In early August, the summer heat was already waning.

In the Commander's Courtyard.

[You consumed Golden Blood Red Carp Essence Meat, Skill Level +69]

The essence meat entered the stomach, spreading its moisturizing intent throughout the body. It transformed into the essence of Heaven and Earth, first making a turn in the belly. Strengthened by skill, this essence became even more concentrated, forming into hundreds of strands.

Li Xian, having washed the fetus clean, was free from the clay embryo. The essence of Heaven and Earth is like a "snob," eager to escape during the clay embryo phase, unwilling to linger for even a split second.

Now with the fetus pure, the essence was not in a hurry to leave, darting around like a mischievous child, exploring everywhere.

Li Xian circulated Inner Qi, solidified blood, and closed pores, trying his best to retain it, but the essence of Heaven and Earth roamed freely, dissipating after enjoying the play.

Only about twenty strands remained in the belly.

With a rainbow on the shoulders and a chest drumming like thunder... the body neared the essence of Heaven and Earth, various divine phenomena gradually appearing.

Disappearing without transformation equals "shoulders draped in rainbow."

Disappearing and transforming equals "head life hair."

Over time, success comes naturally. Heaven rewards diligence; as long as one is willing to put in hard work, there's nothing in the world that cannot be achieved.

Li Xian persisted, with the support from his wife, the essence in his belly remained for a long time. At this moment, it finally began to transform.

A gentle breeze blew.

His hair fluttered, and he felt his spirit riding on the wind, soaring straight to the clouds beyond the nine skies. He found the world full of wonders, filled with infinite charm.

Breaking the invisible shackles.

From the thick hair, a small strand of fine hair emerged. This is "life hair," representing to some extent the lifespan of a Martial Artist.

Li Xian's physical body had undergone a year of tempering, from clothes barely covering the body and insufficient food, to circulating Inner Qi and solidifying blood, then achieving fetus washing, and displaying a rebirth appearance.

Each hurdle was a step; finally, he gained a slight ability to digest the essence of Heaven and Earth.

This step taken.

From now on, one could seek immortality and various divine phenomena.

Martial Artists drink Heavenly Essence, consume Earth Radiance, increasing martial power is one goal, extending lifespan is another.

For every bit the life hair grows, one's lifespan also increases by an inch.

"The road is long and far; now my four features have appeared. From now on, by continuing to enjoy [Essence Treasure], I can increase my lifespan, truly transforming disappearance into transformation!"

Li Xian was full of excitement, gently stroking that white fine hair. Vitality surged, distinct from ordinary people.

Ordinary people have a clay embryo, if fatally injured, there is no possibility of rescue. But Essence-Eating Martial Artists are different; although they still have two hands, two feet, and a head, their bodies approach the essence of Heaven and Earth, opening countless possibilities.

Even if the heart is damaged.

As long as there are divine doctors and precious materials, they can be saved. Whereas an ordinary clay embryo is nearly impossible to save.

Xu Liefeng's blood vessels were corroded, and logically, he should have certainly died. Yet he managed to save himself from danger, thanks to, aside from the miraculous effect of treasures, the mysterious nature of the "Food Essence" realm.

The Essence-Eating Martial Artist has more possibilities.

Li Xian's understanding is still shallow and requires further refinement. He thought, "Ultimately, the Food Essence realm is about using the essence of Heaven and Earth, creating one's own universe."

[You have stepped into "Food Essence Transformation"]

[Food Essence Transformation]

[Skill Level: 1/100]

[Description: The first realm of Martial Arts, a long road of transformation, this is the first step, enduring all hardships and cold, just for this moment. Ten steps are a stage, each stage is unique.]

...

...

[You hammer your chest and shake your body, Skill Level +2]

[Iron and Copper Skill]

[Skill Level: 269/1500 Minor Achievement]

In the Martial Captain Hall.

Li Xian pressed his palm against his chest, body trembling, practicing the "Iron and Copper Skill" technique. After stepping into the "Food Essence" realm, his martial arts gained a new dimension. As he held his breath and stimulated the "Iron Copper Body," a dark light erupted beneath the skin.

Before Food Essence... Li Xian cultivated his martial arts to the extreme, enough to vaguely manifest strange phenomena, adding prestige.

After Food Essence, endless possibilities emerged; with deep martial arts mastery, not just strange scenes, but even "transforming the strange into reality."

Despite experiencing fetus washing, rebirth, and appearance manifestation... Li Xian remained "ordinary," only gaining the qualification for transformation.

At noon, Li Xian was in a good mood, with progress in Martial Arts, diligently practicing harder.

Suddenly, he heard an unusual "dinging" sound beside his ear. Though the sound was faint, it was very clear, echoing in his mind for a long time.

The Martial Captain Hall was situated beside the street.

With the usual myriad of noises, Li Xian normally didn't mind, continuing to hammer his chest and harden his "Iron Body and Copper Flesh".

Yet, after every incense stick's time.

This sound would inevitably resurface, as if someone was deliberately causing it, disturbing his concentration.

Just then, Wang Wu led three constables, getting ready to patrol the streets, passing by the inner courtyard entrance, noticed by Li Xian.

Li Xian called, "Wang Wu, come over here."

Wang Wu led his men over, respectfully saluted, standing straight, awaiting instructions.

Li Xian initially wanted Wang Wu and his men to patrol around the Martial Captain Hall, checking for suspicious persons, as the sound was unsettling. But on second thought, should there be suspicious individuals, Wang Wu might not be able to handle them. So, he said, "Perform the Four Directions Fist for me, let me see your progress."

Wang Wu responded joyfully, "Yes!" He had been diligently practicing, making good progress, eager to display his skills in front of Li Xian.

Immediately, he set up the fist stance, attacking left to confuse right, employing diversionary tactics. The fist technique coordinated with his footwork, so fluidly that it formed a seamless whole. Unknowingly, he had already become a beginner, nurturing a strand of Inner Qi.

The observing constables were deeply envious and cheered in praise.

After completing one set, Li Xian gave a brief commentary. Wang Wu took note mentally, certain that with gradual digestion, progress was inevitable.

"It's happening again." Li Xian frowned, hearing a mysterious sound, and asked, "Did any of you hear something strange?"

Wang Wu was taken aback and turned to the other constables. After confirming with each other, they all shook their heads, "Sir, we didn't hear anything. It must be that our cultivation is too shallow, and our senses are not sharp enough. Sir, where did the sound come from? We'll go and investigate immediately."

Li Xian shook his head and said, "This sound is so without trace, it seems to come out of thin air. It's hard to fathom." He then dismissed Wang Wu and the others.

Wang Wu stepped out of the Martial Captain Hall and said to the constables beside him, "We serve in the hall, eating and dressing from what the Sir provides. We should naturally ease his worries. Let's patrol around the hall entrance to check for any suspicious figures!"

The constables beside him all said, "Alright, Brother Wu, we'll all follow your lead!"

And so, a few of them headed eastwards, circling around the Martial Captain Hall. They scanned with their eyes, observing the passing figures, watching for anything suspicious.

After one round and about to give up, Wang Wu suddenly shouted, "Who goes there!" He shivered all over, indeed spotting a suspicious figure.

At the back courtyard wall of the Martial Captain Hall. There was a figure climbing stealthily, ghost-like and extremely eerie.

That person was clad all in black, the clothes very loose. Neither their appearance nor physique could be made out.

The black-clad person heard the shout, turned back to look. It seemed they smiled slightly, neither dodging nor evading.

Wang Wu drew his sword from its sheath, and together with the three constables behind him, surrounded the figure. Forming an encircling stance, they dared not be careless, yet still kept several steps' distance. Wang Wu angrily said, "Who are you, hiding here for what purpose! Speak quickly!"

"Are you constables of the Martial Captain Hall?" The person's voice was hoarse, carrying a chilling undertone.

Wang Wu proudly replied, "That's correct."

"Heh heh." The person chuckled, "You are indeed loyal, in that case, why don't you help me with something and deliver a message to your master?"

Wang Wu shouted, "If you have something to say, speak to the master yourself. Capture him!"

Including Wang Wu, there were four constables, forming a four-direction encirclement. This was an evolution from the Four Directions Fist, into a four-direction array.

Wang Wu gathered his Inner Qi, executed a vertical slash with his sword to the front. The other three also swung their weapons, each with a different technique, blocking off the person's retreat.

However, the Four Directions Fist was just a basic fist technique. Even though Li Xian had trained it to its peak, he gradually felt it wasn't enough. Using the fist technique to break down into an array, had its merits.

Yet if faced against an expert of the Jianghu, someone immersed in Martial Arts for decades, it would hardly be sufficient.

The figure stood motionless, facing multiple blade shadows, merely waved his surrounding sleeves. "Clang," "Bang," "Crack," several sounds came, and all four narrow blades broke apart.

Wang Wu tossed away the broken blade, took a step forward, and struck towards the shadow. He had not practiced the fist technique for long, but under Li Xian's guidance, his foundation was solid.

Wang Wu thought to himself: "This person is formidable in martial arts, surely hard to capture. I just need to tangle with him, and the master will naturally notice." This punch aimed at the heart, but it was a feint.

He noticed the person's right arm sleeve always hung down, seemingly not nimble, should be the breakthrough.

At the moment the punch was thrown, his body twisted.

The punch's force suddenly shifted, striking towards the person's right arm. Yet the person didn't dodge nor evade. The punch landed, but felt hollow, causing Wang Wu's heart to skip a beat: "It's empty."

At this time, the wind from the punch swept up the person's hood, finally revealing his appearance. It was indeed Xu Liefeng from the Leopard Saber Sect. His appearance had greatly changed, his complexion was ghastly pale without color, and red roots protruded from his face.

Though of human form, he was no longer human.

Xu Liefeng said, "Trickery at best, a disgrace indeed." His teeth bore congealed blood scum, foul and stinking. He flung his left hand, raising his wide robe, infusing it with refined Inner Qi, as if wielding a large saber.

This was martial arts: Sleeve Knife, a mere petty trick. Yet to Wang Wu, it was hard to defend against.

Wang Wu screamed, his right hand severed to the root, crying out in pain, nearly fainting. Xu Liefeng still seemed unsatisfied, thinking: "Li Xian, today I take off your subordinate's limbs, and in a few days, when we match fists, I'll take off yours!"

He wielded the "Sleeve Knife" again, slicing towards Wang Wu's right foot.

Seeing the imminent bloodshed. A flying knife shot forth, with great force and impact. Xu Liefeng heard the swoosh, realizing this knife was not weak. He had no choice but to halt his offensive, leaping several meters back.

The flying knife stuck into the ground diagonally, the force so immense it crushed the surrounding bricks into powder.

Li Xian executed the Clear Wind Leg, rushing over, drawing the matching knife.

It turned out...

The sounds of fighting earlier, had faintly reached Li Xian's ears. Li Xian knew something had happened, immediately rushing over.

Thus preventing tragedy from occurring.

Wang Wu clutched his right hand, having lost too much blood, his face ashen, "Sir, this person moves stranglely, and…and…is not human!"

Li Xian nodded, having seen Xu Liefeng's form, astonished yet maintaining a calm demeanor, "Xu Liefeng, it's only been a few days, how have you become like this?"

"Hehe." Xu Liefeng said, "I am quite pleased with my form. I somehow received blessings from misfortune. But you lad, it's unexpected, in a few days, you have grown stronger."

"Likewise." Li Xian coldly replied.

"Since Master Martial Captain has arrived, please take him away." Xu Liefeng laughed, "We'll settle our account in a few days."

"Please Master Martial Captain, wash your neck and await my grand arrival."

"Of course, if you choose to wag your tail and plead with the lady for her protection to spare your life, Xu won't have anything to say."

"Hahahaha."

After speaking, he jumped into the crowd and left swiftly. His Lightweight Skill was not shabby, breaking a leg did not affect his gait, walking as effortlessly as a normal person.

Li Xian watched coldly as the figure disappeared into the distance, knowing he was returning to the Leopard Saber Sect, but he didn't pursue, instead turning to aid Wang Wu's injuries.

Wang Wu had lost too much blood, nearly fainting. Li Xian helped him solidify the blood, bandaged him, sprinkled antiseptic medicine.

"Little Wu, you should recuperate well, I'll get you some potent medicine to ensure your life is secure."

"But there's nothing to be done about this severed arm."

"Your injury is on account of me, and I will take proper care of you. Even with one arm, you can still practice martial arts. Rest assured."

Li Xian comforted Wang Wu.

Upon hearing this, Wang Wu fainted in relief.

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