In the savage wilds where ferocious beasts roamed and lives were constantly under threat, the villagers had simple demands—they felt content so long as they had food and could fill their bellies. Flames danced around the bonfire as mirth spread through Shi Village; men and women, elders and children alike bore radiant smiles, filling the air with cheerful voices.
“Children, stop running about! Soon it will be time for your medicinal baths—you’ll sleep soundly tonight and grow stronger than any beast!” laughed an elder.
“Aww… nooooo!” The kids wailed in protest and scattered across the village like a flock of startled birds.
“Foolish tykes, know not fortune!” scolded the adults, gathering up their offspring as if plucking little chicks. “Those are rare medicines—keep taking them regularly and your bones will rival those of titanic creatures!”
“I hurt! I don’t want to bathe—it feels like knives cutting me!” one boy cried.
“Father, please let go—I don’t want to be boiled!” Another resisted fiercely, but to no avail—tiny arms stood no chance against sturdy giants, and all ended up dragged back.
In a clearing, eight great bronze cauldrons had already been set up, each over a roaring fire, boiling furiously. Into these bubbling waters, elders threw thick bunches of herbs alongside centipede bodies over a foot long and spiders the size of clenched fists. Clear water soon turned murky black, resembling ink—its eerie darkness unnerving to behold. The poor children paled at once, longing only to flee, yet held fast by adult hands.
Soon after, dozens more ceramic pots arrived; carefully opened by elders, they revealed dark crimson liquid that was then poured reverently into the boiling brew—the genuine blood harvested from fallen monstrous beasts, invaluable whether used upon grown men or growing children to boost stamina. When combined with ancient remedies known to the village along with various medicinal plants, even stronger results arose.
Apart from the blood, wing-bones of airborne pythons and hoof bones from Kuil beast were laboriously crushed into dust and tossed within the swirling broth. When the flames died down and the water cooled slightly, shrieks pierced the silence followed by loud *plunk* after *plunk*—the first batch thrown headlong into their copper doom.
“It burns! It’s going to cook me alive!”
“Help! Feels like my skin is flaying apart!” Teeth bared, limbs flailing wildly—straining toward freedom, yet shoved right back in. One by one denied, screams echoing endlessly.
Again and again they came: batches upon batches—all squirming and crying out except for maybe seven or eight souls who bore their agony silently despite sweat-soaked brows and gritted teeth, swallowing their suffering deep inside.
Even Little Pint sized himself got special treatment—he was plunged alone into a dark cauldron, which contained just barely enough regular water mixed thoroughly with beast blood and powdered bones. Yet none found this unfair nor excessive favoritism—for others simply couldn’t take such intensity. Those placed into normal cauldrons howled uncontrollably while sweet little troublemaker Pint endured it all without tears.
Moreover, when that particular mixture began to boil anew, old chief Shi Yunfeng unlocked two extra jars containing precious essences, slowly adding each mysterious ingredient into Pint’s own private cauldron. From one jar erupted a vermilion blaze condensing into a tiny Pi Xiu roughly palm-sized—powerful and fearsome, gnashing sharp teeth ready to devour flesh and flee at any second.
Glaring glyphs flashed above Chief Yunfeng’s palm—glowing bone symbols lit forth as he slammed downward sending the creature dissolving into scarlet mist absorbed fully back into steaming depths below. Another vessel released a fire-like two-headed rhinoceros glowing bright red and snarling viciously—a mighty roar silenced swiftly likewise, broken apart midair, vanishing similarly into Pint’s pitch-dark vat.
Lowered cautiously amidst bubbling heat, Little Pint immediately thrashed violently—still too small he nearly choked drinking gulps straight into his lungs as splashes engulfed him.
Sympathy bloomed across watching faces—anxiously hoping they weren’t ever chosen for such pain: surely being immersed in a mix mostly of rare blood essence together with monster bone shards must’ve inflicted deeper torment.
Even several adults showed concern witnessing the poor lad’s constant flailing limbs with sticky liquids swallowed every now and again—it seemed worrying indeed.
“Nothing to fret over—we’ve gone through this many times before. He always survives,” reassured Chief Yunfeng, his manner blunt yet caring. “More medicinal intake means greater benefits, should it get processed properly.”
“He possesses immense innate strength,” another elder chimed thoughtfully while stroking his beard, nodding knowingly as he explained, “and besides, perhaps secret bone powers work continuously, subtly aiding him break down some of these harsh effects… likely saving him considerable suffering.”
The ritual lasted ages until finally they climbed free—peeling raw red skins clung tightly upon trembling frames making them appear akin to scorched apes staring dumbly at each other with wide eyes filled with weeping trails. Only at conclusion did sorrow cease, bringing relief at last.
But never had Pint whimpered throughout. Even submerged, big round eyes sparkled fearlessly reflecting dancing light flickers; flushed cheeks painted pink like ripened apples though staggering dizzily when carried forth—tottering clumsily, swaying side-to-side drunkenly.
“You alright?” asked an elder gently.
Pint exhaled a sleepy burp, mumbling faintly, “Felt kinda full.”
This innocent remark cracked hardened expressions instantly—one after another erupting into hearty chuckles amused by the toddler’s oblivious honesty.
“Tired,” yawned Pint softly, slumping sideways as warm arms caught his descent, whispering vaguely against Yunfeng’s chest—”Sleepy…”
“Lead these younglings off for proper rest tonight, tomorrow their strength increases tenfold.” Thus spoke Head Elder Shi Yunfeng.
Afterward, remaining contents collected meticulously, none wasted—additional fuel fed fires beneath emptied cauldrons before unique botanicals joined what remained simmering away turning it into potent herbal dust. Useful both as healing salve and strengthening agent, especially during mountain hunts when survival meant everything.
Such was harsh reality forcing every ounce squeezed to utmost limit. Younger ones merely initial users—after whom residues reused persistently. While vigorous males cared not much as long as it stemmed fatal injury.
Night passed uneventful yet promising. At dawn next day squeals rang anew as layers peeled easily from sweaty bodies leaving behind grime-covered mattresses.
“Wash yourselves using well-water afterward and then lift that grinding stone over there!”
“Father, isn’t that Three Brother’s usual workout?”
“Not another word—did you or didn’t you use up those real-bloods and powders? Should show progress—or else your bottom gets whacked six ways ’til Sunday!” Thus commenced early morning tumult within Shi Village. Kids groaned under burdened tasks forced onto tender backs: stones shifted, cauldrons lifted. Effects appeared unmistakable. Strength improved greatly, although claiming complete rebirth went too far—truth still demanded humility amidst grand expectations.
Cracks split repeatedly near entrance—Chief Yunfeng’s palms glowing brilliantly wielding golden-hued hammer smashing into most treasured section belonging to Dragon-Tusked Elephant, reducing horns further into minuscule fragments intermixed alongside claws severed from Pi Xiu limbs, plus flame-colored horn slices obtained previously via Fire Rhinoceros encounters. Pulverized into fine powder later added steadily into simmering beast milk pot together with remaining ingredients stirring rising fragrance upwards curling skyward.
Then herb plant succeeded herb being hurled inward relentlessly changing texture gradually transforming into rich syrup thicker than before while aroma intensified.
Meanwhile within nearby house called Stone Hut stirred sudden movement—Pint awakened at cry summoning feast, rolling upright bleary eyed blinking sleep away when fragrances hit suddenly invigorating senses nostrils twitching joyfully.
“So delicious,” breathed soft praise eagerly anticipating delights awaiting mouth.
“That goes without saying,” smiled Shi Yunfeng proudly revealing concoction within waiting earthenware container, emphasizing importance—every bit to be consumed completely, nothing spared.
Without hesitation Pint wolfed portions rapidly consuming everything available before unwelcomed consequences manifested. You see—medicinal potency overwhelming compared age-appropriate threshold resulted swift transformations—normally adorable miniature menace now rampaged wildly like possessed beastie incarnate wearing pair huge blood-red orbs reminiscent rabbits possessing boundless manic energy darting everywhere shouting incessantly nonsensically terrifying surrounding populace.
Poor giant mongrel Golden howled agonizing lament after having tail tugged mercilessly—almost pulled completely bare enduring endless hours of pitiful yelping echoing loudly through entire neighborhood chaos ensuing wherever stampeded next.
“What exactly has gotten into you, pulling down fences Aunt built?”
“What on earth happened? Why’s that little demon squatting atop MY roof tiles?! Stop right there!”
Shrieks erupted frequently as docile child-turned-feral-terror ran riot unchecked through every home, lane way provoking sheer panic wherever mischief brewed.
Yet gathered among watching seniors stood Chief Yunfeng sharing glances murmuring quietly among themselves—expressions pleased approvingly observing aftermath unfolding naturally before them.
“We absorbed almost whole portion successfully. Results beyond satisfying.”
Distant youths catching glimpses instinctively backed away shuddering nervously whispering secrets behind cupped hands amongst groupings, “How truly pitiable Little Pint seems today.”
At culmination moment, glowing markings emerged clearly from tiny hands traveling upward arm’s length illuminating ghostly inscriptions tracing mystical contours—shifting between visibility mysteriously hidden then returning. Enhanced physique undeniable evidence manifesting speed increase power gains significantly surpassing baseline levels thereby satisfying aged overseer’s high expectation.
Only two long hours elapsed ere calming took place. Rubbing head sluggishly Pint muttered sheepishly:
“Oops. Got into trouble.”
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