9: Chapter 9: The real killing move is "life," not "death."

The Li Family's martial arts arena was already full of people early in the morning.

When Li Qingfeng arrived, the surrounding noise noticeably quieted down. Those clansmen who once viewed him as a useless side-branch member looked at him differently now.

Some were curious, some were unconvinced, and others stared at Su Qingyue behind him, their gazes filled with indescribable envy.

Su Qingyue wore a light green dress today, cinched tightly at the waist, which accentuated her slender figure. Her chest curves were soft and full, and as she walked, the hem of her dress brushed against her legs, revealing a section of fair ankles. She hadn't dressed up deliberately, yet that gentle and clean aura was the most eye-catching.

Li Qingfeng noticed the others' gazes and smiled softly to himself.

Before, when people looked at him, it was to see a joke.

Now, when people looked at him, it was to see what he was capable of.

This kind of change was very realistic, and very much about the cultivation world.

Su Qingyue stood at the edge of the arena, looked up at him, and said softly: "Don't be in a rush to win too beautifully; keeping your Qi steady is more important."

Li Qingfeng nodded, "Don't worry, I know today is a Family selection, not a life-or-death battle."

He knew this clearly in his heart.

The Family provided resources and opportunities, but opportunities had to be seized by oneself. If he performed too recklessly today, the Elders would only think he was unstable. If he performed too weakly, he wouldn't be able to suppress those who were unconvinced.

The best result was to win cleanly while maintaining a sense of propriety.

Soon, the Grand Elder walked onto the high platform.

His gaze swept over everyone, and his voice was not loud, but it silenced the martial arts arena.

"Today's selection is for the winner to represent the Li Family in the Qingshi Town Small Tournament three months from now. Contestants are limited to the Qi Refining Stage 5 to Qi Refining Stage 7. Do not use lethal force, do not destroy anyone's Foundation, and do not use external forbidden artifacts."

The Grand Elder paused for a moment, then added: "Victory or defeat is not just about a moment of fighting, but also about the mastery of arts, the stability of one's Foundation, and whether one can win benefits for the Family in the future. Internal competition within the Li Family is allowed, but what you compete for is ability, not grudges."

After hearing this, Li Qingfeng felt reassured.

The rules were very clear.

It wasn't about fighting clansmen to the death, but selecting people who could actually be of use through reasonable competition.

The first round was a Spiritual Qi stability test.

A Spirit Stone half the height of a person stood in the arena. The contestants stepped forward one by one to inject their Spiritual Power. The steadier the spiritual light and the longer it lasted, the more solid the Foundation.

A clansman at Qi Refining Stage 5 injected his Spiritual Power, and the Spirit Stone lit up with a pale white light, but it started to waver after ten breaths. There were also direct descendants at Qi Refining Stage 6 whose spiritual light was thicker, but it still flickered.

When it was Li Qingfeng's turn, many people stared at him intently.

"He had a Breakthrough overnight; how stable can his Foundation be?"

"Maybe it was forced up by Su Qingyue's Water-Wood Spiritual Power."

"If his cultivation is superficial, the Spirit Stone will easily show it."

Li Qingfeng heard these discussions but did not turn back.

He walked to the Spirit Stone, pressed his palm against the cold stone surface, and slowly circulated the Evergreen Spirit Transformation Art.

The Spiritual Power at the Perfection of Qi Refining Stage 6 in his Dantian did not erupt, but rather injected into the stone like a gentle stream.

The next moment, the Spirit Stone lit up with a cyan-white spiritual light.

The light was not dazzling, but thick and long-lasting, steadily covering the entire stone surface. Ten breaths, twenty breaths, thirty breaths—the spiritual light still showed no signs of scattering.

The discussions at the edge of the arena gradually died down.

Several clansmen who were originally unconvinced had their expressions change slightly.

This wasn't superficial cultivation piled up by Medicinal Pills. Superficial Spiritual Power would fluctuate, scatter, and break, but Li Qingfeng's Spiritual Power was dense and steady, like roots taking hold in the stone.

A look of satisfaction flashed in the Grand Elder's eyes.

"Foundation is solid. Pass."

Li Qingfeng withdrew his palm, feeling no pride, but rather more cautious.

The System's rewards were indeed strong, but if not for Su Qingyue helping him stabilize his breath and the Evergreen Spirit Transformation Art gradually compressing his Qi, he might not have passed so impressively today.

Thinking of this, he subconsciously looked at Su Qingyue.

Su Qingyue stood at the edge of the arena, her eyes soft, her lips curving slightly. She was just watching him quietly, yet it made Li Qingfeng feel as if he had been supported by something.

The second round was a demonstration of arts.

Some cast the Fireball Art, and a fist-sized fireball exploded against a stone pillar, leaving a patch of scorch marks. Others cast the Golden Blade Art, and the light blade swept across, leaving a shallow mark with a metallic clang.

When it was Li Qingfeng's turn, many thought he would demonstrate a newly learned attack art.

Instead, he asked someone to fetch a half-withered low-grade Spiritual Plant.

The Spiritual Plant's leaves were yellowing, and the Spiritual Qi at its roots had dissipated significantly; it could be considered half-ruined even in the Spirit Herb Garden.

Li Qingfeng squatted down, and a pale green spiritual light floated in his palm.

He had only recently learned the Azure Wood Rejuvenation Art, so he naturally couldn't bring it back to life instantly. But the key to this art was not to force growth, but to first protect the roots with Wood-type Spiritual Power, and then slowly guide the vitality back.

He controlled it very slowly.

The green light seeped into the soil along his fingertips, wrapping around the roots of the Spiritual Plant like thin threads. The half-withered leaves trembled gently, then the curled edges slowly unfolded. Although they were still yellow, there was clearly a bit more vitality.

A Spirit Plant Steward at the edge of the arena lit up immediately.

"Such fine control of Wood-type Spiritual Power!"

He couldn't help but take two steps forward, staring at the Spiritual Plant, "If this were used in low-grade spiritual fields, it could at least save many damaged spiritual seedlings."

Once this was said, the way everyone looked at Li Qingfeng changed again.

It wasn't that the Li Family lacked young disciples who could fight.

But a disciple who could both fight and bring output to the spiritual fields had completely different value.

Li Qingfeng stood up and nodded inwardly.

This was the effect he wanted.

To let the Family know that he wasn't just able to fight in the arena, but could also continuously bring benefits to the Family. In this way, the resources he and Su Qingyue received would be more stable.

In his mind, a System prompt sounded softly.

[Host has demonstrated Family management value.]

[Family Luck observation progress has slightly increased.]

[Tip: Stabilizing industrial contributions can enhance the Host's binding degree with the Family and indirectly improve the cultivation environment for future offspring.]

Li Qingfeng's heart stirred.

The System explained it very clearly this time.

As long as he could make the Li Family's industries better, the Family would be more willing to invest resources. And these resources would eventually return to his wife's recuperation, his children's cultivation, and the Family's Luck.

This path was indeed a closed loop.

The third round was a practical combat sparring match.

Li Qingfeng's opponent was Li Chengyue, a direct descendant of the Li Family.

Li Chengyue had a tall build, was at the Late Stage of Qi Refining Stage 6, held a long sword with a black scabbard, and had a touch of arrogance between his brows, but no sinister look.

After stepping onto the stage, he cupped his hands and said: "Clan brother Qingfeng, I don't dislike you, and I don't want to make things difficult for you on purpose. But you suddenly got the spot, and I am unconvinced."

Li Qingfeng returned the salute, "If you're unconvinced, then let's fight. We'll talk after the fight."

Li Chengyue grinned, "Straightforward."

At the referee's command, Li Chengyue attacked first.

He stomped his foot, his figure flashed rapidly, and his long sword was unsheathed. The sword light carried a sharp wind-breaking sound, slashing directly at Li Qingfeng's shoulder.

This sword did not use lethal force, but it was as powerful as thunder, with strong pressure.

Li Qingfeng did not take it head-on. He stepped sideways, his figure moving along the edge of the arena, avoiding the sharp edge while his palm's Azure Wood Spiritual Power quietly protected his Meridians.

Li Chengyue's offensive was fierce.

Slashing, sweeping, thrusting—a dozen moves connected together, and the Sword Qi constantly closed in, forcing Li Qingfeng to retreat several steps.

Someone off-stage frowned.

"Li Qingfeng keeps retreating; is he unable to win?"

Su Qingyue, however, saw it very clearly.

Li Qingfeng's breath was not chaotic, and his pace was not scattered. Every time he retreated, he managed to avoid the strongest part of the sword momentum, as if he were exhausting Li Chengyue's sharp spirit.

She gently pinched her cuffs with her fingertips, her eyes gentle, yet filled with trust.

Li Qingfeng caught a glimpse of her, and his heart became even steadier.

It wasn't that he couldn't counterattack, but he was waiting for the most effortless opportunity.

Li Chengyue could not win after a long attack, his brows sank, and he poured Spiritual Power into the sword body fiercely.

"Stone-Splitting Sword!"

The sword light surged, sweeping over with a heavy air wave, and even the ground was scraped with a shallow mark.

Li Qingfeng's eyes focused.

Now.

Instead of continuing to retreat, he stepped forward. Green light exploded in his palm, and the Azure Wood Spiritual Power spread along the ground, instantly turning into two thin vines that wrapped around Li Chengyue's sword-wielding wrist.

Li Chengyue's sword momentum stalled.

Li Qingfeng's figure flashed rapidly, avoiding the residual sword light. His fingertips came together, pointing at the thinnest spot of Li Chengyue's protective spiritual light on his chest.

With a muffled bang.

Li Chengyue was shaken back three steps, his protective spiritual light wavering, not broken, but he had already lost the initiative.

Li Qingfeng's magic sword was unsheathed at some point, its tip stopping three inches from his throat.

The whole arena was silent for a moment.

Li Qingfeng withdrew his sword and cupped his hands: "Accepted."

Li Chengyue looked down at the green vines on his wrist, then at Li Qingfeng, and the arrogance on his face slowly dissipated.

He was not angry or embarrassed, but instead cupped his hands earnestly.

"I'm convinced. You didn't rely on Luck."

Once this was said, the expressions of many young Li Family disciples at the edge of the arena softened significantly.

Li Qingfeng took the initiative to step forward and reached out to support Li Chengyue.

"We are all Li Family members. We fight for the spot today, but we will have to stand side-by-side when facing the outside world later."

Li Chengyue was stunned for a moment, then smiled: "That sounds right."

On the high platform, the Grand Elder nodded with satisfaction.

"Internal competition within the Li Family is allowed, but once you step outside the Li Family gates, you must act as one. Qingfeng, you did well."

Li Qingfeng felt relieved.

He won, but he didn't step on anyone.

This was more important than simply defeating Li Chengyue.

Just at this moment, the System prompt sounded again.

[Host has improved recognition within the clan.]

[Family Luck observation progress has increased.]

[Dao Companion Su Qingyue's favorability has slightly increased due to your steady performance.]

A trace of fine, warm energy poured into his Dantian—not much, but it made his Spiritual Power a bit more solid.

Li Qingfeng felt more and more certain.

Family recognition, wife's trust, System feedback—these three had begun to push each other forward.

As long as he didn't go astray, this path would only get wider.

He turned to look at Su Qingyue.

Su Qingyue was looking at him, her brows and eyes soft, with pride in her eyes, and a bit of undisguisable heartache. She didn't speak, just nodded gently.

Li Qingfeng suddenly felt that compared to everyone's recognition, this glance from her made him feel more secure in his heart.

The selection seemed to have no suspense.

Just as Li Qingfeng was preparing to step down, the Grand Elder suddenly stood up.

The martial arts arena was quiet again.

The Grand Elder looked at him, his tone gentle, but with a solemnity that could not be refused.

"Qingfeng, you have passed the first three rounds."

"But if you want to take the representative spot, there is one final additional test."

Li Qingfeng looked up, his heart sinking slightly.

The Grand Elder slowly raised his right hand, and spiritual light gathered in his palm.

"Receive three moves from me."