Seeing the silver-robed youth issue his challenge, the other qualified challengers felt a momentary pang of regret, taking a breath as if greatly envying the youth.
Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the youth before him from head to toe. Although the clan had many members and he didn't know all of them, he did have some impression of this particular youth.
According to Xiao Yan's memory, this youth was named Xiao Ke, a member of the First Elder's faction. He usually followed Xiao Zhu around, practically like a dog slave, and had mocked Xiao Yan quite a few times when Xiao Yan was down and out.
As he slowly recalled some past events, Xiao Yan's lips suddenly curled into a dangerous smile.
Turning his head, he met Xun Er's gaze and smiled. Under everyone's watchful eyes, he nodded and said with a light chuckle, "Alright, I accept."
Seeing Xiao Yan agree so easily, a hint of hesitation appeared in Xiao Ke's eyes. A feeling of unease rose in his heart, and his throat bobbed slightly. Xiao Ke felt a slight regret for his own rashness.
But even with regret, at this moment, it was impossible to change his mind.
"An illusion! Increasing four stages of Dou Qi in one year is simply impossible for anyone. He must have used some trick to deceive everyone! I will definitely defeat him!" Calming himself down and hearing the cheers from behind him, Xiao Ke then smiled and said, "Then allow me to experience the strength of my cousin Xiao Yan!"
Xiao Yan smiled without speaking, stood up, and entered the training ground, then made a gesture towards Xiao Ke.
Seeing Xiao Yan's calm expression, Xiao Ke's feeling of unease intensified. He forced a laugh and slowly walked into the center of the arena.
Looking at the two people in the arena, everyone in the training ground quickly turned their gaze towards them.
On the high platform, Xiao Zhan received a teacup from a servant behind him, his gaze fixed intently on the arena. A hint of nervousness was hidden in his eyes.
To be honest, it wasn't just Xiao Ke who found Xiao Yan's achievements hard to believe. Even Xiao Zhan himself, deep down, harbored a trace of disbelief. He couldn't be blamed for not believing Xiao Yan; after all, increasing four stages of Dou Qi within a year—such speed was almost unimaginable. Even three years ago, Xiao Yan couldn't have achieved such a feat.
It was precisely because of these astonishing achievements that everyone found it hard to believe.
However, whether they believed it or not, as soon as Xiao Yan exchanged blows with someone, his true strength would be revealed, and then everyone would be able to see Xiao Yan's true level.
Beside Xiao Zhan, the three elders' breathing was also hurried, their complex gazes fixed on the center of the arena.
All eyes were fixed on the center of the arena, eager to see whether the astonishing achievements Xiao Yan had previously displayed were real or fake; it would be clear once he made his move.
"It's definitely fake!" Beside the square, Xiao Zhu licked his dry lips and muttered fiercely.
"It must... be fake?" In the crowd, Xiao Mei bit her rosy lips lightly, her heart filled with a little uncertainty. She likewise found it very hard to believe how this youth, after three years of silence, could suddenly achieve such astonishing results.
Under everyone's complex gazes, in the courtyard, Xiao Yan and Xiao Ke completed the pre-battle rituals.
With palms raised and a faint aura of *dou qi* emanating, Xiao Ke quietly exhaled, pushed off the ground with one foot, and lunged at Xiao Yan.
Low-level combat truly had nothing flashy about it; everything was simple, direct clashes.
"Mountain Splitting Palm!"
Rapidly closing in on Xiao Yan, Xiao Ke swung his right palm, *dou qi* momentarily gathering, and fiercely struck at Xiao Yan's chest.
Mountain Splitting Palm, a mid-tier Huang-rank *dou skill*, could only be learned by clan members who had reached the Fifth Stage of *dou qi*!
A gentle breeze blew a few strands of hair from Xiao Yan's forehead, revealing his pitch-black eyes. His eyelids flickered, and Xiao Yan's eyes narrowed, as he calmly watched the approaching palm strike.
Just as the palm was about to strike Xiao Yan's shoulder, Xiao Yan lightly stepped to the right. A year of physical training had honed Xiao Yan's reflexes to an exceptional degree.
Taking a step to the right, he just managed to dodge Xiao Ke's attack. His body leaned slightly, and Xiao Yan's palm, like a butterfly flitting through flowers, slipped past Xiao Ke's arm and casually landed on his upper shoulder.
"Shattering Stone Palm!"
Shattering Stone Palm, a low-tier Huang-rank *dou skill*, could be learned by simply reaching the Third Stage of *dou qi*.
"Bang!" Struck by Xiao Yan, Xiao Ke's rosy complexion instantly turned pale. He let out a groan, stumbled backward, ultimately lost his footing, and collapsed to the ground.
The entire arena fell silent. Xiao Ke had lost; thus, the truth was evident.
Defeating his opponent with a single palm strike, Xiao Yan shook his head, a little bored. An opponent like this truly offered no challenge; not to mention using his trump cards, he hadn't even used half of his true strength.
Of course, Xiao Yan's boredom was not shared. Meanwhile, outside the arena, everyone slowly retracted their gazes. If Xiao Yan could easily defeat a Sixth Stage *dou qi* expert, then his strength had to be above the Seventh Stage.
This meant that the terrifying achievements Xiao Yan had shown before... were real!
Increasing four stages of *dou qi* in a single year—such an achievement could only be described as a miracle among miracles!
On the high platform, Xiao Zhan let out a heavy breath. It was indeed true...
"...really, Seventh Stage..."
Watching Xiao Yan defeat Xiao Ke, Xiao Mei's small hand slowly covered her red lips, and trembling, she murmured in a voice barely audible.