The coming-of-age ceremony of the Xiao Family was actually not tested just once.
One month before the official coming-of-age ceremony, a preliminary test would be held.
Those who reached the seventh stage of Dou Zhi Qi would be allowed to enter the Dou Qi Pavilion to select a Cultivation Technique in advance.
Those who failed to reach it could only wait for the fate of being banished, becoming marginalized figures in the Xiao Family.
Xiao Yan did not participate in the preliminary test a month ago.
After all, he had been stuck at the eighth stage of Dou Zhi Qi for a long time and had long met the standard.
He had no use for the Cultivation Technique of the Xiao Family anyway, so there was no need to waste time.
Even this coming-of-age ceremony test was just to give his father, Xiao Zhan, an explanation.
This was the formal coming-of-age ceremony.
The Xiao Family had invited quite a few people to participate.
There were weapon tycoons who monopolized the city’s weapon business, leaders of nearby mercenary groups, and the chief auctioneer of Miteer Auction House, Ya Fei.
Xiao Yan’s gaze swept across the high platform, lingering on Ya Fei for only a moment.
This was a woman who had interacted with him quite a bit in the original story.
Nowadays, because of his different experiences from the original Xiao Yan, he didn’t need to practice Alchemy to sell pills himself, so naturally he no longer had any contact with her.
Stealing a glance at Ya Fei’s tall and voluptuous figure, Xiao Yan withdrew his gaze and thought in his heart: “Perhaps, I will never say a single word to her in this lifetime.”
Shaking his head slightly, he stopped thinking too much and walked straight up to the stage.
Then…
he acted like a sculpture.
The coming-of-age ceremony was not only about testing strength, but also genuinely had rituals.
Xiao Ying asked Xiao Yan to stand in place, and successively fetched various ritual items to hang on Xiao Yan: ritual belts, spices, and ceremonial clothing.
Xiao Yan stood in place for a full half hour, finally completing the coming-of-age ceremony rituals.
He thought silently in his heart that if he ever became the Clan Chief in the future, he would definitely get rid of all these tedious formalities.
“The test begins!” Xiao Ying shouted out loud!
His shout drew the attention of all the clan members in the entire square.
On the high platform, Xiao Zhan and the others also focused their minds.
Everyone was curious about what cultivation level Xiao Yan, whose cultivation had regressed and who had been stuck at the eighth stage of Dou Zhi Qi for a long time, was at now.
Xiao Yan did not beat around the bush; he calmly and composedly walked up to the black stone tablet and placed his hand on it.
Everyone in the entire Xiao Family square was fully focused, and it seemed that even the heavy breathing sounded harsh.
Everyone focused their gazes on the surface of the black stone tablet.
Only to see a golden light emerge, and on the surface of the black stone tablet, large, sweeping golden characters like a dragon and a phoenix slowly appeared.
“Dou Practitioner: Nine Stars!”
The entire Xiao Family square was further eroded by dead silence.
Naturally, Xiao Yan had nothing to be surprised about.
He gave a faint glance at giggly large characters on the black stone tablet, withdrew his hand, and walked down the stage with brisk steps.
No one questioned, no one dared to question, and no one could question.
Seeing the dazzling characters of “Dou Practitioner: Nine Stars” on the black stone tablet, all the members of the Xiao Family who had witnessed Xiao Yan’s demeanor back then had only one thought at this moment.
That Genius of the Xiao Family who shook the entire Jia Ma Empire, Xiao Yan,
Had returned!
Only the people from other factions on the high platform successively revealed shocked expressions, their faces full of incredulity.
Xiao Yan returned to Xun’er’s side, and the surroundings automatically left a sufficiently spacious place for him.
Those gazes looking at him, whether full of envy and jealousy, worship and admiration, or desire and regret, were all completely ignored by him.
No one came to disturb him.
The coming-of-age ceremony was still proceeding.
After a long time, the coming-of-age ceremony reached its end.
Xiao Xun Er was the last one to step onto the stage.
After another half hour of various rituals, the Dou Qi test began immediately.
Four golden characters were reflected on the black stone tablet.
“Dou Practitioner: One Star.”
Xiao Yan showed a smile of “as expected” and looked at his storage ring.
Inside it lay the gift he had prepared for Xiao Xun Er.
Xiao Xun Er walked down the stage and returned to Xiao Yan’s side, saying with an expectant face: “Brother Xiao Yan, I am already a Dou Practitioner.
What gift have you prepared for me?”
“Let’s leave first.” Xiao Yan glanced at the surrounding crowds of Xiao Family members and said.
Xiao Xun Er had no objection.
After hesitating slightly, she took the initiative to place her hand in Xiao Yan’s hand, blushing as she said: “Brother Xiao Yan, Xun’er’s hands are cold~”
“Mhm, my hands are warm.” Xiao Yan couldn’t help feeling secretly pleased.
Holding hands, the two walked all the way back to the courtyard where Xiao Xun Er lived.
Xiao Yan brought Xiao Xun Er into the room before letting go of her hand.
Xiao Xun Er blushed and feigned calmness as she said: “Brother Xiao Yan, what kind of gift is it anyway, to actually need to be this secretive?”
Xiao Yan did not answer immediately, but instead said directly: “Before giving this gift, I hope you, Xun’er, can let the guard in the shadows leave for a moment.”
Xiao Xun Er’s whole body stiffened, and she raised her head in disbelief: “Brother Xiao Yan, what did you say?”
Xiao Yan said: “Xun’er, I know a lot more than you imagine.”
“So, are you willing to trust me?”
Xiao Xun Er’s breathing accelerated.
After closing her eyes and hesitating for two seconds, she still spoke to the air: “Old Ling, please move away for a bit.”
“Yes.” An aged voice came over, devoid of sorrow or joy.
After waiting a few seconds, Xiao Yan asked Yao Lao in the ring, and after confirming that Ling Ying had left, he raised his hand.
To be precise, he raised the storage ring in his hand.
He injected Dou Qi into it, and a brand-new scroll appeared in his hand.
“Little fellow, is this the scroll you sneaked around writing two days ago?
And you wouldn’t even let this old man see it.
Turns out it’s a gift for your little girlfriend.” Inside the ring, Yao Lao teased.
Xiao Yan ignored Yao Lao, looked straight at Xiao Xun Er, and slowly said:
“What is recorded in this scroll is a secret technique, and its specific effect is…”
“Purifying the Bloodline in the body.”
Xiao Xun Er’s breathing stagnated, and her eyes suddenly widened.
Like a bolt of thunder, it exploded in her mind.
As the daughter of the Ancient Clan Chief, how could she not know how much value this secret technique of purifying Bloodlines held?
For the few ancient Emperor Clans still existing in the world, its value was far higher than any Heaven Rank high-grade Cultivation Technique or Dou Technique.
“Brother Xiao Yan.” Xiao Xun Er called out Xiao Yan’s name, but had no idea what to say at all.
To this, Xiao Yan only smiled and said: “Xun’er, I know your Family background is not simple.
This secret technique was obtained by me by chance.
Although it sounds powerful, wanting to purify the Bloodline is actually not easy; it is time-consuming and labor-intensive, and the Bloodline cannot be too thin, otherwise it will also be useless.”
Xiao Xun Er hurriedly shook her head: “No, even so, this secret technique is still extremely valuable.”
“That’s good, at least it matches you, Xun’er.” Xiao Yan did not conceal his feelings at all.
Just kidding, leaving aside the fact that Xiao Xun Er herself was his preferred type and that they had years of accumulated emotional attachment.
Not to mention her background, which was firmly a golden thigh to hug; what was wrong with saying a few sweet words?
He was still waiting for Xiao Xun Er to reward him well.
Sure enough, Xiao Xun Er was so touched that tears welled up in her eyes, and she directly said: “Brother Xiao Yan~”
(End of Chapter)