Chapter 16: The Elemental Dao Sect Upcoming Exam 2

Chapter 16: The Elemental Dao Sect Upcoming Exam 2

The massive ceremonial hall fell silent as the heavy doors creaked open. One by one, the elders of the Xiao Family stepped in with measured strides, their long robes flowing like clouds, embroidered with the family insignia—a golden dragon coiling around a flowing river. It was deep gold in colour given their identity as the esteemed elders of the Xiao Family. Each step they took echoed faintly, a testament to their profound cultivation and status.

Before them, the young prodigies of the family instinctively straightened their backs, their hearts pounding in their chests. Without needing a cue, they clasped their fists and bowed deeply in unison.

"All Elders, this junior greets you!" Their voices rang out, respectful yet slightly trembling under the weight of the moment.

All except one.

Xiao Chen stood among them like an unmoving mountain. His arms lazily folded behind his back, a calm, indifferent expression painted across his face. His gaze was distant, cold even, as though none of the elders deserved his respect.

He didn't bow.

Instead, Xiao Chen merely cupped his fists slightly, offering the bare minimum greeting. His every movement—unhurried, serene—carried a trace of an unseen arrogance. It wasn't forced. It wasn't deliberate. It simply… was.

Some of the younger ones who noticed his lack of decorum gasped inwardly. Their faces twitched in disbelief. Was he crazy? These were the elders of the Xiao Family—the very backbone of their clan! Even Xiao Han, known for his arrogance, kept his head lowered.

But Xiao Chen stood there, as if none of it mattered.

Perhaps it was the effect of the Heavenly Yin-Yang Dragon Martial Spirit that slumbered deep within him, subtly influencing his heart and mind. Its awakening had stirred the ancient bloodline buried within his veins, igniting something primal—Pride. A pride that refused to let him bow before anyone, even before the so-called mighty elders of his clan.

The elders, focused on their own thoughts, didn't notice the slight.

Except one.

Elder Xiao Mei.

Her sharp, calculating gaze swept through the gathered youths like a sword. And immediately, her eyes caught sight of the lone figure that dared stand apart. Her pupils contracted slightly.

'This boy…'

She observed him quietly. His indifferent gaze, his composed posture, and the lazy arrogance he carried—it was too out of place.

'Is it ignorance… or confidence?' she wondered.

Her brows furrowed as a subtle premonition crept into her heart. That gut feeling honed over decades of cultivation whispered to her—something is not right.

'That aura… it's too restrained. He stands there like a coiled dragon suppressing itself… waiting. If I hadn't been looking carefully, I might've missed it entirely.'

She made no move, nor did she alert the others. Instead, she kept her silence, choosing to observe for now.

Meanwhile, the rest of the elders—caught up in the significance of the gathering—barely spared Xiao Chen a glance. Only Elder Jian, the Great Elder of the Xiao Family, and Patriarch Xiao Hao shifted their gazes briefly toward him, their eyes flashing with a hint of curiosity.

But neither said a word.

Elder Jian took a step forward, his long beard swaying lightly as he cupped his fists with a modest smile. Despite his restrained aura, an invisible pressure spread across the hall, subtle yet suffocating.

"Greetings, young talents of the Xiao Family," he began, his voice deep and steady, resonating through the hall like a calm river. "Today marks a new chapter for our Xiao bloodline. Before us stand the most gifted of this generation. It brings this old man great joy to see such promising sprouts."

Several of the geniuses swallowed hard. Cold sweat beaded on their foreheads.

Even though the elders suppressed their cultivation, the sheer presence of Martial Grandmasters and the overwhelming aura of both Elder Jian and Patriarch Xiao Hao, who were at the Martial Lord Realm, weighed heavily on them.

It was as if the air itself grew denser. Every breath became a task.

Xiao Han, known for his arrogance, stood frozen—his usual cocky smirk replaced by a thin line of concentration. The usually indifferent Xiao Rongyu narrowed her eyes slightly, his fist tightening. Even the infamous twins, Xiao Lan and Xiao Li, especially Xiao Lan whose mischief knew no bounds, stood unusually still, his playful grins replaced by grim expressions.

They all understood… this wasn't a simple gathering.

This was the moment that would determine their futures.

And yet… amongst them all, only one remained unfazed.

Xiao Chen.

He stood like a lonely figure amidst a sea of nerves, his expression calm, his eyes half-lidded—as if this was nothing but a mundane event.

---

Elder Xiao Jian's sharp eyes calmly swept through the gathered geniuses, lingering on each face for a breath longer than necessary. Like a blade, his gaze seemed to cut through their minds, prying into their hearts, measuring their temperament. Satisfied by the seriousness in their expressions, he gave a slight nod.

Then, with a gentle cough that carried faint ripples of spiritual energy, he cleared his throat.

"Hmm Hmm Hmm…"

The sound was not loud, yet it spread through the vast ceremonial hall like a tide, echoing in every corner and silencing even the faintest breath. Every genius present tensed up instinctively, their full attention locked on the Great Elder.

Finally, Elder Jian spoke. His voice was warm and calm, yet there was a strength to it that made the air tremble.

"You must be wondering why you were called here today," he began, his tone steady. "I won't waste words. I will go straight to the point—there is good news."

The air grew heavier. Even those who had tried their best to remain calm felt their hearts skip a beat.

"The Entrance Examination of the Elemental Dao Sect is coming up... three months from now!"

The words crashed down like thunder, shaking the hearts of every genius present. But Elder Jian was not finished. His eyes narrowed slightly, observing their reactions as he continued.

"And even greater news… an ambassador from the Elemental Dao Sect will personally visit Clear Water City for this purpose… in search of worthy candidates to represent their sect."

He paused, letting those words sink in, a faint smirk playing at the edge of his lips as he calmly observed their expressions.

"You know what that means… don't you?"

The silence was deafening.

Then—

"W-What? The E-Elemental Dao Sect?"

Xiao Han mumbled, his voice trembling as if he'd just awoken from a dream. His fists clenched, and his body trembled uncontrollably—not from fear, but from pure, unbridled excitement. His ambitions, his dreams… everything seemed within his grasp at this moment.

'If I'm admitted… If I can step into the Elemental Dao Sect, my martial journey will soar like a dragon ascending the heavens! I'll definitely reach Martial Lord… no, even higher!'

His thoughts ran wild, unable to contain the anticipation that burst forth from his chest.

Even the usually calm Xiao Rongyu was shaken. Her amber eyes shimmered with unprecedented determination as her gaze lifted slightly.

Unlike Xiao Han, her dreams did not end at the Martial Lord Realm. No—her goal was to climb beyond that. To touch the Martial King Realm, to ascend the Martial Monarch Realm, and perhaps… just perhaps… one day restore the Xiao Family to their once glorious status as a Grade Four Family.

It was an almost impossible dream.

But for someone like Xiao Rongyu, impossible was merely a challenge yet to be conquered.

'The Elemental Dao Sect… this will be the first step of my journey.'

Her jaw tightened, and she stood taller.

At the far corner of the hall, resting lazily, Xiao Chen's eyes, which had remained shut the entire time, snapped open.

For the first time, a flicker of interest sparked in those cold, indifferent eyes.

Even with the legacy of a Supreme Immortal buried deep in his soul, even with his heaven-defying talent, physique, martial spirit, and bloodline, Xiao Chen knew he lacked one thing—resources.

Boundless knowledge meant little without the materials, elixirs, and cultivation grounds needed to ascend the ranks of the martial path.

And the Elemental Dao Sect… was exactly the opportunity he needed.

A soft smirk curved his lips as he slowly closed his eyes again, his face calm and unreadable.

'It seems the heavens truly favor me…'

He was not excited like the others. No wild dreams. No trembling hands. Just certainty. Cold, absolute certainty that the sect's exam was his stepping stone.

Meanwhile, Xiao Li stood stiff, her silver-blue hair fluttering lightly as if sensing the change in the air.

"The Elemental Dao Sect… ruled by a Martial Monarch… a Grade Four powerhouse…" she muttered under her breath, her eyes darkening in awe and longing.

She couldn't help but recall the stories of their family's ancient glory. Centuries ago, the Xiao Family had walked amongst such powers. But now… they were only a grade two family far off from the grade four they had once been. Even the Lingshui Country's Emperor was only at the Martial King Realm. His Royal Palace was only a Grade Three influence.

The difference between Grade Three and Grade Four… was like heaven and earth.

A single elder from the Elemental Dao Sect could destroy the entire Royal Palace and burn down the capital without anyone daring to stop them. That was the meaning of true power.

Xiao Boyan and the other geniuses were equally stunned. Their eyes wide, lips trembling as they struggled to suppress the excitement clawing at their hearts.

Forget the Elemental Dao Sect—joining that Royal Court was already a lifelong dream for most. But now… the heavens had dropped the Dao Sect right before their eyes.

Xiao Lan, wild and untamed as always, couldn't contain himself. His crimson eyes lit up with feral joy, his dark red hair cascading wildly as he ran his fingers through them, grinning from ear to ear.

He chuckled darkly, his excitement barely suppressed.

"Hehe… The heavens must favor me… The Elemental Dao Sect? Hmph, this young master was born for this."

Yet even as the others tried to restrain themselves out of respect for the elders, Xiao Lan… did not care.

His reckless laughter echoed lightly in the hall, breaking the solemn atmosphere.

But just as his ecstasy reached its peak—

BOOM!

A thunderous voice exploded through the hall, shaking the very air.

"SILENCE!"

It was Elder Xiao Feng, his eyes cold as frost, his voice infused with spiritual energy that caused the very air to tremble.

The entire hall fell into immediate silence.

Ears rang. Breaths were held.

Xiao Lan's wild grin froze, the blood draining from his face as he shrank back like a child caught in the act.

Elder Xiao Feng's cold gaze lingered on his grandson, his disappointment evident.

"Reckless brat… Know your place."

No one dared speak.

The weight of that single word—SILENCE—pressed on every genius like a mountain. It was a reminder that, despite their talents, they were still juniors… still far from being able to act with impunity.

Xiao Chen lazily cracked one eye open again, watching the scene unfold with mild amusement before closing it once more.

The hall returned to silence. The atmosphere now grave, heavy with tension and expectation.