The black coffin, containing a right hand, right leg, and right eye, lay across the entrance of the "Leopard Saber Sect", blocking the doorway.

The Lady departed by carriage.

Upon first sight, her beauty was unmatched, stirring emotions in people's hearts. But upon her departure, the fear was indescribable, realizing such beauty was beyond the reach of ordinary people.

Yang Tong luckily avoided a disaster. Being at a distance, his eyes were not blinded. Seeing the mess all over the place, his heart felt a mix of emotions.

The once mighty Leopard Saber Sect was shattered in the hands of a single woman.

The fragrance of the Lady lingered in the courtyard.

Yet, smelling it made the whole body tremble, leaving him perplexed and as if trapped in a nightmare, feeling like the Lady was still beside him. Suddenly, hearing a cry of pain brought Yang Tong back to his senses, and he hurriedly lifted his master.

"Master, what should we do now?" Yang Tong asked frantically.

"First, get me that Golden Turtle," Xu Liefeng struggled to say.

He was solidifying his blood and closing off his apertures to stop the bleeding. But his entire blood vessels were corroded, a life-threatening injury which, if left untreated, would soon lead to death.

"Okay, okay."

Yang Tong ran to the rear courtyard. Reaching the master's long-occupied residence, he found a hint of golden color between the rocks. Reaching out, he grabbed and held the dazzling golden turtle in his hand.

He returned to the front yard.

Xu Liefeng snatched the golden turtle, twisted its head off with a finger, and faint green blood dripped out.

Drinking it down into his stomach. Vitality spread throughout his body, his complexion improved significantly. This turtle was a rare species, and its blood could sustain life and prolong vitality. Although the ruptured and corroded blood vessels were fatal injuries, they were slightly better than a severed head or a ruptured heart.

Within half an hour, life could be preserved.

But it's not enough...

To truly save his life, he still needed a "Red Mushroom Ginseng". This ginseng was initially a poison, which, once entered into the body, would devour the blood and replace all the blood vessels.

Turning a person into a "Ginseng Human".

At this moment, it happened to solve the urgent crisis by using "Red Mushroom Ginseng" to replace the blood vessels and truly save his life.

Xu Liefeng, who had been dominating the Jianghu, had collected quite a few rare treasures, including the "Red Mushroom Ginseng". He immediately consumed it, and as the medicine took effect, the "Ginseng Mushroom" emerged from the abdomen, crawling towards the blood vessels, devouring and extending.

Since Xu Liefeng's entire blood vessels were already corroded, the "Ginseng Mushroom" spread rapidly, soon covering the whole body and replacing the blood vessels.

Xu Liefeng breathed a slight sigh of relief, but a wave of sadness followed. From now on, his broken body would never progress an inch further. Furthermore... he needed to drink blood to sustain himself, providing nourishment for the "Red Mushroom Ginseng" within his body.

Without the rushing transmission of blood and Qi, even though the Qi Lake was spacious, maneuvering and performing techniques would consume more resources. It was like a horse-drawn carriage traveling on a broad highway: the path was straight and smooth.

The speed was fast, and the "cargo" capacity was large.

Now, it was more like traveling on a narrow path where even stepping was difficult. Transporting cargo was one thing, but there was the fear of getting "lost" along the way. The ginseng mushroom replaced the blood vessels but did not distribute like the original vessels.

"Cheap... cheap woman!"

Xu Liefeng opened his mouth to curse, but dared not utter the word "woman" after "cheap", and immediately changed "woman" to "person". His intent was to curse Li Xian.

"Master, what should we do now?" Yang Tong asked anxiously, "Should we escape?!"

Xu Liefeng said with horror: "Being targeted by Lady Zhe Jian, escaping is not so simple. If she wants to hunt you down, even to the ends of the earth, she will find you."

"When the time comes... even dying would be difficult!"

"That woman, how... how can she be so ruthless, inflicting such harm on us without reason!" Yang Tong said angrily, "It must be Li Xian's interference. I wondered why he was so arrogant; it turns out he was associating with such a formidable force!"

Xu Liefeng shook his head mournfully. If it weren't for the ties with the predecessors, given the Lady's temperament, not only would he have ended up miserably, but the disciples in the sect would likely not escape such misfortune.

He had indeed overestimated himself, bringing disaster upon himself.

"Master, do you really intend to compete with Li Xian?" Yang Tong asked.

Xu Liefeng nodded and said: "The only way to survive is to follow the Lady's intentions. Humph, it seems the Lady might not care much for Li Xian. Though I am crippled, I'm not for just anyone to manipulate."

"In a month, it will be that kid's death day! If the Lady respects her promise, she might even spare my life."

He did not know, however, that the Lady was not one to adhere to promises.

She would find a way to kill him without breaking her word.

...

...

The coffin remained at the Leopard Saber Sect.

The white horse and black carriage headed for the village, soon leaving the city.

"Li Xian, come in," came the Lady's voice from inside the carriage.

Li Xian lifted the carriage curtain.

The carriage was quite spacious inside, with a tea table, bookshelves, and complete furnishings. In the round jade incense burner, incense was burning, elegant and fresh.

It was more than enough for a long stay.

"Lady, what do you need from me?" Li Xian asked.

"Naturally, to test you, to see if you've made progress, to see if you've taken my words to heart." Madam Wen opened the carriage curtain, taking in the mountain scenery.

"My White Cloud Horse knows the way back to the village. You just have to serve me here."

"Yes." Li Xian moved forward and took a small stool to sit down. Madam Wen placed her leg on his knee, and this was no ordinary interaction between a man and a woman. But the Lady was indifferent to it. Perhaps it was because of the "Yin Yang Immortal Lovers Sword", or perhaps for other reasons.

Her gaze rested lazily out the window.

［Skill: Cloud Rubbing Nine Techniques］

［Skill Level: 25/500 Beginner］

［Description: Massage technique to regulate Qi and blood, to relax muscles and bones.］

He had just learned and had yet to reach the beginner level. This technique, which combed the meridians and soothed muscles, was evolved from the lower martial arts [Bone-Breaking Hand].

It had no lethal power.

Li Xian felt the touch was slippery, dared not look around, staring dumbfoundedly at the incense burner. His hand, however, was unaffected.

"Regarding the Leopard Saber Sect incident earlier, the Lady was even more formidable than I expected. I've seen Xu Liefeng before; he is quite strong, but when faced with the Lady, he directly kneeled and kowtowed, showing no intent to resist even in the face of death."

"The Lady has become increasingly adept at manipulating me, her actions more affectionate than before. I've leveraged her influence to purify my physique till it became translucent, manifested the Immortal Mechanism in the Palm, and learned decent martial arts. But in the long run, it will be more difficult for me to escape."

Li Xian's thoughts flashed.

How can there be a perfect solution?

The Lady was dangerous, requiring extreme caution!

Madam Wen glanced at Li Xian, her mouth curled upwards, and she then looked back outside the window, casually saying: "You've made some progress, but do you know you've touched my taboo."

The tip of her foot pointed towards Li Xian's chest.

Li Xian froze. Madam Wen chuckled softly, "No man has ever touched my foot."

Li Xian straightforwardly said, "Then I leave it to you, Lady, to deal with me."

"I'll refrain from dealing with you for now," Madam Wen said, "But if you harbor any disloyalty, I promise you'll suffer a thousand times more than Xu Liefeng."

"However, if you obey me, I will ensure smooth progress in your Martial Arts journey."

The tip of her foot touched Li Xian's throat, then slowly lifted up.

Li Xian wanted to speak. Madam Wen lightly tapped her toes, suppressing the sound, and said, "You need not speak; just remember my words well."

Li Xian nodded.

The carriage traveled far from the city.

After the previous incident, Li Xian asked, "Madam, what old agreement do you have with that senior Xu Liefeng?"

"It's nothing significant," Madam Wen said. "Xu Liefeng is from the Xu clan of Leopard Mountain, and he has an elder who is indebted to me."

"I cannot kill his descendants. Pang Long suffered a setback because of him, and the business in the county suffered losses due to him. I've chosen to ignore it all."

"But since he doesn't know his own limits, I naturally will no longer indulge him."

"In a month, you will kill him."

Madam Wen looked out the window, her gaze drifting. To be honest, she hadn't stepped into the Jianghu for a long time, and she wasn't clear about many changes.

"The Dragon Appreciation Banquet is a grand event and requires much preparation," Madam Wen thought to herself.

...

...

The carriage returned to the manor.

Li Xian got off the carriage, escorted Madam Wen back to her residence, and returned to his room in the Commander's Courtyard.

He opened his shirt at the chest.

A faint red circle remained for a long time, the secret Inner Qi penetrating the flesh, only a hair's breadth from the heart.

If Madam Wen had applied even the slightest force, Li Xian's heart would have been greatly damaged, and he might not have survived.

"What a subtle use of Inner Qi; her Inner Qi was almost attached to my heart. Indeed, taking a life was as easy as reaching into a bag—it was extremely effortless."

Li Xian took a deep breath, maintaining his composure.

He dissolved that Inner Qi.

"Strength! Strength! Strength!"

The blazing sun today matched Li Xian's fervent heart.

After completing everything, there was only martial arts to practice!

To refine his martial arts and accumulate Inner Qi.

[Skill Level +1]

[Skill Level +1]

Li Xian reviewed and learned anew, performing the [Four Directions Fist], [Clear Wind Leg], and [Jade Palm], afterwards focusing on refining [Vertical Cloud Hand] and [Setting Sun Bloodsword].

[Setting Sun Bloodsword]

[Skill Level: 4945/6000 Minor Achievement]

The swordsmanship was becoming increasingly profound, with Yang Qi building up inside, gradually causing a burning sensation again.

The superior swordsmanship was indeed formidable.

During Li Xian's swordplay, various phenomena appeared. When he performed "Three Yangs Opening," it shone like the sun, the sword light exceptionally dazzling.

The unfortunate part...

The more Li Xian practiced, the more he felt this swordsmanship was exceedingly powerful, yet also exceedingly incomplete. It required Dual Swords Unite to unleash its true power.

When performed individually, it was still exquisite.

But it could never reach the "superior swordsmanship" level, even more so because of the swordsmanship's lack. Every time he practiced, there was always a sense of dissatisfaction.

Practicing endured until midnight.

"I have now reached a Qi Lake of ten feet, I must continue practicing to accumulate the Qi Lake! The larger the Qi Lake, the stronger I become!"

Li Xian scrutinized himself. Looking at the Qi Lake accumulated bit by bit from daily hard practice, he felt a great sense of achievement.

"Another day... I'll ask Madam Wen for an opportunity to enter the Leisure Martial Pavilion and then choose a lower martial arts book!"

"Madam Wen said the Qi Lake is crucial. Once it accumulates to fifteen feet, it will trigger a transformation!"

"But many Essence-Eating Martial Artists may not have such a foundation."

"If I practice a few more martial arts, I'll soon be ready."

...

Thus, he meditated quietly.

Not long after, the manor was bustling with cooking again, and this time the essence food stew had significantly more "essence meat" added.

Stewing for two days.

When the essence food was ready, Madam Wen did not retrieve the Treasure Box; that item was a reward for Li Xian.

"Enjoy the essence meat fresh from the pot for best results. Once stored in the [Heaven-Hiding Box], it becomes slightly less effective. Consume this portion immediately and store this other portion in the box, consuming one gram every two days."

"You have now shown your appearance, and it won't be long before the next characteristic appears."

...

Madam Wen waved her hand, handing over two portions of essence treasure meat to Li Xian. Both of "palm" size, several times larger than before.

She gently gave her instructions and then went to Jingxin Tower with Qiuyue to cultivate.

Li Xian consumed the [Essence Treasure], no longer needing to undergo the Washing the Fetus process, thus he endeavored to retain the "Essence of Heaven and Earth." He used both Qi Circulation and Blood Solidification and Aperture Closure.

First, he drank the essence soup, then ate the essence meat.

Threads upon threads spread throughout his body, cool and refreshing, beyond words to describe.

In one breath, he retained "ten threads."

Immortal Mechanism in the Palm, Rainbow Draped on Shoulders, Chest Drum Thunder Sound, Head Life Hair... all were outward manifestations, but the real hallmark of an "Essence-Eating" Martial Artist is singular, and that is [digestion].

The Martial Artist, persevering and diligent, honed in defiance of the heavens, finally earned the qualification to digest the Essence of Heaven and Earth.

Rebirth begins with the first step.

Assimilating hundreds to form one, marks the initial entry into Essence Eating.

The Essence of Heaven and Earth allows one to undergo Rebirth, digesting the essence, leading the Martial Artist's physical body towards the heavenly realm, manifesting many miraculous phenomena, and the increase in strength and vitality was always just an addition.

The crucial point is that it can also extend "lifespan"!

Li Xian meditated in the courtyard.

Threads of colorful halos emerged from his shoulders, making him appear like a Divine Being.

Rainbow Draped on Shoulders!!

One step further.

...

...

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.