Douzhe? I Already Am!
After Xiao Yan's words interrupted the silence, the originally quiet hall returned to normal, but everyone's gaze towards Xiao Yan held a different meaning.
"Ah haha, drink, drink!"
Seeing the silent atmosphere broken, Xiao Zhan and several Elders exchanged glances, seeing the worry in each other's eyes.
Fortunately, they were all old foxes and quickly chose to temporarily suppress the impact of this matter.
However, even so, they were somewhat distracted while drinking.
The Family behind Xun Er was far from something the Xiao Family could offend. Even if Xiao Yan possessed such Heaven-Defying Aptitude, he might not necessarily be favored by those people.
Xiao Yan, who was at the center of this storm, remained calm, not worrying too much. Instead, he gently comforted the frightened little girl.
No matter how mature Xun Er's mindset was, she was still just a twelve-year-old girl. Saying these things to her at this age was indeed likely to scare her.
Below Xun Er were Xiao Yu and Xiao Ning, the siblings, followed by Xiao Mei and a group of other children with decent talent.
At this moment, Xiao Ning looked at Xun Er, who was being carefully comforted by Xiao Yan yet was blushing furiously. His heart felt as if it was being torn apart in pain.
But he discovered, helplessly, that he had no other option besides feeling distressed.
"Put away your unrealistic thoughts."
Just as Xiao Ning's face was filled with gloom, Xiao Yu quietly transmitted a message from the side.
"Sister!"
Xiao Ning couldn't help but be slightly stunned, looking up to see Xiao Yu's somewhat indifferent eyes.
"Even without Xiao Yan, do you think you could be worthy of Xun Er? If you cut off this unrealistic thought now, it can still be considered cutting your losses in time."
Xiao Yu's voice was very soft, trying to avoid Xiao Yan and Xun Er nearby, but her beautiful eyes looked at her brother with a hint of pity.
Meeting someone too stunning in one's youth was indeed not always a good thing.
"I…"
Xiao Ning couldn't help but open his mouth, only to find that what his sister said was indeed a fact.
Even without Xiao Yan, could he really, as a toad, eat swan meat?
A similar mentality was playing out in the hearts of every young man present. It wasn't until the banquet was nearing its end that Xiao Ning, numbing himself with drinks, seemed to harbor a trace of unwillingness.
Glancing at Xiao Yan and Xun Er, who had returned to their normal state, a childish impulse made him want to vent the depression in his heart.
So, Xiao Ning looked at the calm and composed Xiao Yu beside him, his voice unconsciously growing a bit louder, and he said, feigning calmness, "Sister, when do you plan to Breakthrough to Douzhe?"
Hearing this, everyone present couldn't help but pause slightly, exchanging glances. Many people's gazes quickly shifted to Xiao Yu.
After all, Xiao Yu was only sixteen or seventeen this year. If she could Breakthrough to Douzhe at this age, her Aptitude would definitely rank high in the entire Utan City.
Even Xiao Ding and Xiao Li back then became Douzhe at roughly the same age.
However, Xiao Ning regretted saying this immediately after. He clearly felt that some of the adults' gazes were quite playful as they looked in his direction, making him feel as if he had been seen through.
What made him somewhat furious with embarrassment was that Xiao Yan was also looking at him with the same kind of gaze. That feeling clearly indicated that Xiao Yan didn't consider him an opponent on the same level, but rather a naive and ignorant child.
What made him most uncomfortable was that Xun Er's gaze was actually somewhat similar to Xiao Yan's!
Frowning slightly, Xiao Yu originally didn't want to say too much. After all, the Breakthrough from Dou Qi to Douzhe carried risks. Once it failed, one would fall back to Dou Qi Eighth Stage, and that would be a huge embarrassment.
But seeing Xiao Yan also smilingly looking at her, a desire for competition suddenly rose in Xiao Yu's heart. She couldn't help but look at Xiao Yan and smiled provocatively, "If I'm lucky, I might Breakthrough next month."
As her words fell, many people in the hall cast approving glances.
Although Xiao Ning's behavior just now was a bit pretentious, if Xiao Yu could Breakthrough to Douzhe at this age, then she would indeed be an important force for the Family in the future.
"Hahaha, Third Elder, you are truly blessed. Both your granddaughter and grandson have excellent Aptitude. They will both be pillars of our Xiao Family in the future."
As if sensing the somewhat strange atmosphere in the hall, Xiao Zhan pondered for a moment before laughing.
"Not at all, not at all."
"These two little ones are far inferior to the Clan Chief's three sons."
The Third Elder smiled modestly, but there was still a hint of happiness in his eyes.
Xiao Yu and Xiao Ning's Aptitude were undoubtedly far inferior to Xiao Yan and Xun Er, but if they were willing to work hard, there was still a glimmer of hope of catching up to Xiao Ding and Xiao Li.
At the very least, ranking in the top ten among the younger generation was no problem.
Under the teasing of several high-ranking Xiao Family members, the slightly awkward atmosphere finally dissipated somewhat. But it was at this moment that Xiao Ning, who had been silent, finally looked unwillingly at Xiao Yan, who was almost resting his hand on Xun Er's shoulder.
"Cousin Xiao Yan, I wonder how long it will take for you to Breakthrough to Douzhe."
As his words fell, the hall, which had regained some liveliness, once again fell silent. This time, everyone's gaze turned to Xiao Yan.
"Yeah, what level has that damn Cultivator reached?"
"Look at his smug expression!"
Many young men at this moment looked at Xiao Yan with considerable displeasure, acidly grumbling in their hearts.
Even Xiao Yu, standing nearby, was looking at Xiao Yan with burning eyes.
She also really wanted to know what stage Xiao Yan had reached in his Cultivation after half a year. In her heart, she had always wanted to become a Douzhe one step ahead of Xiao Yan.
Looking at the once again silent hall, Xiao Zhan's brow finally furrowed with a hint of displeasure. The Third Elder beside him felt his heart tremble slightly upon seeing this, but then he heard Xiao Li suddenly speak.
"Xiao Ning, it's been many years since we last met. When you have time, your brother will take you to exercise your body."
Hearing Xiao Li's words, Xiao Ning's face instantly changed color, and even Xiao Yu showed a hint of fear.
Xiao Li's fierce reputation was not only outside but also very formidable within the Xiao Family. Among the younger generation of the Xiao Family, almost everyone except Xun Er and Xiao Yan had been beaten by him.
He was an out-and-out cruel official; he dared to beat anyone. If he had the cultivation of a Great Dou Shi at this moment, he would probably even dare to deal with the Elders.
"Brother Li, I was just curious; I really didn't mean it."
The moment Xiao Li stared at him, Xiao Ning felt as if he had been targeted by a wolf, his whole body feeling cold.
Just as he was about to speak again, Xiao Yan's voice finally rang out.
"Second Brother, don't scare Xiao Ning anymore; he's still a child."
As he spoke, Xiao Yan's palm quietly picked up a teacup. He saw a faint red Qi flow intertwining around his palm, and the slight high temperature was even noticed by Xiao Yu nearby.
A moment later, the tea water had already boiled.
"Promote to Douzhe? I already am."
As his words fell, the already somewhat quiet hall completely fell into a dead silence.