"Honestly, living off my charm wouldn't be an issue. Just wait a bit longer, and once I'm strong enough, no one in the clan will dare gossip," Xiao Xun Er said.
"Xun Er, give me a chance to prove myself. If we both strive, we'll save some time, right?" Xiao Heng replied.
"Fine, but don't keep me waiting too long!"
"No worries. Though, I'll need to attend Xiao Yan's three-year duel, which might delay me slightly," Xiao Heng said.
"You should go anyway," Xiao Xun Er nodded.
"Mm."
___
Xiao Heng and his group easily passed the initial assessment. Next came the potential evaluation. Instructor Ruo Lin explained the grading system before recording.
"From the left, state your name, level, and age," Ruo Lin instructed.
"Hei Yan, Nine-Stage Dou Zhi Qi, twenty," a dark-faced youth said.
"E-rank. Next!"
"Na Tie, Eight-Stage Dou Zhi Qi, nineteen."
"F-rank. Next!"
"E-rank."
"D-rank."
…
Soon, it was Xiao Yan's turn. The highest potential so far was D-rank.
"Xiao Yan, Four-Star Dou Zhe, sixteen."
"A-rank! Looks like I've struck gold!" Ruo Lin winked playfully, captivating the surrounding men.
Next was Xiao Xun Er. "Xiao Xun Er, Six-Star Dou Zhe, sixteen!" Her words stunned Ruo Lin and silenced the tent.
"S-rank! Excellent, truly excellent. My luck's holding!" Ruo Lin beamed.
"Last one!" Ruo Lin's gaze fell on the youth beside the S-rank girl, clearly a pair.
"Xiao Heng, Nine-Star Dou Shi, sixteen," Xiao Heng said calmly.
"Nine-Star… Dou Shi?"
"Just lucky," Xiao Heng said, scratching his head.
"Impressive, very impressive!" Ruo Lin's smile nearly broke free. This batch is a treasure trove, she thought.
Her joy was short-lived. Xiao Yan requested a year's leave, and despite her persuasive efforts, he wouldn't budge.
"Here's the deal: survive twenty rounds against me, and I'll approve your leave," Ruo Lin told Xiao Yan.
"I want leave too!" Xiao Heng chimed in before Xiao Yan could respond.
"You two are heaven-sent to torment me!" Ruo Lin glared at Xiao Heng, trying to intimidate him into backing down.
"No way! Rest assured, we'll return before the inner academy trials and secure two top-five spots!" Xiao Heng declared, with Xiao Yan quickly echoing him.
"Defeat me, and I'll grant both your leaves," Ruo Lin challenged.
"Then I'll take you on," Xiao Heng said, bowing respectfully. Xiao Yan, by comparison, seemed less dazzling, benefiting from Xiao Heng's boldness. Smart move, Yan, Xiao Heng thought.
"Don't cry later," Ruo Lin teased, her smile tinged with mischief.
With a flash of her green storage ring, a blue whip embedded with a water-attribute magic core appeared, likely boosting her strength by ten to twenty percent.
"Can I use my own weapon?" Xiao Heng asked.
"No problem. Start when you're ready," Ruo Lin said dismissively, flicking her whip, leaving faint water vapor on the ground. I'll have you scrambling.
"Please, instruct me!" Xiao Heng called, summoning his Crimson Dragon Fang, a one-and-a-half-meter blade gleaming like blood-red lightning.
Ruo Lin's lips curved into a confident smile, her stunning features exuding charm. She swung her whip, tracing a graceful yet deadly arc through the air, slashing vertically at Xiao Heng with a piercing whistle.
Xiao Heng mirrored her smile, his eyes sharp. In an instant, pale blue Dou Zhi Qi surged like a tidal wave, enveloping him in a glowing aura.
In a blink, he became a blue afterimage, charging at Ruo Lin. Her whip, spanning over ten meters, was effortlessly dodged with his exquisite movement technique.
Xiao Heng employed a profound High Xuan Class Dou Technique: Kirin Steps. His movements were as fluid as a mythical kirin, each step infused with rhythm and power, making his path unpredictable.
Seeing Xiao Heng close in rapidly, Ruo Lin's eyes flashed with surprise but quickly regained composure. Unable to retract her whip, she unleashed a fountain of pale blue Dou Zhi Qi, forming an oval water mirror before her.
"Force-Dissolving Water Barrier!" Ruo Lin's clear voice rang out.
This High Huang Class water-attribute technique created a half-meter-thick mirror, shimmering with rainbow hues under the sunset, beautiful yet deadly.
Blue flames erupted on Xiao Heng's Crimson Dragon Fang, dancing as if alive, turning the blood-red blade deep azure. Time to shine, he thought.
"High Xuan Class Dou Technique: Demon-Sealing Slash!"
Ruo Lin's heart clicked, realizing Xiao Heng's fire-attribute Dou Zhi Qi, despite its pale blue hue, matched her own. That's no ordinary flame.
Xiao Heng swung fiercely, unleashing a blue flaming crescent that roared with earth-shattering force toward Ruo Lin. The water mirror shattered like tofu under its might.
Without hesitation, Ruo Lin countered: "Mid Xuan Class Dou Technique: Water Mandala!"
A surge of pale blue water-attribute Dou Zhi Qi coalesced into a seven-to-eight-meter water serpent, its body writhing, spewing icy mist. Xiao Heng's flaming crescent clashed with the serpent, their forces erupting in blinding light and deafening roars.
The attacks canceled each other out, the energy dissipating. The gap between Dou Shi and Da Dou Shi Dou Zhi Qi quality was vast, but Xiao Heng's High Xuan Class technique rivaled Ruo Lin's Mid Xuan Class one.
As the clash subsided, Xiao Heng didn't pause. He flickered through the lingering mist, appearing before Ruo Lin as it cleared, his youthful face inches from hers.
"Not bad, kid! Flames and High Xuan Class techniques!" Ruo Lin's eyes locked onto Xiao Heng, her admiration deepening.
____
If you want to support me and read advanced chapters and other stories: patreon.com/Caluem