[Ding! The wheels of fate begin to turn. System loading complete. Host, please accept!]
[This is a Check-In System. The host may choose any location to check in. Each location can only be checked in once, and check-in rewards are entirely 'random.']
[To check in, silently think 'Check In' at the chosen location. No vocalization is required. Host, please perform your first check-in.]
Beneath the testing platform, Xiao Tian heard the mechanical voice in his mind. Though it lacked warmth, to Xiao Tian, who had waited two and a half years, it was sweeter than celestial music.
"System, Check In," Xiao Tian thought silently.
[Ding! Check-in location: Xiao Clan Testing Plaza. Check-in successful. As this is the first check-in, rewards granted: Constitution: Thunder God Body; Technique: Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Art (Evolvable); Thunder Attribute Dou Techniques: Thunder Burst (High Xuan Class), Thunder Bird (Mid Xuan Class), Thunder Lion (Mid Xuan Class).]
Boom!
Xiao Tian's mind reeled as he reviewed the system's rewards, utterly stunned.
Dear system, my adoptive father—er, I mean, beloved system—what does this constitution do? And an evolvable technique? Don't tell me I have to go eat lightning to upgrade it!
"The host's Thunder God Body accelerates cultivation speed and unlocks the exclusive skill Thunder God's Wrath, which boosts Dou Qi by three stars without side effects. It also allows summoning the Thunder God Manifestation to enhance attack and defense, with duration based on the host's strength," the system explained.
"The evolvable Five Elements Heavenly Thunder Art, unlike Xiao Yan's Burning Flame Technique, doesn't require consuming lightning tribulations. It progresses through six stages: Wood Thunder, Fire Thunder, Metal Thunder, Water Thunder, Earth Thunder, and the Great Five Elements Thunder upon fusion. The host can cultivate to condense a unique Spiritual Thunder, automatically evolving the technique. Check-ins may also yield Thunder Origins or Thunder Heart Sources to aid in forming the Spiritual Thunder, with no risks involved."
Xiao Tian's heart soared. Woo-hoo, liftoff! Call me the Thunder Emperor! Not some Radisson, but the Thunder Emperor!
"Next, Xiao Yan!"
Snapping back to reality, Xiao Tian turned his attention to Xiao Yan on the platform.
"Xiao Yan, Three Stage Dou Zhi Qi, Level: Low," the middle-aged tester announced with a cold, indifferent tone.
Xiao Yan stared at the glaring words "Three Stage Dou Zhi Qi" on the magical stone tablet, his lips curling into a bitter, self-mocking smile. The faint jeers from the crowd below stung, but when his gaze landed on the youth leaning against the tree, gratitude flickered in his eyes.
If not for my brother beating down and warning those who mocked me, the ugly sneers below would probably be out in full force, ridiculing me without restraint, Xiao Yan thought. Silently, he descended the platform and returned to his spot.
Xiao Tian glanced at Xiao Yan. Three years of trials are nearly over. Yao Lao should appear soon, revealing why his Dou Qi vanished. With Yao Lao's guidance and protection, he'll soar. Xiao Yan might be a bit irresponsible, even flawed, but he was loyal and generous to those who helped him—like Hai Bodong, the angelic investor who only fights at his peak, or Yao Lao himself. In the Endless Fire Domain, Yao Lao… well, let's not go there.
"Little Yan-zi, don't lose heart. Gold always shines in time!" Xiao Tian said, patting Xiao Yan's shoulder.
"I know, Tian-ge. Thank you," Xiao Yan replied, his dim eyes meeting Xiao Tian's with gratitude.
"Next, Xiao Mei!"
A fourteen-year-old girl stepped forward, her youthful face tinged with a subtle allure. The paradoxical blend of innocence and charm made her the center of attention. She placed her hand on the stone tablet.
"Xiao Mei, Seven Stage Dou Zhi Qi, Level: High!" the tester declared, reading the tablet's display.
After her test, Xiao Mei descended and approached Xiao Tian's group. "Cousin Xiao Tian, Sister Xun Er, Cousin Xiao Yan!" she greeted warmly.
The trio nodded with smiles.
"Cousin Xiao Yan, Mei-er believes you'll regain your former talent and slap their faces hard!" Xiao Mei said encouragingly to the dejected Xiao Yan.
"Thanks, Cousin Xiao Mei. Don't worry, I'm used to it. I'm not that easy to break," Xiao Yan replied with a faint smile.
Xiao Mei flashed him a "don't give up" gesture before standing beside Xiao Xun Er, whispering excitedly. Xiao Xun Er listened quietly, letting Xiao Mei dominate the conversation.
Xiao Tian's presence, as an outsider to this world, combined with his talent and protective nature, had altered dynamics. Unlike in the original story, Xiao Mei wasn't distant with Xiao Yan; their relationship remained amicable.
"Next, Xiao Xun Er!"
"Xiao Tian-gege, I'm going up to test!" Xiao Xun Er said, gently pushing past Xiao Mei's hand and heading to the platform.
"Xiao Xun Er, Nine Stage Dou Zhi Qi, Level: High!"
"Miss Xun Er reached Nine Stage Dou Zhi Qi? What terrifying talent!"
The crowd below swallowed hard, stammering in awe, their eyes filled with reverence.
Xiao Xun Er returned to Xiao Tian, who gave her a thumbs-up. "Xun Er, you're amazing! Truly a genius girl, gifted and beautiful."
"Next, Xiao Tian!"
Hearing his name, Xiao Tian ruffled Xiao Xun Er's hair and strode to the platform. He placed his hand on the stone tablet with practiced ease. A blinding light erupted, revealing four dazzling words.
Dou Zhe, One Star.
Crack!
The moment those words appeared, Xiao Zhan, the clan leader, crushed his teacup in shock. The three elders leapt to their feet, and gasps echoed from the crowd below, jaws dropping in disbelief.
The tester, struggling to steady his voice, announced, "Xiao Tian, Dou Zhe, One Star!"
The crowd erupted into fervent discussion. "This is insane! A Dou Zhe before fifteen? What does that make us at Five or Six Stage Dou Zhi Qi? Are we living like dogs? This talent…"
Xiao Ning, among the onlookers, stared at the tablet in stunned disbelief, muttering, "Impossible! This can't be real!"
Ignoring the clamor, Xiao Tian calmly descended and approached Xiao Xun Er. "So, were you shocked?"
"Xiao Tian-gege, you really broke through to Dou Zhe," Xiao Xun Er said, rolling her eyes playfully.
Xiao Yan offered a faint smile and congratulated Xiao Tian before turning away, his expression tinged with loss. Xiao Mei muttered about needing to train harder and left as well.
Noticing Xiao Yan's departure, Xiao Xun Er said, "Xiao Tian-gege, Xiao Yan seems a bit down."
Xiao Tian watched Xiao Yan's retreating figure. "Don't worry. It won't be long before he finds his spark again."
With that, he took Xiao Xun Er's hand, and they strolled through the clan grounds before parting ways.
Back in his courtyard, Xiao Tian locked the door and sat cross-legged on his bed. Eagerly, he opened the system panel, eyeing the unclaimed rewards. "System, claim the rewards!" he declared.