"Battle Force, Three-Rank!" Gazing at the five bold characters shimmering so brightly they almost blazed with intensity on the Trial Magic Stone Tablet, the young boy remained expressionless, a touch of self-mockery playing at his lips. His tightly clenched hands had pressed his slightly sharp nails deep into his palms, causing a steady, piercing pain that radiated through his fingers... "Xiao Lin, Battle Force, Three-Rank! Rank: Junior!" The Middle-aged Man beside the tablet glanced at the information displayed and announced it in a flat, indifferent tone. As soon as he finished speaking, an unavoidable wave of derision surged across the crowded plaza. "Three-Rank? Hah—well, I knew it. That 'genius' has been stagnating exactly where he is for the past year!" "Oh well, this waste must have disgraced the entire Xiao Family." "Wouldn't you think so? If the patriarch hadn’t been his father, this underperformer would’ve already been pushed out of the family and left to fend for himself—what chance would he ever have to sit back and enjoy free meals?" "Ahhh—how could it be that the once-celebrated prodigy of Wutan City has now fallen to such a state?" "Who knows? Perhaps she’s done something shameful, and the deities have taken offense..." The surrounding murmurs of scorn and expressions of pity fell upon the young boy standing motionless like a post. They pierced his chest with one sharp thorn after another, making his breathing slightly shallow. Slowly lifting his head, the boy revealed a face both delicate and youthful. His dark eyes scanned the faces of those around him—those now openly mocking—with a quiet, unblinking gaze. The self-mockery at his corner of the mouth deepened into something more bitter. "Are people truly so sharp in their criticism? Perhaps because they once showed me the utmost humility three years ago, now they’re trying to repay that favor..." With a wry smile, Xiao Lin turned quietly and settled back into the last row of the group. His solitary figure stood out sharply against the bustling world around him. "Next up: Xiao Mei!" Hearing the announcement, a young girl quickly emerged from among the crowd. As soon as she appeared, the surrounding conversations diminished. Numerous sets of eager eyes locked onto her face with growing intensity. The girl was barely fourteen years old—though not particularly beautiful—her youthful features carried an understated grace and charm that blended freshness with elegance, making her a natural focal point for all eyes in attendance. She strode forward swiftly, her hands moving naturally to trace the black stone tablet. Then she closed her eyes. After only a brief moment of silence, light re-emerged on the surface of the dark tablet. "Battle Qi: Seven-Rank!" "Xiao Mei, Battle Qi: Seven-Rank! Rank: Senior!" "Hooray!" As the Trial Officer announced the result, the girl beamed with proud delight. "Hmm—Seven-Rank Battle Qi? Truly impressive. At this rate, she’ll likely become a true Battle Master in just three years." "Indeed—a star of the family’s next generation!" With the growing waves of admiration from the crowd, her smile bloomed even wider. The natural pride that many young women cherish stirred within her. While chatting with her fellow sisters, Xiao Mei's gaze suddenly drifted beyond the crowd and settled upon the lone figure standing outside. After a brief pause, she dismissed her earlier thought—now the two stood on entirely different levels of achievement. With Xiao Lin’s recent performances, he would likely remain only at the lower tier of the family as an adult, while Xiao Mei, with such outstanding talent, was destined to be cultivated into a leading force within the family—her future prospects truly limitless. "Ah—" She sighed quietly, and in her mind surfaced the image of that once-energetic young boy from three years ago: practicing Qi at age four, achieving Nine-Rank Battle Qi at ten, then surpassing it with Ten-Rank Battle Qi at eleven, becoming the youngest Battle Master in the family’s history within a century. At that time, he had been full of confidence and held immense potential—his presence stirring admiration among many young girls, including Xiao Mei herself. Yet the path of prodigies often proves winding. Three years ago, after reaching the height of his fame, this celebrated star suddenly faced an unprecedented setback: not only did his long-earned Battle Qi Spiral vanish overnight, but over time, the amount of Battle Qi within him began to dwindle in an increasingly strange manner. The loss of Battle Qi directly resulted in a steady decline of his strength and capability. From a pinnacle of excellence, he had plummeted to a level beneath even ordinary members—his once-gleaming title now replaced by indifference and scorn. The higher one rises, the harder one falls. This time, perhaps there would be no chance for recovery. "Next: Xiao Xun'er!" As the voice of the Trial Officer rang out amidst the lively crowd, silence fell instantly across the plaza. All eyes converged upon a young girl dressed in a deep purple gown standing calmly in place. Her composed, gentle demeanor radiated an air of quiet distinction—like a lotus blooming for the first time—her youthful features already suggesting a presence beyond her years. It was hard to imagine how she would grow into such a breathtaking figure in the future. In terms of both beauty and grace, Xiao Xun'er surpassed even Xiao Mei, which explained why everyone had turned their attention now. With graceful steps, the girl named Xiao Xun'er approached the stone tablet. Her hand extended, the black-and-gold trim of her purple sleeves slid down, revealing a slender, white-wristed arm that lightly touched the stone surface. A moment of stillness passed. Then, with renewed intensity, light burst forth from the tablet. "Battle Qi: Nine-Rank! Rank: Senior!" As the words were read aloud, silence spread across the crowd. "...Nine-Rank? Truly astounding. The first person among the younger generation of the Xiao Family—certainly no one else but Miss Xun'er!" With a quiet awe, the young men and women all found themselves swallowing their breaths, eyes full of reverence. Battle Qi was every Battle Master’s fundamental journey—the initial stages ranged from One-Rank to Ten-Rank. When a person achieved Ten-Rank Battle Qi, they could form a Battle Qi Spiral and become recognized as a true Battle Master. Xiao Mei stared at the tablet with slightly furrowed brows, her face now tinged with a sense of jealousy. The Middle-aged Trial Officer, who had always maintained his composed demeanor, unexpectedly smiled—his usually blank expression softened. To Xiao Xun'er, he said gently: "Miss Xun'er, within six months you should be able to form your Battle Qi Spiral. Should you succeed, at age fourteen, you will become a true Battle Master—and you’ll be the second such person in the Xiao Family’s history!" Indeed—second. The first was none other than the once-gleaming Xiao Lin now fading into obscurity. "Thank you," said Miss Xun'er, her composed face showing no sign of joy at his praise. She quietly turned and slowly walked through the crowd's intense gaze to stand beside the young man who had been steadily drifting toward the edge of the plaza—her earlier quietness now deepened by a new sense of purpose. "Brother Xiao Lin," she paused as she passed him, bowed politely, and smiled—a serene expression that drew admiration from even other young women watching. "Now do I still have any claim to being called 'Brother'?" asked Xiao Lin with a wry smile. "You’re the one who’s been one of the few people who’ve continued to honor me after all this decline." "Brother Xiao Lin," said Xiao Xun'er, smiling gently and softly, her voice still youthful but warm. "Though I don’t know exactly what has happened to you, I believe you’ll rise again—regain your dignity and glory." With a brief pause, her delicate cheeks flushed for the first time—"Indeed, the younger Brother Xiao Lin used to be quite charming." "Hmm…" Hearing such candid sincerity, Xiao Lin blushed slightly embarrassed. He smiled but didn’t respond further. A man who isn't full of charm during his youth is truly unfortunate—yet today, he had neither the spirit nor the heart for it. With a quiet sense of melancholy, he turned and began to walk slowly toward the edge of the plaza. Standing still in silent observation as the young man’s form drifted away like one separated from the world, Xiao Xun'er hesitated briefly. Then, amid the surrounding chorus of envy and murmurs, she stepped quickly after him—walking side by side with her brother-in-the-making.