In the depths of the dense forest, the sound of thunder reverberated as a dangerous duel began. Lu Xuefeng used both hands and feet, sprinting rapidly along the ground, adopting a "Tiger and Leopard" aspect.

In just a few breaths, he reached his enemy, turned around, and swung out a whip-like kick. This move derived from no martial arts, purely the manifestation of power and speed.

Li Xian parried with both arms, then swept downward, deflecting seventy percent of the force. But the remaining thirty percent still shook him into continuous retreat.

Lu Xuefeng followed closely, killing with swift ferocity, the offensive like raindrops. In the gaps between retreats, Li Xian calmly responded, executing Four Directions Fist with the speed of the wind, neutralizing the attack while seeking counterattack opportunities.

Danger loomed, the sound of combat thundered in the sky.

The continuous sound of fists and kicks reverberated.

Seeing that ordinary fists and kicks couldn't bring down his foe, Lu Xuefeng used the "Extreme Iron Palm."

This Palm Technique consisted of twenty-nine forms, each move was ruthless with lethal intent. At this moment, they descended like an overwhelming storm, with extreme momentum.

Fists and palms collided.

Li Xian was slightly at a disadvantage but remained composed, his eyes quickly scanning, his thoughts uninterrupted. He knew that purely relying on physical strength, he was no match at all.

Yet he wasn't without advantage.

Li Xian's inner Qi was more refined. In each move, simply blending in stronger inner Qi allowed him to stand on equal footing.

The two exchanged blows in the forest for several rounds.

Li Xian's gaze was steady, yet he couldn't help but think how tricky it was. Lu Xuefeng's martial arts mastery was not even as good as "Peng Hu Li."

But the strength of his physical body made his power vastly superior to Peng Hu Li.

And due to the revelation of the [Rebirth Appearance], his supernatural abilities began to emerge. Who would win or lose was truly hard to say.

"Isn't your grandpappy's [Tiger and Leopard Appearance] formidable? Just surrender obediently." Amidst the clash, Lu Xuefeng's voice rolled like thunder, shaking Li Xian's spirit.

The resonance of "Chest Drum Thunder Sound" wielded tremendous intimidation towards ordinary Mud Embryo Martial Artists.

Those lacking courage were easily frightened to death, cowering in fear, not daring to make moves, even dying directly from fright.

Li Xian's will was extraordinarily strong, so he didn't fear at all. But he clearly felt that the fist technique was affected by the thunder sound, adding a few degrees of stagnation.

The fight continued.

Lu Xuefeng suddenly thought, "No one's here, so I'll use this move to quickly take you down, crush your muscles, skin, bones, and membrane! To settle my grudge."

With a palm strike, he forced Li Xian to retreat, then immediately curled his fingers into claws, and with a shimmer, a tiger's roar reverberated from within his body.

With a leap, both claws attacked from the air, his body resembling a tiger's shape, pouncing fiercely.

This was the "Tiger Gate Claw."

It was his biggest trump card, which he hadn't even revealed before the head chief Ma Daozi.

He was sworn brothers with Ma Daozi, who supported him and taught him martial arts of Jianghu, making him the leader of the mountain stronghold.

Ma Daozi was a short swordsman, best at sword techniques, and his fists and kicks were just average. But the true essence of sword techniques was never taught to anyone else.

The second, third, fourth, and fifth chiefs' martial arts learned were all [Extreme Iron Palm], [Hard Body Technique], and other basic martial arts.

This [Tiger Gate Claw], Lu Xuefeng acquired by looting villages and amassing capital, purchasing it from the black market.

It was also a basic claw technique, but under his execution, it appeared completely different.

The power was increased several times out of thin air.

When launched, it carried the sound of a tiger's roar.

During the fight, his blood and energy surged, and the air around his shoulders emitted twisted halos, revealing colorful visions. At the moment of displaying [Tiger Gate Claw], he truly appeared like a striped giant tiger.

The sound of thunder transformed into the sound of tiger roars.

Several claws attacked, forcing Li Xian to retreat continuously. Another claw struck directly, and Li Xian rolled sideways, hiding behind a tree.

Seeing the claw pierce through the tree trunk, the power was terrifying, almost hitting him.

"This person has revealed anomalies, seemingly like a tiger or leopard, with unprecedented speed and force. Combining this claw technique with his own transformations adds power out of thin air."

Li Xian analyzed the battle, thinking:

"Therefore, his strength is already fully displayed. His revealed abnormality, is merely so."

He immediately stood his ground, no longer retreating, his eyes flashing with sharp light.

The Qi sunk into both feet, resembling roots, and he beckoned to Lu Xuefeng with his hand.

Lu Xuefeng executed a move "Strong Tiger Neck Lock," an upward claw move attacking the neck, like a fierce tiger strangling.

This move was fierce, but Li Xian raised his hand to block and deflect it, his body subtly vibrating, cleverly using the opponent's force to fling him into the air.

Lu Xuefeng refused to concede, turning mid-air, utilizing the momentum of his descent, once again launching a fierce attack. Yet he was still blocked and deflected, sent flying in a different direction.

He only felt his force quietly redirected.

"Again." Li Xian casually said, setting his fist stance. Seeing Lu Xuefeng's hesitation, he proactively advanced to engage.

Lu Xuefeng, unwilling to show weakness, slashed with his claws again. Yet he felt his powerful strength entering a muddy river, capable of breaking trees and crushing stones, but unable to harm Li Xian.

In fact…

This Lu Xuefeng was undeniably impressive, favored by fate, enjoying the [Tiger and Leopard Appearance].

Various [Rebirth Appearances] exist, this [Tiger and Leopard Appearance] indeed belongs to the ordinary category, even a lesser Rebirth Appearance.

It grants someone tiger and leopard traits.

When studying related "tiger and leopard" martial arts, it significantly amplifies the effect. Martial arts and physical appearance resonate, revealing extraordinary visions.

Lu Xuefeng was only halfway to "Food Essence," though peculiarities emerged, he was still shrouded by the clay embryo, showing mere signs.

If he continued consuming [Essence Treasure], grew slightly more, unveiling this [Tiger and Leopard Appearance] completely, he could indeed be extremely formidable in this county.

But he wasn't adept. What he considered his trump card, the [Tiger Gate Claw], barely reached Mastery.

When executed, its power wasn't bad, far surpassing the Extreme Iron Palm. In contests with ordinary people, it could surely defeat opponents.

But Li Xian's martial arts mastery was profound, possessing martial arts at the Peak level.

In his eyes, Lu Xuefeng's strengths and weaknesses were apparent, overall, he attacked enemies' strengths with his own shortcomings.

Li Xian, facing an extraordinary martial artist for the first time, was initially intimidated by his speed and strength. But after several rounds, he saw through the true nature of the martial arts.

Ignoring the brute force and speed, this merely mastered claw technique—how it was executed, how the force was applied—was plain to see.

Although rapid, it lacked precision and had no variation.

Meanwhile, the Four Directions Fist's finesse lay in launching a killing punch first, followed by altering the force line direction through body movement, making the punch abruptly change direction.

Thus defeating opponents unexpectedly.

Lu Xuefeng possessed the [Tiger and Leopard Appearance], embodying tiger and leopard traits. But he also inadvertently inherited the straightforwardness of wild beasts.

Coupled with shallow martial arts mastery, his move's force lines were simple and direct.

While Li Xian's Four Directions Fist reached Peak level, his understanding was unparalleled, his punches naturally ingenious.

Through his fist techniques, he forced Lu Xuefeng to change his stance, unintentionally altering his own force line...

Thus, his moves, while fierce, invariably struck off target.

At this point, Lu Xuefeng's temperament, attack habits, strength, and Martial Arts Mastery had all been fully grasped by Li Xian, marking his defeat.

Despite his furious resistance, it was nothing more than a desperate struggle. Lu Xuefeng began to show signs of panic, growing less confident with each exchange.

At this moment, Li Xian unleashed his full Qi, throwing a punch that created more than ten shadow fists. With a few "bang bang bang" sounds, Lu Xuefeng was forced into retreat.

Lu Xuefeng was terrified in his heart: "This kid is bizarre. I don't know why I can't beat him. I need my big brother here!" He felt the urge to flee and swiftly retreated.

However, as a Hunter, Li Xian was most skilled in shooting tigers and leopards. As Lu Xuefeng widened the distance, Li Xian sped up, swallowing a "Rejuvenation Pill," and sprang forward in pursuit.

Though not as fast as Lu Xuefeng, he managed not to fall too far behind.

Then assisted by shooting with bows and arrows...

In no time, Lu Xuefeng was hit by several arrows. By then, the poison 'Blood Seal Throat' began to take effect.

The final arrow came shooting forth.

It pierced through his neck, killing him instantly!

"Hoo!"

Li Xian exhaled heavily, cold sweat running down his back. Although victorious, the battle allowed him to taste the vastness of the Martial Way — truly, there were countless wonders and oddities.

"If this man continued to use palm techniques to fight me, I don't know how long we would have been entangled."

"He usually relies on his strength to bully the weak. Additionally, his limited vision makes him believe that using claw techniques allows him to win quickly, considering it his trump card."

"Little did he know, this trump card had significant flaws. In the eyes of someone with far greater Martial Arts Mastery, the flaws were even more apparent!"

"A martial confrontation is not a contest of brute strength."

Li Xian gained immense understanding.

Having not yet entered the Jianghu, he was unaware of its depths. But he knew that if he did not die prematurely, he would inevitably step into the Jianghu one day.

Therefore, he always paid attention to small details, summarized the subtle experiences and lessons, and enriched his Jianghu experience in advance.

The confrontation between Martial Artists is a battle of life and death.

It's no child's play, nor is it simple. It combines daily accumulation with on-the-spot adaptability.

"If I ever enter the Jianghu, I must not underestimate my opponents lightly."

Li Xian shot two more arrows.

After ensuring Lu Xuefeng had no chance of survival, he proceeded to search the body.

He found a brocade robe, though stained with blood, the pattern was exquisite, made of silk.

He searched further.

He found a book, its cover inscribed with the words "Tiger Gate Claw," and thought, "This must be the claw technique that Lu Xuefeng used just now. I shall gladly accept it."

He hid the book under his clothes.

Removing his long boots, he noticed the body was still warm. Lu Xuefeng had severe foot odor, making Li Xian cover his nose as he cursed: "Even in death, you manage to disgust me." He shook the boot three times, facing downwards.

Indeed, there was a banknote.

"Qian's Money Shop?"

Li Xian pinched the banknote, waved it in the wind to disperse the scent, and folded it to keep.

"It's risky to exchange this banknote at a money shop... It's best used urgently when there's no other choice."

Although inexperienced in Jianghu, Li Xian knew the harsh realities. Anything involving "money" in the world becomes sinister and frightening.

Of all three hundred sixty trades...

The depths of the money trade are the greatest.

"Real silver is still better."

He found five taels of broken silver, which delighted him greatly. Earlier, Lu Xuefeng wondered if he would end up like his third brother if he died.

Prophecy fulfilled.

Even more thoroughly. Li Xian didn't even spare the undergarments, taking all things of value. Indeed, he was afraid of poverty.

Finally, he buried the body.

Clean and neat.

...

...

Black River Village.

At the southern entrance of the village, amidst the dense forest.

Uncle Fu directed at the front, with young robust men from the village holding iron tools, rehearsing the Farmer's Anti-bandit Array.

They practiced fervently.

In a wooden house.

Li Xian sat cross-legged on the ground, reflecting on his recent gains.

"Ever since I arrived at Black River Village, I've been free and unhindered, progressing rapidly in Martial Arts."

"First, I perfected the Clear Wind Leg, then achieved the peak of the Four Directions Fist. I have fought several life-and-death battles, each narrowly victorious."

"Beating Peng Hu was due to my stronger Inner Qi."

"Defeating Lu Xuefeng was due to my greater mastery."

"Yet both... they were merely chiefs of a small mountain fort in a remote area. Though I defeated them, it wasn't worth celebrating, nor worth being arrogant about."

Li Xian jumped onto the roof.

Lying on a snow blanket, hands behind his head, with a piece of dried meat in his mouth.

The Inner Qi consumed during the intense forest battle slowly replenished as he rested.

The Qi Lake, two zhang wide, gradually filled up.

"Still, there's the chief and vice-chief left. I need to set traps in advance and prepare responses. But as I see it... perhaps there's a better solution."

"Something that will give me peace of mind for a while."

Li Xian's eyes flickered slightly.

Relentless fighting is the act of a brute.

Assessing the situation, taking note of the subtleties, only then can one go far.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.