About half a month later.
On the unnamed independent peak where Qi Baicang and Qi Chuan resided.
Hiss!
In the void, a crimson light swiftly streaked across, landing on the branches of an unnamed large tree.
Blaze!
The fireball, the size of a red date, wrapped in crimson light, turned into a sea of flames upon touching the branch, instantly spreading and engulfing the entire unnamed tree.
Whoosh!
In that instant, it seemed that wind and fire intertwined, with most of the peak illuminated in crimson light, resembling a sunset under burning clouds.
Then, in an instant, the entire unnamed tree was reduced to ashes that scattered down. It probably burned too thoroughly; hence there were few ashes, only a small circle, which was quickly blown away by the wind.
In a short time, a living tall tree disappeared without a trace.
"Is this the power of magic? Truly not something ordinary fire can compare to."
Seeing this awe-inspiring scene, Qi Chuan couldn't help but exclaim.
The spectacle before him was, of course, caused by Qi Chuan himself.
In the past half month, he had diligently practiced magic, finally mastering all five basic Five Elements Magic spells.
In his previous life as an ordinary person, he had never encountered such mystical power. He had endured for a long time but ultimately couldn't resist experimenting with the magic's strength.
The power of this fireball technique didn't disappoint him, being unexpectedly strong.
Fortunately, he hadn't tested the fireball technique in his room; otherwise, the entire room would have disappeared, leaving him without a place to live.
"What a disaster, Ah Chuan, why did you burn the tree for no reason?"
Not far away, Qi Baicang rushed out from his bungalow upon hearing the commotion, and seeing the situation, he immediately shouted.
He thought some outsider cultivator was attacking the mountain, but it turned out to be his younger relative causing trouble.
"Hey, it's burning again! Burning!"
Just as he spoke, he noticed a small cluster of residual fire floating in mid-air, about to fall onto the forest below. If it caught on, most of the mountain would be destroyed, which would be disastrous.
Immediately, Qi Baicang's eyes widened, and he quickly formed seals with his hands to cast magic to extinguish the residual fire.
But on the other side, Qi Chuan had already noticed the residual fire and had formed seals. A thumb-thick water arrow shot out, colliding with the residual fire in mid-air, and both vanished.
"Whew..."
Seeing this scene, Qi Baicang, who was forming seals, finally breathed a sigh of relief and dispersed the seals.
Then he turned to reprimand Qi Chuan: "Ah Chuan, you're young and playful, I won't say much, but this fire isn't something to play with casually. If you're not careful, most of the mountain will be destroyed..."
"Second Uncle, I was just removing this unnamed tree because it blocked the sunlight from these spirit grasses, and no harm was done, right?"
Qi Chuan pointed to a small spirit field not far from the ashes, speaking innocently.
On that small spirit field, some unknown spirit grass crops were planted, but the leaves were somewhat yellow and wilting, evidently lacking sunlight.
"The spirit grasses I planted are mostly semi-wild and aren't worth much spirit stones. But this tree, I planted it decades ago and had some feelings for it, and now you've burned it..."
Qi Baicang scolded, his tone quite regretful.
"Alright, I was wrong."
Hearing this, Qi Chuan obediently admitted his mistake.
It seemed he had overthought. Judging by the disorderly and wild spirit fields on this mountain peak, it seemed Second Uncle casually forsOOK hardy spirit plants to exchange for some spirit stone resources without needing much care.
"...I'll forgive you this time, but not next time."
Seeing Qi Chuan admit his mistake, Qi Baicang sighed. Fortunately, the fire hadn't spread, and it was only a non-spirit plant tree, and not more important than family. The young one was still naive and playful, which was normal.
"Next time you experiment with magic, remember to call me to keep an eye on things. If it weren't for that water arrow later..."
Qi Baicang advised Qi Chuan, but before finishing his words, he paused abruptly.
Only then did he gradually realize, caught in the urgency earlier, he forgot that Qi Chuan was only at the Qi Refining First Layer, having just made a breakthrough. How did he cast the Water Arrow Technique, and also the Fireball Technique...
"Ah Chuan, you... you've mastered the Fireball Technique? Not just that, but also the Water Arrow Technique? You've mastered both spells?"
After coming to his senses, Qi Baicang asked incredulously.
"Indeed, it hasn't been long since I mastered them."
Qi Chuan nodded.
He had mastered the basic spells, and with the Water Arrow Technique he had long prepared for, he wouldn't accidentally cause a spreading fire.
If not, he wouldn't have easily burned the tree.
"You've mastered them all! How is that possible? It's only been half a month!" Qi Baicang exclaimed, remembering it was half a month ago he suggested Qi Chuan start practicing magic.
Back in the day, it took him over a month to master just the Fireball Technique.
Now Qi Chuan managed to master two spells in just half a month?
Qi Chuan wished he could say he had also mastered the Evergreen Technique's five basic Five Elements Magic spells.
However, seeing Second Uncle's current expression, he felt there was no need to reveal it, lest he became even more puzzled.
Staring at Qi Chuan for a long while, then glancing at the pile of ashes, Qi Baicang stroked his beard and mused, "Ah Chuan, it seems you're a natural at magic..."
"With such talent in magic, if you can break through to the Qi Refining Middle Stage, your strength won't be weak."
"Keep in mind, within the family, excluding the few Qi Refining Late Stage Elders, the Qi Refining Middle Stage is the backbone."
"Once you break through to the Qi Refining Middle Stage, relying on your talent in magic, your strength can surpass most in the family at that stage, becoming a standout."
"By then, with your status, I might enjoy some good fortune myself."
At this point, Qi Baicang's eyes sparkled, amusing himself with his words.
After all, with his current Qi Refining Third Layer strength, he was merely an edge figure within the family, leading a tiring and ordinary life with little family support.
"Is this what counts as a magic prodigy?"
Surprised by the statement, Qi Chuan realized that mastering five basic Five Elements Magic spells in half a month was more significant than he had imagined.
"Ah Chuan..."
Qi Baicang chuckled, turning to say more to Qi Chuan.
"Dong!"
Just at that moment, a grand bell sound suddenly rang out from above Red Maple Valley, spreading instantly, causing disturbances in all the mountain peaks.
Qi Baicang's expression changed, immediately looking towards the direction of the main peak, from where the bell sound originated.
Qi Chuan was also surprised, looking over without knowing what had happened.
He saw figures appearing on several peaks, hastily heading towards the main peak.
"What's happened?" Qi Chuan asked Second Uncle.
"Come with me to the main peak!" Qi Baicang said with a serious expression, then quickly descended the mountain towards the main peak, his uneasy voice lingering:
"The main peak's bell ringing signifies a significant event that affects the entire family, requiring all Qi Family cultivators to immediately go to the main peak."
"Really, something extraordinary must have happened?" Qi Chuan thought with surprise, but didn't hesitate too much, quickly moving to follow Second Uncle to the main peak.