chsdbacks Page 17
Page 17
Shi Hao was startled and instantly became alert. He put down the roasted meat in his hand and looked sharply at the newcomer. He secretly activated the Seven Cave Heavens, ready to make a move at any time!
There were about a dozen people who came, all dressed in the same style of simple and ancient clothing, and all of them had a strong presence.
But the person in the lead made Shi Hao's gaze sharpen!
That was a young girl.
She looked to be about sixteen or seventeen years old, dressed in a spotless white dress, like a fairy under the moon, untouched by the dust of the mortal world.
Her figure was graceful and elegant, like the most perfect masterpiece in the world. Her skin was as white as snow, and in the flickering firelight, it shimmered with a warm, jade-like luster.
Her appearance was exquisite, with arched eyebrows, long and curled eyelashes, and below them were a pair of clear and bright eyes, like a spring formed by melting snow from a high mountain, and seemingly containing the wisdom of stars.
Her nose was delicate and pert, and her lips were rosy and full.
What an exceptionally beautiful woman, like a fairy who stepped out of a painting!
Shi Hao secretly praised him, but his vigilance remained undiminished.
In this perilous wilderness, the sudden appearance of such a group of people, who seem to have an extraordinary background, is something we must not take lightly!
Just as Shi Hao was sizing up the other party, the girl in white and the people behind her were also sizing up Shi Hao, as well as... the huge black tiger corpse of the Cave Heaven Realm cultivator beside the campfire, which had obviously just been killed!
When the girl in white saw Shi Hao's youthful appearance, which was only about five years old, a hint of surprise flashed in her crystal-clear eyes!
A five-year-old child? Single-handedly killed a ferocious tiger at the Cave Heaven Realm? And is leisurely grilling meat?!
How can this be?
"Little brother..." The girl in white parted her lips slightly, her voice as clear and melodious as a nightingale's song in a secluded valley.
She stepped forward, her gaze falling on Shi Hao with a hint of curiosity and inquiry, and asked in a gentle tone, "This black tiger... did you kill it?"
Looking at the incredibly beautiful older sister in front of him, Shi Hao pondered how to answer.
Admitting it directly? Wouldn't that be too high-profile and attract unnecessary trouble?
Denying it? That doesn't seem like a good idea either, since he was the only one there with his two pets.
Got it!
Shi Hao blinked his innocent big eyes, deliberately showing a shy and timid expression on his small face. He shrank back timidly and whispered, "It ran into a tree and died... I was just passing by and picked it up..."
As he spoke, he didn't forget to push the furry ball that was pretending to be dead behind him forward a little, and then said, "Look, I'm so small, and I have an even smaller burden to carry on, how could I possibly kill such a big tiger!"
Girl in white: "..."
Her fellow disciples behind her: "..."
Looking at Shi Hao's "innocent" little face and his obviously absurd reason, and then at the giant tiger corpse next to him with a clear fatal wound on its neck, everyone's mouths twitched involuntarily.
Did he die from hitting a tree? Or from hitting his neck?
This kid...does he think they're idiots?
A hint of a smile flashed in the white-clad girl's eyes; she found the little fellow before her quite amusing.
Despite being exceptionally strong, they insist on pretending to be harmless.
She didn't point it out, but went along with Shi Hao's words, saying, "Oh? Is that so? Then little brother, you're really lucky. But this wilderness is full of dangers, it's too dangerous for you to be here alone with... um... them. Where are your parents?"
Shi Hao continued, seemingly shyly, "I...I came out to gain experience on my own..."
"Trained on your own?" The girl in white was even more surprised, scrutinizing Shi Hao as if trying to discern something from him. "Little brother, which tribe are you from? Who is your master?"
Shi Hao shook his head: "I have no tribe...and no master..."
Well, he lies without thinking, even Maoqiu couldn't help but roll his eyes.
Now, the girl in white and her fellow disciples behind her were even more speechless.
No tribe? No master?
How could a five-year-old child, training alone in the Great Wilderness, "find" the corpse of a ferocious beast from the Cave Heaven Realm?
This is a lie!
The girl in white looked at Shi Hao and couldn't help but feel a little amused and exasperated.
Then, she took a deep breath, a solemn yet gentle smile appearing on her face, and said to Shi Hao:
"Little brother, it is fate that we meet. I am Xia Youyu, a disciple of the Heaven-Mending Pavilion."
"The Heaven-Mending Pavilion is one of the few ancient pure lands in the desolate region that are famous throughout the world. It is dedicated to recruiting and cultivating young talents with extraordinary talents like you. I see that you have amazing physique and extraordinary talent."
"I wonder if you...would be willing to come with me to the Heaven-Mending Pavilion for cultivation? There, you will find the best teachers to guide you, the richest resources to provide, and countless other outstanding talents like yourself to learn from and improve together. That is the place that is truly suitable for your growth."
Xia Youyu's voice was like heavenly music, carrying an irresistible sincerity as she extended a solemn invitation to Shi Hao.
Butian Pavilion? Xia Youyu?
Upon hearing this name, Shi Hao's heart stirred slightly.
Unexpectedly, he still ran into Xia Youyu.
However, going to the Heaven-Mending Pavilion seems like a good alternative.
Chapter 18: Xia Youyu's shy charm, the second ancestral land of the Stone Kingdom!
Butian Pavilion.
One of the ancient pure lands whose name resounds throughout the world, a cradle of geniuses, and the starting point for the strong.
Xia Youyu's invitation was undoubtedly incredibly tempting.
In the desolate region, this is a golden opportunity for any young person who yearns to become stronger and hopes to receive the best training.
However, Shi Hao's heart did indeed skip a beat slightly because of this.
The resources, cultivation techniques, and competitive environment of the Butian Pavilion were indeed a great help to him.
Moreover, entering the Heaven-Mending Pavilion is also an important stepping stone to accessing a wider world.
However, he thought of the vast and boundless Supreme Hall inheritance he had just acquired, containing the Six Paths of Reincarnation Heavenly Technique and many other supreme treasures, which he needed time to digest and absorb.
He also thought of Master Liu Shen and his relatives in Shi Village.
He had just made up his mind to go out and hone his skills, and now he was immediately joining a powerful force, which seemed to contradict his original intention.
Moreover, he had an even more important goal in mind to achieve!
Then, Shi Hao raised his head, looked at the stunningly beautiful and ethereal young woman in white before him, and said in a tone that was both apologetic and firm:
"Thank you for your kindness, Sister Youyu. I know the Heaven-Mending Pavilion is a very powerful place, and I really want to go there."
Hmm, that statement is a bit idealistic.
"However..." He changed the subject, a hint of difficulty appearing on his face, "My elders have set a requirement for me to undergo training. I need to travel a distance in the Great Wilderness on my own to temper my character and broaden my horizons. After I have fulfilled the requirements of my elders, I will go to the Heaven-Mending Pavilion to find you, sister, is that alright?"
His words were sincere, and his reasons were reasonable.
Xia Youyu's eyes flashed with joy when she heard Shi Hao's previous words, thinking that he had agreed.
But upon hearing the twist that followed, a faint trace of disappointment still flickered across her crystal-clear eyes.
If such a gifted young man could be brought into the pavilion immediately, it would surely cause a sensation, and his future achievements would be limitless.
However, she also sensed the firmness in Shi Hao's words and knew that she couldn't force it.
Moreover, the elders' request made her even more convinced that this child must have an extraordinary background or mentor, but they just didn't want to reveal it.
"I see." Xia Youyu quickly composed herself, a gentle smile returning to her face. "Since it's an elder's request, then naturally we can't disobey. On the path of cultivation, tempering oneself is also a very important part. Alright then, I'll wait for you at the Heaven-Mending Pavilion."
Her gaze fell on Shi Hao again, with a hint of admiration, a hint of curiosity, and a hint of resentment.
This little guy in front of her, despite his small size, was able to slay a ferocious beast at the Cave Heaven Realm, and could even act shy and harmless in front of her. His temperament and strength surprised her, a genius disciple of the Heaven-Mending Pavilion, and made her itch to try her hand at fighting.
“However…” Xia Youyu’s eyes sparkled, and she suddenly smiled mischievously, her tone becoming lighter, “Little brother, you’re so amazing, it’s not enough to just listen to you talk about it. Let your older sister… test your strength with her own hands, how about it?”
The words have not yet been spoken!
Xia Youyu's fair and jade-like right hand moved like a butterfly flitting among flowers, carrying a seemingly gentle but actually incredibly swift force, and gently patted Shi Hao's shoulder!
This seemingly casual palm strike contained subtle variations and a condensed runic power, clearly an extraordinary inheritance from the Heaven-Mending Pavilion! She didn't use her full strength; she just wanted to test Shi Hao's reaction and foundation.
In her mind, with her cultivation at the mid-stage of the Cave Heaven Realm, coupled with this exquisite palm strike, even if this child was incredibly talented, she should be able to force him back or make him flustered for a while.
However, she still underestimated Shi Hao!
Or rather, they underestimated Shi Hao, who had merged with the template of the Desolate Emperor, possessed numerous precious techniques, and had experienced life-and-death battles!
The current Shi Hao is no different from the Desolate Emperor when he was a child, or even more powerful.
Just as Xia Youyu's palm was about to slap Shi Hao's shoulder!
Shi Hao's large eyes, which had previously held a hint of shyness, instantly became as deep and calm as an ancient well! His reaction speed was incredibly fast!
He slightly shifted his small body to the side, narrowly avoiding the main force of Xia Youyu's palm. At the same time, his right hand shot out like lightning, arriving first and accurately grabbing Xia Youyu's fair and jade-like wrist!
"Huh?" Xia Youyu was startled, not expecting the other party to react so quickly and with such great strength! Her wrist was grabbed, and she couldn't break free for a moment!
What horrified her even more was that after Shi Hao grabbed her wrist, he didn't give her any chance to react at all!
Suddenly, Shi Hao exerted his small arm with tremendous force! Xia Youyu felt an irresistible pulling force on her arm, and her body instantly lost its balance, involuntarily falling towards Shi Hao!
Just as she leaned forward and was about to bump into Shi Hao, Shi Hao's figure turned around like a ghost!
Swish!
It nimbly circled behind her like a raccoon!
At the same time, Shi Hao's left arm wrapped around Xia Youyu's slender, snow-white neck like an iron hoop.
His right hand moved even faster, its five fingers spread wide, and the runes on its palm instantly lit up, carrying a scorching and domineering power, pressing precisely onto Xia Youyu's curvaceous, slightly undulating chest!
The whole process was swift and lightning-fast!
From Xia Youyu's initial probing to Shi Hao's counterattack and subjugation, it all happened in the blink of an eye! The movements were fluid and seamless!
At this moment, time seemed to stand still!
Xia Youyu remained frozen in place, her body leaning forward, her neck being choked from behind, and her right hand pressed against her chest – an extremely ambiguous and humiliating position!
Her crystal-clear eyes widened in disbelief!
She...she was actually...subdued in an instant by a five-year-old child?! And in this...this position?!
Meanwhile, Xia Youyu's fellow disciples, who had been watching the show, were now frozen in place, their jaws practically dropping to the ground in disbelief.