"Don't let me hear you gossiping about Xiao Yan behind his back again—or don't blame me for being rude!" Shen Tian said with a sinister smile.
Perhaps because Shen Tian's expression was a little scary, the group quickly nodded, claiming they didn't dare anymore, and then ran off.
Although Xiao Ke was also frightened, he still stared stubbornly at Shen Tian. Just as Shen Tian was about to scare him further, a voice interrupted:
"Oh? So now people can't speak the truth anymore?"
Shen Tian turned around and saw Xiao Ning—the backer of these lackeys—walking over. He entered the training ground, eyes full of admiration as they swept over Xiao Xun'er, but the moment he saw her holding Shen Tian's hand, a trace of jealousy flickered across his gaze.
Clenching his teeth, Xiao Ning sneered, "Shen Tian, don't be so arrogant. You're just a servant's son. Maybe Xiao Yan's family committed too many sins, so he's suffering Dou Qi backlash. Soon, your strength might be no better than his!"
Hearing Xiao Ning's mocking words towards him, Xiao Xun'er, who had been silently standing by, had a golden light flash in her eyes. She looked at Xiao Ning coldly and said, "You'd better keep your mouth shut."
Xiao Ning flinched slightly under her gaze. Seeing Xun'er stand up for Shen Tian made him even more furious, but he wasn't foolish. Whether it was Shen Tian or Xiao Xun'er, both were beyond what he could handle. He decided he would wait until his sister returned.
With a cold snort, Xiao Ning gave Shen Tian one last glare before dragging Xiao Ke away. The family test was about to begin.
On the high platform, the important figures of the Xiao family had already taken their seats. Shen Tian immediately spotted Xiao Zhan, the clan patriarch. After glancing over the crowd, Xiao Zhan raised his voice:
"Today is the day of the family's annual test. It is meant to evaluate your progress over the past year and to encourage you to work even harder in the year to come! Without further ado, I declare the test officially begins!"
As Xiao Zhan's voice fell, a wave of nervousness swept through the young boys and girls on the field. In the Xiao family, strength equaled status. Who didn't want to shine today?
As always, the test would be conducted using the same black stone tablet. The examiner stepped forward with a dark expression, pulled out a roster from his robes, and began calling names for the test one by one.
Since there was still plenty of time, Shen Tian pulled Xiao Xun'er and Xiao Yan to a nearby willow tree and sat cross-legged in the shade.
Watching the others take the test, Shen Tian found the mix of nervous and proud expressions amusing. Some were smug, others disappointed, and every reaction made him chuckle.
Soon, the examiner called out a name that made even the usually indifferent Xiao Yan raise his head slightly.
"Xiao Mei!"
A red figure dashed toward the platform. Her childish face radiated purity and charm—truly living up to her name. Shen Tian glanced at Xiao Mei and found himself momentarily distracted, recalling her character from the novel.
But before his thoughts could drift further, a sudden sharp pain in his waist snapped him back. Shen Tian looked down and saw Xiao Xun'er's tiny hand pinching the soft flesh of his waist.
A cold voice whispered by his ear, "Does she look that good?"
Realizing that Xun'er was jealous, Shen Tian immediately smiled and said, "How could anyone be more beautiful than Xun'er? In my heart, you're the most beautiful in the world."
Xiao Xun'er rolled her eyes but said nothing. Shen Tian continued to coax her, using every sweet and cheesy line he could think of. Eventually, Xun'er blushed and muttered, "Fine, don't say those embarrassing things. I forgive you!"
Chuckling, Shen Tian sat back with satisfaction.
On stage, Xiao Mei had placed her hand on the stone tablet, which began to glow.
"Dou Zhi Qi, Sixth Stage!"
"Xiao Mei: Dou Zhi Qi, Sixth Stage. Evaluation: Advanced!"
Seeing Xiao Mei's slightly smug expression, Shen Tian commented, "Sixth Stage at age 13? That's just average talent."
Unexpectedly, Xiao Yan shook his head with a bitter smile. "Even so, the sixth stage is enough to gain a foothold in the family. Meanwhile, I'm still stuck at the third stage…"
Shen Tian grinned and said with confidence, "What's there to worry about? You'll reclaim your glory soon enough."
Just then, the examiner shouted, his tone slightly complicated: "Next—Xiao Yan!"
The crowd erupted into murmurs.
The examiner had to raise his voice to calm everyone. "Silence!"
Xiao Yan stood up and calmly walked to the magic stone tablet. Placing his palm on the cold surface, a faint light flickered—and soon, characters appeared.
"Dou Zhi Qi: Third Stage!"
"Xiao Yan: Dou Zhi Qi, Third Stage. Evaluation: Low."
On the high platform, Xiao Zhan let out a sigh.
The First Elder beside him sneered, "So this is the genius son who's been stagnant for three years?"
The Second Elder added mockingly, "Not stagnant—he's regressing."
While the elders whispered above, murmurs surged among the crowd below.
"Still stuck at the third stage of Dou Zhi Qi?"
"It's true then. Xiao Yan's really become a family disgrace…"
Just then, the examiner quickly called out the next name.
"Next—Shen Tian!"
Instantly, the entire training ground fell silent.
___________________________
I hope you guys liked this chapter!🙂