Chapter 32: Astounding Metamorphosis

The grand black cauldron shook forcefully, exuding bursts of radiant treasures. Xiaobudian had been sealed within for over an hour when the lid quaked open momentarily in intervals, letting golden liquid splash outward—an intense fragrance drifting forth from it that beguiled the senses. A vague shape of a golden cub stirred furiously to break free—it bellowed repeatedly. Its thunderings resounded in such palpable vividness so that the villagers’ napes prickled in dread. Though small—merely over a foot in span—the cub furiously rammed the cauldron lid; its golden aura gleammed dazzlingly, and time after time it snarled at Xiaobudian defiantly. Trembling vigorously, the cauldron lid left everyone awestruck in trepidation. The villagers, at multiple attempts intending to secure it properly, were repeatedly halted by the chief elder. They said—the soul confined within the pot was vital: a core distillation. Such refinement demanded no interference.

The fragrance thickened; heavy and resplendent, the black pot continuously overflowed with divine luster spouting from the lid’s seams. Xiaobudian drifted amidst the golden effluvia—eyes closed serenely, receiving a sacred purification.

“Clang! Clang!”

The length of that one-foot golden cub became ever fiercer amidst struggles, its entire frame aflame like a deity thrashing about. Charging against the black cauldron, people’s visages changed—the chief Shi Yun Feng equally tense, watching wide-eyed the divine soul—the shard of divine heritage left behind from the primordial golden lion forefather.

“This cannot prolong favorably. What happens should it actually breach free? And chief, you surely don’t let us interfere,” asked Shi Fei Jiao.

With solemn restraint, Shi Yun Feng responded—”To open the sealed cauldron without proper means risks explosion—its quintessence of properties might dissipate irrefutably through ether.”

“Ehhh, watch—it begins confronting Xiaobudian!” cried Er Meng among children collectively alarmed.

Collective hearts tightened again; radiance of the sacred essence intensifying—as the creature, claw and fang bared amidst gesticulated clouds and mists of might, charged toward Xiaobudian with thunder rumbling audibly throughout.

“Fear not—it long is extinct; nothing more than a fragmentary echo remains bereft true intent or form,” explained Shi Yun Feng.

Undeterred and tranquil, a luminous visage enshrined Xaiaobudian; its tissues aglow as he immersed himself in a mystic reverie—devoid any connection to externalities, while being purified by those encasing halos from all sides—the Glyphs inscribed into his corpus alchemized into auric mists, further refining sacred essences within each of his life-sufficing fluid droplets. As he underwent the purification, he transformed every one of his blood droplets into glyphs—an eternal divine furnace each embodying, radiant beams pouring profusely to invigorate this being.

Each pore breathed wide open this moment. Each bead of blood became a divine ember—multiple effigies like godheads within resonated. Resplendences cascading particle after particle densely populated around him—like infinite divine incantations echoing through verses of enlightenment beneath azure skies.

The charging golden cub harnessed by innumerable radiance—guided toward transformational light, transmuting into purification streams, melding its essence within that cluster.

“Splendid indeed—what marvelously cryptic spectacle!” villagers stilled in astonished reverence eased their anxiety slightly.

“Aoooo—” Strangely resisting more violent—divorced now entirely from Xiaobudian’s reach thrashed against the pot anew—resoundings that reverberated terrifyingly across village spaces, fears of imminent explosion rising among them.

In the final throes; the ferocious surge increased—the metallic vessel groaning under the cub’s repeated assault intensifying to an unprecedented extent, vibrating ceaselessly. Yet paradoxically—transformed as it endured; the cauldron’s inscriptions of sun, moon, rivers, mountains, and beasts emerged with newfound vivacity—like resurrecting themselves back to animation once more!

“Perhaps—the fabled artifact inherited by our ancestors indeed originated as a legendary cauldron devoted exclusively toward herbal alchemy?” speculated the chief—bewilderment crossing Shi Yun Feng’s gaze as he noted its resemblance toward elite cauldrons of renowned great clans!

Roars intensified, and in its wrath, the cub attacked yet greater. However the vessel now emanated more time-honored, mysterious aura while the carved inscriptions began to glimmer one by one—from self-igniting incendiary symbols bursting to life upon its bronze walls. From amidst the cacophony—ferocions roars of savage raptors, monstrous brutes echoed—less hallucinations and more authentic soundwaves.

Now translucent the cauldron’s structure—began distilling the viscous golden fluid within.

Terror and defiance intermingled in the essence of what had been an ethereal embodiment moments prior—to now produce tangible thundering echoes resounding painful blows against villagers’ eardrums—evoking profound uneasiness. For one final act—the spirit reared high, exuding arcs of lightning—a seeming reality where it aimed its essence at rending open cauldron’s very structure itself.

Reverberating tremblings overtook the black crucible, while the primordial pictographs upon its ancient sides turned increasingly lifelike—resounding sacred invocant chants echoing in ceaseless unison as if invoking an ancient hymn.

“Undoubtedly—our ancestral relic must indeed stand unmatched, a wondrous herbal cauldron of myth!”

Xing Yun Feng trembled inwardly—surpassingly elated at this new transformation never having foreseen that their mundane black crucible previously used might possess such wondrous characteristics of its essence.

Equally so—at this time; Xiaobudian immersed amidst gold liquids—his entire being enveloped in incalculable lights radiating outward, densely congregated—resplendent visions appearing as if an entire galaxy of divine beings, seated chanting sacred mantras, reverberating into perfect synchrony matching the black sacrificial crucible’s resonance entirely.

Tremulous and wailing defiantly still—the golden fanged beast’s resistance began collapsing; golden threads spun by the cauldron, each bearing shards of sacred divinities, absorbed fully into the golden elixir inside.

Then at cessation; all returned calm, tightly sealed lid sealing it securely closed now—barring observation into its internal sanctum.

“At last sealed—undoubtedly a safe success lies ahead for dear little one!” cheered Shi Yun Feng, filled with exuberance.

“How long might this refinement last Chief?” asked another.

“No single definitive timeline—spanning potentially from merely one day toward ninety,” replied chief—furrowing thoughtful brow now etched across face lines aged.

Stunning silence hung momentarily before—exclamations flew—”Ninety days!!”

Hence their elders’ prior instruction to cleave wood harvested from dark thunder beasts—preparatory tasks that had puzzled villagers before. But all understood fully now its significance as golden juices ebbed not from cauldron within entire full twenty-four-hour duration since initiation. Throughout, immersed Xiaobudian floated in the elixir’s embrace—skin burning reddening like impending blood release through pores; golden effluvia flowing inward—through each opening, flushing repeatedly from within while carrying toxins out anew—each cycle renewing his inner purification.

An excruciating process—an intense ordeal feared unbearable for typical children to bear; often leading to painful demise. This golden elixir did far more than simply cleanse; rushing forcibly within flesh like bone shattering pressure and tearing of flesh—muscles twisted, tendons severed, commonly suffered side effects.

Yet, Xiaobudian never flinched clenched teeth holding steadfast through relentless cleansing. Drawing golden elixir from the exterior deep into self’s marrow, radiance erupted outward enveloping entirety. Despite indescribable torment suffered, strangely his inner core invigorated beyond before—an unexplainable revitalization awakening.

This sacred brilliance ruthlessly coursed through internal viscera seemingly fracturing them—yet ultimately mended into lustrously transparent purity anew.

Bones teetered nearing fractures—but re-solidified into resilient structure beyond, pristine like polished ivory, radiant as crystal clarity.

Yet—not merely tissue purification achieved—for alongside body rebirth—his inner spirit likewise strengthened with essence.

Exactly twenty-hours passed since process beginning. As first dawn rays herald approach sunrise—small orbs stirred opened within tiny form uttering aloud, “Grandfather; juice nears dissipation!”

“Succeeded!” Elder Shi rejoiced and commanded lid opening revealing Xiaobudian luminous skin emitting incandescount lights.

Village gathered astonished—without question they instantly recognized the immense gains obtained.

After pensive deliberation, eventually Shi Yun Feng gritted teeth—”Prepare Crimson Bull Demon’s Ruby Horn alongside Demon Ape Arm! Unsheathe blood!”

Promptly Shi Lin Hu chanted—guided crimson glow-infused blood from ancestral bull’s horn outward streaming while also drawing forth black substance secreted within Ape arm, spilling into sacred crucible.

“Moo!” Instantly thunderous bellowing from primordial ox sent trembles across each village inhabitant’s skull.

“Howwwww—” Followed a second guttural roar—darkness swirling within cauldron birthed shadow demon primate besides crimson fire beast—both enraged—hurled at the iron walls seeking breach.

“Sealed cover! Seal the top again!” commanded old Sage.

Fearsomely violent collision reassert itself this time! Three kinds ancestral beast blood mingling—crimson ox fire demons from age of primordials, golden beasts sacred essence threads weaving with dark primordial simian spirits. They battled in fury seeking the vessel disintegration.

However on its engraved wall, the visages of primodal ancients appeared again—hymn resounding in ancient tongues summoned forth infinite chants in resonance suppressing triple primordium inheritors’ rebellious outbursts.

Xaiaobudian himself also radiating—light streams from within his frame infinite—in sync with rhythmic pulsations—heartbeat-like celestial song from his tissues and bones—his body glowing in multilateral brilliance attuning harmonious frequency with black sacrificial crucible.

Both human and cauldron shone luminarity—symbols and divine resonance cascaded into clouds and colorful splendor swirling glorified brilliance about. This process lasted yet another forty eight consecutive cycles until quietness ultimately resumed.

When opened again; Xiaobudian sprung upwardly—clear thirty-feet height—ejecting himself skyward with accompanying clangour from cauldron cover.

“Burned! Charbroiled!” he kept tugging black-burnt behind, his only untouched features—a glinting gleaming eyes dartingly expressive as ever; remainder blacked like singed carbon, much akin to a black-splodge furred young monkey.

Silencing awe seized entire crowd. Just this moment—before they watched in stupefaction, this child deflected a thickly sealed heavy cauldron cover—catapult himself upward that height. Soaring nearly two score-feet skyward—an astonishing feat no doubt indeed had succeeded in all their minds!

Laughing heartily aloud—Chief Shi realized at last, Xiaobudain’s cultivation completed. Containing joy briefly—”Halt! Douse the flames immediately, add water quickly the medicinal roots remaining still constitute priceless treasures!”

As Xiaobudian landed gently—circled at once by young villagers; all pinching touching poking teasing; while water douses cascaded forth, cleansing soot from figure.

The village gasmed with shock observing now—he sloughing a scorched thick carbon skin-layer—revealing underlaying small physique gleaming with pristine luminescence; flowing golden halos.

“Waauww, is Xiaobudian a Silkworm’s spawn then, having shed such thick char-black sheath!?” kids clamored with excitement.

Even tender aged female lasses pressed into throng to admire—covetous eyes scanning glowing transparent contours he now displayed.

Flushing bashful, promptly Xiaobudian seized first garment at hand—draping hastily as others laughed heartedly.

“Children, let’s verify what changes has occurred here.”

Old tribe sages addressed while great hands like broad palms from Shi Lin Hu descended methodically—probed with intrigue—whisperings arose—touched silken textures akin to warming jade treasures.

Little boy reddish faced and indignant—yet even suffered a gentle flick upon his nether region—the grown-ups still perceiving him like an infantile form—yet with resistance, he exertly shoved unexpectedly—nearly overturning Shi Fei Jiao.

Laughter rang through all. But astonished astonishment replaced mirth.

“This child—impossible. He just pushed me almost into a tumble?” stammered Shi Fei jao in shocked realization. “All known, a few moments my arms’ power equaled 4 or 5k stone each! To near falling by less than a four years toddler?”

“Come, my young fellow—demonstrate new might—engage some iron kettle lifting trials.” Shi Yun Feng summoned with beaming delight.

“With pleasure indeed!” Xiaobudian exclaimed gratefully escaping playful poking hands from chuckling men, rushing forth promptly. Lifting first hundred jins copper cauldron easily. Advencing steadily—lifted a further five thousand-jins weight black steel iron cauldron to astonishment paralyzing all nearby.

Everyone knew how prodigious Xiaobudian had always appeared—earlier achievements already beyond belief. His lifting hundred-jins weight previously astounding feat—yet, effortlessly raising up nearly five thousand jin challenge had exceeded comprehension, silencing collective disbelief.

“This isn’t his pinnacle threshold—further attempt required!” Chief declared, his excited tone evident even tremblingly.

“Crashing—!” Roared aloud last trial. Xiaobudian now elevated heaviest artifact—the eight thousand jin Lion-Devil Engraved cauldron, which bore the terrifying design of ancient beasts upon it’s bronze surface.

Astonishment seized every soul. Never before documented—in existence no other recorded instance ever before—of one merely child’s age demonstrating superhuman capability so unprecedented, so beyond comprehension as theirs witness today.

“My boy—if when you’ve grown—your promise me not only retrieve a real divine feral ancient beast—Jiao Bei—as the very divine entity our Primordial ancestors used to worship—You’d dishonor all efforts exerted!” Shi Lin Hu shouted jubilatingly back to presence regained state!