NOVEL NEXT Chapter 13: Chapter 4: The Story Begins
Chapter 4: The Story Begins
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
In the Xiao family square, a loud voice suddenly rang out. "Xiao Yan, Dou Zhi Li, three stages! Level: Low!"
At the center of the square, next to the testing magic stone, a middle-aged man glanced at the information displayed on the stone and announced it indifferently. As soon as the middle-aged man spoke, the crowded square erupted in mocking uproar.
"Three stages? Haha, just as I expected, this 'genius' has made no progress this year either!" "If he weren't the patriarch's son, this waste would have been kicked out of the family long ago, left to fend for himself. How could he still be here, living off the family?" "Who knows, maybe he did something to anger the gods..."
"Looks like the original story is about to officially begin." In a secluded corner of the square, a young man stood quietly, watching the lively scene and listening to the mocking voices, murmuring to himself.
After mastering the Vermilion Bird Flame Thunder, Mo Yu had been secluded in his small room, apart from eating and drinking. With the help of the Vermilion Bird Flame Thunder and his past life experience, his strength had increased again, reaching seven stages of Dou Zhi Li, a high level. Just as Mo Yu was about to continue his seclusion, his grandfather, Steward Mo, personally went to the Xiao family patriarch, Xiao Zhan, to request a chance for Mo Yu to participate in the family's testing ceremony, usually reserved only for the Xiao family members.
Mo Yu didn't refuse. In the path of martial arts, prolonged seclusion was to be avoided. He understood the importance of moderation. After three days of seclusion, it was a good time to come out and relax. Moreover, he was very curious about the future 'Flame Emperor' Xiao Yan. Recalling the famous scenes from his first life, he followed the memory's route to the Xiao family square. As expected, shortly after Mo Yu arrived, he witnessed this famous scene, aligning perfectly with his first life's memory.
Hearing the mocking voices around him, Mo Yu couldn't help but smile disdainfully. Lifting the high and stepping on the low was human nature. Recalling the original story and his first life's memory, Mo Yu clearly knew how terrifying Xiao Yan's talent was. He started cultivating at four, reached nine stages of Dou Zhi Li at ten, and became a Dou Zhe at eleven! Such talent was outstanding even across the entire Dou Qi Continent. Even in the Xiao family's prime, among the ancient Eight Great Families, there might not have been many geniuses like him. Mo Yu even speculated that without Yao Lao's help, Xiao Yan's achievements would still have been limitless.
Shocked by Xiao Yan's extraordinary talent, everyone in the Xiao family had once flattered this genius boy. But once he fell from grace, they all mocked him. Human nature is fickle, and only one knows their own warmth and coldness. However, Mo Yu knew clearly that Xiao Yan was just a hidden dragon lying in wait. Although he lost his strength and glory, the three years of tempering made Xiao Yan extremely mature and resolute, laying a solid foundation for his future rise. Plus, with Yao Lao's appearance soon, and the help of this top-tier alchemist, Xiao Yan would soar, shaking the world!
Mo Yu felt a bit emotional about it. The son of destiny wasn't just a saying, just like he was in his previous life. But with his twelve life thunder sources and past life experience, he didn't believe he would lose to the combination of Xiao Yan and Yao Lao.
While thinking this, the testing continued. "Xiao Mei, Dou Zhi Qi: seven stages! Level: High!" Next to the magic stone, a charming young girl heard her result and smiled proudly. At the same time, praises rang in Mo Yu's ears.
Seeing the proud girl, Mo Yu shook his head slightly. She was a foolish and shortsighted woman. "Next, Xiao Xun'er!"
In the noisy crowd, the tester's voice rang out again. With this elegant name, the square suddenly fell silent, and all eyes turned. Mo Yu also couldn't help but shift his gaze, following everyone's line of sight to see Xiao Yan's official partner in the original story, the future mistress of the 'Endless Fire Territory.'
In the center of everyone's gaze stood a young girl in a purple dress, her face calm and composed despite the attention. The girl's cool and elegant demeanor, like a freshly bloomed lotus, stood out even at a young age. In terms of beauty and temperament, she surpassed Xiao Mei.
Even Mo Yu, who had seen countless demonesses and celestial maidens in his past life, couldn't help but marvel. Xiao Yan was incredibly lucky to win over this gifted and charming girl at such a young age. She had looks, talent, and a blend of haughty and cute personality. No wonder Xun'er was beloved by many.
In the square, Xun'er walked to the magic stone, extending her small hand. The black-gold embroidered sleeve slipped down, revealing a fair and tender wrist as she touched the stone… After a brief moment, the stone emitted a dazzling light. "Dou Zhi Qi: nine stages! Level: High!" The characters on the stone caused a stunned silence in the square.
Hearing the surrounding praises, Mo Yu shook his head indifferently. He knew this result was because Xun'er intentionally suppressed her breakthrough. With the Gu family's resources and Xun'er's talent, her true strength was far beyond this. Under the admiring and heated gazes, Xun'er walked through the crowd, finally reaching the boy who had been mocked. This scene elicited jealous howls from many.
The boy was Xiao Yan. At this moment, he was far from his future confident self, looking extremely depressed and downcast, like a boy who had spent three days and nights in an internet cafe. After hearing Xun'er's result, Xiao Yan seemed even more desolate. After a brief chat with her, he turned to leave the square, feeling disheartened. Just then, a voice suddenly rang out. "Mo Yu, Dou Zhi Qi: seven stages! Level: High!"
The tester's voice rang out once again. "Mo Yu, who is this? I've never heard of him, yet he has seven stages of Dou Zhi Qi!" "Isn't this test only for the Xiao family? How can someone with a different surname participate?" "Mo Yu, I've heard of him. He's Steward Mo's grandson. But I heard his talent isn't great. How did he become so strong?"
Next to the magic stone, the middle-aged man saw Mo Yu's result and smiled. "Not bad. Steward Mo has a good grandson." Hearing the somewhat stiff praise, Mo Yu was momentarily stunned, realizing the man's close relationship with his grandfather. He calmly thanked him, "Thank you for the praise, it's just a small achievement."
In Mo Yu's mind, this level of strength wasn't even an achievement, just polite words. The middle-aged man was surprised by Mo Yu's calm and detached response, further praising, "Not arrogant or impatient, very good. Looks like our Xiao family has another genius."
The middle-aged man's words surprised the Xiao family members, who looked curiously at Mo Yu, wondering how this outsider could be called a genius.
Even Xiao Mei, with the same seven stages of Dou Zhi Qi, glanced at Mo Yu with curiosity, not understanding why she didn't receive the same recognition. Seeing the Xiao family members' various looks of envy, admiration, and jealousy, Mo Yu remained calm. Having lived two lives, he was no novice.
Just as Mo Yu was about to leave, a young, hoarse, and weak voice suddenly called out from behind. "Cousin Mo Yu, congratulations."
(End of this chapter)