Chapter 32: Challenge

The whole place was silent, deathly silent!

　　Everyone in the field looked at the five big words on the stone tablet in shock. The expressions on their faces were extremely interesting. After a moment, rapid breathing sounded on the training ground like a windmill.

　　"Crack!"

　　On the high platform, the teacup in Xiao Zhan's hand was crushed into powder by a slap. The tea mixed with the powder dripped down his palm.

　　"Seventh Duan... Yan'er, you... really did it!" Looking at the black-shirted young man under the black stone tablet, Xiao Zhan's eyes were slightly moist. He knew in his heart how much effort the young man had put in to get to this point.

The three elders sitting next to Xiao Zhan were also full of disbelief. He was at the third stage of Dou Qi a year ago, but now he has become the seventh stage? This speed... is terrifying!

　　"Gu, hehe...the foundation-building spiritual liquid purchased by the clan leader...is really strong, hehe." The second elder swallowed his saliva, and the sarcasm and sluggishness that had not yet completely dissipated mixed together, extremely wonderful, he laughed dryly and said embarrassedly.

　　Xiao Zhan showed no sign of concealing his excitement. He glanced at the Second Elder and said with a faint smile, "Second Elder, do you think that a second-grade foundation-building spirit fluid can have such a miraculous effect?"

　The Second Elder paused and shook his head awkwardly. He was not a fool. The Foundation Building Spiritual Liquid could indeed increase the speed of cultivation, but it was basically impossible to increase the Dou Qi by four stages within a year with this thing!

　　…

　　Next to the black stone tablet, the tester stared blankly at the large characters on the tablet. The indifference on his face had long been replaced by shock.

　　"Xiao Yan: Fighting Spirit, seventh stage, advanced!"

　　He took a deep breath, as if he wanted to let out the shock in his heart. His voice was trembling in a way that was difficult to conceal, even though he tried hard to remain calm.

　　Listening to the examiner's announcement, the originally quiet training ground became even more silent.

　　"Gurgle." The sound of someone swallowing saliva suddenly rang out in the training ground.

　　Standing in the center of the crowd, Xiao Mei covered her rosy lips with her small hands, her face full of shock.

　　In one year, he had raised his Dou Qi by four stages. This speed of cultivation... was simply shocking!

　　This speed was impossible even for Xiao Yan who was at his peak three years ago!

　　However, this somewhat heart-wrenching reality actually appeared under the attention of everyone.

　　With mixed emotions in her eyes, Xiao Mei stared at the young man standing under the black stone tablet. Suddenly, a confusing thought popped up in her mind: His amazing talent for cultivation seemed to have returned!

　　At the edge of the training ground, Xiao Ning, who was about to laugh at Xiao Yan, stared blankly at the large characters on the stone tablet and muttered incoherently, "How... is this possible?"

　　…

　　Looking up at the large golden characters on the stone tablet, Xiao Yan let out a light breath. The suddenly complicated gazes around him reminded him of the young man with high spirits and vigor three years ago.

　　Now the talent for cultivation has returned, and along with it, a more mature mind and strong resilience.

　　After taking a deep look at the stone tablets that had determined his fate, Xiao Yan smiled gently. His calm appearance was completely different from the young man who had seemed complacent after the test three years ago.

　　Exhaling lightly, Xiao Yan slowly walked to the end of the crowd under the gaze of everyone, made eye contact with Xun'er's smiling face, and then sat down cross-legged next to her.

　　As Xiao Yan retreated, there was still a long period of silence in the field.

　　"Cough..." On the high platform, Xiao Zhan, with a smug look on his face, stood up and coughed, attracting everyone's attention.

　　"The test is over. Now, let's move on to the next item. Those who fail have the right to challenge their qualified companions. Remember, there is only one chance!" Xiao Zhanlang said with a smile.

　　Hearing this, there was a slight commotion in the training ground, and those who were just one step away from passing immediately cast their fiery gazes towards the group of qualified companions.

　　Facing the provocative gazes from the opposite side, those outstanding tribesmen raised their heads in disdain. The sixth and seventh stages are basically two different levels. If there is no special accident, it is difficult for a person with the sixth stage of fighting spirit to directly defeat an opponent with the seventh stage of fighting spirit.

　　Those who are at the sixth level of fighting spirit are also very clear about this, but this is their last chance, and regardless of success or failure, they have to try their best.

For a moment, the atmosphere in the field was a little weird. Fiery gazes swept across those qualified companions, and everyone was secretly choosing the opponent that would be best to deal with.

　　Sitting cross-legged on the ground, Xiao Yan suddenly raised his eyebrows. He was shocked to find that more than half of those people's eyes were on him.

　　"Do I look like a soft persimmon?" Xiao Yan was slightly surprised and felt a little amused.

　　"Although it is very shocking that Brother Xiao Yan has jumped four levels of Dou Qi in one year, it is precisely because of this shock that many people have an illusion deep in their hearts that they don't want to believe it. Therefore, they naturally regard Brother Xiao Yan as the best person to challenge." Xun'er laughed softly at the side.

　　Shrugging helplessly, Xiao Yan lightly patted the dust off his clothes and said with a faint smile: "Because you don't want to believe it, you choose to deceive yourself..."

　　Xun'er smiled faintly and nodded slightly.

　　At this moment, after a moment of silence, someone finally couldn't help but stand up.

　　The sturdy young man walked quickly to Xiao Yan in front of everyone, bent slightly, and said loudly: "Cousin Xiao Yan, please!"

　　Although the young man looked respectful, there was always a hint of doubt in his eyes when he looked at Xiao Yan, and there was a hint of disdain on his face. It seemed that he had not yet recovered from Xiao Yan's previous reputation as a loser.