Chapter 118: The Daughter's First Performance, A Three-Year-Old Spirit Child Guards the Arena

Chapter 118: The Daughter's First Performance, A Three-Year-Old Spirit Child Guards the Arena

February 21st.

Vernal Equinox, a fine drizzle.

The road from Golden Light City to the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect's Branch Sect was completely congested, with carriages attempting to overtake each other on the narrow sections, none willing to yield.

Inside a carriage.

Li Che, Zhang Ya, Mu Po Po, and Xixi were seated together. Xixi, full of life and energy, was in high spirits.

She didn't seem to find the Sect Examination a tense affair at all, instead feeling like it was a spring outing, filled with curiosity and a desire to explore new things.

Through the carriage window, she gazed at the dense procession of vehicles outside, as well as numerous parents leading their children on foot, constantly exclaiming in surprise.

"Daddy, there are so many people!"

This was the first time Xixi had seen so many people, and she felt amazed. She never knew there could be so many people in the world!

"This year's examination does indeed have significantly more participants than previous years," Mu Po Po said affectionately, looking at Xixi with a hint of reluctance in her eyes.

After today, Xixi would surely enter the Divine Sect, and the days she would spend at home would become fewer as she resided on the towering green peak of the Sect.

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

"Li Qingshan said that this year's examination seems to be related to the Four Imperial Anomalous Temple in the middle of the Nine Dragon River," Mu Po Po explained. "While it involves risks, it also presents a great opportunity."

Zhang Ya's eyes revealed her concern, "Is it related to the Four Imperial Anomalous Temple? That's too dangerous, isn't it?"

"But Xixi can't not go to the Divine Sect..."

Zhang Ya's eyes were filled with hesitation as she turned to look at Li Che, seeking help and reassurance.

"Don't worry," Li Che reassured her with a smile. "The Divine Sect must have its reasons for opening the Four Imperial Anomalous Temple to test these children. They must have their methods."

Li Qingshan had mentioned that the Branch Sect had deployed the Hell Lotus Fire and Light Wheel, one of the Four Imperial Divine Weapons!

It was clear that they attached great importance to this matter, and by doing so, they demonstrated their confidence and experience in handling such affairs.

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

She trusted Li Che unconditionally.

"This carriage is completely stuck, and we can't move forward for half a day... Why don't we walk instead?"

Li Che glanced at the sky and suggested.

If they got stuck in traffic and missed the appointed time, it would be disastrous.

Li Che wasn't the only one with this idea; others in the carriages also got off, either leading or carrying their children, and headed towards the Divine Sect's mountain gate.

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

Li Che carried Xixi, letting her hold a small oil-paper umbrella, and they all got off the carriage, taking in the spring breeze and rain as if on a spring outing.

After getting off the carriage, their pace quickened.

Soon, they passed through the bustling area of Golden Light City and arrived at the mountain gate of the Divine Sect.

On both sides, the lawns stretched out, lush and green, swaying in the spring breeze and adorned with translucent raindrops.

A prominent green peak rose into the sky, piercing the firmament. Even from a distance, one could see this peak behind the majestic city gate, as if the entire Golden Light City was built around it.

But as they drew closer, they realized that the peak was surrounded by an incredibly vast area.

Looking up at the peak, it towered majestically, lush with greenery, and amidst the mist and rain, wisps of smoke curled up from the mountain's midsection.

...

On the banks of the Nine Dragon River, a mountain peak abruptly rose from the ground, serving as the main peak of the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect's branch in Yunzhou, the Jin Guang Peak.

Surrounding the Jin Guang Peak were numerous smaller peaks, but they were not as eye-catching, completely overshadowed by the grandeur of the Jin Guang Peak.

These peaks were the mountain abodes of the Phantom Realm Cultivators within the Branch Sect.

For instance, Li Qingshan, possessing Phantom Realm combat power, was qualified to establish a mountain abode, named Zheng Lei Peak.

After crossing a stretch of green grass, they reached the foot of Jin Guang Peak, where a massive white jade archway stood.

In front of the archway, a vast expanse of green grass was occupied by a gigantic and exquisite wooden platform constructed from timber.

Around the platform, various top-tier forces from Golden Light City had staked their claims.

The Five Great Clans—the Qin, Gong, Hai, Shangguan, and Gongyang Clans—all attached great importance to this event, sending not only their clan leaders but also their Divine Sage Patriarchs.

Qin Di Kun, the Divine Sage Patriarch of the Qin Clan, was present at the Qin Clan's platform, his eyes half-closed as he sat in a high position.

By his side were the clan head, Qin Cang, and the second-generation figures, Qin Hao Nan and Qin Lei Xiao, who were of the same generation as the deceased Qin Yuqing.

The Five Great Sects also sent representatives.

Strong cultivators from the Jin Lie Sect, Bamboo Grove Academy, Tide Watching Pavilion, and Sand Scorpion Grove had all arrived. While they didn't send their Divine Sage Patriarchs like the Five Great Clans, they still had Phantom Realm experts among them.

The Black Serpent Gang and the Beggar Gang, two of the three major gangs, also dispatched their experts, with their respective gang leaders in attendance.

Despite the Divine Sage Patriarchs' aura being somewhat restrained, the subtle emanations and clashes between them still created a terrifying atmosphere that left people breathless.

Li Che, carrying Xixi, arrived at the center of the venue, where the space below the wooden platform was already packed with people.

Suddenly, Lu Chi emerged from the crowd, his large head bobbing up. Dressed in the inner sect disciple's attire of the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect, a striking green color, he attracted attention, and many people instinctively made way for him.

"Uncle Li, Aunt Zhang, and Xixi, come this way, follow me!"

Lu Chi waved excitedly.

Li Che knew they were receiving special treatment, but he didn't care about the onlookers. With a gentle smile, he used his concealed blood energy to clear a path through the crowd, leading his wife, daughter, Mu Po Po, his uncle's family, and Old Chen to follow Lu Chi.

As soon as Lu Chi left, Shangguan Qinghong started jumping around 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 Chuanying, who were nearby, couldn't help but laugh. "I didn't expect Brother Li to have people inside the Divine Sect as well."

"That's Lu Chi, a disciple of Li Qingshan. He was one of the three who resonated with the Temple Deity in the previous session, with a resonance rate of six and a half. He's the only one among the three who still insists on cultivating the Wrathful Third Prince's Divine Nature Law. He cultivates the Third Prince's Divine Nature, aiming to forge the Six Ministries' Divine Foundation of the Wrathful Third Prince. He's following in his teacher's footsteps."

Hai Chuanying, from the Hai family of the Five Great Clans, was quite knowledgeable and introduced them.

"Brother Li's daughter, I believe she's one of the three top-grade Spirit Children under the thirteen cities governed by the Capital City, right?" Liu He said, thinking of something.

"Yes, Li Nuanyi, a top-grade Spirit Child... But the chances of her receiving the True Transmission are slim. She'll probably have to enter the Inner Sect first and then slowly strive for the True Transmission. She's still too young."

"The Five Great Clans, as well as numerous small and medium-sized families within the Capital City, have brought out their Spirit Children. I've heard that this year, there are more than fifteen top-grade Spirit Children, but the Divine Sect's True Transmission only accepts five."

Hai Chuanying spoke calmly.

Liu He sighed and shook his head. "It's not easy. After what happened in Thunder City, Brother Li still managed to bring his top-grade Spirit Child's daughter to the Capital City. He must have gone through a lot of hardships..."

"Being able to enter the Inner Sect of the Divine Sect is already quite an achievement."

Shangguan Qinghong, who was listening nearby, immediately became displeased. She clenched her fists and said, "My little sister Xixi will definitely become a True Transmission disciple! You have no idea how powerful she is!"

Hai Chuanying scoffed, "A three-year-old kid? At an age where they can't even control their bladder, how powerful can they be?"

"The top-grade Spirit Child from my Hai family, Hai Chaosheng, was only brought out by the Divine Sage Patriarch after much reluctance. If it weren't for the Temple Deity's resonance in the Anomalous Temple of the Wrathful Third Prince, the Patriarch would have continued to keep him hidden and personally instruct him."

Shangguan Qinghong glanced at Hai Chuanying. You don't understand the value of a three-year-old who has completed Bone Tempering.

She didn't want to announce it in advance, letting these insignificant people...

Wait and see how Xixi will shock you!

...

...

At the stone steps of the Divine Sect's mountain gate, beneath the stone archway.

Chairs were set up, occupied by figures with fluttering sleeves, their bodies seemingly blending into the spring breeze. As the fine rain poured down, it was twisted by an invisible force before it could land on their bodies.

"This session is indeed lively... There are so many people here. I'm afraid all the gifted Spirit Children in Golden Light Prefecture have been brought here."

The old man in the main seat, with white hair and beard, gently stroked his beard and looked at the dense crowd with a gentle gaze.

This person was none other than Nan Li Huo, the sect leader of the Heavenly Origin Divine Sect's Yunzhou Branch Sect. His cultivation was profound and unfathomable.

"Of course, it's going to be lively. After all... The Temple of the Third Prince is opening up the Temple Deity's resonance this time. It's likely that it won't open again for another twenty years. Missing this opportunity is like missing out on the chance to obtain the Temple Deity's inheritance for the next twenty years."

Li Qingshan lazily sat in his chair and spoke.

"Li Qingshan, you're quite ruthless. As soon as you returned to the Capital City, you started taking action and forced out an Eight Extremes Corpse Deity Envoy from the Corpse Deity Sect. You almost caused a major disaster!"

As soon as Li Qingshan finished speaking, an old man in Confucian scholar's attire, who was not far away, started scolding.

Li Qingshan immediately became displeased. "What do you mean by causing a major disaster? Are you not clear about the nature of the Corpse Deity Sect's envoys? You let them roam freely within the Capital City, persuading and corrupting various powers..."

"That's the real disaster!"

"Do you not know the situation in Jizhou? It has already fallen into the hands of the Corpse Deity Sect! The common people have become tools for the Corpse Deity Sect to refine death energy, and they die in large numbers... Do you want Golden Light Prefecture to fall into the same state?"

The Confucian scholar's face turned red. "Of course, the Corpse Deity Sect should be stopped, but we need to be strategic. You guys openly hunted down the Corpse Deity Sect's envoys in the city. The Master, the Supervisor, the Chief, and the Sect Leader, along with us Divine Form Elders, are all trapped in the Deceptive Tower and unable to return."

"What if they decide to go all out and start a large-scale massacre without any regard for consequences... How many people would die?"

Li Qingshan slightly lifted his eyelids. "That's the incompetence of the Divine Form Elders in the city."

A red-robed woman in the distance opened her eyes, and flames flickered in her gaze as she spoke in a gentle tone.

"Li Qingshan, are you saying that I, Zhu Hong Dou, am incompetent?"

Li Qingshan immediately closed his mouth.

This woman had been observing the Eight-Armed Hell Lotus Wrathful Third Prince for sixty years. She was a fierce woman, and her persistence and grudge were evident. It would be better for him to say less.

The sect leader, Nan Li Huo, gently raised his hand to calm the situation. "Alright, the Corpse Deity Sect and other evil cults should be eliminated wherever they are found. What Brother Li did was the right thing."

"However, his methods were indeed quite harsh. Be more cautious in the future."

"Elder Zhang, as a Jinshi graduate, you are suitable to be the examiner for this sect examination. Please be more serious and set a good example for the younger generation. Don't always have a sour face and scare the children."

The old man in Confucian scholar's attire was one of the four Divine Form Elders of the Divine Sect, Zhang Qing Zheng. At this moment, he bowed and acknowledged the request, then sat down and rubbed his bitter-lotus-like face, trying to force a smile.

Unfortunately, it only made him look more frightening.

Li Qingshan glanced at him and almost laughed out loud.

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

The sect leader, Nan Li Huo, solemnly glanced at Li Qingshan, causing Li Qingshan to hold back his laughter.

"Clang!"

The red-robed elder, Zhu Hong Dou, stood up and walked to the huge black gong standing behind the archway. She gripped the mallet and gently struck it.

In an instant, the taut strings vibrated, shaking the black drum and creating a startling thunderous sound!

The sound waves rippled like ripples, stirring up a gust of wind that instantly spread across the entire venue, causing the entire audience to fall silent.

"Lingnan Circuit, Heavenly Origin Divine Sect, Yunzhou Branch Sect, conducting the sect's disciple selection examination."

"Begin!"

...

...

The fine rain fell gently, and the spring breeze blew softly.

In front of the Divine Sect's mountain gate, a massive black drum was struck, creating sound waves that resembled the surging waters of the Nine Dragon River, rippling outwards and calming the surrounding crowd of parents and children.

The black drum reverberated three times, and the voice of a stunning woman in red echoed throughout every corner. Despite the distance of several hundred zhang, her voice was still crystal clear.

Li Che, holding Xixi, sat in the prepared spot on the left side of the wooden platform constructed in front of the Divine Sect's mountain gate.

Several wooden chairs were arranged here, and Li Che's group, led by Lu Chi, had just taken their seats.

In addition to Li Che's family, there were several figures dressed in luxurious clothing, holding children, and sitting quietly in their chairs.

When Li Che's family appeared, their gazes all turned towards them. A few women in glamorous attire frowned upon seeing the plainly dressed Zhang Ya.

Judging by their clothing, it was clear that Li Che's family was not of high status.

Why were they sitting with people of such a different caliber? Li Che was low-key, and few in the capital city knew of him. Most only knew that he was a woodcarver who had survived the sacrifice of Thunderbolt City.

Even fewer knew that Li Che had joined the Heaven-Enraged Bureau as a third-rank guest minister.

However, Li Che's group was brought by Lu Chi, and although these well-dressed people felt dissatisfied, they endured and refrained from provoking them.

Li Che was aware of the surrounding gazes but didn't mind.

"Uncle Li, this spot was specifically reserved for you by the teacher. These people in luxurious clothing are from the thirteen prefectures under the capital city, and those two Superior Spirit Children are among them."

Lu Chi whispered as he leaned towards Li Che.

Li Che, holding Xixi, found a seat and sat down. His eyebrows twitched as he thought of that... the Superior Spirit Child who, according to Li Qingshan, was even more highly regarded than Xixi.

"Huang Si Xiang?" Li Che asked softly.

Lu Chi immediately pointed to a little boy sitting about three or four positions away.

The boy followed a woman with an impressive figure, behaving obediently. He had a rare crew cut, and his skin was a bronze color. Despite being only five or six years old, he exuded a restrained and sharp aura.

As if sensing Li Che's gaze, Huang Si Xiang turned his head and immediately fixed his eyes on Xixi. Seeing Xixi's tender and adorable appearance as a three-year-old, he disdainfully raised his chin and averted his gaze.

"A mere three-year-old, nothing to worry about." Huang Si Xiang instantly judged.

Xixi felt disdained and became annoyed. "Daddy, he's looking at me!"

Li Che rubbed her little head. "Later, you can fight back. Have you learned what Daddy taught you?"

"I've learned it!" Xixi clenched her little fists and blinked her big, watery eyes proudly.

Lu Chi, sitting next to them, was confused. What little cat?

What had Xixi been learning behind his back during this time?

"That person is from the thirteenth city, the other Superior Spirit Child besides Xixi and Huang Si Xiang. He is Liu Changqing, a genius from the Liu family in Eastern Ring City. The teacher's evaluation is that he is not as good as Xixi."

Upon hearing this, Li Che nodded.

"How old are they?"

"Huang Si Xiang is six, and Liu Changqing is seven."

Lu Chi recited their ages as if they were precious treasures.

After chatting for a while, they fell silent as a woman in a fiery red skirt slowly walked to the edge of the wooden platform. She held a book containing the names of Spirit Children selected from various cities and regions.

"This person is one of the sect's four elders, Elder Zhu Hong Dou, a Divine Sage Cultivator!" Lu Chi tilted his big head and introduced her to Xixi and Li Che.

However, as soon as Lu Chi finished speaking, Zhu Hong Dou's sharp gaze swept over and landed on him.

"Nonsense! This elder is stunningly beautiful, a peerless beauty, like the eighteen-year-old flower. Don't speak ill of her." Li Che patted Lu Chi's head and said solemnly.

He was willing to flatter her for the sake of his daughter, even if it meant going against his conscience.

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

"Now, the Spirit Children whose names are called will come up on stage."

Zhu Hong Dou seemed to have heard Li Che's insincere praise, but she couldn't help but smirk. However, it must be said that pleasant words are pleasing to the ear.

"Xianghuan City, Superior Spirit Child, Huang Si Xiang!"

As the words fell, Huang Si Xiang, who had been sitting obediently beside the woman with an impressive figure, suddenly stood up, raised his head, and his bronze-colored skin seemed to be oiled in the spring rain.

He lifted his head high, and as the first one to be called, he walked forward with pride.

He, Huang Si Xiang, would forever be superior.

"Thunderbolt City, Superior Spirit Child, Li Warm Xi!"

Zhu Hong Dou read from the book again.

"Daddy, I think they called my name!" Xixi exclaimed excitedly.

Li Che put her down, smoothed out the wrinkles on her small practice clothes, and encouraged her gently. "Go ahead, Daddy is cheering for you!"

He patted Xixi and then cast two Chess Sage chess pieces to ensure her safety.

Xixi nodded and ran towards the wooden platform with quick steps.

The three-year-old Xixi, standing next to Huang Si Xiang on the wooden platform, looked much shorter.

Below, there was an immediate buzz of voices, and many even chuckled.

"A three-year-old top-grade Spirit Child has excellent talent, but..."

"It's a disadvantage for such a young child to participate in the examination. It's better to cultivate them for another year and have them participate at four years old for a safer bet."

"She's from Thunderbolt City, right? I heard that Thunderbolt City was bewitched by a Corpse Deity Sect demon, holding the Thousand Infant Ritual, and many Spirit Children died. It's not easy for this child to have survived and come to the Capital City..."

The conversations below continued without end.

However, it was rare for a three-year-old top-grade Spirit Child to become a True Transmission competitor. Most likely, they would become an inner sect disciple, be cultivated for a year, and then see if they could be selected by the elders for promotion to True Transmission.

Zhu Hong Dou looked at Xixi with interest, and then continued to call out names.

"Eastern Ring City, top-grade Spirit Child, Liu Chang Qing."

"Qin Family, Qin Feng Huo..."

Soon, a total of fifteen names were called, and on the wooden platform, fifteen children stood in formation.

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

Xixi stood among them, a head shorter, small in stature, and her aura was completely suppressed.

Xixi didn't mind, blinking her big eyes as she began to examine the boys and girls standing beside her. She looked longer at the pretty ones and quickly averted her gaze from the ugly ones, unable to bear looking at them for even a second.

Down below, the crowd had already become restless.

The first round would directly begin with the examination of the top-grade Spirit Children?

That meant the True Transmission examination had officially started, and these fifteen top-grade Spirit Children were competing for the five True Transmission positions!

The four elders, and... the sect master!

A total of five True Transmission spots!

Li Che sat below, his palms clenching involuntarily, and he had to admit... he was also feeling nervous.

Even though he had already predicted the outcome and had confidence in Xixi's talent and strength, he couldn't help but feel anxious.

This was the emotional exposure of a father, uncontrollable, as he watched his own daughter standing on the stage, so lively.

Looking at the tall and robust Spirit Children around her, his own daughter seemed so small and short, looking around with a hint of fear in her eyes...

Li Che's heart couldn't help but tremble, and he had the urge to take his daughter down from the stage.

Zhang Ya had unknowingly grabbed Li Che's large hand, her own hand sweaty, visibly nervous.

"Husband, will Xixi be able to enter True Transmission?"

"I heard that entering True Transmission and becoming an inner sect disciple are two different worlds. It's very difficult to be promoted to True Transmission from an inner sect disciple."

Zhang Ya was extremely nervous, and her words suddenly increased.

Li Che comforted her for a while.

"Don't worry, Xixi will perform well."

"After all, she's our daughter."

Beside them, Old Chen was so nervous that his whole body trembled, more so than when he was escaping from danger and killing bandits. He kept rubbing his hands and drinking from his gourd.

Mu Po, on the other hand, didn't show any signs of nervousness; she was just rubbing Lu Chi's head, making him speechless.

But facing the care from his master's wife, Lu Chi could only endure it with a pouting mouth.

On the wooden platform, Elder Zhang Qing Zheng, who was in charge of hosting this examination, had a face like a bitter lotus as he walked in front of all the children.

Suddenly, the fifteen Spirit Children all held their breath.

Xixi almost covered her eyes; his face was so stinky.

Zhang Qing Zheng stood with his hands behind his back, feeling like his face was about to freeze from smiling. Why couldn't these little ones feel the kindness and amiability he was exuding?

"The first round of the sect examination is for True Transmission."

"The True Transmission examination consists of three parts. The first part is a duel."

"There are five arenas set up on the wooden platform, and I have fifteen folded papers here. You will each draw one, and five of you will be chosen as defenders, while the rest will be attackers. The winner will continue to defend, and the one who remains on the arena in the end will be the winner of the first round."

"The second round will test your divine nature and talent. Using the Heavenly Origin Divine Insight Art, we will assess your divine nature's purple qi and give scores accordingly."

"The scores will be divided into three tiers: top, middle, and lower."

"As for the third round, we'll talk about it after the first two rounds are completed."

Zhang Qing Zheng's two eyebrows drooped like the bitter yellow threads of a lotus.

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

The fifteen Spirit Children, intimidated by Zhang Qing Zheng's stinky face, quickly stood straight and shouted in acknowledgment.

Then, Zhang Qing Zheng suddenly threw out the fifteen folded papers in his hand.

An invisible force field enveloped the papers, causing them to fly around in a chaotic manner.

"Each of you will draw one paper to determine if you are a defender or an attacker."

Zhang Qing Zheng said.

Xixi curiously looked at the dancing folded papers floating in front of her and stretched out her chubby little hand to grab one.

A powerful gust of air struck her fleshy arm, making her flesh tremble, and it felt itchy and comfortable.

After taking the paper, Xixi curiously opened it.

Then, her eyes widened in surprise, for there was a word on the paper that she couldn't recognize.

She scanned it, and her eyes slightly narrowed, and she subtly shook her head.

A three-year-old Spirit Child becoming a defender would undoubtedly be seen as an easy target, becoming the object of attack for the other Spirit Children.

Unfortunately, the rules of the True Transmission examination were like this...

A three-year-old daring to compete for True Transmission must show their mettle.

With a face like a bitter lotus, his Confucian robe fluttering, Zhang Qing Zheng spoke in a deep voice.

"The first round's defenders are Huang Si Xiang, Qin Feng Huo, Hai Chao Sheng, Gong Yang Xiu..."

"And Li Warm Xi."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end