Battle Through the Heavens: Even without the Burning Flame Technique, I, Xiao Yan, still became an e

"Xiao Mei, Battle Power, Seventh Stage. Level: High!"

Before the Demon-Testing Stone Tablet, the fourteen-year-old girl slowly withdrew her palm, a smile she could hardly hide on her face.

"Wow, that's impressive. No wonder he's a promising talent in the family."

"At this rate, she should be able to become a Fighter in less than three years."

Hearing the crowd's praise and envy, the girl's face lit up with a smile.

Xiao Mei stepped off the demon-testing platform and chatted with her close friends, but her eyes were searching through the crowd.

However, the boy's figure did not seem to be there, which made her feel a little disappointed.

"Next, Xiao Xun'er."

As the tester's voice rang out, another girl slowly walked to the front of the stage.

The girl wore a purple dress and had an elegant demeanor. Even with everyone's attention, her youthful face remained completely calm.

She slowly walked to the Demon Testing Stone Tablet, her snow-white wrists revealed beneath her black robe with gold trim. She placed her palm against the stone tablet and infused it with a trace of fighting spirit.

In an instant, the entire Demon-Testing Stone Tablet shone brightly, reaching its peak in a flash.

The intense light was so bright that some of the people present could not even open their eyes.

When the light faded, even the tester's face couldn't hide his admiration.

"Xiao Xun'er, Battle Strength: Ninth Rank. Level: Advanced!"

The moment the tester spoke, the room erupted in excitement.

Xiao Xun'er was already exceptionally beautiful, even surpassing Xiao Mei in looks, and she also possessed such talent, making her truly the envy of many.

"Miss Xun'er, with your current level, you should be able to condense your Battle Qi Cyclone in less than half a year and become a fourteen-year-old Battle Master!"

"Thanks."

Xiao Xun'er didn't care about the tester's praise.

She was not a member of the Xiao family, but stayed with them for certain reasons.

The Xiao family's opinions wouldn't make a ripple to her, except... that person.

"Clap clap clap".

A burst of applause rang out from the noisy crowd, drawing everyone's attention to the person clapping.

A boy dressed in black was sitting on the roof of the eastern section of the building, a blade of grass between his teeth, and a smile on his face.

"It's Xiao Yan!"

Everyone in the Xiao family recognized the young man in black. Even the testers who had been fighters for many years sensed an unfathomable aura emanating from him.

Xiao Yan was the first person in the Xiao family in a hundred years. At the age of eleven, he had already completed the condensation of the Dou Qi vortex and advanced to the Dou Zhe level.

Now, three years have passed, and no one knows what level Xiao Yan, who lives in seclusion, has reached.

However, judging from the attitude of the family elders towards Xiao Yan, his status is no lower than theirs.

As the head of the family, Xiao Zhan's prestige within the clan was unshakeable because of his excellent son, Xiao Yan.

Upon seeing Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er's previously indifferent face broke into a smile.

"Brother Xiao Yan, I thought you weren't coming."

Xiao Xun'er's face was full of joy, but her tone carried a hint of slight annoyance, as if she were complaining.

Xiao Yan patted her head and smiled: "How could I forget such an important day? Congratulations, you should be able to advance to Dou Zhe this year."

Xiao Xun'er's status in the Xiao family is very special. Even the elders and the clan leader treat her with great respect, or even...fear.

Only Xiao Yan was someone she could get so close to.

As the most talented people in the Xiao family over the past century, their relationship did not arouse any jealousy; everything was just as natural as it should be.

"Brother Xiao Yan, my Dou Qi has reached the seventh level."

As the two were talking, Xiao Mei also came over at some point.

She was like a kitten, her eyes filled with anticipation for Xiao Yan's praise.

"Hmm, Cousin Xiao Mei is not bad either; at least she was able to advance to the Dou Zhe level before her coming-of-age ceremony."

Xiao Yan responded politely to Xiao Mei. Although everyone in the Xiao family treated him with great respect, Xiao Yan could tell that they were only in awe of his strength and talent.

If you were a useless person, how many people would be able to get so close to you?

But Xiao Xun'er was an exception. She valued Xiao Yan not so much his talent, but more so him as a person.

As for the cause, Xiao Yan felt extremely ashamed whenever he thought about it, always feeling that he owed Xiao Xun'er something.

However, things backfired. Instead of blaming Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er grew closer to him.

"Brother Xiao Yan, won't you give it a try? Xun'er is also very curious about what level you've reached now."

Encouraged by Xun'er, many members of the Xiao family around also looked over, all eager to know how far Xiao Yan had progressed.

"Me? Forget it, I'll leave the opportunity to you young people. I won't get involved."

Xiao Yan smiled slightly, but his words drew scorn from countless people.

In reality, Xiao Yan is only fourteen years old this year, or fifteen at most if you include the traditional Chinese age reckoning.

"The great genius of the Xiao family is nothing but a name. You don't dare to go up the Demon Testing Stone Tablet, probably because you're afraid of being discovered that your progress has been slow over the past three years."

Just then, a discordant voice rang out. It was Xiao Ning, the grandson of the First Elder, another genius of the Xiao family whose talent was second only to Xiao Yan.

But in this world, only the first place is remembered. As the perennial second-place finisher in the Xiao family, he is often compared to Xiao Yan.

Over time, he grew increasingly hostile towards this Xiao family genius who was stronger than himself.

"Alright, since everyone is so eager to see how far I've come, I'll go up to this Demon Testing Stone Tablet and test myself. But please be prepared, so you don't get too shocked."

After speaking, Xiao Yan leaped up and landed on the Demon Testing Stone Tablet under everyone's watchful eyes.

Then he slammed his palm onto the Demon-Testing Stone Tablet. The moment he infused it with his fighting spirit, the Demon-Testing Stone Tablet burst forth with a dazzling light, similar to that of Xiao Xun'er.

However, the light quickly changed, turning into a bright, fiery red, like the sunset reflecting in the sky!

"Xiao Yan, Dou Qi, Nine-Star Dou Zhe!"

The Nine-Star Dou Zhe level is not Xiao Yan's true level, but rather the highest level that the Demon Testing Stone Tablet can display.

When this result was announced, everyone present was stunned. Three years had passed, and this genius's talent seemed to have become even more terrifying.

Cultivation usually progresses more slowly, but this doesn't seem to apply to Xiao Yan.

"Some people are bad, so they need to practice more."

Xiao Yan turned his head and said a sentence, then turned around and jumped, landing next to Xiao Xun'er.

"Brother Xiao Yan is so amazing!"

Xiao Xun'er's face was beaming with a bright smile, an expression she only ever showed in front of Xiao Yan.

"Today is the anniversary of my mother's death. I'm planning to offer incense. Would you like to come with me?"

Xiao Yan's memories of his mother are vague; he only knows that she died when he was four years old.

As for the reason, her father never mentioned it in detail, only saying that she died of illness.

However, Xiao Yan still respected his mother, whom he didn't remember very well, and would go to offer incense and pay respects to her every year.

Xiao Yan's mother was one of the few people from a different surname who was able to be buried in their ancestral home.

The ancestral land is a forbidden area of ​​the Xiao family, and those who are not direct descendants of the clan are not qualified to enter.

Moreover, even those with direct bloodlines are not allowed to be without the strength of a fighter.

Therefore, the first reason why Xiao Yan worked so hard to cultivate in his youth was to be qualified to worship his mother.

Xiao Xun'er is not a direct descendant of the Xiao family, nor does she possess the strength of a Dou Zhe (fighter).

However, Xiao Yan wielded too much influence within the family, and even the three elders dared not voice any opposition.

Xiao Yan took the initiative to invite Xiao Xun'er because he truly regarded her as his family.

"Alright, of course I'll go with Brother Xiao Yan on such an important matter."

The two walked together, leaving the test square under the envious gazes of countless young people.

Xiao Mei watched the two figures gradually disappear into the distance, a sense of helplessness rising in her heart.

Are we ultimately from two different worlds?

Xiao Yan possesses a Dou Qi jade token from his family, allowing him free access to the family's ancestral land.

Xiao Yan had already informed Xiao Zhan about this memorial ceremony beforehand, so the protective array of the ancestral land would be deactivated accordingly.

"The heroes of the Xiao family throughout the ages are all buried here after their deaths. Perhaps one day I will also return to my roots and come here to rest in peace."

"Pah! Pah! Pah! Brother Xiao Yan is still young, what nonsense are you talking about!"

Xiao Xun'er covered Xiao Yan's mouth with her hand, frowned and glared at him.

"I'm sorry, I just feel overwhelmed with emotions every time I come here."

Xiao Yan chuckled, and that was the end of it.

Xiao Yan walked skillfully to his mother's tombstone, which read "Tomb of my beloved wife Ling Yao," erected by Xiao Zhan himself.

This was Xiao Xun'er's first time visiting the Xiao family's ancestral land. When she saw the inscription on the monument, her eyebrows twitched slightly.

This surname reminded Xiao Xun'er of a certain family, but it could also be a coincidence.

Xiao Yan took out three incense sticks from his storage ring, lit them with his Dou Qi, placed them in front of Ling Yao's tomb, and kowtowed three times to the tombstone.

"Yan'er has been well all these years, so your mother need not worry in the afterlife."

Then, Xiao Yan took out a broom and personally swept away the fallen leaves around the tombstone.

Xiao Xun'er also took a broom and joined Xiao Yan in sweeping the tomb.

After finishing these tasks, Xiao Yan slowly turned around and looked at Xiao Xun'er: "Alright, that's enough for this year. We'll come back to pay our respects to our mother again next year on this day."

"Um."

Xiao Xun'er nodded and followed Xiao Yan out of the ancestral land.

Halfway there, Xiao Yan suddenly stopped and said to Xiao Xun'er, "Xun'er, you don't need to suppress yourself too much for my sake. You have to believe one thing: no matter how outstanding you are, your brother Xiao Yan will catch up with you."

Xiao Yan's words startled Xiao Xun'er, but then her eyes widened in surprise, before she smiled sweetly: "Of course, I believe Brother Xiao Yan would never lie to me."