13: Chapter 13: The Collateral Branch Takes the Stage

Outside the martial arts arena in Qingshi Town, it was bustling with noise and excitement.

The four great Families had all arrived—the Li Family, Zhao Family, Wang Family, and Chen Family—each occupying their own designated area.

Formation patterns were rotating above the stage, with faint Spiritual Qi glowing in circles, completely enclosing the entire martial arts arena. It was clearly done to prevent the Qi Refining Cultivators from getting too carried away and accidentally injuring the onlookers with wild surges of spiritual power.

Li Qingfeng stood within the Li Family's ranks, wearing the Li Family's standard dharma robes, a newly acquired dharma sword hanging at his waist, and a light armor worn over it.

His entire spirit and demeanor seemed like that of a completely different person; there was no trace left of the side-branch loser who used to hide in the side courtyard.

Not far away, someone from the Zhao Family began to bicker incessantly, their voice not particularly low, clearly intended for this side to hear.

"Has the Li Family really run out of people? They actually let a side-branch member who just turned his life around after getting married participate in the Small Tournament??"

"I heard he only rose up by sponging off his wife. Tsk tsk, is such a person even qualified to take the stage?"

"A side branch is a side branch. Even if they get lucky and climb up, they can never change that cheap, poverty-stricken nature in their bones."

Li Chengyue's Face darkened instantly; he gripped the hilt of his saber, ready to turn around and start shouting back.

However, Li Qingfeng raised his hand first and stopped him.

"Don't be impatient."

Li Chengyue frowned at him: "They're practically spitting in our Faces, and you're still holding back?"

Li Qingfeng just smiled, his gaze lazily sweeping over the Zhao Family's side, his tone exceptionally steady.

"Winning an argument with words is meaningless."

"Once we're on the stage, we'll make them shut their mouths with action."

Upon hearing this, Li Chengyue was stunned for a moment, then chuckled: "Alright, I like the way you talk!"

Li Ruolan, standing nearby, also glanced at Li Qingfeng, her eyes showing a bit more approval than before. She remained cold-faced, the talisman bag at her waist swaying gently. Her figure was tall and lithe, and she stood with a crisp, decisive posture. Her voice was very low: "The Zhao Family is likely targeting you today."

"I know." Li Qingfeng nodded.

Of course he knew.

Ever since Zhao Mingyue snapped the token yesterday, this matter had been out in the open.

The Zhao Family wanted to step on him and the Li Family to swallow the patrol rights of the East Street in one gulp.

Too bad for them, they picked the wrong person~~~

Li Qingfeng's gaze shifted and landed on the Li Family's viewing seats.

Su Qingyue was sitting there.

She wore a light cyan long dress today. The fabric was soft, clinging to her remarkably slim waist. As she sat, the hem of her skirt draped down along her legs, making them look long and well-proportioned. Her skin was naturally fair, and under the morning light, it looked even cleaner and more supple. A spiritual jade hairpin was stuck in her hair, and her eyes were gentle and moist. She looked quiet, but within that quietness, there was a seductive allure that made one's heart itch.

She was holding that calming sachet in her hand, watching him.

Li Qingfeng met her gaze, and the slight nervousness he felt before the fight slowly dissipated.

With such a beautiful and thoughtful wife watching, if he still couldn't make a name for himself, it would be too embarrassing!!!

Soon, the Small Tournament began.

The first round wasn't about real combat on the arena; it was about demonstrating basic techniques and scoring. Simply put, it was for each Family to show their foundation—not just to see who fought fiercely, but also to see who had steady control and who was more worth cultivating.

This point suited Li Qingfeng's intentions perfectly.

Disciples from the previous families took the stage one after another.

Some cast fireballs, some unleashed wind blades, and others created water curtains and earth spikes. The scene was quite spectacular, causing the martial arts arena to boom with noise. Many people off-stage nodded repeatedly, thinking this was how young Cultivators should fight.

When it was the Li Family's turn, Li Chengyue went up first. He held his saber and stood firm, performing a set of vigorous moves. His Saber Qi swept across, and the strong wind whistled—it certainly had Aura, securing a solid score for the Li Family.

Next was Li Qingfeng's turn.

As soon as he stepped onto the stage, the chattering sounds around him increased significantly.

"Is that him?"

"I've heard his name is quite loud, but I want to see how much weight this side-branch member actually has."

"Hopefully, he's not just all show."

Li Qingfeng didn't say a word; he just walked slowly to the middle of the arena.

The referee glanced at him: "You may begin."

Li Qingfeng raised his hand and picked up a half-dead spirit branch from the table.

This spirit branch was clearly damaged; the bark on the branch was dark, and the leaves were wilted, with its Spiritual Qi almost completely dissipated. Seeing him bring out this thing, many people off-stage were dumbfounded.

Someone from the Zhao Family even burst out laughing.

"What the hell? Did he come up here to farm?"

"Is the Li Family here for a tournament or for spring plowing?"

Li Qingfeng still ignored them.

He flipped his palm, and his Wood-type spiritual power began to circulate unhurriedly. He simultaneously activated the Evergreen Spirit Transformation Art and the Azure Wood Rejuvenation Art. Pale green spiritual light seeped out from his palm, not violent or explosive at all, but rather like flowing water, slowly wrapping around that spirit branch.

In this instant, his entire Aura settled down.

He didn't use his Qi Refining Middle Stage Perfection cultivation to show off or suppress others, but instead kept it steady. His spiritual power seeped in strand by strand through his palm, first protecting the branch, then nourishing the roots, and finally, bit by bit, drawing out the Life Qi.

Li Qingfeng knew very clearly that the Azure Wood Rejuvenation Art was not a killing technique.

But precisely because it wasn't a killing technique, it tested one's control the most.

If there was a fraction too much spiritual power, the broken branch wouldn't be able to bear it and would explode directly.

If there was a fraction too little, the Life Qi wouldn't be sustained, and it would be all for nothing.

What he wanted now wasn't flashiness, but precision.

Within a few seconds, the dying spirit branch first trembled slightly, and then the wilted leaves actually unfurled bit by bit. Although it hadn't completely returned to its lush green state, a tender bud tip had stubbornly sprouted at the very top of the branch.

The chaotic noise off-stage suddenly quieted down.

Even the referee gave him an extra look.

On the Li Family's side, a steward in charge of spirit plants stood up with a "whoosh," his eyes shining.

"This technique for controlling spiritual power is way too refined!!!"

He suppressed his excited voice and hurriedly whispered to the Grand Elder: "If we let him help look after the spirit fields long-term, just based on this control of Wood-type spiritual power, the loss of low-grade Spirit Medicine in the Family can be reduced by at least ten percent, and the yield can be steadily increased."

The Grand Elder listened to this, his expression not changing much, but his eyes deepened significantly.

He had known before that Li Qingfeng was useful.

But now, he was even more certain.

This kid's role in the development of the Family's industries was significant.

Li Qingfeng, on the stage, withdrew his hand, and the spirit branch in his hand had come back to life. His expression was very calm, as if he had just done the most ordinary little thing.

Yet he knew in his heart that after showing this hand, the Li Family higher-ups' evaluation of him would likely rise another level.

The System also vibrated gently at this moment.

[Host has demonstrated value for Family management.]

[Family Luck observation progress increased.]

[Note: The more stable the host's contribution to the Family's industries, the better the subsequent Family resource allocation and the growth environment for offspring will be.]

Li Qingfeng's mind became even clearer.

The System's meaning was already clear enough.

Every step he took now was not just to earn Face for himself, but also to pave the way for Su Qingyue and their future children.

Off-stage, Su Qingyue looked at the man on the stage, her fingertips gently pinching the sachet, a soft light gradually appearing in her eyes.

She knew better than anyone that Li Qingfeng was just a side-branch member thrown into the marriage list to make up the numbers by the Family at the beginning.

But now, he could stand before the four great Families and show his Face with dignity.

More importantly, he wasn't chaotic, didn't get carried away, and didn't rush to show off just because he had turned things around.

He was still so steady, still so clear-headed.

This kind of man was the most reassuring.

As she thought about this, the corners of her mouth curled up on their own. Her Face, which was already clear and gentle, looked even more alluring because of this slight smile. Several young men from the Li Family nearby caught a glimpse and quickly looked away, muttering in their hearts.

Brother Qingfeng's legal wife is truly beautiful.

And looking at this posture, she is truly devoted to him.

After the first round ended, each Family began to calculate their points.

The Li Family performed well and steadily secured a good position. Soon, the second round of real combat began.

At this moment, the atmosphere was completely different.

The defensive formation patterns on the martial arts arena all lit up, with pale green light curtains covering all directions, and even the Spiritual Qi in the air seemed to tighten a bit.

Li Chengyue went up first, facing a Qi Refining Middle Stage Cultivator from the Wang Family.

The two fought very directly, with Saber Qi and sword beams clashing with "ping-pong" sounds. Li Chengyue relied on his sheer ruthlessness to suppress his opponent, and with a final slash, he sent his opponent flying, giving the Li Family a good start.

The Li Family members off-stage instantly became spirited.

The Zhao Family side had no reaction, acting instead as if they were waiting for a good show.

Li Qingfeng stood on the sidelines, his eyes never idle.

He didn't rush to get on stage, but instead used his Vitality Perception along with his own observations to record the habits of the young Cultivators from each Family bit by bit. Who had a fast opening move, who had thin armor, who liked to expose flaws to fish for opponents, and whose spiritual power couldn't keep up—he was watching it all.

These things looked insignificant usually.

But once on the stage, victory or defeat often depended on just this little bit.

Just then, on the Zhao Family's side, a young man stood up slowly.

The man was dressed in gray-black combat gear, his hand pressed against his long sword, his eyes gloomy, and a not-very-pleasant smile hanging on the corner of his mouth. His cultivation was at the Qi Refining Middle Stage, his Aura not the absolute top, but clearly carrying a vibe specifically meant to disgust people.

The referee announced the name.

"Zhao Family, Zhao Han."

After Zhao Han stood on the stage, he didn't look at anyone else and pointed directly at the Li Family side.

"I challenge Li Qingfeng."

Once these words came out, the sidelines instantly quieted down.

The probing had finally arrived.

The Grand Elder turned to look at Li Qingfeng, his voice steady: "Are you willing to accept the challenge?"

Li Chengyue whispered: "This dog is likely sent out by the Zhao Family to probe your bottom line."

Li Qingfeng smiled and stretched his wrists.

"I know."

"Just right, I'll use him to warm up."

After speaking, he took a step forward and went directly onto the stage.

Zhao Han stared at him intensely, his eyes full of contempt, and he deliberately said loudly: "Li Qingfeng, I heard you've made something of yourself recently, not only relying on the Family for resources but also relying on marrying a good wife. Is this ability of yours something you practiced yourself, or is it fed to you by a woman?"

This was said in a very nasty way.

Many of the Li Family members off-stage had their Faces darken.

Su Qingyue's hand holding the sachet also tightened slightly, her expression a bit cold.

Li Qingfeng, however, was not angry at all; he just looked at Zhao Han, his tone very flat.

"Being able to put my wife at ease and bring benefits to the Family is my own ability."

"If you don't have this ability, stop being so sour here."

As soon as he finished speaking, the sidelines quieted down again.

Then, many young disciples from the Li Family felt a surge of warmth in their hearts.

These words were truly inspiring!

Even the Grand Elder nodded slightly.

The smile on Zhao Han's Face stiffened instantly, and his eyes turned completely gloomy.

The referee saw that the atmosphere had been built up to this point and waved his hand.

"The battle begins!!!"

As soon as the referee finished speaking, Zhao Han kicked off the ground violently, his long sword left its sheath with a "clang," a cold light flashed, and he rushed over like a mad dog.

The sword edge cut through the air with a sharp whistling sound, and the first move was aimed directly at Li Qingfeng's shoulder!

This sword strike was fast and ruthless, and it specifically aimed at places that would make people get hurt and lose Face.

It was obvious that Zhao Han wasn't here to probe.

He just wanted to hack Li Qingfeng into a sorry state in front of everyone, so that the Li Family would lose Face and the Zhao Family would show off their prestige.

But Li Qingfeng looked at the sword light rushing towards him, his eyes slowly turning cold.

He didn't dodge or panic, nor did he rush to draw his sword.

Because in his eyes, although Zhao Han's sword strike looked quite frightening, the flaws had already been exposed.