate, with Senior Xiao Ding’s talent, it will probably only take three or four years at most to condense a Qi Cyclone and become a true Dou Practitioner, right?” Exclamations, praises, and discussions rose and fell.
Xiao Ding undoubtedly became the most eye-catching focus of the entire field, enjoying countless gazes of envy and worship.
The flamboyance and talent of youth were displayed to the fullest at this moment!