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**
"Xiao Zhan, come forward for testing!"
The voice of Clan Leader Xiao Dongcheng rang out once more.
Unlike his usual gentle demeanor, Clan Leader Xiao Dongcheng was incredibly solemn today.
Of course, such an occasion did not allow him to be as casual as usual. As for the first person to be tested, it was Xiao Lin's son, Xiao Zhan. Although this was a test, in reality, almost everyone already knew who would pass and who would fail before today.
Everything was merely a formality.
Furthermore, this type of test usually started with those who had displayed the strongest talent early on. As for why Xiao Yan was left until the end in the original story?
That was because Xiao Yan had already been sucked down to Third Stage Dou Zhi Qi by Yao Lao at that time. His Dou Qi cultivation was basically known to everyone in the Xiao Clan, so he was naturally left for the final test.
Then, of course, came the famous scene of Xiao Yan slapping everyone's faces. But under normal circumstances, those with higher Dou Qi cultivation were always tested first.
Just like right now.
Although Xiao Zhan's cultivation talent was not considered exceptionally outstanding, he was indeed the most excellent individual in his generation.
In addition to having a father who was a Dou Wang in the eyes of others, it was only natural for him to be the first person in this test.
At this moment, Xiao Zhan also heard Clan Leader Xiao Dongcheng's call.
Having prepared long ago, Xiao Zhan took a deep breath. Under the watchful eyes of the other Xiao Clan members behind him, he resolutely stepped onto the central square of the coming-of-age ceremony.
He did not stop until he reached the black stone monument in the center of the ceremony square.
"Clan Leader!"
Arriving before the black stone monument, Xiao Zhan first bowed respectfully to Clan Leader Xiao Dongcheng.
In an occasion like this, everything was handled with great formality. Clan Leader Xiao Dongcheng nodded in response to Xiao Zhan's salute. Although it didn't show on his face, there was encouragement in his eyes for Xiao Zhan.
"Xiao Zhan, begin the test!"
As Clan Leader Xiao Dongcheng's words fell, Xiao Zhan reached out his right hand, placed it on the black stone monument, and injected his Dou Qi.
In the next second, a line of words appeared on the black stone monument.
During this time, everyone, including Xiao Lin, cast their gazes toward the center of the square. To be honest, even though he wasn't the one being tested, Xiao Lin felt inexplicably nervous at this moment.
Perhaps it was because this test involved his son.
It wasn't that Xiao Lin was afraid of Xiao Zhan's Dou Qi cultivation being too poor and causing him to lose face. Rather, he was worried that Xiao Zhan would be dissatisfied with himself.
In Xiao Lin's heart, Xiao Zhan actually only needed to be responsible for "lying flat."
He had his old man above him to protect him, and his son Xiao Yan below him to hold up the sky. Normally, as long as he didn't fall into the hands of the Hall of Souls like in the original story, he could live a comfortable life forever.
Therefore, in Xiao Lin's heart, Xiao Zhan's cultivation talent was not actually important. But if Xiao Zhan wanted to work hard himself, Xiao Lin wouldn't object.
At this time, after the writing surfaced on the black stone monument, Clan Leader Xiao Dongcheng also spoke to announce the results.
"Xiao Zhan, 16 years old, Three-Star Dou Zhe!"
Clan Leader Xiao Dongcheng's voice, amplified by Dou Qi, spread to every corner around the square!
Immediately, a wave of commotion erupted from the surroundings.
At this age, this level of cultivation could already be described as quite good. At the very least, compared to himself during the same period in the original story, the current Xiao Zhan was definitely stronger, not weaker!
Moreover, one must remember that when Gu Xun'er was staying with the Xiao Clan in the original story, she only became a Dou Zhe at the age of fifteen.
While it was highly likely that Gu Xun'er was deliberately suppressing her cultivation speed, Xiao Zhan becoming a Three-Star Dou Zhe at sixteen was indeed considered very good in the current Jia Ma Empire.
"Xiao Lin, you fellow. It's one thing for you to be a head above me yourself, but I didn't expect your son to be a head above my son now too."
"Dammit, I'm really not reconciled! However, I still have to congratulate you. Congratulations to your Xiao Clan; your Xiao Clan has a worthy successor."
Sure enough, after Xiao Dongcheng reported Xiao Zhan's Dou Qi cultivation, Nalan Jie, as a close friend, immediately started huffing and puffing because Nalan Su was currently only a Two-Star Dou Zhe.
But it was clear that Nalan Jie was mostly joking.
In his heart, he was genuinely happy for Xiao Lin.
"Hahaha, then you have to see whose son he is!"
If others said such things, Xiao Lin might not feel much. But close friends, sometimes they just particularly liked to compete for victory in these kinds of matters.
As expected, following Xiao Lin's words, Nalan Jie shot him a direct glare.
"Brother Xiao, congratulations!"
Mu Chen also offered his blessings at the appropriate time.
In response, Xiao Lin cupped his hands to express his gratitude.
"Not bad. Given time, the Xiao Clan might give birth to another Dou Wang!"
As the person with the highest Dou Qi cultivation on the scene besides Xiao Lin, Yun Shan naturally knew what level a sixteen-year-old Three-Star Dou Zhe could reach in the future.
"Sect Leader Yun Shan, then I shall take that as a good omen."
Xiao Lin replied with a smile.
At the same time, the various factions who came to witness the Xiao Clan's ceremony also began congratulating Xiao Lin one after another.
It could only be said that while Xiao Zhan's cultivation talent was mediocre in Xiao Lin's eyes, in the eyes of other factions, he could definitely earn the title of "Genius."
From this, one could also see that in the Northwest Continent, everyone's vision was ultimately limited. If Xiao Zhan were placed in the Central Plains, he would likely fade into the crowd.
But truthfully, Xiao Zhan's ability to rise from a One-Star Dou Zhe to Three-Star within a month was indeed quite a surprise to Xiao Lin.
However, after thinking about it, he felt relieved. After all, Xiao Zhan had already reached One-Star Dou Zhe more than half a year ago. It was only because he lacked a Cultivation Technique that he couldn't break through.
But once he practiced the Earth Grade Cultivation Technique, the Gale Wind Technique, the accumulation of the past half-year would certainly transform into his strength.
Therefore, it wasn't strange at all that he could promote from a One-Star Dou Zhe to Three-Star in this one month.
On that note, one really had to admit that an Earth Grade Cultivation Technique was far superior to a Xuan Class Cultivation Technique.
If Xiao Zhan were practicing a Xuan Grade Cultivation Technique now, he likely would have only broken through to Two-Star Dou Zhe at most.
Welcoming the admiring gazes of the people around him, a heartfelt smile also appeared on Xiao Zhan's face.
"Remember to continue working hard in the future; do not become slack."
To prevent Xiao Zhan from becoming carried away with himself, Clan Leader Xiao Dongcheng gave a reminder.
"Yes, Clan Leader, I will definitely keep it in mind!"
After restraining his emotions, Xiao Zhan responded with utmost solemnity.
"Mhm, go then."
Since Xiao Zhan had finished his test, it was naturally time for the next Xiao clan members to take the stage. Just like that, Xiao Zhan left the center of the square cloaked in glory.
Compared to the original story where the Dou Qi in Xiao Yan's body was absorbed time and again by Yao Lao, leaving him only able to maintain Third Stage Dou Zhi Qi, Xiao Zhan's dazzling cultivation as a Three-Star Dou Zhe indeed deserved such honor.
One was Third Stage Dou Zhi Qi, and the other was Three-Star Dou Zhe; the gap between them making the two receive such different treatment was truly perfectly normal.
"The next clansman to be tested, Xiao Ying, come forward!"
As soon as Xiao Zhan stepped down, Clan Leader Xiao Dongcheng immediately announced the second Xiao clansman to be tested. In the next moment, a Xiao clansman of similar age to Xiao Zhan stepped into the center of the square with a nervous heart.
**
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