14: Chapter 14: A Sure Victory Over Zhao Han

Zhao Han's sword strike came fast and vicious, the blade cleaving diagonally, its icy glint aiming directly for Li Qingfeng's shoulder.

Many people in the crowd subconsciously held their breath.

If this strike landed, it might not cause a grievous injury, but it would certainly be humiliating. It was clear that Zhao Han wasn't here for a friendly spar; he intended to injure Li Qingfeng in public and trample on the Family's face while he was at it.

Yet, Li Qingfeng stood his ground, his gaze remarkably steady.

To others, Zhao Han's sword strike was fast, ruthless, and filled with Aura. But in his eyes, the subtle shift in Zhao Han's wrist before the strike, the flow of Spiritual Qi through his Meridians, and the slight twitch of his shoulder were all clearly visible.

With Vitality Perception activated, these little tricks of his opponent could not be hidden.

"A lot of flash, but little substance."

Li Qingfeng sneered inwardly, shifted his feet, and moved half a step to the side.

"Whoosh!"

The blade whistled past, grazing his sleeve and stirring up a gust of wind, not even breaking his skin.

Zhao Han's expression changed; he clearly hadn't expected his first strike to be evaded so cleanly. He stomped his foot, swept his longsword horizontally, and the Sword Qi, wrapped in white light, lashed out toward Li Qingfeng's flank.

"Get down!"

The shout was fierce, and the Zhao Family supporters immediately began to jeer.

"Hit him!"

"Weren't you acting all high and mighty just a moment ago?"

"A branch Family is just a branch Family; they show their true colors as soon as they step onto the stage!"

Some on the Li Family side clenched their fists, visibly anxious. Li Chengyue furrowed his brows, wishing he could jump up and wield the blade himself.

Only Su Qingyue remained calm.

She sat in the Li Family's viewing area, lightly clutching a calming sachet. Today, she wore a light green dress that cinched at her slender waist, the hem draping over her long legs and revealing a glimpse of fair, delicate ankles. Her features were gentle, her face fair and clear, but at this moment, her dewy eyes were filled with focus.

While others couldn't tell, she could.

Li Qingfeng was retreating, but his breathing remained steady.

He wasn't afraid.

He was waiting for Zhao Han to reveal an opening.

On the stage, Li Qingfeng took another step back, a faint light shimmering over his light armor, dissipating most of the residual Sword Qi from the sweeping strike.

He remained calm in his heart.

Zhao Han was at the Middle Stage of Qi Refining 6; his cultivation wasn't weak, but his Aura was somewhat erratic, clearly a result of a recent, forceful Breakthrough. His sword techniques were fast, yes, but that speed was born of haste. After a continuous flurry of attacks, his lower stance would inevitably leave a moment of emptiness.

This kind of person was perfect for establishing his prestige.

He could win, and he could win beautifully.

Seeing that both strikes had missed, Zhao Han couldn't save face. He shifted his feet, flashed forward, and flicked his wrist, sending three sword shadows raining down as if to trap Li Qingfeng completely.

Low gasps echoed around the arena.

"The Zhao Family's Scattering Light Sword!"

"Zhao Han is truly putting in the effort."

Li Qingfeng narrowed his eyes.

The three sword shadows looked intimidating, but in reality, only one was a lethal strike; the other two were mere feints to dazzle the eye.

He didn't rush to draw his sword. Instead, he pressed his palm down, a flash of green light appearing in his palm.

The Azure Wood Rejuvenation Art was not a purely offensive technique, but when the Wood spiritual power was manipulated with precision, it could still bind, deflect, and disrupt momentum.

The green spiritual light surged along the ground like two slender vines, snapping onto Zhao Han's ankles with a "pop."

Zhao Han was in the midst of his charge and never expected Li Qingfeng to pull such a move. Just as he was about to change his stance, his feet were bound for an instant.

And that was the instant.

Li Qingfeng moved.

He lunged forward, dodging the true blade, sank his shoulder, and infused his right palm with spiritual power. The palm strike, carrying Wood and Water spiritual power, ruthlessly slapped Zhao Han's sword-wielding wrist.

"Bang!"

A dull thud echoed.

Zhao Han's arm went numb, his longsword deflected instantly, and the web of his hand throbbed with pain.

"You—"

Before he could roar, Li Qingfeng was already close, his left hand shaped into a sword finger, striking the weakest point of the protective spiritual light on Zhao Han's chest.

The green light exploded.

Zhao Han was sent staggering back four or five steps, nearly falling to the ground.

The arena went silent for a moment.

Then, the Li Family side erupted.

"Beautiful!"

"Well hit!"

"That was truly satisfying!"

Li Chengyue slapped his thigh and laughed loudly, "Well done!"

The faces of the Zhao Family members turned grim.

They had assumed Zhao Han could use his speed to suppress Li Qingfeng, or at least force the kid into disarray. Who knew that after fighting for so long, Li Qingfeng hadn't even drawn his sword before backhanding Zhao Han into retreat.

Zhao Han's face alternated between green and white, his chest felt stifled, and his face burned with shame.

"I haven't lost yet!"

He gritted his teeth, steadied himself, and his longsword erupted with light. He poured his Spiritual Qi into the blade as if it cost nothing, causing the sword body to hum.

Seeing this, Li Qingfeng felt even more composed.

He was desperate.

As long as the opponent was desperate, there would be even more openings.

Zhao Han leaped up, the sword light swelling. He was pouring all his Spiritual Qi into this one strike and slashed straight down.

The Sword Qi pressed down, causing the formation runes of the martial arena to tremble.

This strike was indeed fiercer than the previous ones, approaching the explosive power of the Late Stage of Qi Refining 6.

Su Qingyue's fingers tightened quietly, but she didn't make a sound. She just stared at Li Qingfeng, her eyes filled with worry, but also an indescribable trust.

Li Qingfeng caught a glimpse of her and felt a warmth in his heart; he became even steadier.

This fight wasn't just for others to see.

It was also for Su Qingyue to see.

To let her know that the person she chose was the right one.

In that split second, Li Qingfeng finally drew his sword.

"Clang!"

The Low Grade dharma sword left its sheath, a flash of green light cutting through the air.

He didn't meet the strike head-on. He shifted his feet diagonally, angled his blade, and used the deflection method of the Evergreen Spirit Transformation Art to guide Zhao Han's life-or-death strike off course along the length of his blade.

The two swords collided with a metallic clang, sparks showering everywhere.

Zhao Han felt as if he had slashed into slippery water; his force had clearly been exerted, but most of it was dissipated, leaving him so frustrated he nearly vomited blood.

The next second, Li Qingfeng vibrated his wrist in reverse.

The Wood and Water spiritual power exploded along the edge of the blade, sliding against the spine of the opponent's sword, and with a "clang," knocked Zhao Han's longsword away.

Following that, he closed in and kicked out.

"Bang!"

Zhao Han was kicked in the stomach; his protective spiritual light shuddered violently, and he flew backward, slamming hard into the edge of the arena, his longsword slipping from his hand and rolling away.

The whole arena fell silent.

Zhao Han struggled to get up, but his blood flow was chaotic, a sweet taste rose in his throat, and his expression was hideously ugly.

Li Qingfeng was already standing before him, sword in hand, the tip resting steadily three inches from his throat.

This distance was neither too much nor too little.

One step further, and blood would be drawn.

The referee took one look and immediately raised his hand.

"In this match, Li Qingfeng of the Li Family is the winner!"

As the words fell, the Li Family's seating area erupted completely.

Cheers rang out one after another, and even the younger disciples who had been uncomfortable with Li Qingfeng's identity were now quite convinced.

Steady.

Too steady.

From start to finish, Li Qingfeng hadn't been led by the nose by Zhao Han. First observing, then exhausting, and finally deciding the outcome with one strike. He won cleanly, and with great restraint.

The Grand Elder sat on high, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.

He didn't want a reckless brute who only knew how to fight with his life.

He wanted someone with a clear mind, steady hands, and the knowledge of when to stop.

Li Qingfeng sheathed his sword, looked at Zhao Han on the ground, and said in a flat tone, "If your sword isn't as good as your mouth, talk less."

The words weren't heavy, but they carried significant weight.

Zhao Han's face turned the color of pig liver, yet he couldn't utter a single word in retort.

Li Qingfeng didn't pay him any more mind and turned to leave the stage.

As soon as he walked back to the Li Family side, Li Chengyue punched him on the shoulder and said with a grin, "You kid, not bad. That just got me fired up."

Li Ruolan also said calmly, "A very good victory, didn't waste any Spiritual Qi."

This evaluation wasn't flowery, but it carried significant weight.

Li Qingfeng smiled, but he remained clear-headed.

Zhao Han was just a pawn thrown out by the Zhao Family to test the waters.

The real trouble was still to come.

At this moment, his gaze subconsciously drifted toward Su Qingyue.

Su Qingyue was also looking at him.

There was no exaggerated expression on her face, but her eyes were clearly much brighter than before, as if hiding a little secret delight, and the corners of her mouth were quietly curling up. She was naturally gentle, and as her expression softened, the hint of shyness mixed with charm became even more apparent.

Li Qingfeng felt a slight warmth in his heart.

This fight was worth it.

Not just because the Li Family's morale had risen, but also because she was happy for him.

Just then, the System notification sounded softly.

[Host has won the first external battle.]

[The morale of the younger generation of the Li Family has increased.]

[Family recognition has increased.]

[Dao Companion Su Qingyue's emotions have fluctuated significantly; affection between husband and wife has increased slightly.]

[Family Luck observation progress has increased.]

[Reward: Cultivation feedback is being settled...]

Li Qingfeng's footsteps suddenly paused.

The next instant, a warm yet pure stream of Spiritual Qi surged from the depths of his Dantian, rapidly merging into his limbs and bones.

This power wasn't violent, but it was dense.

It wasn't the kind of floating Spiritual Qi forced by Medicinal Pills, but rather the three forces of Family recognition, Dao Companion trust, and System feedback twisted together, turning into a solid spiritual spring, pouring into his body bit by bit.

Li Qingfeng felt a shock in his heart.

He had originally been at the Perfection of Qi Refining 6, just a step away.

Over the past few days, he had used Su Qingyue's Water and Wood spiritual power to stabilize his Foundation, and relied on the Azure Wood Rejuvenation Art to nourish his Meridians. Combined with the internal Family selection and the System feedback from his Small Tournament appearance, the barrier within his body had long been as thin as paper.

Now, this victory was exactly the final push needed.

In his Dantian, the Wood and Water spiritual power rotated slowly, becoming steadier and denser with every turn.

The barrier stuck between the Perfection of Qi Refining 6 and Qi Refining Stage 7 first trembled slightly, then was pushed open bit by bit by the gentle yet continuously stacking spiritual power.

"Hum—"

A low hum seemed to ring in Li Qingfeng's ears.

His Meridians suddenly relaxed.

The capacity of his Dantian expanded suddenly by a notch.

Qi Refining Stage 7.

It was done.

The System notification followed immediately.

[Congratulations to the host for breaking through to Qi Refining Stage 7.]

[Source of this Breakthrough: Family recognition feedback, Dao Companion trust feedback, cultivation accumulation, and natural Breakthrough after Foundation Perfection.]

[Hint: The host's current Aura can still be suppressed. Revealing the Realm can be exchanged for Family resource allocation, but it will also attract external attention. Please choose the timing of exposure carefully.]

Li Qingfeng's eyes flickered slightly, and he immediately circulated the Evergreen Spirit Transformation Art, suppressing the Aura of his new Breakthrough.

He wasn't foolish enough to unleash his Spiritual Pressure on the spot.

There were too many eyes on the scene now; the Zhao Family was still watching him, and the Wang and Chen Families were also observing. A Breakthrough was a good thing, but when to show it depended on whether it was worth it.

He quickly made a judgment in his heart.

Hide.

Hide it for now.

If it was just to make people gasp a few times, it was meaningless.

Li Qingfeng exhaled secretly, his face remaining calm.

But what he didn't know was that on the other side of the viewing area, a cold gaze had already fallen upon him.

In the Wang Family's seating area, Wang Qingluan tilted her head slightly, a hint of surprise flashing in her eyes.

She practiced a Water-type sword technique and was sensitive to fluctuations in spiritual power.

Just a moment ago, although Li Qingfeng had suppressed it quickly, she had still detected a slight change.

That wasn't the Aura that should belong to the Perfection of Qi Refining 6.

That was the threshold of Qi Refining Stage 7.

Wang Qingluan gently gripped the hilt of her sword, her expression cold, yet she felt a bit more interested.

"This branch Family member of the Li Family is a bit interesting."

In the arena, a low commotion suddenly came from the Zhao Family's seating area.

Li Qingfeng looked up and saw the crowd slowly parting as a figure in black and red dharma robes stood up.

Zhao Mingyue.

He was expressionless, his gaze like a knife, fixed firmly on Li Qingfeng.

The smile on Li Chengyue's face vanished, and he cursed in a low voice, "Damn it, the main event can't sit still anymore."

Li Qingfeng narrowed his eyes and lightly placed his finger on his sword hilt.

He knew that fighting Zhao Han was just an appetizer.

The real hard battle was coming soon.

But before Zhao Mingyue could speak, Wang Qingluan on the Wang Family's seating area suddenly stood up with her sword, taking a step toward the martial arena.

Her light blue martial outfit clung to her tall figure, her waist slender and legs long, her features cold, her expression as calm as a pool of cold water.

The referee glanced at her and said loudly, "Next match, Wang Qingluan of the Wang Family."

After Wang Qingluan stepped onto the stage, her gaze bypassed Zhao Mingyue and locked directly onto Li Qingfeng.

She said indifferently, "Li Qingfeng, you hid your cultivation just now."