Chapter Twenty: Xiao Yan's Moment of Glory

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The recruitment team from Canaan Academy brought a wave of excitement to Utan City. After all, they did not visit every small city, which attracted a steady stream of aspiring candidates from several nearby towns eager to undergo the assessments.

Unfortunately, this surge of enthusiasm was as fleeting as it was sudden.

Seven days after the recruitment team’s departure, Utan City gradually returned to its usual tranquility.

As for Chen Xiao, breaking through to the rank of Battle Master did not bring significant changes to his daily life; he continued to train diligently every day.

The Wild Lion’s Roar, Swallow’s Return Strike, and even the mastery of the Purple Cloud Wings—all required time to refine.

Gaining knowledge through reading also demanded continuous accumulation.

Only by guarding against arrogance and impatience could one steadily progress!

However, at the beginning and middle of each month, Chen Xiao would arrange to visit the Mittel Auction House with Xun’er.

While checking if there were any items available for the ring, they also purchased some enhancing pills to aid cultivation.

Additionally, they took the opportunity to sell off the useless herbs collected from the mountain cave’s stone chamber in batches.

This was perhaps the sole respite in Chen Xiao’s otherwise monotonous life of rigorous training.

Leisurely clouds and pond reflections drift by, with the world changing as the stars shift through several autumns.

Two and a half years slipped by in the blink of an eye.

…

Behind the Xiao family’s mountain.

Chen Xiao, having grown taller by a palm’s length, stood atop the cliff. The battle qi armor coating his body, once as solid as matter, gradually faded away.

In contrast, the long blade in his hand began to be enveloped by a thick layer of icy blue battle qi.

As Chen Xiao poured more battle qi into the blade, the color intensified until, amidst the surging energy, it formed the shape of a roaring lion’s head facing the sky.

“Wild Lion’s Roar!”

With a sharp call, the lion head of energy at the blade’s tip suddenly surged forward, speeding into the dense forest to the side.

In an instant, the fierce roar echoed through the rear mountains.

Following that came the crackling sound of trees breaking.

Looking closely, the area swept by the energy lion spanned over ten yards, leaving a chaotic scene, with a shocking large pit at its center!

Seeing this, a satisfied smile involuntarily appeared on Chen Xiao’s face, now shedding some youthful naivety and beginning to be described as handsome.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Clear clapping sounds rang out, and Xun’er, who had been watching from nearby, stepped forward unabashedly to praise him.

“Brother Chen Xiao’s control over this battle technique has become increasingly skilled. From Xun’er’s view, with the perfected Swallow’s Return Strike and this Wild Lion’s Roar, even Uncle Xiao Zhan might not withstand twenty moves from Brother Chen Xiao.”

Nearly eleven years old, Xun’er had grown almost a full head taller than two and a half years ago. Though her features remained youthful, she was already a budding beauty.

At this moment, her cheerful words made Chen Xiao, who believed his mindset was steady, feel light and buoyant.

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“Clan Leader Xiao Zhan has been immersed in the Grand Battle Master realm for many years; his combat experience is not something a mere youth like me can compare to. However, against the other two major family heads, I am confident I could defeat them!”

One should not belittle others just to raise oneself.

The Xiao family treated him well, and Chen Xiao did not wish to disparage Xiao Zhan merely to elevate himself.

Although after two and a half years of hard training, his current realm slightly surpassed Xiao Zhan’s.

His battle techniques and cultivation methods were also just a bit more advanced.

Summing up, his advantage was only marginal.

“Looks like Brother Chen Xiao is preparing to take action?”

Xun’er smiled gently, then became more serious as she speculated.

Chen Xiao’s past was well known to her; over the years, he never concealed his hostility toward the Oba family.

“It’s been seven years; it’s time to settle it. The sooner I clear these trivial matters, the better. Half a year from now, when the Canaan Academy recruitment team arrives, I will go to sign up,” Chen Xiao nodded in agreement.

He had already planned out the remaining six months.

He needed to deal with the Oba family affairs and complete the follow-up of the advanced cultivation method, the Ice Emperor Codex.

Hearing Chen Xiao’s plan, Xun’er momentarily lost herself in thought.

Even she hadn’t noticed how quickly time had passed; in the blink of an eye, it had been so many years at the Xiao family.

Thinking of her own task, Xun’er felt a slight headache.

Over the years, Ling Ying had almost turned the Xiao family upside down but could not find the object sought.

Therefore, there was only one explanation.

That object was carried personally by the Xiao family’s upper echelons!

Though Xun’er had her suspects, she could not take harsh measures; it was truly difficult to act.

Coming back to herself, Xun’er smiled helplessly.

“Let’s not talk about that now. Brother Chen Xiao, we should hurry back. Uncle Xiao Zhan announced to the entire clan last night that there will be a major announcement at noon today. No one is allowed to be absent.”

Given Xun’er’s status, she naturally need not be overly concerned.

But since she was in the Xiao family…

She might as well show some respect.

Chen Xiao also recalled this matter and immediately stored his long blade into his finger ring.

This low-grade ring was obtained at the Mittel Auction House for a hefty sum of ninety thousand gold coins. Its internal space was not large, less than two cubic meters, but it was barely enough for Chen Xiao now.

“That’s right. Clan Leader Xiao Zhan is making such a big deal out of it; it must be something important. Xun’er, do you have any insider news?”

He asked aloud, though in his heart, he was already speculating.

Xun’er smiled brightly and said, “Most likely it’s related to that cousin, Xiao Yan.”

Upon hearing this, Chen Xiao’s suspicions were further confirmed.

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In recent years, he had kept a low profile and trained hard, never revealing his true strength in public.

In stark contrast stood Xiao Yan.

Last year, at the mere age of ten, Xiao Yan had already reached a terrifying ninth-stage Dou Qi!

For a time, not only within the Xiao family but throughout Utan City, everyone had heard of Xiao Yan’s name; he was truly renowned.

All eyes were on this rising Xiao family prodigy, wondering when he would condense the Dou Qi vortex and ascend into the ranks of Dou Zhe.

After all, this was not only important for the Xiao family but also closely related to the other families in Utan City, especially the tense Oba and Jiale families.

As the protagonist, Xiao Yan was constantly flattered and fawned over daily, naturally becoming a bit arrogant and youthful in spirit.

When Chen Xiao and Xun’er returned from the rear mountain, the grand training ground of the Xiao family was nearly packed with people.

Xiao family disciples stood at the front of the square, with guards and servants behind them.

On the high platform stood the clan leader Xiao Zhan and the three elders, rarely seen together, each with expressions radiating uncontainable joy.

“Brother Chen Xiao, I’ll go ahead,”

At the edge of the square, Xun’er lowered her voice.

Her status in the Xiao family was vastly different from Chen Xiao’s. With so many people present, staying by his side would draw too much attention.

Chen Xiao nodded slightly, watching Xun’er walk to the front row of the crowd while he remained at the square’s edge.

After waiting another ten minutes, more scattered arrivals trickled in.

Until noon, when the moment seemed right, Xiao Zhan, under the gaze of countless curious eyes, strode forward.

“Ha ha ha! The reason for gathering everyone today is to announce something. Actually, it’s not a big matter,”

He tried to sound modest.

Unfortunately, it was impossible to hide his smile, which nearly twisted his mouth.

“In recent years, our clan members, and even some from other families, have been watching Yan’er, constantly guessing when he would condense the Dou Qi vortex and become a Dou Zhe.”

“What I want to say today is: you no longer need to guess, because my son Xiao Yan successfully condensed the Dou Qi vortex last night!”

Boom!

With Xiao Zhan’s words, the square erupted in uproar.

Xiao Zhan did not suppress it; after the crowd calmed slightly, he raised his hand to gesture.

The next moment, Xiao Yan, dressed in black robes and accompanied by Xiao Ding and Xiao Li, strode out from the rear, full of spirit and confidence.

At this moment, Xiao Yan was the center of all attention.

His reputation had reached its pinnacle!