10: Chapter 10: Three Moves Shock the Elder, Wife Awaits Trying on Clothes

The Grand Elder's single sentence, "Receive my three strikes," caused the entire martial arts arena to fall silent instantly.

Li Qingfeng stood on the stage, but his heart was not in chaos.

He knew this was not an intentional attempt to make things difficult for him. Winning against Li Chengyue earlier only proved he had some ability among the younger generation. But what the Li Family truly needed was someone who would not easily collapse when facing the outside world.

No matter how strong the Grand Elder was, he would suppress his cultivation to the Qi Refining Stage 7 level.

However, experience, keen eyesight, and timing were not things that could be smoothed over just by suppressing one's Realm.

Li Qingfeng slowly exhaled, cupped his hands, and said, "Please, Elder, grant me your instruction."

On the sidelines, Su Qingyue gently gripped her sleeves with her fingertips.

She stood quietly again today, but that light green long dress clung to her figure, making her waist look even slimmer and her legs longer. The gentle rise and fall of her chest made her resemble a dew-kissed spirit flower, possessing an indescribable allure within her gentleness. Especially those eyes, looking at Li Qingfeng with clarity and tenderness, hiding both worry and trust.

Li Qingfeng only glanced at her, and his heart steadied by half.

Some people, just by standing there, make you realize that you are not carrying the burden alone.

The Grand Elder raised his hand; the first strike was devoid of any flashy techniques, directly utilizing Spiritual Pressure.

With a boom, an invisible pressure descended, like a heavy stone suddenly pressing down on his shoulders.

The expressions of many young disciples off the stage changed.

This strike looked simple, but it was the ultimate test of one's Foundation. If the Meridians were hollow or the Dantian unstable, one's Qi would immediately fall into chaos when forced by the Spiritual Pressure.

Li Qingfeng did not resist head-on.

He instantly circulated the Evergreen Spirit Transformation Art within his body, spreading his Azure Wood Spiritual Power slowly through his Meridians. He did not clash directly with that pressure, but instead flowed with it like water to dissipate the force.

He still took three steps back.

Every step he took caused a dull thud against the stone floor.

Yet, despite retreating, his shoulders did not slump, his waist did not bend, and his breathing did not scatter.

Someone off-stage whispered in shock, "Only three steps back?"

Li Chengyue stared at the stage, his eyes showing a bit more respect.

He had just sparred with Li Qingfeng and knew this person was steady, but only now did he truly understand that this steadiness wasn't faked—it came from the very marrow of his bones.

A trace of satisfaction flashed in the Grand Elder's eyes as he said indifferently, "Not bad. You know when to carry the weight and when to dissipate it."

Li Qingfeng felt a slight relief in his heart.

The first strike was over.

Yet he dared not be careless. Since the Grand Elder said three strikes, the next two would only be increasingly difficult.

Sure enough, the Grand Elder flicked his fingertips, and the second strike followed immediately.

Several wooden vines shot up from the edge of the stage, moving with extreme speed like living things. With a few swishing sounds, they sealed off Li Qingfeng's left, right, and rear. The surface of those vines shimmered with spiritual light; once entangled, it wasn't just a simple pull, but would lock onto one's spiritual energy circulation.

This strike tested adaptability.

Several young disciples off-stage felt their scalps tingle.

With all retreat paths blocked and charging forward meaning facing the Elder directly, it looked like a dead end.

Su Qingyue's gaze tightened, and her heart couldn't help but rise.

But at this instant, Li Qingfeng's eyes lit up.

Vitality Perception, activate.

In the next moment, he clearly sensed that those wooden vines were not formed simultaneously but had a sequence. The two thickest ones at the back-left had the strongest spiritual power, while the one directly in front looked the most menacing but had a slightly hollow Foundation. More importantly, the Grand Elder had deliberately left a gap in the most dangerous spot directly in front, though it would close the fastest; a moment of hesitation would mean being completely locked in.

This strike did not test how beautifully one could dodge, but whether one dared to gamble and move immediately after seeing clearly.

Li Qingfeng did not hesitate; instead, he stepped directly toward the most menacing front.

The crowd off-stage gasped in shock.

"Is he crazy?"

"Isn't that just throwing himself into the net?"

But in the next instant, everyone understood.

Li Qingfeng cut diagonally through the tiny gap before the wooden vines closed, his shoulder almost brushing against the shadow of the vines, his sleeve pulled tight. Immediately after, he flipped his palm, striking the ground with a pale green spiritual light. Borrowing the momentum to turn, he had already steadily escaped the encirclement.

The whole process was fast, yet not chaotic in the slightest.

The Grand Elder nodded lightly, his approval no longer hidden.

"Good eyesight, and decisive enough."

After Li Qingfeng stood firm, his back was actually covered in a layer of fine sweat.

If he had been a split second slower just then, he would have been bound tightly by the wooden vines. But his heart felt even clearer now.

The use of Vitality Perception wasn't just for looking at Spiritual Plants or observing his wife's physical changes; it was equally useful in combat. It could capture the flow of vitality and the most subtle changes when a technique was taking shape.

If this ability was used well, it would become more valuable the further one went.

In his mind, the System's voice rang out softly.

[Host successfully utilized Vitality Perception in high-pressure combat.]

[Hint: This ability can assist in identifying the weak points of techniques, vitality nodes, and gaps in spiritual power circulation.]

[Current proficiency slightly increased.]

Li Qingfeng's eyes flickered.

The System's explanation was very timely.

Previously, he only knew this ability could view Spirit Medicine and Physiques, but now he finally understood completely. Its most ruthless aspect wasn't increasing raw combat power, but allowing him to see through the situation faster than others.

Winning through steadiness—wasn't this tailor-made for him?

The Grand Elder looked at him and slowly raised his hand for the third time.

"The last strike tests your Heart-Nature."

As these words fell, Li Qingfeng's nerves tightened instantly.

Heart-Nature was the hardest to measure and the easiest to go wrong with.

The next moment, the Grand Elder moved, his palm pushing out levelly. It didn't look fast, and even seemed a bit loose. Yet, at the moment of approach, a clear opening suddenly appeared in the palm technique, as if Li Qingfeng could force the opponent back with one sword strike if he seized the opportunity.

Several young disciples off-stage subconsciously leaned forward.

This opportunity was too obvious.

So obvious that it didn't look real.

Li Qingfeng's pupils constricted, his mind racing.

If it were young Cultivators sparring, if one didn't seize such an opening, there might not be a next time. But the person standing before him was the Grand Elder, an old Cultivator who had lived for most of his life—would he make such a low-level mistake?

Impossible.

This was baiting him.

If he were greedy for merit and advanced rashly, it might look like he grabbed the initiative, but in reality, he would be handing his true weakness to the Elder.

Thinking of this, Li Qingfeng not only didn't attack, but instead sheathed his sword, settled his Qi, and protected his Dantian and center, guarding only his own square inch of space.

The Grand Elder's palm stance indeed changed in the next breath; the opening closed, and a hidden force shifted horizontally. If he had really rushed over just now, this single strike would have been enough to knock him off balance on the spot.

The palm wind stopped three inches from Li Qingfeng's chest.

The arena was deathly silent.

A moment later, the Grand Elder withdrew his hand, his eyes finally showing genuine approval.

"Good."

"Not greedy, not impatient, and not dazzled by the temptation before your eyes."

"You have passed."

As these words fell, the atmosphere in the Li Family martial arts arena instantly relaxed.

Li Chengyue was the first to laugh out loud, waving his fist vigorously at him. The surrounding clansmen, who had previously viewed him with a bit of scrutiny, now looked at him with completely changed expressions.

This wasn't Luck, it wasn't a turnaround relying on marriage, and it wasn't just holding his ground after an overnight surge in power.

This was genuinely passing three strikes from the Grand Elder.

Li Qingfeng cupped his hands and bowed, "Many thanks, Elder, for your instruction."

The Grand Elder stroked his beard and nodded, then announced to the crowd, "The three participants representing the Li Family in the Qingshi Town Small Tournament are: Li Qingfeng, Li Chengyue, and Li Ruolan."

Discussions soon arose from the crowd.

Li Chengyue was responsible for frontal assault, Li Ruolan excelled in Talismans and crowd control, and Li Qingfeng had stable techniques, good eyesight, and strong adaptability. The combination of the three, with both offense and defense, was indeed the most suitable lineup for the Li Family's younger generation.

Li Ruolan walked up from the other side and nodded faintly at Li Qingfeng.

She was beautiful with a cold temperament, at Qi Refining Stage 6 Perfection, with a Talisman bag hanging at her waist, clearly someone who did things efficiently. She didn't waste words, simply stating, "During the Small Tournament, my Talismans will prioritize protecting you two."

Li Chengyue grinned, "Then I'll be responsible for charging at the very front."

Li Qingfeng looked at these two, and a sense of stability grew in his heart.

This was not fighting alone to the end, but Family cooperation.

This was what he wanted.

The Grand Elder waved his hand, and a deacon brought up three wooden trays. On them were placed a Dharma sword, a Dharma robe, and a Spirit Spring Cultivation Token, respectively.

"Li Chengyue, bestowed one Low Grade Thick-Backed Dharma Blade."

"Li Ruolan, bestowed thirty sheets of Medium Grade Talisman paper and a box of Spirit-Containing Cinnabar."

"Li Qingfeng, bestowed one Low Grade Dharma sword, one Light Armor Dharma robe, and three days of qualification for Spirit Spring courtyard cultivation."

Speaking of this, the Grand Elder looked at Li Qingfeng specifically.

"Remember, this is not charity; it is the Family's investment in useful people."

Li Qingfeng received the items. When his fingertips touched the Dharma robe, he could feel a layer of flexible spiritual patterns inside. This thing wasn't as exaggerated as heavy armor, but it excelled in being lightweight, perfect for someone like him who followed the path of steadiness and adaptability.

The Dharma sword was also much handier than his previous one; as soon as a little spiritual power was infused, the blade emitted a layer of cold, azure light.

He felt even more confident.

Just then, the System prompt rang out again.

[Host has obtained the status of an official Family combatant.]

[Family Luck observation progress increased.]

[Hint: Participating in external competition on behalf of the Family can increase the host's binding degree with the Family, and increase the reward weight for subsequent industries, Dao Companions, and offspring.]

[Additional note: The Light Armor Dharma robe possesses basic force-dissipating and protective effects, which can reduce the impact damage of Qi Refinement Stage techniques. The Low Grade Dharma sword can improve the conduction efficiency of Wood-type spiritual power.]

Li Qingfeng's heart brightened.

The System was very specific this time, effectively helping him analyze his newly acquired items.

The Dharma robe didn't just prevent cutting; it could dissipate a portion of spiritual power impact. The Dharma sword allowed his Azure Wood Spiritual Power to be unleashed more smoothly; whether casting Rejuvenation Art, Entanglement Art, or in ordinary combat, he would be steadier than before.

This was the benefit of Family resources.

They might not be earth-shattering, but each one could make you genuinely stronger.

When the selection ended and Li Qingfeng just walked off the stage, Su Qingyue came to meet him.

She didn't walk fast, but her figure was truly pleasing to the eye no matter how one looked at it. Her slender waist was graceful, her skirt swayed gently against her long legs, and her face carried a hint of worry that hadn't fully dissipated, though the corners of her eyes held tenderness that couldn't be hidden.

She stopped in front of him, first looking at his chest, then at his face, confirming he was truly uninjured, only then did she breathe a sigh of relief.

"During that third strike, I almost thought you would fall for it."

Li Qingfeng smiled, lowering his voice, "If I had really lost my head, I'm afraid I would have been scolded by you tonight."

Su Qingyue's cheeks flushed slightly, and she gave him a light glare.

That look wasn't fierce; instead, it had a hint of bashfulness mixed with allure, making Li Qingfeng's heart heat up.

She whispered, "It's good that you know. You are not alone anymore."

This sentence was very light, but it fell straight into Li Qingfeng's heart.

Not alone anymore.

Having a wife, a courtyard, a child who might be born in the future, and a Li Family that was slowly starting to treat him as one of their own.

The Foundation he wanted was already growing bit by bit.

Li Qingfeng held her hand, his voice also softening.

"That's why I won't act rashly. I am participating in the battle not to show off, but to ensure we live more steadily in the future."

Su Qingyue looked at him, her eyes trembling slightly, but in the end, she did not pull her hand back.

She only said softly, "After we go back, I will help you try on the Dharma robe."

Li Qingfeng froze for a moment, then his heart burned.

These words sounded proper, but coming from her, they somehow carried a hint of something that made one itch with desire.

Just as he was about to say something else, a deacon responsible for communication hurried over from afar, his expression grave.

"Grand Elder, news just arrived from the Zhao Family; it seems they have invited outside help to observe the Small Tournament in advance."

The Grand Elder narrowed his eyes, his expression darkening.

Li Qingfeng's heart also stirred.

The Small Tournament hadn't officially started yet, and the Zhao Family was already restless.

It seemed this battle against outsiders would be far from as simple as just a few young people standing on the arena.