The Master of All-Heavens Systems

Chapter 93: Family Test

"Xiao Yan, Dou Qi... four stages!"The middle-aged tester announced the result without any emotion, though his eyes showed a hint of regret. This once brilliant young genius seemed to have truly fallen.To the tester's surprise, Xiao Yan wasn't disappointed by the result; instead, he looked somewhat... happy?Xiao Yan was indeed happy. His Dou Qi had finally increased, rekindling his confidence and hope for a comeback. And this hope was given to him by Xiao Feng.Xiao Yan slightly turned his head, looking back at the crowd behind him. His gaze swept over the mocking and ridiculing faces, saw the pity on Xiao Mei's face, the disdain on Xiao Ning's face, the joy on Xiao Xun'er's face, and finally, his eyes settled on the calm and steady young man."Xiao Feng, my cousin, it was you who rebuilt my confidence! It was you who showed me hope again! Your unwavering persistence and determination have given me the strength to move forward steadfastly."Xiao Yan turned back to look at his father, who sat high on the platform. Seeing the appreciation and approval in his father's eyes, Xiao Yan smiled."Father, from Xiao Feng, I learned persistence, hard work, and never giving up. It was his words, 'If I can do it, why can't you?' that reignited my fighting spirit. So... I will surely stand up again!"Xiao Yan nodded at his father, then turned and walked back to the team below. Passing through the mocking crowd, Xiao Yan straightened his back and walked directly to the back of the team, where Xiao Feng and Xiao Xun'er were standing."Brother Feng, after a year of effort, I finally broke through!"Xiao Yan said excitedly to Xiao Feng."Great! I knew Brother Xiao Yan could do it!"Xiao Xun'er cheered, raising her little fist in a gesture of encouragement."Not enough!"Xiao Feng's expression remained calm and steady. Over the past year, this tenacious and persistent young man had undergone a tremendous transformation. In addition to his usual calm and determination, he now exuded a sense of confidence."Yes! It's not enough! Only a one-stage increase, how can that be enough?"Xiao Yan smiled bitterly and shook his head."I don't mean your strength increase isn't enough. I mean, your effort isn't enough."Xiao Feng glanced at Xiao Yan, his eyes showing a hint of disappointment, as if lamenting unfulfilled potential."Uh..."Xiao Yan was taken aback, then smiled bitterly again. Over the past year, Xiao Yan had been learning from Xiao Feng, training diligently. Except for eating and sleeping, he hardly had any free time. After a year, he finally managed to increase his Dou Qi by one stage.But... effort is relative. To other members of the Xiao family, Xiao Yan had already been extremely diligent. However, compared to Xiao Feng, Xiao Yan's efforts seemed insignificant.A person who trained even while eating and sleeping, who began his day with training and never stopped for ten years—such effort was beyond ordinary people's capability. If someone like that couldn't succeed, what justice would there be in the world?"I will work even harder."Xiao Yan looked up at Xiao Feng and responded firmly."Hee hee! I will work hard too!"Seeing the serious atmosphere, Xiao Xun'er quickly interjected with a smile."If you work any harder... how are we supposed to survive?"Xiao Feng glanced at Xiao Xun'er and, for once, made a joke. This caught Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er, who were used to his calm and serious demeanor, by surprise. Then they both smiled joyfully."Brother Feng can joke too, huh?"Xiao Yan smiled at Xiao Feng. Over the past year, as Xiao Yan and Xiao Xun'er got closer to Xiao Feng, Xiao Feng's calm and serious demeanor deeply impressed Xiao Yan, earning his subtle respect for his cousin."Haha!""Hee hee!"Xiao Feng's hearty laugh and Xiao Xun'er's clear giggle sounded almost simultaneously."Hmph!"Their cheerful conversation irritated Xiao Ning, who had been watching them.To Xiao Ning, Xiao Feng was a worthless nobody, and Xiao Yan, after losing his genius status, became another nobody. But why would a goddess like Xiao Xun'er choose to associate with these nobodies? Shouldn't someone as promising as himself receive more favor?Jealousy drove Xiao Ning mad. Jealousy for Xiao Xun'er made him even more resentful."How can you still laugh?"Xiao Ning stepped forward, looking down at Xiao Feng and Xiao Yan, and scolded them righteously."Xiao Yan, with your measly results, only four stages of Dou Qi, how can you still laugh? If you had any shame, you wouldn't be here making a fool of yourself."After scolding Xiao Yan, Xiao Ning turned his attention to Xiao Feng."And you. How can a worthless person like you laugh? After ten years of failure, you still have the nerve to show your face here? Soon, it will be the family test. By then, you will have to slink off to the countryside to farm. Let's see if you can still laugh then!"As Xiao Ning scolded them, he sneaked glances at Xiao Xun'er, hoping his words would catch her attention. To his surprise, neither Xiao Xun'er nor Xiao Feng and Xiao Yan paid any attention to him."Hmph!"Not getting the response he wanted, Xiao Ning stood for a moment, then snorted heavily and left angrily."Heh!"After Xiao Ning left, Xiao Feng and Xiao Yan exchanged a glance and laughed again."Hmph! That jerk Xiao Ning!"Xiao Xun'er stomped her foot angrily. "I didn't respond to him because I didn't want to make him too pleased. But, aren't you guys angry?""A sparrow under the eaves can't understand the eagle's aspiration to soar the skies."Xiao Yan sneered, responding proudly."Actions speak louder than words."Xiao Feng looked at the test stone tablet at the front of the team and smiled. "I won't argue with him; I will prove everything with my actions."By this time, the test for those under sixteen was complete. Now it was time for the sixteen-year-olds' final test."Time's up."The family head, Xiao Zhan, stood up and looked around, announcing in a deep voice, "Today, we will conduct a final test for those who have come of age. As you all know, the rule is clear: those who reach at least the seventh stage of Dou Qi pass, while those who don't fail.""Now, the test begins!"