Chapter 2: Chapter 2: Xiao Yan's Humiliation!
"Ah, my third brother... I saw it coming long ago!"
"But he's quite strong-willed. Despite meeting with me frequently this past year, he didn't tell me about this."
Watching Xiao Yan's gradually disappearing figure, Xiao Ze said somewhat helplessly.
"Indeed, Cousin Xiao Yan is more mature than ordinary people, but his personality is also stronger."
Xiao Xun'er nodded in agreement.
"Experiencing such a thing now, he must feel very uncomfortable inside, falling from a One-Star Dou Zhe to the fourth stage of Dou Qi."
"Isn't Cousin Xiao Ze going to comfort him?" Xiao Xun'er asked.
Xiao Ze said casually, "If he wants to talk, he will."
"And for him, this little storm is just a minor setback before he soars."
Hearing Xiao Ze's words, Xiao Xun'er pondered, looking at the disappearing figure in the distance.
She and Xiao Ze had been childhood friends, and she had long noticed Xiao Ze's extraordinary confidence in Cousin Xiao Yan.
It seemed like he always firmly believed that Cousin Xiao Yan could rise above challenges and become a true dragon soaring in the vast world, breaking free from the constraints of Wutan City.
Xiao Xun'er initially thought it was Cousin Xiao Yan's displayed talent that led Xiao Ze to have such blind faith in him.
But now, with Xiao Yan's inexplicable decline in strength, Xiao Ze's confidence in him seemed even stronger.
This puzzled Xiao Xun'er.
"Why does Cousin Xiao Ze have such strong confidence in Cousin Xiao Yan?"
Xiao Xun'er asked, her bright and clear eyes blinking like a curious baby.
Xiao Ze turned his head, looking at Xiao Xun'er seriously.
"Of course, because he's my third brother. If I'm such a genius, how much more can he achieve?"
"You're just flattering yourself!" Xiao Xun'er teased Xiao Ze, wondering if there was any necessary connection between his genius and Cousin Xiao Yan's.
However, Xiao Xun'er didn't deny Xiao Ze's claim of being a genius.
Although Xiao Ze had never been tested, Xiao Xun'er knew his strength far surpassed hers.
The outside world speculated various reasons for not testing Xiao Ze, but the most mainstream one was that Xiao Yan's brilliance overshadowed him, making this Fourth Young Master feel inferior, afraid that his talent wouldn't measure up, and thus avoiding comparison.
Only Xiao Xun'er, who had been practicing with Xiao Ze all along, knew how powerful he truly was.
His talent and insights were astonishing! Even though they started practicing together, Xiao Ze's understanding and insights were many times stronger than hers!
Xiao Xun'er even shared these insights with her bodyguard, Ling Ying, a high-ranking Dou Huang, who admired Xiao Ze's insights!
Ling Ying even admitted that she couldn't have such insights and understanding!
Being admired by a Dou Huang showed how extraordinary Xiao Ze's talent and insights were.
Even in a land where geniuses abounded, Xiao Ze's talent could be considered top-notch!
In fact, Xiao Xun'er didn't know that Xiao Ze's extraordinary talent was all thanks to her.
Xiao Xun'er herself was a top genius of the Gu clan for thousands of years, possessing divine bloodlines. Even compared to other ancient clans, she was among the most outstanding talents!
Xiao Ze's ability to receive tenfold feedback from Xiao Xun'er's progress showed how terrifying his potential was!
This made Xiao Ze sigh countless times that his choice was not wrong!
"Since Cousin Xiao Ze doesn't want to say, let's forget it. Why bother with such words to entertain me?"
Pretending to be angry, Xiao Xun'er crossed her arms and turned her head away.
"Don't be like that. I really mean it!" Xiao Ze quickly explained, unable to reveal that he knew the future plot.
Seeing Xiao Xun'er turn away, Xiao Ze felt relieved.
But he still couldn't help but ask, "Really?"
"Absolutely. Since childhood, I've felt that my third brother is exceptional and will eventually rise like a true dragon."
Hearing Xiao Ze's confident words, Xiao Xun'er also felt curious.
What special qualities did Xiao Yan have that she couldn't see, yet warranted such trust from Xiao Ze?
But Xiao Ze obviously couldn't provide a reason. After all, it was just his feeling.
As the two conversed back and forth, they didn't feel awkward and enjoyed each other's company.
Suddenly, two young members of the Xiao family ran towards them, muttering rapidly.
"Hurry, hurry, Young Master Xiao Yan and Cousin Xiao Ning are fighting!"
"Really? Let's go see if the genius has truly fallen!"
On the hillside, Xiao Ze suddenly sat up, and Xiao Xun'er, beside him, couldn't help but say, "Cousin Xiao Ze, do you want to go and see?"
"Of course!" Xiao Ze answered, quickly getting up and following the two people towards the scene.
Xiao Xun'er smiled slightly and followed suit.
...
After completing the test, Xiao Ning also left the square, but he couldn't help but ponder Xiao Yan's test result—fourth stage of Dou Qi!
Although Xiao Ning was a few years older than Xiao Yan, his grandfather often used Xiao Yan as an example to urge him to practice harder.
This made Xiao Ning very unwilling to accept it.
The accumulated dissatisfaction finally erupted when he coincidentally encountered Xiao Yan and led to a full-on confrontation.
The fight between the two soon attracted a crowd, even alarming the elders of the family.
By the time Clan Chief Xiao Zhan hurried over, the situation had changed.
Xiao Yan lay on the ground, blood staining his lips, while Xiao Ning stood proudly beside him.
If it weren't for his arrival, Xiao Ning might have mocked Xiao Yan further.
Xiao Zhan frowned, about to help Xiao Yan up, when a voice spoke up.
"Father, let me handle this."
Seeing Xiao Ze helping Xiao Yan up, Xiao Zhan's expression softened slightly.
Xiao Ze looked at Xiao Yan, whose injuries weren't severe, and although there was conflict between them, they still respected their familial ties.
Xiao Ning also didn't go too far, only knocking Xiao Yan down without causing serious harm.
"Xiao Ning, why did you use such force against another member of the Xiao clan?" Xiao Zhan asked, suppressing his anger.
"Oh, Xiao Zhan, it was just a spar between the younger generation. Why get so worked up?" An old voice suddenly interjected, drawing everyone's attention.
It was none other than the elder who held power equal to the clan chief's within the Xiao family.
"A spar? Using such force against a fellow clan member in a spar? Elder, you have quite the thick skin!" Xiao Zhan's anger flashed, but he remained composed.
Just now, he had seen the signal transmitted by Xiao Ze, indicating that Xiao Yan was not seriously injured.
"Ah, Xiao Zhan, Xiao Ning didn't know the full situation. After all, he still thought he was facing the family genius, a One-Star Dou Zhe. Naturally, he would give it his all."
"Unexpectedly, Xiao Ning went all out and knocked Xiao Yan down. It's just a careless mistake. Besides, matters between younger generations in the family shouldn't concern us, right?"
The elder sarcastically commented on Xiao Yan's decline in status. He was no longer the prominent figure he once was, even being surpassed by his grandson, Xiao Ning.
Just as Xiao Zhan was about to retort, Xiao Yan's voice suddenly rang out.
"Father, it was my fault. I accept this defeat."
Xiao Yan knew that dragging this matter out would only result in a dispute between the clan chief and the elder.
Continuing to argue would only make the situation more embarrassing!
"Son..." Xiao Zhan understood Xiao Yan's intentions.
He was not only Xiao Yan's father but also the clan chief!
"Since the party involved, Xiao Yan, has said so, let's put this matter to rest."
The elder intervened, putting an end to the matter.
"This was just a matter between younger generations of the family, no need for our intervention, right? Clan Chief Xiao Zhan."
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone