Inner courtyard.

Side residence.

The ground flows with warm water, soothing the body. Li Xian reclines in the water, floating at ease, eyes closed, feeling.

More than six hundred strands of the Essence of Heaven and Earth remain, concentrated without dispersing, circulating for a long time. Li Xian practices martial arts to accelerate the digestion speed. Martial artists liken their bodies to heaven and earth to last long in the world. The Essence of Heaven and Earth is the cornerstone of shaping the heavens and the earth.

The spine, like a sacred mountain, stands tall between heaven and earth.

However, Li Xian's realm is low, and the heaven and earth within his body are chaotic and nebulous; there is still a long road ahead. In the Food Essence Realm, one seeks to transcend the mundane; [Body Like Heaven and Earth] is too distant, too ethereal. In practical terms, simply put, an Essence-Eating Martial Artist drinks the Essence of Heaven and Earth to strengthen, transform fundamentally, and extend lifespan.

"With these six hundred strands of the Essence of Heaven and Earth, if I am lazy and indifferent, I might not digest them in a year. If I diligently practice martial arts and spar with strong opponents, I might digest two or three strands a day, requiring half a year."

"If I want to go faster, Madam says... it's necessary to experience life-and-death situations, to awaken potential amidst life and death, greatly increasing the digestion speed."

Li Xian touches the 'Life Hair' on his head, which grows increasingly longer, his lifespan gradually extending. Madam once told him that the Life Hair is already two inches, the lifespan over a hundred and fifty.

"The lifespan of ordinary clay embryos is a hundred. Essence-Eating Martial Artists live a hundred fifty. If I further consume Essence Treasures and digest the essence within my body to nourish myself as heaven and earth, my lifespan can extend even more."

Li Xian closes his eyes, savoring the Magic Essence of the Golden Scale Technique.

Anyone who consumes the Human Yellow Essence Treasure is considered to have 'started a chart.' After that, they can compile dietary records, nurturing unique treasure techniques.

But sensing the mischievous goldfish swimming with its golden glow shimmering.

The technique contained in a scale or half a tail is limited. But through consumption and reinforcement, there is quite a lot. Triggering the [Savoring] trait. Slowly savoring the taste within, imitating the outline of the Magic Dao, weaving the dietary records.

"Human Yellow Essence Treasure, the technique essence is singular. Even if I swallow the Golden Scale alone, I can't form a technique. It requires mixing multiple Human Yellow Essence Treasure technique essences to naturally form the technique."

"Madam's mentioned [Golden Light Soup] requires the Golden Scale, Yellow Nine Ginseng, Dew of Dawn... I'll remember this recipe. Someday if I have the chance, perhaps I can truly reach it."

A red mole in the center of the eyebrows flashes.

[Essence-Eating]

[Skill Level: 68/100]

[You digest Human Yellow·Golden Scale, skill level in the Food Essence Realm +1]

[You savor the technique essence, skill level in the Food Essence Realm +1]

[Skill Level: 70/100]

Rivers and oceans converge, in a hundred days at the top of the pole, taking another step forward. Li Xian's body emits colorful rays, each transformation revealing a form, each transformation progressing further.

Heavy pupils appear, deep and mysterious.

Many mystical aspects in the Rebirth Appearance become denser.

Li Xian thinks to himself: "Some formidable martial arts require a martial artist who has undergone Rebirth to practice. It seems... because the body of an Essence-Eating Martial Artist can accommodate many mystical abilities. Unfortunately, I can't reach this martial art for now."

...

...

In the blink of an eye, mid-December.

[Skill: Wearing Silkworm Clothes]

[Skill Level: 31/3000 Great Success]

Madam is diligent in seclusion, and Li Xian is often summoned. The technique of wrapping with silkworm clothes shows gradual improvement, unknowingly reaching great success.

Several hours before each seclusion. The two will certainly play around for a while, with Madam feigning reluctance, finding joy within.

The Silkworm Robe Mismatched Jade Technique finally breaks through, with Madam's strength advancing significantly, becoming increasingly formidable. Without a flaw in her appearance, becoming more and more captivating.

On the day of the breakthrough, Madam was delighted and rewarded everyone in the Nursing Home, servants, and maids. Li Xian received rewards worth several hundred taels, and two prestigious restaurants in Qingning County and Huangyu County were awarded to Li Xian for him to manage.

Madam Wen thought: "The Silkworm Robe Mismatched Jade Technique has already broken through; just a bit more stabilization, and I can head to the Southern Border to seek the One-Heart Gu. I have not passed on profound martial arts to him yet, waiting for this treasure to arrive. My sect's martial arts must not be leaked. Even Uncle Xiang, loyal as he is, can't glimpse much. Only if someone enters my sect, without distinction, will I pass it on. Besides, given his youth, waiting a few more years to accumulate a bit isn't a bad thing."

Secretly planning the journey to the Southern Border. Ordered Uncle Xiang to prepare the tools, arrange the trip, and smooth out the relationships. Uncle Xiang hesitated to speak, thinking: "Madam is indeed in a hurry, the One-Heart Gu is not cheap. It really seems that young man is Madam's chosen young gentleman."

He became more respectful towards Li Xian.

Li Xian faintly noticed but didn't know the undercurrents beneath. Thus, he remained calm and focused, diligently practicing martial arts.

"Madam's extraordinary ability has taken yet another step, becoming stronger. I must strive to catch up. Though I don't possess profound extraordinary skills, I can practice the martial arts I know to the utmost level!"

[Vast Leg] has reached Great Success, enhancing the strength, though not as compared to Madam, but not being constrained, what is gained is more solid.

On this day.

Madam Wen stabilizes the Silkworm Robe Mismatched Jade Technique and goes into seclusion again.

Due to the breakthrough in extraordinary skills, the technique of wrapping with silkworm clothes has many differences, becoming more intricate, the silk rope weaving is complex and not inferior to a set of martial arts. She can't help but feel a deep resentment:

"This extraordinary skill is indeed powerful, but it inevitably torments me too much, the deeper I practice, the more implicated I am. At the last layer, my hands and feet were sluggish, but the Qi movement was unobstructed. At this layer... following the silkworm clothes method, several acupoints like my Spirit Platform, Xuanji, Shenque are sealed and blocked. These are quite important acupoints for moving my inner Qi."

"According to this method, with the silkworm clothes on, my Qi movement becomes difficult and uncoordinated. If a strong adversary attacks, I'll be greatly unresponsive. If I advance another layer, wouldn't I truly be unable to fight back? Truly at the mercy. By then, wouldn't Li Xian..."

Thinking about a certain place, his expression became unusual.

Li Xian didn't know the key details and only felt that the Silkworm Robe was complex and tedious, and very time-consuming. When donned, his hands, feet, and wrist, and all the acupuncture points around his body were restricted, it must be very uncomfortable.

Li Xian asked, "Madam, is it time to practice?" Madam Wen said calmly, "Of course." She was naturally suspicious and would not reveal a word of the flaws in her martial arts technique. Even if Li Xian were to be affected by the One-Heart Gu one day, he would find it hard to know this secret.

Such is her nature, unrelated to love.

The Silkworm Robe was complicated, and by the time it was worn properly, it was already night. Madam needed to stabilize her unique abilities and couldn't afford any disturbances, so as soon as she was done, she drove Li Xian away, telling him to come back in three days to help her resolve issues.

The stars were bright tonight.

But the moon was incomplete.

Li Xian pondered over the magic essence, digesting the essence within his body. The night passed leisurely, and the next day, before dawn, Ding Hu came and said, "Master Li, someone outside is asking for Madam."

Li Xian asked, "Who is it?"

"The person claims to be a friend of Madam and is waiting outside the manor. Whether to meet or not, it's for you to inform Madam and let her decide." Ding Hu said respectfully.

Li Xian thought that Madam couldn't move, so how could she meet anyone? But the visitor's intention, whether good or bad, was unknown. He needed to investigate personally.

He went outside the manor and saw a person in coarse clothing, looking dusty from travel. The person had thinning hair at the temples, was in middle age, yet still strikingly handsome.

Li Xian pondered, "Madam has many foes; coming at this time, whether friend or foe, is hard to determine." He asked, "Esteemed elder, what business do you have with Madam?"

The middle-aged person looked up sharply, and said, "Are you Li Xian, the Evil Captain?"

"You know me, esteemed elder?" Li Xian replied calmly.

The middle-aged person said, "I know of you. I heard some of your exploits on the way here, and it seems the rumors aren't false; you and Wen Caishang are indeed close."

Li Xian asked, "Oh?"

The middle-aged person continued, "Even though you dress plainly, you possess an uncommon aura. The red mole between your brows, your unique appearance, and your handsome features are easy to recognize. When I arrived at Qiong Heavenly Mansion, I passed through the Prefecture City and heard some of your rumors, though the city's families wanted to conceal some incidents."

"Originally, I have no relation with you, so why investigate your deeds. But I have a peculiar fondness for delving into matters others want to hide."

"Moreover, the city's family surnames are quite unscrupulous. It's easy to investigate them clearly. After all, many observers were present at the Tianjiao Pavilion Banquet. No matter how much the city families want to hide, how can they?"

"Rumor has it you and your lady have a close relationship. I didn't believe it at first, but now face to face. You carry the lingering scent of 'Vacant Musk,' which comes from the Madam. It's most concentrated around your chest and abdomen, indicating you and your lady are very intimate."

The middle-aged man raised his eyebrow and smiled, with a teasing expression.

Li Xian was open-hearted and cupped his hands, saying, "Li Bo Hou, esteemed elder, as expected of the Divine Hunter, impressive, I admire you."

"Oh?" The middle-aged man said, "You call me Li Bo Hou, what's your reasoning?"

"Oh dear, father, what reasoning would he have, he naturally heard of your great name long ago and has seen your image."

While the two conversed, a young woman rode over, charming and lively, with bright eyes. Li Xian had encountered this girl before, known as "Li Haitang."

Li Bo Hou said, "Not really. Young brother, tell us in detail."

Li Xian said, "Esteemed elder's great name truly is well-known. As for how I recognized your identity, it's quite simple. I once encountered your noble daughter and knew she is your daughter."

"Also, seeing you both, your eyes and brows bear similarities. Your clear and logical speech just now closely matches the renowned Divine Hunter, so I took a bold guess."

"Now seeing your honored daughter appear, it further confirms it. Since you both are friends of Madam, it's cold outside, please come in quickly for a seat."

Li Bo Hou chuckled softly, "You are quite impressive, Haitang, get off your horse. Standing so high, isn't it disrespectful?"

Li Haitang leaped off the horse. She looked curiously and scrutinized Li Xian repeatedly.

As they walked to the door.

Li Haitang couldn't help but ask, "Hey, when did I ever meet you?"

Li Bo Hou admonished, "Haitang! Don't be rude!" Then he smiled, "Young brother, my daughter has been spoiled by me, please don't mind."

Li Xian speculated inwardly, "I noticed it early on." He said, "Maybe Miss Haitang doesn't remember me. Last year around this time, you came to the manor once, capturing the evil Pot Immortal. I was one of the nursing home guards at that time."

"Huh?" Li Haitang had long since cast this matter aside, but upon thinking carefully, suddenly said, "Ah! You were that guard?"

She had a faint impression, gradually recalling it.

Li Xian said, "It seems Miss Haitang remembers me. It's truly an honor."

"This… in just a year, how have you changed so much?" Li Haitang asked in surprise. Her beautiful eyes scanned up and down, full of curiosity.

Li Xian casually avoided the question. Li Bo Hou could tell from his keen observation that Li Xian wasn't fond of his daughter, yet his daughter was quite curious about him.

Li Xian led the way. Turning through the corridors, leading them into the Reception Hall to take a seat. He boiled tea and served it to them one by one.

Li Haitang took a sip and her eyes shimmered, "Hey, tell me about your experiences this past year?"

Li Xian said, "Oh right, Miss Haitang, was the Pot Immortal ever captured?"

Li Haitang said irritably, "That scoundrel ran off to who knows where." Turning curious, she said, "But tell me about you, have you reached the Food Essence Realm? What appearance did you reveal?"

"Ahem, Haitang, don't be rude!" Li Bo Hou interrupted. He cupped his hands and said, "Brother Li, please introduce your Madam. It concerns the Dragon Appreciation Banquet and is closely related to her."

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