svetikya Chapter 2: Well-behaved, sensible, and pitiful.
Chapter 2: Well-behaved, sensible, and pitiful.
The Kingdom of Shi was founded on military strength, and its people have always had a fierce and valiant spirit. Naturally, the various kings and nobles also hoped that their descendants could rise to power and not be inferior to others.
Deep within the Wu King's mansion, in a martial arts training ground, dozens of bronze cauldrons of various sizes had already been set up, with raging fires burning beneath them and boiling water churning inside.
Several clan elders moved among the water, constantly adding rare herbs and the true blood of ancient species. They would also occasionally throw in a few strange and poisonous insects, turning the originally clear spiritual water into a kaleidoscope of colors, which looked quite frightening.
A group of children huddled in a corner, their faces pale. If they weren't even more afraid of the belts in their fathers' hands, they probably would have scattered long ago.
"It's baptism day again. I hope my two can absorb as much of the medicine as possible, because they won't have the chance to come next year."
"Each baptism is very costly, and it's already quite good if it happens once a year. I just don't know which child will stand out."
"The true prodigy must have other plans... Look over there, the one born with double pupils is here!" someone exclaimed in a low voice. "He's not even a year old, and he's already starting his baptism?"
In ancient times, those with double pupils were considered saints or gods. It is said that several such people existed and later became extraordinary figures who shook the world.
The arrival of Shi Yi and his mother immediately attracted the attention of everyone present. Several clan elders personally greeted them, their wrinkles shrugs off with smiles.
As a result, Shi Zhao, who was originally relatively unknown, also received a lot of attention.
Some people, seeing her seemingly close relationship with the person with double pupils, instantly became interested in how to get their children to establish a good relationship with that future young supreme being.
"Tsk, openly giving special treatment to the child." Shi Zhao jumped off the carriage and watched the four-eyed cub being taken away by the clan elder, without feeling any envy.
The main point is to maintain composure.
Of course, when she was actually thrown into the scalding cauldron, her face turned pale. This ancient baptism was still too shocking for her after her awakening.
"Wow—it's so hot!!"
Suddenly, a cacophony of ghostly wails and howls filled the surrounding area.
An elder scolded, "This baptismal opportunity is hard-won. The spiritual herbs and true blood were painstakingly collected by your elders. I hope you will cherish them and not waste them!"
What is spiritual practice?
Another elder, unfazed by such occurrences, expressionlessly pushed the grimacing, lively little cubs back into the water while explaining the principles of cultivation.
"The Blood Transformation Realm is the beginning of cultivation. It requires mobilizing the essence and blood of the entire body to fuse the bone inscriptions, and to stimulate divine light within the blood, thereby tempering the creation of heaven and earth to nourish the physical body. Only when you possess the strength of eight thousand jin can you be considered to have truly stepped into the gate of the Blood Transformation Realm..."
Shi Zhao calmed himself down, ignoring the burning pain and the poisonous insects around him.
Simply put, the Blood Transformation Realm is the condensation of essence blood and runes, which transforms into divine light, nourishes the physical body, and seizes the creation of heaven and earth to strengthen oneself, thereby achieving the goal of cultivation.
After clarifying these points, she began to recall the bone script she had learned before.
It must be said that there are indeed people in the Wu Wang Mansion who are doing practical work. All the children are forced to learn various bone scripts from a young age, and they also have several baptism opportunities arranged by the family.
Future achievements are another matter, but at least the start won't be too bad.
Shi Zhao closed her eyes. Her mastery of bone script was already quite good, and now with the added strength of her primordial spirit, her understanding and comprehension were even more enhanced.
In a short period of time, she achieved extraordinary results, transforming many bone inscriptions into a part of herself, fusing them into her flesh and blood, turning them into radiant light and becoming divine radiance.
During this process, her palms became burning hot, and an inexplicable power drew the essence of the spiritual medicine and true blood in the cauldron into her body, making every inch of her flesh glow, with runes appearing within them, shining like stars.
However, while she was immersed in cultivation and felt refreshed, the other two little girls in the same cauldron were about to cry.
"Huh, why does it suddenly stop hurting?"
"Wow, that's terrible! She absorbed all the medicine's potency!"
Shi Zhao's performance was so amazing that even the clan elders were astonished. They never expected that there was such a gifted little guy hidden among these children.
Generally speaking, such geniuses are discovered early on and receive specialized training.
"Whose child is this? So extraordinary!" A robust middle-aged man strode over.
He reached out and grabbed the two crying girls, tossing them into the other large cauldrons. Then, he stared intently at Shi Zhao.
"So it's Zhao girl, good child. In that case, I'll lend you a hand."
Shi Zhongtian laughed heartily, recognized Shi Zhao, and without hesitation took out rare and precious medicines and the true blood of the remnant species from his bosom, throwing them all into the cauldron to refine.
The onlookers were all astonished, never expecting that this "Great Demon God" who was so powerful in the capital would be so generous, after all, she was not his own granddaughter.
Only a few people knew the reason. This Fifteenth Master was a man of great ambition. He not only had a close relationship with the girl's ancestors, but also felt pity and wanted to nurture her after learning that her parents had both met with an accident.
"boom!"
As soon as the new medicine entered the cauldron, Shi Zhao immediately felt as if a flame was rising from his body, making his whole body glow. Then he broke out in a cold sweat, expelling impurities from his body.
"That's... awesome!"
The medicine was really strong; she couldn't help but gasp for breath, experiencing both pain and pleasure.
"How are you, girl? Can you still hold on?" the Fifteenth Master asked with a loud laugh.
"The effect is amazing, thank you for your help, Uncle!" Shi Zhao gritted his teeth and gave a thumbs up. Mist rose from his body, radiating light, and his skin became crystal clear, while his bones crackled.
Then, the old man picked her up and carried her away like a chick, seemingly leaving her without any strength or ability.
"..."
Alright, alright, so you're playing like this? Don't let your grandson fall into my hands in a couple of years, or he'll be in for a world of hurt.
"Ziling, Yining, I'm back!" The Fifteenth Prince strode back to his residence.
"Father? You're back!" Shi Ziling and his wife came out to greet them upon hearing their voices.
Qin Yining saw Shi Zhao, who was being carried by the Fifteenth Prince and was soaking wet, and was both amused and exasperated. She quickly took her and carried her to the backyard to wash up.
"I only found out after I got back that the girl's parents had an accident recently."
Not long after, the Fifteenth Master summoned his son and daughter-in-law, sighed, pointed his big finger at Shi Zhao, and said in a deep voice, "From now on, treat her like your own daughter."
Mr. and Mrs. Shi Ziling exchanged a glance and solemnly agreed. Children aged three or four need care, and given their relationship with their parents, they really couldn't leave them unattended.
Shi Zhao, the person involved, opened her mouth but ultimately said nothing, mainly describing her as obedient, sensible, and pitiful.
"This child is exceptionally talented; you must treat her well," the Fifteenth Master added, then changed the subject, teasing the young couple, "You two should also work harder so I can hold my grandson soon!"
The young couple was quite embarrassed.
Shi Zhao finally found an opportunity to speak, blinked his big eyes, and exclaimed, "Hey, when are you going to give me a little brother?"