The gloom and sorrow of Little Rascal came swiftly and vanished just the same; after walking away only briefly, it was soon forgotten amidst his youthful carefree spirit. Still, he couldn’t leave empty-handed — out of defiance, he found a stone unremarkable to most but sturdy enough as an enduring slab of bedrock. With careful strokes, he carved: *”Heaven’s Might Unrivaled, Glory Bold and True!”* He paused in thought, adding then with boyish pride: *”Hammer in hand, All beneath me yield!”* And like that, he fled, leaving behind clouds of mischief.
Little Rascal pierced through the glyph barrier of The Eighth Expanse like a phantom, darting furtively, eyes shifting left to right, before sneaking deep within its forests.
“Huuuugh…” A long breath left him, relief spreading as things resumed their proper course.
“I wonder when they’ll show up. Guess I’ll find somewhere for rest,” and so saying, he ventured deeper into woodland thickets, leaping atop an ancient tree where a predatory raptor had made its nest, promptly shooed him off. Without hesitation, the bold child claimed the abandoned perch, gathering some leaves as soft bedding. He stretched out on it and fell into blissful slumber. High above, the winged beast cried indignantly at the intrusion; could this really be happening? A human brat dared seize a skyborn predator’s abode? If it were another fowl or brute from nature’s cruel theater, perhaps tolerable… But a little pest with no plumage?
But Little Rascal took no heed; such acts weren’t rare with him — and truthfully, compared to rough terrain or forest floors, those dangerous birds’ nests proved quite snug and invitingly warm. And there he stayed — snoring contentedly while the mighty raptor watched helplessly, finally settling down upon a nearby hilltop, waiting patiently by bloodshot eyes.
Already twilight descended as Little Rascal settled to sleep; it seemed dreams carried him deeply until dawn’s break stirred his senses awake again. Rubbing tired eyes open, he rose sluggishly amid scattered twigs and feathers, yawning wide toward rosy morning skies, limbs heavy yet oddly revitalized. Then — zipping suddenly — off the branch he dove headfirst like an arrow.
The displaced beast watched intently still — through restless hours it perched unwavering upon that peak. Several times its instincts almost urged a savage attack, but somehow restraint held. It waited… finally freed of torment.
Now well into morning hunt routines elsewhere, distant murmurs reached him:
“Hey bro, did you find any eggs?”
“That kid definitely napped inside that nest,” remarked the girl, whispering slyly, “just look — sleepy eyed and tousled-haired!”
A youth and a maiden, strong talents themselves indeed who’d otherwise passed alone. Unfortunately fate branded them ineligible, forced to repeat the trials all anew!
“G’morning!” chirped Little Rascal cheerily.
“You actually slept in some birdnest?”
Startled widened eyes mirrored her shock as fingers half-masked stunned lips, astonished disbelief coloring her tone.
“Nahh! I adore birds — totally chums,” answered he smoothly even as casually plucking a golden-browned roasted leg straight off the spitfire between them, gnawing it heartily.
“Well,” she pouted quietly under her breath — clearly displeased seeing someone devour what she’d hoped was *her* favorite bite untouched.
“Truly disheartened discovering you guys roast innocent birds! Best outta sight, finish quick!”
With that invitation, the trio enjoyed mirthful chatter around crackling flame. Eventually topics drifted.
“What’s up with today anyway?” Xiao pressed curiously.
“Not fun,” snapped the girl angrily. “Because one rotten brat messed it up, everyone restarts!”
His ears perked up attentively.
“Didn’t hear anything from Elder Council back in Sky Repair Pavilion, right?”
“There’s talk! They’ve surrounded the Second Battlefield with traps tighter than silk netting. They mean business capturing *that child*, trust me!” confirmed the elder brother grimly.
Upon hearing this, Xiao grinned ear-to-ear, nearly rolling across grass laughing aloud — expressions mirroring pure delight. Sibling faces reflected mutual bafflement.
“That arrogant punk won’t escape again — nowhere left unsearched.”
“And believe me…” the girl chimed enthusiastically now clenched fists raised. “Many more besides us are ready for vengeance — we’ll dish-out justice, even worse things!”
“Certainly exciting news ahead,” replied elder twin contemplatively, adding, “they officially opened doors today— public invited openly to witness ‘ceremonial completion’. Official reason — watching gifted contenders succeed; hidden agenda — proving *one certain bratty devil*.”
“Totally fair — capture under global spotlight, perfect revenge plan!!” She exclaimed excitedly waving hands dramatically.
At which Xiao laughed uproariously himself, clapping delightedly.
Their breakfast ended joyous laughter and camaraderie abound.
As parting gifts, he handed both vials containing potent elixirs each with glowing properties – disappeared quickly afterward, leaving them wondering aloud about mysterious herbs’ origins (“Could these actually be legendary Dragon Powder & Tiger Essence? Restorative powers beyond value?!”).
Of course these treasures plundered previously from Silver Robe youth.
Replete and merry now he strolled whistling idly amidst eighth expanse trails. This round drastically easier challenges due to massive recruitment goals seeking three thousand worthy youths rather than selective exclusivity — naturally allowing countless young aspirants rushing feverishly toward passage points. As sun rose higher, over 1000 contestants emerged victorious crossing gate threshold already.
“Seems ripe. Time joins fray,” and thus slipped clever Xiao among large clustered groupings near simultaneous exit bursts successfully breaching final thresholds together seamlessly within swarming crowds.
Outside world celebrated wildly too: Tribal Elders cheered unrestrained; competing sect representatives wore knowing smirks masking motives untold.
Except solemn-faced Guardians at Sky-Repair Pavilion stewed silently bitter tears watching droves stream forth unchecked.
“How is this called *trial*? Letting such rabble join?” groaned old guardian elder face green tinted with nausea.
Soon reaching target figure of chosen three thousand, celebratory air hung universally joyful — excluding the Pavilion elders.
“Let’s march toward Secondary Battlefield now — destiny aligns perfectly!!” proclaimed Bearfeng Elder loudly, arms extended broadly, fiery fervor burning fierce yet unmistakably clenched jaw lines betrayed rage tightly restrained beneath bravado.
“Come honored brothers — witness true pillars rising!” echoed Zhuoyun Elder booming call. Emphasis drawn hard on terms *‘pillar’* and ‘*miracle prodigy’,* words pronounced forcefully as if trying digest iron weights.
“Why not include these successful candidates also – let’s give future legends a firsthand peek into the secondary grounds, broaden horizons?” suggested united chorus from senior tribal leaders.
“Aye, fine by me!” agreed Bearfeng with dismissive wave.
And lo—the entrance unveiled revealing path forward. Xiao, ever mischievous, squeezed shoulder-to-shoulder with crowds, beaming ear-to-ear smile illuminating cherubic features crowned tiny gleaming saber-teeth glistening sun-dazzled joyously humming alongside others.
Inside battlefield meanwhile…
Silver-robed teen awakens groggily nursing splitting headache throbbing rhythmically echoing relentless punishment dealt. Confined within suffocating stone cradle barely space to shift position. Fully revived, fury exploded raw howl ripping throat raw.
“COME OUT YOU COWARD!!”
*BAM!* Cracked skull against rock wall jarring nerves afresh pain exploding outward instantly. Rage mounting uncontrollably till suddenly darkness retook him; struck again, same spot hammered once more — insult piled atop injury.
Emerging shortly, wriggling free from fissured boulder prison realizing external barricades likely meant guarding against beasts. Sun overhead blinding through canopy gaps piercing eye-stingingly sharp — confirming new morning dawning, suggesting unconsciousness spanned full night duration at least.
*”Was struck repeatedly last night?”* Inner storm brewed hot fury. Not merely defeated but humiliated thricefold — battered senseless then robbed bare completely.
Yet something stranger awaited…
A rustle alerted him. Tearing loose clothing revealed bulge hiding glimmering stones — familiar treasure! Revisiting cavern discovered bundled sack nestled inside, contents unmistakable — originally his belonging.
Frantic tally commenced confirming over twenty precious shards recovered miraculously.
“Whaaaat happened? Robbery followed instant restoration without explanation??”
Shock faded momentarily only to flare tenfold as teeth ground together screaming furious accusations skyward.
“WHO’S TOYING WITH ME HERE?! What do YOU want???!!!”
First blow struck — entire stash gone vanished mercilessly like taken by demon itself! Later returned violently without rhyme or face shown, topped again unconsciously with familiar thud to exact location. How much humiliation possible???
Roars reverberated through valley earth shaking tremor beneath forceful wrath. Dense silver sigils erupted all over his body threatening self-destruction unless contained externally. Even peers listening stood shaken — fearful awe gripped chests at power level radiating sheer destruction sufficient eliminating groups effortlessly. Pain flared afresh in temple as he clasped tender bump gasping through clenched teeth.
Unbeknownst miles away, high elders of Sky-Repair advanced into sacred battleground site. Upon arrival coincided precisely with thunderclap-like cry shaking mountains to core — smiles instantly broke upon wizened visages, surprised satisfaction glittering eyes brightening further.
“A singular prodigious soul!” praised Bearfeng Elder.
“*A peerless genius unseen since decade past!” echoed Zhuo Yun.*
“Such potential, roaring dragon-song vigor surging within — cultivate diligently, may emerge rival to Celestial Monarchs themselves!”
Rival factions cast envious glances. Indeed, Sky-Repair’s legacy endured agelessly — generationally producing extraordinary disciples.
Thoughts stirring greedy intentions already whispered.
“Let’s proceed,” Bear Feng declared eager strides leading procession. Others nodded expectant anticipation swelling collective excitement.
Across plains, silver-clad fury stared blankly at rippling reflection inside water, tears threatening to spill at sight of hideous forehead deformation — horn-shaped egg protrusion marred otherwise noble looks — repeated attacks branding unique scar upon same locale twice.
“Curse thee!!!” growled lowly filled vengeance boiling black.
Elsewhere masses approached hungrily curious toward rumored genius presence heralded moments prior. Also expecting imminent confrontation with infamous mischievous culprit cornered finally after being trapped. Hopeful anticipation spread contagiously amongst watchers.
“And might I propose following ceremony with viewing Black-Fanged Divine Medicine — nourished carefully via Tiger-Killing Malevolence Qi, possibly evolve someday saint-grade herbal relic,” stated Elder Zhuoyun breezily maintaining graceful composure unfaltering despite rising drama.
Strategic timing dictated showcasing some vault-hidden treasures securing Pavilions’ mystique and authority over younger generations yearning ascension.
Thus unfolded events, grand and tumultuous — destined marking tales spoken through eons immortal fantasy.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage