In the Xiao Clan's backyard, the large training grounds paved with bluestone were filled with over a hundred boys and girls, and the loud chatter among them echoed across the sky.
At the center of the training ground stood the massive black stone used for the test, with the same indifferent tester standing beside it, as before.
On the platform to the left of the training ground, a few internal members of the Xiao Clan were seated, with Clan Leader Xiao Zhan and the three Elders occupying the center seats.
The young boys and girls waiting for their judgment stood nervously. Those who usually performed well didn't appear too anxious, while those with average or lower talent were visibly uneasy and anxious.
At this moment, as the group noticed Mo Yu walking alongside Xiao Mei, many of the boys in the crowd couldn't help but reveal a trace of envy on their faces.
Ever since Mo Yu had defeated Xiao Ning in one strike at the Dou Technique Pavilion, the once low-profile Mo Yu had gained considerable fame, his reputation within the clan rivaling that of the mysterious and powerful Xun Er.
At the edge of the square, surrounded by a large group of his peers, Xiao Ning stared at Mo Yu with a mix of anger and fear in his eyes.
"Damn it! He stole all my glory." Grumbling discontentedly, Xiao Ning didn't say much more. Clearly, the lesson from last time had left a deep impression on him.
Ignoring the envious and jealous gazes from the crowd, Mo Yu calmly walked to the back of the line. Xiao Mei followed closely behind, as if intentionally trying to display something.
On the platform, Xiao Zhan watched this scene, a look of deep thought appearing on his face.
"Clan Leader, it seems like Mei'er has taken a liking to Mo Yu, and his talent has been quite outstanding lately. I suggest we marry Mei'er to him as a way to draw him closer," the Third Elder suddenly proposed.
Xiao Zhan glanced at him, frowned, and shook his head. "That's not appropriate. Xiao Yu and Mei'er are still too young. It's too early to talk about marriage now."
"Besides, marriages are dictated by the parents. Although Xiao Yu's parents are no longer with us, he still has his grandfather. I'll consult with Steward Mo on this matter first."
Xiao Mei was the granddaughter of the Third Elder, and it was clear that he had his eye on Mo Yu's talent and wanted to bring him into his faction through marriage.
However, as the Clan Leader, Xiao Zhan found this idea distasteful and quickly made up an excuse to refuse.
After being rebuffed by Xiao Zhan, the Third Elder's face turned somewhat unpleasant. Meanwhile, the Second Elder sneered coldly, "I believe Xiao Yan is also participating in today's test, right? Why hasn't he arrived yet? Is he worried he won't pass?"
"The Third Elder's suggestion is for the good of the clan. Mo Yu's talent is no less than Xiao Yan's in his prime."
Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhan's expression darkened with anger. He was already frustrated, and the Second Elder was just rubbing salt into the wound. Just as Xiao Zhan was about to respond harshly, a slight commotion arose from the crowd.
Turning his gaze, he saw two figures slowly approaching from the distant path at the end of the square. Their unhurried steps showed no sign of urgency, despite the importance of today's event.
It was Xiao Yan and Xun Er.
Seeing them arrive, the clan members on the platform stopped their bickering.
Xiao Zhan stood up and solemnly declared, "The rules of the test are as follows: those who have reached the 7th stage of Dou Zhi Qi or higher will pass. Those who haven't will be deemed unqualified. However, as per the usual regulations, after the test, those below the 7th stage of Dou Zhi Qi will have the right to challenge someone above the 7th stage. If the challenger wins, they will also qualify!"
"Now that everyone is clear on the rules, let the test begin!"
As Xiao Zhan's voice fell, the tension among the boys and girls in the training grounds skyrocketed.
The cold-faced tester stepped forward, took out a name register from his sleeve, and began calling names in a frosty tone, causing those whose names were called to shudder.
Mo Yu stood tall and firm, like a pine tree, indifferent to the test around him. His eyes were slightly closed, and Xiao Mei stood quietly behind him.
Xiao Yan, meanwhile, found a clean spot on the bluestone ground and sat cross-legged. Xun Er sat next to him, as pristine as a lotus flower. For a moment, the two of them seemed isolated from the nervous atmosphere around them.
"Xiao Mei!"
As one young boy and girl after another went up to the stage, Xiao Mei's name was finally called.
"Cousin Mo Yu, I'm going now."
Mo Yu nodded silently, his face expressionless.
"Dou Zhi Qi: 8th Stage!"
A bright light shot forth from the black stone tablet, and large, bold characters hovered over its surface.
"Xiao Mei: Dou Zhi Qi, 8th Stage, Advanced!" Glancing at the black stone tablet, the cold-faced tester nodded slightly and announced.
Hearing the tester's words, Xiao Mei breathed a sigh of relief. Her face then lit up with pride. Within a year, she had advanced from the seventh to the eighth stage, a pace fast enough to rank her among the top five in the clan. With such impressive progress, it was no wonder the young girl felt satisfied.
The tester's announcement sparked a wave of chatter in the training grounds, with envious gazes directed at Xiao Mei.
"One stage in a year… barely acceptable." Xiao Yan scratched his nose and commented lightly, then glanced toward where Mo Yu was standing.
"I wonder what Cousin Mo Yu's strength is now?"
"I can't tell, but he's strong—so strong that even I'm not confident in winning against him," Xun Er murmured, playing with her long hair, her eyes focused on the young man in green robes.
For some reason, despite her profound insight, she couldn't gauge Mo Yu's strength. It was as if he was enveloped in a thick fog, making him impossible to read.
Hearing that even the mysterious and powerful Xun Er was uncertain about defeating Mo Yu, Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed slightly. He sighed and said, "I thought my progress was impressive, but it seems I'm still no match for these two monsters—Xun Er and Cousin Mo Yu."
"Hehe, don't be so modest,Brother Xiao Yan. Xun Er has… special reasons for her strength, and Cousin Mo Yu surely has his own unique opportunities too. Besides, didn't Cousin Mo Yu once say that you would one day become famous across the entire continent?"
Xiao Yan couldn't help but smile with renewed confidence as he remembered Mo Yu's encouragement from long ago.
By now, after Xiao Mei's impressive result, the next dozen or so participants had been tested. Only one had reached the 7th stage of Dou Zhi Qi, while the rest were disqualified.
"Xiao Xun Er!"
The tester's cold voice seemed to carry a hint of emotion as he called this name.
All eyes immediately shifted to the flawless and beautiful girl who seemed untouched by the world's dust.
Mo Yu lazily opened his eyes and looked at the girl's graceful figure. He murmured, "No surprise, she should've already broken through to Dou Zhe. After this test, I'll be ready to break through to Dou Zhe as well."