The coming-of-age ceremony was underway, and its lengthy, tedious procedures were truly a bit headache-inducing.
Sitting below the stage, Xiao Yan watched a group of youths standing on it like wooden statues. He couldn't help but rub his forehead, then turned to Xun'er beside him and said with a wry smile:
"This coming-of-age ceremony is truly a self-inflicted torment."
Seeing Xiao Yan's helpless expression, Xun'er could only let out a soft laugh and say:
"There's nothing to be done. These are the rules; even if Uncle Xiao and the others wanted to, they couldn't change them."
Xiao Yan sighed, nodding helplessly. Just as he was about to doze off, his eyes suddenly narrowed, slowly looking to the left, below the stage.
Not far from them, Xiao Ning was jealously staring at Xiao Yan and Xun'er talking. Seeing Xiao Yan looking at him, he raised his fist in provocation.
"Idiot."
Lightly spitting out two words, Xiao Yan's gaze subtly shifted to Xiao Yu, who was standing next to Xiao Ning. It lingered on her slender, alluring legs for a few moments, and only when Xiao Yu's face began to darken did he coldly smile and withdraw his gaze.
Beside him, Xun'er watched Xiao Yan like this, finding it both a little amusing and a little helpless. Whenever he saw Xiao Yu, Xiao Yan seemed to lose his usual composure, teasing her without any reservations.
Leaning back slightly in his seat, Xiao Yan lightly inhaled the fresh fragrance of Xun'er beside him, then leisurely closed his eyes.
On the stage, after more than half of the ceremony had been performed, it was finally Xiao Yan's turn.
Hearing the call from the stage, many curious and questioning gazes immediately emerged from the VIP section. A large part of the reason they had come today to attend the Xiao family's coming-of-age ceremony was to ascertain whether the legendary youth in Wu Tan City was truly as the recent rumors claimed.
Hearing the call, Xiao Yan slowly opened his eyes. Looking at the expressions of everyone around him, who stared as if he were an alien, he helplessly shook his head inwardly.
Lightly exhaling, Xiao Yan maintained a calm expression on his face. Then, under everyone's scrutinizing gazes, he walked step by step towards the high stage.
The one presiding over the coming-of-age ceremony was Second Elder Xiao Ying. Although this Second Elder had never held a good attitude towards Xiao Yan, ever since the preliminary test was completed, he had reined himself in considerably. The undisguised contempt he once showed had now completely vanished.
Xiao Ying's gaze was somewhat complex as he watched the youth ascending the stage. He let out a soft sigh inwardly, then, holding several ceremonial items in his hand, walked towards Xiao Yan.
Seeing the Second Elder approach and remembering the tediousness of the coming-of-age ceremony, Xiao Yan immediately felt a headache coming on. He gave a wry laugh and resignedly closed his eyes.
Under the scrutinizing gazes of the entire assembly, Xiao Yan stood blankly for half an hour. Only then did the lengthy ceremony finally conclude.
He let out a sigh of relief inwardly. Xiao Yan opened his eyes, looking at the aromatic herbs on his body for a moment, feeling both annoyed and relieved.
Having completed these rituals, the Second Elder lightly wiped away sweat, then turned and walked towards the magic testing stone, loudly declaring: "Re-evaluation ceremony!"
The re-evaluation ceremony was another test of Dou Qi. The test a month ago was merely a preliminary assessment, its purpose being to select the most outstanding individuals in the clan. Only those individuals were permitted to ascend the stage today to undergo the coming-of-age ceremony, while clan members below seven Dou Qi segments could only perform a few simple rituals.
The re-test ceremony was far more elaborate than the one a month prior. This time, the re-test was personally administered by the Second Elder, a two-star Great Dou Master, which showed just how much importance was placed on the coming-of-age ceremony.
Hearing the Second Elder call out loudly, Xiao Yan, who had originally been a little bored, instantly felt his spirits rise, his eyes sparkling as he looked directly towards the high platform.
In the VIP section, various powers from all corners were now intently staring at the black-robed youth on the platform. Their purpose in coming this time was to ascertain whether the former genius youth had truly recovered his cultivation talent.
Ignoring the fiery gazes around him, Xiao Yan calmly stepped forward, stopping before the magic testing stone.
Narrowing his eyes at the youth before him, the Second Elder lightly stroked the black stone tablet, injecting a wisp of Dou Qi into it. Then, expressionless, he stepped to the side. Yet, the gaze he directed at Xiao Yan flashed with a hint of doubt: "This kid, has he really reached 7 Dou Qi stages?"
It seemed Xiao Yan had given the Second Elder quite a shock this time. Although he knew the magic testing stone was rarely wrong, he still stubbornly refused to believe it, which was why he had personally verified it this time.
Without paying any attention to the Second Elder's doubtful gaze, Xiao Yan slowly placed his hand on the stone tablet...
Watching Xiao Yan on the high platform, Xiao Yu below couldn't help but frown slightly. She tilted her head towards Xiao Ning and asked in a low voice:
"Has that guy really reached 7 stages?"
Xiao Yu had only returned home two days ago, so she hadn't seen the previous test.
Hearing his older sister ask, Xiao Ning replied somewhat sullenly:
"Yes. I don't know what he did, but in one year, he actually increased by 4 Dou Qi stages."
Hearing Xiao Ning's confirmation, Xiao Yu's red lips pressed together slightly. She angrily tapped her foot on the ground, glaring at the black-robed young man on the platform, a hint of stubbornness on her beautiful face.
"Unless I see it with my own eyes, I won't believe this trash can..."
Secretly sighing, Xiao Yu sneered, staring at the center of the platform:
"I don't know what trick you pulled last time, but this time, the Second Elder is personally presiding over it. I'll see what you do..."
Before she could finish speaking, Xiao Yu's smiling face suddenly froze, the words she hadn't spoken caught in her throat.
High up on the wooden platform, the stone tablet suddenly emitted a bright light. Large golden characters, appearing like flying dragons and dancing phoenixes, materialized:
"Dou Qi: Eight Stages!"