The interior of the ship was luxurious, the entire structure made of expensive wood, smooth and warm, like a precious jade.

In the center stood an incense burner. The aroma curled upwards, as if one were in a celestial realm. To the right was a jade bed, draped with light purple curtains, appearing like a waterfall from beyond the heavens.

On the west side of the bedroom, there was a large terrace with a view of the river scenery.

"Truly knows how to enjoy life, lying in bed, watching the grand river scenery, indeed beautiful."

Li Xian whispered softly.

He lifted the light purple curtain and saw the silhouette of a lady, but was at a loss for words. What he saw on the jade bed was a lady in a subtle situation. She was sitting cross-legged, her posture graceful, her eyes slightly closed.

Like a fairy in meditation.

But without needing a closer look, the ropes on her body were quite noticeable. Criss-crossing, biting into the flesh, each rope was precisely placed, firmly restraining the joints all over her body.

Foot ankle, knee, wrist, elbow…

Rendering her unable to move.

Grace and ambiguity appeared simultaneously.

The lady suddenly opened her eyes, gazing at the great river, her eyes showing a serene and pleasant intent. But she seemed unable to break free, her face was slightly flushed.

Not as if she was captured by someone.

…

…

Li Xian emerged from the initial scene, realizing something suddenly. Observing the river, gaining insight from the river, observing the water, gaining insight from the water. The grand and majestic power of the Jade Palm came layer by layer from the winding river path.

The water striking the riverbank, how magnificent.

The entanglement of the Jade Palm seemed related to the lady's condition. Li Xian originally thought, the lady gazing at the river pondering about it, seeing the turbulent river water, imagined the competition of hundreds of rivers, all striving to converge into the river.

But now it seems, he was mistaken.

"The lady seems to be… practicing some kind of martial art?" Li Xian thought, being so close just now, felt quite strange, only feeling the lady descending from the pedestal.

"What am I thinking about these for, focusing on martial arts is the priority."

Li Xian cleared his mind of distractions.

Then began to practice martial arts again, after experiencing the initial scene of martial arts, practicing martial arts, the palm techniques became smoother. There were more places to ponder.

After breaking into Great Success, the Qi Lake gradually grew larger, now reaching three yards in size.

The Qi was abundant, energy and spirit were strong, hard for any illness to invade.

…

…

By the end of February, the tail end of winter had finally passed completely.

Time in the mountains passed lightly, only when the ice and snow had completely melted away did one realize winter had left.

Li Xian was glad that no one disturbed him. His daily routine was simple: practice martial arts, hunt, eat. Every ten days or half a month, he would go to Black Water Port to sell his animal catches, exchanging them for money and accumulating wealth.

During this time, he consumed a lot of crab essence.

But this item consumed a lot of cooking supplies, every two times he brewed essence food, the bottom of the pot would crack.

By a stroke of luck, Li Xian absorbed a wisp of the essence of heaven and earth. But luck doesn't last, and "crab generals" aren't common. Since that time, every time he ate the essence of heaven and earth, it scattered, never remaining for a moment.

Illusory as it was, it seemed the "washing of the fetus" had begun.

Yet, it was unclear when this clay embryo would be washed enough to reveal the marvel of a "food essence" martial artist, thereby capturing that elusive immortal mechanism in his palm?

On this day.

Li Xian took advantage of the night to brew crab essence.

"These mountain crabs, though ensuring I have a stable source of the essence of heaven and earth to consume, the amount is too small. Brewing a dozen times may not compare to a single sip of the lady's essence soup."

"And each time I enter the mountains to catch crabs, it takes at least two days, sometimes three or four days. Then considering the time spent brewing essence food, it wastes too much time."

Li Xian added firewood.

The fire at the bottom of the pot burned more vigorously.

The water in the pot boiled, steam hitting his face. When the brewing was almost dry, Li Xian skillfully added cold water.

Despite many inconveniences, given the current situation, Li Xian was still relatively satisfied.

No wonder martial artists in the world need support. Without support, how could the path of martial arts be walked comfortably?

"I also wonder, how my younger brother is doing now."

Li Xian leaned against a tree trunk, gazing in the direction of the prefecture city.

The separation of brothers, naturally, the feelings of longing are deep. At this moment, the moon was full round, perhaps his younger brother was also gazing at the moon, thinking of his elder brother.

As the pot of essence soup cooked through, he cracked open the crab shell.

And sent the milky white crab paste into his mouth.

[You consumed inferior essence food, skill level +9]

That pitiable wisp of the essence of heaven and earth contended with Li Xian for a long time, finally traversing the Qi circulation, crossing over Blood Solidification and Aperture Closure…

The path of martial arts, long and unending.

The only thing to do is to patiently cultivate the martial arts well and do each step properly.

…

The next day.

Li Xian wore a long saber at his waist, just right in clothes and attire, patrolling the fields simply.

After the days of great winter had passed, the people of Black River Village became busy.

The figures of people working in the fields dotted the landscape.

"Sir, it's thanks to you coming."

"In our village, every year after winter, there's always a fight. After all, some fields are adjacent, who has more, who has less, no one concedes to others."

"Now everyone is united. Even if there are disputes, they are willing to listen to a word from this old bone of mine."

Uncle Fu said with a laugh, following behind Li Xian.

"That's good." Li Xian nodded, seeing harmony in the fields, with the village full of vitality. Li Xian suddenly thought: "In such times, I can't be a good person. I need to survive first, become stronger gradually. Only under this premise can I help others as well."

Uncle Fu's flattery, he didn't take to heart.

Inspecting along the road, all was calm. The Mountain Wind Stronghold had not come to raid again. Such is the world, even breathing is a sin when you are weak.

But after Li Xian came, killing several leaders of the Mountain Wind Stronghold, they became apprehensive afterward, and nothing happened instead.

Passing through the farmlands, Li Xian patrolled to the mouth of the creek, then crossed several mountains, casually inspecting the surroundings.

If anyone is caught stealing firewood, make your presence known and drive them away. The thieves range from poor villagers to lazy scoundrels. They do nothing but steal wood for money, then spend it at gambling dens and teahouses.

Against such people, Li Xian strikes harder. He beats them off, so they won't return.

He patrolled to the overgrown riverbed.

Li Xian drew his saber from his waist and cut through the tall grass. Lizards, poisonous snakes, toads, centipedes... all scurried away.

"Last time I was here, this riverbed was warmer than other places."

"Now that I'm patrolling here, I might as well go down and explore."

Li Xian's curiosity was piqued. He drew his sword and channeled his Qi to cut down the waist-high grass, then jumped into the riverbed.

His boots sank into the mud.

It was quite muddy.

"For me, the winter is actually better."

The riverbed was infested with mosquitoes, but Li Xian had solidified his blood and closed his pores, so he was not bothered by them, though their buzzing was annoying.

It had been the same the last few times he ventured into the mountains.

Leeches and poisonous creatures would emerge in the forest overnight; without preparation, they would drain you dry in one night.

[You cut through grass, Skill Level +2]

[Daluo Saber]

[Skill Level: 1546/5000 Great Success]

He walked along the riverbed for some ten miles when he suddenly saw a black clay figure.

Li Xian had previously bought a similar clay figure for one tael at the black market. Comparing them now, they were identical and made from the same material as the stone lions in front of the Black Water Gang.

"This Black River has stone lions and clay figures... I wonder what other treasures it holds."

Li Xian slashed his saber down.

A poisonous snake lying in ambush was split in two. Li Xian flicked the snake aside and noticed in the dense grass a vermilion fruit.

"They say these mountain beasts like poisonous snakes instinctively guard treasures. This fruit, protected by a snake, must be extraordinary!"

Li Xian picked the vermilion fruit.

Sniffing it carefully, it had a fragrant aroma. He split the fruit open, and the flesh inside was fibrous. It did not seem poisonous, so he tasted it.

Unexpectedly, the effects were remarkable.

Li Xian felt a shiver through his body, and a faint red glow emanated from his pores.

The fruit's medicinal power was strengthening his physique.

[You consumed an exotic fruit, Skill Level +32]

"I don't know the name of this fruit, but its effects are significant. I should search for more." Li Xian's eyes were bright with excitement; the riverbed indeed held treasures.

"I heard Commander Pang say that true superior essence treasures are nurtured by heaven and earth. These essence foods obtained from demons are considered inferior."

"But if I'm lucky enough to find such treasures..."

He continued along the riverbed for another ten miles.

Only to find three vermilion fruits, all of which he consumed, greatly enhancing his strength.

Li Xian did not know he was wasting heavenly gifts.

This fruit, known as the River Death Fruit, grows from the 'perishing' river veins. Heaven and earth, mountains and rivers, all have their rhythms and energies. When the river vein perishes, its energy and rhythm disperse.

Under certain circumstances, through mysterious heavenly workings, the energy and rhythm are absorbed by growing plants, forming the River Death Fruit. This fruit is a rare commodity with a very low probability of occurrence.

Apart from [Essence Treasure] for martial artists' rebirth, there are various [Miracle Treasure] items with different effects. While this River Death Fruit lacks [Essence of Heaven and Earth], it possesses excellent medicinal properties.

It is the main ingredient in certain medicinal prescriptions, and when correctly combined, one dose can be worth a fortune.

The fruit strengthens bones, toughens the body, and restores vitality. The red glow courses through the flesh, while the river's energy washes over the body, replenishing any deficiencies in Qi-Blood and primordial energy.

For martial artists suffering from Qi-Blood deficiencies and late-stage Qi circulation, consuming this fruit can restore their primordial energy and prolong their martial arts lifespan.

However, Li Xian, young and exuberant, with a surplus of Qi-Blood, did not benefit from the [Restoration] effects, but only felt his physique become slightly stronger.

…

Returning to his cabin at dusk,

Li Xian set down his saber, feeling light and free, and began practicing his palm techniques.

[Jade Palm]

[Skill Level: 1659/12000 Great Success]

The Jade Palm has a higher grade, requiring more skill level. But its benefits are significant too. With mastery in palm techniques, saber techniques, fist techniques reaching the peak, and leg techniques perfected...

Even archery has reached great success!

He has deeply studied all martial arts he practiced.

This martial arts mastery and accumulation, which would take others decades of hard work, can't easily be matched.

With strengthened muscles and bones, his overall strength far surpasses what it was when he first came to Black River Village.

"It's now the end of February; I've been at Black River Village for over two months."

"I wonder... with my current strength, if I were to compete against Commander Pang, who would win?"

Pang Long has practiced martial arts for decades, dabbling in over ten or twenty martial arts—sword, spear, staff, fists, kicks, palms—but none reached perfection.

He has achieved great success in six styles, while the rest are minor achievements, mastery, or beginner levels.

In comparison... Li Xian only practiced four techniques: Four Directions Fist, Jade Palm, Clear Wind Leg, and Daluo Saber, from peak to great success.

His foundation is naturally less profound, and his inner Qi not as strong.

However, if he includes the great success in "archery" and maneuvers skillfully, leveraging strengths and avoiding weaknesses, he might be eligible to compete with Pang Long.

"I must not become arrogant or complacent!"

"My journey is long!"

Li Xian steadied his mind.

[You diligently practice palm techniques, Skill Level +2]

He struck out with palm after palm.

The current primary goal is to bring the [Jade Palm] to perfection. In doing so, even if faced with Zheng Xuezhang, he might have the ability to contend!

As for the Daluo Saber...

It can be set aside temporarily. Keeping one great success saber technique ready for an opponent will make them underestimate him.

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