Spells Grinding: From Basic Sparks to Divine Arts

BOOM!

A deafening explosion tore through the silence of the wilderness.

A concentrated gale erupted from Qin Lu’s fist, spiraling into a horizontal tornado. The wind didn’t just blow; it drilled forward like a solid battering ram. Wherever the [Wind Pillar Technique] passed, ancient trees were uprooted instantly, snapping like dry twigs. Soil, stones, and debris were pulverized into a chaotic cloud of destruction.

In the blink of an eye, a straight path of devastation had been carved through the dense forest, leaving the scene in complete disarray.

Qin Lu lowered his fist, watching the dust settle.

“Not bad,” he mused, nodding with satisfaction. “I’ve only reached the Expert level with this technique, but the destructive power is already significant. Even a Foundation Establishment cultivator would have to think twice before taking this head-on.”

He glanced at the raw, overturned earth. The sheer kinetic force was impressive, but he wasn’t done yet.

“Now for the next one.”

Qin Lu channeled his Spiritual Qi, focusing it into his palm until it glowed with an intense, searing light. He crouched low and slammed his hand onto the forest floor.

Rumble… BOOM!

The ground ten meters away violently ruptured. A massive column of scorching flame erupted from the earth like a volcanic vent, instantly incinerating the surrounding vegetation. The heat was oppressive, turning heavy logs into ash in seconds and scorching the air until it shimmered.

[Earth Fire Technique].

“Hmph. The accuracy and potency have improved drastically,” Qin Lu noted, watching the magma-like fire spread. “An Expert-level Foundation Establishment spell rivals the power of a Legendary-grade low-tier spell. It won’t be long before I can completely phase out my old arsenal.”

His mood lifted as he surveyed the charred crater. Since Awakening his Wind and Fire Affinities first, these two spells had progressed the fastest.

With a thought, he flickered toward the burning zone. He exhaled a breath of white mist—the [Ice Qi Technique].

The temperature plummeted. A wave of frost swept over the fire, hissing violently as it extinguished the flames in seconds, leaving behind only steam and blackened earth.

“Alright. Next, let’s test the [Wood Binding Technique]—”

ROAR!!

An ear-splitting bellow shattered the rhythm of his practice.

Qin Lu paused, turning his head toward the source of the sound.

“A Demon Beast? Here, so close to the market?” He narrowed his eyes, analyzing the aura carried by the roar. “That pressure… it’s a late-stage Rank 1 beast.”

Puzzled, Qin Lu abandoned his practice. He levitated off the ground, shooting upward like a rocket until he broke through the forest canopy.

Hovering above the sea of trees, he scanned the horizon.

Ten li away, a cloud of dust was rising against the green backdrop. Trees were toppling in rapid succession, marking the path of something heavy and violent.

“Run! Faster!”

“Don’t worry about me! Just go!”

“No! I won’t leave you!”

Faint, desperate human shouts drifted on the wind, punctuated by the beast’s thunderous growls.

“Cultivators in trouble…”

Qin Lu weighed his options for a split second. A Rank 1 Demon Beast posed zero threat to him now. Since he was already here, lending a hand was trivial.

Swoosh!

He accelerated, tearing through the air at full speed.

The distance closed in moments. From his vantage point, the situation was clear.

A massive creature, a grotesque hybrid of wolf and ox, was rampaging through the undergrowth. Its eyes were bloodshot and manic, its massive frame smashing aside boulders and trees as it pursued two fleeing figures.

The runners were a young man and woman, both dressed in identical robes. They were stumbling, blood trickling from their mouths, clearly exhausted and injured.

“[Red Wild Ox],” Qin Lu identified the beast immediately.

Normally a docile species, this one looked like it had lost its mind.

Qin Lu didn’t hesitate. He tucked his wings and dove like a hawk hunting a rabbit.

BANG!

He descended from the sky like a meteor, slamming his fist directly into the [Red Wild Ox]’s skull.

There was a sickening crunch. The beast’s momentum stopped instantly as its head was sheared clean off its shoulders by the sheer force of the impact. The massive headless body slid forward for a few meters, plowing a trench in the dirt, before collapsing into a heap of meat.

It was an instant kill.

Qin Lu landed lightly beside the corpse, flicking a speck of blood from his sleeve. He frowned as he examined the carcass.

Something is wrong with this beast…

“Thank you, Senior! Thank you for saving our lives!” The young man’s voice trembled with relief behind him.

Qin Lu turned to face the two survivors. They were visibly shaken, their faces pale.

“You two are only at the mid-stage of Qi Condensation,” Qin Lu said coolly. “What possessed you to provoke a Rank 1 late-stage [Red Wild Ox]?”

“Senior, it’s a misunderstanding!” the young man explained hurriedly, bowing low. “We didn’t provoke it! We were just traveling when it suddenly charged out of the brush and attacked us. We had no choice but to run.”

“Is that true?”

“Every word!” both disciples nodded frantically.

“I see…”

Qin Lu rubbed his chin, deep in thought.

The [Red Wild Ox] was famous for its gentle temperament; it was practically a herbivore unless cornered. For it to launch an unprovoked ambush was unheard of. And those eyes… that glowing red madness wasn’t natural.

“Senior! We are disciples of the Divine Fire Sect,” the young man said, clasping his fists respectfully. “Please, leave us your name so we may come to your abode and repay this kindness properly in the future!”

Divine Fire Sect…

Qin Lu recalled the name. It was a sect located east of White Jade Market. Their Headmaster was a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, and the sect generally had a decent reputation. These two were likely juniors out on a training excursion.

“No need,” Qin Lu replied succinctly. “This area is strange. You two should leave immediately.”

Before they could respond, he launched himself into the air, vanishing into the clouds in a blur of motion.

…

Qin Lu flew straight back to White Jade Market, his mind still lingering on the odd behavior of the beast.

When he arrived at his manor, he found a visitor waiting for him.

It was Cao Mo.

The young man looked anxious, pacing back and forth in the guest hall. When he saw Qin Lu, he rushed forward.

“Sect Master!”

“Cao Mo? What brings you here?”

“It’s my father,” Cao Mo said breathlessly. “He’s been injured.”

“Injured?” Qin Lu raised an eyebrow. “How?”

Cao Mo nodded grimly. “He went hunting in the Demon Beast Forest today. He was ambushed by a frenzied beast. He managed to escape, but he’s taken some damage. He sent me to tell you that he might not be able to manage the shop for a few days while he recovers.”

“Another frenzied beast…”

Qin Lu’s eyes narrowed.

First the [Red Wild Ox], and now this? The Demon Beasts in this region were becoming unusually restless.

“Let’s go,” Qin Lu said. “Take me to see your father.”

“Yes, Sect Master!”