Starting as a supporting character in Doupo

The Shadowless Mask: Invisible and faceless, leaving no trace, it can conceal one's identity and strength when worn.

Thousand Flame Spear: Its body is like a rainbow, indestructible, and can increase the user's fire attribute damage by 10%.

Seeing the properties of these two items, Xiao Fan had already planned out his future adventures: "Wear the mask, who will recognize me?"

After examining the new items provided by the system, Xiao Fan began to consider what he should do next.

The system's intention was clear: to force him to leave Xiao Yan and go it alone. However, having already become Yao Lao's disciple, he hadn't even formally begun learning alchemy, and now he was being forced to leave. How could he possibly learn then...? Thinking of this...

"Pierced Egg, can you let me become an alchemist?!"

"The system exists to make the host the strongest supporting character in the heavens; being a mere alchemist is not challenging at all."

Xiao Fan suddenly realized that the system's presence was usually so low that he had never even thought of this cheat ability.

It's now clear that the system is the biggest advantage for my growth.

With the system's help, and by preparing in advance for Xiao Yan, I refuse to believe I can't help him unify the Dou Qi Continent ahead of time. If all else fails, I can become a Dou Di, destroy the Soul Palace, and bring Xiao Yan over as the alliance leader. That should also count as helping Xiao Yan unify the Dou Qi Continent... right?

Since the system can help him become an alchemist, and the cultivation techniques and fighting skills he cultivates are all products of the system, he can leave Xiao Yan ahead of time to go out and train, but he needs to find a better reason.

Right, tomorrow is the family disciples' sixteenth birthday test. After the test, I can use that as an excuse to leave. Thinking about what would happen during tomorrow's test, Xiao Fan entered his cultivation with a smile.

Chapter 11 Shocks the Xiao Family for a Whole Year

The coming-of-age ceremony in the Xiao family was so complicated that it was enough to give anyone a headache.

Looking at the disciples on stage, who were being manipulated like puppets by the family elders, Xiao Fan rubbed his forehead.

This tedious procedure is comparable to a leader's speech in my previous life—long-winded and full of nonsense.

Xiao Fan and Xiao Yan sat together, and Xiao Xun'er followed. After a year of getting to know each other, Xiao Fan found that Xiao Xun'er was quite easy to get along with, provided that you didn't provoke Xiao Yan.

Not far from the three of them, Xiao Ning and Xiao Yu were watching them. Perhaps because they often cultivated with Xiao Yan, Xiao Yu had now offended Xiao Fan as well.

"idiot."

Xiao Yan glanced at Xiao Yu and the others, then slowly uttered two words. Ignoring their livid expressions, he turned back to chat with Xiao Xun'er and the others.

Upon hearing Xiao Yan's words, Xiao Xun'er couldn't help but reach out and rub her forehead.

Whenever Xiao Yan comes into contact with Xiao Yu, he sheds his usual calm and unrestrained demeanor, which is indeed quite irritating.

Xiao Fan couldn't understand why, even though Xiao Yu had clearly intended to cause trouble for Xiao Yan, it ended up with Xiao Yan applauding from the sidelines while he himself went up and fought Xiao Yu. As a result, Xiao Yu's primary source of hatred had now shifted to him.

Amidst the laughter and conversation of the three, the coming-of-age ceremony on the stage was more than halfway over, and it was finally Xiao Yan's turn.

"Xiao Yan!"

Beneath the black stone tablet, the testing steward called out Xiao Yan's name with a somewhat complicated expression.

Although the Xiao family knew that two teenagers had been cultivating in the back mountain for the past year, and that they always returned with bruises and swelling, they did not believe that they would make much progress.

Putting aside whether Xiao Yan has regained his former talent, even if he has, advancing to the fourth level of Dou Qi in a year is something no one believes he could do, even as the former number one genius of Wutan City.

Xiao Yan raised his head slightly and glanced around the training ground. The gloating looks he saw made him chuckle softly.

Nodding to Xiao Fan and Xiao Xun'er, Xiao Yan strode towards the stage. With his teacher and senior brother there, what couldn't he do?

Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, Xiao Yan's chest rose and fell slowly as he extended his hand and gently placed it on the cold black stone tablet.

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the stone tablet without blinking. They knew very well that this test might send the Xiao family's former genius to a remote area to work as a steward for the rest of his life. Perhaps this was the last day he would stay in the main family.

The stone tablet calmed down slightly, and a moment later, a bright light suddenly appeared!

The enormous golden characters on the stone tablet made everyone's hearts stop beating for a moment.

"Power of Battle... Seventh Stage!"

A long silence, a deathly silence!

Everyone in the arena was amazed by the strength the boy had displayed.

"Kacha!"

Xiao Zhan, sitting high in the main seat, was so excited that he crushed the cup in his hand, and the scalding tea flowed from between his fingers, but he seemed not to notice.

"Seventh level... Yan'er, you really did it!" Looking at the boy under the black stone tablet, Xiao Zhan's eyes were a little moist.

"Hehe... The Foundation Establishment Elixir that the Clan Chief bought... is... really powerful, hehe." The Second Elder beside him looked at Xiao Yan on the stage and chuckled awkwardly.

No one paid any attention to his words. Although most of the Foundation Establishment Elixir that had suddenly appeared in Wutan City in the past year had been bought by Xiao Zhan and given to Xiao Yan, the others could still see the effects of that thing.

If it were really that magical, Wutan City would have been turned upside down long ago.

The crowd waiting to see Xiao Yan make a fool of himself was also deeply shocked by the result.

With complex emotions in her eyes, Xiao Mei looked at the young man on the stage, a trace of regret flashing through her mind: his once amazing talent for cultivation seemed to have returned.

Xiao Ning, who was waiting at the edge of the training ground to see Xiao Yan make a fool of himself, couldn't accept this outcome either. Staring dumbfounded at the enormous characters on the stone tablet, he murmured in disbelief, "How could this be..."

On the stage, Xiao Yan felt the gazes of the crowd and let out a soft breath. Three years ago, he would have been complacent because of their admiration, but now he would no longer be influenced by them.

Just as the teacher said, three years of reflection have made his temperament more stable. Moreover, compared to his own talent, his senior brother is the real prodigy! After taking a deep look at the stone tablet that had determined his fate several times, Xiao Yan smiled knowingly at Xiao Fan and walked back to his seat.

"Brother Xiao Yan, congratulations! You've really put those who looked down on you to shame!" Xiao Xun'er smiled at Xiao Yan, her eyes narrowed.

Hearing Xiao Xun'er's words, Xiao Yan smiled calmly, "Compared to my senior brother, my achievements are nothing!"

In just one year, Xiao Yan had inadvertently let slip their identities as fellow disciples when he was alone with Xun'er.

Xiao Xun'er only knew that there was a mysterious person teaching them cultivation in the back mountain. She sent Ling Ying out several times but to no avail. In the end, the other party also showed her goodwill. As long as he wouldn't hurt Brother Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun'er didn't care about anything else.

"Next up, Xiao Xun'er!"

Xiao Xun'er, who was about to say something, turned around and smiled at Xiao Yan when she heard that she was next, saying, "Brother Xiao Yan, don't be too shocked!"

Hearing Xiao Xun'er's words, Xiao Yan smiled slightly. Judging from Xun'er's appearance, she must have already broken through to the Dou Zhe level. It's a pity... Thinking of this, Xiao Yan looked at Xiao Fan again.

Without a doubt, Xiao Xun'er, a one-star Dou Zhe, once again made everyone in the arena gasp.

Xiao Xun'er's talent is undeniable, but reaching the strength of a one-star Dou Zhe at such a young age has made everyone marvel at how many geniuses the Xiao family has, a fact that inspires envy.

However, with Xiao Yan's four-stage Dou Qi advancement in a year preceding her, Xiao Xun'er's advancement was not so difficult for everyone to accept.

"Next up, Xiao Fan!"

Xiao Fan, who was sitting in the audience, finally heard his name called. He grinned at Xiao Yan and strode towards the stage.

Having returned to his original spot, he looked at the admiration in Xiao Yan's eyes, blinked, and said to Xiao Yan, "Does Brother Xiao Fan really earn Brother Xiao Yan's admiration so much?"

"Of course, you'll find out soon enough. Everyone thinks I have the best talent, but compared to my senior brother, it's nothing at all." Xiao Yan smiled and gestured for Xiao Xun'er to carefully observe Xiao Fan's test.

After Xiao Fan stepped onto the stage, he placed his hand on the testing stone. Before long, the words on the stone tablet plunged the once lively martial arts arena into a deathly silence.

"Xiao Fan, a one-star Dou Zhe!"

Chapter 12 Proof

"Xiao Fan, a one-star Dou Zhe!"

If everyone was shocked by Xiao Yan's talent recovery and acknowledged Xiao Xun'er's talent, then Xiao Fan's reaction was one of utter disbelief.

In everyone's eyes, Xiao Fan was just an ordinary disciple of the Xiao family, and his strength was only at the middle to upper level of the family disciples. Even in the test a year ago, Xiao Fan was only at the sixth level of Dou Qi.

Xiao Yan was able to advance four levels in a year not only because it was easier to go from the third to the seventh level of Dou Qi, but also because of his past talent. So, although everyone was surprised, they could still convince themselves that Xiao Yan's talent had returned.

However, Xiao Fan is just an ordinary disciple of the Xiao family. He only came into the public eye in the past year because he and Xiao Yan had been cultivating in the back mountain. So how could he suddenly jump from the sixth level of Dou Qi to the ranks of Dou Zhe?

Ignoring the strange atmosphere, Xiao Fan slowly walked to Xiao Yan's side and sat down under everyone's gaze.

"Ahem..." On the high platform, Xiao Zhan was the first to recover. He smiled smugly and coughed lightly, drawing everyone's attention back to the stage.

Nevertheless, some people still find Xiao Fan's progress unbelievable.

"The test is over. Now, let's move on to the next item. Those who did not pass have the right to challenge their qualified peers. Remember, you only have one chance," Xiao Zhan announced loudly.

Upon hearing this, most of the intense gazes in the arena turned to Xiao Fan and Xiao Yan.

Xiao Fan had anticipated this, but Xiao Yan smiled wryly and paused, "Do I look like an easy target?"

“Brother Xiao Yan reached the fourth level of Dou Qi in just one year, exactly reaching the seventh level of Dou Qi. This rise is like a miracle, and naturally they don’t want to believe it.” Although she was speaking to Xiao Yan, Xiao Xun’er’s gaze was unusually fixed on Xiao Fan.

He shrugged helplessly and exchanged a glance with Xiao Fan. "Is it because you don't want to believe it that you're deceiving yourself?"

In the otherwise calm atmosphere, someone finally couldn't help but stand up.

A burly young man walked up to Xiao Fan and his companions in full view of everyone. He glanced at Xiao Yan and Xiao Fan, but chose the stronger Xiao Fan. "Cousin Xiao Fan, please!"

Although the young man appeared respectful, his eyes held a hint of doubt and disdain when he looked at Xiao Fan. It seemed he also believed that Xiao Fan and his companions had used some method to deceive the elders and evade the testing stone's detection. After all, Xiao Fan had once been at a similar level to him, and he didn't believe Xiao Fan could have made such a significant improvement.

Xiao Fan looked at the young man who challenged him. He recognized him as Xiao Shan, who was just an ordinary disciple of the Xiao family. When Xiao Fan first transmigrated, his level was probably about the same as Xiao Shan's. Shaking his head, Xiao Fan said loudly, "I accept!"

Looking at the burly young man who took the initiative, the others sighed with regret, seemingly envious of the first person to try something new.

Xiao Fan walked to the center of the arena and gestured for Xiao Shan to enter.

Looking at the calm Xiao Fan, Xiao Shan felt a sense of unease. Then he thought that failing the exam would mean being sent to work in a remote town, and he might never have the chance to come back. His expression hardened and he said, "Cousin Xiao Fan, be careful."

Under the complex gazes of many, Xiao Fan and Xiao Shan had completed the pre-fight etiquette.

With his palms slightly raised, Xiao Shan took a deep breath. A faint aura of battle qi swirled around his hands, and he stomped his feet hard on the ground, charging towards Xiao Fan.

Low-level combat doesn't involve any fancy skills; it's all about realistic, visceral clashes.

"Splitting Mountain Palm!"

As he approached Xiao Fan, Xiao Shan gathered his fighting spirit in his right hand and slashed fiercely at Xiao Fan's chest.