“What’s the use of talking so much? Whether he is the one or not, just capture him directly; a little severe interrogation will tell us everything,” an elder spoke. A surge of pain filled the heart of the Little Rascal (Little Rascal) whose eyes sparkled with magical lights, permeating an aura of killing intent. He still recalled how ashen his father’s countenance had been back then, seemingly due to multiple ambushes and serious injuries during a battle, nearly costing him his life—a grievous trauma that left scars deep enough to rekindle his anger upon hearing the name.
“Finish the battle swiftly; regardless of whether it is him, it would be better to move fast and eliminate the threat.”
“Hmm, we mustn’t let word reach the Wu Mansion, to prevent unforeseen changes.” The other two nodded, stepping forth in a united formation.
If this young fellow indeed was the child critically wounded all those years back and barely clinging to life, this revelation implicated something grave. The very fact that he had managed to stay alive proved terrifying natural aptitude, maybe akin to a revered Senior’s worry—that this might indicate his reincarnation after the flames of trials—heralding something terrifying ahead. Indeed, if in truth his identity was as suspected, word leaking to the Wu Mansion would undoubtedly stir a tempest, with unforeseeable responses. Although robbed of bone-like supremacy, the child would rise again. The repercussions if the truth was uncovered were unimaginable. The Wu Mansion members mustn’t come to know, for it might summon immense unrest—a disturbance harmful even for Shi-Yi. This unpredictable variable must not persist; we need to eliminate it.
“Bang!” A rugged fan—glinting silver radiated by its side—emerged amidst the battle in the grip of the young one, a relic received from an esteemed Spirit Clan martial expert though now broken by a golden bone scissor. At this juncture, exerting immense effort into activating said fan using the powerful energies of the Suzero Mirror infused with a storm’s essence caused magical surges reigniting power that the damaged fan could scarce contain.
Ripples ran along ancient glyphs engraved within the fan as raw essence of lightnings and endless vitality surged in—an elemental bone reacting to the infusion with luminously violent vibrations. Unsurprisingly, the force exceeded control, causing tremors threatening imminent explosion—”Crackled!” With determination, the rascal sent the fan flaring out toward those surrounding him.
Shock rippled across the four adversaries—one unprepared for such decisive tactics employed by their young foe who seemingly dared sacrifice his prized artifacts in an all-or-nothing assault.
Silver blaze set skies alight as the device shattered upon engagement, cloaking the aggressors inside its eruption of brilliance and incinerating some tufts of elder mustaches with it. Alas for them though—the intensity merely startled the elite, harming only one enough that he dribbled crimson at his lips. Exploiting chaos amidst the silver inferno’s expansion, the rascal evaded further capture yet still entangled in their pursuit.
Each retreat drew wounds that deepened—exposing marrow with new gashes etched into the fleeing rascal, his defense strained against the Rain Clan warriors whose attacks rained like needles—seemingly without end—capable even without pause of tearing flesh to bone. The young warrior’s flank bled profusely, as did shoulder and back wounds almost piercing entirely through. Four elite martial experts approached battle capability limitations dictated for this realm called ‘Hundred-Fragmented Peaks’ where within anyone encountered became a challenger worth facing—excluding this region’s original denizens.
Glancing through streaming blood while limbs shook weakly feigned frailty cloaked his descent to evade capture, collapsing upon reaching a tranquil lakefront.
“Why no escape anymore?” Rained Kun (Yu Kun) smiled subtly triumphant; confidence exuding like omnipotent deities observing their plaything. Admittedly, the boy impressed; a youth whose talent astounded even the seasoned. A terrifying future lay beyond this prodigy—unless fate ordained otherwise.
With chilling mien the elder continued: “Such brilliance could rival future contenders like ‘Yi-er’; tragic though—as the sun will not rise tonight.”
Encirclement resumed.
“Before me, certainty forms—the truth of identity matters little to the Wu family who remains oblivious—for though godsend talents thrive, your end draws tonight.”
Despite comprehension of the Wu’s lack of insight—the past betrayal had consequences! “Even now though—it changes nothing… your fate is sealed; our decision was taken already that night when we spared your paled-faced progenitor, at grave loss indeed!” With cruel laughter, provocateurs pressed for a response confirming his lineage.
Meanwhile tension rippled in still waters—the rascal readied muscles rigid against cold, senses alert, fingers poised with the mirror aimed toward reflecting surfaces as four figures surged.
A blinding eruption ensued—”Zhen Zhen’s” bones gleamed, defending, the Suzhou Mirror unleashing lightning’s raw might upon calm waters creating massive torrents ahead.
“Think to use water’s cover while fleeing! Within domain rivers/lakes, a Rain Clan fighter reaches amplified prowess—futile escape indeed!” One mocked.
The four vanished momentarily—light speed pursuit.
Yet—swiftness incarnate! As lightning—the youth evaded, gliding sideways dozens of zhang in a split second forming an aftershadow decoy.
Rain elders reacted instantly, matching direction shifts abruptly arrested upon spotting something from water spray—the sudden rise, sharp toothy protrusions looming—teeth measuring over a meter—snow gleam, menacing.
The aquatic leviathan—a fish-dragon hybrid—surfaced from beneath. Fish body and dragon visage—exuding an otherworldly shimmer. Enormously glowing crimson eyes, like grinding stones sized orbs; head looming like a mountain range breached surface with gaping jaws threatening destruction. The creature, seemingly, hungered for their presence.
Bloodcurdling screams echoed as crimson tongue lashed two victims swallowing them amid glyphs flashing like oceanic tides—”Snap!” One bisected, consumed; another struggled fiercely—severing both legs at the hips to avoid similar fate, plummeting ashore with agony painting soil with crimson trails.
“NO!” Remaining aggressors shrieked—furious assaults unleashed against monolithic terror proving in vain resistance against something colossal.
A surge of crimson engulfed waters again, the beast unimpressed—a connoiseur savouring premium warrior meat. With horror-filled pallor, two survivors lifted the mutilated, channeling desperate escape with myriad sigils blanketing skies, fleeing the lake’s grasp abruptly altering dynamics—sudden, swift catastrophe left one lost and one maimed, blood spilled. Seizing this reprieve, the rascal disappeared toward thick forests—swift escape assured initially though adversaries followed doggedly—fury evident.
Indeed, danger in lakes lay familiar to the youth having narrowly avoided similar predation beside the Nine-Headed-Silvered-Lion. Numerous perils lingered across realms like these undaunted by intrinsic constraints—only outsiders with might overstepping laws threatened retribution from primordial powers.
Shocked murmurs echoed within the Rain Clan survivors—two eliminated, leaving only two—rage burning hotter.
“If we catch you this one again, death shall pale compared to horrors you’ll suffer!” Teeth clenched; bloodthirst radiating from twitching sinews. From the shore—Fish-Demon lingered, observing retreating forms, perhaps pondering renewed offense momentarily—eventually receding below wave-rippled surfaces.
Faced with pursuing threats despite setbacks, rascal optimism grew—though still hunted, he now faced only half former menace with burdensome wounded adding complication to pursuit. However—no letup manifested, chasing relentlessly, empowered further by mystic tools.
“The time has come for countermeasures; provoke intervention by disturbing even graven regions, lest escape seem impossible.” He mused, delving deeper into the forested heartland.
Cloud layers nearly masked collision with a feral winged predator.
A ferocious fire-wreathed avenger emerged—flames issuing forth as it cried out. A split second evaded attack—a crimson blur—swooped in reckless pursuit. Resembled legendary Vermilion Bird. Finally identifying the figure—the bird nearly plunged plummeting heights, startled beyond belief at recognition. Screaming as it flapped toward frantic escape,
“Come back Red, your destiny awaits!” Little Rascal rejoiced having secured neck-clinging grip—eyes lit at prospects eliminating arduous trials.
Wails echoed from its victim.
“Must I meet this monster in this forsaken place too?! Hidden midst thick fog, fate itself conspires misfortunate!” it cried in despair.
“We reunite by divine design, destined companions reunited in fate,” gleeful cackle followed, arms wrapped tight.
Its cries escalated:
“Why me! The Sky abates me—why do we always coincide, my misfortunes endless!”
The rascal recalled their initial meeting long before—during a hunger crisis wherein this Red Bird suffered disfavor by losing portions—rendered down and devoured with gusto—thus establishing this avian’s trauma.
Thus encountering this nemesis amidst dense fog—begrudgingly, the poor creature’s fate spiraled downward, cursing endlessly against all odds.
“Little friend please release—only friendship intended—see, no harm meant here,” cooed with innocent smiles belying mischief. “The chase continues—you fly—I hold—escape their clutches swiftly!”
Upon hearing pursuers the scarlet one, oddly enough, brightened.
Even better to intercept the original enemy; the enemy of my enemy could prove an ally, it schemed—willingly, it planned self-sacrifice to divert attention and secure personal salvation.
“Traitorous featherbrain—better escape immediately or face immediate consumption!” Threats spilled amidst tooth-exposing glares—rubbed its neck tauntingly with hunger-filled grimaces.
Startlingly it shuddered in fear; recalling that memory caused the scarlet fowl another heart palpitation—a fate worse than imagined met within this monster again at last.
Eventually submission ensued.
“Indeed!” Swiftly its form left fiery trail amidst skies, velocity unmatched. Shocked chasinng remnants of the original Rain Clan attackers stood momentarily bewildered, stunned. Exhaustivity and progress dashed with sudden unforeseen development—the little menace had simply acquired an avian steed!
Infuriating helplessness permeated two pursuers—seething from their teeth towards their vitals.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage