Sky Xiao’s heart raged as he finally tried to turn his body and see who had ambushed him, but before glimpsing his attacker, he collapsed to the ground under the force of a brutal strike from a cudgel—eyes upturned and full of bitter resentment, he slipped into unconsciousness.
“Bang! Smack!” The diminutive figure toss the crystalline bone club aside, then clapped the dust off his fingers casually, muttering aloud, “Thinking of ambushing me? That settles our account halfway—so-so, no major debts left.”
Had anyone been present, their eyes would have bulged out. In an assembly surpassing ninety thousand competitors—Sky Xiao, the youth proclaimed as the ultimate prodigy—was defeated, taken down in this disgraceful manner.
Forlorn indeed was the tale of the crystal bone rod! A once-magnificent relic, made from the remains of a fierce ancient beast—the glyphs carved into its surface had dulled through time—but it still maintained unimaginable durability, becoming a perfect makeshift mallet for our little rascal. In just two strokes, the top prodigy was sneak-attacked in the back and left flat out, thanks entirely to the rascal’s careful preparation as he had shadowed Xiao Tian long in the shadows, awaiting the perfect ambush point.
Originally, the small boy was ready for honest combat. Yet recalling, in prior times, Sky Xiao ambushed him under chase from an enormous crocodile stirred vengeance, a saying well known: *“If unreturned in kindness, ungrate is man.”* Hence this vengeful cudgel.
It was a sad affair: Sky Xiao’s last conscious sensation—the deep, seething hatred—still lingered as he was knocked cold, betrayed in coward ambush.
Swift came Xiao Bud’s hands—clutching the young silver-robed genius, spinning him over with seasoned practice and starting the process of sifting through his person. A real pro at this—he lost no time as he claimed treasures in mere seconds.
Altogether vanishing from Sky Xiao’s pockets were twenty-one Sky-mending Stones—plus two vials of wondrous pills meant both for revitalizing lost vigor and curing severe wounds—priceless artifacts by all measures.
Though he was riched, he was not appeased: “How could there not be even one wondrous artifact on you! Sheer poverty!”, scoffed the brat resentfully. What hope was there—Xiao, the prodigy among the elite, came to dominate and claim solo superiority and his people—well-endowed though—kept their most prized treasures safely aside.
The small genius hiked him onto an ancient tree to spare consumption by beasts and then, grabbing the cudgel carefreened away—he walked forth as though he’d danced across moonlit heavens all his life.
No one will ever tell how long before Sky Xiao revived—with agony surging in his skull. Something rushed his consciousness and he jumped upright so suddenly that only by reflex saved his plummet downward.
“Goddness! Feels like my head may burst apart!”—he rubbed the back of his crown only to find the pain nearly cracked open his skull.
Then, an acute ache throbbed between the brows. Probing fingers located something dreadful: swollen like a beast’s horn protruding—enraged enough for him flung off the branch had he tried.
“Huff…huffhuff…”
Young Master Sky seeped into silence—but within his mind, tempestrous.
A genuine genius in the highest league—travelled far, consulted elder states with noblest leaders—not a single loss upon his ledger.
Yet here he was—showered in defeat without knowing who, or what form his attacker took.
“No doubt. *That’s him!*”—Sky Xiao recollected a child once upon a prior incident when they crossed paths. That child—he thought might carry Sky-mending Stone and was prepared grab it—what ensued shook even himself as how impressively the young sprout had countered then.
Only bitterness filled him as he never did gaze back—replied Xiao’s strike in his palm blow with no turn of face but immediate retaliate, then—vanishing over a lowland mountain with unmatched might!
“Blast!!”
His rage boiled, but how unbearable—the humiliating nature: *He could neither tell enemy’s face nor trace origins*.
He calmed down slightly to hop down from arboreal haven, making his way to a running watercourse where the reflection nearly threw him rage again—he had swelled—a monstrous swelling where pride’s horns sprout! It had morphed in shape, grotesquely mimicking beastly crowns—his temple twitched.
“Owwww…” Pain throbbed rhythmically, as he clenched fists helplessly, trying hard not to make it worse, fearing greater agony still.
“I swear if only we cross paths again…you’ll suffer!” roared Xiao at the topmost lung.
Then immediately he gasped as if jolted and clasping head groaned louder, cursing between clenched jaws like a pained beast.
As the Little Trick danced homewards with cheer—his dilemma resolved in simply two knocks! No need to hunt rivals or fight for treasure—this is so much smarter—and kinder! Now harmony is possible with fellow budding prodigies; all could benefit together.
Yet one problem kept bugging his heart. “Ohhh boy… I really excavated that Bone from Zone 8! Hopefully nobody tracks it, or my entire plan’s done!”
“If only Mao Qiu wasn’t barred back—he may have taken Original Spirit Bone along ahead!”
He muttered softly.
Upon completing the task without ambition beyond—Xiao left the battlefield peacefully for forest meandering.
Then amidst his strolls:
“Pscht! Just heard amusing incident from outside!”—a laughing junior said beside.
A handful ahead had allied themselves instead of fighting. Holding firm enough Sky-mending Stones for their safety net—they united rather for protection.
“What’s the deal—you seem all too eager.”—inquired a voice.
“You see—a newbie entered clue-free, without even viewing the inscript board—just asked me bluntly: *’So…what precisely is one to achieve in here anyway?’*”—amid laughs he continued. “So I chatted, curious what news from world he carries—he narrated such a tale, almost made me collapse!”
“Hurry up—we’re dyin’ here, spit it all!”
“Zone 8 exploded, bro! Nearly 8,900 warriors broke the final barrier altogether—successfully clearing it! Old Elders, almost fainted—look like seeing ghosts—shocked beyond wits.”
“You must be kidding?!”
“But it’s *true!* Apparently their area’s core glyph bones had vanished—all taken clean—resulting in the seal system breaking so the whole troop simply marched and cleared the passage.”
Staring blank, a mouth forming a perfect “O”—a stunned expression echoed in the woods. Simply unfathomable.
“Feels… familiar somehow? Like… déjà-vu?”
“I think so too!”
“It reminds me *The One* from Divine Simulated Realm!!”—another gasped.
Instant buzz exploded across all.
Then—”Wait, how would he even know? Zone 8 is locked. Isn’t that guy…not even from Zone Eight?”—one ponder later.
Though from Zone Two, news had rippled quickly: shock so staggering—everyone rushed checking—event reverberated in every single division.
“Oh right, that makes sense!”
Far behind—our little one sighed—fingers entangled together. He knew beforehand—deep anxiously calculating, and upon further hearing—it grew far worse: the whole sect found out!
Zone 8—the elder bearers, like Feng, flew into a crisis meeting with elders and tribal heads from numerous powerful ancestral branches—and finally, swallowing painful bitter grief—with heartache nearly shedding mournful tears—they finally agreed to admit a few thousands in from thousands.
Reducing from near nine thousands into mere three, though still a dramatic rise over usual, it seemed…manageable for all considered.
“It must be a reselection in Zone Eight—only true elite allowed who’d qualify secondarily…this mass rush was disallowed.”
Choosing those blessed souls was perhaps only manageable via another selection altogether?
Xiao Bud’s heart ached; he wandered wood’s paths encountering other lated-comers—thus grasping word beyond trees. Grief indeed!
Sighing, “OHHHH—getting rid of trouble’s okay, sure…BUT—those stones—colored gray by my own sweat & blood…barely twenty odd…Now rendered meaningless. So sad—sooo tragic.”
Heedless were his words—the sky-prodigy would probably hemorrhage rage hearing those complaints: *I spilled lifeblood fighting, suffering years of struggle through death & darkness, yet your soul remains oblivious.*
Each division closed off for individual battles, yet once all entered second battlefield—all would congregate.
So—Xiao made a strategic decision: returning against crowd to third area instead.
Backward through veil shimmerings—no shock: his mastery tore down glyph-walling, allowing re-entry freely.
Looking stealthy left and right—he darted toward exit. Unlikely top prodigy now but simple candidate seeking passage.
Naturally, he advanced with swiftness—cleared with single try!
Y—et outside he met a jarring disappointment! The tiny cluster of people remaining was negligible.
Join their ranks too boldly—he’d attract suspicious attention. Woe! Xiao grimaced his sour pout.
“Guess Zone Eight remains noisy though,”—Xiao murmured—observing a sea filled with thousands.
“Curious?”—overheard chatting among third-wave qualifiers—”The brat that shook Divine Realm had trashed the eighth zone. Now Elders gather them to retake challenges! Fortunate—this zone received a gift—*3000 new slots!*”
“Ah! Fortunate!”—he replied before realizing Xiao already disappeared—leaving behind a chill only haunted homes evoke.
The tiny fellow dashed, back into third region, shattered the veil protecting battlefield two. Into the sacred prodigies proving field, stealthily Xiao vanished again.
“This’ll work like plan!!”—a bright gleam lit his cheeks.
This strategy: retreat once more toward Zone 8 from Battlefield’s gate. There, awaiting the “vast legion” readying their return—join this mass exodus. Amid their multitude anonymity awaited and 3.5 thousand candidates—no eye spotting a familiar shape!
But melancholy brewed in chest still—“OHHH genius field is lonely, only a mere hundred prodigies here. Me being super obvious now.”
“Owww poor poor me! After slaving endlessly to collect my Sky Mending Stones—even planning rise like flaming phoenix—*first position shining*! Where’s fate’s mercy? Why so sad…why unfair!?”
Gestaring dramatically into sky—Xiao’s expression dripped melodramatic pathos.
“I could swear I heard someone say *‘twenty Sky-mending Stones—unfair’*. PSH! My life *REALLY IS UNFAIR!*” roared a nearby voice—Silver Robe Xiao emerging exactly now, foot kicking through ancient forest root so powerfully, the trunk cracked into pieces instantly in blind rage.
Xiao Bud’s perception pricked; without thinking, he sprinted swiftly over hiding behind leaves again—peeking, only confirming once—his enemy—*Him again!*
Rubbing chin—debates inside: Sky-Mending Stones were worthless in current condition—he hesitated whether bestow the Silver boy mercy and return the loot.
At this moment—Xiao Bud wore profound regret, deep sighs rising endless, believing himself utterly wrongdoomed in tragedy.
Competition oblivious: Xiao himself was nearly done for—losing all stone treasures—risk falling into *the failures’* disgraceful fold… heartbreak too cruel!
Then—small rascal finally settled inner conflict: *“Ah well—heh—I really shouldn’t…But…since *this little heart overflows goodness again*…I GUESS I SHALL return the Sky-menders though, prepare payback later *PLUS INTERTEST.* I’ll make him repay in kind!”
Sky Xiao brooded—fuming silently in heart. Once a genius—necessarily ranked No.1—now, a potential failure…so embarrassing.
Hunt he tried…retrieve those stones…yet—no sign in hidden shadows, others grouped strong, united in opposition. Only endless frustrations bloomed like poison flowers.
“What a dilemma,”—the Small Rascal sighed.
And more profound despair gripped—his counterpart pacing absentmindedly. Suddenly chills shot through spine—his body flared warning instincts as primal instincts cried “HIDDEN DANGER!”
Instincts drove immediate self-defense…just like—before.
But still…late.
“CRACK!”—blows rang again upon his crown—searing fire, then vision darkening, again—cracked like before: the cudgel once more descended from coward behind.
“Are you friggin KIDD—”—his scream choked—desperately blinking—fighting against blinding spots—straining his neck to glimpse attacker’s appearance one damn time!
Before twisting around completely—an arc appeared in air again. The bone rod swirled ahead striking precisely over his old bump—*twice same target!*
“…Noo…”—eyes rolling back—blissful unconscious darkness took the Silver-Haloed Young Sage into its warm, yet wrath-ridden dreamless void.
“*sighhh…*” whispered Xiao Bud—a look filled *deep suffering*, sighing in exaggerated sadness while still beside slumping Xiao.
Almos sobbing, “such pain… Such a life of *pursuance & sacrifice yet I’m *still a kinder kind…”
No mortal knowing whether Sky Xiao—if given this confession—what his reaction would’ve evolved into:
But definitely—becomed another mythic wrath-fulk of old, screaming nonstop for three entire days and nights.
“Now, hear this! Pay *EVERYTHING IN BONUS LATER—LOANS PLUS FEE!”*
Xiao waved tiny fists like some adorable war general, and flung a full pack of Sky-mending Stones beside collapsed foe.
He reached gently removing the jade clasp tucked into Xiao Sky’s bun—probably expensive; must’ve accidentally overlooked previously.
With one final sorrowful look toward fallen rival he sighed once more:
“So…saaadd…”
Then turned, leaving back towards mysterious depths of 8th Zone…
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