"Renowned Lady Zhe Jian, you will have the privilege of staying in the upper rooms with a private suite. I trust no one has any objections?"

A young man descended the stairs. He wore a colorful robe, stunningly bright. A jade belt was fastened around his waist, adorned with a sachet, a jade pendant, and other items.

"Since Young Master Cai owns the Wangzhen Building, we naturally have no objections to his arrangements."

An elderly woman holding a sword kept her eyes closed. At this moment, she opened her eyes and glanced at Wen Caishang and Li Xian indifferently.

The young man's name was "Cai Qiuzhou." He came from a wealthy family, with businesses spread far and wide. Neither a Daoist of Yu Nan nor Longxiong, he was deeply passionate about business.

Cai Qiuzhou cupped his hands: "Wangzhen Building is a haven for heroes from all over the world. I, Cai Qiuzhou, merely invest money and effort, playing a small role and receiving a modest salary. There aren't many guest rooms, so how dare I make decisions arbitrarily? I must seek your opinions. Does anyone have any objections?"

Elder Hong Muya, wielder of the Heaven-Swallowing Toad Hand Di Bin, and the elderly lady with the sword, Su Yu... None of the heroes on the third floor had any objections.

Cai Qiuzhou smiled: "In that case, please feel free to enter. Congratulations, Lady Zhe Jian, on being the second guest to enter the rooms."

Wen Caishang smiled: "Dear heroes, I am grateful that you do not compete for the room with me, a woman facing many inconveniences. Cai Shang is truly thankful."

There was no gratitude in her words, for in the Jianghu, there is no such thing as yielding. It is simply that they dare not contest or cannot win.

The fourth floor was quiet, being the top of the building. Over twenty feet high, it offered a sweeping view of the small town.

The guest residence was entered, and the door latch was secured.

Serene and peaceful, the guest room was quite large.

Inside, there was a courtyard, artificial hills with flowing water, screens, and a bathing pool... It was like another world. Pushing open the window, the streets were crowded with heroes sitting on hard benches, enduring the scorching sun... The contrast in treatment was stark.

Li Xian thought: "The pursuit of Martial Arts by Martial Artists, the advancement of strength, seeks nothing more than this. With Lady Zhe Jian's formidable strength, she can always handle any situation with ease."

Unpacking her luggage, she sorted through money, clothes, and poisons, confirming everything was correct. Wen Caishang nodded slightly, pleased with Li Xian's meticulous handling of various matters along the way.

She removed her boots and sat cross-legged. She calmed her breath and cultivated inwardly, slowly halting the retreat of her miraculous skills. Li Xian moved lightly, careful not to disturb her. He observed the room's decor.

"Senior Li Bo Hou possesses vast knowledge. After spending two days with him, I can appreciate calligraphy, flowers, and porcelain."

Li Xian stopped in front of a gallery. In the painting, plum blossoms stood proud, uniquely expressing their essence. The blossoms were swaying, snowflakes adorning their petals. Upon first glance, it appeared extremely beautiful, lifelike, like a genuine masterpiece.

Unconsciously, he had observed it for a long time.

"Plum blossoms bloom in the snow. These flowers are rare, yet also not so rare. Do you know why this painting hangs here?" Wen Caishang walked over slowly.

Li Xian said: "Please instruct me, Mistress."

"I have not taught you the art of appreciating paintings," Wen Caishang chuckled softly, "You first share your own feelings. Let me see how much talent you have."

Li Xian pondered and said: "As I understand it, appreciating a painting is like appreciating a person. No matter how realistic the painting is, it can never surpass the real thing. As Lady Zhe Jing mentioned, plum blossoms are rare, yet not rare. If one seeks flowers in the dead of winter, one can often find them."

"So, if one wishes to see plum blossoms, one only needs to wait for winter. Isn't a painting of plum blossoms redundant? Well... it's not entirely redundant, as not everyone has the leisure to brave the bitter cold in search of flowers."

"But hanging here is redundant. Although Wangzhen Building is not tall, its standards are high. This painting must be precious. It might be Young Master Cai's private collection. Given such value, if it were only for realism, that would be unreasonable."

"I closely examined it earlier. I discovered that the plum blossoms in the painting are realistic, for one. The skillful part is that each stroke of the branches uses a different painting method. This one plum blossom embodies the artist's mastery of all painting schools."

"Therefore, those who appreciate this painting are not simply appreciating a painting. They are witnessing the artist's extraordinary skill. It is easy to be captivated and unable to turn away. Lady Zhe Jian... Am I right?"

In Yihetang Manor, there were galleries with ancient paintings. Many renowned paintings were there. Li Bo Hou taught how to appreciate paintings, explaining the styles of various artists. As the saying goes, laymen view paintings, experts view the brush.

Li Xian's understanding was superficial. At this point, he shared his thoughts based on what he had learned. Wen Caishang frowned slightly: "That is indeed one way to appreciate art. Who taught you this?"

"It was Li Bo Hou." Li Xian honestly replied, explaining his appreciation of paintings.

Wen Caishang snorted, saying: "Extend your hand."

"Mistress..." Li Xian was puzzled, but extended his hand nonetheless. Wen Caishang said lightly: "I had previously told you, never hide anything from me. How should I punish you for daring to hide something from me?"

Li Xian was taken aback and said: "Mistress, I truly did not hide anything." Wen Caishang said: "But you also didn't take the initiative to tell me."

Wen Caishang said: "That Li Bo Hou is a man of little affection or morality. What good is learning his way of appreciating art?" With a light sweep of her sleeve, a cut appeared on Li Xian's palm.

The injury was severe, containing traces of Inner Qi. Wen Caishang said: "You must quickly forget that third-rate knowledge of his."

Her voice softened as she said: "The true art of valuing paintings is exactly the opposite of what you said. According to you, wouldn't all paintings in the world become mere displays of technique?"

"Everything would be about whose painting skills are intricate and whose methods are complex. If one sees too many such paintings, does it remain interesting?"

Li Xian had an epiphany: "What Mistress said makes sense."

The sight of the sword mark stirred compassion within Wen Caishang. Earlier, she didn't know why she had been so angry. The sword strike, with Qi involved, caused much pain and might not heal for months. Seeing his flesh torn, she was no longer cold and indifferent with punishments or praises, and couldn't help but think:

"Why was I so irritated earlier? Ah yes... everything Li Xian has learned so far is taught by me. I'm afraid of him forming improper friendships, being led astray. This punishment was too severe, but he needed to be taught a lesson."

Wen Caishang said: "Therefore, appreciating painting skills is one thing. Appreciating charm and grace is another. This Snowy Plum Blossom painting was made by Master Gong. Two years after his wife's death, during winter, he drew it while remembering his wife."

"You mentioned that every branch was drawn using different techniques. That is true. But Master Gong's painting skill was profound, seamlessly integrating various art styles. He naturally painted it like this. That is the most superficial level of the painting."

"However, there are some self-righteous philistines who only know one and not the other. It is truly laughable."

Li Xian smiled awkwardly.

Wen Caishang said: "Though it's a painting of plum blossoms, it is essentially a painting of his wife. Look closely at the painting. A single plum blossom stands alone. But if you carefully savor its charm..."

Li Xian released himself from the shackles of technique and felt deeply. Suddenly, he sensed the whistling snowstorm, the gentle swaying of the plum blossoms... as if he were there, amidst the whistling snow, as if she were there. The swaying blossoms, as if she were there...

His love was so deep that everywhere bore traces of her presence. But just by looking at the painting, no signs were apparent. Li Xian thought: "Old Master Gong truly was a man of deep emotion and passion. Such profound love commands respect."

Unconsciously, he asked: "Mistress, how is Old Master Gong now?"

"I don't know either," Wen Caishang said.

"Thank you, Mistress, for your guidance. Otherwise, I would have regretted missing this painting immensely," Li Xian said.

"Naturally." Wen Caishang returned to her seat and said: "If you wish to learn how to appreciate objects and paintings, I can teach you. How can the shallow insights of Li Bo Hou compare to mine?"

Li Xian secretly thought: "I remember that in the past, Mistress praised Senior Li Bo Hou. The way women change their minds is truly quick."

The building was lively.

Heroes and guests gradually arrived and took their seats, bustling with energy. The heroes of Yu Nan Dao and Longxiong Dao were as vast as the sea and as numerous as a forest. How could a small place like Wangzhen Building accommodate them all?

The Grand Dragon Banquet, involving such significance. However, the news had not been widely spread, so claiming that heroes from both Dao attended the banquet was indeed an exaggeration.

Dragon Claw Town is like spring all year round.

Now it is mid to late January, still the end of winter. Dragon Claw Town is lush and green, with babbling streams and shimmering waters. The scenery is truly beautiful.

Young Master Cai knocked on the door and said, "Did I disturb the madam?"

Li Xian glanced at Wen Caishang, seeing her sitting cross-legged on the bed, focusing on her inner cultivation, and said, "No disturbance at all. Does Young Master Cai need something?"

Cai Qiuzhou said, "Dragon Claw Town, being off the beaten path in the mountains, lacks seafood and mountain delicacies, but it has its unique local cuisine. As the host here, I wish to invite the heroes to taste it. Dishes are now being served, and I wish to invite the madam to the private room for tasting."

Li Xian smiled and said, "Thank you, I will go and inform the madam to make a decision."

"Very well," said Cai Qiuzhou.

Wen Caishang also had a craving, so she went to the private room to enjoy the banquet along with the guests. Dragon Claw Town is rich in mountain mushrooms, which are delicious. One particular mushroom, called "Dragon Claw Mushroom," is shaped like a dragon's claw and contains a potent poison.

However, with special cooking methods, the poison can be neutralized. Its taste is delicious beyond words, no less than seafood and mountain delicacies. Interestingly, wild boars run rampant in the mountains.

The meat of these wild boars has a musty and fishy taste. Unless absolutely starving, it is hard to eat. Yet, when "Dragon Claw Mushroom" is stir-fried with "Wild Boar Whip," one is exquisite and sweet, the other is musty and pungent. Together, they create a unique gourmet dish.

Wen Caishang noticed Li Xian holding chopsticks with his left hand, knowing his right hand was injured. She said, "The Martial Artist's Recipe follows the same principle. Among people, there are one hundred and eighty items. The higher the rank, the rarer and more formidable they are."

"But consuming the top three can gain treasure techniques, yet they often prove useless. Therefore, the Martial Artist's Recipe should not blindly pursue high ranks. How to mix and match is of utmost importance, but this heavily depends on fate."

...

...

In this way.

Li Xian and Wen Caishang stayed at the guest residence.

The guest room was spacious, with enough space to practice martial arts freely.

Li Xian honed his martial skills, diligently refining the "Vast Leg." Skill level steadily accumulated.

[Vast Leg]

[Skill Level: 4895/20000 Perfection]

Every morning, dense fog arose in the mountain ravine. Li Xian practiced leg techniques, causing the mist to swirl around him. It was quite unique.

[Skill Level +1]

[Skill Level +1]

[You comprehended the magic essence of the Golden Scale Technique in the pool, Food Essence Realm skill level +2]

[Your martial arts mastery is profound, gathering arts from numerous heroes, feeling inspired, the digestion of the essence of heaven and earth speeds up.]

[Food Essence Realm, skill level +3]

...

Li Xian's body was filled with the essence of heaven and earth, stored without dispersing. He continued to refine his martial arts to speed up digestion whenever he had time, even while heading to banquets.

Broaden horizons, open-mindedness.

Internal universe.

It aligns with the essence of martial cultivation.

[Food Essence]

[Skill Level: 91/100]

Nine Transformations of Food Essence, with strangeness revealing itself. Li Xian's body exuded a fresh fragrance, his face as captivating as jade. He was over seventeen years old, not yet eighteen.

Graceful demeanor, immortal-like appearance.

A handsome young man, unparalleled in the mundane world.

Wen Caishang was quite satisfied, nodding silently.

Li Xian closed his eyes tightly, his Rebirth Appearance growing stronger. His pupils almost appeared as heavy pupils, which he suppressed, a red mole on his forehead glowed intensely.

The red glow illuminated his face, hair fluttering.

Both the Perfect Appearance and Heavy Pupil Appearance were exceptionally powerful. Li Xian felt the surge of strength, his whole body trembled, and his spinal column resonated with a "crack, crack" sound.

A high mountain seemed to rise behind him, colorful lights flowed—a gathering of celestial cranes, colorful deer, true dragons... a wondrous convergence.

Li Xian's manifestation far surpassed others!

Though born into poverty, by a stroke of fate, he caught the madam's attention and was nurtured. His foundational physique and realm were no less than anyone else's!

Wen Caishang glanced up, gazing for a moment, "Did not expect Little Immortal to establish such a foundation. This is certainly excellent, which is why I admire it. But this child's nature needs tempering. Before that, I must press him a bit. Such a fine raw piece, I need to sculpt it slowly."

Li Xian's strength advanced once again. He was nearing the end of the Food Essence Transcendence path. With a fortunate encounter, the Martial Arts Second Realm could be reached with ease; without one, it would just take months to a year.

"Now I... can already glimpse the landscape of Martial Arts Second Realm."

"Martial Arts Second Realm, Bone Shaping and Embryo."

"Martial Artists consuming the essence of heaven and earth transform physically over time."

"After Food Essence Realm, successive traits emerge. Ethereal Immortal Sound, I already know."

"But besides this, there are three other traits!"

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