Li Xian stood up abruptly, sensing his own state.

His blood surged like a fountain, energy was abundant, but the feeling of "Blood Solidification" had faded.

"Is this Blood Solidification? I touched upon it inadvertently."

He recalled the details of just a moment ago.

He had practiced martial arts all day, and his Martial Arts senses were flourishing. At this time, he ate tiger meat in large bites, drank tiger soup, digested the flesh and blood, and stimulated his Qi-Blood.

When the two collided, there was a momentary feeling of "Blood Slowing."

"Martial Arts Mastery and dietary supplementation."

"This is the effective method for Blood Solidification and Aperture Closure!"

"Only when both reach a certain level can one vaguely sense it."

Li Xian pondered deeply.

The Four Directions Fist had reached Perfection, and during practice, his intent flowed throughout his body, the state was so profound. Immersed in the ocean of mastery, he was relentless in his pursuit.

At this moment, when the Qi-Blood surged again...

"Previously, I couldn't sense 'Blood Solidification' because my Martial Arts mastery and accumulation were slightly insufficient, or perhaps my dietary supplementation was not timely or potent enough."

...

...

Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

In the wooden house at the west of the village.

Li Xian focused on his dantian, his breathing long and sustained, with snow accumulating over him. He suddenly opened his eyes, and a warm stream spread out from his pores, melting the snow and soaking him completely.

The tiger bones lay exposed in the courtyard.

A large mountain tiger had been mostly eaten.

Tiger soup in the pot was steaming hot.

Li Xian had just finished eating not long ago.

During this period, he progressed steadily, and his improvement was evident. He rose at the crack of dawn to practice, training until noon, when the essence of Martial Arts was dense, he would stew tiger soup to eat.

He took a simple rest afterward.

In the afternoon, he switched to practicing the Clear Wind Leg until the sky darkened.

After each martial arts practice, he would immediately eat tiger meat.

[The Four Directions Fist] skill level increased by [1156], total skill level was [1576/10000 Perfection].

The Clear Wind Leg skill level increased by [1263], total skill was [1608/5000 Great Success].

The progress was remarkable.

During this time, he experienced the feeling of "Blood Slowing" four times, all after eating tiger meat.

Li Xian tried to extend this sensation.

Using Qi Circulation, he controlled it with his intent.

Gradually he grasped the knack, and during the fourth "Blood Slowing," he maintained it for a full quarter of an hour. Sitting still, the snow accumulated around him.

But after the "Blood Slowing" dissipated, the Yang Qi and heat wave trapped inside him instantly leaked out through his pores, melting the snow and soaking his clothes.

"If it continues like this, I can truly grasp the technique of 'Blood Solidification and Aperture Closure.'

Li Xian felt the changes in his body.

"Qi Circulation" is about locking Qi-Blood, extending the martial arts lifespan.

"Blood Solidification and Aperture Closure" is a step further, sensing subtle changes in oneself. When blood slows, strength stabilizes; when strength stabilizes, the body sinks; when the body sinks, the Qi is soft.

How do martial artists engage in battle, remaining full of energy, and some can even fight for days without resting?

The mystery lies perhaps above "Blood Solidification and Aperture Closure."

But the greatest utility of "Blood Solidification and Aperture Closure" is "Absorption." Locking the consumed matter within the body to absorb as much as possible.

Like holding water in the palm, the fingers desperately closing in.

"Blood Solidification and Aperture Closure," supplemented by the skill "Consumption," brought Li Xian great benefits on the "eating" front.

"Although Blood Solidification and Aperture Closure aids in digesting 'Essence Food,' it also serves a notable role in martial arts combat."

Though Li Xian was unable to solidify blood and close apertures at will, he felt his breath lengthened, and his physical strength improved considerably.

"It's a pity the tiger meat is finished; only some scraps remain, which I have other uses for."

The tiger bones lay bare, the once ferocious tiger that preyed on people was eventually consumed by people.

Li Xian utilized everything, storing the tiger skin and paws in the house.

He took a cloth bag and stripped all the scraps of meat from the tiger into the bag. Then he strapped on his bow and arrows and headed along the path into the mountains.

Going deeper into the forest.

This place was rich in trees, with broadleaf trees and pine needle trees, even in the deep winter, they remained lush, the green forest forming a verdant ridge.

"If I could hunt another fierce tiger, the food for the following days would be settled!"

About a mile or two into the mountains, the pathway suddenly ended, leaving no road ahead.

Li Xian moved deeper to the right, taking out a narrow blade to chop away obstructing branches. He chuckled to himself, wondering if he was not cutting off one's nose to spite his face.

Along the way, he left markings, tying bright red coarse cloth on the branches.

"There are tiger paw prints."

He quickly discovered the traces of a tiger beast.

Li Xian found a nearby spot, using tiger meat as bait. He hid in a tree, waiting in ambush.

This place was teeming with wild beasts.

Dominating the wilderness year-round, they showed no fear of humans. The scent of meat wafted into the air, soon attracting a snow leopard.

"Although it's not a tiger, it's still not bad!"

Li Xian drew his bow fully, releasing a precise shot.

The snow leopard, struck by the arrow, naturally fled but did not travel far before collapsing on its side, its breath weakening.

With a thrust of his narrow blade through its heart, he ended its life.

"Pity I don't have a Shrinking Flesh Bag."

Li Xian scooped up snow from the ground, stuffing it into the snow leopard's heart and arrow wounds to prevent blood from spilling.

He then hoisted it up with force, carrying it back home.

"After eating tiger meat, I'll eat leopard meat now."

"This life..."

"Truly can't be complained about."

Li Xian was in high spirits, heading to the creek to fetch cold water. Skinning it skillfully, he gutted it.

While cutting open the leopard's body, he found a golden tendon at the spine.

"Leopard Tendon!"

Li Xian was elated.

This leopard tendon was not simply any tendon; any creature in the mountains and forests had tough tendons. Tigers had tiger tendons, bears had bear tendons. Tiger tendons were thick and tight, bear tendons thick and long, leopard tendons slim and tough.

This tendon was "golden," known as the "Golden Leopard Tendon," it was rare and only one in a hundred! It was extremely elastic, resisting cutting by a blade and damage by fire. Even selling it to a martial artist would fetch a handsome price.

"I can refine it through fire to make a rope."

The more tools you have while roaming the countryside, the better!"

Li Xian straightened the leopard tendon, laying it flat on the ground. It was three zhang long. The leopard's body was only 1.2 zhang, already large, but the tendon was even longer.

"This leopard is indeed a prodigy among leopards."

Too bad it met its end at my hands."

Li Xian realized, seeing the leopard's golden color and the peculiar patterns on its head, that when wild beasts claimed dominance in the mountains, they gradually showed unusual features.

This golden leopard...

was at least "a local lord."

"A portion for grilling, a portion for soup."

Preparing the leopard meat, Li Xian started a fire to boil water, keeping himself busy and content.

As it sizzled with oil glistening.

He added some wild vegetables, taking a bite, and the taste was indescribable. Li Xian's eyes flashed; he had hunted many leopards following his father in the past. But as for actually eating leopard meat, this was the first time.

"Leopard meat has a texture that is soft on the outside, firm inside."

"It's all lean meat, a bit dry, but the texture is not as gamey, better tasting than tiger beast meat by far."

Li Xian commented to himself.

He sent another piece of meat into his mouth.

[Grill Golden Leopard, the skill of Consumption, skill level +5]

[Skill: Consumption]

[Skill Level: 456/1000 Mastery]

...

...

In this manner, Li Xian did his utmost to perfect both his eating and training.

The forest yielded plenty of beasts, and every time he finished eating, he didn't need to venture far into the forest before successfully hunting tigers, leopards, and deer.

Before he knew it, it was mid-December.

In the courtyard, there were three piles of animal skins, neatly arranged with tiger, leopard, and deer skins.

But he had not yet hunted a large bear, which was somewhat regrettable.

The Four Directions Fist grew increasingly robust, and the Clear Wind Leg was approaching a breakthrough, about to reach "Perfection."

Li Xian stood firm in the snow.

His internal blood slowed as if solidified...

The stage of "Blood Solidification" in "Blood Solidification and Aperture Closure," arrived as expected, naturally and smoothly.

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