A year before the grand Coming-of-Age ceremony, the Xiao Family estate pulsed with an energy that few could comprehend. The cold winds of adversity had long given way to a warm, incandescent blaze of transformation—one forged in the secret crucible of relentless training, profound rebirth, and unfaltering determination.
Deep within the sprawling training grounds behind the estate, Xiao Yan stood before the ancient Pillar of Qi—a revered relic known to judge one's true mettle. In the echo of his own footsteps and the murmurs of generations past, he touched the pillar gently. In that single, fateful moment, time itself stilled. The assembly of elders, disciples, and kin—all waiting to witness the miracle—could only gape in astonishment as the pillar's radiant energy cascaded over Xiao Yan.
They witnessed what had long been whispered in hushed tones: a prodigy who, having deliberately reset his cultivation foundation three times, began anew at a mere 2-star Dou Qi. Now, in just a matter of years, Xiao Yan had shattered all conventions—crossing 17 levels of cultivation with strategic sacrifices. The ancient pillar affirmed the impossible as his aura blazed bright with no less than 4-star Dou Ling—the first step toward the fabled status that would crown him as a 6-star Dou Ling and 6th rank Alchemist by his coming-of-age.
"By the heavens…" one of the Third Elders gasped, voice a mix of incredulity and joy. "That is not merely rebirth—it is the return of our first Dou Ling after the late Patriarch!"
A booming voice rang out from Patriarch Xiao Zhan, whose jovial mockery masked pride. "Ha ha! My son has not only met the top standards—he has redefined them! Our family's legacy burns ever brighter. Let it be known that we shall have a feast to celebrate the glory of the Three Dragons and the Five Tigers of the Xiao Family!"
The estate became a living mosaic of triumphs and breakthroughs. In the main courtyard, where incense and triumphant laughter mingled with the clamor of training, news of the extraordinary progress spread like wildfire:
Xiao Chen, the transmigrator with his god-tier Sign-In System, had forged his own formidable path. With every pill of marrow cleansing and every drop of blood refined through his ancient techniques, he had surged ahead—reaching an awe-inspiring 5-star Dou Master level, evolving into 4-star Dou Ling, and ascending to a 5th rank Alchemist. His competitive spirit and relentless drive had even earned him teasing jabs from his peers during the recent Pillar Qi Test. "Not bad for a twin who once played in the shadows!" some murmured in admiration and mischief.
Mu Lie, who had once carried the weight of broken meridians and scars of past failures, now stood as a beacon of revival. With Xiao Yan's unwavering assistance—a secret blend of foundation-building liquids and his own ancient alchemy techniques—Mu Lie's meridians had been healed. In a mere two years, he had vaulted from the 2-star Dou Qi stage of a Nine Star Fighter to achieve the rarefied heights of a 9-star Dou Master, now proudly recognized as a 4th Rank Array Master. His breakthroughs had become emblematic of the Xiao Family's new era of possibility.
Among the younger disciples, Xiao Ning and Xiao Mei had surged ahead to reach the formidable 8-star level as Dou Fighters. Xiao Xun'er, once underestimated, now shone as a 6-star Dou Master, her presence as striking as it was formidable. Meng'er, the ever-graceful maid and concubine to the young third master, had also impressed many, having soared to a 3-star Dou Master level—an achievement that set the stage for more dramatic feats in the times to come.
Elsewhere in the compound, even the family's venerable elders had not remained idle. Patriarch Xiao Zhan had recently attained a 2-star Dou Ling status, while the First Elder celebrated a breakthrough to 1-star Dou Ling. Two other ancient elders had even edged into the Dou Master realm at 9 stars, and several deacons had reached the coveted 4-star Dou Master level. Even the longtime butler, who had weathered grievous injuries over the past two years, had made an astonishing comeback—breaking through into the Dou Wang level at 1 star as his final test of resilience.
Beneath the laughter and jubilant toasts lay the quiet stories of struggle and cunning sacrifice that only a few intimately knew. Xiao Yan's journey was more than a series of explosive breakthroughs—it was a tapestry interwoven with moments of clandestine rebirth:
At age 5, he had set his foundation anew, awakening Yao Chen even before time allowed others to notice—a master–disciple bond sealed by a vowing to protect and one day exact revenge for old betrayals. At age 9, few could discern that his seemingly belated cultivation progress was in fact a deliberate sacrificial diminishing of his Dou Qi—a tactical reset to refine and rebuild. At age 11, an accidental breakthrough catapulted him to 4-star Dou Fighter status during the yearly qualification test—a moment that convinced many of his destined genius. At age 12, as he lent his strength to heal Mu Lie's fractured meridians, doubts arose among the family; whispers spread that he was still only a mere 2-star Dou Qi—a narrative he had purposely cultivated to mask his deeper secret.
Only behind the guarded eyes of his steadfast brother Xiao Chen and the watchful concern of his father did anyone know the truth of his method—a quiet, almost invisible discipline that he shared solely with Mu Lie and Xiao Xun'er. In those hushed moments of secrecy, he vowed to rebuild his foundation yet again—a final, definitive rebirth that would set his path ablaze with unyielding confidence.
As the season turned, preparations for the Coming-of-Age ceremony intensified. Within the grand banquet hall decorated with ancient runic banners and celestial motifs, the future of the Xiao Family was whispered in every corner. Pride and anticipation mixed with teasing banter as the elders recounted the miracles of the past year.
"Imagine," chuckled Xiao Zhan with a grin that brooked no argument, "when my son ascends as a 6-star Dou Ling and a 6th rank Alchemist—alongside his ever-improving twin reaching even greater heights—it will be a declaration of our dynasty's rebirth! And what of our other promising prospects? Eight young geniuses destined to be Dou Wang, some even Dou Zong! Truly, our family is the crucible of the greatest talent the Dou Qi world has ever seen!"
The room erupted in laughter, admiration, and hopeful musings. Each remark not only celebrated achievement but also heralded the beginning of a transformative era—one in which the Xiao Family would redefine the boundaries of cultivation and destiny.
That evening, as twilight spilled in shimmering cascades through the estate's ancient courtyards, Xiao Yan paused before the Pillar of Qi once more. The dazzling light mingled with the determined spark in his eyes. In that solitary moment, he vowed to overcome every sneer of ridicule and every barrier set by fate. His past incarnations, his deliberate sacrifices, and the slow, painstaking rebuildings of his power were not burdens—they were the very forging of a legend.
He spoke softly to the gathering darkness, a promise meant for himself and the future generations of the Xiao Family:
"Even the mightiest phoenix is reborn from its own ashes. Today, I stand not as the child of tragedy but as the harbinger of a new era. Let the doubters mock, and the rivals sneer—my path is carved in eternal flame. Soon, the world shall know that legends rise not from ease, but from the relentless pursuit of greatness."
In that fervent declaration lay the unbreakable spirit of the Xiao Family—a spirit that, through pain and sacrifice, would soon set the Dou Qi world aflame with promise.
As the night deepened and the stars bore silent witness, the estate buzzed with quiet confidence. One year had passed in which scars had healed, foundations had been rebuilt, and new legends had been born. And as the Coming-of-Age ceremony drew near, every soul within the Xiao Family prepared to face a future defined by brilliance, unity, and the audacity to defy fate itself.