Covering the Sky: I Prove the Great Dao Through the Gate of Immortality

"Little Red, come here, let's play together!" The little one stretched out its two short arms and pounced on the little red bird, looking just like a puppy that had seen a meat bun.

With a flap of its wings, the little red bird lightly dodged away and landed on a higher branch.

It lowered its head and glanced at the little one with disdain with its clear black and white eyes, its feathers exuding a "don't touch me" indifference.

Once this brat catches you, who knows what outrageous things he might do?

Pull its tail? Pluck its feathers? Or force-feed it animal milk? Just thinking about it sends chills down my spine.

The little one missed its target, but it wasn't discouraged. It jumped and hopped on the stone blocks, stretching its little arms out and chirping like a bird, trying to get close to the little red bird in bird language.

The little red bird rolled its eyes and flew a few steps further away.

Imitating bird calls? Is that a bird call? That's pig slaughtering.

The men, women, and children of Shicun stood by, watching the man and the bird chase each other all over the village, and they couldn't stop laughing.

The skinny monkey squatted on the wall, sniffling as he cheered on the little red bird: "Go, little red bird! Don't let him catch you!" The snotty-nosed kid yelled at the top of his lungs: "Little one, block it to the left! To the left!"

But if the little one goes left, the little red bird goes right; if the little one goes right, the little red bird goes left.

The bird flew leisurely, too lazy to even flap its wings, moving to a different branch after a couple of flaps, as if it were walking a disobedient puppy.

Someone suddenly remarked, "From today onwards, our village has gained another bird that even the little one can't catch."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

The other one, of course, is the five-colored bird that always hangs around the village entrance and never lets the little one touch its tail.

The little one chased after them for ages, panting heavily. She rested her hands on her knees, her face flushed, and muttered, "Little Red, you wait! I'll catch you someday!"

The little red bird perched on the highest branch of the willow tree, looking down at him. It gracefully folded its wings, then slowly and meaningfully rolled its eyes again.

That eye roll roughly translates to—dreaming.

Looking at the little one chasing birds all over the village, whose laughter was so clear it could drip honey, Li Chenzhou leaned against the willow tree and sighed softly, "How lucky he is, over five years old, and still has two birds to chase."

These days are as simple as a handful of clear water in a spiritual lake, without intrigue or bloodshed, only the laughter of children and the fluttering of wings.

Such carefree existence is more precious than any magic technique on the path of spiritual practice.

Shi Yunfeng stood to the side, his gaze following the small figure who was running and covered in sweat. The smile on his lips slowly faded, replaced by a solemn expression.

He turned to look at Li Chenzhou, his voice low but carrying a hint of cautious inquiry.

"Mr. Li, is the little one ready to move on to the next area?"

In Shi Yunfeng's view, the little one was already capable of entering the Cave Heaven Realm.

That child could swing one arm and feel 120,000 jin (60,000 kg) of energy, his qi and blood surging like a furnace, his foundation so solid it was astonishing.

For an ordinary cultivator, with such foundation, they would have been eager to break through to the next realm long ago.

But Shi Yunfeng knew that Liu Shen and Li Chenzhou's vision was far superior to his, the old clan leader's.

They are much stricter with the little ones.

This kind of strictness is a good thing.

Having lived for so many years, Shi Yunfeng has witnessed far too many tragedies of trying to force growth.

Those so-called geniuses who are prematurely developed lack a solid foundation and are unable to sustain their potential, and ultimately they all fade into obscurity.

Unlike the little guy, he takes every step with utmost steadiness and solidifies every level of his cultivation.

Behind this lies the deep consideration of Li Chenzhou and Liu Shen.

Li Chenzhou did not answer immediately.

His gaze remained fixed on the little fellow chasing the red bird all over the village, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"No rush," he said calmly. "Let him stay in the Blood Transformation Realm a little longer. The stronger the foundation, the better. It's like building a house; the deeper the foundation, the higher you can build on top."

Shi Yunfeng nodded and didn't ask any more questions.

He trusted Li Chenzhou's judgment and also believed in the little one's future. That child had a long road ahead of him.

In the distance, the little one finally missed its target, plopped down on the ground, and instead of getting up, looked up at the little red bird in the tree and grinned foolishly. The little red bird rolled its eyes down at him, its expression clearly saying: With your short legs, you'll need to train for another ten years.

Li Chenzhou watched this scene and chuckled softly.

"That's enough." Li Chenzhou nodded.

"With a single swing of his arm, he possesses the divine strength of 120,000 jin, unparalleled in the world. Even looking across the entire heavens and earth, one would probably not find another like him."

He paused, a slight smile playing on his lips, as if savoring the weight behind that number. "That's enough."

Although Shi Yunfeng already knew how strong the little guy was, his heart still trembled when he heard the number from Li Chenzhou again.

120,000 jin.

That wasn't the power a child should possess; it was a monster, an ancient beast disguised as a child.

But that child did indeed do it, not because of the Supreme Bone or the blessing of bloodline, but because of his hard work day after day and the accumulation of perfecting every step of the Blood Transformation Realm.

"A monster among monsters," Shi Yunfeng murmured to himself, his voice filled with shock and pride.

He had lived most of his life and had seen many so-called geniuses, but he had never even heard of anyone who could reach this level at this age, let alone seen one.

The child's future was beyond his imagination.

"Let him rest well today. There's one last trial tomorrow. Once he passes this one, he can officially advance to the Cave Heaven Realm."

As Li Chenzhou spoke, his gaze fell on the small figure still chasing birds in the distance, his tone carrying a hint of barely perceptible expectation.

The 300,000-mile bloody journey was arranged by Liu Shen; it was an extreme test of will, survival, and character.

The final trial he prepared for Little One was a test in a different sense.

It's not about the body, nor about cultivation, but something much deeper.

"Uncle Li, what are you talking about?"

The little one had run back sometime earlier, covered in sweat, his little face flushed, his bright black eyes darting back and forth between Li Chenzhou and Shi Yunfeng.

He was panting heavily, but full of energy, as if he would never get tired.

"The little one is really amazing."

Li Chenzhou reached out and rubbed his fluffy head, the warmth of his palm seeping through his hair.

"The Blood Transformation Realm is invincible."

These words were spoken lightly, but to Shi Yunfeng they were like a thunderclap.

The words "Invincible in the Blood Transformation Realm" carried such weight when spoken by Li Chenzhou that they seemed to crush half the sky.

That wasn't encouragement or comfort; it was simply stating a fact.

This five-year-old child has indeed reached the pinnacle of the Blood Transformation Realm, unprecedented and unlikely to be surpassed in the future.

The little boy's eyes lit up, and he seemed to be ignited, straightening his back ramrod straight and raising his chin high. He suddenly leaned closer to Li Chenzhou, his voice filled with curiosity, anticipation, and a hint of barely concealed smugness: "Uncle Li, were you as powerful as me when you were moving the Blood Realm?"

His question sounded naive, but his eyes clearly said: Praise me, praise me, say I'm just as good as Uncle Li.

Li Chenzhou looked down at him, at those bright, sparkling eyes, at that little face that seemed to be asking for praise, and the corners of his mouth slowly curved up.

He shook his head gently, but in that shake, there was no regret, no humility, only a heartfelt approval.

"A single swing of the arm can unleash 120,000 jin of divine strength, unparalleled in the world." His voice wasn't loud, but every word was steady. "Even in the Blood Transformation Realm, I don't have 120,000 jin."

Because I didn't even enter the Blood Transfer Realm.

The little one was stunned, his mouth slightly open, and he didn't close it for a long time.

He thought he had misheard, but Uncle Li's expression told him he hadn't.

Even someone as capable as Uncle Li couldn't reach 120,000 jin when he was in the Blood Transformation Realm, but he did.

He is the only one.

Li Chenzhou looked at the stunned little face, and his smile deepened.

He reached out and gently flicked the little one's forehead.

"You are unique. In the history of the Blood Realm, you rank first."

The little one covered his forehead, which had been flicked red, and smiled foolishly.

He suddenly turned around and shouted at the little red bird still in the tree, "Little Red! Did you hear that? Uncle Li said I'm the number one in the Blood Removal Realm! The only one!"

The little red bird rolled its eyes, buried its head in its wings, and ignored the smug little brat. But the corner of its mouth seemed to curve slightly.

Shi Yunfeng stood to the side, watching this scene, his eyes reddening again. Hadn't he lived most of his life waiting for this day?

Wait until Shicun produces a child that the whole world can look up to.

Now, the child is right in front of him, laughing carefree, but in those little hands, he has already grasped the infinite possibilities of the future.

"I'll cook you a pot of Five-Beast Milk tonight as a reward."

"Really?" The little one's eyes widened like saucers.

"When have I ever lied to you?"

"Long live Uncle Li!"

"When I become strong, I will definitely take good care of Uncle Li, take care of you in your old age, and see you off when you die!" The little boy patted his chest solemnly, as if he were making some great vow.

Upon hearing this, the willow tree trembled, scattering a crisp rustling sound—it was clearly laughing.

Li Chenzhou was completely petrified.

He stood frozen in place, his expression shifting from calm to bewilderment, and from bewilderment to existential doubt.

What is this child talking about? Taking care of his parents in their old age? Sending them off in their final days? He's only five years old, and he's already planning his Uncle Li's funeral?

Seeing that Li Chenzhou remained silent, the little boy assumed he was moved by his filial piety and became even more enthusiastic, chattering incessantly: "Uncle Li, don't worry, I will definitely buy you the best coffin and burn the most paper money in the future, so that your grave mound will be higher than that of the Willow God..."

"Shut up." Li Chenzhou finally lost his temper and covered the little one's mouth, a vein throbbing on his forehead.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down. The best way to repay this child is not to expect him to support him in his old age, much less to expect him to see him off in his final days.

How long has he lived, and he's already thinking about this? Filial piety breeds strength? It's so filial it makes his scalp tingle.

The little one had his mouth covered, sobbing and unable to speak, his big eyes blinking rapidly, as if asking, "Did I say something wrong?"

Li Chenzhou released his grip, rubbed his temples, and waved his hand weakly. "Go, go play with the little red bird. Don't linger around me."

The little one said "Oh," and obediently ran off. After a few steps, he turned back and said earnestly, "Uncle Li, I meant it."

"I know," Li Chenzhou said weakly. "But I don't need it."

The little one scratched his head, seemed to understand but not quite, and ran off.

Li Chenzhou leaned against the willow tree, watching the little figure skipping away, and sighed deeply. Raising a child is hard. Raising a child who thinks about seeing you off when you die is even harder.

The willow tree's branches trembled again, and this time it laughed even louder.