Chapter 10: Display Talent
"Well, you don't have to worry about it, Brother Xiao Hua. After all, it’s not like you could’ve seen it coming."
"It’s true that it was my fault. And honestly, that time was even more painful than when I first got struck by lightning..."
Xiao Xun Er tried to reassure Xiao Hua that it wasn’t his fault, but he couldn’t accept it. The damage was too severe. Moreover, the incident had caused such a commotion that the entire Wu Tan City was gripped by nightmares that night.
"It was shocking to see you covered in injuries, bleeding so much. If Old Ling hadn’t acted quickly to bring you back and let me heal you, the damage could have been irreparable..." Xiao Xun Er said, her voice filled with worry.
"You already scolded me for that. I admit, my immaturity got the best of me again. I bit off more than I could chew. Next time, I’ll be better prepared, so you won’t have to worry." Xiao Hua nodded.
Xiao Xun Er gave a wry smile in response. "I have a feeling that might not happen, but I’d be more at ease if you’re fine and promise to stay by my side forever, Brother Xiao Hua."
"I promise you that, Xun'er. I won’t leave you alone, and I’ll make sure it’s not just me who stays by your side."
"Hm? Are you planning to form a faction?"
Xiao Hua didn’t answer, but his silence told her everything she needed to know. She was delighted that he was thinking of her. After all, to resist the Gu Clan’s opposition, he needed to show more than just strength and talent.
While that was his primary reason, another was to protect the Xiao Clan and the people he truly cared about while he was away. He knew he had to leave the Dou Qi Continent and needed people to watch over it while he searched for the Great Thousand World.
Since there was a higher realm, there was no reason not to go. Additionally, a great danger was brewing in the Great Thousand World, as the Fiend Clans were preparing for their leader, the Heavenly Evil Monarch, to awaken.
"By the way, Brother Xiao Hua, I almost forgot to mention—Xun’er will also be following you to Jia Nan Academy."
Xiao Xun Er clapped her hands together, suddenly remembering this while they talked about forming a faction. Her words snapped him out of his thoughts.
"Is that okay? Won’t the elders in your clan give you trouble, Xun’er?" Xiao Hua asked, concerned.
"Well, I can falsify and delay my report. I know it won’t work forever, but I want to join your journey and see the world as you do, Brother Xiao Hua, even if only for a while," Xiao Xun Er replied, her voice tinged with sadness.
Seeing her sad expression, Xiao Hua’s face grew serious. He looked ahead and promised, "If that’s the case, then I swear to you, Xun’er. When that day comes, and they take you back, I’ll go to the Gu Clan to claim your hand and earn their blessing."
"I know you will, Brother Xiao Hua."
Xiao Xun Er shed tears at his declaration, which Xiao Hua gently wiped away. Ling Ying, who had been watching the entire scene, smiled at his Young Miss’s happiness and nodded in approval of Xiao Hua’s promise.
Xiao Hua and Xiao Xun Er walked to the Magic Testing Monument, where the Coming of Age Ceremony tests were taking place. The crowd watched as several people tested their Dou Qi, eager to see who had the most talent.
Most of them agreed that no one was more talented than Xiao Yan. Hearing this, Xiao Xun Er quietly giggled.
"It seems today will be full of surprises for them."
"You’re enjoying this too much, don’t you think, Xun’er?" Xiao Hua remarked with a wry smile.
"Of course I am. After all, I’ll get to see Brother Xiao Hua display his talent in front of everyone and hear their praises for you." Xiao Xun Er was delighted that everyone would witness Xiao Hua’s abilities.
Xiao Hua shook his head, still smiling. He glanced around and noticed Xiao Yan looking at him—specifically at Xiao Xun Er.
'Now this is a surprise. I thought Xun’er said he wasn’t going to join the Coming of Age Ceremony. Did he change his mind at the last second or lose focus on his training? Still, I can see the shock on his face. Not that I blame him...'
Although Xiao Yan has seen this many times, he was still surprised at Xiao Xun Er warm and kind demeanor that she is showing. After all, he knew that she looked at everyone else in a cold and indifferent expression. However, when it comes to Xiao Hua, she becomes warm and bright. Now he wondered what happened after he left running from Xiao Xun Er interrogation.
Xiao Hua smiled wryly at seeing Xiao Yan expression as he knows what exactly Xiao Yan was thinking of right now. Unfortunately, even he was surprised by this sudden change of event. That’s why he wanted to quickly leave for Jia Nan Academy and gained more strength since he had already messed up the most critical plot in the novel and manhua.
“Now that we finished with the people that have Coming of Age Ceremony, is there anyone that wants to try?”
The elder that supervised the Examination Day for Coming-of-Age Ceremony announced the end of the test, he asked for anyone below age of 16 to try. Although he glanced at Xiao Yan, with a clear meaning.
Xiao Yan went to the stage and took a test, touching the black monument. It shows that he’s a 3-Star Dou Disciple and the crowds went wild, surprised at his cultivation realm. As the elder nodded and wanted to end the test, a mellow voice chimed in catching everyone’s attention.
“Excuse me, elder. May Brother Xiao Hua and I partake on the Dou Qi Exam?”
Everyone turned and saw Xiao Xun’er raise her hand and walked forward. They looked at her and Xiao Hua, who was being pulled by her. The supervising elder looked at the Patriarch and the rest of the elders, to which they give their approval.
“As Patriarch and the other elders don’t mind, you may proceed to partake in the exam, Nephew Xun’er and Nephew Hua.”
“Thank you elder.”
Xiao Xun’er and Xiao Hua clasped their hands and thanked the elder. They both jumped on the stage, which surprised the crowds as the height of the stage is a bit too tall. Some even mentioned that they might have surpassed Xiao Yan.
Xiao Xun’er went forward and done the same thing as Xiao Yan, touching the black monument, and injecting her Dou Qi in it. Afterwards, the black monument displaying her realm, a 9-Star Dou Disciple.
“She’s actually a 9-Star Dou Disciple?! Isn’t she turning 5 this year?!”
“No way! To think there was someone that was more talented than Young Master Xiao Yan!!”
“This is more than being talented! This is a genius!!”
Seeing the result displayed from the black monument, the whole plaza became noisy. Everyone was surprised at the result. Nobody ever thought that someone would surpass Xiao Yan, in terms of talent. Suddenly, the same thoughts crossed their mind and quickly looked at Xiao Hua, wondering whether he was the same.
“Ahem! Please, Nephew Xiao Hua. Your turn.”
The supervising elder coughed lightly, silencing everyone. However, a singular thought crossed everyone minds at the time.
‘Will Nephew/Cousin Xiao Hua be the same? Will there be two 9-Star Dou Disciple children, who is just turned 5 this year.’
Xiao Xun’er giggled slightly as she knew what they were thinking of. However, they will be in for a surprise.
Xiao Hua slowly walked to the monument and touched the black monument. Closing his eyes, he slowly injected his Dou Qi into it. After a while, he takes his hand off and saw that it displays ‘1-Star Dou Practitioner’ instead of his true realm, which is 2-Star Master.
He released a sigh of relief, as he realized it worked. He turned around and noticed that the whole plaza was quiet, too quiet. He looked around and saw that everyone was in a daze as they were looking at the result. Scratching his cheeks, he waited for the supervising elder to announce it.
After a while, sensing Xiao Hua’s gaze, the supervising elder snapped out of his stupor and announced excitedly. His loud announcement snapped everyone out of their stupor, and they all made a loud noise.
“What the hell?! He already a Dou Practitioner!”
“What kind of monstrous talent is this!!!”
“Someone! Can someone slap me awake?!”
“Dumbass! This is not a dream! I already slapped my cheeks until it bulges!”
“Holy shit! You’re crazy! But this also means our Xiao Clan will flourish with these two!”
Everyone was heated up and shouted at the top of their lungs. Excited at the prospect of their clan, Xiao Clan future. They all shouted Xiao Hua and Xiao Xun Er name, making the area shake.
---
The results of Xiao Hua and Xiao Xun Er's tests were so astonishing that even the Patriarch and the elders were left speechless, their jaws nearly hitting the floor. Immediately afterward, they convened a meeting that lasted an entire day to discuss the implications of these two prodigies. By the end, they decided to summon them for a discussion.
Meanwhile, Xiao Hua and Xiao Xun Er returned to her courtyard, enjoying a lively conversation over tea prepared by Ling Ying. Xiao Hua indulged the little princess, showering her with attention until nightfall.
When Xiao Xun Er suggested that Xiao Hua stay in the guest room for the night, he agreed without hesitation. The next morning, they resumed their cheerful discussion, reflecting on the events of the previous day.
"It seems the title of the Xiao Clan’s genius now belongs to Brother Xiao Hua," Xiao Xun Er said, clearly pleased with the praise he received, ignoring the fact that she had been equally praised.
"Xun’er… You know, in front of the Gu Clan or those with a Dou Di Bloodline, this kind of talent is nothing more than trash," Xiao Hua replied with a wry smile.
"I wonder about that... As far as I know, even in the Gu Clan, there isn’t a single five-year-old who’s reached the 1-Star Dou Master level. And even then, Brother Xiao Hua, you've been deliberately holding back your cultivation speed to avoid drawing unwanted attention," Xiao Xun Er pointed out.
"Just as Old Ling said, Xun'er, there have been many who try to snuff out a light that's too bright for them. The most dangerous enemy is the one you don’t even know exists," Xiao Hua stated thoughtfully.
"You're like an old man, Brother Xiao Hua," Xiao Xun Er teased.
"I’d prefer to be called mature..." Xiao Hua grumbled.
Their conversation continued until they were interrupted by a knock on the door. Although they didn’t know who it was, they had a good idea of the reason. Xiao Hua glanced at Xiao Xun Er, and she nodded in understanding.
They both stood and opened the door to find one of the clan’s high-ranking elders, which surprised them. They had expected a servant to be sent, not an elder.
"Is there anything we can help you with, Elder?" Xiao Hua asked politely.
"Ah, Young Master Hua, Young Miss Xun Er. The Patriarch and the Head Elder have requested your presence," the elder replied respectfully.
"Is that so? Please give us a moment."
"Certainly, Young Master Hua, Young Miss Xun Er," the elder agreed.
After a short while, Xiao Hua and Xiao Xun Er emerged and followed the elder to the Xiao Clan’s Council Hall. On the way, Xiao Hua’s curiosity got the better of him.
"Elder, may I ask the reason the Patriarch and the Head Elder have called for us?"
"Though the Patriarch and the Head Elder will explain in more detail, I can give you a brief idea. They wish to discuss your future plans."
"Future plans?"
"Yes. With your exceptional capabilities, the clan feels it may be difficult to provide you with further opportunities for growth. They intend to send you elsewhere to continue your studies."
"I understand. Thank you, Elder," Xiao Hua responded, nodding in acknowledgment.
The elder led them to the door of the Council Hall, where he knocked and announced their arrival.
"Young Master Xiao Hua and Young Miss Xun Er have arrived," the elder said, respectfully cupping his hands.
"Come in," replied an old, raspy voice from within.
The elder slid open the door and entered, bowing slightly to the few seated figures inside.
The hall was spacious but not crowded, with only a few seats at the top occupied. Xiao Hua recognized three of the occupants: the Patriarch, Xiao Zhan, and the First and Second Elders. The Third Elder, who had caused trouble for Xiao Yan when he temporarily lost his Dou Qi, was also present.