A cluster of children burst into great enthusiasm, rushing in and grouping around young Shi Hao, gossipping fervently. “O Little Rascal, you truly are incredible! With one swift slap you bested all of these folks. Even that leader possessing the fiery Treasure Spell could not endure for long.”
“At what age may I acquire the skill to exterminate such plunderers like weeds?”
Scores had been overcome. Shi Fei Jiao and the others did not hesitate—tossing defeated raiders into the forest for fierce beasts to consume. Those villains bore bloodied hands and merited no clemency—extending mercy to them would be equivalent to punishing good. More innocent lives risked suffering for that. Of these individuals’ steeds however, some were too wild to be tamed and so met their demise, to serve as feasts for Shi Clan dwellings; yet several amongst these terrifying mounts, although ferocious themselves, remained reasonably tame. Hence, these fierce-beasts had been claimed as riding companions for the villagers.
“Hoo-ha, Little Rascal, you’ve truly scored grand achievement this day! These beasts are of superior breed. Their only detractions involve being merciless, needing daily blood and flesh consumed.” Shi lin Hu and Shi Fei Jiao expressed great joy outwardly; although not yet mounting Unicorns, they reckoned fine, potent beasts could serve for now.
Naturally, a marauder company’s riding steeds would possess great attributes—optimally built for traversals across boundless Wilds, albeit with blood-red maws and dagger-like fangs cloaked with scaly plate armor; proving mightier once they’d been tamed to function properly.
With the Crimson Disk dipping in the West, jubilant villagers prepared these annihilated beasts—firstly boiled within enormous calamities (large pots) until tender, then broiled until golden on crackling campfires, aromas spreading to entice saliva.
They partook deeply in their meats while analyzing day’s events’ successes and losses—every bandit infiltrator had been slain. Such vengeance vented long-pent anxieties, somewhat freeing them all.
“Wondrous! None will regret seeing such banditi—knowing not how they’ve ravaged minor settlements across regions, bearing blood-stained murder counts! Today slaying them, none shall feel regretful at this justice!”
“Well done Little Rascal! You displayed deftness dismantling his dread fiery arts earlier—a talent none should scorn. Increasing maturity breeds growing prowess indeed—our infant prodigy indeed grows mightier, Hahaha…”
Adults laughed while joking at little Shi Hao. “Come. Uncle specially reserved roasted beast’s milk just for you—tasty, quenching.” Interceded an oldie beardy man.
Shi Hao felt reluctant yet deftly grasped pottery containers pouring the milk into lips.
“Deceiver! This is but berry syrup!” he cried out after first sipting the beverage, immediately recognizing the deception.
Laughter rang out through all gathered, some holding their tummies from how amusing that scene appeared.
However upon completion older Chief’s gaze gained firmness again while standing besides firelight he cautioned all present.
“These marauder remnants defeated yet; long overdue returning will invite reinforcements… plus, summon the spiritual entity—the ‘Priestly Spirit’!”
” Grandfather, I personally will eliminate this hidden danger” Shi Hao declared himself resolute while rising boldly to speak up. Yet villagers felt unease—although undeniably powerful in capability—Shi Hao remained merely but an innocent lad.
Opposingly, their foes possessed multiple seasoned experts alongside their dreadful, holy spiritual essence—a fearful enigma—tribes offered worshipful respects, sacred sacrificial tributes, for such guardians were fearsome beyond words—a dreadful being none wished incurring wrath.
” It belongs to this place, evil spirit—it shall be terminated by me ” Shi Hao affirmed firmly—vowing repeatedly he would refrain from pursuing foolish bravado—if odds proved overwhelming he would immediately flee.
Naturally the white pure Unicorn ‘Xiao Bai ‘ accompanied him—when needed the beast could whisk him away fast should any danger loom.
Before journey commenced, Little Rascal recommended—prior preparation required: villagers relocate to safety instead of remaining static at village center. This battle outcome’s unpredictable—if Shi Hao lost, all villagers might pay dearly with crimson retaliations.
Fell consensus among clan people nodded agreeable, elder Chief harbored such thoughts too—it was prudent action to adopt.
“Young one, I ride alongside you” Chief proposed readiness accompanying young warrior.
“No, grandfather Chief—hidden wounds trouble your frame! Bone Script techniques would risk further injury! Trust this endeavor with me alone.” little hero disagreed respectfully. Others felt guilty and ashamed—”Child, hardship weighs upon you.” elder people lamented regretfully.
“Not truly so—it is my solemn duty! Well! Then, I shall be off forthwith.” Thusly the child hero set his determined course.
Alone riding astride, he rode beyond horizons in full gallants spirit—intending singlehandedly to dismantle the enemy bandit’s strength. Already, his acute ear had caught details on hideout locations from defeated marauders—riding non-stop he tore like glistening white phantom wind entering wilderness’s vast depths.
His Unicorn sped forth—gliding over summits and valleys; trees flew past. Just when nearly destination reached at moon’s half-lit hour—nocturnal howling surrounded terrain in deep solitude.
This land rose higher with terrain, crude barricading erected by bandits. They’d temporarily encamped—a nomadic mob, long adapted living under harsh sky.
Flickering ember danced; plunderers feasted on roasted wilds grouped—three by threes or five companions encirclingly chatting nearby fires. Nearby a collection of wild beasts tethered to aged thick trunks or chained within colossal crags. Their feral faces bristling teeth, snarls echoing menace.
Simple fort indeed—few sentinels stood patrol warying for surrounding wilderness creatures—for here within boundless untamed lands unknown lurking perils could suddenly surge unexpectedly, fierce monsters emerging at any turn.
Young Hero galloped closer mounting white beast unicorn, as if Heaven-descending pale clad divine commander riding luminous streamer light. He appeared before their domain—flash.
“What manner individual approaches?!” cried guards at watch station gate. “Xiao Bai—conceal yourself.” Shi Hao murmured a leap taking from unicorn he descended gracefully groundward. Swinging his woolly beast-ball from shoulder returning unto unicorn saddle.
“This is suspicious. A wee boy dares arrive alone? Curious…” The watchers felt puzzled yet cautious—for greater danger tends invoking instinctual vigil.
“Someone intrudes the bandit fort!” They shouted transmitting the signal within camp.
Undeterred, young hero approached steadily—resembling some undefeated general. Though young, he radiated awe and commanding respect—like King of Beasts himself.
“Halt!” An adversary moved, raising long lance thrusting directly toward small foe.
“BAM” Shi Hao retaliated—an instant swat. CRACK—a shaft shattered, and enemy hurled airborne across many feet colliding against bouldery obstacles before crumpling unconscious.
“Mighty!” Bandits breathed fearfully, retreating hastily to nock arrows—blades flying swift emitting wailing howls piercing skyward toward lad—accurate death aiming.
Shi Hao swirled with glyphs, circular vortices whirring into motion—catching entire hail of deadly arrow projectiles absorbing—mangle into iron powder raining down noiselessly.
“Heavens above—monstrously skilled boy!” Raiders stunned; veterans of many wars having faced all manner kinds—but witnessing infant warrior such as this was unprecedented and terrifying.
A casual gesture—Little Rascal summoned cascading magical energy. Arriving reinforcements of fifteen flew off—like cornstocks swept off earth colliding into rock faces; spouting sprays of blood—slumped dying.
“Assassin attack. Take arms!” A piercing cry erupted panic through the fort. Every bandit stood preparing weaponry.
Unfazed, small hero continued singlehanded assault—requiring little efforts felling twenty adversaries—snapping armours effortlessly.
“Phew—truly amazing it is indeed mere kid!” Their commander materialized—a man exuding power, gleaming eyes fixed curiously on child.
Moving unimpeded through chaos Shi stepped deeper into their ranks striking foes. Suddenly, foe attacked rushing forwards; his skin exuding gemstone light. Then—armor appeared shinguarding his full self.
“Hum? Croc plating…Wait…No—it consists of Pangolin scales!” This bandit leader now clad entirely within glossy gleaming armor shimmering terrifyingly in dark. Rushing forward—intent upon crushing young hero.
BOOM! Another clap of hands—a mighty palm strike from the small one sent the horde scattering broken bones, yet this leader, though flung aside, twisted mid-air returning swiftly upright stance unfazed.
“Maybe enchanted armor?” Instant interest ignited young hero mind—this artifact type rarely occurred. Thus he raced forward again delivering followup blow.
“Come—Bring it forth!” Roaring bandit commander thrust hand upward unleashing brilliant glyph energy; limb transformed into beast’s razor claw.
BOOM again! No motion from small hero—shockwave force shattered assailant’s arm, warping its structure despite his armor’s resilience—limb snapped broken.
“You…” Man couldn’t fathom belief—one child reaching might beyond expectation—no ordinary kid ever attained such level!
“Again” Small prodigy advanced again, aiming testing their scale armor’s defenses’ worth.
THUNDEROUS—This strike threw that bandit far and shattered another arm collapsing his ribs. Entire armor broke apart revealing its hollowness.
“Unfortunately for you… this armor proves no treasure. Inscribed Glyphs upon its scales prove incomplete at best.” Little Rascal commented disappointment. Stunned—bandits witnessed one commander crushed so rapidly beneath this little one’s strikes—he collapsed lifeless, beyond salvation.
“Faltered fools—you can’t resist one kid!” At this, voice of a middle-age man boomed from inside base. A powerful trembing echo, like a golden bell’s thrummed vibration approached.
Ceasing, young hero prepared for arrival of true martial prowess ahead—he sensed immense Glyph surging, awakening like sleeping leviathan.
A thick-maned male emerged—a white-eyed gaze dominated with pale-golden pinpoint pupils exuding overwhelming dominance—the quivering ground testified his imposing advance.
This leader reigned superior, commanding over a hundred powerful henchman while bearing formidable skills. At his flank lingered terrifying “Worship Spirit”—no simple opposition.
“Hooaarr!” Flares flared; flames exploded from nowhere instantly creating a wildfire field devouring land in roaring fire.
A sudden onslaught—none preceded in pleasantries. Similar to Fire Glyph—but unlike any witnessed so far.
The next instant, near-by rivers dried away—stones melted into lava; like active volcano, molten flows surged threateningly.
Shock spread across young countenance—realizing he met the authentic champion this battle needed, a warrior whose caliber exceeded his forecast. Supposedly only the “Worship Spirit” could pose such dread threat—but now discovering his leadership held this caliber proved his prior thoughts underestimated.
Whirring—hands claspend as gleaming moon rose in the sky. Rotating swiftly, the orb drew fire energy toward itself. Silver plate expanding—encompassing the battlefield—this was the boy’s inherited treasure: gifted from Old Moonlight (Zi Yin) and fellow Pterodactylus Azure (Xiao Cing).
“You must be that same child dwelling in the nearby mountain village! Yet this much power…” Commander observed awe-inspiring awe. Clear recall re-identified this particular lad. Last journey raiding said village—he watched seated upon beast riding rear, silent, cold—but his eagle-like pupils still stored that scene today vivid and clear.
Now this foe approached with caution and prepared glyph-based combat technique.
Suddenly—the enemy commander radiated energy, roaring—channeling all to call out his summon:
“Divine Spirit—Grace me its Strength!!”
BOOM! His form ignited glowing intensely—became towering armored Pangolin form standing erect on hindlimbs, radiating fierce power attacking head-on.
“Swipe!” Huge energy talon cleaved through air—ripped reality apart with roaring divine soundwave.
The small hero appeared grave. With one yell of focus—he displayed his precious art—summoning a silver crescent of gigantic scale—ten-foot diameter—illuminating surroundings brightly as if radiant glow ring surrounding holy figure, shielding center point.
Shimmer waves of mystical silverness poured down in streams—colliding against energy talons releasing massive clash explosion creating glitter showers within sky.
The scene breathtaking, surreal—little boy standing firm amid divine brilliance—embodying youthful Celestial Divinity presence.
Opponent—now transformed monstrous Pangolin—howled:
“If last time I’d purged that whole village instead of hesitating, perhaps this wouldn’t have occurred! This one broke through in recent times!!”
“Yes!” No denying, Shi Hao replied calmly—behind him, emerged three Volcanoes within his “Divine Sanctum” (spiritual cavity) overflowing essence pouring through himself as living flame river.
“Increase!!” Staggered shock spread across middle-aged foe’s countenance—an individual breaking through, simultaneously summoning a trinity Divinity Gate simultaneously! Unhearde-of notion! Beyond belief.
“Inhabiting remote wild lands, who could conceive such prodigious youth could rise in my domain!!” Screamed raging Pangolin form—blazing light, radiating terror.
“If earlier I burned down whole Shi mountain village maybe such problems would’ve long ended!”
Glow shining behind Shi Hao’s glinting gaze—soul awakened; primordial magical avine materializing from celestial crescent—erupting forth expanding into colossal figure filling heavens overhead.
KABOOM—Legendary primordial terror-bird’s strike—claws shredded across glyphs into flesh. The commander’s whole arm shattered with his shoulder—missing half body intact. Blood jetting over rocky fields.
“AAAARRGGH”—Middle age foe reverted his form. Radiance faded. He crashed bleeding amidst battlefield. Staring blankly, he murmured bitterly:
“Dedicated lifetime to my cultivation. Thirty years to pierce Divine Cavity gate. Now beyond FIFTY—trapped still in these states. You—you still a child and yet—how equal we become?”
Shi Hao, serene, no tremor of fear, muttered aloud—”A Sacred Spiritual being—cloaking secrets behind mystery and immense power. I haven’t yet experienced vanquishing it.”
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