Chapter 120

Spring rain pattered, and because of a northern cold front, the temperature had dropped considerably, bringing a chill of late spring cold.

Under the wooden platform.

After a moment of silence, it suddenly erupted into noisy clamor.

"Ah! My son!"

A woman in splendid robes instantly wailed, rose to her feet, beating her chest and stamping her feet in anguish, her eyes full of tears as she stared at Liu Changqing on the platform, whom Xixi had punched to tears.

Xixi's punch landed squarely on the waist and abdomen, and the woman's whole body shuddered.

"This vicious little wretch!"

The woman screamed, wanting to rush onto the platform, but before she could take two steps, she was stopped by the soldiers of the Divine Guard tasked with maintaining order.

On the platform.

Zhang Qingzheng in a scholar's robe glanced at the woman lightly; just that glance caused the woman who had been wailing to fall silent, making her feel as if the most terrifying thing in heaven and earth had in an instant clung to her heart.

Even a single glance from a divine physiognomist, even if somewhat restrained, is beyond what this merely ordinary woman who cultivates her nature like a river can bear.

If not restrained, if he wished, Zhang Qingzheng's single glance could cause the divine river within the woman's Niwan palace to collapse.

"Watch your mouth."

Zhang Qingzheng wore a sour face.

"In cultivation sparring, injury is inevitable; if you cherish your son so much, take him home and don't enter my divine sect."

His cold words, paired with Zhang Qingzheng's sour face so foul it seemed even the Dao Ancestor owed him money…

The woman was instantly frightened and dared not speak.

Zhang Qingzheng patted Xixi's little head.

"Continue holding the platform; you did well. Cultivation sparring is fundamentally for victory; without victory… talking about martial virtue is meaningless."

Although Zhang Qingzheng came from a scholarly background and was a jinshi of the Dàjǐng dynasty, he was by no means a stiff, pedantic person.

Although he had his own principles, he did not care about the means in the sparring; he cared about the significance of one thing.

Xixi's big eyes instantly brightened, she kept nodding: "Grandfather, you're absolutely right, I understand."

Zhang Qingzheng smiled, but in Xixi's eyes, the old man's sour face seemed even more sour.

"Liu Changqing failed to take the platform; according to combat performance, his grade is B‑upper."

Zhang Qingzheng said lightly, then lightly flicked his sleeve; a gentle breeze instantly welled up from beneath the despairing Liu Changqing, sending him down from the platform to land beside the woman who dared not speak.

"Mother…"

Liu Changqing's tears of grievance fell pattering nonstop.

He was careless, deceived by Xixi's three‑year‑old appearance!

"The child is fine; we can still compete for an inner‑door spot. Don't cry, you've already done very well."

The woman helped Liu Changqing back to the spectator area.

Zhang Qingzheng's divine nature had long since healed Liu Changqing's injuries; now Liu Changqing basically feels no pain.

Only the fear lingering in his mind cannot be erased.

Causing a pain in the kidneys that comes and goes.

"That girl is truly vicious—so vicious at three years old… what will she be like when she grows up!"

Although the woman was intimidated by Zhang Qingzheng, how could she vent that anger in her heart?

Her eyes turned cold as she looked at her husband beside her; he shook his head: "The father of that little girl is Li Che, who came from Flying Thunder City, yet he entered the capital's Directorate of Astronomy and became a third‑rank guest official…"

"This status is not low; I know your natal family has considerable influence in the capital, but don't act rashly."

The husband, the head of the Liu family, was now extremely solemn; his forbearance and indulgence only made the woman feel more stifled and dissatisfied.

We had thought our son, as an extraordinary spiritual prodigy, could become a true heir of the divine sect.

But now, everything has come to nothing.

In the first round's first match, we lost and received a B‑upper rating.

"I'm unwilling—clearly Changqing's performance wasn't just that; he was merely sabotaged by that stinky girl!" the woman said unwillingly.

The head of the Liu family said solemnly: "What can unwillingness do? Do you think the divine sect's assessment is child's play? To repeat just because you're unwilling? At home I can indulge you, but outside, heaven and earth do not bend to your will!"

"Don't cause trouble; the capital is not the eastern outskirts—word and deed can bring disaster! Speak carefully!"

Seeing her husband so angry for the first time, the woman immediately pressed her lips together.

Yet she still muttered with a hint of resentment: "Everyone's watching the assessment… who would be idle enough to eavesdrop on our talk?"

The head of the Liu family's expression softened a little: "Why the rush? Changqing hasn't lost all chance; this is only the first round, there are two more rounds left, and he still has a chance to turn things around!"

Upon hearing this, the woman's face eased slightly.

……

……

Li Che narrowed his eyes, holding his wife Zhang Ya's soft, white hand, gently playing with her verdant fingers.

Yet a flash of sharpness and coldness flickered in his gaze.

"Calling me a wretch one moment, a poisonous little brat the next—such a shrew, do you think Xixi has no parents?"

"It's just a normal injury from sparring; why hold such a grudge?"

"Poisonous woman!"

A rolling coldness filled Li Che's eyes— the last poisonous woman… already has grass growing on her grave.

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However, the head of the Liu family showed some worldly clarity, quite steady.

But…

This poisonous woman may curse Li Che all she wants, but curse his daughter… I cannot tolerate it!

Li Che's daughter cannot tolerate even the slightest grievance!

Li Che's daughter cannot tolerate even the slightest grievance!

How heartbroken would Xixi be if she heard someone scolding her like that?

"If Xixi heard someone scold her like that, how heartbroken she would be?" We'll translate: "If Xixi heard someone scolding her like that, how heartbroken she would be?" Keep question mark.

As parents, if you can't stand up when your child is being bullied, what kind of parents are you?

"As parents, if when their child is bullied they cannot step forward, what kind of parents are they?" We'll translate: "As parents, if they cannot step forward when their child is bullied, what kind of parents are they?" Keep question mark.

Li Che never thinks of himself as a good person.

"Li Che never thought of himself as a good person." We'll translate: "Li Che never considered himself a good person."

He is nothing but a petty person who only wants to protect his daughter's safety and repays every grudge!

He is just a petty person who only wants to protect his daughter's safety and repays every grudge!

A father will always be his daughter's greatest hero.

"A father will forever be his daughter's great hero." We'll translate: "A father will always be his daughter's great hero."

He released Zhang Ya's hand, patted the back of her hand, and Li Che rose to his feet under her doubtful gaze; then his black martial robe swayed in the wind.

"He released Zhang Ya's hand, patted the back of her hand, and Li Che rose to his feet amid Zhang Ya's doubtful gaze; then his black martial robe swayed in the wind." We'll translate: "He let go of Zhang Ya's hand, patted the back of her hand, and Li Che stood up amid Zhang Ya's doubtful gaze; afterward, his black martial robe swayed in the wind." Keep as one sentence.

Li Che stretched lazily, then walked with a gentle expression toward the seats where the Liu family members were sitting.

"Li Che stretched lazily, then walked with a gentle expression toward the seat where the Liu family members sat upright." We'll translate: "Li Che stretched, then walked with a gentle expression toward where the Liu family members were seated upright." Keep.

The woman was still soothing Liu Changqing, who lay in her arms crying and sobbing nonstop.

"The woman was still soothing Liu Changqing, who was crying and sobbing nonstop in her arms." We'll translate: "The woman continued to comfort Liu Changqing, who was crying and sobbing incessantly in her arms." Keep.

The head of the Liu family sat with a solemn face, not uttering a word.

"The Liu family head sat with a solemn face, not uttering a word." We'll translate: "The Liu family head sat with a solemn face, saying nothing." Keep.

Suddenly, the Liu family head stared, turned his head, and saw a young man in black martial attire approaching with a gentle smile.

"Suddenly, the Liu family head stared, turned his head, and saw a youth in black martial attire walking straight over with a gentle smile." We'll translate: "Suddenly, the Liu family head stared, turned his head, and saw a youth in black martial robes walking straight over with a gentle smile." Keep.

"It's Li Che!"

"\"It's Li Che! \"" We'll translate: "\"It's Li Che! \"" Keep quotes.

The Liu family head's eyes flickered, yet he also felt a hint of doubt.

"The Liu family head's eyes flickered, but there was also a hint of doubt." We'll translate: "The Liu family head's eyes flashed, yet a hint of doubt remained." Keep.

Who is this person, and what does he want?

"What is this person here for?" We'll translate: "\"What is this person here for? \"" Keep quotes? The line includes quotes? Actually line 74 is just Chinese without quotes. We'll output without quotes: "What is this person here for?" Keep question mark.

His daughter just beat up his son badly—is he coming to apologize?

"His daughter just beat up his son—is he coming to apologize?"

Yes, he should be here to apologize…

"Yes, he must be here to apologize…" We'll translate: "\"Yes, he must be here to apologize…\"" Keep ellipsis.

It is said that Li Che is mild-tempered and timid, so he must have come to apologize for his daughter's rash behavior.

"It is said that Li Che has a gentle temperament and is timid; he must have come to apologize for his daughter's rash act." We'll translate: "\"It is said that Li Che is mild-tempered and timid; he must have come to apologize for his daughter's rash act. \"" Keep quotes.

The Liu family head let out a breath, stood up, and prepared to go forward to accept Li Che's apology.

"The Liu family head exhaled, stood up, and prepared to go forward to accept Li Che's apology." We'll translate: "\"The Liu family head exhaled, stood up, and prepared to go up to accept Li Che's apology. \"" Keep quotes? Actually line 78 has no quotes in Chinese. We'll output without quotes: "The Liu family head exhaled, stood up, and prepared to go up to accept Li Che's apology." Keep period.

After all, Li Che's status as a third-rank guest minister of the Capital's Astral Bureau is certainly not ordinary.

"After all, Li Che's status as a third-rank guest official of the Imperial Observatory in the prefecture city is truly not ordinary." We'll translate: "After all, Li Che's status as a third-rank guest official of the prefecture city's Imperial Observatory is truly not ordinary." Keep period.

However, just as he rose, a blur appeared before his eyes, and he discovered that Li Che's qi and blood had erupted, propelling him at the speed of a completed blood exchange to appear beside the woman.

"However, just as he rose, his vision blurred, and he discovered Li Che's qi and blood exploding forth, shooting out with the speed of Blood Exchange Perfection, appearing beside the woman." We'll translate: "However, just as he rose, his vision blurred, and he discovered Li Che's qi and blood bursting forth, shooting out with the speed of Blood Exchange Perfection, appearing beside the woman." Keep period.

The terrifying, mighty qi and blood pressed down like a mountain, like a crouching tiger suddenly springing up and roaring!

"The terrifying, mighty qi and blood were like a mountain pressing down, like a crouching tiger suddenly rising to roar!" We'll translate: "The terrifying, mighty qi and blood were like a mountain pressing down, like a crouching tiger suddenly rising to roar!" Keep exclamation.

The woman, still dazed, lifted her head and felt a suffocating pressure, then saw a vicious slap smash into her face; the terrifying force distorted her facial flesh and blood, transmitted to her cheekbones, and knocked out several blood-stained teeth.

"The woman, still dazed, lifted her head and felt a suffocating pressure; then she saw a palm viciously slap her face, the terrifying force distorting her facial skin and flesh, transmitting to her cheekbones, and knocking out several blood-stained teeth." We'll translate: "The woman, still dazed, lifted her head and felt a suffocating pressure; then she saw a palm viciously slap her face, the terrifying force distorting her facial skin and flesh, transmitting to her cheekbones, and knocking out several blood-stained teeth." Keep period.

The terrifying power of the completed blood exchange hurled the woman several meters away; Liu Changqing, still in her arms, fell to the ground, utterly dumbfounded, his sobs frozen.

"The terrifying power of Blood Exchange Perfection directly flung the woman several meters away; Liu Changqing in her arms fell to the ground, utterly dumbfounded, his sobs freezing." We'll translate: "The terrifying power of Blood Exchange Perfection directly flung the woman several meters away; Liu Changqing in her arms fell to the ground, utterly dumbfounded, his sobs freezing." Keep period.

"Li Che!!!"

"\"Li Che!!! \"" We'll keep quotes and exclamations.

The head of the Liu family from Donghuan City was furious beyond measure.

"The Liu family head of East Ring City was furious beyond measure." We'll translate: "The Liu family head of East Ring City was furious beyond measure." Keep period.

"You lowly thing, vile stinking girl… you shout so smoothly, as if my daughter had no parents?"

"\"You wretched thing, vicious stinky girl… you shout so glibly, as if my daughter had no parents? \"" We'll translate: "\"You wretched thing, vicious stinky girl… you shout so glibly, as if my daughter had no parents? \"" Keep quotes and question mark.

Li Che shook off his hand, his expression turning colder.

"Li Che shook off his hand, his expression turning colder." We'll translate: "Li Che shook off his hand, his expression turning colder." Keep period.

The Liu family head suddenly erupted with divine power, pressing down hard on Li Che; this Liu family head actually possesses cultivation at the initial stage of the Divine Foundation, though he forged the Ten Capital Divine Foundation… the pressure he exerts on Li Che is so weak it can basically be ignored.

"The Liu family head suddenly erupted with divine nature, fiercely pressing toward Li Che; this Liu family head actually possessed cultivation at the Divine Foundation Initial Realm, though he had forged the Ten Metropolis Divine Foundation… the pressure he exerted on Li Che was so weak it could basically be ignored." We'll translate: "The Liu family head suddenly erupted with divine nature, fiercely pressing toward Li Che; this Liu family head actually possessed cultivation at the Divine Foundation Initial Realm, though he had forged the Ten Metropolis Divine Foundation… the pressure he exerted on Li Che was so weak it could basically be ignored." Keep period.

However…

"But…" We'll translate: "But…" Keep ellipsis.

Li Che merely glanced at him faintly, while Big Head Lu Chi had already appeared behind the Liu family head at some point.

"Li Che merely glanced at him indifferently, while Big Head Lu Chi had somehow already appeared behind the Liu family head." We'll translate: "Li Che merely glanced at him indifferently, while Big Head Lu Chi had somehow already appeared behind the Liu family head." Keep period.

The Liu family head instantly withdrew his divine foundation aura, his face full of gloom and resentment.

"The Liu family head instantly retracted his divine foundation pressure, his face full of gloom and resentment." We'll translate: "The Liu family head instantly retracted his divine foundation pressure, his face full of gloom and resentment." Keep period.

He knew the identity of the big-headed child with the Nezha braid behind him: a disciple of Li Qing Shan, the Yangjiao Po Tian!

"He knew the identity of the big-headed child behind him, hair tied in a Nezha braid: he was a disciple of Sheep Horn Breaks Heaven Li Qingshan!" We'll translate: "He knew the identity of the big-headed child behind him, hair tied in a Nezha braid: he was a disciple of Sheep Horn Breaks Heaven Li Qingshan!" Keep exclamation.

He cannot be provoked!

"Cannot be provoked!" We'll translate: "Cannot be provoked!" Keep exclamation.

At least in the capital, he cannot be provoked.

"At least in the prefecture city, he cannot be provoked." We'll translate: "At least in the prefecture city, he cannot be provoked." Keep period.

"Master Li, you're so imposing!"

"\"Master Li, what mighty presence! \"" We'll translate: "\"Master Li, what mighty presence! \"" Keep quotes and exclamation.

The Liu family head clenched his fists and spoke coldly.

"The Liu family head clenched his fists and spoke coldly." We'll translate: "The Liu family head clenched his fists and spoke coldly." Keep period.

In the distance, the woman whose teeth Li Che had knocked out with a slap was terrified, screaming nonstop, though her screams were hoarse.

"In the distance, the woman whose teeth Li Che had shattered with a slap was terrified beyond measure, screaming repeatedly, though her screams were accompanied by a wheezing sound." We'll translate: "In the distance, the woman whose teeth Li Che had shattered with a slap was terrified beyond measure, screaming repeatedly, though her screams were accompanied by a wheezing sound." Keep period.

"Husband, he hit me, he hit me! That scoundrel hit me, ah ah ah—woo woo, husband help me!"

"\"Husband, he hit me, he hit me ah, this lowly person hit me, ah ah ah—wu wu, husband help me! \"" We'll translate: "\"Husband, he hit me, he hit me ah, this lowly person hit me, ah ah ah—wu wu, husband help me! \"" Keep quotes and punctuation.

The woman was screaming, but the Liu family head had lost his nerve.

"The woman was screaming, yet the Liu family head had lost his nerve." We'll translate: "The woman was screaming, yet the Liu family head had lost his nerve." Keep period.

He watched his wife being beaten, unable to retaliate, like an ostrich burying its head in the sand.

"Watching his wife be beaten, he dared not retaliate, like an ostrich burying its head." We'll translate: "Watching his wife be beaten, he dared not retaliate, like an ostrich burying its head." Keep period.

"I'm only standing up for my daughter; I just wanted to tell your wife not to insult other people's daughters in front of their parents…"

"\"I merely stood up for my daughter; I only wanted to tell your wife that in the future, when insulting others' daughters, do not do it in front of their parents…\"" We'll translate: "\"I merely stood up for my daughter; I only wanted to tell your wife that in the future, when insulting others' daughters, do not do it in front of their parents…\"" Keep quotes and ellipsis.

Li Che said.

"Li Che said." We'll translate: "Li Che said." Keep period.

The Liu family head clenched his fists and said nothing more, because this matter… indeed his wife was in the wrong.

"The Liu family head clenched his fists and said nothing more, for this matter… indeed his wife was in the wrong." We'll translate: "The Liu family head clenched his fists and said nothing more, for this matter… indeed his wife was in the wrong." Keep period.

"You insult someone else's daughter, they beat you up—don't you deserve it?!"

"Insult someone's daughter, and they beat you… aren't you asking for it?!" We'll translate: "\"Insult someone's daughter, and they beat you… aren't you asking for it?! \"\" Keep quotes and question and exclamation.

Frustrating!

"Frustrated!" We'll translate: "Frustrated!" Keep exclamation.

Everyone says Li Che is gentle and timid—where is the gentleness now?

"Everyone says Li Che is gentle and timid, so where is the gentleness now?" We'll translate: "\"Everyone says Li Che is gentle and timid, so where is the gentleness now? \"" Keep quotes and question mark.

He's clearly being arrogant!

"He is clearly arrogant!" We'll translate: "\"He is clearly arrogant! \"" Keep quotes and exclamation.

But upon reflection, it can also be understood.

"But upon reflection, it can also be understood." We'll translate: "But upon reflection, it can also be understood." Keep period.

After all, it involves Li Che's daughter; a father who sees his daughter bullied might well go completely berserk!

"After all, it involves Li Che's daughter; a father encountering someone who bullies his daughter might well go completely mad!" We'll translate: "After all, it involves Li Che's daughter; a father encountering someone who bullies his daughter might well go completely mad!" Keep exclamation.

The Liu family head let out a breath, only able to swallow this frustration.

"The Liu family head exhaled, only able to swallow this frustration." We'll translate: "The Liu family head exhaled, only able to swallow this frustration." Keep period.

Li Che brought Lu Chi back to their original position.

"Li Che brought Lu Chi back to their original spot." We'll translate: "Li Che brought Lu Chi back to their original spot." Keep period.

Zhang Ya's eyes sparkled with bright light as she stared at Li Che, unable to look away.

"Zhang Ya's eyes shone with bright light, fixed on Li Che, unable to look away." We'll translate: "Zhang Ya's eyes shone with bright light, fixed on Li Che, unable to look away." Keep period.

"My protective husband, how can he be so handsome?!"

"My protective husband, how can he be so handsome?!"

Zhang Ya realized she was increasingly admiring Li Che.

"Zhang Ya found herself increasingly admiring Li Che." We'll translate: "Zhang Ya found herself increasingly admiring Li Che." Keep period.

Mmm! Tonight I'll prepare a few more stretching poses to ask my husband for guidance!

"Mm! Tonight I'll prepare a few more stretching poses to ask my husband for guidance!" We'll translate: "\"Mm! Tonight I'll prepare a few more stretching poses to ask my husband for guidance! \"" Keep quotes and exclamation.

Li Che reached out his big hand to rub Zhang Ya's head, then sat down leisurely in the master's chair, his expression unchanged.

"Li Che extended his large hand to rub Zhang Ya's head, then sat down leisurely, leaning against the Grand Master's chair, his expression unchanged." We'll translate: "Li Che extended his large hand to rub Zhang Ya's head, then sat down leisurely, leaning against the Grand Master's chair, his expression unchanged." Keep period.

Old Chen, however, was not surprised; although Li Che is mild-tempered, once his family is involved he becomes extremely fierce—back in Feilei City, when the Spirit Infant Sect targeted Xixi, Li Che, though afraid of killing, did not hesitate to strike down the enemy.

"Chen Lao, however, was unsurprised; although Li Che had a gentle temperament, once his family was involved he would become extremely ferocious—back in Fēiléichéng, when the Soul Infant Sect had set their sights on Xixi, Li Che, though afraid of killing, did not hesitate to strike down." We'll translate: "Chen Lao, however, was unsurprised; although Li Che had a gentle temperament, once his family was involved he would become extremely ferocious—back in Fēiléichéng, when the Soul Infant Sect had set their sights on Xixi, Li Che, though afraid of killing, did not hesitate to strike down." Keep period.

Li Che's first kill was actually brought about by Old Chen!

"Li Che's first kill was still brought about by Old Chen!" We'll translate: "Li Che's first kill was still brought about by Old Chen!" Keep exclamation.

So, don't bully honest people.

"So the saying goes: don't bully honest people." We'll translate: "So the saying goes: don't bully honest people." Keep period.

Pushing an honest person to the brink, when they go mad they are even more terrifying than a madman.

……

……

This interlude, although it attracted quite a bit of attention, did not draw much notice.

More people still stared at the extreme-grade spirit children on the high platform's fighting stage.

Xixi won a match, she could choose to rest, up to half an hour at most, but since defeating Liu Changqing did not consume much qi and blood, she only rested briefly.

Zhang Zhengqing flicked out a trace of divinity, and Xixi's state was completely restored to perfection!

"Continue."

Zhang Zhengqing swept his gaze over the remaining fourteen extreme-grade spirit children and said.

Xixi defeated Liu Changqing with a thunderous bearing; although she is only three years old, the other spirit children no longer dare to look down on her.

Because Xixi displayed the strength of Bone Tempering Major Accomplishment, she is now not inferior to Haichaosheng, Qin Fenghuo, Huang Sixiang, and others.

This three-year-old child is no longer a soft persimmon, but a hard bone, extremely tough to crack!

On the other hand, Gongyang Xiu of the Gongyang family, being also young, instead became the soft persimmon in Xixi's place.

Gongyang Xiu is only five years old; his cultivation seems to have just reached Meridian Opening Great Accomplishment, and he has not yet reached Bone Tempering.

Without a doubt, Gongyang Xiu was challenged.

On the fighting stage, qi and blood surged; Gongyang Xiu's eyes turned red, he exerted all his strength in his strike, and his exceptionally exquisite martial technique was displayed.

It is the Gongyang family's secret art, the Qiankun Twelve Seals.

Although Gongyang Xiu is only five years old, he has already successfully mastered one seal, thus entering the gate of this secret art!

One must know that entering the gate of a secret art is by no means easy!

Unfortunately, Gongyang Xiu was still defeated and fell from the fighting stage.

He stood up, patted off the dust, his expression solemn and composed, and did not, like Liu Changqing, burst into tears upon defeat.

After stepping down from the fighting stage, he returned to the Gongyang family's area.

"Grandfather, I lost." Gongyang Xiu approached Gongyang Liancheng's side, lowered his head, and finally showed a child's hint of grievance.

"You have performed quite well; your challenger Jin Ao is after all a Bone Tempering Minor Accomplishment, and he is two and a half years older than you—being able to fight him for over a hundred moves before losing is quite good."

"He is a spirit child secretly nurtured by the Golden Split Sect, and he also knows some of that sect's unique martial arts... It is normal that you could not defeat him."

"Did the Divine Sect not still give you an 'A' grade based on your performance?"

Gongyang Liancheng patted Gongyang Xiu's little head.

Gongyang Xiu was indeed comforted; he obediently stood beside Gongyang Liancheng, gazing at the fighting stage, his eyes toward Xixi's direction shining brightly.

He is five years old, and was defeated.

Xixi is three years old, and she defeated her opponent.

Although their opponents were different, …… Xixi is amazing!

……

In the cycle of defending and attacking the stage, after one round of challenges, the five defender positions on the stage underwent only one change.

Gongyang Xiu was overcome, replaced by Jin Ao, likewise an extreme-grade spirit child with Bone Tempering Minor Accomplishment cultivation.

Moreover, the cultivations of many defender spirit children have, after one round of challenges, basically been revealed.

Haichaosheng, seven years old, Bone Tempering Perfection!

Qin Fenghuo, seven years old, Bone Tempering Major Accomplishment!

Huang Sixiang, six years old, Bone Tempering Minor Accomplishment!

Li Nuanxi, three years old…… Bone Tempering Major Accomplishment!

Without a soft persimmon, even Huang Sixiang, who only has Bone Tempering Minor Accomplishment, possesses innate divine strength; the explosive force he erupts can even surpass Bone Tempering Major Accomplishment!

Five extreme-grade spirit children remain; among them, Gong Yuanliang of the Gong family and Shangguan Qinglei of the Shangguan family have not yet made a move.

Basically, after this round of challenges ends, we can confirm the five extreme-grade spirit children who succeeded in the first round of defending the stage and received an 'A' grade.

And these five extreme-grade spirit children have a high probability of becoming true transmissions of the Divine Sect!

Fine spring rain poured down amidst the suddenly urgent wind.

Shangguan Qinglei of the Shangguan family stepped forward, tapped the ground with his toes, qi and blood burst forth, and he leapt onto the fighting stage where Xixi was.

On the other side, Gong Yuanliang of the Gong family took a deep look at Shangguan Qinglei, then chose to go to Huang Sixiang's fighting stage.

In fact, Gong Yuanliang felt that this three-year-old little girl was much harder to deal with than Huang Sixiang.

Observing the scene of her defeating Liu Changqing, Gong Yuanliang faintly felt his scalp go numb.

Sinister, vicious, restraining breath, then exploding—once an opportunity is found, he will beat the enemy to death!

Such an opponent is truly the most frightening.

His aunt Gong Yunli works at the Imperial Astronomy Bureau, having taken him to witness many wandering cultivators of the martial world; those cultivators…… are what give him this feeling of hairs standing on end.

Therefore, he deliberately waited for Shangguan Qinglei to choose before making his own selection.

"Dang——"

The black gong was struck again, waves of bell sounds.

Amidst the hazy drizzle, a gentle breeze stirred, bringing a touch of spring's freshness.

Around the high platform, the spectators watching the battle also knew that this assessment of the extreme-grade spirit children was largely drawing to a close.

"I will challenge her." Shangguan Qinglei's hair flew upward, his eyes full of aggression; although only seven years old, his appearance resembled that of a teenager, his arms long and slender, his legs strong and powerful.

Zhang Zhengqing nodded: "Yes."

After the words fell, Zhang Zhengqing's figure drifted out of the fighting stage, while Xixi raised her head and looked at Shangguan Qinglei.

This Shangguan Qinglei…… is much sturdier than Liu Changqing.

His height nearly reached 1.7 meters; compared to the three-year-old Xixi…… the visual impact is indeed quite large.

I am Shangguan Qinglei, little sis, don't cry if you lose.

Shangguan Qinglei narrowed his eyes and smiled; his burly body had qi and blood constantly flowing and condensing out, as if a flood dragon slowly twisted.

The crackling sound of bones ringing together, like exploding fried beans!

Bone tempering perfected!

Xixi clenched her chubby fists, excitement gradually showing on her face.

Traitor! Kneel!

Xixi took up a fighting stance.

Suddenly, Xixi thought of something, looked at Shangguan Qinglei and said: "Right, you also surnamed Shangguan? What's your relation to Sister Qinghong?"

Shangguan Qinglei's fingers hooked like claws, electric arcs crackling; hearing this, he froze, then curled his lip, a flash of disgust in his eyes: "Shangguan Qinghong? Just a mongrel."

Shangguan Qinglei naturally knew who Shangguan Qinghong was—nothing more than his half-sister.

But his mother had told him that Shangguan Qinghong was merely an accidental lowborn……

Her mother was a lowly maid who enticed his father, giving birth to Qinghong; thus Shangguan Qinglei despises that name.

On Xixi's small head, her brows furrowed: "Don't you dare speak like that about Sister Qinghong!"

Shangguan Qinglei, however, broke into a grin: "You little brat, giving me face… Turns out you're friends with my lowly sister? That's actually quite fitting… two lowlifes together."

Shangguan Qinglei's words made Xixi's eyes flash with anger.

Below the arena.

On the stands of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau, Shangguan Qinghong leisurely ate melon seeds; hearing Shangguan Qinglei's words, she merely paused her snack, then continued indifferently.

She had long grown accustomed to the attitude of the Shangguan family toward him.

The wives and concubines of Shangguan Zhengheng despised her even more than they despised her mother.

Even if she was favored by the Deputy Director of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau, now an iron-rice-bowl civil servant, it's still the same.

Shangguan Qinghong also didn't care about their opinions.

How is this not a kind of disappointment and numbness?

……

On the arena, battle begins!

Xixi got serious; she wanted to beat that annoying Shangguan Qinglei to tears.

Although he is Sister Qinghong's brother, Xixi won't hold back!

Anyone with a foul mouth deserves to be beaten to a pulp!

Boom—!

Xixi moved her body, instantly shooting forth; though small, she leveraged the rebound force from a stomp on the arena to shoot out at great speed.

Tap-tap-tap—

Xixi's feet tapped the ground at extreme speed, her body spinning rapidly, kicking up smoke and dust, appearing behind Shangguan Qinglei's waist.

Just as when she defeated Liu Changqing, she repeats the old trick!

"Trivial tricks, do you think I'm some country bumpkin trash?"

Shangguan Qinglei laughed madly, twisted his waist, sank his body, and unleashed a fierce whip kick, arcing widely to lash viciously at Xixi.

Countless lightning arcs crackled on that leg, emitting a terrifying pressure!

"The Shangguan clan's secret art… Azure Lightning Body!"

"Although just begun, it's already extraordinary, greatly enhancing flesh and blood!"

Shangguan Qinglei glared angrily, and a divine roar burst forth, as if a rushing stream of divinity manifested behind him!

However, Xixi faced Shangguan Qinglei's near-suffocating counterattack.

Her eyes filled with unwavering resolve, no panic at all.

She shook her small hand, a miniature Wooden Ferry Crow gripped, shot forth, and smashed toward Shangguan Qinglei's chest!

Boom-boom—

Instantly, an explosion erupted, firelight surging over the arena!

But countless arcs surged, accompanied by Shangguan Qinglei's enraged roar, the whip leg came down again, carrying a terrifying bone‑crushing force!

But the crow bought Xixi a bit of time.

Xixi also shouted loudly.

Little cat, come out!

Five fingers clenched, pushing forward a punch, the little cat passed down by Father……

As if a young tiger's roar!

Xixi's punch hammered out, slamming into Shangguan Qinglei's incoming whip leg!

Fist and leg collided!

As if a young tiger's phantom appeared behind Xixi, a tiger claw slamming toward the lightning‑wreathed Azure Lightning Body!

Thud—!

Xixi's body shot out; after landing, she steadily stepped back one step, accompanied by a clang, and pulled the big thing from the Heaven and Earth Jade around her neck.

On the other side, Shangguan Qinglei's flung leg retracted, its trousers already torn, strips hanging, the whole leg trembling, bones and sinews aching—perhaps… a fracture.

Disbelief flashed in his eyes.

"Top‑tier martial arts… master level?"

What Xixi just displayed was the White Tiger Chaotic Wind Fist, perfected by Li Che's improvements!

Normally, a three‑year‑old could never master such profound top‑tier martial arts; it would take years of bitter training, relentless refinement, and high skill and talent!

But……

The three‑year‑old Xixi just now unleashed a White Tiger Raging Wind Fist that actually gave rise to an embryonic artistic conception!

Isn't this master‑level?

Not only was Shangguan Qinglei shocked; on the high platform, Divine Sect Sect Master Nan Lihuo, Elder Zhu Hongdou, and even Li Qingshan were stirred, their eyes turning grave.

"Really a master‑level martial art?"

"A three‑year‑old master?"

Li Qingshan was dumbfounded.

No, how little time has passed, and this girl has already grown to this extent?

During this time, how has the girl been cultivating?

According to what Lv Chi usually says, the little girl who constantly complains of being exhausted, who fishes three days and dries nets two days, could she possibly bring a martial art to master level?

At three years old, she has mastered a top‑tier master‑level martial art…

Girl, are you a damned reborn Martial Saint?

Below.

Li Che, meanwhile, wore a gentle smile, the corners of his mouth involuntarily turning up.

To give Xixi enough trump cards and ensure she comes unharmed in this true transmission examination, Li Che, while using the Pure Heart Dao Fruit to tidy her body, activated the Dragon Elephant Vajra Dao Fruit, merging his insight into the White Tiger Raging Wind Fist into the divinity of the Pure Heart Dao Fruit.

This was imparted to Xixi subtly and imperceptibly.

Normally, a three‑year‑old child would indeed find it hard to cultivate a master‑level martial art; merely getting started in one would already be quite good.

But Xixi is different…

She has a cheat.

Her dad keeps giving her cheats!

The situation on the arena suddenly reversed; after the imposing Shangguan Qinglei suffered a setback, his momentum weakened somewhat.

But it also aroused a bit of his ferocity.

Shangguan Qinglei clearly knows where his advantage lies: he is seven years old, older, with a stronger physique, and his stamina far surpasses that of a three‑year‑old child.

If he drags it out, he will surely win!

However, a blast of air current shot forth, tearing through the hazy mist and rain.

Shangguan Qinglei then saw Xixi pick up a huge object almost as big as her own body.

The six metal tubes' dark apertures were aimed at him, like six venomous snakes brimming with deadly poison, flicking their tongues at him.

"Sister Qinghong is your own sister, and you dare call her a low‑born bastard?!"

"You, this foul‑mouthed person…"

"Master Niu Niu said!"

"We can use fireworks…

"Stuff your rotten mouth!"

Xixi stamped her foot; as if a wind arose, her already disheveled hair danced wildly in the spring breeze and fine rain, her clothes clinging to her as they flung back.

Her face lit up with boundless excitement, her eyes bright, and in an instant they gleamed with brilliant light.

"Let's set off the fireworks—!"

The true‑transmission storyline ends in the next chapter—please vote for monthly tickets, recommend tickets, and keep reading! In the midst of a naked run, collections aren't rising at all; please boost the votes, Old Li thanks you!