Chapter 118: Daughter's First Performance, Three-Year-Old Spirit Child Defends a Challenge

Chapter 118: Daughter's First Performance, Three-Year-Old Spirit Child Defends a Challenge

February 21st.

Spring Equinox, a fine drizzle.

The road leading from Jin Guang City to the Eternal Origin Sect's Cloud Prefecture Branch was completely congested, with carriages trying to overtake each other on the narrow sections, none willing to give way.

Inside a carriage.

Li Che, Zhang Ya, Mu Po, and Xi Xi were seated together. Xi Xi, full of life and energy, was excited and didn't seem to find the Sect's assessment a tense affair at all. She felt like they were on a spring outing, eager to explore and curious about new things.

Through the carriage window, she saw the dense procession of carriages and many people walking towards their destination. She couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.

"Daddy, there are so many people!"

This was Xi Xi's first time seeing so many people, and she was amazed. She never knew there could be so many people in the world!

"This year's assessment indeed has many more participants than previous years," Mu Po said lovingly, looking at Xi Xi with a hint of reluctance in her eyes.

After today, Xi Xi would enter the Sect and live on the lofty Qing Peak, high up in the clouds. Her days of returning home would become fewer.

However, Mu Po was grateful that Li Qingshan had brought her to visit Xi Xi, which had somewhat dispelled her worries.

"Li Qingshan said that this year's assessment seems to be related to the bizarre temple of the Four Imperials in the middle of the Nine Dragon River outside the city. Although it involves risks, it also presents a great opportunity."

Mu Po explained.

Zhang Ya's eyes revealed her concern, "Is it related to the bizarre temple of the Four Imperials? Isn't that too dangerous?"

"But Xi Xi can't avoid going to the Sect..."

Zhang Ya's eyes were filled with worry as she turned to Li Che, seeking reassurance.

"Don't worry," Li Che smiled and reassured her. "The Sect wouldn't dare to include the bizarre temple in the assessment without some means to handle it."

Li Qingshan mentioned that the Sect's Cloud Prefecture Branch had even deployed the Prison Lotus Flaming Wheel, one of the Four Imperial Divine Armaments!

It was clear that they took this matter very seriously. Since they dared to include it, they must have a good grasp of the situation and had done this before.

Since Li Che said there was no problem, Zhang Ya believed him.

She trusted Li Che without question.

"This carriage is completely stuck. We might as well get out and walk."

Li Che looked at the sky and suggested, seeing the traffic jam.

If they got stuck on the road and missed the appointed time, it would be a disaster.

Not only did Li Che have this thought, but others in the carriages also got out, leading or carrying their children towards the Sect's gate.

Zhang Ya and Mu Po had no objections. As cultivators, a little walk was nothing to them.

Li Che carried Xi Xi, letting her hold a small oil-paper umbrella. They got out of the carriage and walked forward, enjoying the spring drizzle.

After getting out of the carriage, their pace quickened.

Soon, they passed through the bustling area and arrived at the Sect's gate.

On both sides were vast lawns with lush green grass swaying in the spring breeze, adorned with translucent dewdrops.

A prominent green peak rose into the sky, reaching the azure firmament. Even from afar, this peak stood out amidst the majestic gate, as if the entire Jin Guang City was built around it.

But upon approaching, they realized that the area around the peak was even more expansive.

Looking up at the peak, it towered majestically, lush with greenery. In the misty rain, wisps of smoke rose from the middle of the mountain.

...

In the Nine Dragon River, a peak suddenly rose, the main peak of the Eternal Origin Sect's Cloud Prefecture Branch, known as Jin Guang Peak.

Surrounding Jin Guang Peak were numerous smaller peaks, less prominent, completely overshadowed by the grandeur of Jin Guang Peak.

These peaks were the cave-dwelling peaks of the Sect's Divine Physiognomist Cultivators.

For example, Li Qingshan, being a Divine Physiognomist, was granted a cave and named it "Right Thunder Peak."

Passing through the green area, they reached the foot of Jin Guang Peak, where a massive wooden stage stood, meticulously crafted from wood.

Around the stage, the best forces of Jin Guang City had gathered, each occupying their own section.

The Five Great Clans, the Qin, Gong, Hai, Shang Guan, and Gong Yang Clans, had sent not only their clan heads but also their Divine Physiognomist Cultivators.

Qin Di Kun, the Divine Physiognomist Cultivator of the Qin Clan, sat on the clan's platform with his eyes lowered, occupying a high position.

Beside him were the Qin Clan's head, Qin Hao Nan, and the second generation members, Qin Lei Xiao and Qin Cang, peers of the deceased Qin Yu.

The Five Great Sects also sent representatives.

Strong cultivators from the Golden Rupture Sect, Bamboo Academy, Tide Pavilion, and Sand Scorpion Forest arrived, each with their own Divine Physiognomist Cultivators.

The Black Dragon Gang and Beggar Guild, the three gangs turned two, also sent their best cultivators, including their leaders.

Despite the Divine Physiognomist Cultivators' power being restrained, the scattered and colliding energies formed a formidable aura, suffocating to behold.

Li Che, carrying Xi Xi, arrived at the wooden stage, where the space below was already packed with people.

Suddenly, Lu Chi emerged from the crowd, his big head bobbing up. Dressed in the Sect's inner disciple attire, he stood out.

"Uncle Li, Aunt Zhang, and Xi Xi, come over here!"

Lu Chi waved excitedly.

Li Che, knowing there was special treatment, didn't care about the onlookers. With a warm smile, he used his concealed blood energy to clear a path, leading his wife and daughter, along with Mu Po, Lao Chen, and others, to follow Lu Chi.

Just as Lu Chi left, Shangguan Qinghong started jumping up and down in the distance, her face flushed with anger. "Brother Li, I'm over here! There's a good spot here too!"

Liu He and Hai Chuan Ying, who were nearby, couldn't help but laugh. "I didn't know Brother Li had connections within the Divine Sect too."

"That's Lu Chi, the disciple of Li Qingshan. He was one of the three who triggered the Shrine God Resonance in the previous session, with a resonance rate of over 65%. He's the one who still persists in cultivating the Wrathful Third Prince's Divine Essence Law, nurturing the Third Prince, and aims to forge the Six Officials' Wrathful Third Prince's Divine Foundation, learning from his teacher."

Hai Chuan Ying, from the prestigious Hai family, one of the Five Great Families, was well-informed and introduced them.

"Brother Li's daughter, isn't she one of the thirteen top-grade Spirit Children under the Capital City's jurisdiction?" Liu He thought of something and spoke without hesitation.

"Yes, Li Nuoxi, a top-grade Spirit Child... But the chances of True Transmission are slim. She'll likely have to enter the Inner Gate first and then gradually strive for True Transmission. She's still too young."

"The Five Great Families and numerous small and medium-sized families within the Capital City are all bringing out their Spirit Children. I heard there are over fifteen top-grade Spirit Children this year, but the Divine Sect is only accepting five."

Hai Chuan Ying spoke calmly.

Liu He sighed and shook his head. "It's not easy. After what happened in Flying Thunder City, Brother Li still managed to bring his top-grade Spirit Child daughter to the Capital City. He must have endured so much hardship..."

"Being able to enter the Divine Sect's Inner Gate is already not bad."

Shangguan Qinghong, standing nearby, immediately became unhappy. She clenched her fists and said, "My sister Xi Xi will definitely become a True Transmission. You have no idea how powerful Xi Xi is!"

Hai Chuan Ying chuckled. "A three-year-old kid who probably doesn't even know how to control their bladder, how capable can they be?"

"My Hai family's top-grade Spirit Child, Hai Chaosheng, was brought out by the Divine Physiognomy Elder as if he was cutting off his own flesh. If it weren't for the resonance with the Shrine God of the Third Prince's bizarre temple, the Elder would have continued keeping him hidden and personally instructed him."

Shangguan Qinghong glanced at Hai Chuan Ying. "You have no idea the value of Bone Tempering Mastery at three years old."

She didn't bother to shout beforehand, waiting for the moment when Xi Xi would become a great emperor and shock everyone!

...

...

At the base of the stone archway at the entrance of the Divine Sect's mountain gate, chairs were arranged, and seated on them were figures with fluttering sleeves, exuding an air of immortality and elegance. As the gentle spring breeze and fine rain seemed to envelop them, and before the rain could even land on their bodies, it was twisted by an invisible force.

"This session is indeed lively... It seems like all the gifted Spirit Children in Jin Guang City have been brought here."

The elderly man in the main seat, with white hair and beard, gently stroked his beard and watched with a gentle gaze.

This person was none other than Nan Lihuo, the Sect Master of the Eternal Origin Sect's Cloud State Branch, his cultivation profound and unfathomable.

"Of course, it's going to be lively. After all... The Shrine God Resonance of the Third Prince's Temple this time may not occur again for another twenty years. Missing this opportunity is equivalent to having little chance of obtaining the Third Prince's Temple's divine transmission for the next two decades."

Li Qingshan lazily sat in his chair and spoke.

"Li Qingshan, you're ruthless. As soon as you returned to the Capital City, you started hammering and forcing out a Corpse Deity Sect's Eight-Armed Prison Lotus Wrathful Third Prince's Corpse God Envoy, almost causing a major incident."

As soon as Li Qingshan finished speaking, a thin, scholarly-looking old man in the distance shouted.

Li Qingshan immediately became displeased. "What do you mean by 'causing a major incident'? Are you unaware of the nature of the Corpse Deity Sect's Corpse God Envoys? You let them roam freely within the Capital City, swaying and corrupting various powers..."

"That's a major incident!"

"Do you know what's happening in Ji Prefecture? They've already fallen under the Corpse Deity Sect's control, becoming their ghostly domain. The people there have become tools for the Corpse Deity Sect to refine death energy, dying in large groups... Do you want Jin Guang City to fall into the same fate?"

The scholarly old man's face turned red. "Of course, the Corpse Deity Sect must be stopped, but we need a strategy. You openly hunting down the Corpse God Envoys in the city, and with the Temple Master, Supervisor, and Sect Master, as well as us Divine Physiognomy Elders, unable to return from the bizarre temple..."

"What if they go all out and start slaughtering the people on a large scale... How many lives would be lost?"

Li Qingshan's eyelids lifted slightly. "That would be the incompetence of the city's Divine Physiognomy Elders."

A woman in a red robe opened her eyes in the distance, and within her eyes, flames danced. "Li Qingshan, are you saying I'm incompetent?"

Li Qingshan immediately closed his mouth.

This woman had spent a whole cycle observing the Eight-Armed Prison Lotus Wrathful Third Prince. She's vengeful and holds grudges. It's best not to provoke her."

The Sect Master, Nan Lihuo, gently raised his hand to stop the conversation. "Alright, the Corpse Deity Sect and other villains, when found, must be eliminated. What Li Qingshan did was correct."

"Zhang Qingzheng, as a Jinshi graduate, is suitable to be the examiner for this session's sect assessment. Be serious, set an example for the younger generation, and don't always wear a frown, scaring the children."

The old man dressed as a scholar was Zhang Qingzheng, one of the four Divine Physiognomy Elders of the Eternal Origin Sect. At this moment, he bowed and sat down, then rubbed his bitter lotus-like face, trying to force a smile.

Unfortunately, it only made him look more intimidating.

Li Qingshan glanced at him and almost laughed.

"The hour of the snake has arrived. Prepare to open the mountain gate and begin the sect assessment."

The Sect Master, Nan Lihuo," looked solemnly at Li Qingshan, causing him to suppress his smile.

"Dang!"

Elder Zhu Hongdou stood up, walked to the front, and held a mallet. She gently struck it.

In an instant, a sudden vibration shook the black gong, creating a thunderous sound that rippled like a wave, stirring up a whirlwind that instantly spread across the venue, causing everyone to fall silent.

"Lingnan Dao, the Yunzhou Branch of the Eternal Origin Sect, is conducting a disciple selection exam."

"Begin!"

...

...

A light drizzle fell, caressed by the gentle spring breeze.

In front of the Sect Gate, as the massive black gong was struck, the resounding sound seemed to surge like the rushing river of the Nine Dragon River, swirling around the surroundings, causing the parents and children who were encircling the area to quiet down.

The black gong reverberated three times, and the voice of the woman in red, resounded in every corner, despite the distance, her voice was clear and audible.

Li Che, holding Xi Xi, sat in the prepared spot on the left side of the wooden platform constructed in front of the Sect Gate.

Several wooden chairs were placed here, and Li Che's group, led by Lu Chi, just occupied the seats.

Apart from Li Che's family, there were several people dressed in fine garments, holding children, sitting quietly in their chairs.

When Li Che's family appeared, everyone's gaze turned towards them, and a few women in extravagant attire, upon seeing the plainly dressed Zhang Ya, couldn't help but frown.

Judging by their attire, Li Che's family didn't seem to be of high status.

What level are they, to be sitting with us? Li Che couldn't help but wonder about the boy that Lu Chi pointed out, sitting a few seats away, a small boy with a rare crew cut, his skin a bronze hue, only five or six years old, yet exuding a sharp aura.

As if sensing Li Che's gaze, Huang Sixiang turned his head, his eyes instantly falling on Xi Xi, seeing Xi Xi's tender three-year-old appearance, he couldn't help but raise his chin in disdain, looking away.

"A mere three-year-old, nothing to worry about."

Huang Sixiang instantly judged in his mind.

Xi Xi felt disdained, and became annoyed: "Daddy, he's looking at me!"

Li Che ruffled the little girl's head: "Wait until you beat him back, Daddy will teach you, have you learned everything?"

"I've learned it all! I can already throw out little kittens." Xi Xi clenched her tiny fists, blinking her big, watery eyes, proudly.

Lu Chi, sitting beside them, was confused, what little kittens?

In this short time, what has Xi Xi learned behind his back?

"That one is from the Thirteenth City, the other top-grade spirit child besides Xi Xi and Huang Sixiang, is Liu Changqing from East Ring City, a genius from the Liu Clan, Teacher's evaluation is, better than Xi Xi."

Li Che nodded, hearing this.

"How old are they?"

"Huang Sixiang is six, Liu Changqing is seven."

Lu Chi recited their ages like a familiar tale.

After a while, they fell silent, as on the high platform, a woman in a fiery red skirt, slowly walked to the edge of the wooden platform, holding a notebook in her hand, containing the names of spirit children selected from various cities.

"This person is one of the Sect's Four Elders, Elder Zhu Hongdou, a Divine Physiognomist Master!" Lu Chi tilted his big head, introducing Zhu Hongdou to Xi Xi and Li Che.

However, as soon as Lu Chi finished speaking, Zhu Hongdou's sharp gaze fell on him, her eyes piercing.

"Nonsense, this Elder is exquisitely beautiful, a heavenly beauty, like a peerless flower, don't speak ill of her." Li Che patted Lu Chi's big head, speaking solemnly.

He was willing to flatter for his daughter, even if it meant lying.

Lu Chi also sensed the killing intent, realizing belatedly that he might have said something wrong.

"Now, the spirit children whose names are called, come up to the platform."

Zhu Hongdou seemed to hear Li Che's flattery, and though she scorned it, she couldn't help but admit, the sweet words were pleasing to the ear.

"Xianghuan City, top-grade spirit child, Huang Sixiang!"

The voice fell.

Sitting beside the woman with a stunning figure, Huang Sixiang immediately stood up, raising his head, his bronze skin glistening in the spring rain as if oiled.

He lifted his head high, the first one to be called, he proudly walked forward.

He, Huang Sixiang, would always be the first.

"Flying Thunder City, top-grade spirit child, Li Nuoxi!"

Zhu Hongdou recited from the notebook once more.

"Daddy, it seems you called me." Xi Xi exclaimed excitedly.

Li Che put her down, smoothing out the wrinkles on her little practice clothes, encouraging her gently: "Go, Daddy is cheering for you!"

He patted Xi Xi, then placed two Heaven and Earth Chessboard pieces, ensuring her safety.

Xi Xi nodded, and with a thumping heart, she ran towards the wooden platform.

The three-year-old Xi Xi, tiny and cute, stood on the wooden platform beside Huang Sixiang, much shorter than him.

At the bottom, a murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd, accompanied by occasional chuckles.

"A three-year-old top-grade Spirit Child with impressive talents, but... she's too young."

"Participating in the assessment at such a young age doesn't offer much advantage. It would be better to cultivate her for another year; at four years old, it would be safer."

"She's from Flying Thunder City, which has been bewitched by the Corpse Deity Sect's sorcerer, hosting the Thousand Infant Sacrifice. Many Spirit Children have lost their lives there, so for this child to arrive safely at Jin Guang City is not easy..."

...

The conversations below continued unabated.

However, a three-year-old top-grade Spirit Child would rarely become a true transmission competitor. Most likely, she would become an inner disciple, cultivated for another year, and then assessed by the elders for potential promotion to the true transmission.

Zhu Hongdou curiously observed Xi Xi, then continued calling out names.

"East Ring City, top-grade Spirit Child, Liu Changqing."

"Qin family, Qin Fenghuo..."

Soon, fifteen names were called out, and fifteen children stood in line on the wooden platform.

There were boys and girls, but at a glance, all of them were six or seven years old.

Xi Xi stood among them, slightly shorter than the others, her aura completely overshadowed.

Xi Xi didn't mind, blinking her big eyes, she began observing the boys and girls standing with her, taking a longer look at the handsome ones, and quickly averting her gaze from the less attractive ones.

Below, the crowd was already in a stir.

Is the first round of the assessment directly testing the top-grade Spirit Children?

Doesn't that mean the true transmission assessment has begun, and these fifteen top-grade children are vying for five true transmission positions!

The four elders, as well as... the sect leader, have a total of five true transmission slots!

Li Che sat below, his palms clenching involuntarily, and he couldn't help but feel... a bit nervous.

Even though he had a good idea in his heart, and had confidence in Xi Xi's talents and abilities, he still couldn't help but feel nervous.

As a father, he couldn't suppress his emotions, watching his daughter standing tall on the stage.

Looking at the tall and robust children around her, Li Che's daughter, small and petite, glanced around, seemingly filled with trepidation...

Li Che's heart began to tremble, feeling the urge to bring his daughter down from the stage.

Zhang Ya, unaware, grabbed Li Che's big hand, her own hands sweaty, visibly anxious.

"Husband, will Xi Xi be able to enter the true transmission?"

"I heard that entering the true transmission and becoming an inner disciple are two different worlds. Entering the inner discipleship and then aspiring for the true transmission is not easy."

Zhang Ya's anxiety was evident, her words increasing in number.

Li Che reassured her.

"Rest assured, Xi Xi's performance won't disappoint."

"After all, she's our daughter."

Next to them, Lao Chen was so nervous that his whole body trembled, more anxious than when he fought mountain bandits in his early days. He couldn't stop rubbing his hands and drinking from his gourd.

Mu Baba, however, showed no signs of nervousness, constantly rubbing Lu Chi's big head, leaving Lu Chi speechless.

But facing the love from his master, Lu Chi could only endure with a pursed mouth.

On the wooden platform, Elder Zhang Qingzheng stood with a bitter face, like a bitter lotus, in front of all the children.

Suddenly, the fifteen Spirit Children stood straight, not daring to breathe.

Xi Xi almost covered her face, feeling embarrassed.

Zhang Qingzheng stood with his hands behind his back, his face almost frozen in a bitter smile. How come these little ones still haven't sensed the kindness in him?

"The first round of the assessment is the true transmission selection, which consists of three parts."

"The first part is a contest on the platform. There are five platforms set up on the wooden platform, and I have fifteen origami papers here. Each of you will draw one, and five will stand on the platforms, while the rest will challenge them. The winners will continue to defend their platforms."

"Those who remain on the platforms at the end of this round will be the winners of the first part of the true transmission assessment."

"The second part will test your innate divine power. Using the Sect's Gazing Technique, we will assess your divine essence and purple qi, grading you as A, A-, or B."

"A, A-, and B grades."

"As for the third part, we'll discuss it after the first two parts."

Zhang Qingzheng's eyebrows drooped, like bitter yellow threads.

He looked at the fifteen top-grade Spirit Children on the platform and smiled.

The fifteen Spirit Children were intimidated by Zhang Qingzheng's bitter face, standing straight and shouting in acknowledgment.

Then, Zhang Qingzheng threw the fifteen origami papers in his hand.

Invisible energy surged, and the fifteen origami papers seemed to be enclosed in transparent spheres, flying chaotically.

"Each of you will draw one paper to know if you're a defender or a challenger."

Zhang Qingzheng said.

Xi Xi curiously watched the origami paper floating in front of her, reaching out with her plump little hand and grabbing one.

The raging air current blew onto her fleshy arm, making her flesh tremble, and she felt itchy.

After taking the origami paper, Xi Xi curiously opened it.

Then, she looked puzzled, as there was a character on the paper that she didn't recognize.

He scanned it, his eyes slightly narrowed, and he shook his head imperceptibly.

A three-year-old Spirit Child becoming a defender, would likely become a target for the others, seen as an easy opponent.

But the rules of the true transmission assessment are such...

A three-year-old daring to compete for the true transmission must show some skills.

The elder with a bitter face stood upright, his Confucian robe fluttering, and spoke with a deep voice.

"The first round's defenders are Huang Sixiang, Qin Fenghuo, Hai Chaosheng, Gongyang Xiu..."

"Li Nuanxi."

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(End of Chapter)

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