The Eight-Star Fighter

The group was already lined up in the center of the tent. Xiao Yu pulled Xun'er to stand at the back, watching the young men and women walk up one by one to report their names and strength.

"Heiyan, Dou disciple level nine, age twenty!" A young man with slightly dark skin stood out and declared.

Instructor Ruolin smiled faintly and, after noting down the student's details, softly said, "E-rank!"

"Lindun, Dou disciple level eight, age nineteen!"

"F-rank!"

"Keli, Dou disciple level nine, age seventeen!"

"E-rank!"

As each student stepped forward, it became apparent that most had Dou Qi at levels eight or nine of dou disciple, generally still below the level of a dou practitioner. There were also a few who had dropped to Dou Qi level eight after failing to advance to the rank of a dou practitioner.

Soon, it was Xiao Yu's group's turn.

"Xiao Mei, Dou disciple level nine, age sixteen!"

"Xiao Ning, Dou disciple level nine, age sixteen!"

"E-rank!"

"Xiao Yan, four-star practitioner , age sixteen!" Xiao Yan's calm declaration caused the once-bustling tent to suddenly fall silent.

Off to the side, Xiao Yu mumbled softly, "As expected, both of these brothers are freaks. If Xiao Yan is this strong, I can't even imagine Xiao Yu's power!"

Xue Ni, with her mouth slightly open, whispered in disbelief, "Yu'er, are both of your brothers really this monstrous?"

Xiao Yu stuck out her tongue and said, "How would I know they'd be this strong?"

Hearing Xiao Yan's statement, Instructor Ruolin's long eyelashes fluttered slightly in surprise. "A-rank?" she asked in shock.

Xiao Yan nodded lightly. "Yes, Instructor Ruolin."

Ruolin suddenly smiled brightly, her gentle laughter like flowing water. "Looks like I've found quite a few treasures this time!" she said, casting a meaningful glance at Xiao Yu. Xiao Yu responded with a faint smile.

The others glanced at Xiao Yu, thinking they shouldn't have forgotten about this genius.

Xiao Yu moved forward slightly, coming to stand before Instructor Ruolin. Under Ruolin's smiling gaze, Xiao Yu slowly spoke, "Xiao Yu, eight-star dou practitioner, age... sixteen!"

Xiao Yu deliberately added a year to his age—fifteen didn't sound as good as sixteen.

The Xiao family members glanced at him in surprise but said nothing.

As soon as Xiao Yu's words fell, the sound of gasps filled the tent. Even Ruolin, who sat at the front, was momentarily stunned before her face was overtaken by shock.

Though Xiao Yu spoke softly, his words hit everyone like a heavy hammer to the chest.

"What did you say your dou rank is?" After a brief moment of astonishment, Ruolin quickly regained her composure, though her voice trembled slightly.

"Eight-star dou practitioner," Xiao Yu repeated with a faint smile.

Sixteen years old and an eight-star fighter—the potential from such strength at this age far exceeded the limits of an S-rank. How many years had it been since such a genius appeared at the academy? Xiao Yu's potential was far stronger than even the academy's famed prodigy, and not just by a small margin.

Ruolin, still in shock, might be witnessing the rise of a future Dou Ancestor or even a stronger fighter!

The intense stares from everyone made Xiao Yu feel a little uneasy. He knew the situation, but to build confidence for negotiations with the academy, he had to reveal his potential.

Yes, just three days ago, Xiao Yu had successfully broken through to an eight-star dou practitioner. He knew what his strength at sixteen meant to the Jia Nan Academy. Strength dictated everything, and Xiao Yu knew that because of his potential, he might not need to fight Ruolin to earn his freedom—she would willingly let him go.

Off to the side, Xiao Yu shook her head with a wry smile. "This is going to be interesting. The academy prodigy will definitely challenge Xiao Yu. With this kind of strength, she might finally have something to worry about."

After the initial shock, the assessments continued. The last person, Xun'er, took a step forward. With a soft voice, she said, "Xun'er, six-star dou practitioner, age sixteen."

At this point, everyone present was numb to the surprises. If Xiao Yu being so strong wasn't enough, now there was another new student with potential surpassing S-rank. Were geniuses just commonplace now?

Xue Ni, trembling slightly, asked Xiao Yu, "Does your Xiao family mass-produce prodigies to send to Jia Nan Academy just to make ordinary people like us feel inadequate?" The other girls around them nodded in agreement. Xiao Yu could only respond helplessly, "Who knows? I've never seen talent like this before."

Ruolin was at a loss for words. Two geniuses in a row—what was she supposed to do?

At that moment, Xiao Yu spoke again with a smile, "Instructor Ruolin, I could introduce you to one more prodigy."

Ruolin's eyes immediately brightened. "Another one?"

Xiao Yu grinned. "Of course. Wouldn't you want another genius?"

"Who said I wouldn't? Quickly, tell me!" Ruolin, usually so composed, had dropped all pretense of elegance in the face of these extraordinary talents.

"The person is neither far away nor close—right in front of you," Xiao Yu said with a hint of mischief.

"Right in front of me?" Ruolin was puzzled. Was this prodigy in the tent?

At that moment, Xiao Yu's eyes widened in realization. She pointed to Xiao Yan, who stood unobtrusively in the corner. "Instructor, Xiao Yu must be talking about Xiao Yan!"

All eyes turned to Xiao Yan. Embarrassed, he rubbed his nose and chuckled, "I suppose all of Wutan City knows my story, so…"

"Can you tell me about it?" Ruolin asked gently.

Seeing Xiao Yan hesitate, the impatient Xiao Yu jumped in. "Let me explain!"

Soon, after Xiao Yu's explanation, everyone's view of Xiao Yan changed. His talent was unmatched by anyone here except for Xiao Yu. In fact, his potential was comparable to Xun'er's!

Ruolin stared at the three young geniuses before her, barely able to contain her joy. With three students whose potential surpassed S-rank, she would surely gain great recognition among the instructors when they returned to the academy. Who wouldn't want a highly talented student, even if it was just for part of their journey?

Putting away the scroll she had been holding, Ruolin smiled softly. "In seven days, we will depart with the flying convoy to Jia Nan Academy. Congratulations on becoming one of our students!"

At that moment, Xiao Yu suddenly spoke. "Instructor Ruolin, have you considered my request for a break?"

Xun'er's mood darkened when she heard his words.

Ruolin's smile faltered. Her delicate eyebrows furrowed as she sighed. "You still haven't let go of this, have you?"

Xiao Yu smiled and shook his head. "No, I must take this break."

"A year is too long. I can't make that decision," Ruolin replied.

"I believe my strength can decide whether I stay or go. It's only a year—I'm sure you can handle it, Instructor," Xiao Yu said with a grin.

Ruolin, confused, asked, "With your potential, you could grow so much more at Jia Nan Academy. Why take a year off?"

"I have my reasons," Xiao Yu thought to himself. "Of course, I can't tell you it's to save a beautiful woman."

Seeing Xiao Yu's firm stance, Ruolin was reluctant to lose such a talented student. She exhaled deeply. "Fine, I'll grant you a year off, but when you return, you must reach the strength of a six-star Dou Master!"

"Deal!" Xiao Yu readily agreed, confident in his abilities.

Watching Xiao Yu, the others couldn't help but think, "Truly, strength is the best pass to freedom."