Under the surprised gazes, the girl lightly leaped onto the high platform, gracefully landing beside Xiao Yan. Her eyes, like autumn water, slowly shifted, and a playful smile appeared on her beautiful face.
Seeing that the person challenging on his behalf was Xun Er, Xiao Yan was stunned. He said with a mixture of helplessness and delight, "What are you doing up here?"
Xun Er pursed her small lips and smiled faintly, not answering. She shifted her gaze, having noticed a slight change in Xiao Yu's expression, then smiled and said, "Cousin Xiao Yu, you're a bit older than Brother Xiao Yan and you're already cultivating in the academy. This kind of... challenge makes one a bit uncomfortable. If Cousin Xiao Yu truly wants to find someone to vent her anger on, why don't I, Xun Er, help you out instead!"
Hearing this, Xiao Yu's smiling face slightly darkened, and her willow-like brows furrowed. She fiercely said to Xiao Yan, "Do you only know how to hide behind women?"
Xiao Yan's sharp brows shot up, and a fierce glint flickered in his eyes. At this moment, he truly wanted to knock this hateful girl to the ground without a second thought.
"Alright, enough, this is not the time for the three of you to bicker!" Not far away, the Second Elder, with a gloomy expression, roared, making the three of them swallow the words they were about to say.
With a gloomy, aged face, the Second Elder angrily rushed over and furiously shouted at Xiao Yu, "You have no right to challenge on the platform now, return at once! If you continue to disrupt the ongoing ceremony, you will immediately be confined for a month!"
After venting his anger on Xiao Yu, the Second Elder finally let out a sigh of relief. He then helplessly turned his head towards Xun Er and Xiao Yan, and said with a bitter smile, "Miss Xun Er, you should also come down. Your challenge is also against the rules."
Xun Er merely shrugged, indicating it was no big deal. She lightly tapped her foot and descended from the platform, then quietly stuck out her tongue and made a face at Xiao Yan, making others not know whether to laugh or cry.
After being angrily lectured by the Second Elder, Xiao Yu's smiling face showed a hint of grievance. Her teeth bit her plump red lips. A moment later, she angrily stomped her small feet, and as she turned to leave, she left a remark: "You little scoundrel, just you wait!"
Seeing this amusing scene finally conclude, the Second Elder let out a sigh. He tilted his head to look at Xiao Yan, who was wearing an innocent expression, and a bitter smile immediately appeared on his aged face. He then coldly shouted down from the platform, "Xiao Ning violated the rules by consuming a medicinal pill during the competition. Starting today, he is punished with three months of confinement!" After saying this, he ignored the slight commotion below the platform and roared again, "The challenge is over. Xiao Yan wins!"
As for this outcome, Xiao Yan actually didn't care at all. After hearing the announcement that the coming-of-age ceremony was complete, he immediately descended from the platform.
Everyone below the platform focused on their own positions. Seeing the surrounding clan members looking at him with awe, Xiao Yan rubbed his nose, and a faint chuckle rose in his heart.
After Xiao Yan's ceremony concluded, quite a few other clan members also went onto the platform. However, no one could break the profound impact he had made, and even some clan members who achieved good results still felt disheartened, their achievements seeming dim and unremarkable in comparison.
Finally, Xun'er stepped onto the stage, but unexpectedly, she caused another great stir. Becoming a Dou Zhe at fifteen – this achievement was already comparable to Xiao Yan's back then, only slightly inferior. Although the level of Xun'er's achievement was quite ordinary, many already knew that the Xiao family harbored such a top-tier gem. Therefore, even with just that achievement, they still felt unending awe, though it was still far less than the shock Xiao Yan had caused.
The coming-of-age ceremony lasted from early morning until evening, so scattered throughout the arena, sounds of astonishment still echoed everywhere. On the stage, a pair of bright eyes, as clear as ever, couldn't help but turn towards the black-robed youth below the stage, a hint of emotion on her face.
Indifferently watching the coming-of-age ceremony unfold, Xiao Yan also sighed inwardly. The gazes from all around truly made him a bit uncomfortable, so he stood up and left.
"Brother Xiao Yan's performance today was truly astonishing!" A waft of fragrance drifted nearby, and Xun'er's gentle laughter, like silver bells, reached him.
Rubbing his nose, Xiao Yan smiled.
"I originally thought Brother Xiao Yan hadn't studied any Dou Skills, but I never expected you to hide your strength so deeply." Following gently behind him, Xun'er tilted her head, a meaningful smile on her face.
"Heh heh, how could I hide anything from Xun'er? That Dou Skill you used in the Dou Skill Hall last time wasn't ordinary either, you know." Xiao Yan's lips curled into a smile as he turned to Xun'er and said playfully.
Hearing this, Xun'er was momentarily stunned. Her beautiful eyes, like autumn waters, flickered. She smiled and said, "Brother Xiao Yan has truly good eyesight. If you're interested in this Dou Skill, Xun'er can pass it on to you..."
Shrugging, Xiao Yan shook his head and said, "Forget it. Greed brings no benefit; I'm very clear on that simple principle."
"Then... what about Dou Qi cultivation techniques?" Xiao Yan's refusal surprised Xun'er somewhat. Her dark, lively eyes darted around, and she suddenly smiled.
His footsteps paused slightly. Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes and said vaguely, "In five days, won't I be able to enter the Dou Qi Pavilion to search for cultivation techniques...?"
"Among the family's cultivation techniques, the peak is the one Uncle Xiao cultivates, merely a Mid-tier Profound-rank 'Furious Lion's Roar.' Brother Xiao Yan himself hasn't cultivated it yet, and currently doesn't have the authority to cultivate it." Xun'er used her small hand to brush a few strands of hair from her forehead, pouting her small mouth, as if carefully considering her words. A moment later, she softly said, "If Xun'er could provide Brother Xiao Yan with a High-tier Profound-rank cultivation technique, would you...?"
"That girl, she really is... a little rich lady. A High-tier Profound-rank cultivation technique... that would cost at least over a hundred thousand." Sighing inwardly, Xiao Yan suddenly gave a wry smile. If he hadn't been lucky enough to meet Yao Lao, the gap between him and Xun'er right now would truly be difficult to bridge. Even if his own talent wasn't bad, it couldn't compare to Xun'er's mysterious background, which was absolutely immense.
His finger secretly caressed the ancient jade ring for a moment. Xiao Yan felt a slight sense of relief. At this moment, he truly had the potential to become a powerhouse...
Looking down intently at Xun'er, Xiao Yan smiled faintly, and in his soft voice, there was a hidden stubborn determination: "No need. Your brother will rely on himself to become a powerhouse."
Xun'er's footsteps halted. She blinked her bright eyes, staring intently at Xiao Yan's steadily receding back, then suddenly smiled and said, "It seems... behind Brother Xiao Yan, there really is a mysterious figure. Hmm... I should look into it."
Her fingers, a little troubled, tapped against her forehead, which was as lustrous as jade. After standing still for a long while, Xun'er helplessly shook her head. "Forget it. Brother Xiao Yan hates it most when others pry into his secrets. If that mysterious figure is teaching him like this, they surely won't harm him."
She lightly sighed. Xun'er lifted her small face, and in her sparkling eyes, a faint golden flame slowly appeared. "I hope you have no ill intentions. Otherwise, even if you hide within Brother Xiao Yan's body, I will drag you out, no matter what."