Chapter 121: Chaos Under the Fireworks

The cold, biting spring rain lashed his face, unleashing a torrent of icy energy.

Shangguan Qinglei was crisscrossed with surging arcs of lightning. His eyes widened as he stared at the massive contraption XiXi was hefting – six metallic tubes that resembled venomous snakes, making every hair on his body stand on end.

An overwhelming sense of mortal peril suddenly enveloped him…

He’s a goner!

Elite prodigies are incredibly perceptive; they possess a sense of smell far keener than ordinary folks.

Shangguan Qinglei’s own senses were equally sharp.

His body stiffened; his fully tempered frame now seemed infused with mercury and laden with lead.

“Fireworks?”

“What fireworks?!”

It was at that moment that, silently, either sweat or raindrops began to trickle down Shangguan Qinglei’s forehead.

He fixed his unyielding gaze on the ingenious mechanism in XiXi’s hands, crafted from wood and metal!

Watching the little girl unveil the device, she went utterly berserk – chanting ‘fireworks’ non-stop.

In that instant, an inexplicable terror welled up deep within Shangguan Qinglei.

In the air…

At some point, the sharp scent of gunpowder began to permeate.

“Let the fireworks begin!”

“Ahahaha!”

XiXi’s eyes sparkled like they were studded with the brightest stars, radiating a dazzling glow.

Then, in the very next moment, she pulled the trigger!

Boom, boom, boom—!

A terrifying explosion burst across the arena, accompanied by an intensely brilliant flare.

Sonic waves swept through, tearing apart the gentle spring rain.

Powerful gusts and howling noise suddenly erupted from XiXi’s custom Namo Celestial Craft Gatling.

The recoil vibrated every bit of XiXi’s soft flesh. The surging air pressed her new clothes tightly against her, outlining even her little belly!

Shrieking sounds, dazzling fireworks, and surging shockwaves—

Six rapidly spinning metallic tubes glowed a vivid red, channeling vital energy to violently eject the Muduya at breakneck speed!

Rat-a-tat-tat-tat!

Countless brilliant golden lightning bolts surged like sword-like energy, swiftly cleaving through the leisurely spring rain of the equinox.

Bang, bang, bang!

Shangguan Qinglei’s hair stood on end…

Too fast!

Way too fast!

What the hell is this thing?!

Flaring with anger, he cursed silently. Without hesitation, he sprang into action – stomping the arena as he was forcefully flung away, dashing at incredible speed!

All his vital energy burst forth recklessly; the spot where he’d stood was instantly engulfed by the explosion, as shockwaves battered him mercilessly.

Violent winds roared and splintered pieces of the wooden arena flew like steel needles, skimming across Shangguan Qinglei’s cheek…

His eyes seemed utterly unfocused…

He barely managed two or three strides before he found himself with nowhere to escape!

The terrifying barrage of Muduya created a continuous fountain of dust on the arena, closing in relentlessly!

From the mechanism XiXi clutched, a stream of wooden ebony crows burst forth as if flapping their wings, shrieking like a thousand birds…

In the end, Shangguan Qinglei was overwhelmed!

Countless bursts of golden light exploded in his eyes as dense gunpowder smoke enveloped him.

Along with it came an excruciating pain that nearly rendered him unconscious, flooding over him like an unstoppable tide.

There was no escape…

He simply couldn’t dodge it!

At last, Shangguan Qinglei let out an uncontrollable, anguished howl from deep within his throat!

“Ah—!”

Rat-a-tat-tat—

Countless Muduya pelted Shangguan Qinglei’s body, spreading an overwhelming stench of charred flesh as he floated mid-air, bombarded by the wooden crows.

They struck him with unrelenting force – he couldn’t fall, as if he were a painting blossoming in the spring rain!

Bloody mist erupted in billowing waves!

The mingling of crimson and gold created a breathtaking display of fireworks!

Thick black soot, interspersed with fleeting bursts of glittering golden fragments, produced an unexpectedly artistic spectacle.

All of heaven and earth fell deathly silent.

Only XiXi and the ecstatic screams of the Muduya spurted from the barrel remained.

And…

Rat-a-tat!

Rat-a-tat-tat-tat!

……

……

Across the arena, an eerie silence prevailed.

Everyone gaped in astonishment as XiXi unveiled her massive contraption and unleashed a furious barrage at Shangguan Qinglei.

Her wild, exhilarated manner – punctuated by her shouts of “fireworks” – sent chills down everyone’s spine.

You call that… fireworks?!

Can that even be called fireworks?!

Is that ‘death fireworks’?!

Not far away in the arena, Gong Yuanliang and Huang Sixiang almost simultaneously ceased their actions.

Seeing Shangguan Qinglei all battered and broken, Gong Yuanliang let out a long exhale, murmuring, “Just as expected…”

This little girl is indeed dangerous!

Shangguan Qinglei… it looks like he’s on a fast track to getting his ass kicked, doesn’t it?

Gong Yuanliang and Huang Sixiang shivered in unison, then resumed their battle.

Fortunately, the first round was nearing its end, so they wouldn’t have to face the crazy little girl any further.

Huang Sixiang trembled slightly – could she really be that fierce?

He recalled glancing at XiXi from the sidelines earlier, his eyes once filled with disdain.

Now he realized his error – his vision must be failing him.

……

Below the arena.

In the Shangguan Compound.

Shangguan patriarch Zhengheng, who had been lounging in a scholar’s chair while feasting on fruit and watching his son mercilessly bully the three-year-old girl, suddenly sat up with a start.

His hair ruffled wildly as his eyes locked on the arena.

Earlier, he had been amazed to see XiXi using grandmaster-level martial arts to block Shangguan Qinglei’s lightning strike. He thought the little girl’s talent was impressive – she might one day rival Qinglei himself.

But when XiXi pulled out her Custom Namo Celestial Craft Gatling and its stream of Muduya engulfed Shangguan Qinglei, he could no longer remain at ease.

In a flash, someone appeared at the edge of the arena.

“Stop!”

A roar erupted from deep within Shangguan Zhengheng’s throat.

He clenched his fist so hard it felt as if heaven and earth were being sealed off – an oppressive force as crushing as a mountain bearing down on XiXi.

Its phantom might poured forth like a raging torrent, surging relentlessly!

But before he could act further, two figures nearly materialized side by side before him.

First came Zhang Qingzheng in a scholar’s gown. With a bitter, withered expression and deadfish eyes fixed on Shangguan Zhengheng’s slick, well-groomed hair, he coldly asked, “Shangguan Zhengheng, do you want to die?”

Beside him stood Li Qingshan in azure, gripping a goat-horn hammer that had slipped from his sleeve, his eyes fixed intently on Shangguan Zhengheng as if ready to strike.

“My son… is going to be beaten to death!”

Shangguan Zhengheng maintained a cold expression, his disheveled hair wild. His opulent golden silk robe danced fiercely in the spring rain.

“Dead or alive? As the examiner, I know far better than you.”

“Besides, even if he’s gasping his last, I could still save him.”

Zhang Qingzheng’s hair fluttered gently as he regarded Shangguan Zhengheng with dispassionate eyes.

More than Qinglei’s fate, Zhang Qingzheng believed upholding the Divine Sect’s order was paramount – not even Shangguan Zhengheng, a phantom cultivator, could disrupt it!

“You…!”

Fuming, Shangguan Zhengheng raged at that pedantic, useless scholar!

Since it isn’t your own son who’s about to be beaten to death, of course you wouldn’t care!

However, Shangguan Zhengheng sensed the unsettling tension and refrained from further intervention.

He turned his head, gazing back toward the arena.

Li Qingshan sighed regretfully; watching XiXi’s explosive display had left him itching to intervene.

If Shangguan Zhengheng were to act harshly, he’d be forced to smash him over the head.

Alas, Shangguan Zhengheng chickened out.

Zhang Qingzheng smoothly appeared on the arena as XiXi ceased her barrage. The six blazing metal cannon barrels slowly halted, standing upright against the sky with a wisp of blue smoke.

XiXi panted heavily, her small rosy face flushed with the thrill of the fireworks.

At last, the fireworks were unleashed!

Joyful!

XiXi’s little face beamed radiantly.

Zhang Qingzheng looked at her with bitter disapproval as she hurriedly stowed away her Namo Gatling, clasping her tiny hands just above her lower back in a pitiful, contrite manner.

His heart softened, though his bitter expression remained unmoved, showing no trace of tender emotion.

“Never mind – you had asked me in advance. I did say that divine weapons and mechanisms are free to use. With me around, your lives are safe.”

Zhang Qingzheng said coolly, reassuring XiXi so she wouldn’t be afraid.

He then turned to watch as the intense, ashen smoke revealed the battered form of Shangguan Qinglei crashing onto the arena.

With a swift flick of his sleeve, divine aura rained down, coalescing into a flowing cloud that hovered over Shangguan Qinglei before cascading in torrents.

As the smoke cleared, Shangguan Qinglei’s form was revealed.

Gasp—

A sound of gasping echoed from the onlookers encircling the arena.

How terrible!

Shangguan Qinglei was charred from head to toe, his skin split and flesh torn, rendering him nearly unrecognizable. His scorched hide exuded the stench of overcooked meat.

He lay on the ground, his eyes vacant and unfocused.

Only his still-rising chest showed that he was not yet dead.

Accompanied by the divine rain from Zhang Qingzheng, like a long-awaited downpour, Shangguan Qinglei was pulled back from the brink. His stirring flesh forcefully expelled broken wooden splinters embedded within.

His injuries began to mend; vitality slowly returned.

He survived, but the psychological scars would likely be even deeper than those of Liu Changqing.

“He’s not dead,” XiXi declared as she stretched to get a glimpse, exhaling in relief.

XiXi had no desire to kill; even though Shangguan Qinglei’s mouth was foul and his demeanor detestable,

he was, after all, the younger brother of her dear friend Qinghong – and she didn’t want to leave a bad impression on her.

XiXi sighed in relief; the very thought of setting off fireworks almost made her lose control.

Luckily, he was still alive.

Under the divine rain, Shangguan Qinglei’s injuries nearly healed – old flesh gave way to tender, new skin.

“Shangguan Qinglei has failed his assault; Li Nuǎnxi successfully defended the arena.”

“In the first round, Shangguan Qinglei received a ‘Grade A-‘ rating.”

“Li Nuǎnxi earned a ‘Grade A+’ rating!”

Zhang Qingzheng’s scholar’s gown billowed as he remarked coolly.

Shangguan Zhengheng, his face cold, said nothing. With a mere gesture, an unseen force pulled Shangguan Qinglei to his side.

He cradled his son; though his wounds had somewhat healed, the scars of shattered flesh still lingered.

“Good, very good…”

Shangguan Zhengheng was deeply pained – this was his favorite son.

A talent reminiscent of his own youth, he had high hopes, never imagining his son would be eliminated in the first round.

A ‘Grade A-‘ rating placed him in the third tier among elite prodigies.

A ‘Grade A+’ rating is reserved only for those elite prodigies who remain standing on the arena after the first round.

In fact, the five prodigies still standing were essentially the true inheritors of the Divine Sect. For the second round’s Divination of Essence, the differences among them would be negligible.

“Daddy… it hurts so much…”

Shangguan Qinglei was cradled by Shangguan Zhengheng – his 1.7-meter stature making the sight somewhat comical.

Yet, Shangguan Zhengheng’s heart ached with deep concern.

“It’s alright, my dear son. I won’t let you suffer in vain!”

A cold, ruthless glare flashed in his eyes. Shangguan Zhengheng had never experienced such a heavy loss before.

In the distance, at the Imperial Watch.

Shangguan Qinghong sneered at this display of filial affection, his eyes filled with disappointment and disgust.

In her recollection, Shangguan Zhengheng had never treated her this way – even now that she’d grown up, encounters with him were few and far between.

She turned her gaze toward XiXi.

Her eyes softened with unexpected tenderness.

She knew XiXi was enraged by Shangguan Qinglei’s insulting remarks.

Yet, Shangguan Qinghong had never imagined that XiXi could be so fierce…

“Interesting, that mechanism… isn’t it rumored to be controlled by Ogre? The explosive Tang Clan device, Muduya – an enhanced version of their mechanism.”

Liu He stood nearby, squinting as he observed with a hint of admiration.

“What an impressive mechanical hidden weapon…”

“Rumor has it that Brother Li’s daughter, XiXi, is a descendant of Ogre. Judging by this… indeed, Ogre is famed for his hidden weapon techniques.”

Nearby, Hai Chuanying took a deep breath.

He couldn’t help but compare and wonder…

If his family’s prodigy, Hai Chaosheng, were to face a foe wielding such a mechanical hidden weapon as XiXi’s, could he possibly win?

In the end, the outcome would undoubtedly be disheartening.

He wouldn’t win; not even close…

Although Hai Chaosheng, at seven, had perfected his Bone Tempering, judging by Shangguan Qinglei’s performance, he’d last only a few more breaths at best.

Ultimately, his fate wouldn’t be much better than Shangguan Qinglei’s.

The explosive power of a single shot from Muduya was enough to disrupt Bone Tempering, and XiXi… she had over a hundred rounds…

It was like unleashing a hundred Bone Tempering strikes all at once.

Perfect Bone Tempering… it simply couldn’t hold up against that!

Not even a standard Three-Stage Blood Exchange could withstand it – unless one had forged a divine foundation to counter with mighty divine power.

“I concede… I misjudged.”

Hai Chuanying took a deep breath.

“Three years old is not to be underestimated.”

……

……

In the family section.

Li Che’s smile was even harder to suppress than that on a Xiangong Barrett; satisfaction gleamed in his eyes as he beamed about his daughter’s fireworks.

As expected of Li Che’s daughter – the fireworks she set off…

They carried a touch of his own style!

Although her accuracy was a bit off and many of her techniques raw, managing the stability of her Xiangong Gatling was laborious. This was only the weakened version – if it were Ogre’s model, even a few shots might have shattered XiXi’s frame.

Li Che had never ceased improving and upgrading both the Namo Celestial Craft Gatling and the Namo Celestial Craft Barrett.

Especially as the Muduya was being upgraded, the mechanism carrying it naturally had to be enhanced too.

Beside him, Zhang Ya, arm in arm with Li Che, looked on in disbelief at their three-year-old daughter who, with her contraption, defied fate like a force of nature – leaving her momentarily dumbfounded and questioning life itself.

Is this really Zhang Ya’s daughter?

She glanced at her husband and, recalling his identity as Ogre, felt a sudden sense of relief.

Yet she couldn’t help but worry a little.

“Husband… do you think… that XiXi is a bit too violent?”

Zhang Ya looked at Li Che, lowering her voice as she softly asked.

“Violent? Not at all… after all, she hasn’t killed Shangguan Qinglei, has she?”

“How can that even be considered violence?”

“Besides, a girl must have some means of self-defense so she won’t be bullied in the future.”

Li Che simply shrugged it off.

There’s nothing violent about it – XiXi is naturally very gentle.

If it were him, Shangguan Qinglei would already be nothing but shredded remains, his Qian Kun Jade completely depleted.

XiXi, in contrast, is far too gentle.

Zhang Ya immediately fell silent; discussing violence with her husband felt like talking to a brick wall.

Li Che patted his wife’s hand, his eyes fixed on the figure of Shangguan Zhengheng below the arena, who was trying to intimidate XiXi, and his gaze narrowed.

Using his status to bully the small when he was a master of phantom cultivation… daring to use his aura against a three-year-old.

Are you even human?!

Scum!

Li Che quietly retrieved his long-hidden notebook and recorded Shangguan Zhengheng’s name.

This grudge is now noted!

Li Qingshan and Zhang Qingzheng intervened together to shield XiXi, preventing any further moves from him.

After Zhang Qingzheng concluded XiXi’s first round with a Grade A+ rating, Li Qingshan carried her back to join Li Che and the others.

“Mother—!”

As soon as XiXi returned, she dove straight into Zhang Ya’s arms, her head incessantly nudging against her.

“I’m so scared, I’m terrified…”

XiXi whimpered pitifully.

Zhang Ya hurriedly consoled her in a flurry, “Sweetie, are you feeling unwell? Let Mother take a look – talk to me!”

Zhang Ya examined XiXi, her face filled with tender concern.

At such a tender age, having to spar on an arena with kids a year older was truly exhausting.

“That Shangguan Qinglei is so ugly and terrifying – I’m really scared! I want some big chunks of braised pork, Mother, please make it!”

XiXi continued to snuggle in Zhang Ya’s arms, casually setting her conditions.

“Okay, okay – I promise I’ll make it when we get home.”

Zhang Ya gently ruffled XiXi’s head, speaking with tender affection.

“Mother is the best, I love you, Mother,” XiXi declared as her little face rubbed against Zhang Ya’s long legs.

Li Che watched on with envy.

After paying a brief visit to Granny Mu, Li Qingshan joined Li Che, pulling a scholar’s chair as they sat side by side.

“Elder, I have a small question,” Li Che said earnestly to Li Qingshan.

“Go ahead,” Li Qingshan replied with a smile.

“You once evaluated my divine aptitude and declared me an elite prodigy… so why don’t I ever need to step into the arena?” Li Che murmured.

Li Qingshan glared disdainfully at Li Che, “Have some decency – how can you, with your martial and divine cultivation, even think you deserve to take the stage?”

“Do you want to ruin these kids?!”

Li Che: “……”

“You’re already twenty-two—how can you compete with these youngsters?” Li Qingshan shook his head. “After XiXi joined the Divine Sect, I brought you into ‘Mudiaoling’; that counts as being one of us.”

“Mudiaoling is perfect for you – it has vast tracts of spirit wood for you to mess around with.”

Li Qingshan said.

Li Che smiled and replied, “No, that’s not what I mean…”

“Don’t prodigies have the chance to enter the Three Princes’ Bizarre Temple within the Baizhang range for the Temple Spirit Resonance test?”

“I think I could join in the resonance test as well…”

Li Qingshan suddenly realized that this was Li Che’s true aim – to get a close look at the Siyu Bizarre Temple.

Visiting the Bizarre Temple to witness the Temple Spirit is a dream common to every master woodcarver – a natural, understandable desire.

Yet Li Qingshan hesitated, “It’s hard to say… I’ll ask the Sect Leader later.”

“Strictly speaking, Temple Spirit Resonance… is not accessible to you.”

“Why?”

“Although your divine nature is as youthful as that of a prodigy, you’re ultimately too… mature.”

Li Qingshan chose his words carefully.

Li Che was speechless. ‘Just say I’m too old, why not?’

Li Qingshan shot Li Che a glance, hesitated, then said, “Can you imagine yourself, with your hair tied in Nezha braids and sporting a red bellyband, posing about in front of the Bizarre Temple?”

Li Che opened his mouth.

Temple Spirit Resonance… is it really like that?

“After all, this is the Eight-Armed Yulian Furious Third Prince Bizarre Temple – it needs a certain formality to better evoke the Temple Spirit.”

“Like Lu Chi – he still ties his hair in Nezha braids to maintain the resonance and better accommodate the Temple Spirit’s divine nature…”

“If you can accept that… then perhaps you might as well give it a try.”

Li Qingshan’s eyes brightened, and a mischievous smile spread across his face.

Damn, though it’s a bit of an eyesore, I’m really looking forward to seeing how it unfolds!

Li Che didn’t dare imagine such a scene and waved his hand, “Enough, let’s not go there…”

Li Qingshan nodded, then composed himself with a serious expression.

A voice echoed in Li Che’s ear – a sophisticated method of divine telepathy.

“Ogre, let’s discuss cooperation.”

Li Qingshan transmitted the message.

Li Che raised an eyebrow as the Pure Heart Dao Fruit trembled slightly. He quickly deciphered Li Qingshan’s method – a technique born of unique divine resonance.

“Please, go ahead, Elder.”

Li Che also attempted to respond using divine telepathy.

Li Qingshan was taken aback, glancing at Li Che in astonishment – he hadn’t expected him to master divine telepathy so swiftly.

“Today, many formidable figures have gathered in Jingguang City – the Five Major Families, Five Major Clans, the Divine Guard Army, the Temple Guardian Division, the Imperial Watch, and the Divine Sect Branch… virtually all the powerhouses are present.”

“This opportunity is truly rare…”

“Aren’t you able to detect the Undead Curse Seal? This is an excellent chance to survey and reveal just how many demons and monsters are lurking!”

Li Qingshan transmitted his message with utmost seriousness.

Li Che’s eyes narrowed; it turned out Li Qingshan had been waiting for an opportunity during the Divine Sect’s induction test when even the hidden powerhouses of the Five Major Families and Clans would make an appearance.

This was the perfect moment for a thorough investigation!

After some thought, Li Che did not refuse.

But he did stipulate his conditions in advance.

“If they bestow anything beyond the Eight Extremes Corpse Curse Seal… I won’t be able to determine it.”

“Eight Extremes Corpse Curse Seal… no worries. When the second round of Purple Qi detection begins amidst a grand display, you can seize the opportunity to detect the Undead Curse Seal. Record the list, and I’ll have Shangguan Qinghong come over – just ask her about any unfamiliar names.”

After transmitting the details, Li Qingshan severed the divine connection, stood up, and patted his azure robe.

After exchanging a few words with Granny Mu, he folded his arms and, with a stooped posture, returned to the Divine Sect High Platform.

Li Che sat on a scholar’s chair, his fingers lightly drumming against the armrest.

……

……

On the high platform.

After Li Qingshan returned, Zhu Hongdou joined him, her crimson robe billowing. Her steady stare caused Li Qingshan’s expression to subtly change.

“Old Zhu, why are you staring at me like that?”

Li Qingshan looked a bit uneasy.

He hadn’t divulged his plans to Zhu Hongdou.

“Old Li, are you well acquainted with XiXi’s father?” Zhu Hongdou asked calmly.

At these words, Li Qingshan sighed in relief, “Li Che… that kid is really something – gentle, humble, and remarkably talented.”

“Then tell him that XiXi would be best suited to join my Hongyun Peak.”

Zhu Hongdou said earnestly, “My Hongyun Peak is composed entirely of female disciples. Assure Li Che that no boy will dare harass XiXi!”

In short, Hongyun Peak has no Yellow-Haired!

Li Qingshan instantly understood what Zhu Hongdou was planning.

Things are about to heat up!

But the first stage of the Divine Sect induction test had just ended…

Divine Sect Branch’s Elder Zhu Hongdou…

was already planning to snatch recruits early, huh?!

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