Madam Wen admired the flowers under the moonlight, with an "Everlasting Spring Tree" planted in the courtyard. The tree was adorned with yellow blossoms, vibrant and glistening with dew. The herbs and flowers beneath it thrived, full of vitality.

The moonlight poured down like water upon the tree, and as the gentle breeze stirred, the branches swayed gracefully, creating a serene and unique ambiance.

This Everlasting Spring Tree was no ordinary species. It belonged to the category of "Essence Treasures," and if its core was simmered, it could produce a pot of Essence Soup, which, upon consumption, would greatly benefit one's cultivation.

Besides that, it had another use: preserving spring.

The area surrounding the tree, within a one-mile radius, maintained perpetual springtime. Regardless of the weather outside—be it windy, rainy, sweltering heat, or biting cold—the environment around the "Everlasting Spring Tree" was always as vibrant as spring.

The inner courtyard wasn't just eternally spring; it was spring in all seasons.

Wen Caishang soaked the tree's flowers in wine, thus creating a jar of "Spring Fragrance Wine." Lady Zhe Jian was skilled in many arts, with varying depths of expertise.

However, the method of winemaking was among the more formidable arts. Among the many industries under Yihetang Manor's name, the "Wine Shop" was one of the main enterprises. It was one of her means of amassing gold.

Martial Arts, Martial Practices... they encompass the philosophy of heaven and earth. People have countless faces, and so do martial arts. Within Martial Arts Techniques, there are often numerous insights into the Dao.

Anyone who becomes a master must have a wide range of knowledge.

Wen Caishang took a sip of wine. The fragrance of the wine mingled with the aroma of flowers, lingering long between her lips and teeth.

Her gaze fell upon the two intertwined swords lying on the ground.

"This swordsmanship is truly of the highest order. When the swords unite, they emit a continuous sense of affection, provoking daydreams. This young man is quite handsome. If he hailed from a prestigious family and had met me in his youth, with the encouragement of this swordsmanship, it wouldn't be impossible to have a romantic tale."

Madam Wen scoffed:

"Now, as Lady Zhe Jian, who am I to be easily swayed by emotions, let alone by a mere boy. But if this boy's swordsmanship continues to improve, it would benefit me to continue practicing with him."

"I cannot let this excellent swordsmanship go to waste."

With a wave of her sleeve, the two longswords broke into several pieces, deeply embedding themselves into the ground.

...

...

［Setting Sun Blood Decay Sword·First Layer］

［Skill Level: 806/3000 Mastery］

"These Dual Swords Unite are indeed formidable."

"In just one night, the skill level increased so rapidly. If I were to practice longer, it would be incredible."

On the way back to the manor, the burning sensation that Li Xian had accumulated for a long time dissipated. He felt relaxed, and naturally, in high spirits.

His swordsmanship had evidently improved significantly.

It was already summer.

But when night fell, the temperature was refreshingly cool. Despite the high walls of the manor, they couldn't block the cool breeze that invigorated him as it hit his body.

Li Xian passed by a lake and saw that the fish swimming in the lake had not yet fallen asleep, still surfacing and blowing bubbles, also admiring the moonlight. A playful mood suddenly arose in him.

He bent down and gently swirled his hand in the water.

The movement of his hand was minimal, but each gentle swirl caused the lake's waves to churn, and the water became increasingly agitated. Li Xian used the "Jade Palm," channeling his palm force into the water, spreading through the fluid, creating this scene.

Li Xian reached out to catch a fish. The fish darted towards the depths of the lake, and Li Xian laughed, "Trying to escape?" He spun his hands, creating a whirlpool in the water, pulling the fish toward him.

The poor fish was spun dizzy, seeing stars.

"If I keep playing, it'll be too much." Li Xian quickly withdrew his hand. The fish in the entire lake, their species unknown to him, could be in big trouble if he accidentally killed them.

He dried his hands and casually picked a stalk of Hui Grass by the lake, biting it in his mouth, and walked towards the courtyard with large strides, now not quite resembling a commander or a mature older brother, but rather like a cheerful youth.

He increasingly discovered that martial arts were about taking from the world and returning to it. Martial Artists gathered small inspirations from the myriad things of heaven and earth, which later formed martial arts.

But martial arts were not just for fighting opponents. It was also a way to interact with heaven and earth...

Li Xian's Jade Wave Palm was powerful, and his skill in creating waves was quite good.

It was also a good use for swimming skills...

...

...

［You have consumed 'Extreme Water Carp Essence Soup,' food skill, skill level +57］

［You have consumed lower-grade Essence Meat, food skill, skill level +87］

In as little as ten days, or no more than twenty, a pot of Essence Soup would be brewed once.

On this day, Madam once again ordered the cauldron to be lit. Li Xian acted swiftly, overseeing and controlling the process of brewing the Essence Soup. This time, the brewing was very fast, starting in the morning and completing by evening.

The practice of a martial artist was brutally harsh indeed.

Charcoal, cauldrons, and water were crucial. Li Xian once asked Madam how long it would take to cook the lowest grade of "Essence Meat" using firewood, water, and a pot.

Madam Wen scolded him for speaking nonsense and having whimsical thoughts. But then she thought again, at such an age, he was naturally curious about everything.

With nothing pressing at hand, she casually answered him. According to her understanding, it would take at least a month.

Maintaining constant firewood and water for a month, the iron pot would definitely burn out, requiring continuous pot replacements...

The iron pots used by commoners were adequate for cooking daily meals. But they couldn't withstand prolonged intense heat, breaking after just a few hours.

The human and material resources, and the expenditure of energy, could yield only a few strands of the Essence of Heaven and Earth after a month.

It filled one with despair at the thought.

But if using a martial artist's charcoal and large cauldron, it would take less than a day, even half a day. With even more advanced charcoal, it could be even faster.

As for the pots of "Crab Treasure" Li Xian personally managed and brewed, they couldn't even be considered Essence Meat. Such things were dismissed by martial artists and unusable for Clay Embryos.

Yet, through a mistake, Li Xian took a keen interest.

Each time the Essence Soup emerged from the cauldron, Madam would give Li Xian a piece of Essence Meat the size of a finger joint.

And three-tenths of the thick Essence Soup.

［Innate Washing Fetus Image］

[Skill Level: 26/81]

The impurities of the clay embryo are washed by the essence of heaven and earth. The "Hand Washing Technique" has reached perfection, and the "Washing Feet Technique" is more than halfway through.

The time for the consumption of food essence is just around the corner!

This "clay embryo" of Li Xian is showing more of its true qualities. His facial features haven't changed, but his demeanor is becoming more refined.

When Madam Wen observed this, she often praised him openly and began to pay more attention to Li Xian. Her extensive experience tells her that although essence-eating martial artists are unattainable for ordinary people...

For her, they are quite common. Having seen various essence-eating martial artists, she knows that not everyone who undergoes "Washing the Fetus" will show dramatic changes.

Some people... after washing away the impurities of the clay, realize that their true form is still flawed.

Li Xian, however, is gradually exuding an ethereal aura. His appearance remains unchanged, but he feels increasingly extraordinary to others.

Madam Wen speculates that once all his impurities are shed, his true form will certainly be exceptional. Perhaps... it could reveal a remarkable [Rebirth Appearance].

Recently, the essence soup of the madam seems to be predominantly "water attribute." It is either turtles or water demons like carp.

"Hmm?"

After consuming the essence treasure, Li Xian rubbed his eyes.

Suddenly, he felt a slight itch in his eyes, but that feeling quickly disappeared. He didn't pay much attention to it.

...

...

Today.

The madam intends to start the alchemy furnace!

The path of martial arts is profound and extensive... Cooking essence food, in the end, requires power and financial resources to throw money at. For a clay embryo like Li Xian, from an untrodden path, it's as difficult as reaching the sky. Even with hopeful eyes, one cannot expect even a pot of essence food.

But for the madam, resources, connections, power, and wealth are all abundant. She just has to wave her hand and can leave it to others below.

But "alchemy" is different.

The madam clearly places more importance on it, requiring investment of energy and time.

Madam Wen asked, "Have there been any thieves or prowlers near my Yunxiang Pavilion recently?"

"None, I have assigned people to patrol 24 hours, and I have added three more patrol routes, making it tighter than ever. Not even a mosquito can get in." Li Xian laughed with hands cupped in salutation.

Yunxiang Pavilion is a place for storing herbs. Located on the northeast side of the manor, some peculiar herbs require strict storage conditions, paying attention to feng shui principles.

Thus, this Yunxiang Pavilion is far from the madam's inner courtyard but is a focal point for Nursing Home patrols, guarded almost round the clock without pause.

"So young and full of exaggerations, can not even a mosquito get in?" Madam Wen sneered and then added, "During my alchemy, you need to be especially vigilant. If someone disturbs me while I'm alchemy-ing, I'll punish you with the paddle."

The fragrance filled the air as she proceeded into Yunxiang Pavilion.

Toward Pang Long, her tone was gentle. But with Li Xian, somehow, she spoke rather harshly.

Sometimes punishment and scolding just slipped off her tongue.

"Yes!" Li Xian nodded.

"Come with me," Madam Wen's voice returned.

"Me?"

Li Xian was taken aback, thinking, "Yunxiang Pavilion is a critical area within the manor, Commander Pang once told me even he cannot step in. He can only patrol outside. Why does the madam want me to follow?"

Puzzled, he still followed along. The madam walked ahead, while Li Xian stayed a step behind, following, with his nose catching the madam's delicate fragrance.

The inside of the building was pitch-black.

The madam took out a fire stick, blew on it gently, and firelight lit up. The firelight was yellow-white and exceptionally bright but could not illuminate the entirety of Yunxiang Pavilion.

The madam waved her sleeve, extinguishing the fire stick. Yet the flames separated into dozens of small fire threads, precisely falling on each oil lamp.

The entire Yunxiang Pavilion was instantly brightened.

"What a powerful technique!" Li Xian perceived some subtleties, sensing that the martial arts mastery involved here was profoundly unfathomable. He almost clapped in admiration, but held back, only cheering inwardly.

"Within this building are rare and precious herbs, my prized collection."

"Many have peculiar toxicity; do not touch recklessly."

Madam Wen reminded him as she proceeded to the second level of the building.

The storage of herbs needs to match their properties.

Some herbs cannot detach from the earth's breath and are thus stored on the first floor. Some cannot come into contact with the earth's breath and are therefore stored on the second floor.

The entire Yunxiang Pavilion is made of wood; however, it's constructed from "Golden Silk Jade Wood." This wood is smooth like jade, fragrant, insect-repelling, and cannot be ignited. It is a common material for building herbal vaults.

Walking amidst it feels like entering a hall of gold and jade.

Row upon row of medicine cabinets holds thousands of herbs. Li Xian, with two lifetimes of wisdom, was astonished by the scene, beyond words.

Suddenly, he heard a "croak" sound. Li Xian looked up to see a scarlet frog beast in a golden cage.

The appearance of the frog was odd, with twin wings and a cyan horn on its forehead. The croak was not loud, but it sent a shiver down the spine.

"This creature is the Enchanting Heart Frog."

Madam Wen said, "It is something I acquired years ago, passing through a village. The croak of this frog can enchant the mind. At that time, when I passed through the village, I discovered that the villagers communicated through frog croaks. I knew this creature was nearby, so I captured it."

"That wicked beast tried to enchant me with its voice as I came in, but just ignore it."

Li Xian thought, "There are such peculiar creatures in the world." He took a couple of more glances.

Madam Wen asked, "Aren't you afraid?"

Li Xian said, "No, I'm not."

Madam Wen nodded, "Good courage." She then gave Li Xian a look, continued walking, not intending to introduce all the numerous herbs in the pavilion.

Arriving at an area, she said, "Help me pick four kinds of herbs. The elixir recipe is here. Match the quantities accordingly."

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