Chapter 1: Xiao Tian

"Xiao Yan, Battle Qi Level Three! Rank: Low!"

As soon as the middle-aged man next to the testing stone tablet announced Xiao Yan's information, the bustling crowd in the square erupted into mockery and pity.

"Tsk tsk tsk, our Xiao family's 'genius' hasn't improved at all since his Battle Qi level dropped to three."

"A person must never be too arrogant, or even the heavens will punish them."

"Ah, we thought our Xiao family could produce a Battle Emperor, but it seems that hope is shattered."

"Although Xiao Yan has fallen, there's still a chance for Cousin Xiao Tian and Cousin Xiao Xun'er to break through to the Battle Emperor level."

Listening to the surrounding chatter, Xiao Yan's heart felt as if it were being pierced by needles.

Xiao Yan forced a bitter smile, turned around despondently, and retreated to the back of the crowd.

"Next, Xiao Tian!"

As the middle-aged man's voice rang out again, a boy of about sixteen stepped forward from the crowd.

As soon as this boy appeared, he immediately became the center of everyone's attention, especially the girls, whose eyes were fixed on him with admiration.

He wore a white robe, his hair was jet-black, and his eyes were sharp and bright. With handsome features and an air of elegance, he looked almost too perfect to exist in this world.

To borrow a line from later generations: "A gentleman as graceful as jade, unmatched in the world!"

In fact, it wasn't just others who were captivated by his appearance.

Even Xiao Tian himself was almost smitten when he first saw his reflection in this life.

Xiao Tian stepped forward, his right hand familiarly touching the dark testing stone tablet, then closed his eyes.

As he did, the stone tablet began to glow brightly.

[Battle Disciple: One Star!]

Seeing the four golden characters shining on the stone tablet, everyone present was astonished.

After a moment of silence, the crowd began gasping in awe, a sound so pervasive it seemed to warm the entire Battle Qi Continent.

"Young Master Xiao Tian, Battle Disciple: One Star!"

The tester swallowed hard, then shouted excitedly.

On the high platform, the elder of the Xiao family stroked his beard and praised, "As expected of the grandson of the Battle Qi Pavilion's elder, reaching the Battle Disciple level at the age of sixteen!"

"But he's still a bit lacking compared to Xiao Yan in the past."

The second elder shook his head and remarked.

Hearing the elders' words, the clan leader Xiao Zhan couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

He recalled how his son had extraordinary talent, breaking through to the Battle Disciple level at eleven.

Yet, fate was cruel. One night, his son's level suddenly dropped to Battle Qi level three.

Every time he thought of his son's despondent figure, Xiao Zhan's heart ached.

The middle-aged tester respectfully said, "Young Master Xiao Tian, congratulations on becoming the second person in a hundred years in the Xiao family to achieve this. You can now go to the Battle Qi Pavilion to obtain the necessary skills."

"Thank you."

Xiao Tian nodded slightly.

He then made his way to a spot in the crowd, under the fiery gazes of all the girls and the envious stares of all the boys.

There, a girl in a purple dress stood gracefully.

Her demeanor was cool and serene, like a lotus blooming for the first time. Despite her young age, she exuded an extraordinary aura, hinting at the peerless beauty she would become in the future.

This girl was none other than the future beauty of the Battle Qi Continent, Gu Xun'er.

Of course, for now, she was still known as Xiao Xun'er, as she had not revealed her true identity.

"Brother Xiao Tian!"

"Congratulations on becoming a Battle Disciple!"

As Xiao Tian approached, Xiao Xun'er's beautiful face broke into a smile that would make any girl around her jealous.

"Thank you for your praise, Sister Xun'er!"

Xiao Tian stepped forward and, amidst the sound of breaking hearts, gently patted Xiao Xun'er's head. "It's your turn next. I believe your strength will astonish them even more."

"Hehe!"

Xiao Tian's affectionate gesture brought a blush to Xiao Xun'er's fair cheeks.

"Next, Xiao Xun'er!"

Sure enough, the middle-aged tester called out Xiao Xun'er's name.

"Brother Xiao Tian, I'm going up now."

Xiao Xun'er gave Xiao Tian a sweet smile before gracefully making her way to the stone tablet.

Watching her, Xiao Tian couldn't help but feel a bit dazed.

He had transmigrated to the Battle Qi Continent when the original owner of his body was six years old.

At that time, Xiao Yan was four and had just begun cultivating Battle Qi.

A year later, Xiao Xun'er joined the Xiao family.

To prevent Xiao Yan from making serious mistakes, Xiao Tian spent many nights on high alert.

As a result, Xiao Yan never got the chance to sneak into Xun'er's room.

Of course, Xiao Tian, who had a conscience, didn't take advantage of the situation either.

However, during the day, he often played with Xiao Xun'er.

Although Xiao Xun'er was mature for her age, she was still just a four-year-old girl, innocent and without many schemes.

After spending a lot of time together, they developed mutual affection and became an enviable pair of childhood sweethearts.

Xiao Tian's cultivation time was significantly reduced due to his efforts to prevent Xiao Yan's mischief and his frequent outings with Xun'er.

It took him ten years to break through to the Battle Disciple level.

"Sigh!"

Xiao Tian sighed, shouting inwardly, "Heavens! Earth! Where is my system?"

Unlike other transmigrators who were overpowered, he had not awakened any system or cheats in ten years. He had to rely entirely on his own efforts, slowly progressing.

If he had any cheats, he might have already reached the Battle Emperor level in these ten years.

Xiao Tian glanced at the dejected Xiao Yan in the crowd, thinking, "I need to find a way to get that ring and Elder Yao. Otherwise, in another year, it'll be time for the three-year promise, and Elder Yao will awaken."

Unfortunately, the current Xiao family was not as glorious as it once was.

Now, the strongest fire attribute technique they had was only of the Yellow Rank High Level.

Even if Xiao Tian practiced such a technique for a lifetime, he couldn't become a Battle Emperor.

Though his relationship with Gu Xun'er was good, and he could obtain high-level techniques from her, those techniques couldn't compare to the "Burning Incantation," which was a top-tier technique even in the Great Thousand World.

As a transmigrator who had read "The Great Ruler," Xiao Tian knew that the "Burning Incantation" originated from the Great Thousand World.

With this technique, one could continually upgrade by devouring different heavenly flames.

The Great Thousand World had many such heavenly flames.

In other words, this technique was a direct path to the Supreme Being, far superior to ordinary heavenly techniques of the Battle Qi Continent.

(End of Chapter)