Drawing in a deep breath, Little Rascal’s body erupted with the sound of rushing waterfalls. Auspicious light surged outward, and his muscles, tendons, bones became crystal clear and robust, shining as if made of precious jade. Even his internal organs now glowed radiantly, resembling tiny burning suns. This was not illusion—it was real power.
When Little Rascal clenched his fist slightly, a powerful resonance echoed within his chest, like thunderous torrents bursting free from a broken dam. The force was overwhelming, pulsing with divine brilliance. As he activated the ancient Glyphs coursing through his body, they converged toward his inner organs. His glowing heart, spleen, and other viscera pulsed rhythmically—one could feel the raw strength flowing from them as they resisted the incoming arcane pressure.
Little Rascal was both amazed and delighted; such might was beyond comprehension! In true combat, having insides as tough as bone and sinew meant an unprecedented advantage, perhaps even impervious to damage. It felt indescribably mighty!
With a smirk, he punched himself in the chest—*Boom!*—like the echoing sound of Heaven’s Drum shaking across the skies, sending ripples of divine light radiating outward. He could clearly sense how his physical frame had ascended to another realm, no longer just about muscle and bones. His very organs were strong enough to tremble the skies when they moved in synchrony, resonating with celestial drumbeats that shook mountains.
He turned his awareness inward. At this moment, he saw himself anew: translucent flesh, radiant white bones, luminous organs glistening like gems. Even his skin shimmered with inner purity, and his dark hair emitted soft gleaming light from within, spotless and ethereal, unstained by dust or filth. Such perfection was rare indeed—an unblemished physique, a self-cleansing temple where all organs and marrow resembled deities cast from sacred glass. Even amidst ash or ruin, he would remain pure as stars in the night sky.
“This is truly mighty,” he whispered, his mind overwhelmed by his newfound power.
With one leap, he leapt straight down from the cliff. Though still high above ground, he landed fearlessly on the surface below, causing tremors to ripple through the earth and raising clouds of dust into the air. When the dust cleared, a deep crater had been blasted into the soil, and cracks like black serpents raced far away.
“Monstrously strong… What kind of beastly boy is this?” gasped Da Hong Niao, the great red bird. “His corporeal strength… absolutely astonishing!”
Stepping out of the crater calmly, Little Rascal approached a stone forest. With only one arm, he roared, *“Heave!”*, lifting a monstrous stone of thirty to forty thousand jin easily into the air. The rock beneath his feet cracked and splintered loudly under the immense pressure. Xiao Tian watched in stunned silence, his shock bordering on disbelief. This wasn’t merely human strength—it was more akin to legendary ancient beasts.
Since awakening his immense power with ten-thousand-fold strength, Little Rascal hadn’t focused solely on brute training but delved deeper into understanding primordial truths—unraveling the profound meanings hidden within Glyphic wisdom. Yet, ironically, his already superhuman physique had continued strengthening naturally. Today’s bath in Tai Yi True Water elevated his form further, terrifyingly powerful for a child yet ten summers old.
How mighty would he be at full maturity? If he kept this pace, mere adulthood would see him shake entire worlds with strength alone.
No longer testing himself, he dropped the massive stone effortlessly. He had verified it firsthand—his enhanced body wasn’t imagination, but horrifying reality. Standing small-bodied and angelic before others—the cutest little figure, innocent face and wide eyes framed with long lashes—it was almost impossible to reconcile this sweet appearance with his earlier feats that shook mountains and split the heavens.
With the recent opening of eight Divine Caverns inside his spirit, his control over the mystical Glyph scripts sharpened further, increasing overall battle-readiness to terrifying degrees—if he met formidable foes again, none would escape their astonishment.
BOOM! Little Rascal exploded upwards with a stomp that tore the earth open. A network of cracks shot outward, hundreds of dark fissures spanning countless yards behind him as he launched himself into the air and returned high upon the mountain once again.
“This… is simply outrageous!” cried Da Hong Niao. “Even flying artifacts can’t match his sheer ascension speed—he surpassed me midair. Is this kid actually alive?”
Xiao Tian remained dazed, eyes flickering between the young prodigy, unable to fully wrap his brain around the display before him—not just because of awe, but something nagging at the back of his thoughts gnawed insistently.
“That child…” whispered Xiao Tian. “Why does he remind me so much of someone else…?”
“Outrageous indeed. Nobody really gets the mindset of a monster-child like this.” Da Hong Niao shook its feathers vigorously.
“I’ve got the feeling you resemble someone,” said the silver-robed youth, suspicion rising.
“You’re thinking of that little demon from the Void Spirit Realm, right? That brat irritates me. I don’t want anyone mistaking me for him—I should say he looks more like me. Plus, I’m way stronger than him and always wanted to give him a beating. Too bad we never crossed paths. Besides, with my heroic bearing and unmatched charm, what child could possibly measure up?” boastfully retorted Little Rascal.
“You do seem mightier, but…” The silver-robed youth held his tongue, reluctant to point out that Little Rascal’s cherubic face—chubby and plump with irresistibly pinching cheeks—hardly fit the image of valor. Still, that other boy—though annoyingly charming—held undeniable beauty in form and grace.
“Anyway, forget that for now—we shall enter the Void Spirit Realm soon, sweeping champions aside like leaves, challenging every holy sanctuary along the way and taking them all by storm! Count yourself lucky; I’ll help you settle old scores too.”
Though surprised, Silver Robe thought better than to question further—if he truly was THAT other troublemaker, they wouldn’t have shared camaraderie like this! They’d likely be brawling instead, vying for godly liquids.
Turning abruptly, Xiao Tian strode to a giant slab of stone beside which stood a jade urn filled to the brim with precious Tai Yi True Water.
Little Rascal playfully kicked a nearby stone resembling a construction brick—could this be fate calling? Here lay opportunity itself: knock the fellow senseless with one quick strike, snatch up the urn, then vanish forever!
Still, doing so risked deeply offending the Silver Youth later. If rage took hold, might he descend into madness or trauma? Unwise… especially without deep-rooted grudges to justify treachery.
Little Rascal stared hard at the retreating figure, twisting hands anxiously while blinking nervously. He wavered in decision, heart tugged equally between mischief and mercy.
Meanwhile, Da Hong Niao sensed this tension perfectly—as if the creature lived a life steeped in shady dealings regularly. Clearly not a saint nor a well-mannered winged friend.
Gleaming with bloodlust, it fluttered forward in silent excitement, giving a meaningful glance suggesting: *”Now’s your chance! Let’s strike together.”*
More uncertain than ever, Little Rascal bent down slowly to scoop up the stone-turned-brick, inching closer like a shadow stalking its prey.
The red bird practically burst with eagerness, barely managing stealthy movements while creeping in tandem. Sharing spoils always improved cooperation odds. Leaning forward with anticipation, he prepared to initiate their ambush…
And just as Little Rascal nodded confirmation—
Da Hong Niao sprang forth, wings cradling a large iron cauldron as though preparing a secret weapon, silently laughing.
Simultaneously, Little Rascal jumped forward and smacked his slab squarely onto someone’s skull—”Bam!”—hitting solid meat exactly at the occipital ridge. His technique undeniably practiced and polished, seasoned like a professional striker honed by time.
“Erm…” Shock froze Da Hong Niao mid-laughter expression. Ears buzzed. Head throbbed painfully where struck. A massive lump began inflating atop its own scalp like swollen terrain erupting overnight, vision swimming. The bird toppled sideways dizzily—not unconscious, but definitely shaken.
What sorcery was this?! That blow was aimed squarely at the back of its head—clear targeting deviation here?! Had that monster-child gone blind during attack execution?
There ahead stood Xiao Tian himself intact and untouched!
Infuriated beyond belief, fury boiled inside. How utterly disgraceful! The little demon’s aim must’ve suffered terribly. Target identification failed outright!
Before indignation could boil over, Xiao Tian turned upon hearing commotion, puzzled: “Why has he fallen?”
“It was me,” Little Rascal admitted coolly. “Caught it sneaking suspiciously—trying something sinister—so gave it a firm wallop for good measure.”
This response ignited Da Hong Niao to hop violently around on the ground, desperately trying to regain footing, outrage boiling uncontrollably.
They’d conspired against *HIM*?! All intentions twisted—hadn’t HE become complicit in their plot only hoping for profit?!
“You schemer, what exactly were you trying to pull?!” squawked the angry avian. “I joined your ambush willingly as accomplice—to steal the treasure? You turn around strike ME first??”
Then the most painful accusation struck:
“This evil bird tried stealing the True Waters behind your back just moments ago! Got what it deserved,” Little Rascal innocently informed Xiao Tian, pointing accusingly.
At this, crimson plumage nearly molted off the poor bird entirely—from fury. It rubbed the growing knot tenderly while spewing mental curses at double-crossing children who twist narratives like tangled yarn and then whack their partners with surprise bricks.
Glaring sternly now at the fallen culprit, Xiao Tian muttered coldly: “So, your gaze lingered longingly at the jar… No honest purpose there, was there?”
“None of this makes any sense!” shrieked the exonerated Da Hong Niao, voice cracking under unjustified accusations, teetering near breakdown point. Seeking help resulted purely in getting bludgeoned. Innocent bystanders shouldn’t endure blame meant elsewhere—but here he was—the real sufferer left holding responsibility!
Determined not to allow injustice reign freely, it unfurled menacingly to launch counterattack arguments, intent upon exposing Little Rascal thoroughly—
But then Little Rascal interjected smoothly, interrupting the narrative:
“Don’t believe everything this foul thing says. Remember, it was plotting betrayal unless introduced to proper mentorship discipline…”
Pretending innocence magnanimously, Little Rascal paused theatrically, feigning regret as though reconsidering generosity.
“In fact, seeing how disobedient it remains, maybe I should withhold even offering guidance…”
Suddenly sensing peril hanging overhead if retaliation persisted, the incensed bird recoiled immediately, retreating inward with pouting indignity while sulking bitterly and scratching sore spots furiously.
“Just watch how loyal it becomes after lessons begin,” Xiao Tian advised approvingly.
“If everyone acted like Xiao Tian,” added Little Rascal, smiling widely although internally conflicted, “maybe some mischievous creatures wouldn’t require correctional intervention…”
“I’ll guard you,” vowed Xiao Tian earnestly.
“Ohhhh,” whimpered Da Hong Niao mournfully to itself, sobbing dry tears, soul crushed beneath absurd circumstances. Was truth irrelevant here today?
“You must trust me; I’m merciful by nature—forgiving those with lingering goodness inside despite past faults,” declared Little Rascal nobly, shrugging generously.
Yet again Da Hong Niao collapsed, crashing its head repeatedly into dirt in agony—how ironic: falsely accused, struck unexpectedly *by partner*—no worse punishment existed beneath sky!
Finally discussing terms regarding division of liquid bounty, Xiao Tian and Little Rascal decisively excluded red-feather traitor altogether.
“Listen,” proposed Little Rascal, extending olive branch. “Help locate members of Rain Clan—you redeem yourself carrying us—and share portion of Tai Yi True Waters accordingly.”
Sniffling, Da Hong Niao transmitted telepathically sullenly, “I don’t want True Waters—I desire nothing except vindication!”
“You’re scarlet red outside anyway and drag around black pots symbolizing guilty conscience. Clinging onto moral innocence seems pointless. If you reject gifts, so be it,” replied the cheeky child smugly.
After much hesitation, frustration won—“Fine!! I’ll take your stupid gift!” shouted Da Hong Niao finally, swallowing pride wholeheartedly while nursing swelling bruise gingerly. Flaring its wings furiously, Da Hong Niao carried both boys aloft to chase shadows belonging exclusively to Rain Clan descendants henceforth.
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