Achievement Unlocked, Catching Up to Xiao Yan!

"Zhao Gang, Dou Disciple, Stage 2, Qualified!"

At the same plaza, accompanied by Yan Hongtao's loud announcement, a wave of murmurs spread across the square. The children waiting for their tests showed envy, and a group led by Zhao Gang lavished him with exaggerated flattery.

Outside the plaza, other children from different batches watched with various expressions, all dreaming of becoming the next Zhao Gang.

"Not bad," even Yan Hongtao nodded in approval.

"Next, Chen Guan."

Called by name, Chen Guan walked to the Magic Stone Tablet under the gaze of the crowd. Soon, the result appeared, causing another stir.

"Chen Guan, Dou Disciple, Stage 2, Qualified!"

"Chen Guan is amazing too, he's just like Boss Zhao."

"What do you know? Boss Zhao barely practiced, but Chen Guan had to train like crazy to match him. It's not the same at all."

"True, Zhao's talent seems to be better."

Over the past six months, everyone had noticed Chen Guan's diligent efforts, and even Yan Hongtao often used him as an example to encourage others. This made the children his age avoid playing with him.

Hearing the whispers, Chen Guan felt no waves of emotion, even finding it amusing. Although both he and Zhao Gang were at Stage 2 Dou Qi, the difference between them was vast.

Chen Guan and Zhao Gang were responsible for cleaning the room that housed the Magic Stone Tablet. As a result, they often tested their abilities.

Zhao Gang only broke through to Stage 2 Dou Disciple ten days ago, and he had specifically come to test himself while Chen Guan was cleaning, just to satisfy his childish vanity.

But Chen Guan had already reached Stage 2 Dou Disciple three months ago, and he now felt on the verge of another breakthrough. If not for wanting to keep a low profile during this test, he would already be at Stage 3 Dou Disciple. 

Chen Guan was quite satisfied with this progress.

It's worth noting that Yan Hongtao's passing requirement was advancing just one stage of Dou Disciple every six months, which was considered the average. As one advances through the stages, the difficulty increases, and more time is required.

The tests continued quickly, and within two hours, they were all completed.

Only Zhao Gang and Chen Guan reached Stage 2 Dou Disciple. Seventeen kids didn't even reach Stage 1, while the rest met the passing standard.

"Six months ago, I told you all that this test would largely determine your future. For those who reached Stage 1 Dou Disciple , congratulations! You've passed the first hurdle. As long as you don't make mistakes, you can continue to train peacefully for the next five years. His Majesty, in his great mercy, will bestow certain elixirs to strengthen your bodies. This is a gift from the emperor and the royal family. You must be grateful and train harder. Strength is the best way to repay them. Understood?"

"Understood!"

Yan Hongtao, always speaking on behalf of the royal family, nodded in satisfaction when the crowd responded loudly. Then, he turned to the dejected group on his left.

"Talent is innate, but it doesn't solely decide your fate. Although you didn't qualify in this test, that doesn't mean you're useless. The vast Jia Ma Empire needs talents in all walks of life. In certain times and places, your role might not be any less important than theirs. As long as you're willing to learn, the royal family will still spare no effort in nurturing you!"

This motivational speech was very uplifting, especially for brainwashing a group of children who were like blank slates. Their loyalty to the royal family skyrocketed.

Even Chen Guan had to admit that, regardless of the royal family's intentions, they had indeed shown great kindness to everyone present.

If they hadn't been brought to the capital, many might have starved or suffered, unable to touch Dou Qi and destined to live at the bottom of society. Compared to those miserable days, their lives were now infinitely better.

Chen Guan had his own thoughts and plans, so he wouldn't be brainwashed by the royal family. But the debt of gratitude had to be remembered. Gratitude must be repaid, and grudges must be avenged. That was his simple philosophy.

(T/N: Sigh, here we go again)

After a few more motivational speeches, the unqualified kids were taken away by a guard. No one knew where they went, and from that day on, they were never seen again.

After the test, life returned to normal, but compared to the past six months, everyone trained more diligently. The departure of the seventeen had clearly left a lasting impression.

Only Zhao Gang continued to secretly compete with Chen Guan. In his mind, Chen Guan's talent wasn't as good as his, yet Chen Guan managed to keep up. Zhao Gang couldn't accept this and needed to widen the gap to solidify his position as the "top genius."

Unfortunately, the gap widened—but in the opposite direction.

That very night, Chen Guan quietly broke through to Stage 3 Dou Disciple! 

In the days that followed, the royal family periodically distributed a low-grade spiritual fruit called the "Qingling Fruit." It had a mild medicinal effect that enhanced the body.

Though its efficacy couldn't compare to the Foundation-Building Elixir refined by Yao Lao for Xiao Yan, it was still decent for building a strong foundation before becoming a Dou Practitioner. The Jia Ma Empire's families didn't have this kind of resource, showing the disparity between the empire and family foundations.

Thanks to their exceptional talent, both Zhao Gang and Chen Guan received double the resources each time.

A strong body greatly benefits cultivation, and as a result, Chen Guan absorbed and refined Dou Qi even faster.

For the next five years, there would be no unified test. With no need to worry about others' opinions, Chen Guan fully immersed himself in his cultivation, gradually leaving "Genius Zhao" behind.

It's worth mentioning that during this time, the name of Xiao Yan from the Xiao Clan in Wutan City became well-known. Even the imperial capital occasionally heard about him. Yan Hongtao once used Xiao Yan as motivation for Zhao Gang and Chen Guan, urging them to take him as their goal.

It was also from Yan Hongtao that Chen Guan learned about Xiao Yan's progress.

Like him, Xiao Yan had reached Stage 3 Dou Disciple.

As they left, Zhao Gang was still in shock, but Chen Guan felt great, showing a rare smile.

Achievement unlocked—Catching up to Xiao Yan!

What made him even more pleased was that his talent was slightly superior to Xiao Yan's. After all, Xiao Yan started cultivating earlier. When Xiao was at Stage 1 Dou Disciple, Chen Guan was still wondering where to get his next meal.

But now, he had caught up. Even Chen Guan felt a small sense of achievement.

As a certain Milk Emperor once said, "The enemies who fall before me are never my true opponents. I give you time to catch up, until you can no longer even see my shadow."

Chen Guan thought he could take some inspiration from that.

Hands on hips, smug for three seconds!

(End of chapter)