Time has unconsciously slipped away; two years quickly passed. Little Pup has almost reached the age of three and a half and been given his own name—Shi Hao. When he had turned just over one year, he could only toddle and waddle at the heels of older playmates; as a now three-and-a-half-year-old, his physical strength astonishes adults, often seen gallivanting through woods and fields alongside boisterous bands of older children. Today, an open space outside Shi Village drew onlookers who gathered in dense numbers. Youngsters were displaying martial arts skills, captivating men, women, children, and seniors alike from the entire village.
Their muscular limbs mostly devoid of clothes, boys with ages varying from six or seven up to about twelve were locked fiercely in one-on-one contests, sweat spraying as they tumbled about. Impressive displays featured some easily swinging copper maces weighing more than a hundred jin, their whistling arcs cutting air. Raised amidst mountainous woodlands like little fierce beasts they resembled. Each one possessed startling muscular bulk and seemingly limitless energy that made them appear incredibly robust, powerful, and strong.
“Hurry look! That’s mine—barely six whole, yet able to use a green slate rock as easily as a shield while the rest struggle just to lift it; who among them truly compares? Surely destined to blaze trails across wide wilds someday!”
“My youth displays greater skills yet—observe how this mature-grade bow fashioned from rhinoceros tendons has bent fully due to his pulling arms strength forth! Someday soon that precise aim shall silence formidable vicious beasts, piercing the vitals of even the adult Pixiu creatures!”
Although humble, villagers still loved boasting about and contrasting their own sons’ physical feats. Some stout fellows clenched mighty bear-fur palms excitedly, faces agladder with enthusiasm. Womenfolk also smiled broadly among themselves—these boys truly remarkable with their seemingly unlimited stamina promising bright futures capable of empowering and lifting Shi Village toward ever increasing prominence.
“Muoooo…”—a guttural bull bellow rumbled across the entire village. “Quick observe—Er Meng at just barely eight years and a half has already toppled such a robust bull; a stunning accomplishment!”
Standing midground was a tall, dark-coated wild ox whose shiny coat gleamed like black silk. Embracing that image momentarily until this diminutive figure among men sprang forward, physically halting its roaring charge—promptly sending astonished gasps across onlookers alike.
“The diligent efforts have borne worthy fruit! Each child benefiting from the elders’ periodic physical enhancements involving genuine blood of beasts and treasured bone-healing herbs—the investment clearly paying off handsomely.” commented one elder admiringly as he observed.
“There may soon come forth genuine champions emerging, their martial prowess sufficient even driving formidable denizens from deep hidden mountain ranges deep in legendary untamed wilds.”
BOOM!—a deafening crash rang out at another spot: a small bony boy launched a millstone spinning several dozen paces before clattering downward.
“Well! Little Rascal must stand nearly at eight or nine years—he appears fragile but displays surprising might, defying all expectations like!”
“That is for certain—who else but our own mighty legacy in his blood! That one I’ve given name “Shi Zhong Hou,” bound for the mountains destined as noble ruler of some celebrated great tribe ahead!”
Adults exchanged proud boasts with grinning pride, confident in each other boy’s extraordinary potential.
Then, an explosive “Honglong!” jolt sent tremors through the crowd as a massive figure appeared suddenly hurling earth into disarray with his effort—heft of an impossibly great artifact was underway at last!
At center stage resided an ancient colossal bronze caldron weighing well thousands upon pounds—its exterior engraved meticulously bearing all manner of birds and beasts in ornamental reliefs, exuding heavy and venerable gravitas. Thick-walled construction emphasized the imposing mass of this weight-bound object upon whose footed bases the polished smoothness glistened where generations’ grasping had shined surfaces down mirror-polished like lapis with vermilion birds marked eternally below its rim.
“This Little Stone Pup fared badly—nearly slipped in waist attempt already as merely lifting barely off ground suggests too young. Definitely unready even contemplating attempting such burdens—for several years ahead shall yet lack this capability!” remarked a mocking adult casually while others chuckled knowingly in response.
Therse great bronze weights weren’t to taken lightly without sufficient caution, for many a youth might severely risk hurting bones, thus traditionally reserved solely and entirely strictly supervised under strict safety rules by instructors.
“Allow me an attempt!” boldly proclaimed a strapping teenager appearing around twelve or thirteen years old as he strode forth grabbing a handle and a foot base firmly, exerting immense effort—lifting the caldron a bit before letting it back crash down again immediately with a thunderous crash, kicking up clouds dust. Failure evident but at least no significant injuries to report—good news for everyone.
“I’ll have a go next!”
Forward stepped forward Er Meng himself! Just mere moments prior had he successfully overthrown powerful beast. Second among males from his home earned nickname “Er Meng”—impressive bulk and density evident even at eight and a half years—his physical strength evident.
WHUMMM!—as the vessel tore from ground upwards toward the skies! The crowd shocked into a breathless disbelief.
An astonishing and inconceivable act: an eight-year-old performing with such incredible power. What potential!
HONHHH! Regrettable, however—he was not to succeed completely this test. Arms shivering with strain, barely mustering final burst strength before releasing vessel to impact ground—leaving crated pockmark with stone chips and soil scattering far and wide.
Afterwards, the challenge continued. One by one, eager youths stepped forwards attempting strength against artifact of ancient origin. Yet none matched the earlier attempt’s magnitude—success proving eluding all participants.
Until finally a burly lad stepped forward confidently into space: a heavily constructed youth named Shi Da Zhou. Taking great breath, he tightly grasped handle while grabbing another foot firmly and—straining and pushing hard—lifted and swung vessel easily above head!
Trembling faintly in arms and unstable feet but maintaining posture firmly, the nine-year-old boy stood triumphant. Stunned gasps echoed as amazed adults marveled openly.
“Youngster, Da Zhuang—what might awaits thee? One can scarcely fathom heights ahead for thee within the years!”
“Such feats in nine spring old—within few days journey, he’d rival near peers across lands afar: sure sign he’ll rise among dominant ranks.”
Patriarchal pride flourished naturally among adults; yet no praise withheld entirely from encouraging younger efforts like Er Meng’s near triumph. The Elders exchanged satisfied smiles: their long investment showing fruits of effort. With constant training utilizing beastly true blood infusions upon village youth bodies, future would assuredly reveal extraordinary figures rising from among them for generations ahead.
Observing the spectacle hidden midst crowd stood a curious tiny presence poking shoulders through gathered bodies: it’s Pup himself—Shi Hao!
Despite his minuscule form compared tall others—barely reaching mid-shins—stood peering over trying glimpsing unfolding grand scene while standing upon tippling toes.
“You there sneaking about little one, don’t tell us also desire attempting strength against that ancient challenge?!” someone laughed.
Village members now nodded approvingly at suggestion, encouraging: “Of course sayings all around of your extraordinary might abound. Despite youth, perhaps a test should ensue. Let instead first handle some stones before challenging grand caldron outright.”
A mother remarked with interest, “Heard similar boasts before, my older lads claimed comparable strength—but remain sceptical still; best settle such doubts with little one stepping forward to try for himself!”
Now entering age three and a half, shiny black hair cascades past tiny shoulders. Wide, dark, gleaming sparkling eyes shine brightly—fair and adorable looking much like refined ivory doll. Glinting mischief hidden within baby face despite fragile figure belying hidden might.
Glanced up at village elders—each smiling fondly, with head-elder, Shi Yun Feng, encouraging: “Approach boldly, lad. Truly looking forward witnessing current prowess levels yourself.”
“YA HE!” shouted little one, tiny stature matched only by the youthful innocence carried in exclamation itself; despite small voice still effortlessly wrapped his fragile arms under nearby huge grinding millstone and simply lifted upwardly effortlessly like picking fallen feather mid-stroll.
“Indeed quite impressive!” many remarked as approval spread easily throughout crowd. Following his success, Shi Haou seized additional millstone grinding slab effortlessly flinging outwardly with mighty arc—”Sssseeeeew!” it flew across like common child’s pebble—landing solid with powerful sixty to seventy meter distance beyond original resting spot!
The collision struck ground hard, creating large craterous divot scattering dirt and rock debris into rising dust cloud and trembling earth. Observers stared, slack jawed and incapable speech momentarily.
Suddenly—before anyone could respond—this smallest youth sprinted suddenly toward nearby beast which lay breathing heavily nearby amidst recovery.
With shocking swiftness and explosive strength, Little One launched attack maneuver. Seizure horns forcefully yanking forward and sideways sent the giant brute crashing onto side, breath expelled as if struck by invisible force. Skill displayed obvious component aiding effort, however sheer strength remains staggering enough sending shockwaves across entire onlookers.
Gasps rippling across assembled crowd—visually appearing akin witnessing a small vicious young monster awakening hidden within childlike frame—an apparent vision seemingly from some hidden world’s nightmare.
This was Shi Hao, still at his earliest stage of development within village’s youngest echelon—he appeared frail looking and short among gathered observers, resembling porcelained doll rather than powerhouse capable lifting entire millhouses in single toss effort—he truly astonishing anomaly amidst village boys.
Then amidst the collective gaze: Shi Hao slowly advanced forward, resolute determination glimmering within eyes toward daunting metal monument dominating space before him. His short height precluded him gripping traditional handle points—so he swiftly adapted: lowering center of gravity then wedging shoulders into underside and exerting upward force against the weight—then—WITH ONE TREMENDOUS PUSH—”GUNGNNGHH”—up soared the great caldron effortlessly over tiny frame until hoisted fully above little one’s elevated head.
SILENCE. STUNNED DISBELIEF GRIPPED EVERY SPECTATOR—simply unable believing their own eyes! Such absurd might in someone only turning thrice-and-a-half-year-old—shattered all logical bounds!
He stood there triumphantly—lifting thousands of pounds effortlessly—a child defying comprehension itself. The crowd, unable to utter word, could hardly accept this vision. Was this creature even human?
This! Is this like an eagle hatched from a golden-wing mother’s egg—or a prodigious Pixiu royal cub? Shi Hao stood rivaling offspring of mythical ancient ferocious creatures—their might concentrated and manifested through this prodigious child’s frame with awe-inducing presence!
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