Chapter 274: Xi Xi's Innate Nature, Protecting Her Parents, This World Only Needs One Xi Xi

Chapter 274: Xi Xi's Innate Nature, Protecting Her Parents, This World Only Needs One Xi Xi

The sky darkened as rain poured down, washing away the thick scent of blood with its icy droplets.

A pale figure shimmered, emitting a faint glow like the twinkling stars in the night sky.

Li Che radiated brilliance, his eyes filled with compassion. He reached out and gently placed his hand on Xi Xi's tiny head.

In the illusion created by the Dao essence, Xi Xi appeared as a one-year-old child, small and delicate.

Li Che's memory of Xi Xi being this small was already fading.

But this time, through the transmission of will via the Flying Thunder Chess Piece, Li Che witnessed Xi Xi's childhood once again.

Xi Xi sat on the ground, looking up as if gazing at the light.

Her pupils were pitch-black, like an abyssal pool, seemingly capable of pulling one's soul into its depths.

Li Che observed her calmly, meeting her gaze.

Xi Xi's eyes began to shimmer.

"Daddy..."

Xi Xi murmured, her mouth pouting in distress.

Li Che rubbed her head gently.

"Daddy is always here."

Li Che felt a twinge of heartache.

The Mind Gate Test significantly impacted Xi Xi, as a five-year-old child's heart was still so pure and innocent.

"If you're tired or don't want to continue the test, give up... Daddy can always protect you. As long as Daddy is here, you don't have to worry about anything."

Li Che tenderly rubbed her head, his eyes filled with compassion.

The darkness in Xi Xi's eyes began to fade, as if the awakened power was being suppressed by her own will.

The churning black pool beneath her calmed, and the exotic black patterns on her body started to recede.

Xi Xi's eyes cleared, and she stood up, embracing Li Che tightly.

"Daddy... Xi Xi thought she'd never see you and Mommy again."

"Although Xi Xi knows it was all an illusion, she still feels angry and hurt..."

"Xi Xi wants to become stronger to protect you and Mommy! Whoever dares harm you, Xi Xi will kill them!"

Xi Xi lifted her head, her small face filled with determination.

Perhaps, in this moment, Xi Xi truly understood what she needed to protect.

Her innate nature was pure; she didn't want to leave her parents' side, nor did she want them to get hurt. This was the obsession in the heart of five-year-old Xi Xi, her deepest thoughts and desires!

"Xi Xi will pass the test! She will become strong!"

"When Xi Xi becomes strong, she can protect Daddy and won't let him get hurt!"

Xi Xi spoke with utmost sincerity.

Li Che, glowing with light, couldn't help but smile.

He rubbed Xi Xi's head again.

"Then Daddy will always be watching over you."

"And see how strong my Xi Xi can become!"

Xi Xi, who had been upset for a long time, finally broke into a brilliant smile, like the sun emerging from behind the clouds, dispelling the darkness and bringing warmth to the world.

In the City of Flying Thunder, at the City Lord's Mansion.

The rain continued to pour, pounding on the roof, creating a dense explosion of blood-red flowers.

Xi Xi stood up, clenching her fist. From her left arm, countless black flames surged forth, rapidly swirling and burning with intense heat, instantly evaporating the falling raindrops!

Xi Xi took a step forward, and sparkling embers leaped out, also black in color.

The patterns spreading from the Nine Netherworld began to fade, but the residual power they imbued in Xi Xi persisted.

Xi Xi felt this power, as if sensing another majestic presence within her.

"Hmph! Xi Xi is Xi Xi, and this world only needs one Xi Xi!"

"Xi Xi... is the beloved child of Daddy and Mommy!"

Boom! Xi Xi clenched her fist, the black flames coiling around it like a mutated purple flame spear. A Hell Lotus Wind Fire Golden Light Wheel spun rapidly at her side.

Supported by the black lightning, Xi Xi shot out of the City Lord's Mansion.

Outside the mansion, numerous figures appeared, shrouded in thick death and corpse energy. Among them was a child-like figure, the Spirit Infant Law Master, laughing maniacally.

Crack! Crack!

The entire City of Flying Thunder began to sacrifice itself. The ground shattered, and the bricks of the City Lord's Mansion crumbled.

Li Che had witnessed this scene once before, and now it was happening again!

The Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations Spirit Infant Strange Temple emerged directly from the City Lord's Mansion, its divine energy raging like tentacles, wildly flailing.

Surrounding them, the Spirit Infant Law Master, dressed in adult robes, floated in the air, making a rustling sound.

Xi Xi rushed out of the City Lord's Mansion.

And before her was this formidable lineup!

Xi Xi held the spear diagonally, standing on a single Hell Lotus Wind Fire Golden Light Wheel, hovering high in the sky. She tilted her chin, her little belly protruding, looking down at the evil disciples of the Spirit Infant Sect below.

With a shake of the spear, the wind and rain exploded!

Xi Xi transformed into a streak of light and charged towards them.

Li Che, glowing with light, followed behind her.

Xi Xi was killing.

He watched as Xi Xi killed.

If Xi Xi wanted to kill, he would accompany her.

...

...

In the Minor Heavenly Realm.

The misty fog continued to swirl.

Standing in the center of the circular white jade staircase, the Founding Patriarch's Divine Statue trembled slightly.

Its eyelids fluttered, and the next moment, the statue's eyes opened once more.

The light emanating from the statue seemed dimmer, as if half of it had been devoured by some colossal entity.

Pain and confusion surfaced on the Founding Patriarch's Divine Statue.

Among these children...

There was a Swallowing Beast!

It was hard to endure!

The Dao essence absorbed from the tea egg had been returned so quickly?

As expected, there was no free lunch in this world.

He even suspected...

That the tea egg's shell was part of their opponent's plan...

But the Founding Patriarch's Divine Statue scanned each child sitting on the white jade staircase, their faces filled with various emotions.

Some showed pain, others madness, despair, or hysteria.

The Mind Gate Test challenged their commitment to their innate nature, which was crucial for these children.

By stabilizing their innate nature, they would find it easier to cultivate the Divine Embryo and shape their soul's heaven when the time came.

Even in the Divine Tribulation Realm, facing the terrifying Heart Demon Tribulation, one can possess the ability to resist.

This time, the three stages of the test were designed to select a direct disciple for Lu Tai Bai. Lu Tai Bai intended to nurture this disciple as the future Young Sect Master, so the tests were particularly strict, especially the Heart Nature Test.

Lu Tai Bai needed to determine the heart nature of his future disciple and based on that, he would formulate a cultivation plan.

Boom!

The smoke surrounding the Jade Steps began to gradually thin out.

It was evident that the Heart Nature Test was also coming to a gradual close.

Beneath the White Jade Archway.

The spring rain fell in a steady drizzle.

Lu Tai Bai's silver hair danced wildly in the muffled sound of spring thunder, and as he slowly retracted his gaze towards the sky, a brilliant sword light seemed to flicker incessantly in his pupils.

"Heaven and Earth Anomaly..."

"It seems this is not just an ordinary Heart Nature Test."

"Perhaps this time... Lu Tai Bai will take on an extraordinary disciple."

Lu Tai Bai leaned back in his chair, a faint smile lifting the corners of his lips.

That's good...

The Heavenly Origin Divine Sect indeed needed a disciple to uphold its reputation.

The only unknown was the identity of this disciple.

Lu Tai Bai's gaze pierced through the Heaven-Earth Minor Heavenly Realm, looking at one child after another, each with a unique expression.

Although they were very young, they seemed to harbor different aspirations.

Suddenly, Lu Tai Bai's gaze fell upon Xi Xi.

He was slightly taken aback.

Xi Xi, who had previously shown signs of suffering, now had her eyebrows relaxed and the corners of her lips lifted in a brilliant and happy arc.

It was as if...

She had encountered something in the Heart Nature Test that made her extremely happy.

Among the many children struggling with pain and agony.

Xi Xi's radiant smile stood out prominently.

After his initial surprise, Lu Tai Bai's lips also curled up in a faint smile.

"Is it you?"

"Little girl..."

Lu Tai Bai couldn't help but feel a bit of anticipation for this new disciple.

If it was indeed Xi Xi...

He could already imagine his wife's joyful cheers.

Thinking of his wife, Lu Tai Bai's eyelids drooped slightly, his silver hair cascading down, covering the faint smile on his lips.

...

...

Li Che leaned back in the grandmaster's chair, his ink-black robe gently swaying in the spring breeze.

His jet-black and robust hair fluttered, with a few strands sticking to his face.

His eyes flickered, and deep within, it was as if the Heaven and Earth Chessboard was reflecting and intertwining, with half of his consciousness entering the chessboard and the other half maintaining awareness in reality.

His third eye on the forehead slightly trembled, as if the scenes were being rewound and reflected within the Heaven and Earth Chessboard.

Through the Flying Thunderbolt City, Li Che retraced the illusions Xi Xi had encountered, observing everything clearly, his eyes gradually becoming fixed.

It was as if it were another life. If Li Che hadn't awakened the Dao Fruit due to Xi Xi's birth, perhaps... everything she experienced in the illusion would have been Li Che's own fate and destiny.

With the power of the Dao Essence, he foresaw a life, as if retracing the disasters Xi Xi would encounter in her life. In that disaster, Li Che and Zhang Wei had already perished.

Due to sadness and anger, it was as if Xi Xi's soul had awakened another will from the depths, which Li Che interpreted as the will of her past life awakening.

"Xi Xi's past life?"

Li Che's fingers lightly tapped on the armrest of the chair, his eyebrows furrowing slightly.

This was...

Unexpectedly, this Heart Nature Test had inadvertently awakened Xi Xi's past life will?

Because of extreme anger, the will that had been dormant in the depths of her soul was awakened, as if... releasing a monster.

If Li Che didn't intervene and allowed that will to control Xi Xi's body, she might act crazily.

His fingers clenched tightly, and the armrest of the chair seemed to bear the marks of his grip, almost crushed into powder.

"Xi Xi's will hidden in her soul?"

"In that case... is Xi Xi still my Xi Xi? Is she still my obedient and precious daughter?"

Li Che's eyelids drooped slightly.

It seemed that he needed to help Xi Xi suppress this will's revival. This will might be powerful, and it felt like a will that had awakened from the depths of the Nine Nethers, filled with a sense of pressure as if mountains were collapsing. Such a rank of pressure, even in the Divine Temple, would be considered extremely high.

Therefore, Li Che couldn't help but feel the need to help Xi Xi's will, even if it was Xi Xi's soul's will, or perhaps considered Xi Xi's second will...

Li Che only needed a pure, romantic, and carefree Xi Xi.

That will needed sadness and killing to stimulate...

How much suffering would Xi Xi have to endure for this will to appear?

Li Che didn't want Xi Xi to suffer! He pondered how to suppress this will.

At the very least, he wouldn't let this will affect Xi Xi.

As a father, it was only natural to worry about his daughter.

Su Wuming cherished Su Li, his son, but unfortunately, Su Wuming died at the hands of Huang Jianjiu.

Perhaps it was this hatred that gave Su Li a chance to stand out in this Mind Gate test.

The spring rain fell quietly on the top of the carriage, creating a rustling sound, as serene as ever.

Su Dao Ling was working inside the carriage. He lacked experience as the head of the family, so he processed matters slowly. With the Su family massacred, there were too many issues for Su Dao Ling to handle.

Suddenly, a commotion came from outside the carriage.

"A divine child has awakened, and the first to awaken... means they are eliminated!" someone shouted.

According to the order of awakening, it was possible to determine which divine child would remain in the Mind Gate test.

After the Mind Gate test, there was the Temple Guardian test, and only three divine children could enter this stage.

This meant that once they entered the Temple Guardian test, the final assessment would bring them one step closer to becoming a disciple of Lu Tai Bai, the fifth-ranked figure on the Divine Talent Scroll.

Furthermore...

Becoming Lu Tai Bai's final personal disciple, or even the young master of the Heavenly Origin Sect, was the most important goal! For a moment, Su Dao Ling felt disinterested in the matters at hand. He put down his work, lifted the curtain, and stepped out of the carriage, his gaze falling upon the white jade archway below. A sword light raged and intertwined, forming a light curtain.

Within the light curtain, fifteen divine children sat in a circular formation on the white jade staircase, resembling dragon bones. They began to awaken one by one.

The first to awaken was Yue Linghu.

Yue Linghu opened his eyes, his mind still a bit muddled. He was still immersed in the vivid illusion constructed by the Dao Essence.

He couldn't even tell the difference between the illusion and reality.

He looked around, and his heart suddenly tightened.

Even Ao Qingqing... was still closing her eyes, tears streaming down her face, filled with pain and struggle.

She was still struggling in the Mind Gate test...

This meant that in this Mind Gate test, Ao Qingqing had outperformed him, Yue Linghu.

"Am I the first to be eliminated?" Yue Linghu trembled, feeling lost.

The Grandmaster's Divine Statue in the center seemed to come to life, its gaze sweeping over him instantly.

Yue Linghu felt the world spin.

The next moment, he was teleported out of the Quantum Pocket Universe, landing on his butt on the wet surface of the white jade archway.

The cold rain soaked his clothes and pants.

Countless gazes fell upon him, and Yue Linghu felt his body turn icy.

He walked down the white jade staircase, his spirit broken, and returned to the carriage.

Yue Weizheng lifted the curtain, not showing much disappointment.

"Not bad."

"It's fine, I just wanted you to try. I didn't have high hopes for you anyway."

Yue Weizheng spoke calmly, but his words caused Yue Linghu a slight pain in his heart.

Everyone thought he lacked talent, even his father seemed to think so too? But Yue Linghu was lost, because even Ao Qingqing had lasted longer than him in the Mind Gate test.

Amidst the commotion, Yue Linghu didn't have time to feel sad. He looked up and saw the second elimination.

"It's Ning Cai He from the Tang Family!"

"The third elimination is Tie Shan Cai, the son of the Demon Princess of the Luocha Kingdom!"

...

Yue Linghu awakened from the Mind Gate test, as if he had just opened his eyes for the first time.

One by one, the divine children opened their eyes amidst the swaying.

After Tie Shan Cai, it was Yang Yi, followed by Zhou Peng.

Zhou Peng was escorted out of the Quantum Pocket Universe. He stood in the spring rain and took out a small steamed bun to calm his nerves.

He glanced back at the scene within the Quantum Pocket Universe.

"Yun E is still holding on... I hope you can keep going."

Zhou Peng understood Yun E's burden better than anyone, and he hoped she could break free.

His gaze shifted to Xixi.

Compared to everyone else's pain and struggle, Xixi's smiling face...

made it hard for Zhou Peng to judge.

"Xixi has her parents and many, many people who love her. Yun E doesn't."

"Between Xixi and Yun E... I hope Yun E can make it to the Temple Guardian test."

Zhou Peng sighed.

As for himself.

He patted his chubby belly, he was the pride of the Zhou Family.

After Zhou Peng's elimination.

Within the Quantum Pocket Universe, the number of remaining divine children gradually decreased.

The next moment, to everyone's surprise, it was Gu He from the Ten Thousand Transformations Dragon Elephant Sect!

Gu He seemed a bit lost. He looked at the many divine children still enduring the Mind Gate test, and sighed softly.

He took out a pill and popped it into his mouth, like a bean, and was teleported out of the Quantum Pocket Universe.

Unfortunately... he hadn't sensed a trace of the Dao Essence.

Within the Quantum Pocket Universe, on the dragon-like white jade staircase, the remaining divine children exceeded many people's expectations.

There were Gongtu Clan's Gongshu Wentian, the first-ranked Young Dragon Record, Yun Family's Yun E, Azure Cloud Dao Symbol Sect's Xuan Yue, Dragon Deity Clan's Ao Qingqing, Great Shaman's Jin Taisui, Demon Princess of the Luocha Kingdom's Lu Chi, and Divine Eagle Ridge's Li Elder.

Eight divine children!

Among these eight, several exceeded many people's expectations.

On the grand plaza, the spring rain poured heavily.

The sound of rain echoed in the leaden clouds, making the Qingming Festival rain feel even colder.

All eyes were fixed on the Quantum Pocket Universe, filled with curiosity.

Mainly...

Among the remaining eight divine children, there were still two foreigners!

Jin Taisui and Ao Qingqing! One from the Great Shaman's lineage and one from the Dragon Deity Clan.

This truly surprised many people.

Yue Linghu looked at Ao Qingqing with a complex expression. This little Dragon Deity had performed so well in the Mind Gate test?

Inside the carriage.

The princess clenched her fingers, her long eyelashes trembling, unable to calm her emotions.

Time passed bit by bit, and before they knew it, another divine child opened their eyes.

A commotion erupted!

"It's Xuan Yue! Oh, the foreigners are still holding on? Even the Divine Talisman Sect's Xuan Yue couldn't last... what a pity."

Xuan Yue opened her eyes, and was teleported out of the Quantum Pocket Universe.

She had performed well in the Talent Test, but the Dao Essence she gained was also taken away.

Xuan Yue stuck out her tongue, but she didn't seem to mind much.

"What a pity."

Her eyes sparkled as she looked towards Xixi on the Jade Staircase.

"The Grandmaster's disciple! Xixi, keep going! Xuan Yue has something for you, so keep going!"

Xuan Yue clenched her tiny fist, excitedly speaking.

Although she endured great suffering in the Heart Shrine, she quickly forgot about it with a simple turn of her head.

After Xuan Yue, another divine child woke up, causing the entire courtyard to echo with wails.

It was none other than the Young Dragon Record, Lu Qing Xuan.

Lu Qing Xuan stood tall and straight, his silence descending as he clenched his five fingers, his nails seeming to pierce his palm.

He performed at a moderate level in the Talent Shrine, and also at a moderate level in the Heart Shrine...

Why was everything only moderate for the first-ranked Young Dragon Record of the Heavenly Origin Sect? Had all the first-ranked Young Dragon Records been eliminated?

The atmosphere... grew tenser! Could it be that the two outsiders were about to enter the Temple Guardian Test?

The many wandering cultivators in the courtyard clenched their fists, beads of sweat forming on their palms.

Even the many elders under the Jade Archway, their faces showed subtle changes at this moment.

Elder Fang Hanshu continued reading.

But Elder Zhao Fangzhou and the other elders couldn't help but turn solemn as Lu Qing Xuan was eliminated.

"Gongtu Wenti, Yun E, Lu Chi, and Li Nuansi... they should be able to suppress Golden Monkey and Ao Qingqing, right?"

"How can these two outsiders persist for so long in the Heart Shrine?"

"If the outsiders really enter the Temple Guardian Test, then it'll be dangerous..."

"If the position of our sect's young master is taken by an outsider, the impact is truly immense."

Zhao Fangzhou's blood roared, his body trembling as he couldn't sit still.

"Another divine child has awakened!"

"Who is it?"

"It's the young prince, Lu Chi!"

Zhao Fangzhou tugged at his beard, his eyes narrowing.

Within the carriage in the courtyard, Mo Lao sighed, feeling regret...

Lu Chi's persistence for so long had already exceeded Mo Lao's expectations.

It was just a pity that he couldn't continue.

And before long, in the span of two or three breaths...

Ao Qingqing slumped on the Jade Staircase, drenched in sweat, her tears flowing endlessly.

In the Heart Shrine, she seemed to relive the life of the Dragon Queen Consort...

Suddenly, she understood her cousin, comprehending her pain, her madness, and her self-imposed cruelty...

Tears flowed uncontrollably, but she looked towards Xixi, her cousin wanting her to defeat Xixi. However... she couldn't help but feel envious of Xixi.

Watching Xixi in the Heart Shrine's trial, a smile curved on her lips, her face filled with brilliant laughter.

Why was she so happy? Why? Ao Qingqing truly envied her.

Humm—

Lu Chi and Ao Qingqing were also sent out of the Heavenly Earth Minor Heavenly Realm.

Lu Chi's eyes were cold as he stood at the entrance of the Heavenly Earth Minor Heavenly Realm, a flicker of pain flashing in his cold gaze.

I still can't forget...

He turned and left, entering the carriage.

"Mo Lao... let's go."

"In the end, I've disappointed the National Master."

Lu Chi's voice echoed, "I should also return to face what I must face."

Mo Lao comforted, "I'll report your performance truthfully to the National Master..."

"Thank you, Mo Lao."

His words trailed off.

The carriage driver pulled the reins, not lingering, and drove away from the Heavenly Origin Sect's mountain gate.

Lu Tai Bai's gaze followed the carriage as it shattered through the wind and rain, leaving in a rush.

From beginning to end...

Lu Chi didn't even turn to look at his former master once.

...

On the Jade Staircase.

Only four divine children remained.

Gongtu Wenti, Golden Monkey, Li Nuansi, and Yun E... who would they be?

The spring rain roared, growing more majestic.

Even Li Che couldn't help but open his eyes, focusing half his attention on the scene illuminated by the sword energy at the entrance of the Heavenly Earth Minor Heavenly Realm.

The world was quiet.

The rain grew heavier.

Suddenly.

It was as if something had shattered, the sound echoing.

In an instant, Gongtu Wenti knelt on the Jade Staircase, his body trembling.

The next moment, he abruptly opened his eyes.

He gasped, turning his head towards Xixi.

In his mind...

He couldn't help but recall the Heart Shrine, where he and Li Nuansi had their decisive battle.

He was supposed to defeat Li Nuansi, but...

Li Nuansi suddenly transformed!

Her body was covered in bewitching black patterns, as if emerging from the netherworld of nine darkness!

In the Heart Shrine.

Gongtu Wenti felt his legs uncontrollable, as if the terrifying pressure of a high-level cultivator was crushing him.

He couldn't even muster the courage to resist.

It wasn't a matter of strength...

He wasn't a match for this opponent.

The cold and arrogant Xixi seemed to look down on him with her fleeting gaze, her eyes narrowing as she pinched his tofu-like heart, squeezing hard.

Then, with just a touch...

She eliminated him.

Gongtu Wenti, feeling like he had just awakened from a terrible nightmare.

But in his mind, he deeply wondered...

He had never seen her in this state in reality!

Why encounter such a monster in the Heart Shrine? Why does reality always torment the innocent? Reality, why?

Li Nuansi...

Who are you, really?

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end