"Moo…!"
A fiery red barbarian ox roared, its hooves—thick as buckets—pounding the earth, sending tremors through the ground. Its ferocious gaze, sharp as blades, locked onto the four-year-old boy standing nearby.
"Come on, big dumb cow!" Lin Fan taunted the beast, which towered over him by several times, striking a fighting stance. His bright eyes remained vigilant, not daring to relax.
This was a young ferocious beast, plucked from some remote ravine by Qi Dao Lin to hone Lin Fan's combat skills. Its strength was modest, perfectly suited for his current level.
With a whoosh, the provoked ox charged, swift as the wind, its powerful strides digging into the soil, kicking up clouds of dust.
Clang!
Lin Fan responded calmly, his arms glowing with runes that shimmered like metal. He leaped, landing on the ox's back, and unleashed a barrage of iron fists aimed at its head.
The blows rang out like metal striking metal. The ox, in pain, bucked wildly, its skin glowing redder, as if igniting into flames, scorching hot.
Lin Fan clung to a horn like a nimble ape, moving with the ox's rhythm, impossibly agile, staying firmly seated while his other hand kept pummeling.
It was astonishing—a mere four-year-old battling a beast many times his size. The sight would leave anyone dumbfounded, unbelievable. Most children his age were playing, and no clan would risk their young in such danger, where a single misstep could be fatal.
Especially for a Primordial Being like Lin Fan, he should've been sheltered, not thrust into peril. Only a madman like Qi Dao Lin would train a disciple this way, forging combat prowess and strengthening sinews through such reckless methods.
Boom!
After several fierce exchanges, Lin Fan was finally thrown off, soaring dozens of meters before crashing to the ground. Bruises bloomed across his body, his face smudged with dirt.
"Again!"
Struggling to his feet, Lin Fan's eyes blazed with determination. He roared, undeterred by the pain, driven by a hunger for strength.
In this world, power was everything. Slacking in cultivation today means serving as a soul in the Human Emperor's banner tomorrow. Reborn into this life, he vowed to shine, to roam the heavens freely and live unbound.
___
As night fell, starlight and moonlight flooded the world like a silver tide, cloaking the earth in a mystical sheen.
After a grueling day of training, Lin Fan returned to the Celestial Immortal Academy, this time alone. Qi Dao Lin had given him a treasure to travel between the sect and the academy freely.
The academy was vast and majestic, bustling even at night with disciples—men and women alike—coming and going. Some were dao partners, strolling hand-in-hand under the moonlight, each a striking figure of beauty, proof that cultivation refined not just the spirit but the form.
Lin Fan slipped in unnoticed, his childlike appearance and the black metal token from Qi Dao Lin granting him unimpeded access. No one suspected a thing.
"This place is massive! I didn't notice when the old man brought me, but it's like a world of its own!" Lin Fan marveled, nearly losing his way. Thankfully, Qi Dao Lin's map kept him on track.
He took his time, soaking in the academy's picturesque scenery. After a day of training, the tranquil beauty was a perfect balm. Spiritual qi rose in mists, radiant light shimmered, and even the streams were spiritual springs. The mountains glowed with energy, and the grand buildings exuded magnificence.
The academy housed divine birds and exotic beasts—five-colored luan birds, spirit foxes, winged celestial horses, and countless unique creatures. Lin Fan didn't recognize most, but they were docile, posing no threat as he wandered among them.
An hour later, he reached the Tribulation-Crossing Divine Lotus Pool, shed his restraints, and plunged in.
"So relaxing! All the day's exhaustion is melting away!"
Lin Fan felt blissful, the pool washing away his fatigue and hardships. Floating face-up, he let his mind empty, drifting with the current, utterly content.
Beyond soaking in the pool, Qi Dao Lin provided medicinal meals and the flesh of pureblood ferocious beasts to bolster his blood qi, sparing no expense. Though his training was brutal, Qi Dao Lin ensured Lin Fan lacked for nothing, matching the resources of any major sect's heir. He'd even infiltrated great factions to steal their elixir recipes for nurturing prodigies.
Qi Dao Lin clearly valued this disciple, raising him as the true successor of the Supreme Dao Field.
Splash!
The calm water rippled, and a graceful figure burst from the surface, crystal droplets sliding off her like gleaming pearls.
She was a stunning young woman, her curves perfect, her long hair flowing like seaweed, her lively eyes sparkling like black gems.
Thud!
"Ouch! Sorry, little sister, did I hurt you?" Her voice was clear and sweet, like pearls falling on a jade plate, gentle and kind.
Lin Fan's eyes snapped open, nearly spurting nosebleeds. This… this is the most breathtaking view I've ever seen! It outshone misty mountains, blooming flowers, anything.
"Little sister, are you okay?" The woman leaned down, concerned, her slender fingers brushing back her hair, exuding effortless allure.
In that moment, the "twin moons" before him seemed to grow larger, closer, almost brushing his nose. A fragrant breeze enveloped him, her snow-white radiance dazzling, impossible to look away from.
Gulp!
Lin Fan's throat bobbed, swallowing hard, frozen in place, his heart racing, blood pumping faster.
She looked about seventeen or eighteen, in the bloom of youth, her skin snowy white, her brows arched, her neck graceful as a swan's. Her waist was so delicate it seemed it might snap, yet it supported an impossibly ample upper frame—a vision of otherworldly beauty, as if stepped from a painting.
How does such a slender waist hold that up? Lin Fan wondered, dazed.
"Little sister, are you alright? It's my fault—I didn't see you there!" she said anxiously, her face etched with guilt, worried she'd injured the child.
Seeing Lin Fan's stunned stare, she feared she'd knocked him senseless.
She thinks I'm a girl? Lin Fan thought, surprised she hadn't seen through him.
Quickly realizing he couldn't let her discover his true identity, he silently recited a calming mantra, wrenching his gaze from her "rabbits" and snapping back to reality.
Shaking his head, he smiled brightly. "Oh, big sister, I'm fine!" His voice was crisp and sweet, perfectly mimicking an innocent girl.
Relieved, the young woman exhaled. "Phew, you scared me! Glad you're okay." Her tone was laced with relief, her demeanor soft and kind, almost naively sweet—not like a disciple of a great sect, but an unworldly girl.
"Well, little sister, I'll head off. Be careful, okay?" Her smile was enchanting, radiant with charm.
"Mm!"
After she left, Lin Fan let out a long breath, diving into the cool water to calm himself. "Good thing she's gone. Who could handle that?!" he muttered, thrilled yet relieved.
In that moment, he decided his childish appearance wasn't so bad. Who can tell if I'm boy or girl? With his fair, delicate features, no one would suspect he wasn't a girl.
Perfect cover.