Chapter 17: The Prodigy

At this moment, Bai Xiaoyue was sitting upright on the stone bed, focusing her energy to heal her injuries. After a night of rest, her condition had improved visibly; not only was her complexion much rosier, but her steps were also noticeably brisker.

The cave where Bai Xiaoyue resided faced directly east. Just then, the crimson sun rose with dazzling brilliance, its radiant light pouring into the cave and bathing Bai Xiaoyue—dressed in white and sitting with perfect composure on the stone bed—in a golden glow, making her appear both sacred and beautiful.

Bai Xiaoyue had not deceived Yan Chixia. She truly was once a little white rabbit, born more than five hundred years ago deep within the mountains and forests of Zhongnan Mountain. Her mother was prolific, and together with her, seven sisters were born, with Bai Xiaoyue being the youngest.

As a rabbit, her mother greatly envied the lives of humans. She aspired to cultivate herself into a human and to enjoy, together with her children, the rich and colorful life that humans led. So, she led Bai Xiaoyue and her seven sisters in diligent cultivation.

Their perseverance was not in vain. On a high platform deep in Zhongnan Mountain, the mother and her daughters braved the elements, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon. Their powers increased year by year, and after five centuries of cultivation, they all reached the watershed moment for transforming from rabbit to human—the Tribulation. Sadly, when the heavenly thunder descended, Bai Xiaoyue’s mother and her six elder sisters were all struck down, perishing beneath the thunderbolts. Only Bai Xiaoyue survived, shielded by her mother’s final efforts, and endured the ferocious blast of lightning.

Having survived her tribulation, Bai Xiaoyue emerged transformed—a girl of natural beauty and graceful bearing. With a heart heavy with grief, she buried her mother and sisters, dried her tears, and began a new life on Zhongnan Mountain.

Originally, Bai Xiaoyue had no name; her mother and sisters called her “Little Seven.” The name “Bai Xiaoyue” was one she chose for herself after becoming human, inspired by her fondness for the bright, round moon hanging in the sky.

Now, Bai Xiaoyue sat with eyes closed, calm and composed as she continued her healing exercises. Suddenly, Yan Chixia’s voice sounded from outside, “Sister, sister, I’m here!”

Hearing this, Bai Xiaoyue was overjoyed. She immediately opened her eyes and saw Yan Chixia standing spiritedly at the cave entrance, holding the Chixia Sword. She hurried to greet him, waving her hand to open the barrier and beaming, “Brother, come in quickly!”

Yan Chixia responded and entered the cave. Noticing Bai Xiaoyue’s radiant smile, he asked with concern, “Sister, how is your injury? Does it still hurt?”

“It doesn’t hurt anymore. My chest still feels a little tight, but a few more days of healing and I’ll be completely fine,” Bai Xiaoyue replied sweetly.

Yan Chixia set down the Chixia Sword and took out a golden elixir from his pocket, handing it to her. “Sister, this is a life-restoring elixir made by my master. I took one yesterday myself. This one is for you—take it now.”

“Oh?” Bai Xiaoyue exclaimed with delight, quickly accepting the elixir and examining it closely in her palm. “This is a golden elixir concocted by Master Qingxu? It’s perfectly round, brightly colored, glowing with a faint red aura... Wonderful! Master Qingxu’s reputation is truly deserved. To take an elixir refined by him is a rare fortune indeed!”

With that, she happily placed the elixir in her mouth and swallowed it. Looking at Yan Chixia, she suddenly asked, “Brother, you said you took a life-restoring elixir yesterday? These are for treating internal injuries... Were you hurt yesterday?”

“Yes, sister, I was injured yesterday!” Yan Chixia confirmed, and proceeded to recount in detail how he’d come upon the barrier set by the immortal Chisongzi, how he’d been injured attacking it, and how he finally broke through the barrier and obtained the Wishful Alchemy Furnace.

When Bai Xiaoyue heard this, she was both surprised and delighted. “Such a thing happened? Brother, you obtained the immortal Chisongzi’s Wishful Alchemy Furnace! That’s wonderful! Once you master pill refining, you’ll be able to make supreme elixirs with it. I’m truly happy for you!”

Yan Chixia grinned, “Sister, there’s something else that will make you even happier.”

“Oh?” Bai Xiaoyue pressed eagerly. “Brother, tell me quickly, what else will make me even happier?”

“Sister, yesterday I mastered the Paper Talisman technique!” Yan Chixia announced, brimming with pride.

Bai Xiaoyue’s excitement was palpable. “Really?”

“Really,” Yan Chixia nodded. “Sister, I brought a paper talisman with me. I’ll activate it now to show you.”

He took a talisman from his pocket, unfolded it, and pinched one corner with his right hand. With a sudden flick, there was a crisp sound, and the talisman burst into golden light. Two colorful butterflies sprang to life, fluttering gracefully around the cave.

Bai Xiaoyue’s eyes shone like autumn water as she gazed at the beautiful butterflies, exclaiming with excitement, “Brother, you’re amazing!”

Yan Chixia blushed at the praise. “Sister, this is nothing. My master’s Paper Talisman technique is truly incredible!”

“Of course!” Bai Xiaoyue replied with a gentle smile. “Your master has reached the level of Tribulation; his skills are naturally unmatched. I... Oh? Brother, your master’s elixir is extraordinary! My chest no longer feels tight. Instead, there’s a warm current surging through my core, and I feel wonderful all over!”

“Sister, you’re better?” Yan Chixia asked joyfully. “That puts my heart at ease!”

Bai Xiaoyue was in high spirits. Watching the two dancing butterflies, she suddenly blushed, took Yan Chixia’s hands, and said,

“Brother, I also want to learn the Paper Talisman technique. Will you teach me?”

Without hesitation, Yan Chixia replied, “Of course, sister! But...”

“But what?” Bai Xiaoyue asked anxiously. “Is it that my cultivation isn’t high enough to learn the Paper Talisman technique?”

“No,” Yan Chixia quickly waved his hand. “With your ability to set barriers, you can absolutely learn the Paper Talisman technique. I just meant... Sister, can you paint? To cultivate the Paper Talisman technique, you need to be naturally gifted at painting—able to capture not just the form, but also the spirit of what you depict...”

Bai Xiaoyue laughed before he could finish. “So that’s what you’re worried about, brother? Come, let me show you something...” She led Yan Chixia to the stone bed, reached underneath, and took out a red lacquered dressing case. Placing it atop the bed, she pointed to the design and asked, “Brother, how is this painting?”

Yan Chixia looked closely and saw a vividly painted high platform. Upon it, seven little white rabbits sat closely around a large white rabbit, their expressions solemn and reverent as they gazed anxiously at the sky, as if awaiting something to descend. The scene was lifelike and full of spirit.

He was utterly amazed. Bai Xiaoyue, her voice trembling with emotion, said, “This depicts my mother and us seven sisters, waiting together for our tribulation... Brother, how did I do?”

“Amazing!” Yan Chixia exclaimed. “It’s so lifelike—just like the real thing! Sister, you truly are a genius!”

Bai Xiaoyue smiled sweetly, then pulled out two scrolls from under the bed and slowly unrolled one for Yan Chixia to see.

It was a painting titled “Beauty in Dance.” On a meadow, a woman in white danced with grace and vigor, her garments flowing as she moved. Her stunning features were unmistakably Bai Xiaoyue’s own.

“Wow!” Yan Chixia gasped in wonder. “Sister, you painted yourself? It’s beautiful—exactly like you! This is ‘Beauty in Dance.’ What about the other scroll? I want to see it...” As he picked up the other scroll, Bai Xiaoyue’s face suddenly flushed crimson and she exclaimed,

“Brother, don’t open that one...”