"Essence Food" between heaven and earth is precious, but powerful Martial Artists have their ways to obtain it. If willing to endure some grievances, hunting inferior, lesser, or low-level demons as food, the resources of Essence Meat will not be lacking.

Only when the pot is boiling water, it becomes slightly troublesome.

But...

The Treasure Box used to seal Essence Food is indeed valuable.

Once the Essence Meat is boiled, the Essence of Heaven and Earth will gradually dissipate. If not consumed promptly, it may eventually disappear completely.

It needs to be stored in a specially crafted secret box to remain for a long time.

Li Xian received the secret box.

Palm-sized, and very heavy in hand. The surface is carved and inlaid with jade, carrying a hint of fragrance mixed with Madam's lingering scent.

One glance shows it's extremely extraordinary. Inside the Essence Meat, was a gift from Zeng Taian of Fulai Manor.

For some reason, Madam didn't consume a bit. It's all sealed in the secret box, now entirely given to Li Xian.

"The Essence Treasure is hard to come by between heaven and earth. Madam is so generous; she must be in a good mood."

"Indeed... she just asked me to intervene in 'snatching food from the tiger's mouth'. Probably to make me hated and resented. Without her, I'd be quickly retaliated against."

Madam is shrewd. Li Xian is also shrewd, quickly deducing Madam's intentions. But after storing the "Na Box," he felt no resentment or anger.

The world is cruel. All Madam's decisions are calculated from her situation, and this is reasonable.

Even for himself, anything given deserves to be reciprocated, doesn't it?

Li Xian drove the carriage, traversing between heaven and earth, his mind clear, focusing on the countless opportunities around him, growing himself is the priority.

Several days have passed coming and going.

The return journey was peaceful, with intentional route changes avoiding the Yellow Dragon Army. Yet along the way, traces of rebel forces seemed evident.

Just no direct encounters.

...

...

Nighttime.

Li Xian and Madam Wen returned to the manor through the back door. The journey left Madam slightly tired.

Stepping off the Red Jade Horse Stool, she got off the carriage.

"Li Xian, you've done a great deal of hard work on this trip; go to the accountant tomorrow and collect ten taels as your reward."

Returning to her own manor, Madam Wen spoke to Li Xian.

"Madam."

Maid Qiuyue approached, bowing respectfully.

Madam Wen nodded lightly, then said to Li Xian, "Did you gain anything from this journey?"

Li Xian replied, "Thanks to Madam's guidance, I learned many Jianghu rules."

Madam Wen said, "Reading ten thousand books is also about traveling ten thousand miles. You've only seen the tip of the iceberg on this journey, cultivate well. Having embraced the Essence Food, washed away the clay embryo, and achieved some success. If there's a chance in the future, I'll take you to see a broader world."

Walking in front and behind, they seemed quite close. Throughout the journey, Madam Wen often observed Li Xian. In her eyes, Li Xian was already different from Pang Long and Qiuyue.

Qiuyue's face was unpleasant, took a few steps to catch up, saying, "Madam, if you're tired from the journey, would you like me to relax your muscles and tend your pulse?"

Madam Wen dismissively waved her hand, saying, "It's unnecessary." She turned to Li Xian and said, "Your Washing the Fetus yielded clear Qi overflow; it's a mark of true form, surprising me a bit."

Li Xian nodded, saying, "Thanks to Madam's nurturing, I have what I am today." Madam Wen raised her eyebrows slightly, thinking to herself, "Naturally."

Qiuyue added, "Madam, about your cultivation..." Madam Wen's pace slightly paused, "Since you mentioned, I should indeed cultivate. I'll do so after refining the pill."

Qiuyue finally inserted the words proudly, glancing sideways at Li Xian.

Li Xian ignored Qiuyue's intentions, having no interest in dealing with her. But deep down thought: "Qiuyue's talk of cultivation, could it be related to that..."

Madam Wen said, "I'll rest for three days, then enter the tower to refine pills. I see your Setting Sun Bloodsword seems steadily progressing. I'll guide you again the day after tomorrow. Once I start refining pills, can't be distracted, manor affairs, big or small, it's temporarily entrusted to you. If anything unexpected happens, I'll hold you accountable."

...

...

Returning to his own courtyard.

"Commander Li, heard that you were favored by Madam and went out with her?"

The group of Nursing Home members heard Li Xian return and came to the courtyard to greet him.

The crowd was chattering, quite envious. Madam is high above, none dared to discuss her openly. But inevitably, in their hearts, they speculated that Li Xian took on the role of commander early because his strength wasn't weak...

Yet more reason was likely due to his handsome appearance, earning Madam's appreciation. It's known to everyone that Madam praised Li Xian's looks.

"It's hardly favoritism, just accompanying her to run errands along the way." Li Xian stretched his body, his bones cracked loudly.

By now, it was late.

Li Xian dispersed the crowd, splashed himself with cold water, and focused on practicing martial arts.

Traveling with Madam broadened his horizons, but there were many trivial matters, making martial practice unsatisfactory.

"Madam also says martial arts are the foundation of everything; good martial arts lead to true strength!"

In the corner of the courtyard, stood a wooden sculpture.

The sculpture was covered with circles and dots, marking body acupuncture points. Li Xian stood over ten feet away, holding a stone, casting it towards the wooden figure.

["You shot a stone hitting an acupuncture point, Vertical Cloud Hand skill level +2"]

Practicing Vertical Cloud Hand.

This martial art, though basic, perfectly compensated for Li Xian's shortness. His Four Directions Fist, Clear Wind Leg were close-ranged martial arts. Jade Wave Palm had a slightly longer range; using full Inner Qi could hit a target one zhang away...

But it greatly consumed Inner Qi. With Li Xian's Qi Lake at five zhang, striking seven consecutive palms would lead to Qi exhaustion. If forcefully urged, making martial arts formidable, four palms would be the limit.

Though having archery for long-range, regardless of the skill precision, it requires going through the process of drawing, notching, and aiming, limited by the number of arrows.

Vertical Cloud Hand is different.

The ground was strewn with broken stones, and anything handy could be lethal. Using the skill of stone throwing to hit acupuncture points unexpectedly was quite effective.

[Vertical Cloud Hand]

[Skill Level: 997/1000 Mastery]

After practicing for a quarter of an hour.

[Vertical Cloud Hand] broke through its shackles and smoothly entered [Minor Achievement].

[Skill Level: 2/1500 Minor Achievement]

The Qi Lake slightly expanded, better than nothing.

"The amount of Inner Qi often determines a martial artist's endurance in battle. Even when physical strength is depleted, strong Inner Qi can still handle the enemy."

"Therefore... no martial arts are practiced in vain. They will all expand my Qi Lake, as it is said that water dropping day by day can break through rocks, and accumulated water forms an abyss."

"Quantitative change eventually leads to qualitative change, all rivers merge into the sea, that is the principle!"

Li Xian understood the growth of Inner Qi.

Calm and peaceful, harboring hope, down-to-earth, neither arrogant nor impatient.

"As for that Setting Sun Bloodsword... I think I don't necessarily need to hide it."

"This swordsmanship was imparted by Madam. Speaking of which, the attainment in this swordsmanship came from my own diligent practice, why bother hiding this or that? Madam at this time... should have the intention of cultivating me."

"I should also seize the opportunity to demonstrate, to gain more opportunities!"

Li Xian practiced both methods.

He practiced until late into the night.

Sweating profusely, his body felt like a furnace. If it were the middle of winter, it would be much more pleasant.

Luckily, beside the courtyard, there was a wide expanse of lake water.

When it got unbearably hot, he would climb over the courtyard wall and soak in the icy lake water. But it was summer, and the lakeside was full of snakes, insects, frogs, and beasts at night.

Even with martial arts skills, caution was necessary.

One must avoid being bitten by a poisonous snake.

...

...

Two days passed in a flash.

The skill level of [Setting Sun Bloodsword] had accumulated over [2368].

The body felt like a furnace.

Today the Sang Girl returned to the manor to report on the situation in the silk garden. The manor was filled with the sweet voices of maidens, making it much livelier.

In Yihetang Manor, being a [Sang Girl] was considered a good position. They were not servants but workers.

A Sang Girl could support a family of three, and every few days, they could eat a pot of meat.

The women passing by saw Li Xian full of Yang Qi. They all couldn't help but take a second look, blushing. Quite a few women's eyes rippled with emotions, feeling that this commander was both young and handsome.

When a man's Yang Qi is abundant, it naturally attracts the opposite sex.

If Li Xian were seen as a porcelain bottle,

it was already filled with Yang Qi, the heartbeat rapid, the blood surging quickly. Each part of his body seemed to possess the strength of bulls and tigers, but during this process, the Qi-Blood was gradually depleting.

Even with Blood Solidification and Aperture Closure, it would be difficult to completely stabilize the Qi-Blood.

Over time, the hair would turn white, and exhaustion would come early. Just like a vigorously burning log, dazzling and radiant while it burns.

But once diminished, it returns to dust, dispersing with the wind, leaving a sense of regret.

Li Xian hid in the shade, at this moment he dared not bask in the sun. After all the Sang Girls left and it was nearing evening,

he then entered the inner court to find Madam.

"Why are you only coming now?"

Madam's tone carried a hint of questioning. Today she had her long hair down, looking even more beautiful, less of dignity, more of a lazy charm.

Madam Wen was truly someone who valued her appearance. Or perhaps, there is not a beauty in the world who doesn't cherish her plumage.

She had said Zeng Taian neglected martial arts because of raising birds, which was not good. But when it came to dressing herself up, she was quite the same.

The Sang Girls were valued for two reasons. First: Sericulture was a pillar industry of Yihetang Manor, bringing considerable profit. Second: Any top-grade silk was first enjoyed by Madam.

It was made into exquisite silk clothing...

Yihetang Manor had agriculture, sericulture, horses, firewood, and many industries. Some industries even extended to the Prefecture City.

The most profitable and largest ones were the "Sericulture", "Wine Industry", and rouge.

Li Xian found an excuse to brush it off. After exchanging a couple of words, Madam went straight to the point.

"Have there been any mishaps in your martial practice lately?" Madam Wen asked.

Feigning embarrassment, Li Xian said, "My Lady, under your guidance last time, my swordsmanship has indeed improved a lot. Yet... as I practice, I can't help but feel a heat in my body, and I can't figure out why. Could it be... my talent is too poor?"

"Whenever I think of this, I feel very ashamed, feeling I failed your cultivation," he added.

Madam Wen thought to herself, "If you didn't feel the heat in your body, then that would truly be failing my cultivation." Her beautiful eyes surveyed him, revealing surprise: "This young man, without guidance, can make steady progress in practicing superior martial arts, which truly surprises me."

"If it were other martial arts, I wouldn't mind giving guidance. Only this Yin Yang Immortal Companions Sword, I've cultivated the Cultivation of Yin Chapter, but I can't practice the Cultivation of Yang Chapter. I know very little about the Yang Chapter. Additionally, the cultivation for men and women in this method differs, so my guidance may not be entirely correct."

"As long as he makes progress, I will watch closely. Let's see what he can achieve, and how his comprehension is."

This superior martial art was created by the Yin Yang Immortal Companions. Once you begin, it is hard to stop. Because of the day-night cycle, the yin-yang alternation, requires constant harmonization.

Madam Wen had once forcibly practiced the Yin Sword, relying on her talent, reaching the third layer. Hence, she suffered greatly from the cold Yin Qi injuring her body, suppressing it with difficulty.

However, in her heart, she was always coveting this swordsmanship.

"Your blockhead does seem incapable of understanding."

"Oh well, since that's the case, I'll guide you once more."

Madam Wen gathered her hair and fixed it with a silver hairpin. With a flick of her toe, a longsword flew into Li Xian's hand.

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