Li Xian was leisurely strolling around the "Hundred Martial Tower," carefully selecting martial arts.

He initially had his eyes on an Entry Martial Art, the "Floating Willow Sword Technique," intending to buy it, but he was short of funds. With his current financial and influential status, it would take him several years of savings to even consider it.

After a final round of browsing,

he chose this "Iron Copper Body" technique.

This martial art lies between "Basic Martial Arts" and "Entry Martial Arts." Priced at two hundred taels, without anyone blocking his path, it was relatively affordable.

It is a martial art focused solely on defense, not offense.

It cultivates an iron body and copper skin to resist external blows. Li Xian found it novel, and moreover, defensive martial arts were indeed absent in his wife's arsenal.

So, he purchased this martial art.

Upon opening the cover of the book, it was written: "Iron and Copper Body Technique defends the body with Qi. When practiced to great success, the body becomes like iron, flesh like copper, fearless of swords and sabers."

"To practice this technique, one must accompany it with a medicinal bath. With nine practices and nine soaks, the true skill is revealed. The suffering and hardship involved are hard to describe. Those without firm will and determination may abandon the practice to avoid wasting time."

...

Li Xian briefly skimmed through it.

He pinched his chin, pondering:

"This martial art is indeed not weak. I've been practicing martial arts for a year, mastering six techniques: the Four Directions Fist, Clear Wind Leg, Daluo Saber, Jade Palm, Vertical Cloud Hand, and Setting Sun Blood Sword."

"The Setting Sun Blood Sword is the most formidable. Besides that, the Jade Palm follows, but this palm technique is incomplete. Although it is an Entry Palm Technique, it has fatal flaws. From this perspective... this Iron Copper Body technique is half a step better than the Jade Palm."

He immediately began a detailed review.

The book contains mostly text, supplemented by illustrations. While concise, due to the limited length, many sections are not thoroughly explained and are vaguely recorded.

Li Xian understood.

His wife once said that 99% of the world's martial arts can trace back to their origins, evolving gradually from other martial arts. The unclear records and illogical explanations often derive from upstream martial arts. They may be dregs or possibly the essence.

"Although heaven rewards diligence, and through sheer training, martial arts will progress."

"However, understanding the essence of martial arts is essential for fully unleashing their power. Each martial art should not be learned carelessly but examined carefully."

Li Xian thought.

The practice of this martial art is rather simple.

It centers around practice and soaking. "Practice" involves using special methods to constantly pummel the body, injuring the physique to cause blood to emerge from the skin.

Then immediately soak in a specific medicinal bath. The medicinal power permeates the flesh, fully absorbed.

As the skin becomes tougher, engaging in combat, the resistance to blows naturally strengthens.

The medicinal herbs for the bath aren't cheap. One soak costs about twenty taels of silver.

"With my current conditions, I can barely practice this technique."

"Resistance to blows is secondary."

"Currently, my Qi Lake is over fourteen zhang wide, just one step away from a qualitative change. Mastering another martial art can speed up the process and help me accumulate Inner Qi."

Li Xian purchased this martial art a few days ago. In the past few days, he has been collecting herbs, already acquiring a four-day supply.

Everything was ready, only awaiting the right timing.

Li Xian ordered the preparation of the medicinal liquid.

He then used special methods to pummel his physique in the courtyard. As he lifted his palm, spreading his five fingers, he forcefully slapped his chest.

This "Iron Copper Skill" seems to train the body and flesh, but in fact, it refines the "lungs."

The pounding method involves stamping the chest. Below the chest are the lungs, the cavity of which, under external force, resonates like a drum.

At this time, with five apertures closed, the resonating sound echoes inside the body. Transmitting from organs to blood, from blood to flesh, and from flesh to skin. Every part of the body is reverberated.

Whether the Iron Copper Skill, when practiced to great success, will truly make one's "body like iron" and "flesh like copper," immune to swords and sabers, is yet to be determined.

But having "iron lungs" is a certainty.

The strength of a Martial Artist lies not only in the power of martial arts but also in the benefits gained from honing the entire body while practicing martial arts.

Li Xian, after several strikes, without excessively exerting force, spat out blood with a "pfft" sound.

"Cough, cough."

Li Xian wiped his mouth, laughing to himself: "Better not pummel myself to death."

This martial art carries risks. The lungs are delicate organs; too much or too little force can severely damage the lungs, causing weak breathing, and if severe, lead to pulmonary hemorrhage causing other symptoms or sudden death.

［Your chest-pounding body training, Skill Level +1］

［Iron Copper Skill］

［Skill Level: 12/500 Beginner］

Li Xian continued pounding his chest. The shock vibrated through skin and flesh; with each strike, his entire body tingled. His skin gradually reddened, with blood seeping between skin and flesh.

When reaching his limit,

the medicinal herbs were boiled, and he soaked his entire body.

［You soak in the Resilient Body Medicinal Bath, Skill Level +25］

［You transform blood and moisturize the body, Skill Level +36］

"With the combination of the medicinal bath method, the speed of learning this martial art will be even faster!"

In the water tub,

Li Xian soaked in the medicinal bath, with medicinal power trickling into his body. The medicine also had a restorative effect, swiftly healing the injuries from his pounding.

Repeated pummeling and soaking. Li Xian possessed [Perfect Appearance] and [Heavy Pupil Appearance].

The Perfect Appearance inherently enhances recovery and healing powers. The [Heavy Pupil Appearance] is even more mysterious; when manifested, his strength increases as if out of thin air, like a tiger or dragon, becoming immensely powerful and physically durable.

The combination of these two.

For Li Xian, practicing this Iron Copper Skill seemed divinely assisted. While ordinary people would need to rest after one hundred or so strikes before continuing practice,

Li Xian felt no pressure, capable of striking three hundred times or even over four hundred.

The progress was naturally swift.

［Iron Copper Skill］

[Skill Level: 123/1000 Mastery]

With the aid of the medicated bathing method, mastery was achieved by the second day. The breath was long and drawn-out, and the qi condensed in an instant; the skin and flesh of the whole body trembled, as if covered in an invisible armor.

"My martial arts, although the grade is average, are becoming increasingly comprehensive!"

Li Xian was pleased with his progress.

...

...

Leopard Saber Sect.

The gate stood deserted, with a black coffin blocking the entrance, containing a hand and a foot inside, emitting a foul stench and surrounded by buzzing mosquitoes.

Once upon a time, this sect was glorious. A mighty dragon suppressing all, with no one daring to utter a word. Suppressing Qingning, its prestige was unmatched.

Though the mistress had passed, her remaining influence lingered. The black coffin barred the path of survival.

In the courtyard.

Xu Liefeng stood with sunken eye sockets, balanced on one leg, his right pant leg and sleeve empty. His left hand leaned on a great saber, his body battered yet fearsome, his thin beard fluttering.

"You are all my direct disciples. Now that calamity has befallen, why have you not escaped?" Xu Liefeng asked blandly.

Beneath him, more than ten disciples knelt on one knee.

"We, disciples, wish to live and die alongside Master!" Yang Tong declared loudly. The other disciples followed suit.

"Good, very good! You are all my good disciples, my years of nurturing not in vain!"

Sparks shone in Xu Liefeng's eyes, "If we get through this calamity, I'll teach you the true essence of the Leopard Saber Sect!"

The disciples' eyes shone bright at the words. Martial skills were hard to come by, especially for those from impoverished backgrounds.

Xu Liefeng said, "Although you have followed me for decades, I have never told you about my origins or the roots of the Leopard Saber Sect. At the moment of life and death, I see your loyalty. Today, it is time for you to know those roots."

"Today's matter is of great importance. If you hear it, there is no turning back. It involves ancestral secret martial arts, and you may have to change your surname to Xu. Are you willing?"

The disciples eagerly replied, "We are willing! We have no greater desire!"

"Good, then I will tell you." Xu Liefeng waved his left hand, the saber moving as fast as the wind, he swung it a few times, the wind raised by the saber blew the disciples sideways, showing its power.

He said, "You have practiced the Leopard Saber for many years and should know that this sword technique emphasizes speed and ferocity. It trains the spine and leopard tendons, making the body like a mysterious bow, swinging the saber like shooting an arrow."

"This Leopard Saber was created by the Xu family's ancestors. It was meant for Xu clan members to temper their spine and tendons. Once the spine is trained to be like a tiger or dragon, one can go on to learn the family's secret martial arts."

"Unfortunately, I have limited talent and have only glimpsed a corner of these secret arts. Your loyalty is already seen."

"That secret martial art is..."

Xu Liefeng paused, scanning his surroundings warily, and then said:

"The walls have ears... This way, for you ten, separate your residences in the coming days. Do not interact with each other. I will personally visit you at night to teach you a portion."

"After this calamity, you will compare and complete it together, thus receiving my true teaching."

The disciples excitedly said, "Thank you, Master."

And so it was. The disciples lived separately, the Leopard Saber Sect covering a large area, with houses far apart.

Each awaited eagerly in their room. Having served the master for years, it was all for the essence of martial arts. Disciples competed for favor, seeking his attention.

Xu Liefeng watched the backs of his disciples, his gaze deep and gloomy, a moment of reluctance flashed, replaced by ruthlessness.

That night.

"Master, you are here!"

The head disciple Liu Fu, sleepless, saw a shadow at the door. The shape was unmistakably his master.

Thinking it was time to learn the secret martial arts, he rushed to open the door. Xu Liefeng's expression was cold, lacking the daytime's satisfaction and harmony.

Xu Liefeng closed the door, grabbed his pulse with his right hand, shook his shoulder. The left sleeve wielded the golden saber, swiftly severing the disciple's head.

Blood should have gushed like a spring.

But Xu Liefeng's hand on the pulse had already solidified the blood in advance. The head rolled, and Xu Liefeng aimed at the severed neck, frantically sucking.

In truth...

The promise of teaching secret techniques was false, a deliberate ploy to keep his disciples voluntarily staying, available for him to use.

He had transformed into a ginseng-human, needing blood to sustain the Blood Ginseng within. These disciples secretly helped him capture innocent women, drinking their blood. But it was unsatisfactory, the common blood not enough.

And the direct disciples who had consumed [Essence Treasure], some even showing signs of Food Essence. Such precious blood was what he truly craved.

"Li Xian, you've killed my disciples; I will not rest until there is vengeance!" Xu Liefeng cried. As if blaming Li Xian for the murder of his disciples.

Drinking the disciple's blood, the Blood Ginseng within him glowed, seemingly extracting strands of Heaven and Earth's essence.

Xu Liefeng paused, staring at the disciple's remains, greed flashing in his eyes: "Good, good disciple, my nurturing truly was not wasted. In life, you consumed the most Essence Treasure. Unexpectedly, in death, you still give back like this."

At this moment, he was like a demon, not a man anymore, a ginseng-human, ironically becoming a demon, seeing people as feed.

"My good disciples... Let me slowly digest."

"I seem to glimpse the light of the Martial Arts Second Realm."

...

...

The sixth day of August.

The day was clear with no sign of heat. A gentle wind, very pleasant.

The Essence Food in the cauldron was finished.

"Your chest drums like thunder, and if my guess is right, you will soon grow Life Hair. Once the Life Hair emerges, it means you've completely stepped into the Martial Arts First Realm."

"I won't say much, just go and experience it yourself."

The lady glanced at Li Xian, lightly cutting with the jade-handled knife, dividing two palm-sized pieces of Essence Meat.

Li Xian distributed the remaining Essence Soup properly.

Returning to the Commander's Courtyard.

Drinking Essence Soup, eating Essence Meat.

This day... Surely stepping into the Martial Arts First Realm!

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