Chapter 140

Three-year-old Unlike Ning Zhuo took out a small furnace and refined a new material for Sun Lingtong on the spot.

Sun Lingtong sneered: "I don't even need a pill furnace, just watch."

He extended his palm, and a ball of fire ignited from the center of it.

He threw the medicinal herbs into the fire one after another and quickly obtained the brand-new medicinal material.

"How about that?"

After Unlike Ning Zhuo inspected it, he clapped his hands repeatedly: "Little Brother Sun, you are so amazing! You don't need a pill furnace and can do it with your bare hands. And you did it faster and better than me!"

Sun Lingtong shook his head: "This is nothing at all, you must be humble."

Unlike Ning Zhuo gave a hum and nodded heavily.

Four-year-old Unlike Ning Zhuo held a talisman brush and traced talisman runes on the talisman paper.

It went smoothly, and he succeeded on the first try.

Sun Lingtong was slightly surprised, knowing that he had to be faster than Unlike Ning Zhuo and that the talisman runes he produced had to be better.

He appeared relaxed on the surface, deliberately yawning, his eyelids drooping, holding the brush handle casually, but in reality, he was fully focused, completing it in one go!

After comparing them, Unlike Ning Zhuo gave a thumbs up and praised him from the bottom of his heart: "Little Brother Sun, you're awesome!"

"Compared to you, I really don't make the cut. You are truly too amazing."

Sun Lingtong sighed: "There are countless geniuses; compared to them, I am as ordinary as an ant. Little Zhuo, you must be humble."

Unlike Ning Zhuo nodded repeatedly: "I know, I'll keep it in mind!"

Five-year-old Unlike Ning Zhuo took a deep breath and began to set up an array on a blank array disc.

Three hours later, he wiped the sweat from his head and said somewhat shamefully: "Little Brother Sun, I failed."

Sun Lingtong had witnessed the whole process and was deeply shocked; Unlike Ning Zhuo had gone all out, and although he failed, the array-setting ability he displayed was completely beyond the level of his age!

Sun Lingtong appeared light and breezy: "That's not bad, just watch mine."

He set up the array quickly, completing the array disc in just one hour.

Unlike Ning Zhuo inspected the array disc and was convinced.

Sun Lingtong wiped the sweat from his forehead, thinking: "Array formation isn't what I'm good at; luckily I tampered with the array disc in advance last night."

He opened his mouth to say to Unlike Ning Zhuo: "These things are nothing, there is still a lot of room for improvement."

Unlike Ning Zhuo expressed strong agreement and quickly pointed out many shortcomings in the array disc.

At the end, he took the initiative to tell Sun Lingtong: "Little Brother Sun, I will continue to work hard, don't worry, I don't have any complacency or pride at all!"

"That's good, that's good." Sun Lingtong nodded, full of gratification.

Secretly, he felt guilty: "He's only five years old, what should I do next year?"

After this time, he decided to set aside time in private to study the hundred arts of cultivation so he could cope with the increasingly strong Unlike Ning Zhuo.

The content of the six-year-old competition was beast taming.

Unlike Ning Zhuo was high-spirited and full of confidence: "Little Brother Sun, my Fierce Fire Mighty Great General is very strong. At the beginning of the school year, I hatched it myself and started cultivating it from a young age. This time for the small school exam, I sealed more than half of its strength in advance, and it still easily squeezed into fifth place."

Sun Lingtong nodded, expressionless: "It looks like your fighting chicken is indeed powerful. Mine is not as good, I've only had it for a little over a month."

He laughed secretly.

In reality, more than a year ago, he realized he couldn't suppress Unlike Ning Zhuo, so he specifically inquired about past exam questions. He also inquired in advance to confirm this year's exam content.

Therefore, he had been cultivating the fighting chicken in secret for a time far exceeding Unlike Ning Zhuo's.

Unlike Ning Zhuo released his Fierce Fire Mighty Great General, while Sun Lingtong released his Little Blackie.

The Great General launched the attack first, its wings spreading like blades, pouncing toward its opponent with a whistling wind.

Little Blackie dodged flexibly and quickly counterattacked, striking the opponent's chest directly with its sharp beak and claws.

The two chickens fought, the battle growing more intense, feathers flying and fresh blood splattering.

Unlike Ning Zhuo went all out, occasionally casting spells to protect the Fierce Fire Mighty Great General.

But in the end, the Great General's full-force strike was dodged by Little Blackie. The latter soared into the air, scratching the Great General's cockscomb and sealing the victory.

The Great General fell to the ground, unable to rise, on the verge of death.

Little Blackie's body also swayed, having fought to its limit.

Unlike Ning Zhuo panted heavily, his small face flushed red, his face full of disappointment, his eyes appearing lifeless.

His body trembled, and he hurriedly ran to the field, placing his hands on the Great General and casting a healing spell to treat it with all his might.

The Great General's condition quickly stabilized, its breathing becoming shallow as it fell into a deep sleep.

After a long while, Unlike Ning Zhuo looked up and said in a low voice: "Little Brother Sun, I lost again."

He could not hide his frustration.

Sun Lingtong's nervous mood finally gradually calmed down.

He had originally thought that he had a huge advantage, but he hadn't expected this cockfight to be so evenly matched, only deciding the winner at the very end.

He knew he had won unfairly, having secretly invested a lot into Little Blackie, far exceeding Unlike Ning Zhuo.

Sun Lingtong felt guilty, praising him sincerely: "You have already performed quite well. If you had really gone all out, your Great General would definitely have been the best in the school."

Unlike Ning Zhuo shook his head: "What is being the best in the school? Compared to the entire Fire Persimmon City, I am nothing. In the entire Nandou Kingdom, I don't even rank. Not to mention, there are other cultivation kingdoms. All along, I haven't been able to beat Little Brother Sun, I always lose..."

Sun Lingtong gritted his teeth, trying to remedy the situation: "I almost failed just now."

"Really."

"That last move of yours, it seemed like you used mechanical arts, right?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo nodded: "Yes, I usually use thread-suspension to train the Great General. Later, I referred to some cultivation mantras and designed some commands. As long as I say them, I can make the Great General fly down from the air and pounce on the enemy. At the same time, it will stimulate the talismans deep within the Great General's feathers, making the Great General's offensive surge."

Sun Lingtong was stunned, praising him sincerely: "Amazing! You have already started using various methods to cultivate your fighting chicken."

"You haven't been limited to the scope taught by the school elders."

"You are already innovating, and most importantly, the practical effect is great!"

Unlike Ning Zhuo remained low: "Little Brother Sun, thank you for your praise, don't comfort me, I understand!"

"I still need to work harder, this practical battle exposed many of my shortcomings."

"I really am nothing, compared to you, I am too far behind."

"I only need to work harder to make up for the gap in talent!"

Sun Lingtong fell silent, thinking to himself: Have I gone too far over the years?

The seven-year-old competition, however, made Sun Lingtong furious!

"Little Zhuo, what is going on with you? Over the past year, although you have made progress in the hundred arts of cultivation, it hasn't been much."

"What are you doing?"

"Did you study seriously?"

Unlike Ning Zhuo lowered his head, taking the initiative to admit his mistake, telling Sun Lingtong that he had joined his classmates and become addicted to the marble game.

Sun Lingtong carefully asked what the marble game was, and finding the content boring and tasteless, he was heartbroken: "You are actually addicted to this, it is simply playing with your ambition!"

He severely lectured Unlike Ning Zhuo, lasting for a full stick of incense.

Unlike Ning Zhuo was tearful: "Little Brother Sun, I will never do this again. I will definitely study hard!"

"I know I am very poor, I have too many shortcomings."

Sun Lingtong heard this and was stunned, thinking to himself: Have I suppressed Unlike Ning Zhuo's achievements too much, distorting his perception, making him lack a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence, thereby losing the motivation for self-improvement?

"Actually..." Sun Lingtong considered his tone, "Little Zhuo, actually you have been quite outstanding before. Don't belittle yourself too much."

Unlike Ning Zhuo said: "I know, Little Brother Sun. You don't have to comfort me! I understand everything."

Sun Lingtong: "..."

In the Child Care Garden, Li Leifeng was holding a puppet show.

Sun Lingtong sneaked in, stealing the personal belongings of the cultivators to use as resources for his daily cultivation.

After Li Leifeng's performance ended, he came to the private room to thank the Zhou family elder, thanking the latter for his generous donation to this play.

The Zhou family elder also wanted to make friends with Li Leifeng, asking about his way of teaching children during the conversation.

"Under your guidance, Elder Li, the orphans in the Child Care Garden have all been well-trained, obedient, sensible, and actively hardworking."

"Alas, my son Zhou Zeshen is naughty and mischievous, hates school, and has no interest in learning at all. It's really giving me a headache!"

Li Leifeng asked a few questions, learned the truth, and smiled: "My advice is to let him play."

The Zhou family elder was puzzled.

Li Leifeng then said: "From what you just described, I understand that your son is actually under strict supervision. Outside of school classes, he has multiple tutoring sessions when he returns home, and has very little time of his own to play."

"It is precisely because he plays too little that a blade of grass, a pen, or even a cloud in the sky can make him play happily and let his mind wander in his imagination."

"You must know: no matter how smart a child is, they all have a childlike heart. Playing is their nature and also their inevitable path, an indispensable part of their growth."

"Only by constantly playing will they gain fun, happiness, and joy. Once they play enough, a blade of grass or a pen will no longer have any temptation for them."

"This is precisely the growth they need."

Sun Lingtong, hiding on the side, listened intently.

From then on, he never stole money from the Child Care Garden again.

Sun Lingtong found Unlike Ning Zhuo excitedly.

"You kid, you're really lucky to have met me." His abrupt sentence only made Unlike Ning Zhuo feel confused.

"Let's go, I'll take you out to play!"

Seven-year-old Unlike Ning Zhuo couldn't believe it, his eyes full of surprise: "Re, really?"

"Of course!" Sun Lingtong held his head high, grabbed Unlike Ning Zhuo's arm, and flashed away.

In a dark alley.

Sun Lingtong "encouraged" Unlike Ning Zhuo: "See that person who looks unpleasant? Just follow the technique I just taught you and steal something for fun!"

Unlike Ning Zhuo hesitated: "Stealing people's things, isn't that not very good?"

"What are you afraid of? Listen to your Brother Sun, would I harm you?" Sun Lingtong patted his chest, urging him on: "It's very exciting, especially the first time you steal, it will make you feel very excited!"

Under his guidance, Unlike Ning Zhuo chose a local hooligan and stole his money bag.

The hooligan searched frantically, almost stripping himself naked.

Unlike Ning Zhuo hid in the dark and laughed out loud.

Before leaving, he even seemed to throw the money bag to the hooligan's feet.

Sun Lingtong patted Unlike Ning Zhuo on the shoulder: "How is it? Feels very exciting, right?"

"Yeah! It's quite fun." Unlike Ning Zhuo said.

Sun Lingtong sighed: "Sometimes, when I'm in a bad mood, I'll wander around the streets for a few laps, and whoever I don't like, I'll steal their things."

"Hahaha, every time I finish stealing, my mood gets much better!"

Unlike Ning Zhuo hesitated: "Little Brother Sun, it's better not to do this. The school teaches us to walk the right path and do the right things. Stealing is not a good behavior."

Sun Lingtong rolled his eyes and then smiled cunningly: "What the school elder said makes sense. It's actually the same thing as what I'm going to teach you."

Unlike Ning Zhuo stared, expressing doubt.

Sun Lingtong said: "Don't you understand the principle of punishing evil and promoting good? Punishing these evil people is accumulating virtue and doing good, it's an act of justice."

"The hooligan you just taught a lesson to usually bullies the honest and poor people. You only made him scared for a while, without any actual loss, it was really cheap for him!"

Unlike Ning Zhuo narrowed his eyes: "Then I'll go back and steal from him again."

Sun Lingtong nodded: "Okay, I'll go with you."

"This time I'll teach you a new way to steal, you try it, the feeling is different from before."