"Second Elder, has the examination been completed?" Xiao Yan gazed at the golden characters etched upon the stone tablet, slowly withdrawing his hand. He glanced at the second elder, who appeared slightly dazed beside him, and softly inquired. "Oh, uh, yes, completed..." Wakened by Xiao Yan's voice, the second elder nodded hurriedly. From the drifting, scattered look in his eyes, it was clear he was still deeply stunned. "Ah, a year's progress in reaching the fifth stage of combat energy? This pace of cultivation...remarkable," the second elder murmured after a while, regaining his composure. With a deep, almost unspoken sigh, he stared at the young man before him, his initial doubts finally dissolving completely before the reality of what had just unfolded. The golden light on the black stone tablet gradually faded, and after a moment, the stone once again settled into its deep, cool blackness. The silence remained throughout the hall, as if everyone were still absorbed in the profound impact of the earlier revelation. "Ah…" Finally, the elder's cough on the dais drew everyone's attention back. "The retest has been completed. As per tradition, Xiao Xin will now face a challenge—one from among the junior members of the family. Who would like to step forward?" The elder scanned the younger generation of the Xiao family, his voice steady and clear. Now, they no longer have the right to boast before Xiao Yan. Xiao Yan stands quietly at the center of the arena, his gaze casually sweeping over the young peers below. Each time his eyes fall upon one of them, those youths hurriedly step back. "Hmph, a bunch of cowards!" observing the retreating members of his clan, Xiao Ning sneered, then lifted his head, challengingly staring at the black-robed youth in the center. As he took a step forward, a jade hand gently pulled him back. Frowning, Xiao Ning turned to his sister, displeased: "What?" "He now possesses the eighth segment of Battle Qi as well. Even if you step up, you might not be able to beat him," said Xiao Yu. Xiao Ning’s lips twitched slightly, hesitating for a moment, his gaze unconsciously drifting toward Xun'er in the distance. There, the young woman was gently gazing at Xiao Yan on the stage, her delicate and charming demeanor—something he had never seen before. He clenched his teeth tightly, then pushed away Xiao Yu’s hand. A touch of youthful impatience shimmered on his slightly pale face, tinged with coldness and jealousy. “I’ve been cultivating to reach the Eighth Segment of Battle Qi for over a year now,” he said firmly, “and yet, can’t I even handle a mere newcomer just stepping into the ranks?” "Heard this, Xiao Ning immediately grasped it in her hands with delight, exclaiming, 'With this, I'm certain to give that fellow a good scolding!' Xiao Yu furrowed her brows, sharply commanding, 'Don't go wild with it—just give him a bit of a rough treatment. If you seriously injure him, even I won't be able to protect you. He's no longer the useless lad he used to be.' 'Understood,' she nodded indifferently. Xiao Ning gave a slight smile, glanced at Xun'er, and inwardly boasted, 'I'll show you just how hollow that fellow really is.' With a cold laugh, Xiao Ning broke free from Xiao Yu's grasp, climbed onto the raised platform, and called out loudly, 'I'm stepping up!' As someone responded, the entire audience's attention instantly turned to Xiao Ning. The sense of being under such intense scrutiny only amplified his pride." Gazing at Xiao Ning approaching, the second elder furrowed his brows and turned his gaze toward the guest seat, where indeed he saw the elder's somewhat displeased expression. With a sigh of resignation, he silently cursed, "Incompetent fool! Do you still think the current Xiao Yan is the same weakling from before?" Xiao Ning failed to notice the second elder's disapproving look, strode confidently forward, and smiled proudly, "Xiao Yan, let me put your combat prowess to the test." With a lazy lift of his eyes toward Xiao Ning, Xiao Yan merely remained silent, saying nothing. "Xiao Ning, would you like to challenge Xiao Yan? Xiao Yan, will you accept?" Seeing that Xiao Ning had now reached the center of the arena, the second elder had no choice but to speak firmly. "You won't refuse, will you? Xun is watching. Won't you let her down?" Gently touching the pill tucked in his sleeve, Xiao Ning's confidence surged. He glanced at the graceful, lotus-like young woman seated below, and coldly remarked. "Idiot..." murmuring the two words, Xiao Yan patted his nose and gave a slight nod under the collective gaze, softly saying, "Accept." Seeing Xiao Yan nod, the second elder sighed again, unable to help it, waved his hand, and as he stepped back, whispered firmly—only for the two of them—to, "Remember, just enough!" Xiao Ning scowled. Xiao Yan likewise shrugged indifferently. As the second elder stepped away, the atmosphere on the platform instantly tightened!