There is indeed a great chasm between the grades of martial arts. The Jade Palm is an entry-level martial art, even if it is of lower grade, it far surpasses basic martial arts.

"It is said that powerful martial arts have effects that are strange and supernatural, enabling one to do things beyond what ordinary people can do."

"When combined with the rebirth body of a martial artist... its power when wielded is extraordinary."

Li Xian did not feel tired, yet he knew he should balance work and rest. Yesterday, he traveled back and forth and stayed up late practicing martial arts.

He was strong and vigorous, full of vitality; though he could endure it, being too hasty could instead hinder his martial arts advancement. Better to relax for a moment and cook some wild boar meat.

"Might as well reward myself, today I'll have wild boar back!"

Li Xian dug out the skinned and gutted wild boar from the snow pile.

He made a gentle cut on the back. A piece of beautiful meat marbled with fat was now in his hand.

Wild boar meat is gamey.

Particularly male wild boars, whose gamey smell cannot be removed. Only the back has a firm texture with minimal gamey odor.

Li Xian could not speak for wild boars elsewhere, but those around Qingning County were mostly like this. This type of wild boar is also known as the "arched-back pig."

They often use their backs to arch against trees. Long-term impact and pounding actually tenderize the back meat to a fresh quality, like finding gold from dung.

"Some pan-fried, some grilled, but no need for soup."

Even with the back meat, using it for soup would still have gamey odor.

...

...

On January 13, the winter turned warm.

Black River Village seemed to have regained its harmony, with no more foreign invasions.

[You slashed snow and cleaved wind, skill level +2]

[You exercised control, skill level +3]

Li Xian wielded his Nursing Home Narrow Blade, slashing horizontally and vertically, the blade gleaming. With dozens of consecutive strikes, the motion of the blade was smooth and precise. When the last strike was unleashed, the blade glow flashed and plowed a trail in the snow half a yard away.

[Daluo Saber]

[Skill Level: 148/2000 Minor Achievement]

Li Xian sheathed the blade, positioning it at his left waist. Seeing that the snow on the roof remained uncleared for several days, he gently delivered a palm strike, dispersing the accumulated snow with the wind of his palm.

[Jade Palm]

[Skill Level: 2168/6000 Minor Achievement]

Time in the mountains passed quickly.

After temporarily pacifying the Mountain Wind Stronghold, there was little trouble daily. Perhaps it was still winter, people curled up in their dens like hibernating bear beasts, not venturing out.

Invisibly, it reduced many troubles.

A few days prior, Li Xian went up the mountain to hunt and caught another bear. He decided to enjoy it well, taking the time to travel to Black Water Port's black market to purchase a cookbook.

Following the book, he studied how to prepare "bear paw."

[Skill: Cooking Skill]

[Skill Level: 152/500 Beginner]

[Description: Food is the priority of mankind, and cooking is the standard of food.]

The taste of bear paw was indeed wonderful; after having it once, it lingered on his mind, frequently reminding him of its flavor.

"This is fine too."

After completing his martial practice that day.

Li Xian emptied his mind, lying on a tree branch, enjoying the breeze.

"Lately, with no trivial matters bothering me, I've been diligently, bit by bit, advancing my martial arts."

"Accumulating strength well."

"This kind of situation is indeed rare. The others in Yihetang Manor say that I suffer by coming here, yet they don't know how relaxed I am."

Black River Village... is indeed a great place to gather strength!

...

...

Inside Yihetang Manor.

Just today, it was indeed a time of many happenings, as guests arrived at the manor gate.

"Sir, who are you looking for?" The servant sweeping snow at the gate asked as he approached.

The visitor was named Meng Long, a middle-aged man with a square face, thin eyebrows, and a large mouth as if it could swallow a person. His throat was unusually coarse, and he wore a black long robe embroidered with cloud patterns.

"What is this, get lost."

Meng Long casually flicked his hand. The force was so strong that the servant was sent flying several yards away, crashing into a large tree and instantly dying.

"Murder! Murder!"

The remaining servants shouted in alarm.

Pang Long reacted in time, immediately leading a group of Nursing Home guards to rush out of the gate and surround the man in black.

This is...

Pang Long suddenly felt weak in the knees, thinking, "Is it the Demon Sound Throat!?"

In the region of Qiong Heavenly Mansion, among several counties, there had been a fierce man over ten years ago. This man had an unusually loud roar capable of producing a strange demonic sound, earning the Jianghu nickname Demon Sound Throat.

Then he suddenly vanished without a trace.

It was rumored he was appreciated by a master and went to seek apprenticeship and learn skills.

Meng Long was surrounded, yet he remained unflustered. He grinned, steadied his feet, and his chest swelled.

"Not good, cover your ears!" Pang Long shouted in fright.

Meng Long said, "Where is Lady Zhe Jian!"

The sound reverberated, stabbing the ears, shaking the spirit. The peculiar aspect of this demonic sound was its special vibrational force.

Those of weaker constitution were directly shaken to loose flesh and limp bones, paralyzing them on the ground. With just meeting eyes, many guards and servants were already in a sorry state, unable to withstand.

Some fell unconscious, some paralyzed. Even worse, some rolled their eyes, foamed at the mouth, convulsed uncontrollably, their faces turning dark blue. Clearly, they were scared witless by the shout!

Pang Long covered his ears, channeling inner qi to endure, though he did not faint, he was heavily injured, blood seeping from between his fingers.

The sound continued to spread, seemingly to reach the entire manor.

Madam Wen said, "You insolent one, so arrogant." This was said lightly.

With a hint of scolding, others were unaffected, but Meng Long's expression changed suddenly, stepping back three steps. His face flushed red instantly, and a moment later, "poof," blood gushed from his ears.

"Master!"

"Help me!"

Another "bang" was heard, and Meng Long's eyes burst, becoming bloody holes. Blood spewed from his nose, teeth fell out.

His bones broke and misaligned, he was no longer human-shaped, rolling on the ground howling miserably. Mumbling incomprehensible cries of "Master" and "Help" could be heard.

Amateurs watch the fun, experts watch the doorway.

This simple confrontation concealed the profound philosophy of martial arts, yet it was extremely rich.

Even if Madam Wen is formidable, she wouldn't have killed the enemy with just a single light sentence. Meng Long brought this outcome upon himself.

Just now, when Meng Long shouted, his voice was furious and extremely powerful, deploying the "Demonic Sound Piercing Heart" from the "Demon Sound Sect".

This martial art aims to use qi to carry sound, sound to carry shock, and shock to harm the enemy.

If perfected, this martial art can be extremely powerful, with the voice capable of killing. But before perfection, there is a fatal flaw: when using "Demonic Sound Piercing Heart", the demonic sound first pierces the practitioner's own body.

Thus when executing the move, the internal organs must also vibrate at a certain frequency.

This is to dispel the effects of "Demonic Sound Piercing Heart".

And Madam Wen's phrase "Rude and arrogant" secretly affected the internal qi, disrupting his organs' vibration.

In this way, "Demonic Sound Piercing Heart" backfired, and he naturally couldn't escape disaster.

"Poor mastery, deserved this calamity."

At this moment, a white-haired old man approached, using a cane to walk, yet moving very fast.

He tapped Meng Long's chest with the cane, giving his wrist a gentle twist.

And it was resolved.

But Meng Long was already ruined, his organs in a mess, his eyeballs burst, teeth all fallen out.

"Lady Zhe Jian, your methods are indeed ruthless, living up to your reputation." The old man shouted towards the manor: "I just didn't expect someone like you to be hiding here?"

"Hehe, could it be... you're afraid of someone? Hiding to avoid debts?"

Madam Wen's voice came, "Old Man with the White Cane, there's no need to provoke me with words. If you are here for revenge or something else, just say it. I have no time for idle chatter with you."

"Haha." The old man, Cangqiong, stepped back with a smile, saying: "My foolish disciple caused a misunderstanding. Heh-heh, I'm not here for revenge."

"I came to see if Lady Zhe Jian is still as charming as before."

"After all... we are on the same side."

Madam Wen said, "You are so boring. You cultivated this disciple for years, just for this move?"

"Hahaha." The old man with the white cane laughed: "My disciples are notoriously cheap and die quickly. I enjoy it."

With that, he kicked Meng Long, clearly indifferent to his life or death.

Treating him merely as a test piece.

"Fine then, for the sake of the Dragon Appreciation Banquet, take him away, I won't make it difficult for you." Madam Wen added.

"What, has the dignified Lady Zhe Jian turned to Buddhism recently? Even learning compassion?" The old man with the white cane asked in surprise, "If it were your old temperament, you would definitely say, 'You can leave, as long as you leave two arms behind.' How come you're so easy-going today?"

"Then leave two arms behind." Wen Caitang's voice turned cold suddenly.

"Forgive me for not accompanying. See you at the Dragon Appreciation Banquet." The old man with the white cane quickly departed. His figure disappeared into the distance.

Suddenly, there was a sound of wind.

A leaf, coming from nowhere, killed the dying Meng Long.

The old man with the white cane laughed heartily and completely vanished.

Pang Long was filled with apprehension, approaching Meng Long's corpse.

Killing with a flying leaf wasn't difficult.

But what was rare… was that this leaf was a "withered leaf." As soon as it was touched, it turned to dust.

Within the Jingxin Tower.

Wen Caitang spat, "At another time, I wouldn't just want your hands, even your legs wouldn't be enough."

A slight sigh. In the distance, Qiuyue had been knocked unconscious.

"This girl is so weak."

...

...

On February 7th, the ice and snow began to melt, and the cold wind no longer cut like a knife.

Fresh green shoots emerged from the snow, vitality about to be reborn.

At the village's west end, in a wooden house.

[Skill Level +1]

[Jade Palm]

[Skill Level: 5992/6000 Minor Achievement]

As Li Xian struck with a palm, more than ten slight gusts of wind intertwined.

[You have mastered Condensing Qi Like Silk, Binding Silk into Rope.]

[Skill Level +13]

[Jade Palm's Skill Level Fully Mastered, Upgraded to Great Success!]

[Through diligent practice, you have cultivated Jade Palm to Great Success, glimpsing the Initial Realm of martial arts.]

Li Xian was slightly pleased in his heart, achieving what he wished, naturally and effortlessly.

The initial landscape of Jade Palm's martial arts unfolded before his eyes.

Li Xian's vision blurred.

A winding, meandering great river first came into view. The river waters emerald green, the river rushing, with towering green mountains on either side, faint white mist lingering on the river surface.

The view expanded, with thousands of rivers converging, the river network intricate and complex.

Poetic and picturesque, it was extremely beautiful and alluring.

The beauty of the land, all captured within.

"I have never seen such a splendid view!"

"In this world, the rivers are broader, the mountains taller, the vegetation more robust. Everything is grander!"

Seeing the beautiful scenery, Li Xian was filled with boldness.

As if being part of it, feeling exceptionally real.

Just as he was about to carefully appreciate the meaning of the rushing river, the scene suddenly changed, landing on a boat on the river.

That boat, about three stories high, luxuriously decorated, floating quietly on the river.

Qiuyue was also on the boat, sitting at the bow enjoying the scenery.

In the initial landscape, Li Xian moved freely, heading towards the boat.

He came to Madam's bedroom and lifted a light gauze curtain.

Witnessing an unbelievable scene.

"This..."

In his heart, the Madam was mysterious and powerful, demure and elegant, yet today... what he saw was a completely different scene.

His gaze unconsciously became playful.

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