"Xiao Yan, Dou Zhi Qi, Third Stage!" The middle-aged man announced the results displayed on the testing stele.
"Trash is just trash. If I were him, I'd have drowned myself in a cesspool long ago," a voice sneered from the crowd.
Xiao Yan had grown nearly immune to such remarks. The young boy shook his head and returned to the crowd, making his way to a pair of youths dressed in green robes.
"Brother Heng, it's your turn!" Xiao Yan's face was expressionless, masking the sting of the crowd's words.
"Little Yan, don't lose heart. Your talent surpasses mine. Your ability to absorb Dou Qi hasn't slowed. Who knows? Maybe one day your condition will change," said Xiao Heng, Xiao Yan's third elder brother, his tone warm and encouraging.
"I know, Brother Heng. You've been comforting me for three years now," Xiao Yan replied, his voice tinged with resignation.
Indeed, Xiao Heng had transmigrated into the world of Battle Through the Heavens after dying from staying up too late. He became Xiao Yan's third elder brother, demoting Xiao Yan to the fourth son. As fraternal twins, Xiao Heng was born half a minute earlier.
Being fraternal twins, their appearances weren't identical. Xiao Heng's cultivation talent was slightly inferior to Xiao Yan's, but he possessed a unique advantage: a soul stronger than most and a companion flame within his body.
This flame, a striking blue, bore effects similar to the Void Devouring Flame. For now, it seemed merely a recolored version of the Void Devouring Flame, its true potential yet to unfold. What changes might this flame bring in the future? Xiao Heng wondered.
"Don't worry, Little Yan. There won't be a fourth year of this," Xiao Heng said with a confident smile.
"Next, Xiao Mei!" A fourteen-year-old girl stepped forward from the crowd. Her youthful face, not yet fully matured, already hinted at a budding charm. Combined with the innocent purity of her age, she exuded a unique allure.
Xiao Mei placed her hand on the dark testing stele. A glow illuminated the stone. "Xiao Mei, Dou Zhi Qi, Seventh Stage, High Level!" the man declared.
Satisfied, Xiao Mei flashed a proud smile. "With this talent, she's likely to break through to Dou Zhe within three years. So enviable!" remarked another girl of the same age, her plain appearance paling in comparison.
Xiao Mei rejoined her friends below the platform, occasionally glancing toward Xiao Yan's group. It was unclear whether her eyes lingered on Xiao Yan or Xiao Heng.
Standing beside Xiao Heng was Xiao Xun Er, who had become something of his shadow under his constant protection. She had been spared from Xiao Yan's advances and now followed Xiao Heng closely. Becoming my little wife is only a matter of time, Xiao Heng thought smugly. In the meantime, I might as well find a few others to quench a young man's fire. Xun Er, with her lovesick heart, surely won't mind.
Of course, Xiao Heng had promised to find a match for Xiao Yan as well, but as they grew older, Xiao Yan had stopped bringing it up.
Though Xiao Yan's talent had waned, Xiao Heng's prowess propped up the family's reputation. His cultivation speed, while not as dazzling as Xiao Yan's former glory, was still exceptional for their declining clan. As a result, Clan Leader Xiao Zhan faced less opposition when managing clan affairs, and the gossip about Xiao Yan had diminished—though only slightly.
"Next, Xiao Xun Er!"
"You've got this, Xun Er! You're the best!" Xiao Heng cheered.
"Mm, you too, Brother Xiao Heng! And you, Little Yan!" The green-robed girl smiled, her beauty unrivaled within the Xiao Clan.
Thanks to Xiao Heng's influence, Xiao Xun Er, originally younger than Xiao Yan, had now surpassed him in status.
Her delicate, snow-white hand rested lightly on the testing stele. A familiar glow flared. "Xiao Xun Er, Dou Zhi Qi, Ninth Stage, High Level!" the man announced.
"Miss Xun Er is undoubtedly the second-best among the clan's younger generation!" Flattering voices rose in waves. Once, Xiao Yan had held the top spot, but his stagnation had elevated Xiao Heng, formerly second, to first, and Xiao Xun Er, once third, to second.
Under the crowd's gaze, the green-robed girl returned to Xiao Heng's side. "Xun Er, you were amazing!" Xiao Heng praised.
Xiao Heng knew she was hiding her true strength. With her divine-grade Dou Di bloodline, her cultivation speed suggested she was at least a Dou Wang, perhaps even a Dou Huang. She's playing humble, but her potential is terrifying, he thought.
"Still not as good as Brother Xiao Heng!" Xiao Xun Er's smile nearly captivated Xiao Heng, a seasoned veteran of charm.
"Last one, Xiao Heng!" Clad in similar green robes, Xiao Heng stepped onto the platform. A blinding light erupted, and the crowd below exploded in shock.
"Xiao Heng, One-Star Dou Zhe!"
"Congratulations, Young Master Xiao Heng!" The middle-aged tester bowed respectfully.
"Just luck, nothing more," Xiao Heng said modestly, his face devoid of arrogance.
That night, at the Xiao Clan's back mountain, Xiao Yan lay on the grass, a blade between his lips, grumbling to himself. Xiao Zhan, having offered words of comfort, crossed paths with Xiao Heng on his way back.
"Father, is Little Yan at the back mountain?" Xiao Heng asked.
"Yes. You're both fifteen now. If his talent doesn't recover within a year, he won't be able to stay in the clan. I hope you'll look out for him if it comes to that," Xiao Zhan said gravely.
"Father, have faith in Little Yan. I have a feeling his talent will soon return," Xiao Heng replied confidently.
"That would be ideal. By the way, after tomorrow's guests leave, come with me to the Dou Qi Pavilion to select a technique."
"Understood."
The next morning, guests arrived at the Xiao Clan's main hall. As the fourth son, Xiao Yan still bore the burden of his engagement to Nalan Yanran.
"Steward Mo, I'll fetch Xiao Yan," Xiao Heng said, intercepting the old steward tasked with summoning him.
"Very well, Third Young Master!"
"Little Yan, your fiancée is here. Hurry up!" Xiao Heng knocked on Xiao Yan's door.
"So these are the 'honored guests' Father mentioned?" Xiao Yan opened the door, skeptical.
"Go see for yourself. It doesn't look like they're here to honor the engagement," Xiao Heng said, his tone hinting at trouble.
"Let's go!"
Xiao Heng led Xiao Yan to the reception hall, where three strangers stood out prominently. An elder with the strength of a Seven-Star Da Dou Shi was flanked by a young man and woman. The youth's robe bore five golden stars on his chest, marking him as a Five-Star Dou Zhe. Beside him was a striking girl, about Xiao Yan's age, with three golden stars on her chest, indicating her strength as a Three-Star Dou Zhe—two stars above Xiao Heng, the strongest of the Xiao Clan's younger generation.
After greeting Xiao Zhan, the brothers took their seats beside Xiao Xun Er, who had reserved spots for them. Naturally, Xiao Heng sat in the middle.
Holding Xiao Xun Er's hand, Xiao Heng observed the scene quietly. "Brother Heng, who are these people?" Xiao Yan asked.
"See the silver sword and cloud on their sleeves?" Xiao Heng pointed to the distinctive emblem.
"I see it."
"That's the mark of the Yun Lan Sect, the largest sect in the Jia Ma Empire. Their ranks are filled with countless powerhouses," Xiao Heng explained.
"So they're probably here to break off the engagement, right?" Xiao Yan guessed.
"Most likely. I've heard Nalan Yanran is now a disciple of the Yun Lan Sect's leader. She probably looks down on people from a small place like ours," Xiao Heng said.
"Looking down on us with their dog eyes!" Xiao Yan muttered angrily.
"Exactly. A woman like that doesn't deserve our Little Yan. Once I'm stronger, I'll find you someone a thousand times better," Xiao Heng promised.
"Right, Little Yan, she's not worthy of you!" Xiao Xun Er added.
The Seven-Star Da Dou Shi, named Ge Ye, had come with Nalan Yanran to dissolve the engagement. In the Jia Ma Empire, this was a minor affair, but elsewhere, Xiao Yan might have faced harsher consequences.