Li Xian learned about the five bandit leaders from Uncle Fu and couldn't help but furrow his brows, contemplating the current situation.

The most troublesome was none other than the first leader, Ma Daozi. This man had already entered the "Essence-Eating" stage, and it was heard that he had recently consumed Essence Food, elevating his power significantly. Should he attack, Black River Village would find it difficult to withstand.

Although Li Xian had made progress lately, if he were to confront him head-on, the odds might not be in his favor.

Next came the second, fifth, and fourth leaders... each one more ferocious than the last.

"For now, the only course is to adapt to circumstances. Essence-Eating Martial Artists are indeed formidable, but with strategic use of terrain and preemptive planning... it might still be possible to kill them!"

Li Xian was by no means arrogant. He had fought against the "Pot Immortal" and knew well the horror of martial artists at that level. Yet, precisely because of this, he had some insight and dared to make predictions.

The Pot Immortal, despite being formidable, was trapped in an array, unable to move. Ultimately, it was by using the "Chest Drum Thunder Sound" to frighten a nursing home guard that he managed to escape.

This shows...

Even Essence-Eating Martial Artists are not all-powerful.

He had few options left; whether it was a human, ghost, god, or Buddha, he had to face them. Before that, all he could do was train diligently and prepare plans!

As calamity approached, Li Xian remained calm.

For ease of command over the villagers, he moved into the village from the west side. Uncle Fu vacated a room for Li Xian to live in alone, known as the "Coordination Tent."

It came with an independent fenced courtyard.

The night was dark.

In the courtyard.

[Skill Level +1]

[Four Directions Fist]

[Skill Level: 7819/10000 Perfection]

While practicing his fist technique, Li Xian calmed his mind. Now, with Black River Village united, the morale of the army rested entirely on him. If he showed signs of panic, the unity would crumble instantly.

On the contrary...

The more composed Li Xian was, the more unified the villagers were.

"Haven't they attacked yet?"

Li Xian had excellent hearing; if there were horses' hoofbeats, the quiet night would allow him to hear them from miles away.

"Strange."

"Normally, that Mountain Wind Stronghold should have attacked by now. Why haven't they made their move?"

"Could it be..."

Li Xian wondered if an unintended consequence had occurred. By carving the words "Black Water Gang" on the arrows, had he inadvertently drawn trouble away?

"That's it!"

"That fourth leader Niu Liang, I've seen him once. He's all brawn and no brains."

"I heard from Peng Fox that Ma Daozi, Hong Kai, and the fifth leader Lu Fengxue are at the 'Mountain Wind Pass' cooking Essence Food, not at Mountain Wind Stronghold. So, it's the fourth leader Niu Liang in charge now!"

Thinking of this, Li Xian was delighted, sensing a strong possibility.

Thus, he remained vigilant throughout the night. The next morning, he went out to investigate and indeed heard that the previous night, there was a skirmish between Mountain Wind Stronghold and the Black Water Gang.

As it turns out.

Both leaders of Mountain Wind Stronghold and Black Water Gang had their own matters to attend to. Ma Daozi had to guard the cooking of Essence Food, and Zheng Xuezhang was going through closed-door training for healing.

These issues weren't trivial, but not too significant to reach their ears either.

However, for Li Xian and Black River Village, it was good news with ample time.

The plan proceeded as usual.

Slaughter horses for money, acquire iron nets and iron pots, teach the Farmer's Anti-bandit Array, unite people's hearts...

Li Xian spent a day personally organizing the details, ensuring everything was accounted for, gradually progressing.

Though there were obstacles, things generally went smoothly. Black River Village got on track, and the Farmer's Anti-bandit Array was gaining familiarity.

Li Xian personally entered the array, acting as an enemy while training with the farmers.

Tangled in fishing nets, feeling restricted, he realized the difficulty. Often, it was by adaptability and understanding of the array's weaknesses that he barely escaped.

Another day passed.

More villagers mastered the Farmer's Anti-bandit Array, and the village possessed significant combat strength. Surrounding traps and sentry points became increasingly covert and complete.

"The truth will come to light sooner or later."

"Luckily, Niu Liang's stupidity gave me time to prepare."

That evening.

The villagers gathered, preparing meals. Now the village shared communal meals, with extra iron pots serving as iron shields.

Their household machetes and sickles were tied to wooden poles, making simple spears and long knives.

It could be said they were sharpening their knives.

Once blood is stirred, it won't calm without a real fight.

"Everyone, if the bandits come, let them taste our might!"

Li Xian declared.

"Uncle Li, we'll follow your lead! We're ready to make the first charge for you!"

The villagers, holding bowls of hot porridge, shouted in unison.

...

...

After eating and drinking, the night deepened. The villagers persisted in their rigorous training.

In the courtyard.

[You consumed bear meat, skill consumption, skill level +8]

Seated cross-legged, Li Xian had just finished a pot of bear bone soup. It transformed into strands of heat, coursing through his body.

His hair stood and relaxed, his pores opened and closed. As his pores opened, heat exuded; as they closed, the heat gathered within.

"My Blood Solidification and Aperture Closure is becoming increasingly proficient!"

With focused intent, Li Xian allowed his qi to flow throughout, driving the blood solidification, and extending from blood solidification to aperture closure.

Though he couldn't instantly solidify his blood and close his pores at a thought, compared to a few days ago, his progress was significant.

"The amount of inner qi determines a martial artist's combat strength."

Recalling his battle with Peng Fox, Li Xian identified two keys to victory: slightly stronger inner qi and slightly superior martial arts quality.

When martial artists perform techniques, they need the full cooperation of their qi to have substantial killing power. The greater the qi movement, the more challenging the martial arts technique.

The accumulation of qi accompanies a martial artist for life.

"Commander Pang once told me, even he hasn't practiced a single martial art to its peak."

"Basic martial arts... Once reaching great success, it's hard to advance further."

"It's not due to poor martial arts talent, but because basic martial arts are creations born of a martial artist's fleeting inspiration. Even the creators may not have mastery."

"Although improved and refined by others over time, no one has ever invested the effort to perfect basic martial arts."

Li Xian, endowed with the belief that Heaven rewards diligence, was limited in the number of martial arts he could practice.

The fastest way to boost his strength was to delve deeply into martial arts, forcing basic martial arts to achieve perfection, or even peak status.

With powerful enemies looming, uncertain when they might strike.

After replenishing his energy with food and drink, Li Xian immediately resumed practicing the "Four Directions Fist."

[Your heart is like a mountain, Four Directions Fist skill level +4]

[Your fists are like stones, Four Directions Fist skill level +3]

[Skill Level: 8679/10000 Perfection]

The Body Lake rippled, strength improving bit by bit.

Li Xian longed to see that "Peak" realm.

Then...

He suddenly felt a slight ground tremor, instinctively pressed his ear to the ground, and faintly heard horse hoofbeats.

At a sentry point at the east entrance of the village.

A sharp whistle sounded loud and clear.

In a flash, the whole village was alert, everyone tense yet fearful, angry yet excited.

They knew clearly the mountain bandits from Mountain Wind Stronghold were descending for revenge.

But this time, who wins and who loses remains uncertain!

...

...

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