In a deserted, open field outside the Marketplace.
Su Yuanpeng performed a Secret Technique. Before long, his aura had actually dropped to the level of the sixth layer of Qi Refining.
Xiao Chen's eyes lit up. "Wait."
Su Yuanpeng sneered, "What's wrong? Scared now?"
Xiao Chen shook his head. "No, I want to raise the stakes. I want that Cultivation Technique you use to hide your Cultivation. You can name a condition as well."
"There's no need. What could you possibly have to wager?" Su Yuanpeng shook his head in contempt. "But since you can't win anyway, I'll accept you raising the stakes."
'Oh?'
Xiao Chen had been wondering what he could possibly offer as an equivalent wager.
'I never expected him to be this arrogant. This is like running into a Money Scattering Child.'
As they spoke, Su Yuanpeng began forming Magic Formulas, summoning a sheet of golden light. Instead of covering his body with it, he condensed it into a shimmering golden mirror in front of him.
Then, he waved his hand and spread a pale blue Water Curtain before him. Only then did he beckon smugly, "Come on. Don't say I'm bullying the weak. I'll let you have the first move."
The Golden Mirror was an advanced application of the Golden Light Technique. By reducing the area of Defense, one could concentrate Magical Power to a greater degree for a much better protective effect.
That Water Curtain was the Yellow Level Defense Magic, Water Curtain Technique. Su Yuanpeng had specifically trained in it to hinder enemy attacks during Magical Combat and compensate for the Golden Mirror's shortcomings.
Even though their Realms were suppressed to the same level, his wide array of Magic and their carefully prepared synergy were the source of his advantage and confidence.
Su Wanqing grew even more worried when she saw this. This kind of Magical Combat was the ultimate test of a Cultivator's comprehensive offensive and defensive abilities, yet according to her prior investigation, Xiao Chen had never engaged in Magical Combat with anyone since joining the sect.
For the past few months, he had been busy advancing his Realm and had little time to practice Magic. He had only visited the Cultivation Chamber once, and even then, he had left halfway through.
Therefore, he couldn't possibly have had time to master enough Magic to deal with this sudden Magical Combat.
She looked toward Xiao Chen, only to see him conjure a simple Fireball Technique that went whistling through the air.
When Su Yuanpeng saw this, he almost laughed out loud.
'Total rookie. Case closed.'
'Using an ancient spell like the Fireball Technique… it's hilariously pathetic.'
'Besides, everyone knows the Water Curtain Technique is a classic counter to the Fireball Technique.'
'To stubbornly cast the Fireball Technique under these circumstances means he's either ignorant or incompetent. In a word—trash!'
'Not to mention, he didn't even cast a Defense Magic to protect himself, launching an attack right from the get-go. Another classic rookie mistake.'
'He's bound to be in a panic when it's my turn to counterattack.'
The thought was actually a little disappointing to Su Yuanpeng.
He craved Magical Combat, craved a worthy opponent.
He didn't enjoy crushing rookies; after all, there was no sense of accomplishment in beating such a novice.
However, in the very next instant, the seemingly ordinary fireball passed straight through the Water Curtain, shattered the Golden Mirror, and then exploded with a deafening BOOM.
The Secret Technique veiling Su Yuanpeng shattered, and the Magical Power of a late-stage Qi Refining Cultivator erupted from him, blocking the brunt of the attack's force.
Still, the powerful impact sent him sprawling to the ground.
"Second Brother!" Su Wanqing cried out. "Are you all right?"
Seeing Su Yuanpeng sit up, disheveled and covered in dust, she finally let out a sigh of relief. Then, she turned to Xiao Chen, her wide eyes filled with utter shock.
'Even if he's practicing an Earth Level Cultivation Technique, there has to be some basic logic, right?'
'Ignoring the elemental counters, breaking through two Defense Magics with one spell, and even shattering the Disguise Secret Technique—is that even possible?'
Su Wanqing knew full well that the Disguise Secret Technique also had a certain defensive effect. It was designed to prevent a disastrous situation where someone pretending to be weak actually ends up getting beaten.
For Xiao Chen to have shattered the Disguise Secret Technique meant his last attack was powerful enough to instantly kill an ordinary sixth-layer Qi Refining Cultivator.
'No wonder he didn't cast any Defense Magic—he didn't need to! If you can win in one blow, why waste the Magical Power? It would just take time to recover it through meditation.'
Besides, although it was hardly the right time for it, Su Wanqing felt a flicker of joy in her heart.
Xiao Chen had promised to support her in vying for the position of Chief Disciple.
Therefore, the more powerful he proved to be, the more it would benefit her in the future.
Meanwhile, Su Yuanpeng was completely stunned. He simply couldn't fathom how a seemingly ordinary Fireball Technique could possess such immense power.
Thankfully, he had three layers of protection. Relying on his years of experience in Magical Combat, he had decisively used a surge of Magical Power to counteract most of the flames, which was the only reason he'd avoided injury.
But even after sitting on the ground to recover for ten breaths, his head was still ringing.
He, too, had practiced Magic for several years.
In his past Magical Combats, he had seen all sorts of Fireball Techniques—hundreds, if not thousands of them.
But forget the Fireball Technique; even advanced techniques like the Fire Snake Technique, the Spirit Fire Palm, or even a Fire Talisman like the Explosive Flame Talisman were nowhere near this powerful.
'When in doubt, just ask.'
Su Yuanpeng steadied his head and got to his feet, asking curiously, "What Magic was that you just used?"
Xiao Chen answered truthfully, "The Fireball Technique. It should be pretty easy to recognize, right?"
"Impossible!" Su Yuanpeng retorted. "I know the Fireball Technique like the back of my hand, and that was definitely not it! Tell me the truth, what Magic was that?"
"Second Brother, what are you doing?" Su Wanqing cut in. "A person's Magic is one of a Cultivator's private matters. It's incredibly rude of you to press him like this."
Then she turned to Xiao Chen. "Xiao, I understand what you mean. I believe you. It was the Fireball Technique. From where I was standing, it looked exactly like the Fireball Technique."
'Huh?'
'What is it you think you understand?'
Xiao Chen had a feeling she'd gotten the wrong idea, but after a moment's thought, he didn't refute her, instead letting her assumption stand.
'Otherwise, if they kept asking why my Fireball Technique was so powerful, it would be even harder to explain.'
So, he gave her a friendly smile. "You're right."
'I have no idea what you're thinking, but sure, let's go with that.'
Upon seeing his reaction, Su Wanqing's eyes lit up with understanding, and she returned a knowing smile.
At the same time, she couldn't help but exclaim internally, 'I was right! I was right!'
'It really is a legendary Celestial Level Magic!'
In Su Wanqing's mind, only a Celestial Level Magic could display such incredible power from beneath a seemingly mundane disguise.
She had originally thought Xiao Chen obtained an Earth Level legacy, which made her a little envious, but it was manageable.
She never imagined the truth was that he had a Celestial Level legacy!
Xiao Chen's record-breaking cultivation speed, the seemingly ordinary yet terrifying fireball just now—it was all irrefutable proof that he was anything but ordinary.
This was definitely not an effect that could be achieved with a mere Earth Level Cultivation Technique.
Although the idea of a Servant Disciple stumbling upon a Celestial Level legacy sounded utterly unbelievable, this world was full of strange occurrences, wasn't it?
Just look at their little corner of the world here in Li State.
Whether it was Lin Ping'an, who was always accidentally stumbling upon Treasures of Heaven and Earth, or Elder Song, who started from nothing and revitalized the Song Family in a mere fifty years—weren't their stories just as bizarre?
As this thought crossed her mind, Su Wanqing sized up Xiao Chen once more, her beautiful eyes seeming to sparkle.