Chapter 119: The Prodigy’s First Battle

A gentle spring breeze caressed the willows as a misty drizzle fell.

Raindrops pitter-pattered on the wooden platform, creating a soft, rustling sound.

As Zhang Qingzheng recited the names of the defenders, the parents watching the true transmission exam murmured in low tones.

The first stage of the true transmission exam skipped the detailed Divination of Essence, emphasizing fairness above all.

Although all were exceptional prodigies, differences in talent still existed.

The varying heights of the purple auras revealed by Divination of Essence served as the measure of innate talent—a gauge that could influence the children’s spirit and determination.

Thus, the Divine Sect reserved this unchangeable talent assessment for the second stage.

“Li Nuǎnxi, that three-year-old prodigy… became a platform defender in the first round?”

“Her luck is something else. She’s bound to get beaten to tears soon and sent home to nurse!”

“Exactly. A three-year-old defender pales in comparison to Qin Fenghuo of the Qin Family, Hai Chaosheng of the Hai Family, or Gongyang Xiu of the Gongyang Family—even Huang Sixiang, hailed as naturally strong from Xianghuan City, is leagues ahead.”

“Except for Huang Sixiang, the other three come from the Capital’s five major families, with prestigious backgrounds and deep reserves. I think Gongyang Xiu is the youngest… about five years old?”

……

Voices from various eminent families began to murmur.

Is there any suspense left?

They were clearly picking the soft targets.

Who cares about bullying a three-year-old when it’s all for a shot at the true transmission?

Securing the true transmission would earn one devoted training from the Divine Sect Branch and access to abundant resources.

What’s a little loss of face compared to that?

Cultivation is all about the struggle. Isn’t three-year-old Li Nuǎnxi here just to battle for the true transmission?

If she dares to stand there, she must also be prepared for defeat.

The prodigies were alert, their eyes glinting with anticipation. Five were chosen as defenders while the remaining ten became challengers.

On XiXi’s folded paper was the character ‘Defend’, marking her duty as a platform defender.

For XiXi, whether defending or challenging, it all boiled down to one fight.

XiXi buzzed with excitement, clenching her chubby fists.

A fight was on the horizon – after two and a half years of rigorous training, the mighty XiXi was finally ready to burst forth!

Below.

Zhang Ya’s vision nearly went dark when she saw XiXi was the first defender; she gripped Li Che’s arm tightly.

“Husband, how did XiXi end up as the first defender… She’s only three! Won’t she be overwhelmed by challengers?”

Zhang Ya was on the verge of tears. Oh, poor XiXi.

Old Chen slumped in his chair, too worn out to stand, lamenting, “Poor XiXi.”

Granny Mu simply sighed.

Li Che quickly tried to soothe his wife, “Have faith in XiXi… she’s very capable.”

Li Che couldn’t decide whether to laugh or cry, and Old Chen shared his skepticism, well aware of XiXi’s Bone Tempering level.

Such deep-seated biases—who says a three-year-old is only destined to get beaten?

He had taught XiXi so much; the little girl was incredibly talented, especially under his guidance…

He had immense confidence in her.

Li Che cast his eyes upward at the wooden platform through the drizzling spring rain.

Yet even Li Che felt a twinge of apprehension—after all, this was XiXi’s very first battle.

Even though he had prepared her completely…

But a three-year-old defending a platform? The pressure on the parents was undeniable.

……

……

With a face as somber as a withered lotus, Zhang Qingzheng recited the names of the defenders, then swept his sleeve aside as a cool breeze stirred.

The five young defenders were whisked upward as if riding on clouds, and amid the children’s gasps, they landed on their respective platforms.

Small XiXi stood on the fifth platform, blinking her lively big eyes and curiously surveying her surroundings without a trace of fear.

A hush fell over the area as everyone fixed their gaze on the lone figure atop the platform.

Many looked on with pity at the tiny, forlorn three-year-old girl standing there.

It was all too predictable—everyone could guess what fate awaited her.

“When a defender loses, the challenger wins, and the victor becomes the new defender. In the end, the one left standing earns top marks.”

“So, if you want to earn the true transmission of the Divine Sect, unleash all your might and be the last one standing!”

With downcast eyes and fluttering robes, Zhang Qingzheng spoke calmly.

He had tried his best to offer a smile to these children, softening his normally stern expression.

“Now, any questions?”

Once he finished speaking, the platform fell silent.

Pleased, he prepared to officially start the showdown.

However, on the fifth platform, XiXi raised her arm high—worrying that Zhang Qingzheng might not see—and bounced in place a few times.

“I-I-I, grandpa, I have a question!”

In her babyish voice, XiXi called out loudly.

Many eyes turned toward her immediately.

Hearing this, Zhang Qingzheng grinned, tugging at his chapped lips, “Li Nuǎnxi, what’s your question?”

“Is it enough just to win, or are there restrictions—like no hidden weapons or tricks?”

XiXi blinked her expectant big eyes and asked.

Zhang Qingzheng was momentarily taken aback.

This three-year-old had thought things through—it seemed she had anticipated every angle.

“There are no restrictions. Even if you deploy divine weapons, as long as you can use them…”

With a wry smile, Zhang Qingzheng replied, “With me here, feel free to unleash your skills—just aim for victory.”

What level are these kids anyway?

Here he was, a distinguished diviner, yet he couldn’t even control these youngsters—who together were no match even for a kid younger than himself.

“Alright! XiXi gets it! Thank you, grandpa!”

XiXi replied politely.

That little girl was remarkably fearless—brave, with eyes sparkling as if alight with fire.

Zhang Qingzheng’s heart swelled with joy at her attitude.

Just look at that sweet smile—who could still claim that Zhang Qingzheng’s stern expression was unlikable?

……

……

On the wooden platform, Li Qingshan, who had been slumped and nearly dozing in his chair, suddenly perked up.

He straightened his posture and leaned forward, intently watching the duel between the defenders and challengers.

Sect Leader Nan Lihuo laughed, “This girl is lively, brave, and her martial cultivation is impressive—she’s excelled in Bone Tempering…”

“For a three-year-old who’s mastered Bone Tempering, even though her physical prowess lags behind that of seven-year-olds by about 30%, she still isn’t without merit.”

“A promising talent indeed.”

Sect Leader Nan Lihuo stroked his beard with a smile, clearly impressed.

“It’s a pity—if she were even a year older, at four, her chances at the sect exams would be much safer. At three…”

“She’s bound to end up in tears.”

“Is this girl the one you rescued from Feilei City? It’s odd that such a genius was overlooked by the Corpse God Sect.”

Nan Lihuo marveled.

Li Qingshan bared his teeth; he’d sensed trouble the moment XiXi questioned Zhang Qingzheng.

They were just too similar!

Cut from the same cloth as Li Che—courteous in speech yet quick to unleash intricate mechanisms when needed.

Li Che’s Ogre status and mastery of various mechanical devices were formidable; back in Feilei City, he even turned the tables on noble divine cultivators using his ingenious contraptions.

Now, this girl’s inquiry clearly set his heart aflutter—as if she were about to ignite fireworks.

Could XiXi be without a weapon by her side?

With Li Che’s deep affection for his daughter, would he not arm her with mechanical gadgets?

He’d probably stuff her with all sorts of hidden devices!

Maybe even infuse them with toxins!

Only someone like Ogre could pull that off!

“Anyone who underestimates this girl is in for a beating. Elder Zhang, keep a close eye—let’s avoid a messy spectacle later.”

Li Qingshan chuckled, already ready to enjoy the spectacle.

“Oh? Does this girl possess divine weapons? Even if she does… at her age, she can’t fully harness their power,” remarked Sect Leader Nan Lihuo with a laugh.

Divine weapons?

These brats wouldn’t know divine weapons if it hit them…

At this age, hidden weapons are far more enticing than divine ones!

Li Qingshan shook his head mysteriously.

Such suspense made several elders atop the platform curious.

Elder Zhu Hongdou shot Li Qingshan a glance; his eyes landed on little Li Nuǎnxi, and a spark of curiosity lit within him.

Almost all her disciples were girls.

Thus, she took special care of her female disciples.

……

……

XiXi stood tall on her platform.

Finally, she could fight. Back at the Xu Family Divine Cultivation Institute, she had subdued every foe.

Back then, she ruled with disdain; but after being taken home, she lost that aura, forced into relentless training with no chance to dominate.

No matter—it was just a bit of hardship.

Now, XiXi had straightened up once more—ready for battle!

“Come on, you treacherous minions!”

“Come and challenge your mighty XiXi!”

XiXi placed her hands on her hips, puffing out her small chest as a smile danced in the spring breeze.

Out of fifteen prodigies, five were defenders while the remaining ten served as challengers. Ideally, each platform would be attacked twice, though sometimes all might target one—no one could say for sure.

Wary of the strength of other defenders, they targeted the weaker opponents.

Fortunately, after each challenge there was a thirty-minute break to recover.

When Zhang Qingzheng signaled the start, none of the ten challengers moved; they exchanged cautious glances as if weighing their options.

Among the five platforms, Li Nuǎnxi was undoubtedly the prime target.

Hailing from humble origins, so young, and a girl…

With all these shortcomings, how could they not be eager to strike?

But who would be the first to challenge Li Nuǎnxi?

That was yet another matter to consider.

After all, they were all seven-year-olds – challenging a three-year-old girl was a delicate matter.

“I’ll go first!”

Liu Changqing, noticing that the Capital’s prodigies remained passive, narrowed his eyes and stepped forward.

“I want to challenge Li Nuǎnxi!”

Liu Changqing, fair and lean with a hint of muscle, clearly had martial prowess; in a lowered, adult-like tone he declared his challenge.

Zhang Qingzheng glanced at him and nodded, “Approved.”

The Capital’s prodigies didn’t dare to contest Liu Changqing.

For instance, Shangguan Qinglei and Gong Yuanliang—elite prodigies from two major families—did not make a move, which kept the others in check.

Instead, Liu Changqing, a standout prodigy from Donghuan City, had seized the initiative.

Crowned confidently in his cap and clad in blue, Liu Changqing strode with head held high and leaped onto the wooden platform after a short run.

On the other four platforms, Qin Fenghuo, Hai Chaosheng, Gongyang Xiu, and Huang Sixiang watched curiously, since no one was challenging them—they were intrigued by the battle on Li Nuǎnxi’s platform.

“That little girl is surely doomed to lose—she’ll end up bawling, still a three-year-old… hardly out of diapers or weaned. Who does she think she is?”

Qin Fenghuo crossed his arms and grinned.

Hai Chaosheng gave him a measured look; as a talent the Hai Family’s founder cherished, he exhibited maturity beyond his years.

Huang Sixiang, with his bronzed skin and subtle flow of energy, folded his arms and closed his eyes in contemplation.

He paid no heed to Li Nuǎnxi, another prodigy not from the Capital.

Under the watchful eyes of nearly everyone, Liu Changqing stepped onto the platform.

At seven years old and with a slender build, Liu Changqing looked down at Li Nuǎnxi, who barely reached his waist, a dismissive smirk playing on his lips.

It wasn’t carelessness—it was that he simply couldn’t take the little thing seriously.

If he even tried to grab her head so she could flail her fists, he doubted she’d reach him.

It posed no real challenge.

He planned to claim that platform first!

“Little girl, just give up and go back to suck your milk!”

Liu Changqing raised his chin and crossed his arms as he declared.

XiXi narrowed her eyes and stamped her foot, “How dare you!”

Liu Changqing was taken aback.

Then he saw the little one bend forward, and the wooden platform beneath her began to tremble violently with high-frequency vibrations and explosive cracks.

XiXi shot out like a dart, moving so fast she seemed to become a streak of black!

So fast!

Liu Changqing’s hair stood on end as he spread his legs into a fighting stance, letting out a roar with his dark hair whipping about. His body erupted with energy, and his muscles crackled mightily!

Nine thick tendons writhed along his back, and his bones seemed to roar like a tiger!

Liu Changqing—at seven—had mastered Bone Tempering!

His fingers clenched as a fierce glint flashed in his eyes!

Determined to be the last one standing and to earn the true transmission of the Divine Sect, he carried the high hopes of his family—his mother and father wanted him to make them proud!

“Scram, you little runt!”

“This platform is mine!”

Thinking of all that was expected of him at such a young age, Liu Changqing’s eyes reddened slightly.

He raised his fist, channeling divine might as he swung a powerful punch toward the sneaky little girl who had crept up to his waist!

That punch was sure to hit her forehead with ease!

A single blow, amplified by his Bone Tempering strength and steady cultivation, could easily knock her out cold!

Liu Changqing didn’t hold back—there was even a spark of excitement in his eyes!

The thrill of fighting!

Suddenly, a chubby little fist shot out as XiXi darted toward Liu Changqing’s waist, dropping into a solid stance and countering with a horizontal punch.

She remembered her father’s words: this spot was where an enemy could hardly generate power, while her own strength was unleashed in its perfect form.

Striking at an enemy’s weakness with her perfected technique was, as her father taught, the true way of combat!

Bang––!

The two fists collided with a resounding impact!

Huh?!

Liu Changqing’s face turned pale in shock—could that chubby little fist really harbor such terrifying power?

A surge of inner strength, even more fearsome than his own Bone Tempering power and mixed with divine energy, slammed into him.

His attempt to twist and channel his power faltered, overwhelmed by the enemy’s force.

In an instant, his defense crumbled!

His punch was deflected, and that small fist struck his midsection with brutal force…

Liu Changqing felt as though his kidneys were about to burst!

The excruciating pain spread like a spider’s web through every nerve in his head.

“Heh-ha!”

After her punch, XiXi delivered a swift flying kick that smashed into Liu Changqing’s chest.

Liu Changqing, his face ashen, writhed in agony.

He was sent flying sideways, crashing onto the platform and sliding several meters away.

“Waaaah… oh, my waist…”

“Mother… oh, mother…”

Liu Changqing collapsed into a crouch on the ground, bawling uncontrollably as tears and snot streamed down, leaving him a pitiful mess.

Meanwhile, the area around the platform erupted into a frenzy.

The impact was simply overwhelming!

That punch, that flying kick—who would believe a three-year-old girl could deliver them?!

What can a three-year-old do? They can barely control their own bladder!

This little girl… has actually mastered Bone Tempering?!

Many who witnessed her explosive punches and kicks, which reduced Liu Changqing to tears, truly appreciated her skill.

Everyone sensed the overwhelming surge of her power.

“A three-year-old… mastering Bone Tempering…”

On the other four platforms,

the expressions of onlookers shifted in astonishment.

Huang Sixiang crossed his arms and opened his eyes wide, his gaze razor-sharp as his bronzed skin seemed to shimmer.

This little one… that strong?!

Even Qin Fenghuo, who had been laughing, fell silent in shock—he, at seven, had only just mastered Bone Tempering.

No, this girl… what sort of demon is she?!

……

……

Atop the platform.

Li Qingshan chuckled heartily, nearly laughing himself out of breath.

What a little stinker XiXi is!

Sneak attacks, Breath Convergence, sudden outbursts, relentless assaults…

If she pulled out a Cute Cow Mask from her pocket, she’d be the spitting image of Ogre!

Little Ogre!

Just like father and daughter.

This girl… is like a miniature Ogre!

Divine Sect Leader Nan Lihuo raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised.

“Interesting—so young, yet so cunning, with combat techniques full of spiritual energy.”

Nan Lihuo marveled.

“Not bad, very good.”

Elder Zhu Hongdou’s eyes lit up, feeling an urge to recruit XiXi.

Li Qingshan rolled his eyes—her combat tactics were full of spirit…

But those techniques were uniquely XiXi’s; if it were Ogre, it would be labeled ruthless, cunning, and utterly shameless!

……

“How is this possible? That three-year-old brat actually…”

“So fierce, so powerful! This surge of energy—mastering Bone Tempering?!”

“A three-year-old mastering Bone Tempering? I couldn’t even hold my pee at three!”

“Can the gap between people really be this vast?!”

The parents and onlookers around the platform gasped in unison.

It was heartbreaking to see—XiXi’s pinpoint punch to Liu Changqing’s midsection, though not fatal, was extremely humiliating!

His kidneys were at risk—what if something went wrong…

That young boy’s bright future could be in serious jeopardy.

“Did Liu Changqing hold back?” Many prodigies from Donghuan City were left dumbfounded.

They were merely top or mid-level prodigies, gasping under Liu Changqing’s pressure.

Who would have thought that the invincible seven-year-old from Donghuan City, Liu Changqing, would be defeated right at the start by a three-year-old kid!

Everyone was stunned.

Zhang Qingzheng was momentarily stunned before a wry smile, genuine though somewhat grim, spread across his withered face.

A three-year-old mastering Bone Tempering—quite a promising talent.

Despite her youth, her combat prowess was remarkably seasoned.

Her attack was cunning and unexpected; her sudden Bone Tempering breakthrough caught her opponent off guard in a series of well-orchestrated moves—a testament to her high combat awareness.

Her fighting style, though raw, was undeniably agile and clever!

Excellent!

As for targeting the midsection, what bad intentions could a child have?

Her innocence meant her strikes were never deliberate.

With a wry smile, Zhang Qingzheng hurried onto the platform before XiXi could continue, lest she keep pummeling the crying Liu Changqing.

If he didn’t intervene soon—since XiXi might have kept beating the sobbing Liu Changqing—the bout might never end.

“Dad said that as long as the referee hasn’t called timeout, she must keep fighting until the whistle blows, or risk being counterattacked!”

XiXi looked earnestly serious.

Tactically, she could underestimate her opponent, but once she struck, she showed no mercy!

Her father warned that the world was too dangerous—it was essential to be cautious, attacking stealthily while being prepared for a counterstrike!

Fighting was serious business—if you weren’t earnest, you’d end up getting beaten.

XiXi certainly didn’t want to be on the receiving end!

In this world, the only one who could hit her was her stinky dad!

“Alright, alright.”

“He has conceded.”

“In this challenge, Liu Changqing failed as the challenger, and Li Nuǎnxi succeeded as the defender!”

Zhang Qingzheng held back XiXi’s charging head while, with a flick of his finger, a beam of divine light struck Liu Changqing, easing his pain until he gradually calmed down.

Only then did XiXi, still buzzing with excitement, retract her fists and tousle her slightly messy bangs.

Then, placing her hands on her hips, she shook her head rhythmically.

“Is that all?”

“A seven-year-old isn’t even that formidable!”

“Not even close to Lu Da Tou.”

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