“Next, Xiao Bai!” The middle-aged tester’s cold voice rang out again, calling out the next name with mechanical precision.
A youth with a somewhat pale face and thin build nervously swallowed his saliva and walked quickly onto the testing platform with his head down.
He almost tremblingly pressed his hand against the cold Magic Testing Tablet.
A light that wasn’t very bright but clear enough rose up, and the result appeared on the tablet surface: Dou Zhi Qi: Stage Four!
“Xiao Bai, Dou Zhi Qi: Stage Four!
Grade: Intermediate!” The middle-aged tester announced without emotion, as if merely recording an insignificant number.
“Next, Xiao Jing!” Another youth went up, and the result came out quickly.
“Xiao Jing, Dou Zhi Qi: Stage Two!
Grade: Low!” The voice remained indifferent, pronouncing another mediocre result.
“Next, Xiao Ran!” This time, the light was slightly brighter.
“Xiao Ran, Dou Zhi Qi: Stage Five!
Grade: Intermediate!” This result caused a small Low cry, but it soon subsided.
“Next, Xiao Yuan!” A young girl went onto the platform.
“Xiao Yuan, Dou Zhi Qi: Stage Three!
Grade: Low!” …
The testing proceeded step by step.
Most of the disciples’ results were concentrated between Stages Two and Four; an occasional Stage Five could cause a small ripple.
The middle-aged tester’s face was like it had been frozen, remaining expressionless throughout.
Until— “Next, Xiao Li!” When he read this name, the middle-aged tester’s flat tone seemed to pause for an extremely tiny moment, and his gaze subconsciously lingered on the register for an extra second.
“Finally, it’s my turn!” As soon as the tester’s words fell, a youth’s voice rang out from the crowd, carrying obvious flamboyance and even a bit of exaggeration.
The surrounding Xiao Family disciples parted to make a path.
A youth about ten years old, with a hint of rogue-ishness between his brows yet undeniably handsome, walked out with his hands in his pockets and an arrogant stride, a confident and cocky smile on his face.
Below the platform, Xiao Qing looked at this cousin who was one year older than himself and subconsciously rubbed his chin.
‘It’s that kid Xiao Li…
In terms of cultivation Aptitude, he seems to be slightly better than his elder 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 indeed gave him the feeling of looking at primary and middle school students.
Xiao Li on the platform didn’t think that much.
He carelessly slapped his palm onto the Magic Testing Tablet, his movements even carrying a bit of impatience.
Hum—!
The light blooming from the Magic Testing Tablet was quite dazzling, instantly attracting everyone’s gaze!
Dou Zhi Qi: Stage Five!
“Xiao Li, Dou Zhi Qi: Stage Five!
Grade: Intermediate!” Seeing this result, the middle-aged tester’s tight face finally couldn’t help but relax a bit.
He let out a soft breath, a clear look of surprise flashing in his eyes.
‘During the last test, the Second Young Master was only at Stage Three Dou Zhi Qi, right?
In just one year, he actually broke through two stages consecutively and reached Stage Five?’ Waves were stirred in the middle-aged tester’s heart.
‘And…
the Second Young Master just turned ten this year!
At this terrifying speed, in a few years, wouldn’t it be possible for him to directly become a Dou Practitioner?’ Stage Five Dou Zhi Qi at ten years old—this talent definitely counted as a top-tier one in the history of the Wutan City Xiao Family!
After the test, Xiao Li turned around, his chin slightly raised with the pride unique to youth.
His gaze scanned below the platform and happened to see Xiao Qing looking at him.
Xiao Li immediately grinned at Xiao Qing, showing a big smile and even raising his eyebrows in an extremely flashy manner.
That expression clearly said: See that?
Cousin Xiao Qing, I’m amazing, right?
Isn’t my talent extraordinary?
‘Truly a little brat…’ Xiao Qing felt speechless at Xiao Li’s slightly childish show-off behavior, but the corners of his mouth still couldn’t help but turn up a little.
The sincerity and pride of youth, though simple, also had its charm.
After Xiao Li walked off the stone platform in a satisfied, swaying manner, the middle-aged tester suppressed the slight fluctuations on his face, regained his usual coldness, and continued to read out the next name on the list: “Next, Xiao Qing!” ‘It’s my turn.’ Xiao Qing murmured to himself, taking a subtle, light breath.
Deep within his consciousness, that mysterious book shifted slightly, and an invisible barrier completely concealed Xiao Qing’s true cultivation of a 3-Star Dou Practitioner, revealing only the carefully disguised fluctuations of Dou Zhi Qi.
Even this expensive Magic Testing Stone, capable of detecting Fighting Qi cultivation, could not hope to see through the divine mystery of the book.
With a calm expression and steady steps, Xiao Qing walked onto the stone platform at a moderate pace.
He skillfully extended his right hand and pressed it gently against the cold, smooth surface of the stone tablet.
The entire process was devoid of any hesitation or nervousness, as if he had practiced it countless times.
Buzz—!
The Magic Testing Stone lit up with a soft and clear glow in response.
Energy gathered, finally settling into a line of words: Dou Zhi Qi: Stage 4!
The middle-aged Tester, who had remained expressionless, saw this result and his eyebrows twitched violently.
For the third time, a look of undisguised surprise appeared on his face.
He subconsciously looked down at the list in his hand, which clearly recorded the information from the last test: Xiao Qing, eight years old, Dou Zhi Qi Stage 2!
‘In one year, he rose from Stage 2 to Stage 4?
Breaking through two stages in a row?!’ The middle-aged Tester’s heart jolted.
‘This Xiao Qing…
his parents died early, and with no one to supervise him, he could actually make such progress?
A nine-year-old at Dou Zhi Qi Stage 4…
although not as stunning as Young Master Xiao Li, he far exceeds ordinary people!
Our Xiao Family’s current generation is truly full of talent!’ The middle-aged Tester couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.
He then picked up his pen and solemnly recorded the words “Nine years old, Dou Zhi Qi Stage 4” behind Xiao Qing’s name on the list.
This was an important Family record, tracking the growth trajectory of every child.
When he looked up again, although the middle-aged Tester’s voice still tried to maintain its authority, anyone could hear a trace of imperceptible excitement and praise mixed in.
His voice was significantly more vigorous and powerful than when he had announced other Intermediate results earlier: “Xiao Qing!
Dou Zhi Qi: Stage 4!
Rank: Intermediate!” As the voice spread, a small commotion broke out below the stage.
Many peers who knew Xiao Qing cast looks of surprise and envy.
One must know that the further one progresses in Dou Zhi Qi cultivation, the harder it becomes.
Improving by two stages in a year was by no means easy for these youths who lacked resources.
Especially since Xiao Qing cultivated alone, it further proved his hard work and talent.
Xiao Qing was not at all surprised by this result.
With his usual expression, he withdrew his palm, bowed slightly to the middle-aged Tester, and turned to walk off the stone platform.
His expression remained just as calm, as if he had merely completed a trivial matter, no different from before he stepped up.
This composure, far beyond his years, caused Xiao Zhan, who had been watching Xiao Qing, to nod slightly, a flash of relief crossing his eyes.
Yan Qian also smiled gently and nodded her head lightly.
…
As Xiao Qing’s figure disappeared into the crowd below the stage, the middle-aged Tester composed himself.
His gaze returned to the list, and in his usual indifferent tone, he called out the next name: “Next, Xiao Wu!”