The incident of Wang Wu's severed arm quickly spread in the Martial Captain Hall.

To avoid further trouble from Xu Liefeng, and to prevent other constables from getting hurt, Li Xian simply closed the Martial Captain Hall and gave the constables four days off.

He then rode back to Yihetang Manor to request an audience with Madam Wen.

"The madam is in seclusion; you should go back," Qiuyue blocked the entrance, arms crossed, looking down her nose with an intentionally haughty demeanor.

Li Xian pushed past her and walked straight into the inner courtyard. Qiuyue stomped her foot in anger, "Bastard, do you dare to force your way in!"

Li Xian said, "I am utterly loyal to Madam Wen. Since she is in seclusion, I'll just wait at the foot of the tower until she comes out. How is this forcing my way in?"

"You!" Qiuyue clenched her fists, filled with unspeakable resentment. She reminisced about Pang Long. That Pang Long was honest and diligent, and never threatened her position.

Now, this Li Xian, already distinguished outside, is also favored by the madam, quite close to her. They are often seen practicing swordplay in the courtyard, a striking pair indeed.

Additionally, Qiuyue had a gut feeling that Madam Wen seemed different, though she couldn't pinpoint exactly how and dared not speak of it.

Out of jealousy, she despised Li Xian. She used her "honor" of assisting in the madam's seclusion to frequently whisper criticisms: "Madam, that Li Xian is young, and his intentions seem unclear—he might harbor ulterior motives."

"Besides, Madam, you are as beautiful as an immortal, and this young man is full of vigor. He must be entertaining sordid thoughts in secret. It might be better to demote him, lest such an underling becomes an eyesore."

She said many similar things.

The madam only replied calmly, "I have confidence in my own judgment. You should say no more."

Qiuyue was indeed like a reckless novice showing off before an expert, making a fool of herself. How could she compare to the madam in terms of scheming and strategic calculation?

Those petty thoughts were easily seen through by the madam. But since she needed Qiuyue, she didn't pursue the matter further.

In contrast, Li Xian often faced punishment and was frequently injured after seeking an audience with the madam.

Li Xian waited aimlessly for half a day.

At night.

The moonlight was like gauze, and the madam descended from the tower with lotus steps. Qiuyue held an incense burner, following behind. In the madam's presence, she dared not act arrogantly.

The madam saw Li Xian and turned to say, "Qiuyue, go and prepare the materials for the medicated bath for me."

Qiuyue curtsied and handed the incense burner to the madam, replying, "Yes," before leaving. As she turned a corner, she glanced back slightly to see that the madam was walking shoulder-to-shoulder with Li Xian.

She couldn't help but feel even more jealous.

Observing Li Xian, now tall and robust, she recalled how he was once scrawny and small when he first arrived at the manor. Now, he was energetic, tall, and handsome.

He was even half a head taller than the madam.

Li Xian was neat and refreshing, while the madam was graceful and elegant. Seeing them strolling by the lake, despite the vast difference in their statuses, there was no discord.

Qiuyue suddenly thought, "Though I'm the madam's personal maid, I've always felt disconnected from her. There's an invisible barrier that I can't break through, no matter how hard I try to curry her favor. Yet, this man can easily cross it? How is that possible?"

While contemplating, she dared not delay the madam's tasks and quickly went to gather the herbs to prepare the medicated bath.

Li Xian accepted the incense burner and walked with it in his arms. Inside, it burned with an exotic fragrance, pleasant to the senses and relaxing to the mind, but carrying it exposed him to the heat.

Madam Wen walked leisurely, her hands folded in front of her abdomen. Today, she wore a light green gown with wide sleeves that draped down to her knees.

Li Xian, having lived two lifetimes, had a combined experience of over twenty years, yet his knowledge wasn't extensive. He hadn't seen many women, but he knew that few could match the madam's grace and poise.

Madam Wen said, "Speak your mind directly."

Li Xian said, "Madam, I came here because of the matter with Xu Liefeng."

"Xu Liefeng?" Madam Wen pondered briefly, "You mean that member of the Xu family?"

"I instructed you to kill him. If you can't, it's a matter of your capability," she said calmly. "I won't assist you; on the contrary... I have taught you many times, yet you can't even deal with a Xu family member, so I should punish you."

"I'm not seeking help from the madam," Li Xian said.

Madam Wen nodded.

The lake was broad. It was created by Madam Wen, and whenever she felt weary or bored during her seclusion, she would gaze at the lake to pass the time.

The arrangements of fish, cranes, trees, and willows on the lake possessed an endless charm that was never tiresome to observe.

They reached a willow tree.

Madam Wen sat on a stone bench, arranged her sleeves neatly, and asked, "Then what is it about?"

"Madam, I just have a few questions," Li Xian said.

"Speak," Madam Wen said.

[Cloud Rubbing Eight Techniques]

[Skill Level: 198/1000 Mastery]

Li Xian placed the incense burner on the ground, helping the madam massage her shoulders as he spoke, "Today, I encountered Xu Liefeng and exchanged a move or two with him."

"But what truly puzzled me was that before engaging with Xu Liefeng, I kept hearing a strange noise. It sounded like a wind chime, but it wasn't. It was quite peculiar, and the sound made me feel rather agitated."

"I seek the madam's guidance."

Madam Wen let out a soft "Oh" and said, "Could Xu Liefeng have possibly touched upon the Martial Arts Second Realm?"

"The sound you described is called the 'Ethereal Immortal Sound,' a characteristic of the Martial Arts Second Realm."

"As they say, 'The immortal sound is not for mortal ears.' This sound can only be heard by martial artists who have reached the Food Essence Realm and has effects even on normal individuals."

Li Xian said gravely, "So it's true!"

Madam Wen thought, "If Xu Liefeng has indeed approached the Martial Arts Second Realm, then he is beyond Li Xian's abilities. In the path of martial arts, setbacks are inevitable. Let him suffer a setback now. When the time comes, I'll save him and then punish him harshly."

In an instant, she had made up her mind.

But she was also curious, knowing that Li Xian was intelligent and resourceful, and wondered if there might be a surprising outcome?

She originally had no interest in the match at all; Xu Liefeng was crippled and had lost eighty percent of his martial arts. With Li Xian having reached the Food Essence Realm, capturing him should have been easy. She knew this arrangement was reasonable. However, given the unexpected turn of events, her interest was piqued.

"Madam, I understand," Li Xian said, his gaze firm, secretly planning a strategy.

Madam Wen said calmly, "Are you confident now?"

"That's not the case," Li Xian shook his head and said, "But since Madam has instructed me, I will try it even if it means risking my life."

Madam Wen's lips curled slightly, seemingly pleased with this response, "Since you have no confidence, I will give you a one-word hint. You can ponder over it yourself."

"Please tell me, Madam," Li Xian said joyfully.

"Water." With a pinch of her fingers, Madam Wen picked up a stone and tossed it into the lake, watching it plunge into the water with a splash.

"In the path of martial arts, one may grow stronger and stronger. But sometimes, precisely because of becoming stronger, certain flaws may appear."

"That's all I will say. If you cannot kill him, I will punish you."

As she spoke the last words, Madam Wen's voice grew colder, her finger pointing at the center of Li Xian's forehead. This gesture seemed affectionate, yet it hid admonition and threat.

After Li Xian departed, Madam Wen watched his back with an intrigued expression.

This situation... how will he handle it?

...

...

After leaving the inner courtyard, Li Xian pondered Madam's hint.

He thought, "Is Madam's hint deep in meaning, or is it merely superficial? Madam mentioned 'water' and said martial artists might have flaws. Could it mean... that Second Realm martial artists are afraid of water?"

Recalling the details, Li Xian's eyes brightened, "Madam threw a stone into the lake, and it sank. Is she suggesting... Second Realm martial artists can't swim?"

Still, he remained uncertain.

Even ordinary clay embryos, many are skilled swimmers. Martial artists explore the principles of heaven and earth, their bodies extraordinary, how could they not swim?

"Perhaps... precisely because of being strong in some aspects, they fear excess water. Regardless of whether this guess is right or wrong, I might as well give it a try."

"I have the Jade Water Pearl, which grants me an advantage in water."

Li Xian already had a plan, and no time was to be wasted. That night, he requested paper and pen, employing the Four Directions Fist Intent to write a battle letter.

His penmanship was forceful yet steady.

The battle letter stated that in four days, he would duel Xu Liefeng by Qingning Lake, to determine victory or death.

The next day.

Li Xian arrived at the front of the Leopard Saber Sect, shouting, "Xu Liefeng, come out quickly!"

Before long, Xu Liefeng appeared in a black robe, a sinister smile on his face, "Boy, there's still some time until the one-month deadline. Are you here to court death?"

Li Xian replied loudly, "For a duel, there must be a battle letter. Take this letter and keep it well, four days later, experts from all over Qingning County will come to Qingning Lake to watch the battle!"

He tossed the envelope. Secretly channeling his Inner Qi, the letter sliced through the air like a knife. Xu Liefeng flicked his sleeve, catching the letter in his hand, opened it, and said coldly, "Good... hahaha, excellent, excellent, just four days."

"My lady has issued an order, considering the relationship with your Xu family's ancestors, four days later, if you defeat me, you may kill me without any repercussions from my lady," Li Xian declared loudly.

"Really?" Xu Liefeng asked excitedly, "Did Madam truly say so!?"

Li Xian sneered, "Do you think I would dare falsify Madam's promise?"

"Yes, yes, even if you had ten guts, you wouldn't dare!" Xu Liefeng bowed toward the direction of Yihetang Manor, "Thank you, Madam, for your grace, thank you, Madam, for your grace!"

Then he looked at Li Xian and sneered, "Boy, enjoy your last days! Hahaha."

He closed the gate.

"Master, is the day of the duel near?" The fourth disciple, Yang Tong, whose room was near the entrance, heard the commotion and opened his window to ask.

Xu Liefeng smiled, "Yes, my good disciple, your master doesn't have to die."

"Madam has promised to spare us."

"Master!" Yang Tong was excited, thinking this was a blessing in disguise, allowing him to learn the master's true teachings!

"Good disciple, tonight I will pass down the true martial arts teachings to you, stay in your room, and don't go out," Xu Liefeng said with a smile.

"Yes!"

Yang Tong was overjoyed, sitting upright in his room, eagerly waiting for night to come, to glimpse the true martial arts teachings. Four days later, he would compare notes with his senior brothers!

"That boy Li Xian has grown in strength rapidly, when I first met him, even a single palm faced difficulty. Yesterday, in sparring with him, his force was immense, not to be underestimated!"

"Yang Tong, that boy, has saved my life, albeit small. Keeping him until now, I have been more than generous. Tonight, I will drink his blood, go into seclusion to practice the martial arts..."

"In four days, I'll behead Li Xian and then go to Madam to atone. Thus, grievances will be settled, and I... can pursue further ambitions!"

Xu Liefeng calculated in his mind.

At night...

He followed his plan, knocked on Yang Tong's door, and with ruthless hands, personally severed his disciple's head, drinking his blood to nourish the Blood Ginseng within himself.

Filaments of the essence of heaven and earth moistened him.

He digested it.

Immediately entered meditation on the spot, practicing the "Blood Luo Technique." This was a middle-level martial art obtained from the Blood Wing Demon Sect, along with the Blood Mushroom Ginseng.

Seeing this evil technique was bizarre, he had never dared to practice it recklessly.

Having been pushed to the brink, with burst blood vessels, he had no choice but to survive on Blood Mushroom Ginseng. Then, thinking of this martial art, he found it quite compatible with his current self.

So he began practicing.

The progress was rapid daily.

He was eagerly looking forward to the duel in four days, wholeheartedly aiming to enhance his strength swiftly, so by then, all would be foolproof.

However, unbeknownst to him, Li Xian had already sneaked into the Leopard Saber Sect at this very moment.

All the actions during the day, "the four-day agreement" "Madam's pardon" speech, sending the battle letter... were all deliberate deception.

It was all to make Xu Liefeng focus on preparing for the battle in four days.

Li Xian, by going against the norm, would launch a surprise attack tonight, seizing the initiative!

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