[Skill Level +1]

[Skill Level +1]

[Daluo Saber]

[Skill Level: 149/500 Beginner]

In the wooden house at the west end of the village.

Li Xian wielded a long saber, continuously swinging it. The saber gleamed frequently, accompanied by the sound of slicing through the air.

Daluo Saber is a basic saber technique without anything particularly special in its practice method. The saber path is fierce and powerful, emphasizing wide and bold movements. The word "Daluo" in its name symbolizes the encompassing saber intent.

"I've heard Commander Pang say that some martial artists in Jianghu, accustomed to using their hands and feet, don't like to fight with weapons."

"Because weapons are external objects, no matter how much you practice, they can't be like hands and feet. While weapons have advantages, they also have disadvantages."

"In a narrow path encounter, if one's skills are not refined and their weapon is seized, their spirit disperses, and they are already defeated. In contrast, those skilled in using fists and feet have a reckless courage that pushes forward."

Li Xian's movements were graceful. Though the saber technique was wide and bold, the wielder did not appear reckless.

The martial arts of Jianghu are incredibly diverse.

Martial artists have different strengths, and naturally, their perspectives are biased. What Commander Pang said may not be entirely right or entirely wrong.

Fist, foot, palm, claw, saber, sword, staff, spear... Various martial arts paths have mature systems in Jianghu. On each path, there are many renowned masters.

Which is stronger or weaker is truly unknown.

It's been over three days since Ma Daozi returned to the village. Black River Village continues its practice as usual. Seeing the peace, Li Xian moved back to the small house on the west of the village.

Practicing martial arts in the bitter cold.

[Jade Palm]

[Skill Level: 1599/2000 Mastery]

Li Xian's Qi Lake slightly expanded, already reaching a scale of two zhang. The martial arts realm progresses steadily.

"Before long, Jade Palm will achieve minor success."

Before dawn, he began practicing martial arts, and after several hours, he felt a wave of hunger.

He hadn't gone hunting in the mountains for a long time and had no animal meat at home, so he could only boil coarse yellow millet to fill his stomach.

Coarse yellow millet is cheap grain, inexpensive but rough in texture and hard to swallow, despite being filling.

Ordinary families grow white rice, typically used to pay land tax. The remaining money is exchanged for coarse yellow millet to ensure they have food to eat.

This winter, Black River Village accumulated a significant amount of coarse yellow millet, so they wouldn't starve or freeze to death.

"It's time to go into the mountains and catch some treasure crabs to taste!"

"This time, I've achieved Qi circulation and blood solidification, and aperture closure. I wonder what changes these will bring."

Li Xian thought.

...

...

Deep in the mountain forest.

Li Xian followed his memories, carrying a quiver on his back with hundreds of wooden arrows inside.

The arrowheads were made from sharpened stones, and the arrow feathers from duck feathers. Alone, Li Xian hunted, momentarily returning to the past.

The hunter crafted his own arrows and bows.

Suddenly, he heard a "flap," as a bird flew overhead.

Li Xian said, "Good timing!" Leaping up, he directed Qi to his chest, making his body incredibly light. Stepping on a branch, he used it to propel himself again.

His body rose again, already several zhang from the ground, soaring over the treetops, aiming at a cold goose in the high sky.

With a "whoosh" sound.

The cold goose was hit by the arrow, falling into the forest. Li Xian went over to retrieve it. The cold goose, the size of a faceplate, had already died.

Lunch was secured.

Li Xian's Qi Lake grew stronger, and he gained the "Clear Wind Leg" trait, comprehending the mystery of "lightness." When inner Qi flowed into his chest, his entire body felt like an inflated balloon, very light.

He applied this flexibly, significantly improving in archery.

[You shot a cold goose, Skill Level +3]

[Skill: Archery]

[Skill Level: 1463/1500 Minor Achievement]

Li Xian never deliberately practiced archery, but it had multiple uses: hunting, harassing, probing... Whenever he encountered a strong enemy, he maintained distance, trying to attack with arrows, resulting in his archery skill improving rapidly.

With the bonfire rising, Li Xian began plucking feathers and removing the organs, preparing food.

The feathers of the cold goose were very useful, for making arrow feathers. Li Xian saved them for use, storing them in the quiver after plucking.

When hunting in the mountains.

Cold goose was a common bird, but he usually disdain aiming at it. The reason was apart from its valuable feathers; there was a layer of fine fuzz.

This fine fuzz clung to the skin and was hard to remove. If not cleaned thoroughly, eating it could lead to poisoning. Yet, the cold goose's meat was delicious.

Hence, in the county's grand restaurants, there is a famous dish named "Cold Goose Brings Joy," priced highly, selling for the labor of feather plucking.

Li Xian had never tasted cold goose meat.

Plucking all the feathers, leaving a body covered with fuzz. Li Xian had his method, channeling inner Qi into the cold goose's body, shaking it from the inside out, and then pulling effortlessly to remove the fuzz entirely.

Inner Qi has numerous ingenious uses.

He roasted it over a fire.

The scent of meat gradually spread.

The first bite of cold goose meat was as dazzling as plum blossoms blooming in winter. Quite astonishing. Cold geese love consuming forest fruits, thus their long-term diet leaves their meat without any gamey smell, naturally fragrant with fruit.

Juice flowed.

While savoring the delicious cold goose, Li Xian suddenly thought:

"Archery is indeed my livelihood. Without it, how could I dare to venture deep into the forest while guarding Black River Village?"

"Now that my archery nears great success, and conveniently being in the forest, no time is better than the present. I'll strive to achieve great success in archery after filling my stomach!"

He quickly finished the cold goose.

Immediately strung his bow and shot arrows, training archery.

He aimed for stability and precision, not for killing. After all, animals in the mountains were precious resources, not to be wasted meaninglessly.

[You hit a Vermilion Fruit at a hundred paces, Skill Level +2]

[You shot a thick-haired wild boar, Skill Level +5]

...

[You shot a mountain monkey, Skill Level +6]

...

Several arrows flew, attracting some forest beasts. Li Xian's archery was superb, dealing with them completely from several miles away.

After an hour passed.

Accruing enough skill level, [Archery] broke into great success.

Li Xian felt a sense of realization, both like a sudden enlightenment and like a natural progression. Combining both, his arrow intent elevated.

He suddenly felt like a bow, and his intent was like an arrow. If not released, it would not calm him; if not released, it would not satisfy him. So he mounted the arrow and drew the bow, releasing the full intent of the arrow to fly.

The arrow remained the same, the bow remained the same, but there was a world of difference before and after.

Archery, at a minor achievement level, pursues precision. The pursuit of hitting the target every time, with no misses.

One practices coordination of hand and eye, stance and posture, and the rhythm of breathing.

Archery at great success pursues intent and spirit.

My flying arrow, how dare you evade?

If the one holding the bow lacks soaring spirit, how could they shoot an astonishing arrow?

Li Xian understood at this moment why Madam once said that a man's heroic spirit should be reflected in hunting, in archery.

Accuracy is just one aspect, the capture of beasts is just another.

Spirit and intent are the most crucial.

The flying arrow pierced through the tree and nailed onto another tree.

He walked over to have a look.

Li Xian gently removed the stone arrow, seeing a black spot at the tip, a tiny fly, which was not dead but had its wings pierced by the arrow.

Piercing through the feathers, without harming the body.

Miraculous.

[Skill: Archery]

[Skill Level: 12/3000 Great Success]

[Description: You search the mountains and fields, finding the intent of the arrow. Archery has attained great success, piercing stone and armor is no trouble at all.]

When the arrow carries spirit and intent.

The arrow leaves the string, proceeds with no turning back, piercing stone and armor is normal.

In this world, genius archers, guided by masters since childhood, still have not found the elusive "spirit and intent."

And that "spirit and intent" is related to mindset, situation, and state. Even master archers dare not guarantee every arrow is astonishing and of superb spirit.

Li Xian dares.

His arrows will only grow stronger, faster! Never retreat!

...

...

Because the Essence Treasure of the crab is of great importance, Li Xian marked the route. Relying on his excellent hunting skills, he traveled for a day or so, reaching the surrounding area.

"That Essence Treasure crab appears out of nowhere; I don't know if I can encounter it this time."

"Anyway, if I get it, good; if I lose it, it's fate. It's best to find it, but if not, I'll find another Essence Treasure some other way."

Searching along the route.

There is no creek around here, indicating the mountain crab doesn't rely on water to live.

Li Xian turned over large rocks, primarily inspecting rock crevices. After searching for more than half the day, as night fell, he did not hear any signs of it.

Helplessly, he lit a fire on the ground to rest for the night.

Watching the campfire rise.

In the silent forest, he was all alone. Accompanied by occasional beast calls, it's not quite lonely.

Li Xian couldn't help but sigh; Martial Arts is difficult, and every step is hard. As such an unpedigree clay embryo, when can he truly carve his own path?

"This Essence Treasure is so hard to obtain."

"Martial Artist... Martial Artist... This path of rebirth is indeed not easy."

"Worldly industries, Jianghu connections, Martial Arts mastery, Essence Treasure routes, managing development..."

Li Xian lay down on a broken log.

He warmed himself around the campfire.

Unavoidably thinking of "Madam Wen," his heart filled with admiration, counting her as half a guide in his Martial Arts path.

Yet he was clear-headed, neither grateful nor loyal; no resentment nor hatred.

"Hopefully tomorrow, I can encounter the Essence Treasure crab!" Li Xian dismissed distracting thoughts and closed his eyes to enter dreamland.

The next day, at daybreak. Li Xian shivered slightly, brushing off snow and frost from his body. His pores opened, releasing warm air to melt remaining snow.

After Blood Solidification and Aperture Closure, a Martial Artist adapts significantly better to the environment.

Extinguishing the campfire.

Using the base as a center, he gradually extended outward, scraping the Earth for the Essence Treasure crab.

He had good luck today; when he overturned the fourth large rock, he saw a flash of red light. Li Xian exclaimed, "Trying to escape?" and sprang forward.

He grabbed the red mountain crab.

The crab claws were strong and powerful, clutching and grabbing randomly. Li Xian thought, "I wonder how strong this mountain crab's claws are; let me test with something." He chopped a tree branch and put it before the crab's claw.

"Snap!"

The cut surface of the branch was smooth; although small, this mountain crab had considerable power. Li Xian underestimated the mountain crab and looked around, noticing a large stone.

He punched the stone, scattering the rock. He used a larger piece of stone to test the crab claw's power again.

"Snap!"

The stone turned to powder.

"Good fellow! If it were a mere mortal body, this claw would surely crush bones and flesh."

Li Xian mused, "This little crab was easy to catch. But... if there were dozens, hundreds of them, I would only be able to flee."

He took out vines and tied up the mountain crab tightly, focusing on the two claws, sealing them with tree juice.

Continuing the mountain search.

"Haha, another one in the bag!"

Li Xian caught two more, feeling pleased, thinking he had more Essence Food to use. But noticing the three mountain crabs were small, their crab yolk must not be plentiful.

So he continued to search.

At this moment, a fleeting red shadow caught his eye, and he immediately leapt towards it. But this mountain crab was quick, dodging away.

"Trying to escape?" Li Xian chased after it, reaching out several times, but missing.

Li Xian moved his Qi, executing the "Four Directions Fist" technique. Shadows of fists layered, leaving no route for the red mountain crab to flee, finally capturing it.

This mountain crab was as big as three fists.

Its eyes like lantern grass hung down on its body.

He tied it up and put it in a bag.

Three small crabs and one large crab.

Today's harvest was abundant.

"It's best to quit while ahead, greed will lead to trouble." Li Xian felt satisfied, patting the bag.

Ready to return and cook Essence Food.

Suddenly, Li Xian paused, catching sight of something at the corner of his eye, feeling excited.

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