Dueling the Second Elder, Monstrous Spell Talent!

Early the next morning, Li Dingzhou and Li Qingyuan, father and son, arrived at the Clan Leader's secluded cultivation grounds.

The Clan Leader, Great Elder, and Second Elder had already arrived as well.

The sun rose over the Eastern Sea, illuminating the island. Its first rays spilled across Cloud Mist Mountain, presenting a scene where "spring spreads its grace, and all things gleam with glory."

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Two streaks of light flew through the forest, leaving afterimages as they leaped between the trees. One after the other, they arrived—it was Li Dingzhou and Li Qingyuan, father and son.

Boom!

Boom!

Father and son erupted with spiritual power, revealing their cultivation.

The Clan Leader, Great Elder, and Second Elder stared in shock. "Qi Condensation Fifth Layer?"

"Qingyuan's cultivation has broken through again, again, and again!?"

The Second Elder was both delighted and wistful as he sighed. "The great waves scour the sand. We old waves have already grown old."

"The family's future belongs to the younger generation."

The Clan Leader said happily, "Within a hundred years, there will surely be a child who revitalizes the family. Qingyuan is the child who will revitalize the Li Clan."

"These past few years, our Li Clan has had fair winds and smooth sailing, flourishing day by day."

Li Guangao said, "There is one family cultivator at Qi Condensation Level 7."

"One at Qi Condensation Sixth Layer."

"At Qi Condensation Fifth Layer, there are four in total: Second Elder, Li Ding'an, Li Dingzhou, and Xiao Qingyuan."

"There are seven at Qi Condensation Fourth Layer."

"Eighteen at Qi Condensation Third Layer."

"About forty at Qi Condensation Second Layer and Qi Condensation First Layer combined."

The Great Elder stroked his beard. "Not bad, not bad. In just seven or eight short years, the Li Clan's cultivators have more than doubled in overall combat strength."

"Especially you, Clan Leader. You have entered Qi Condensation Level 7 and become a Late Qi Condensation expert. That is of extraordinary significance to the family."

Li Guangao sighed. "I am old as well. Entering Qi Condensation Level 7 is already my limit. The family's future still depends on Qingyuan."

"With his cultivation speed, he may enter Late Qi Condensation in ten years." At this thought, Clan Leader Li Guangao's face was full of anticipation.

The Second Elder said emotionally, "I truly wish I could live another hundred years to see the family prosper."

Li Dingzhou and Li Qingyuan had already come before them. They bowed and said, "Greetings, Clan Leader, Great Elder, Second Elder."

Li Qingyuan said, "Grandpa Clan Leader, I want to join the Hunting Team and temper myself."

The Clan Leader paused, stroking his long beard. "Very well. Cultivators like us will inevitably have to duel others when traveling outside. More tempering is always beneficial."

"However, you must agree to one condition of Grandpa Clan Leader."

Li Qingyuan said, "Please tell me."

The Clan Leader said solemnly, "You may not leave the family Hunting Team to act alone, you may not venture deep into the Sky Yin Mountain Range, and you may not provoke First-Tier Late Stage Demonic Beasts."

"With your current strength, hunting Mid-Stage First-Rank Demonic Beasts is just right for tempering yourself."

Li Qingyuan cupped his hands. "Qingyuan accepts the order."

At this moment, the Second Elder slowly stepped forward and said, "This old man is the captain of the family Hunting Team."

"If you wish to join the family Hunting Team, this old man must first understand your strength, your mastery of spells, and your ability to adapt."

"Xiao Qingyuan, do you dare duel this old man in spells?" The Second Elder chuckled as he issued the invitation.

Li Qingyuan said joyfully, "This junior clan member could ask for nothing more. Please enlighten me, Grandpa Second Elder."

"Please!"

On the open lawn, the two stood facing each other as spiritual power spread outward.

The Second Elder was at the peak of Qi Condensation Fifth Layer.

Li Qingyuan had only just entered Qi Condensation Fifth Layer.

"We will use neither talisman paper nor magical artifacts. We will duel only with family spells and compare only our fist-and-foot techniques." As soon as the Second Elder finished speaking, his figure flashed as he charged forward.

Moon Shadow Technique—he crossed several yards in an instant. Spiritual power flooded into both arms as he activated the Iron Arm Technique.

The Iron Arm Technique hardened both arms into steel sinews and iron bones, granting immense strength.

The Second Elder launched both fists, producing sonic booms as Strong Wind exploded around them. He struck straight at Li Qingyuan's face, chest, and other vital points.

Li Qingyuan formed hand seals as spiritual power circulated within him. He bent his arms to block, while spiritual power burst from his body and formed a layer of earthen armor over his surface.

The Earth Armor Technique, one of the Six Family Techniques, was a Tier 1 Spell suitable for the entire Qi Condensation realm.

Bang!

The Earth Armor Technique blocked the Second Elder's powerful attack, but Li Qingyuan was still sent flying several yards back, his arms numb.

Screech, screech, screech!

The Second Elder swept both hands out. His knife-hands transformed into qi blades as he cast the Qi Blade Technique, condensing qi into blades. One blade after another slashed through the air, their cold gleam piercing to the bone.

Moon Shadow Technique.

Li Qingyuan silently recited it in his heart and dodged as if oil had been smeared beneath his feet. Afterimages followed in his wake, turning into streak after streak of light and shadow as he evaded every one of the Second Elder's attacks.

Fireball Technique!

Li Qingyuan raised his hand, rubbed his palms together, and launched fireballs in counterattack.

Bang bang bang...

Qi Blade Technique, Fireball Technique, Iron Arm Technique, Moon Shadow Technique, Earth Armor Technique... Li Qingyuan and the Second Elder clashed, repeatedly casting every kind of spell. Their attacks collided through the air without cease, explosions ringing out one after another.

At times, they dueled with long-range spells. At other times, they used the Iron Arm Technique to fight at close quarters. Attack, defense, movement techniques—all kinds of spells were displayed in turn, and their mastery of spells was evenly matched.

After fighting at full strength for the time it took to burn an incense stick, the spiritual power in both their bodies was nearly exhausted.

Clan Leader Li Guangao said, "Enough."

"Let this battle be considered a draw. What do you say?"

Li Qingyuan cupped his hands in salute. "Thank you for your guidance, Grandpa Second Elder. Qingyuan has benefited greatly."

The Second Elder praised, "Good boy. This old man hunted demonic beasts for thirty years before I became proficient in the five Tier 1 Spells among the Six Family Techniques, aside from the Spirit Rain Technique."

"But you, in only seven or eight years of cultivation, not only possess astonishing talent in Qi Condensation and talisman drawing, but also such astonishing talent in spell cultivation."

"In just a few years, with only slight practice, you are no weaker than this old man's accumulation over decades."

"Your talent for spells is truly monstrous."

The Great Elder agreed, "Moreover, when Qingyuan dueled, he advanced and retreated in perfect order, with offense and defense as one. He even saw through the fact that Old Second had deliberately revealed openings to lure him in."

"Even when faced with openings, he remained calm, neither arrogant nor impatient."

"Hahaha, not only has such a genius appeared, he has appeared in our Li family." The Great Elder laughed heartily.

The Clan Leader said, "Good, then it is settled."

"From today onward, Qingyuan is a member of the family Hunting Team."

Li Qingyuan smiled. "Thank you, Grandpa Clan Leader, for granting this."

"Also, Qingyuan has one more matter that must be reported to you alone, Grandpa Clan Leader."

"Oh?" Clan Leader Li Guangao asked curiously, "Reported to me alone?"

Li Guangao instructed, "Very well. Great Elder, Second Elder, Dingzhou, you may withdraw first."

After the three left, Li Guangao asked, "Qingyuan, what do you wish to report?"

Li Qingyuan smiled. "Please take a look, Grandpa Clan Leader."

Li Qingyuan took out Tier 1 High-grade Talisman Paper materials, High-Grade First-Rank Talisman Ink, and the severely worn Wind Spirit Wolf Hair Brush. "Grandpa Clan Leader, watch carefully."

With that, Li Qingyuan raised his brush and drew a talisman.

The complete Flame Ice Soul Severing Talisman was drawn in one smooth motion.

Buzz buzz!

As the final stroke landed on the Tier 1 High-grade Talisman Paper, it absorbed spiritual qi from All Directions, solidifying the spiritual qi within the runes. The drawing succeeded.

Genuine Quality, with complete runes.

"Go!" Li Qingyuan activated the talisman paper and hurled it forth.

Clang!

Ice-blue flames erupted, transforming into a sharp Blade Aura over ten feet long that slashed through the air. It flew thirty feet and struck a Rockery Boulder, shattering it to pieces.

With a thunderous boom, the ground within thirty feet trembled. The rockery shattered, and grass and trees flew everywhere.

Clan Leader Li Guangao froze, unable to believe it. "Qingyuan, you drew a Tier 1 High-grade Talisman Paper comparable to the full-force strike of a Qi Condensation Eighth Layer cultivator?"

"And this talisman paper is actually the Flame Ice Soul Severing Talisman?"

"Heavens..." Li Guangao sucked in a sharp breath, staring at Li Qingyuan in shock. "Could it be that you... you completed the Flame Ice Soul Severing Talisman?"