Clan Leader's Delight, Li Immortal Clan's Kirin Son!

Father and son sparred, clashing spells in fierce combat.

Through simulated real combat, Li Qingyuan learned many things.

Spellcasting, the rhythm of magical combat, tactical arrangements, setting tactical traps, and more—he benefited greatly from Old Dad.

Old Dad, Li Dingzhou, was not a cultivation genius, and his spirit root was mediocre.

However, when it came to magical combat and life-and-death battles, he was highly experienced. He had fought Spirit Beasts and dueled cultivators; after cultivating for more than forty years, he was more than qualified to guide Li Qingyuan.

At sunset, Mother, Chen Xiuyun, returned from work and prepared dinner.

After dinner, Li Dingzhou took Li Qingyuan out and headed straight for Clan Leader Li Guangao's residence.

There were four cultivators in the Clan Leader's branch.

Clan Leader Li Guangao, his nephew Li Ding'an, his cousin-niece Li Dingqian, and his grandnephew Li Qinglei.

Li Ding'an was responsible for the family's Origin Iron Stone mine. At Qi Condensation Fourth Layer Perfection, he was a leading figure among the middle generation. He was fifty-two years old, one year older than Li Dingzhou.

Li Dingqian was responsible for raising the family's Spirit Beasts. She was at Qi Condensation Fourth Layer and in her early forties. She had taken in a mortal husband, rather than marrying out of the family.

Li Qinglei was of the same generation as Li Qingyuan. He was fifteen this year, possessed a Four-Element Spirit Root, and was now a Qi Condensation Second Layer cultivator. He was considered one of the more outstanding Family Immortal Seedlings.

Like the Clan Leaders before him, Li Guangao lived alone year-round in the core area of the spirit vein, cultivating, drawing talismans, and considering the family's development in a Small Courtyard.

"Grandpa Clan Leader, Qingyuan has come to see you!"

Outside the small house, Li Qingyuan respectfully bowed and called out in a clear voice.

Li Dingzhou respectfully said, "Disciple Li Dingzhou pays respects to Clan Leader."

With a creak, the door opened, and Li Guangao's voice came from within. "Dingzhou, Qingyuan, come in."

Father and son entered the house.

In the sitting room, Li Guangao had already prepared tea. Using his power to manipulate objects from afar, he poured three cups and smiled. "Come, have a taste. The Great Elder cultivated this spirit tea just this year."

"Thank you, Clan Leader."

"Thank you, Grandpa Clan Leader."

After thanking him, father and son each tasted the tea.

Li Qingyuan sniffed it. The tea fragrance was rich, and after taking a light sip, its aroma lingered on his lips and teeth. Once swallowed, the spirit tea refreshed his heart and soul.

"Delicious. As expected of spirit tea." Li Qingyuan's eyes lit up as he drained the cup in one gulp.

Li Guangao stroked his beard and smiled. Raising his cup for a drink, he casually asked, "Dingzhou, you two came so late at night. Is there something you need?"

Li Dingzhou said, "Clan Leader, Qingyuan has reached the Qi Condensation Third Layer."

"Pfft~" Li Guangao said in shock, "What?"

"Qi Condensation Third Layer!?"

"Cough, cough..."

Li Guangao choked on the spirit tea, his face filled with disbelief.

Li Qingyuan chuckled. "Grandpa Clan Leader, please see for yourself."

Boom!

Li Qingyuan circulated the Great Spring Technique, releasing the cultivation of Qi Condensation Third Layer. Not only had his spiritual power reached Qi Condensation Third Layer, but his realm was also stable, as though he had stepped into this realm two or three months ago.

Only then did Li Guangao recover his senses. Delighted, he said, "Good, good, good! Not only have you broken through to Qi Condensation Third Layer, but your spiritual energy is restrained and your realm stable."

"Qingyuan, when did you break through?"

Li Qingyuan replied, "Reporting to Grandpa Clan Leader, I broke through a week ago."

"You stabilized your realm in just one week?" Li Guangao was both shocked and delighted. "Worthy of being the Kirin Son of my Li Clan. You truly are a cultivation prodigy."

"A High-Grade Three Spirit Root with three mutually generating attributes truly is remarkable."

Li Guangao was visibly excited. He looked Li Qingyuan over repeatedly, patted his shoulder, and said, "Good child. After cultivating for two and a half years, at only ten years old, you have reached Qi Condensation Third Layer."

"At this rate, you will surely reach Qi Condensation Fourth Layer in three years and develop Spiritual Sense."

"Then, with another twenty years of diligent cultivation, breaking through the Shackles of Qi Condensation Sixth Layer and advancing into Late Qi Condensation should not be difficult."

Li Guangao's aged eyes gleamed, his face full of anticipation. "A Late Qi Condensation cultivator in his thirties would be a once-in-ten-thousand young talent across all of Willow Crane Island."

Li Dingzhou was also overwhelmed with excitement.

In a Third-rate Qi Condensation Family, the Clan Leader was generally a Qi Condensation Sixth Layer cultivator. Occasionally, a Qi Condensation Level 7 cultivator would emerge and barely step into Late Qi Condensation.

In a Second-rate Qi Condensation Family, Clan Leaders and elder-level cultivators were mostly at Qi Condensation Level 7 or Qi Condensation Eighth Layer, with the occasional Qi Condensation Ninth Layer cultivator.

Across Willow Crane Island, only the Clan Leaders of the three First-rate Qi Condensation Families had achieved Qi Condensation Tenth Layer Perfection and possessed the qualifications to Impact Foundation Establishment.

Li Guangao said, "In the future, even if Qingyuan cannot achieve Foundation Establishment, our Li Clan will still have hope of becoming a First-rate Qi Condensation Family. The family will at least flourish for a hundred years."

Yet Li Qingyuan's heart sank upon hearing this.

If he could only advance to Qi Condensation Level 7 and reach Late Qi Condensation in his thirties—

Then by the time he reached Qi Condensation Tenth Layer Perfection, would he not already be nearly sixty?

Sixty was the age dividing line for attempting Foundation Establishment, much like the dividing line for women giving birth at thirty-five in his previous life—beyond thirty-five, they were considered advanced maternal age.

Attempting Foundation Establishment after sixty not only had a low success rate, but failure could also bring spiritual energy backlash. At best, one would be severely injured and suffer a drastic decline in cultivation; at worst, one would die and Dao dissipate.

Even if one fortunately succeeded in Foundation Establishment, their future potential would be limited. They would not go far and would be unable to form a core.

Li Qingyuan was anxious. Resources, I need resources.

Spirit Stones, I need Spirit Stones.

After thinking it over, Li Qingyuan gave a deep bow and bent at the waist. "Grandpa Clan Leader, after Family Immortal Seedlings cultivate for three years, they must participate in managing the family businesses and contribute their strength according to Clan Rule."

"For more than two years, Qingyuan has continuously received the family's grace and your care. That is why I was able to reach Qi Condensation Third Layer so quickly."

"Grandpa Clan Leader, Qingyuan hopes to repay the family, to add bricks and tiles to its development, and contribute his meager strength."

Hearing this, Li Guangao was deeply gratified. Stroking his beard, he said, "Good child. You know gratitude and repay kindness. This old man has not cherished you in vain."

"Mm~" Li Guangao pondered for a long while before saying, "Come to think of it, you are already ten. You should learn about the family businesses."

"Besides, you have reached Qi Condensation Third Layer. A young man cannot stay in seclusion all the time without interacting with the family members."

"However..." Li Guangao said with difficulty, "once you make a move, your strength can no longer be hidden."

"After all, our Li family has no cultivation technique for concealing one's aura."

Li Dingzhou agreed, "Precisely. Qingyuan's cultivation cannot be exposed."

"A ten-year-old at Qi Condensation Third Layer—such a cultivation speed would be no exaggeration even for a Dual-Attribute Spirit Root."

"Once his cultivation is revealed before others, it will surely attract attention and become known to cultivators from other Qi Condensation Families."

"At that point, Qingyuan will be in danger."

After some thought, Li Guangao said, "How about following the Great Elder to cultivate spirit plants? He alone tends the family Medicine Field."

"That way, your cultivation will not be discovered by others."

Li Qingyuan shook his head and bowed. "Grandpa Clan Leader, I want to learn talisman drawing."

As soon as these words were spoken, Li Guangao froze for a moment.

Li Dingzhou immediately stood and rebuked him. "Qingyuan, do not speak nonsense."

"The art of talisman drawing was an opportunity the Clan Leader himself obtained in his early years. It is not a family inheritance. How can you covet it?"

Li Dingzhou hurriedly bowed. "Clan Leader, Qingyuan is still young. Please forgive his rudeness."

Li Qingyuan was stunned, only then coming back to his senses.

The art of talisman drawing was not part of the family inheritance. It had been acquired by the Clan Leader himself through a fortunate coincidence in his early years. It was his means of making a living and his greatest skill for earning Spirit Stones.

If it were to be passed down, it would also be passed down to disciples of his own branch.

Li Qingyuan apologetically said, "I'm sorry, Grandpa Clan Leader, I—"

Before he could finish, Li Guangao immediately agreed, and did so with great delight. "Good. This old man agrees."

Li Guangao glared at Li Dingzhou, blowing his beard and widening his eyes. "Li Dingzhou, do you really think this old man is like those pedantic old fools outside?"

"If the disciples of the clan had not been so disappointing these past years, and if training a first-rank talisman master did not consume so many resources, how could this old man's Talisman Path Skill have no successor?"

Li Guangao happily said, "Qingyuan possesses exceptional comprehension, has mastered all Six Family Techniques, and has now reached Qi Condensation Third Layer. He is precisely the best candidate to learn talisman drawing."

"Qingyuan, come here early tomorrow morning. This old man will teach you the art of talisman drawing."

Li Qingyuan was overjoyed. "Thank you, Grandpa Clan Leader."