Chapter 181: Chapter 178: Assisting with Silk Clothing, Honeyed Words in the Tower

Early October.

Transition between autumn and winter.

Just stepping out of the inner courtyard, a chill swept over. Li Xian’s martial arts had improved greatly, bringing him a good mood as he roamed around with his hands behind his head, enjoying the sights.

“Heading to the prefecture city… I’ll be able to see my younger brother. I wonder if he has been affected by rumors about me?”

“Younger brother is smart, he likely won’t take it to heart.”

“I’ve shed the old clay embryonic form, my appearance has changed greatly. I wonder if my brother will be surprised when he sees me.”

Li Xian wandered around, feeling refreshed. Standing there, his spine was like a divine mountain, his muscles and bones perfectly refined, revealing his true form and nature.

This stance alone, his presence was extraordinary.

“Greetings, sir.”

The nursing home patrol walked past and, upon seeing Li Xian, was momentarily stunned before respectfully saluting him. Some of the more simplistic ones even kowtowed. Li Xian nodded amiably, telling them not to be so formal, then moved on to another place, continuing his aimless wandering.

The patrol watched Li Xian walk into the distance, lost in thought for a while before discussing amongst themselves: “Li Da-ren is like a divine being, with such presence and demeanor, it’s no wonder Madam is interested in him.”

“Now, in the manor, aside from Madam, it’s Li Da-ren who calls the shots.”

“Oh, how short-sighted; it’s not just within the manor. In all of Qingning County, who would dare not heed Li Da-ren?”

“When we go to Qingning County as nurses of Yihetang Manor, who doesn’t look up to us? Those at the Qingning County entertainment places have even asked me about Li Da-ren since they know I’m from Yihetang Manor.”

After a while of envy, they resumed their patrol. Li Xian had roamed the manor several times and was familiar with its scenery. He had visited barren mountains and abandoned houses.

In a daze, he found himself at the foot of a pagoda.

The plaque read “Xia Dan Tower.”

The tower door was securely locked, and as Li Xian circled the tower, his thoughts swirled. Though he had penetrated some truths of martial arts, he had not gleaned any of Madam’s eclectic knowledge.

“A martial artist can hardly get far relying solely on brute force. I believe that Heaven rewards diligence, with daily progress. Besides practicing martial arts, I can also learn many other skills. Someday in the Jianghu, whether stargazing, divination, geomancy, alchemy, medicine, or pharmacy, as long as I’m knowledgeable, why worry about not succeeding?”

“Last time at Yunxiang Pavilion, I mentioned getting some medicine. Madam didn’t agree, probably because she didn’t think much of me. Or perhaps… entering the tower for alchemy requires taking off one’s clothes. Now, if I ask again, I wonder if she’ll agree.”

“Timing is crucial. Tonight, Madam will be in retreat. When I assist her in closing the retreat, I’ll bring it up again. If Madam agrees, it’ll be almost guaranteed.”

Li Xian lingered around, smelling the fragrance of alchemy, reluctant to leave. He looked and looked again, wandered here and there, and unknowingly reached the manor’s edge.

A martial artist strives for progress.

But with every major breakthrough, they often pause to rest, to relish their mood, to appreciate and comprehend heaven and earth. Li Xian acted completely according to his true nature, aligning subtly with this principle.

As he passed by a field of weeds, he suddenly heard a commotion.

“Old bastard, you’ve gone too far!”

“You little brat, I’ll fight you!”

In the weedy field, two servants had a disagreement and were now brawling. Their fists and feet flew with some momentum. After a while, the younger servant found himself at a disadvantage, but instead of retreating, he lunged at the older servant, knocking him to the ground.

Using city thug tactics, yet effectively so; both rolled on the ground, limbs entwined, each punch and grab filled with a life-or-death desperation.

These two were none other than Bi Hao and Luo Fang.

Luo Fang had once been in the nursing home, and his skills were decent. But years of neglect had caused his qi and blood to decline, no longer as they were.

In addition, having faced many great upheavals this year, he fell from being a steward to a servant, barely getting enough food or clothing and even receiving several beatings that damaged his muscles and bones. His previous fighting stance was hard to muster, and his strength had drastically declined.

Bi Hao’s fighting skills were average, but he had youth on his side. In their struggle, the outcome was uncertain.

After fighting for a while, both were panting. Bi Hao noticed a certain figure, and an immense strength surged through him. Luo Fang yelled, “You little brat, pulling out endless energy, huh?” He immediately readied his stance, fully focused.

Yet, Bi Hao suddenly jumped toward the far distance, kneeling and kowtowing intensely. Luo Fang looked over, felt a complex mix of emotions. The current Li Xian, having transcended mud and dust, was now beyond reach.

Luo Fang staggered over and also knelt and kowtowed increasingly devoutly. Suddenly he understood, bowing until his head bled.

After Li Xian had long left, the uncle-nephew pair finally came to their senses. Yet they remained kneeling for a long time, unwilling to rise. Luo Fang regretfully said, “I regret it; fate offered me a chance, and I let it slip, now reduced to this state.”

With tears and snot flowing.

Bi Hao said, “It’s all because of you, old bastard. You ruined my future, I’ll fight you!”

…

Li Xian, passing by by chance, took just a glance before already moving far away. By evening, he returned to the inner courtyard. After having dinner, Li Xian took a box with him and followed Madam up to Jingxin Tower.

The oil lamps along the steps were bright.

Madam Wen dressed in a flowing white gown, the skirt trailing the ground and the sleeves hanging down to her knees; her hands folded and resting over her abdomen. She walked with grace and elegance.

Li Xian followed behind, inhaling the fragrant air. Madam Wen said, “Little Immortal, light the lamps.”

Upon reaching the spacious room, Li Xian lit the four corner lamps. The glow filled the room; Jingxin Tower wasn’t particularly tall, its purpose focused on calming the heart and gathering qi, with a flat top.

Not competing for height, but for stability. Not competing for movement, but for stillness.

Madam Wen’s pretty face had a faint blush, with hints of joy, shyness, and awkwardness. Her emotions were usually muted, rarely shown. Only in this quiet room could one glimpse a bit of them. Yuan Qiuyue assisted her in practicing this art; she found it annoying, thinking: “This art is powerful, but terribly bothersome.”

Yet she had no choice.

Now it was different, with a romantic sentiment in her heart, she didn’t find it bothersome.

Li Xian opened the wooden box. Inside was a Green Silkworm Rope. Its color and texture were a silvery jade, faintly transparent, and felt weightless in hand. According to Li Xian’s knowledge, this rope was unique.

Wearing Silkworm Clothes was extremely complex, involving acupoints and Qi flow, with numerous important aspects. Li Xian’s Jade Palm had reached its peak, and with the “Miao Hand” trait, he mastered it quickly.

The green rope first wrapped around the neck, then tightened at various crucial points, touching many acupoints. The sensation was indescribable. Li Xian asked at this moment, “Madam, is the Silkworm Clothes wrapping correct?”

Madam Wen nodded slightly, yet her heart was unsettled. A trace of gentle sweetness rose within her, although she had always occupied the dominant position in her life, at this moment, she found it hard to maintain her composure.

Li Xian asked, “It’s true, Madam, you haven’t practiced Alchemy for quite some time.”

“How could one practice alchemy every day?” Madam Wen said softly.

Li Xian straightforwardly asked, “Madam, to be honest, I… wish to learn alchemy, could you teach me?”

Madam Wen rebuked, “You brat, you really know how to pick a moment. Asking me now so I can’t hit you, right?”

“Not exactly,” Li Xian said, “To be honest, it’s here that I feel especially close to you, Madam.”

Madam Wen’s heart swayed, her eyes filled with charm as she glanced at him, “Flowery words. The art of alchemy… is a mix of various studies. To master it, you need to understand Geomancy and Construction, Five Elements and Eight Trigrams, and also need a solid Martial Arts foundation. It’s very difficult.”

“The alchemy sects of the world are myriad. The more advanced the pill, the greater the effort required. Let me tell you…”

Madam Wen’s tone was gentle, she continued, “There was once a Rare Divine Pill that shocked the world. Do you know how this divine pill was made?”

While wearing the Silkworm Clothes, Li Xian asked, “Please tell me, Madam.”

“This divine pill took decades of effort, enlisting hundreds of thousands of people, to erect a Sealing Platform within a Snow Mountain.”

“A Yellow Dragon Tripod held on the platform, filled with rare divine medicine. The fire used, all was rare divine fire. The cauldron fire roared, thunder roared and the earth quaked, astonishing the world.”

Li Xian clicked his tongue and listened attentively. Madam Wen, her upper body barely movable, with both arms tied, leaned her head back and said, “Do you think that’s all it takes?”

“Isn’t it enough?” Li Xian asked.

“Far from it!” Madam Wen said, “The person maintained continuous divine fire for three years. Yet, the divine pill could not form. At this time, an enemy nation invaded, and he dispatched troops to resist.”

“The battle helped in forming the pill. Thus, this person waged wars, shedding blood continuously, and the divine pill gradually formed.”

“What do you think is the value of this pill?”

“Incalculable.” It was the first time Li Xian had heard of such a heavy treasure, “So heavy, so heavy, countless lives.”

Madam Wen said, “I tell you this secret for one reason… Ah…” Madam Wen’s face blushed as she glanced at Li Xian, continued, “to let you know how vast the world is. Secondly…”

“The art of alchemy is not simply about tossing in herbs and applying a big fire to bake. A treasure pill is like a treasure and strange object.”

“And the birth of treasure and strange objects requires the timing and environment, the incognito intervention of the heavens and earth…”

At this point, her tone became distant. Wearing Silkworm Clothes and being locked at the acupoints, inevitably there were things she could not conveniently say. Madam Wen said, “Therefore, a Treasure Pill also needs all kinds of factors. Of course, the world is vast, and there are alternative methods to form pills.”

Li Xian’s heart tickled, he suppressed his excitement and said, “Madam, could you elaborate on some key points? I wish to broaden my knowledge.”

“I can.” Madam Wen’s mind relaxed. “That person’s alchemy involves several stages. First, momentum. The building of the Sealing Platform is the momentum. The higher the momentum, the stronger the pill.”

“Generally, alchemists will build towers or pavilions as a way to create momentum. Then afterwards, the alchemy begins. The pill’s nature varies, hence the method varies. Common pills, controlling the fire and herbs… might suffice. Some pills, however, are immensely complex.”

This path was vast, Madam Wen found it hard to explain everything at once with words. Some of it requires seeing and experiencing, as conveying through words might cause misunderstandings.

Madam Wen softly said, “If you truly are interested, in the future when I set up the furnace for alchemy, I will allow you to enter the tower to learn, and explain the essentials to you.”

“In my bedroom, there are some alchemy manuals. If you have the leisure, you can take a look at them.”

“But with the Prefecture City banquet approaching, you need to know the priorities. Do not lose sight of the big picture because of something small.”

“Thank you, Madam.” Hearing Madam finally agree, Li Xian couldn’t help but feel happy. At this time, the Silkworm Clothes were completed.

“Go on, leave now.” Madam Wen said.

…

…

Li Xian went straight to the bedroom and found several alchemy manuals on the bookshelf. He roughly flipped through them; the principles were obscure and difficult to understand, but all things under heaven could be used for alchemy.

Driven entirely by curiosity at this moment, Li Xian didn’t seek to deeply understand, just scanning through, remembering what he could, if not, letting it go.

He was full of energy, feeling Inner Qi abundant, just a small step away from “thirty-two zhang.”

After reading, he practiced martial arts.

［Setting Sun Bloodsword·First Layer］

［Skill Level: 23699/50000 Perfection］

［Setting Sun Bloodsword·Second Layer］

［Skill Level: 3859/5000 Minor Achievement］

Both have improved.

As the Tianjiao Layered Meeting approached, Li Xian’s heart lake surged, youthful ambition, ultimately wanted to compete with Tianjiao.

If one day the Evil Captain entered the mansion, could it stir up waves?

Suddenly, a “bang” resounded throughout his body, Qi like waves, stepping into thirty-two zhang!

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