Chapter 123: A Divine Prodigy’s Ascension

Innate Prodigy!

Divine Prodigy!

Nan Lihuo suddenly sat up; his once gentle expression had altered ever so slightly as a spark of brilliance ignited in his eyes.

A column of divine purple smoke soared a hundred feet high!

Truly, an innate prodigy!

This is the title bestowed upon children in the records of the Divination of Essence.

Far surpassing even the best prodigies, truly an extremely rare talent!

In Jingguang City and the surrounding thirteen cities, not even a sixty-year cycle is guaranteed to produce a divine prodigy. For instance, in this selection, Li Qingshan had yet to unearth any divine prodigies before.

In every city, Li Qingshan would deploy the Divination of Essence to scout prodigies, categorizing them by level before sending them to the Capital.

Yet, he managed to select only three outstanding prodigies.

As for divine prodigies? Not a single one had ever been seen!

And it’s not just Jingguang City. Across the four capitals under Yunzhou, the situation is much the same. Jingguang City, however, is among the most powerful, hosting the main peak of the Yunzhou Divine Sect Branch.

The other three capitals fare even worse, with very few outstanding prodigies, let alone any divine prodigies.

Thus, throughout Yunzhou, divine prodigies are a once-in-decades rarity.

Only in the capital of the Main Sect of the Divine Sect, during the recruitment assessments, do new divine prodigies ever emerge.

Nan Lihuo hadn’t expected that this time, a divine prodigy would appear in the Divine Sect Branch’s recruitment assessment!

It wasn’t just Nan Lihuo who was shocked.

When the divine purple smoke column above XiXi’s head soared to a hundred feet, brushing the cap of her mushroom-like hat, nearly every divine seer was overwhelmed, their divine perceptions trembling uncontrollably!

“At the pinnacle of a hundred-foot column lies a divine prodigy!”

“Incredible… could it truly be a divine prodigy?”

“In Jingguang City, a divine prodigy has emerged in this recruitment assessment?”

……

The divine seer patriarchs of the Five Major Families had their eyes sparkle as tumultuous thoughts stormed through their minds!

The powerful divine seers from the Temple Guardian Division, the Imperial Watch, and the Divine Guard Army were equally stirred.

Especially from the Temple Guardian Division: the overseer’s divine aura was nearly uncontrollable, unintentionally spilling out.

That barely contained eagerness to encroach almost became blatantly obvious!

It was the Temple Guardian Division’s usual tactic—to poach from the Divine Sect, since the imperial court recruited prodigies discreetly. But when a promising talent emerged, they would seize the opportunity.

A single divine prodigy could drive the overseer and the chief of the Temple Guardian Division to risk everything.

However, poaching wasn’t so simple this time, for the divine prodigy was merely three years old. To wrest control of such a little one, one would have to deal with her parents.

Within the Temple Guardian Division’s jurisdiction.

Zhang Lianhao was utterly flabbergasted. As a chief messenger, he had once shadowed Li Che for a while. Though he had initially dismissed any suspicions about Li Che’s identity, he couldn’t help but remember him.

Now, Li Che’s daughter had turned out to be a divine prodigy!

Zhang Lianhao was astonished beyond measure.

“A father’s status rises with his daughter… Once a divine prodigy appears, the Divine Sect Branch will undoubtedly take notice! Li Che will gain their favor because of his daughter’s divine talent!”

“Absolutely set for prosperity.”

Zhang Lianhao shook his head while seated.

As for whether the Temple Guardian Division could poach this divine prodigy, it seemed highly unlikely.

The Divine Sect Patriarch, Nan Lihuo, would never let a divine prodigy slip away; he surely had plenty of contingencies prepared.

“A three-year-old divine prodigy already drawing the attention of the Divine Sect Branch—her future is destined to be within the Qianyuan Main Sect of Lingnan Path!”

“By then, she will truly soar to greatness!”

Zhang Lianhao sighed deeply; life was unpredictable, and who could really foretell fate?

Who would have imagined that when Li Che’s family first arrived at the Capital, they once feared persecution by Qin Yuqing?

Now, the Qin Family probably dared not make a move against the Li Family.

……

……

Zhang Qingzheng was visibly taken aback; even his typically stern, withered expression couldn’t hide his astonishment.

“Divine prodigy…”

Clad in his scholar’s robe, Zhang Qingzheng’s lifeless eyes suddenly sparked with intensity.

“Excellent, simply outstanding!”

He began to boast.

The outstanding prodigies were rendered dumbfounded, their eyes wide in disbelief.

Especially Hai Chaosheng, who stared blankly at the divine purple smoke column above XiXi’s head—it had soared past his own height, reaching a full hundred feet!

A burning pain flared on his face; wasn’t he supposed to be the top newcomer?

Clearly, XiXi had just stepped on him.

That violent little three-year-old girl had become the unrivaled standout among the newcomers!

Hai Chaosheng…

is nothing but trash.

Hai Chaosheng’s eyes welled up inexplicably with a sense of grievance, almost making him want to cry.

He was supposed to be the prodigy the Patriarch had secretly nurtured…

And yet, he lost to a three-year-old whirlwind of a girl!

Hai Chaosheng felt utterly powerless.

The other children were equally awestruck; after all, they were just kids, their minds simple, merely thinking…

XiXi is amazing!

Shangguan Qinglei, his skin and flesh battered by XiXi’s dazzling display, gritted his teeth in despair—how utterly unfair!

How can that brat possess a hundred-foot innate divinity and become a divine prodigy?

Gong Yuanliang and Gongyang Xiu, however, had fewer thoughts on the matter.

“Wow… XiXi is incredible… she really reached the top!”

Five-year-old Gongyang Xiu clapped his hands excitedly.

Gong Yuanliang nodded in agreement, saying, “As expected of the child of someone my aunt knows!”

“She’s also the child of someone my grandfather knew!” Gongyang Xiu retorted defiantly.

As the two began to argue again, XiXi helplessly rubbed her forehead—what a handful these two incorrigible brats were.

“Stop bickering and have some sunflower seeds! Three each!”

XiXi quickly distributed a handful of seeds, giving each exactly three, fair and square.

Only then did Gong Yuanliang and Gongyang Xiu calm down.

Zhang Qingzheng scanned the crowd of superior and outstanding prodigies, recording their names alongside the heights of their divine purple smoke columns.

With that, he concluded the second phase of the assessment.

Of course, the evaluations for average and lower-tier prodigies were not under Zhang Qingzheng’s purview—those mostly only entered the outer sect, overseen by the outer gate officials.

That assessment was far more complicated, with many being eliminated—something Zhang Qingzheng had no desire to manage.

Once the Divination Formation dissipated, a crisp spring drizzle began to fall again.

Standing in the wind, his scholar’s robe billowing, Zhang Qingzheng declared from the stage in a deep voice, “The second phase of the true transmission assessment is now complete.”

“Based on the Divination of Essence measurements of the divine purple smoke columns, the top five scores are as follows:”

“Li Nuǎnxi – soaring a hundred feet – rated top-tier; a divine prodigy’s talent.”

“Hai Chaosheng – ninety-one feet – rated high-tier; an outstanding prodigy.”

“Gongyang Xiu – seventy-two feet – rated high-tier; an outstanding prodigy.”

“Huang Sixiang – sixty-nine feet – rated high-tier; an outstanding prodigy.”

“Gong Yuanliang – sixty-five feet – rated high-tier; an outstanding prodigy.”

After Zhang Qingzheng’s announcement, a rustle swept through the crowd, and many outstanding prodigies on the platform visibly shifted their expressions.

“Combining the first phase scores, the true transmission disciples advancing are Li Nuǎnxi, Hai Chaosheng, and Gong Yuanliang.”

Zhang Qingzheng declared.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a wave of uproar erupted.

With a sudden flick of his sleeve, Zhang Qingzheng sent an invisible gust swirling around XiXi, Hai Chaosheng, and Gong Yuanliang.

As if riding on clouds, he led the three onto the platform to present them before Patriarch Nan Lihuo and the other elders.

Those who stepped onto the platform were to be recognized as true transmission disciples, soon to apprentice under one of the elders.

Among the three, Hai Chaosheng and Gong Yuanliang were almost overlooked.

Patriarch Nan Lihuo, along with Elders Zhu Hongdou, Xu Jiuying, and Weng Wuyou, all fixed their gaze on the bewildered XiXi, who still had sunflower seeds stuffed in her mouth.

“Crunch,” XiXi involuntarily bit her seed, the sound of cracking shells echoing like thunder.

It startled even XiXi herself.

“Hahaha… What a good child, an excellent child.”

Elder Weng Wuyou, an old man clad in plain clothes with silvered hair, appeared far kinder than Zhang Qingzheng as he laughed heartily, clearly admiring XiXi.

The other elder, Xu Jiuying, looked like a young man—tall, slim, donned in white, and carrying a luminescent sword that seemed to suppress its divine essence.

He, too, greatly admired XiXi, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Zhu Hongdou’s eyes had long been fixed unwaveringly on XiXi, impossible to look away from.

Taking a deep breath, Zhang Qingzheng fixed his deadfish eyes on the three and warned, “Elders, when choosing disciples, you must wait until all true transmissions are announced. No cutting corners!”

“Wait until I arrive, and then we choose together!”

Elders Zhu Hongdou, Xu Jiuying, and Weng Wuyou smiled in silence.

Zhang Qingzheng seethed inside, feeling that if he turned his head, he’d lose the chance to fairly entice XiXi.

But since the true transmission selection wasn’t over, as the chief elder in charge, he couldn’t linger.

He turned to the Patriarch, clasped his fists, and bowed respectfully.

“Patriarch, in this true transmission assessment, one disciple slot still remains.”

“Among those who defended their positions in the first phase, Qin Fenghuo and Jin Ao succeeded, but in the second phase, Gongyang Xiu and Huang Sixiang scored higher in talent…”

“Therefore, the final true transmission disciple will be chosen from these four.”

Zhang Qingzheng stated.

Patriarch Nan Lihuo rose, hands clasped behind him, and smiled faintly, “Talent prevails—Gongyang Xiu’s talent of seventy-two feet ranks third, granting him priority.”

“Huang Sixiang, Qin Fenghuo, and Jin Ao, you are to enter the inner sect.”

Patriarch Nan Lihuo declared the decision.

Then, alongside Zhang Qingzheng, he turned towards the other three elders.

Zhang Qingzheng, however, witnessed a sight that made his blood boil.

The three elders were surrounding XiXi, attempting to coax her with sweet words and gentle persuasion.

They pulled out pills, divine weapons, and secret techniques to sell themselves, enticing XiXi to apprentice under their own peaks.

“Stealing one’s mark and selling the head!”

“Utterly shameless!”

Zhang Qingzheng trembled with anger.

The Patriarch patted Zhang Qingzheng and said, “Elder Zhang, don’t lose your temper. Go ahead and make the announcement—don’t keep the kids waiting.”

Zhang Qingzheng’s anger subsided slightly; indeed, the Patriarch was gentle, courteous, and caring—a true elder.

With a dismissive flick of his sleeve, Zhang Qingzheng turned and glided back onto the platform.

He then announced the remaining true transmission disciple slot.

Five-year-old Gongyang Xiu, bewildered, was led onto the platform.

Thus, all four true transmission disciples were gathered.

On the stage.

Qin Fenghuo was utterly dejected. He… had been rejected. Could it be that he isn’t a true transmission disciple after all?

Even though his divine purple smoke column in the second phase exceeded fifty feet, he was still… rejected!

A powerful sense of defeat filled Qin Fenghuo with desolation.

Most notably, among the four true transmission disciples, Li Nuǎnxi—the little girl—was not even from a capital family.

She hailed from one of the thirteen cities outside the Capital.

Qin Fenghuo, a member of the Qin Family who had enjoyed abundant resources since childhood, had inexplicably… been bested by a three-year-old!

It was agonizing.

It was twisting; he felt like he was about to burst!

The seven-year-old Qin Fenghuo bore a failure far beyond what someone his age should endure.

Shangguan Qinglei, however, seemed unperturbed; ever since Li Nuǎnxi had thoroughly beaten him in the first phase, he knew his chances at a true transmission slot were nil.

But for Qin Fenghuo, it was truly miserable.

Even though he had defended his position and his second-phase divine column exceeded fifty feet, he was brushed aside, ending up as an inner sect disciple like him.

Shangguan Qinglei felt a sense of relief.

Comparison is inevitable, and through comparison, hope emerges.

……

……

The true transmissions had been announced.

The names of the four true transmission disciples echoed at the foot of the Divine Sect Mountain, sparking endless discussion among the boiling crowd.

XiXi’s name rang out repeatedly in countless conversations.

A three-year-old girl from one of the thirteen cities outside the Capital had, against all odds, outshone the disciples of the Five Major Families and Five Major Sects to become a true transmission disciple of the Divine Sect!

In the second phase, she had displayed prodigious talent!

It was nothing short of inspiring!

This would make her the star of every storyteller in Jingguang Mansion’s teahouses for the next month!

In the Parents’ Area.

Zhang Ya stared vacantly, a foolish smile on her face.

“XiXi has become a true transmission disciple, hehe… My dear XiXi has achieved true transmission!”

Snapping back to reality, she excitedly grabbed Li Che’s arm, exclaiming, “Honey, our dear XiXi has become a true transmission disciple of the Divine Sect!”

Li Che had finished scanning for the Undead Curse Seals around him, and he already had a list in mind.

At that moment, coming back to his senses, he joined his wife in joyous laughter.

“Master Li, congratulations! Such unparalleled talent—a once-in-a-century divine prodigy. Truly joyous news!”

Granny Mu immediately smiled and offered her congratulations.

Old Chen, nearby, finally relaxed, grinning broadly as he congratulated Li Che.

Li Che and Zhang Ya stood together and expressed their thanks.

Moreover, as word spread that Li Che and Zhang Ya were the parents of divine prodigy XiXi, numerous people approached them with their congratulations.

In no time, the congratulatory voices flowed incessantly, echoing all around.

The chief messenger Zhang Lianhao, along with Divine Messengers Hong Yong and Shi Lei from the Temple Guardian Division, also came to congratulate them.

Moreover, Liu He, Hai Chuanying, and other guest officials from the Imperial Watch, along with the well-built young supervisor from Gong Family, Gong Liancheng, also approached to offer their congratulations.

Li Che then took the opportunity to introduce his colleagues and superiors to Zhang Ya.

For a moment, the atmosphere was harmonious and joyful.

……

……

The myriad facets of life sometimes demand balance.

Some rejoice while others grieve.

Qin Family.

Qin Haonan and Qin Leixiao exchanged glances, their expressions tinged with disbelief.

The patriarch, Qin Cang, swept his gaze over them and said, “You initially suspected that Li Che killed Yuqing?”

“You even sent a gray-faced spy to tail him?”

Qin Haonan nodded.

“That Li Che must have known about our Qin Family and felt the threat and pressure that Yuqing once imposed on them, which is why he rushed to the Capital and became a third-level guest official of the Imperial Watch.”

Patriarch Qin Cang remarked coolly, “I hear he’s nothing but a lowly fellow from Feilei City who got lucky… and ended up having a divine prodigy daughter.”

“Fenghuo performed excellently in this assessment, but unfortunately his luck was lacking. Yet, it’s not without hope; soon the Divine Sect will organize a ‘Temple Spirit Resonance,’ and Fenghuo will have a chance to make a comeback!”

Qin Cang said in a low voice.

Qin Haonan, upon hearing this, nodded and looked at Patriarch Qin Cang, unable to help remark, “Back then, Yuqing posed a significant threat to Li Che’s family; should the Li Family send a gift…”

Qin Cang turned his gaze to him.

The atmosphere around them suddenly grew heavy, an almost suffocating tension descending.

After a long while……

Just as Qin Haonan thought he had misspoken, Qin Cang said calmly, “Go ahead and bring a gift…”

Qin Haonan was stunned, thinking he had misheard.

“After all, she’s a divine prodigy…”

Qin Cang murmured.

“This girl is destined to join the Qianyuan Main Sect in the future.”

“That is, if she survives…”

……

……

Upon the platform.

XiXi was surrounded by the three elders, looking both bewildered and confused.

Each one vied for the chance to have XiXi apprentice under their peak, leaving her in a dilemma.

Daddy, come quickly!

XiXi called out uncertainly.

If only her father were here; he would surely help her make the right choice.

Suddenly, Patriarch Nan Lihuo approached, and the three elders reined in their advances.

With a flushed face, Zhu Hongdou told the Patriarch, “Patriarch, I believe XiXi joining my Hongyun Peak would be best—I have abundant experience teaching female disciples!”

“Elder Zhu, your words miss the mark…”

Elder Xu Jiuying, with refined features, was about to retort.

Looking pained, Zhang Qingzheng had already rolled up his sleeves, ready to argue and snatch the disciple.

However, Patriarch Nan Lihuo raised his hand gently, and the four elders fell silent, their eagerness to snatch the disciple momentarily subdued.

“Alright, everyone, listen to what I have to say.”

Patriarch Nan Lihuo said with a smile.

In the distance, Li Qingshan and many other peak masters of the virtual level raised their ears in curiosity, listening intently.

“I haven’t taken a disciple in ten years; a divine prodigy entering our Divine Sect Jingguang Branch is indeed a stroke of luck for us!”

At the Patriarch’s opening words, Zhu Hongdou’s expression instantly changed.

That old scoundrel… now he’s joining the bid for disciples!

He was utterly off guard—so careless!

Zhu Hongdou trembled, having completely forgotten about that old fellow!

“I, too, wish to take on a true transmission disciple.”

Patriarch Nan Lihuo looked gently upon everyone; the four elders were left speechless, at a loss for words.

The Patriarch himself taking on an apprentice…

Could they possibly compete?

Zhang Qingzheng trembled with fury, exclaiming, “Stealing marks and selling heads! You shameless wretches!”

He had previously thought so kindly of the Patriarch, which made his wasted smile all the more infuriating!

“Of course, don’t be too disappointed… XiXi possesses divine prodigy talent, and her future will undoubtedly lead her to study under the Qianyuan Main Sect to compete with its paragon talents, securing preferential resources for our Jingguang Branch!”

“Therefore, I hope that the four elders can join me in nurturing XiXi.”

“Strive to mold XiXi into a prodigy, ensuring she breaks into the top ten of the Qianyuan Rankings of the Divine Sect Main Sect, and thereby wins us preferential resources!”

Patriarch Nan Lihuo raised his arm and declared.

Instantly, there was a deafening silence.

The four elders nearly burst with rage simultaneously—old scoundrel!

Not only were they trying to snatch their beloved disciple, they also intended to leech off them…

Unforgivable!

“I agree!”

To everyone’s surprise, it was Zhang Qingzheng who spoke up first.

“I agree—my own ‘Two-Sleeve Peak’ shall grant XiXi free passage.”

Zhang Qingzheng stated in a deep voice.

Zhu Hongdou glared and declared, “My Hongyun Peak is also open to XiXi; if she wishes, she may stay permanently. I truly adore this little girl.”

Xu Jiuying and Weng Wuyou hesitated briefly before sighing and expressing their agreement.

Li Qingshan watched from the sidelines, dumbfounded.

Such a scenario…

He had truly never seen anything like it before.

A single disciple ensuring that the high-ups of the Divine Sect were all eager to nurture her—what kind of treatment is this?

The pampered treatment of Qianyuan Divine Sect’s Jingguang Branch!

“Since XiXi has joined my discipleship and become the Patriarch’s true transmission disciple, the number of true transmissions among the elders decreases. Elder Zhang, noting that Huang Sixiang’s talent pales in comparison to Gongyang Xiu’s and that he narrowly lost to Gong Yuanliang in the defense match, has been chosen for true transmission.”

“No need,” Elder Zhu Hongdou objected.

“Without any female disciples, I, Zhu Hongdou, will refrain from accepting any true transmissions this term and focus solely on nurturing XiXi.”

Elder Zhu Hongdou’s decision came as no surprise.

“Very well, then Huang Sixiang can remain in the inner sect…”

Patriarch Nan Lihuo was unperturbed.

In the next moment, he walked up to XiXi and took her small hand.

An invisible surge of energy rippled from all around.

Patriarch Nan Lihuo, holding XiXi’s hand, ascended into the air as if riding on clouds, suspended mid-air with radiant layers of light bursting forth.

“Feilei City’s Li Nuǎnxi, endowed with a hundred feet of divine essence, having achieved mastery in Bone Tempering at three, skilled in advanced martial techniques, and nurtured to perfection, is the unparalleled prodigy of Jingguang Mansion…”

“Today, after consultations between many divine seer elders of the Qianyuan Divine Sect Jingguang Branch and myself…”

“She is hereby designated as the Patriarch’s true transmission disciple!”

“Bestowed upon her are the Gifts: the Sevenfold Divine Weapon ‘Qianyuan Vajra Ring,’ a Seven-Rank Qianyuan Primordial Pill, a Sevenfold Divine Wooden Statue, the Jingguang Branch’s unsurpassed martial technique ‘Xuanlei Jingguang Sha Sword Technique,’ and the celestial treasure ‘Jingguang Sha.'”

As soon as the words fell, they struck like thunder.

At the foot of the Divine Sect Mountain Gate, before the White Jade Plaza.

Everyone present fell into a profound silence, overcome by ceaseless, boundless awe.

For forces great and small, the news sent them into a tizzy!

The Patriarch’s true transmission?!

Not merely an elder’s true transmission, but the Patriarch’s true transmission of the Qianyuan Divine Sect Jingguang Branch!

The future holds potential for inheriting the Patriarch’s mantle!

But even more thrilling were the rewards promised by Patriarch Nan Lihuo!

Sevenfold Divine Weapon!

Seven-Rank Martial Pill!

Unparalleled Martial Technique!

Celestial Treasure ‘Jingguang Sha’!

Simply… envied by all!

This was the essence of the Divine Sect; the ultimate leap to becoming its true transmission disciple!

The other elder true transmissions would also receive various rewards, though never matching the Patriarch’s.

Yet, hearing the details of the Patriarch’s rewards made everyone’s hearts itch with envy.

But that was not the end.

Patriarch Nan Lihuo, holding XiXi, floated high in the air.

At that moment, auspicious clouds descended slowly before the Divine Sect Mountain Gate and the Parents’ Area.

An overwhelming, boundless pressure surged, as if the Jiulong River itself quaked, raising colossal waves.

No one dared to breathe.

This figure was one of Jingguang Mansion’s top-tier masters, ranked among the supreme elite!

Right then, his presence was peerless!

Nan Lihuo, holding XiXi, softly fixed his gaze on Li Che and Zhang Ya.

Li Che quickly took Zhang Ya’s hand and bowed respectfully to Patriarch Nan Lihuo.

“To XiXi’s parents, the Li and Zhang families, for nurturing the divine prodigy XiXi and contributing talent to our Divine Sect, I bestow upon you two Jiuyiao Divine Weapons, two Eight-Rank Martial Pills, a Divine Sect Passage Permit, ten thousand taels of gold, and three shops in the Capital…”

“In gratitude for nurturing a divine prodigy!”

With a gentle gaze, Nan Lihuo addressed Li Che and Zhang Ya.

His voice rang out like thunder behind the clouds.

It resounded mightily before the Divine Sect Mountain Gate.

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