Chen Family

Certainly! Here's a refined and polished version of the text with improved flow

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Xia Bing chuckled dryly, thinking Qi Yuan would be overwhelmed by Chen Wang's late-stage foundation-building power. He expected Qi Yuan to be too pressured to react, let alone put up a fight.

Yet to his surprise, Qi Yuan moved like a shadow — dodging, twisting, and slipping away from Chen Wang's attacks with ease. Chen Wang seemed to be chasing air.

"Friend Zhang, you misunderstand," Xia Bing called out. "I'm here to help you."

From Xia Bing's withered palm erupted a gray light. The snake-head cane he wielded exhaled thick black smoke, which coiled around him like a protective shroud. In a flash, Xia Bing appeared in front of Chen Wang, blocking his path. The two clashed immediately.

"Old man, your snake mist hasn't improved much after all these years," Chen Wang sneered.

He stood encased in a glowing three-leaf clover magic weapon, radiating a soft green light imbued with powerful wood energy. The aura of life it carried resisted Xia Bing's toxic smoke with ease.

Xia Bing scowled, then sneered. "I've admired Brother Chen's magic weapon for a long time. Today, I think it's time for a new owner."

Chen Wang's magic artifact was heavily infused with precious wood-attribute materials. While its offensive and defensive abilities were mediocre, its potent life force nullified many harmful effects — including Xia Bing's poisonous mist.

Years of wielding the artifact had kept Chen Wang's youthful appearance remarkably intact.

"You're shameless," Chen Wang spat coldly. Many had coveted his artifact before, but none had succeeded in taking it. Those foolish enough to try had either perished or been crippled.

With a wave of his hand, Chen Wang summoned a purple thundercloud. The cloud roiled with crackling energy — fierce and deadly. Once unleashed, few could escape its destructive force.

Xia Bing's face darkened. He hadn't expected Chen Wang to reveal his deadliest technique so soon — clearly intent on ending the fight swiftly.

But Xia Bing wasn't without his own trump card. His snake-head cane held the sealed soul of a fifth-level snake demon, something he had captured in his youth. Unlocking the seal demanded great effort, but now was the time to use it.

Xia Bing slapped the snake-head cane, breaking the seal. Instantly, a terrifying aura burst forth. Xia Bing's face paled, and new wrinkles lined his skin — a visible sign of the energy drain required to release the beast.

Above them, a massive yellow python emerged, its crimson eyes gleaming with murderous intent. Twin beams of light shot from its eyes, slamming into the purple thundercloud and scattering it.

The onlookers froze. A fifth-level demon's spirit — equivalent to a golden core cultivator in power — was enough to kill everyone present.

Qi Yuan, having just finished dispatching a Chen family disciple, glanced back at the scene thoughtfully. If that beast went wild, no one would walk away unscathed.

Chen Wang clenched his teeth and unleashed his aura, the air turning cold and heavy. "You think this will scare me, old man?" he growled. "You can barely control that beast. How many more attacks can you manage before your strength runs dry?"

Xia Bing chuckled darkly. "Even a few attacks are enough to end you. Qi Yuan! Now's the time — help me!"

The snake demon's eyes flared once more, unleashing another pair of deadly beams that cut down several Chen family disciples.

Qi Yuan responded swiftly, summoning a golden brick talisman in one hand and the Poison Dragon Sword in the other. Both glowed fiercely as they shot toward Chen Wang.

Xia Bing's eyes gleamed. He saw an opening.

Chen Wang knew his position was dire. With a burst of power, he drove the purple thundercloud forward, crashing it into Qi Yuan's talisman and weapon. The brief moment of respite allowed Chen Wang to release a surge of lightning that engulfed the snake demon's spirit. Sparks erupted, and the python roared in agony.

"Qi Yuan! Now's your chance — kill him!" Xia Bing shouted urgently.

Chen Wang's artifact was tied up suppressing the demon spirit, leaving him vulnerable.

Qi Yuan's expression remained calm. Without hesitation, he drew out two intermediate-level talismans and activated *Burning Sky Wrath*. A raging inferno roared to life, surging toward Chen Wang.

Seeing the incoming flames, Chen Wang hastily signaled his son, Chen Honghao, to intervene. But before Honghao could act, Yan Ruyan intercepted him with a flurry of ice magic.

The talisman flames engulfed Chen Wang's defenses. A snake-shaped beam pierced through the firestorm, striking him directly in the forehead. His body crumpled, lifeless.

His soul, panicked and weakened, fled his body in desperation.

"Qi Yuan, don't let his soul escape!" Xia Bing shouted.

Qi Yuan responded swiftly, activating a Ghost Vine Talisman. A mass of black, vine-like tendrils erupted, entangling Chen Wang's spirit.

Xia Bing's eyes narrowed. Seeing Qi Yuan's surprising stock of powerful talismans, a new thought crossed his mind. Without warning, he commanded the snake demon's spirit to abandon its fight with the thundercloud and lunge at Qi Yuan instead.

Yan Ruyan's face paled. If Qi Yuan fell now, her own fate would be uncertain.

Xia Bing grinned smugly, believing his plan was unfolding perfectly. He would claim Chen Wang's treasures, Qi Yuan's powerful talismans, and safely retreat to cultivate in peace.

But Qi Yuan remained calm. In a swift motion, he unleashed twelve gleaming magic weapons, forming a protective barrier that blocked the snake demon's attack.

Xia Bing's face twisted in disbelief.

"You've got quite the appetite, Xia Bing," Qi Yuan said coldly.

In a flash, Qi Yuan appeared beside Xia Bing and activated his Five Elements Light Field, suppressing much of Xia Bing's power. With a sharp motion, he unleashed twenty high-level talismans.

The combined assault overwhelmed Xia Bing, leaving him no chance to escape. His body crumpled, lifeless.

The snake demon's spirit, now without a master, dissolved back into yellow smoke and retreated into the cane.

Yan Ruyan stared at Qi Yuan, her once skeptical gaze now filled with awe. He had trapped a fifth-level demon's spirit, outwitted Xia Bing, and claimed victory over Chen Wang.

This was no ordinary cultivator.

(End of Chapter)