The Test

The hall fell deathly silent. None of the clan members had adjusted to it yet. A fool had undergone such a heaven-shaking transformation.

"Hmph, what nonsense." Nie Zhengxu finally snorted coldly, snapping everyone out of their shock. True, even if a fool had regained his senses, how could he possibly defeat a family prodigy who had already entered the Six-Vessel Martial Apprentice realm?

"Grandpa Sect Lord, since I handed over the contract, do I count as a member of the Liu Clan?" At that moment, Xiao Zhi timidly stood up and bowed to Liu Yandong.

"Of course you do. You absolutely do!" Liu Yandong hurriedly said, "I wonder if Xiao Zhi has a surname. If not, would you be willing to take my Liu surname?"

"Then Liu Zhi thanks Grandpa for granting her a surname." Liu Zhi gave another graceful curtsy, delighting Liu Yandong so much that he could not stop smiling. Grandpa—she was already calling him Grandpa. What a clever and sensible girl.

"Hmph, don't call him so affectionately just yet. Who your grandfather truly is will only be decided after the Sect Lord Contention." Nie Zhengxu looked thoroughly displeased.

"What this clan elder says is also true. Please forgive Liu Zhi for being new here and not knowing how to address you. I have been rude." Liu Zhi blatantly pretended ignorance, then said, "Moreover, Liu Zhi has already taken human form, so this contract naturally carries another meaning now."

Only then did everyone understand. Their gazes fell upon her. She looked no more than twelve, dressed in white gauze and standing amid the rosy glow like a crimson pearl descending into the world, a Daiyu untouched by mortal dust. At such a young age, she already possessed such charm and elegance. It was hard to imagine how breathtakingly beautiful she would become in the future.

The gazes of the young men all grew burning hot.

"So, may Liu Zhi make a small request?" Liu Zhi's voice was shy, and a faint blush had already appeared on her cheeks.

"If it is not too excessive, it should not be a problem." Liu Yandong felt rather troubled. If Xiao Zhi insisted on choosing Liu Ding at this critical moment, it would be difficult to explain.

"The Sect Lord Contention is one matter, but since Liu Zhi is already a member of the Liu Clan, if someone wishes to obtain my contract, shouldn't the winner of the Sect Lord Contention have to defeat me in a challenge before Liu Zhi can willingly agree?"

Liu Zhi spoke softly as her beautiful eyes swept over the young members of the Liu Clan. Heavy breathing immediately filled the air, and everyone felt their hearts race.

Her gaze passed over them before finally settling on Liu Ji. As if hypnotized, Liu Ji immediately straightened his back, lifted his head, and declared loudly, "Of course. That is only proper!"

"Thank you all for your kindness." Liu Zhi smiled.

"If no one objects, then it is settled." Seizing the opportunity, Liu Yandong made the final decision.

"Hmph, such petty sorcery dares to show off? When the time comes, it will not be up to you." Seeing his grandson Liu Ji utterly entranced, Nie Zhengxu was deeply displeased.

"Clan Elder, do not think that your grandson having a little talent gives him the right to be arrogant. Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—one must work hard. You cannot turn your life around simply by taking crooked shortcuts." Though Liu Zhi appeared frail and delicate, her dark eyes suddenly shone with crystalline radiance, within which seemed to lie the changing movements of stars that saw through everything.

At the sight of that crystalline glow in the white fox's eyes, Nie Zhengxu's body suddenly shuddered. He involuntarily staggered back several steps, unable to conceal his panic.

"Xiao Zhi, why waste so many words on someone like that?" Liu Ding grabbed Liu Zhi's hand. "Let's go."

The morning sun over Crescent Moon Bay was just right. Rosy clouds filled the sky, and golden light draped around them, making the pair look remarkably harmonious together.

"Xiao Zhi, I talked big back there. I wonder if I will be able to win back your contract in the Sect Lord battle."

Sitting with Xiao Zhi on the riverbank at Crescent Moon Bay, Liu Ding grabbed a handful of sand and scattered it into the middle of the river with a sigh.

"Liu Ding, if you truly feel troubled, why don't we run away together? We can leave this place and go to some remote little town where no one knows us. We can live out our lives quietly and ordinarily. Would you be willing?" Liu Zhi tilted her head, looked at Liu Ding's tightly furrowed brow, and asked softly.

"Run away together? I can leave, but can you?" Liu Ding smiled bitterly and clasped her small hand in his. "Xiao Zhi, don't worry. I will definitely help you get your contract back."

Liu Zhi said nothing, but she sighed inwardly. Do you know that if I give my whole heart and body to you, that piece of paper will be nothing more than waste paper?

"Hehe, that is good. Seeing Ding'er grow up, I am relieved too." Liu Zhi smiled faintly, though her smile was somewhat forced and helpless.

"What do you mean, Ding'er? Call me Brother." Liu Ding deliberately put on a stern face as he looked at the pretty girl before him. Liu Zhi looked to be around twelve. Her spotless white gauze lent her an added air of innocence. Her long, beautiful legs were somewhat slender, yet they accentuated the tender beauty of her age. Her budding chest brimmed with youthful vitality, carrying the charm of a flower yet to bloom.

Liu Zhi grew a little shy under his gaze. Has this little rascal really come to understand? Biting her lip, she said quietly, "You were the one who told me to call you Brother. Don't regret it later. I will treat you as my real older brother, Brother Liu Ding."

There was a hint of petulance in her words. Liu Ding was slightly stunned. Having experienced that brief dream of another life, how could he fail to see Liu Zhi's maidenly feelings now? But they seemed far too young for that. Teasingly, he said, "Good girl. Then from now on, you are my Zhi'er."

"Hmph, taking advantage of me." Zhi'er wrinkled her little nose and pushed Liu Ding.

"Little girl, stop fooling around. At this rate, I will become the public enemy." Liu Ding caught Zhi'er's small hand, only to notice a group of young men and women walking in the distance behind them. Their gazes were filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment.

"Eh, it looks like they are headed for the clan's Martial Arts Hall." Zhi'er seemed to think of something. She had originally wanted to pull her hand free from Liu Ding's grasp, but instead tightened her grip and pulled him to his feet. "Come on. Let's also go to the Martial Arts Hall and see what martial techniques they have. Perhaps we can take another path and help you comprehend the Five Cauldrons Realm of Qilin's Surge."

"That's right. My Zhi'er is so clever." Liu Ding narrowed his eyes slightly. All roads led to Rome; finding another route truly was a good idea.

The two walked shoulder to shoulder along the gravel path beneath the emerald forest shade, heading toward the clan's Martial Arts Hall.

The moment they entered the Martial Arts Hall's training hall, they heard the cheers and applause of young men and women erupting from time to time.

The Martial Arts Hall had the training hall at the front. Beyond a small corridor stood the Library Pavilion, which housed countless martial techniques painstakingly acquired by members of the clan.

At that moment, many young men and women surrounded the training hall, enthusiastically cheering on the two people sparring with martial techniques in the center.

The two in the training ground were Liu Ji and Liu Tao. They seemed to have reached the most exciting part of their match, and waves of cheers rang out from the sidelines.