At noon, the scorching sun hung high. It was already June, and the weather was hot and humid.

Yihetang Manor inner courtyard.

Due to its excellent feng shui, it was warm in winter and cool in summer, very comfortable.

Madam Wen's long hair was like a waterfall, and she wore a white silk dress, with a graceful, jade-like body, and elegant demeanor. She sat on a long bench in the courtyard, resting with her eyes closed.

"You're here."

She said mildly, without raising her head, her eyes still slightly closed, as if enjoying the sunlight bathing down.

Li Xian had arrived early, unaware that Madam had been here long before. He immediately offered some words of apology. Madam waved it off, saying nothing.

She continued to bask in the sun.

Helpless, Li Xian had to accompany her.

At the same time, he was curious, as it was his first time seeing Madam in such a leisurely state. She didn't even tie up her long hair, letting it hang down.

He also noticed her impressive figure, her casual demeanor, and the natural allure.

The faint fragrance of her hair lingered around his nose.

"Perform a set of Jade Palm in front of me."

After half an hour, when a thick cloud veiled the sunlight, Madam said at last.

"Alright!"

Li Xian dared not hold back. Immediately, he condensed his Qi in both palms, releasing slow, gentle strikes into the air. Gradually, the palm technique became more intricate, and the method of Qi condensation grew more complex.

His body moved with his palms, like a flowing river, and after a short while, the palm winds changed forcefully, like the surging waves of a mighty river. The palm winds blew, making Li Xian's long hair dance wildly.

Madam Wen was slightly stunned. She had asked Li Xian to perform "Jade Palm" just to assess his martial arts foundation. To understand a martial artist's character, morals, and knowledge, one should glean insights from the martial arts they learned and used.

This was Madam Wen's second level of examination.

Yet the outcome surprised her.

"This child has been practicing palm techniques for about half a year. After I sent him to Black River Village and he returned, he had already perfected Jade Palm? Even with my guidance, his comprehension shouldn't be underestimated."

Even with Madam Wen's vast experience, she felt quite amazed upon witnessing this. She closely observed Li Xian's palm movements, discovering that the moves, rhythm, and method of Qi operation...

Were all excellently executed.

And there was a seamless, natural beauty that was indescribable.

"Very good." Madam Wen stood up, plucked off a branch from a peach blossom tree, and lightly pointed it at Li Xian.

Li Xian saw that Madam wanted to spar. He immediately countered with his palms, not holding anything back. He performed a move called "Flipping River Biluo," which involved both palms launching simultaneously, with palm forces surging like a mighty river, forming a deadly attack of both offense and defense.

But as the palm force formed, both palms slightly extended, not yet truly engaging.

Li Xian envisioned the subsequent changes in moves but was suddenly horrified to discover that regardless of how he struck, within the next ten moves, his throat would inevitably be slit.

It was like water flowing to a lower place and waves eventually calming, a certainty that could not be altered.

Madam's touch with the branch was exquisite, at the moment it was pointed, no matter how Li Xian defended or how the moves changed, there was only one outcome.

This was something Li Xian couldn't comprehend at this stage.

He could only advance by retreating, yet the momentum of the Jade Wave Palm was like a surging wave; it couldn't just be withdrawn.

Immediately, Li Xian reversed his palm momentum, slapped one palm to his abdomen, and struck his shoulder with the other. The palm force dissipated, then he leveraged it to turn and retreat, rolling backward.

"Huh?"

Madam Wen lightly swung the branch, saying, "Why do you prefer to injure yourself rather than retreat?"

"Madam," Li Xian broke out in a cold sweat, slightly disheveled, "If I don't retreat, within ten moves, I'd surely be dead. With no other options, I can only injure myself to retreat immediately."

This confrontation allowed him to grasp a glimpse.

A martial artist like Madam, solely with martial arts mastery, could exert just a little force to render him defenseless.

"You're not wrong."

Madam Wen glided gracefully, her branch lightly tapping several of Li Xian's acupoints, saying, "This Jade Palm, although reaching an entry level, was something I created spontaneously while observing the river."

"It actually contains many fatal flaws. If you use it within Qingning County, there's no need to worry. But if you reach higher places, it would be tantamount to a death sentence."

Li Xian cupped his hands, "Thank you, Madam, for your guidance."

Madam Wen looked over, observing him closely for a moment, thinking, "With his clear brows and upright nose, this child, aside from other matters, has a very good appearance."

It was the second time she had evaluated him this way.

Since the last evaluation, Li Xian had grown, becoming increasingly spirited and handsome. Though still youthful, having experienced various events in Black River Village, he had gained a certain composure to command a region, along with a masculine spirit from within.

"You've mastered Jade Palm in half a year, showing a considerable talent for it," Madam Wen said.

"All martial arts in the world, if traced back to their origin, have a source."

"This Jade Palm is no exception. It's something I created from inspiration drawn from a certain technique. But that technique is not martial arts, so I won't teach it to you."

Madam Wen spoke calmly.

She was unaware that the initial scene of her creating the martial art had been witnessed by Li Xian.

Madam Wen's branch lightly lifted, touching Li Xian's chin, raising it slightly, "Would you be willing to learn swordsmanship?"

Li Xian thought, "Why raise my chin if you want to teach me swordsmanship? I almost thought she was enamored with my good looks." He said, "I'll learn whatever Madam teaches."

Madam Wen raised her eyebrows. She broke off another peach blossom branch, tossed it to Li Xian, and said, "Since you're learning swordsmanship, start with a branch as a substitute for a sword."

"Today, I'll teach you... the Setting Sun Bloodsword. It's a superior sword skill, quite rare, but if I teach you everything at once, you won't be able to digest it. I'll start with the first layer, and when you've mastered it, I'll teach you the second."

Li Xian said, "Alright."

...

Madam Wen immediately began teaching the swordsmanship. She didn't demonstrate it herself, only provided guidance from the side, saying, "This sword art is easy to start but difficult to refine. Practicing this sword will make you feel tired and weary."

"But don't worry, it's all normal."

Li Xian used the branch as a sword, practicing according to the method. Gradually, he felt the vastness and profundity of the swordsmanship. Yet at the same time... he secretly thought it was not good.

"Just hearing the name 'Setting Sun Bloodsword' suggests it's not something good."

"Knowing Madam's disposition, this martial art probably won't be free. I might as well not practice it, but... with Madam watching, if I don't practice, she'll surely notice something amiss."

Li Xian had no choice but to push through.

He followed the method, wielding the longsword.

This sword practice method was peculiar, requiring the application of a certain blood operation method while performing the sword technique.

[You've mastered the initial method of the Setting Sun Bloodsword]

[Setting Sun Bloodsword·First Layer]

[Skill Level: 19/1000 Beginner]

[Description: This sword technique is of superior grade, originally the Yang part of the Combined Sword Skill "Yin Yang Immortal Lovers Sword," but was renamed, abridged, and modified by Wen Caishang, thus becoming 'Setting Sun Bloodsword'.

[This swordsmanship was extracted from the Combined Sword Skill, hence it has fatal flaws. After beginning, if one's Martial Arts do not advance and the Yin Sword fails to nourish it, the body's blood will wither and evaporate.]

[The way of Yin and Yang is infinitely marvelous.]

[In the balance of Yin and Yang, when Yin is abundant, Yang follows; when Yang is abundant, Yin follows.]

[If the mastery of the Yang Sword exceeds that of the Yin Sword, then the opposite occurs...]

...

Li Xian used a branch as a substitute for a sword, suddenly thrusting it forward, causing a sharp sound of wind breaking. In Li Xian's dantian, a trace of heat arose, marking the entry into swordsmanship.

The Yang Qi in his body sank and gathered in the Qi Lake of his dantian.

Madam Wen smiled with satisfaction, "Not bad, not bad, you have entered the beginner's stage."

"This Setting Sun Bloodsword, practice it diligently. Every month, I will set aside time to instruct you once."

Li Xian suffered a hidden loss, but since it was a superior martial art, he had mixed feelings. He pretended to be happy, saying, "Thank you, Madam, for valuing me! I will certainly live up to your expectations and practice this swordsmanship diligently."

Madam Wen nodded and said, "Very good." In her heart, she thought, "I learned the Yin aspect, and this boy has learned the Yang aspect. In this way, he cannot separate from me. If I truly invest resources in him, it won't be a waste."

"Madam, your subordinate takes his leave." Li Xian cupped his hands and said.

"Go on," Madam Wen said.

...

...

In an instant, ten days passed.

Li Xian was practicing martial arts in the garden.

[Jade Palm]

[Skill Level: 53/80,000 Peak]

As the skill level accumulated enough, it broke into the peak realm. The Qi Lake inside his body erupted like a geyser, growing from thirty-six zhang to forty-five zhang...

Many insights into martial arts surged in his heart.

The shortcomings and flaws of martial arts... all became clearly apparent.

"Once my martial arts reach the peak, perhaps I can rely on my own understanding to gradually fill the fatal flaws in the Jade Palm."

Li Xian was not disheartened.

Currently, of the five martial arts, three have reached the peak.

This level of mastery, looking across all of Qingning County, it would be hard to find a second person.

[Setting Sun Bloodsword·First Layer]

[Skill Level: 594/1000 Beginner]

The time following was mainly focused on this sword.

"Madam truly is someone who doesn't act without benefit."

"She taught me this swordsmanship to control me. This also precisely shows that she might... truly invest energy in nurturing me."

"Otherwise, why bother to constrain me? From this, it can be seen that she... has a different consideration for me than for Commander Pang and Hua Hanying. But... it is because of my younger brother."

"It's really hard to say whether this is a good thing or a bad thing."

Li Xian's swordsmanship had just begun, with each move executed methodically. But every day saw obvious progress.

"This Setting Sun Bloodsword was originally a Combined Sword Technique, improved with Yin Sword training, allowing rapid progress. However, if the swordsmanship doesn't advance for a long time, it will burn blood energy, leaving one mentally exhausted, and cause blood energy to deplete."

"But then I hear something about '[When Yin is abundant, Yang follows] [When Yang is abundant, Yin follows]', does it mean that if my swordsmanship mastery exceeds that of Madam's, it would instead restrict her?"

There is a possibility, but Li Xian did not dare to think too far ahead.

"No matter what, I believe... in my current situation, perhaps I can find Madam to truly learn some matters about martial arts!"

Li Xian sheathed his longsword, filled with excitement in his words.

...

...

Inner courtyard.

"You want to understand matters of a martial artist?"

Madam Wen was dining in the hall, the table full of delicacies. Seeing Li Xian come, she did not reject his approach.

Li Xian nodded, "To Madam, I am truly curious."

"Just curious?" Madam Wen smiled as she looked at him.

Li Xian said, "If... if Madam could grant me any opportunity, even if it means going through fire and water, I am willing to try."

"Since you are staying in the manor, even if you have reached the 'Food Essence' stage, it is likely of little use. Are you in such a hurry because you want to go to Prefecture City to see your younger brother?" Madam Wen's inquiry was always subtle.

Li Xian shook his head, "I certainly miss my younger brother. But the true reason is not him, rather... I dare not say, fearing Madam's punishment."

"Go ahead and speak, if you don't, I'll have to punish you," Madam Wen looked at him with curiosity.

This Little Commander was more interesting than the previous ones.

Li Xian had already thought of an explanation.

When dealing with Madam, showing true feelings is useless, being frank is even more useless. One must proactively demonstrate their potential to be utilized.

Li Xian had nothing valuable for Madam, no part of him could be regarded highly. He could only try to show loyalty to gain a path in martial arts.

However, expressing loyalty should not be straightforward. Otherwise, he would end up like Pang Long, with common loyalty, mediocre loyalty, of what use is that to Madam?

Li Xian bolded a try:

"I once heard Commander Pang say that people like Madam are divine beings of rebirth."

"We clay embryos are inherently non-mainstream, struggling in secular turmoil. Now my younger brother has seized good fortune, that is his ability, but as his older brother, I do not wish to be inferior to him."

"When his fellow disciples learn that his older brother is a non-mainstream clay embryo, wouldn't that be a shame to his reputation."

"Of course, these are trivial matters, about face after all. The key point is that after receiving Madam's guidance, when practicing martial arts, I couldn't help but admire Madam... growing more infatuated and ambitious..."

"Unable to bear it, I wanted to go further, to seek what lies above... I humbly request Madam to punish me!"

Madam Wen said with deep significance, "Is that all?"

Li Xian replied, "Yes!"

Madam Wen sneered, "You are quite bold."

"Go take twenty strikes to dispel such infatuation."

As she spoke, her tone softened, sipping tea casually, she said lightly:

"As for the way of 'Food Essence', what does it amount to, guiding you is no hindrance?"

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