Another Monster

Everyone's eyes turned to Xiao Yu, who was recognized as the second most talented person in the Xiao family after Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yu stood up and walked toward the magic stone monument. The previously indifferent face of the examiner now showed a slight smile as he said, "Young Master Xiao Yu should have entered the ranks of the Dou Practitioner this year, right? Such an achievement would be second only to your third brother, Young Master Xiao Yan!"

Xiao Yu smiled faintly and said, "I might even surpass my third brother!"

The examiner glanced at Xiao Yu in surprise. Xiao Yu then placed his palm directly on the magic stone monument. On the high platform, Xiao Zhan and the three elders of the Xiao family looked visibly tense. Xiao Zhan was worried that Xiao Yu might experience the same setback as Xiao Yan, while the three elders were concerned that if Xiao Yu's strength surpassed the ninth level of battle energy, their branch of the family would never be able to rise within the Xiao family again.

The young people below the stage were also intently focused on the magic stone monument. Only Xiao Xun'er stood at the back with a faint smile on her lips, seemingly not worried at all.

Xiao Yan, who had already finished his test, stood next to Xiao Xun'er and asked, "Has Brother Yu already broken through to the Dou Practitioner level?"

Xiao Xun'er looked at Xiao Yan and softly replied, "Brother Xiao Yu said he wanted to surprise me. Maybe it's more than just breaking through to the Dou Practitioner."

Xiao Yan was momentarily stunned. To break through to the Dou Fighter level at the age of fourteen was already considered a rare talent in a century. Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Yu on the stage and thought, "If I hadn't experienced the setback in my cultivation, my strength might also be at the level of a three or four-star Dou Practitioner by now."

Under so many watchful eyes, Xiao Yu remained completely calm. Shortly after he placed his palm on the magic stone monument, a strong beam of light suddenly flashed, forming a white pillar of light that lingered on the monument for a long time.

Dou Practitioner: Four Stars!

At the moment the white pillar appeared, there was a sharp cracking sound as Xiao Zhan crushed the teacup in his hand. The three elders of the Xiao family were left stunned, unable to believe what they were seeing.

The examiner standing next to Xiao Yu was even more shocked. He muttered, "Xiao Yu,Dou Qi:Four-Star Dou Practitioner, rank: Intermediate!"

When the young people below the stage heard the examiner's announcement, a collective gasp echoed through the crowd, and their faces flushed in disbelief. Hearing such words, they couldn't help but feel embarrassed. An intermediate-level Dou practitioner? What did that mean for those of them who were still at the fourth, fifth, or sixth levels of Dou Qi?

Xiao Ning, standing below the stage, looked on in disbelief, muttering to himself, "Impossible, this is absolutely impossible! Breaking through to Dou Practitioner is one thing, but how could he break through and advance by three levels to reach Four-Star Dou Practitioner in just one year?"

Everyone couldn't help but think of the word "monster" when they looked at Xiao Yu. The term "freak" no longer seemed appropriate for him. Many of them seriously suspected that Xiao Yu had deliberately slowed his cultivation progress before, just so he could make a dramatic entrance and show off in a setting like this. Regardless of the truth, Xiao Yu's performance was undoubtedly a success.

Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yan were both shocked by the four golden characters on the magic stone monument. It was more than just a surprise—it was astonishing. A Four-Star Dou Practitioner at the age of fourteen! Such strength made it hard not to suspect that Xiao Yu would break through to the rank of Dou Master by the time he turned sixteen and became an adult.

Ignoring the shocked and envious gazes from those around him, Xiao Yu walked straight off the testing platform and smugly asked Xun'er, "So, how about it? Surprised?"

Xun'er rolled her eyes at him and said, "Surprised? I'm absolutely shocked!"

Xiao Yan also gave a faint smile before turning and leaving.

Xiao Yu and Xun'er exchanged a glance. Watching Xiao Yan's departing figure, Xiao Yu said, "Don't worry. He'll regain his fighting spirit."

Xun'er sighed softly and replied, "I hope so."

Then, with her hands behind her back, she playfully asked, "Now that Brother Xiao Yu has broken through to Dou Practition shouldn't you take Xun'er for a nice outing in Wutan City?"

Xiao Yu laughed heartily and said, "Of course! Let's go right now!" As he spoke, Xiao Yu grabbed Xun'er's right hand and led her out of the training ground, heading toward Wutan City. Xun'er was momentarily startled by Xiao Yu's sudden move, but her face merely flushed red as she followed him without pulling her hand away.

On the high platform, Xiao Zhan's face stiffened as he saw Xiao Yu holding Xun'er's hand. With a complicated expression, he muttered to himself, "This brat, he dares to hold anyone's hand!"

Xiao Yu and Xun'er spent the entire day wandering around Wutan City. It wasn't until dusk that the two returned to the Xiao family estate. After parting ways with Xun'er in the front courtyard, Xiao Yu went straight to his room, where he sat cross-legged on his bed and began cultivating.

Now that he had the system, Xiao Yu was even more motivated. He had plans to explore the world, and with just this level of strength, he knew he would be nothing but a nobody on the Dou Qi Continent.

Xiao Yu was well aware that only by reaching the Dou Emperor level could one truly have a voice on the Dou Qi Continent. Although there were ten top experts in the Jia Ma Empire, Xiao Yu also remembered that Yun Shan of the Yun Lan Sect had become a Dou Ancestor powerhouse with the help of the Soul Clan. Although Yun Shan's strength as a Dou Ancestor was somewhat unstable and was considered the lowest level of a Dou ancestor powerhouse, he was still at the Dou Ancestor level. This made him superior to anyone else in the Jia Ma Empire.

Xiao Yu sat cross-legged, forming hand seals, guiding the Dou Qi of heaven and earth to converge toward him. Quickly, the surrounding Dou Qi began swirling, forming a vortex with Xiao Yu at its center. The Qi poured into his body through his pores and acupuncture points, gathering in his dantian, causing the Dou Qi vortex in his dantian to rapidly expand and strengthen.

Meanwhile, at the back mountain, Xiao Zhan and Xiao Yan were engaged in conversation. Toward the end of their chat, Xiao Zhan mentioned, "You should get some rest. We'll have an important guest tomorrow."

"An important guest? Who?" Xiao Yan asked, puzzled.

"You'll find out tomorrow," Xiao Zhan replied with a smile.

---

**The next day.**

A hoarse voice came from outside Xiao Yu's window, "Fourth Young Master, the clan leader requests your presence in the main hall. We have important guests today."

Having finished his cultivation, Xiao Yu casually responded, "Got it!" as the footsteps gradually faded. He then remembered: today was the day Nalan Yanran would come to break off the engagement. Without thinking too much, Xiao Yu stretched, changed into a fitting white robe, and left his room.

As he approached the main hall, he ran into Xun'er, who was also heading there. Xun'er smiled mischievously and said, "Brother Xiao Yu, you look really handsome today!"

Dressed in a long, flowing white robe with a jade-green pendant hanging at his waist, Xiao Yu indeed looked elegant. Had he been holding a folding fan, he would have perfectly embodied the phrase: "A gentleman as fine as jade, unmatched in the world."

Xiao Yu smiled lightly and returned the compliment, "Xun'er looks beautiful today as well!"

The two entered the hall together, immediately drawing the attention of everyone inside. They silently marveled, "What a perfect pair!"

Unfazed by the stares, Xiao Yu led Xun'er to a corner and sat down. His gaze swept across the hall and quickly locked onto three unfamiliar figures. The young girl, who appeared noble and delicate, must have been Nalan Yanran.

Xiao Yu instantly assessed their strength. The elderly man was a Seven-Star Dou Grand Master, the arrogant-looking young man was a Four-Star Dou Practitioner, and Nalan Yanran herself was a Three-Star Dou Practitioner.

What Xiao Yu didn't notice was that, the moment he entered the hall, Nalan Yanran's eyes had momentarily fixed on him—though he was oblivious to her gaze.