Battle Through The Heavens : I Am The Thunder Emperor

Chapter 19: The Two Dragons of the Xiao Family

As the green-robed girl, Xun'er, slowly walked up to the testing stone, the training ground fell silent. All eyes were fixed on her, burning with intensity as they watched her every move without blinking.

On the high platform, all the senior members of the Xiao family, including the clan leader and the three elders, ceased their low murmurs, focusing their attention solely on the girl.

Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, Xun'er walked calmly to the black stone monument. Her small hand reached out, the sleeve sliding down to reveal a snow-white, slender wrist.

Her jade-like hand lightly touched the cold surface of the stone, and Xun'er slowly closed her eyes. The Dou Qi within her body surged rapidly.

As her Dou Qi flowed into the stone, there was a brief moment of silence before the stone suddenly radiated a brilliant light.

"Dou Zhe: One Star!"

"Miss Xun'er, One Star Dou Zhe!" The examiner, who was usually cold and indifferent, couldn't help but exclaim in admiration as he loudly announced her result.

This announcement sent shockwaves through the crowd. Even the senior members of the Xiao family showed expressions of surprise and amazement at the strength Xun'er had displayed.

Mo Yu, however, remained calm, his expression unchanged by the result.

Xiao Mei, standing beside him, was also astonished by Xun'er's achievement. But when she glanced at the composed Mo Yu, she couldn't help but wonder—what was the strength of this rising genius?

"Mo Yu!" The examiner's voice called out again, snapping Xiao Mei from her thoughts.

Hearing his name, Mo Yu slightly raised his head, scanning the training ground. After seeing Xun'er's result, the onlookers turned their curious gazes towards Mo Yu, eager to see the performance of this recently emerging star of the Xiao family.

The senior members on the platform also refocused their attention, looking towards the corner of the training ground where the young man in the green robe stood.

Although Xun'er was strong, her impressive results were somewhat expected given her mysterious and powerful background. But Mo Yu, a servant's grandson who had risen rapidly in just a year, was an anomaly in the Xiao family's long history. This made him the subject of even greater attention.

Mo Yu casually rolled his neck and walked towards the testing stone with the same nonchalant demeanor as if he were merely taking a stroll.

Under the watchful and varied gazes of the crowd—some filled with admiration, others with curiosity—Mo Yu reached the black stone.

Even the usually indifferent examiner couldn't hide his curiosity as he observed the young man who had recently gained such renown within the family. What extraordinary result would he achieve?

With the crowd holding its breath, Mo Yu calmly placed his hand on the cold stone.

At that moment, all eyes were glued to the stone, eager to see if Mo Yu's rise would continue or if he would be a flash in the pan.

After a brief stillness, the stone suddenly blazed with light.

The large golden characters that appeared on the stone left everyone in the training ground momentarily breathless.

"Dou Qi: Ninth Stage!"

The entire place fell silent.

Everyone stared at the five golden characters on the stone, their faces filled with expressions of envy and jealousy. This outsider, not even a true member of the Xiao family, had progressed so rapidly that only Xun'er could surpass him!

"Ninth Stage!"

On the high platform, Xiao Zhan stared at the stone in shock.

Beside him, the three elders were equally stunned. The Ninth Stage of Dou Qi—just one step away from becoming a Dou Zhe!

The First Elder's cloudy eyes gleamed briefly before he closed them as if indifferent to the world. However, the trembling of his fingers on his cane revealed his true emotions.

The Second and Third Elders exchanged a glance, silently agreeing that this young talent needed to be recruited.

Xiao Mei's gaze was filled with admiration as she stared at the young man standing beneath the stone.

At the edge of the training ground, Xiao Ning was frozen in place, his eyes wide as he stared at the stone. After a moment, he muttered in relief, "Thank goodness I didn't provoke him too much, or..."

Xiao Yan also looked at the scene with admiration and said, "Cousin Xun'er and Cousin Mo Yu really put the pressure on."

Hearing this, the girl beside him, pure as a lotus, chuckled softly. "Cousin Mo Yu's progress is indeed swift, but Xiao Yan gege isn't bad either. I think you'll surprise everyone soon."

Just as Xun'er finished speaking, the examiner's voice rang out again.

"Xiao Yan!"

Hearing his name, Xiao Yan slowly stood up. Encouraged by Xun'er, he confidently walked towards the stone.

As Mo Yu stepped away from the stone, he looked at the black-robed boy approaching and smiled. "Cousin Xiao Yan, it's your turn to shine."

Knowing the story, Mo Yu was aware that today, this boy would be the most surprising one of all.

Seeing Mo Yu's confident expression, Xiao Yan's face showed determination. He nodded firmly and said, "Don't worry, Cousin Mo Yu. I won't disappoint you."

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Xiao Yan gave a remarkable performance.

"Dou Qi: Seventh Stage!"

Despite the shock from Xun'er and Mo Yu's results, Xiao Yan's achievement was equally dazzling, perhaps even more so. After three years of being labeled a failure, his sudden rise drew even more attention.

The crowd watched this development with mixed feelings—envy, jealousy, and even happiness.

On the platform, the senior members of the Xiao family engaged in subtle power plays, though Xiao Zhan, as a competent clan leader, maintained control over most of the family's authority.

Mo Yu, on the other hand, observed the scene calmly. Xiao Yan's rise had no direct impact on him, so he watched with a peaceful mind.

"The test is over. Now, we proceed to the next phase. Those who failed to qualify have the right to challenge a qualified peer. Remember, you only get one chance!" Xiao Zhan announced cheerfully, still elated by Xiao Yan's restored talent.

He glanced at Mo Yu and Xiao Yan, thinking to himself, "Good things come in pairs. Could this be a sign that the Xiao family is destined to rise?"

Hearing this, the training ground became lively again as those who narrowly missed the qualifying mark looked eagerly at the successful candidates.

But while the qualified participants faced these challenging gazes, most of them remained unbothered. The difference between the Sixth and Seventh Stages of Dou Qi was significant, making it unlikely for a Sixth Stage fighter to defeat a Seventh Stage opponent in a direct confrontation.

The Sixth Stage participants knew this well, but this was their last chance. Regardless of the odds, they had to give it a try.

As the atmosphere grew tense, fiery gazes scanned the qualified participants, each one sizing up their best possible opponent.

Mo Yu, however, stood quietly, untouched by the tension. No one was foolish enough to challenge someone with Ninth Stage Dou Qi.

Instead, Xiao Yan, who had just risen, became the target of choice.

Sure enough, a Xiao family member named Xiao Ke decided to challenge him.

But under Yao Lao's tutelage and with Xiao Yan's own hard work, Xiao Ke found himself facing an opponent far beyond his expectations.

Easily defeating Xiao Ke, Xiao Yan finally shed his reputation as a failure, earning the respect and admiration of those around him.

After Xiao Ke's failed challenge, no one else dared to step forward. The remaining unqualified members had to seek out easier targets, and only two of them succeeded in defeating their opponents and qualifying.

As the training ground settled down, Xiao Zhan, smiling broadly, stood up and announced the end of the test, along with some reminders about the upcoming coming-of-age ceremony in a month.

Watching the Xiao family members gather around Xiao Yan to congratulate him, Mo Yu felt no desire to join the celebration. He brushed off the dust on his clothes and prepared to leave.

"Mo Yu gege, tomorrow at the Dou Technique Hall, my father will be teaching a high-level Huang technique. Will you join us?" Xiao Mei asked with a smile, her face a captivating blend of innocence and allure.

"I'm busy," Mo Yu replied curtly.

He was preparing to break through to the Dou Zhe stage and had no time for flirtations.

Hearing Mo Yu's blunt refusal, Xiao Mei's face stiffened. After a moment, she glanced at the lively group surrounding Xiao Yan, bit her lip lightly, and walked in his direction.

Mo Yu's lips curled into a cold smile. He understood Xiao Mei's type all too well. Such women, no matter the world, always talked about feelings but secretly prioritized their own interests.

Shaking his head, Mo Yu felt no disappointment. He simply turned and left.

(End of chapter)