Chapter 30: Evading the Attack

Zi Dianxiong found his initial terror gradually replaced by a complex blend of wariness, resentment, and a sliver of despair as he looked at Bai He.

While he wrestled with his inner demons, Bai He was also feeling anxious. Although he had witnessed his granddaughter’s composure and wisdom in dealing with the Wind-Thunder Demon Wolf, this situation was entirely different. Battles between spirit beasts were driven by raw instinct, whereas battles between spirit masters were fraught with variables and treachery. Moreover, there was a fifteen-rank gap in spirit power—a chasm that was nearly impossible to bridge in the world of spirit masters.

"Grandfather."

Bai Chenxiang looked up at the worry etched across her grandfather’s face, her eyes as calm as an ancient well. "I know what I’m doing."

Her voice was soft, yet it carried a strange, soothing power that inexplicably calmed Bai He’s restless heart. Looking into her clear eyes, he saw no impulsiveness or arrogance, only a calm rooted in absolute self-assurance. He suddenly recalled her recent actions: studying spirit beast psychology, devising harassment tactics, using Thunder-Saliva Grass to temper her foundation, and absorbing a first spirit ring nearly three thousand years old.

This girl never did anything she wasn't certain of. Every word she spoke and every decision she made had proven to be correct. Was he once again viewing his granddaughter through an outdated lens, failing to recognize that she could no longer be judged by conventional standards?

Bai He struggled internally, then gritted his teeth, his resolve hardening. *Fine! I’ll bet on her! The Swift Clan once had the courage to stand with the Clear Sky Sect against the Spirit Hall—what boldness that was! Now that the Clear Sky Sect has sealed its mountain, we are like rootless duckweed; has that spirit truly been worn away?*

*My life is mostly behind me, but she is the future of our clan! If she wants to fly, then as her grandfather, I will hold up the sky for her, even if it costs me this old life!*

With this realization, Bai He’s entire demeanor shifted. He released his granddaughter’s hand, stepped forward, and placed himself in front of her, his gaze sweeping across the diverse expressions of the Zi Dian family members.

"Ahem."

He cleared his throat, shedding his ruffian-like air and replacing it with the majesty and detachment of a true powerhouse. "The child is young and ignorant; she simply wants to spar with a peer. Consider it entertainment."

At these words, Zi Dianxiong nearly coughed up blood. *A peer? You call a thirty-rank Great Spirit Master a peer to a six-year-old girl? Does your family count age based on spirit power? And entertainment? You’re treating our family’s dignity like a circus act!*

However, reality forced his hand. No matter how aggrieved he felt, he had to swallow his pride and force a smile. "Senior is right. It’s just child's play; we understand, we understand."

"Since it’s just play, there must be rules."

Bai He stroked his chin, wearing an expression of feigned consideration. "My granddaughter is young, and her spirit power is low. That boy, Zi Dianchen, is it? If he goes all out and accidentally hurts her, it wouldn't look good for anyone, would it?"

Zi Dianxiong cursed internally but could only nod repeatedly. "Senior is right; my nephew was reckless. Chen’er, did you hear that? When you spar with this young lady, stop at the limit. Do not hurt her!"

He said this as a warning to his nephew, but in reality, he was finding a way to save face. He wanted to imply that it wasn't that they couldn't beat her, but rather that they were showing mercy.

"No need."

Bai Chenxiang’s voice rang out again. She stepped out from behind Bai He, her small frame standing in sharp contrast to the group of tall, burly spirit masters.

"Let him go all out," she said calmly. "What is the point of a spirit master’s battle if one cannot use their full strength?"

Zi Dianchen’s fists clenched tightly. This was humiliation—naked, blatant humiliation. Bai He’s mouth twitched, thinking, *You really aren't leaving them any room to back down, girl.*

"Of course, for the sake of fairness," Bai Chenxiang continued, seemingly oblivious to the murderous glares directed at her, "let’s change the way we compete." She pointed a delicate finger at a clearing nearby. "We will use that charred tree as the center and draw a circle with a thirty-meter diameter. We will both stay inside."

"We won't compete to see who knocks the other down; we will only see if he can touch me."

Bai Chenxiang’s gaze finally fell upon the humiliated youth in purple. There was no disdain in her eyes, only the flatness of a statement of fact. "I will not use any offensive spirit skills, nor will I take the initiative to attack you. You may use all your abilities. If, within the time it takes for one stick of incense to burn, your hand or your spirit skill touches my clothes, I lose."

Silence descended upon the entire scene. If the previous challenge had been a trampling of the Zi Dian family’s dignity, this rule was the act of stripping that dignity bare and executing it in public. A six-year-old spirit master, facing an opponent fifteen ranks her senior, abandoning all attacks to compete solely on evasion. This was no longer self-confidence—it was sheer arrogance!

Zi Dianxiong’s brain had completely shut down; he could not comprehend how something so unreasonable could exist in this world. As for the youth, Zi Dianchen, his face—previously flushed purple with rage and shame—suddenly turned eerily calm. Staring fixedly at Bai Chenxiang, the surging fury in his eyes was replaced by a cold, near-manic bloodlust. He felt his very soul burning.

"Fine." He squeezed the word out through his teeth. "I’ll take the bet!"

He no longer cared about family face or the shame of an adult bullying a child. One thought dominated his mind: *Catch her! Catch this little girl at all costs! And then, in front of that old monster, snap her neck with my own hands!*

"Third Uncle!" Zi Dianchen turned his head abruptly, his bloodshot eyes locked on Zi Dianxiong. "The incense! Light a stick for me!"

Seeing his nephew’s crazed state, Zi Dianxiong knew there was no stopping him now. He sighed internally, knowing that regardless of the outcome, the Zi Dian family’s reputation was well and truly ruined today. He produced a stick of incense, ignited it with his spirit power, and planted it in the dirt.

A thin trail of smoke curled upward.

"Roar!"

Almost the moment the incense was lit, Zi Dianchen let out a suppressed, guttural roar! "Spirit, manifest!"

Purple electricity exploded from his body! His frame expanded at a visible rate, fine purple scales appeared on his skin, his hands turned into claws, and the shadow of dragon wings flickered behind him. Two yellow spirit rings rose from beneath his feet, circling his robust body. A powerful wave of spirit power belonging to a thirty-rank Great Spirit Master swept across the entire area, unreserved!

"First Spirit Skill, Lightning Bolt!"

Zi Dianchen didn't bother with testing her; he immediately unleashed his spirit skill. He opened his mouth, and a head-sized ball of lightning, flickering with blinding purple light, instantly materialized. With a piercing whistle that tore through the air, it slammed toward the small figure standing motionlessly in the center of the circle!

He intended to blast this arrogant girl into ash in one strike!

However, at the very instant the lightning bolt was about to touch her, Bai Chenxiang’s figure dissipated like a sand painting blown away by the wind, vanishing from the spot.

*Boom!*

The lightning bolt, having lost its target, slammed into the ground behind her, blasting out a charred crater as arcs of electricity scattered everywhere.

*Where is she?*

Everyone’s eyes widened, searching for that small figure.

"Behind you."