Chapter 277 Promotion Order, Digestion of the Essence Treasure, Signs of Turbidity Appearing All Over the Body!

The "water altar" at Hualongmen is an island bursting with flowers. The island covers a vast area, surrounded by endless clusters of vibrant, colorful, and dazzling flowers.

The moment I stepped in, a dazzling array of colors rushed into my eyes, leaving me mesmerized and unsure of where to place my feet.

The town gate is on the east side, and there is a stone tablet outside with the three characters "Peach Blossom Town" written on it. The characters are written in cursive script from the Nanyang period, which shows a very profound level of calligraphic skill.

Under Wen Caishang's tutelage, Li Xian's calligraphy skills, though still needing refinement, already possessed a remarkably discerning eye. He had thoroughly memorized the evolution of calligraphy throughout history. As he carefully examined the notes, he couldn't help but nod repeatedly.

The town has long bluestone streets and tall buildings.

Mischievous children catch butterflies and play with bees, farmers till the fields and plant rice, and women tend to flowers and water them.

This peach blossom town has about 40,000 households, where birds sing and flowers bloom, and the atmosphere is peaceful and tranquil.

In the distance, towering mountains rise majestically; up close, a babbling brook flows gently.

Li Xian was suddenly taken aback. He caught sight of a familiar figure and stared intently. The man was tall and strong, with a scarred face. He had short, neat hair and was quite robust.

It was Pang Long!

Commander Pang of Yihe Village.

Li Xian was once assigned to garrison "Heihe Village". During this time, Yihe Village underwent tremendous changes. Pang Long was injured one after another and eventually disappeared without a trace.

Li Xian frowned, glancing at him briefly and only noting a resemblance, but he couldn't be certain. He then focused his gaze and observed more closely. He noticed the man's slightly drooping shoulders, large hands, and gait similar to Pang Long's. It must be Pang Long without a doubt.

Li Xian asked, "Is this person a fellow disciple?"

Qiao Sanyan smiled and said, "He is a disciple of the Flower Cage Sect. I have been on a mission with him before, and I know his name is Pang Long. Do you know him?"

Li Xian thought to himself, "It really is Commander Pang!" He felt a slight joy at meeting an old friend in a foreign land. But then he pondered to himself:

"A person's temperament changes with their circumstances. It's really hard to guess what Pang Tong's temperament will be like after such a dramatic change. The situation is still unclear, so let's not think it's good and try to avoid trouble."

He shook his head and smiled, saying, "It's our first meeting, so we don't know each other."

Pang Long looked over upon hearing the voice, stared at Li Xian's face, and was slightly taken aback, thinking, "What a handsome man." He felt a vague sense of familiarity, but could not recognize him.

It turned out that Li Xian had shed his mud-covered appearance and was quite handsome. After being stationed in Heihe Village, the two rarely saw each other. It was during that time that Li Xian's appearance changed drastically.

Over the past two years... Li Xian, under Wen Caishang's tutelage, has become increasingly handsome, transforming from a thin, menial servant into a cheerful and dashing young man. His demeanor, appearance, and vision have all undergone a complete transformation.

At this moment, he secretly applied rouge to his face, trying to conceal his handsome appearance as much as possible.

After a long time, Pang Long had experienced many things, and his memory of Li Xian had gradually faded. Due to a combination of factors, although Li Xian looked familiar, he couldn't immediately place the name "Li Xian." Moreover, the Li Xian in his memory was thin and delicate, and although he was handsome, he couldn't compare to the person in front of him.

Li Xian cupped his hands and said, "Senior Brother Pang." Pang Long nodded slightly, then turned and left. Qiao Sanyan said, "Pang Long is a man of few words; that's just his nature."

Li Xian said, "It's alright. I don't mind." Qiao Sanyan said, "Let's go, let's continue strolling around."

The peach blossoms in Peach Blossom Town are in full bloom, filling the air with their fragrance. The streetscape is beautiful, and a gentle breeze causes the pink leaves to flutter down.

It prevented the lake water from becoming fishy and damp.

Turning into a small alley, the aroma of wine wafted through the air. Qiao Sanyan smiled and said, "Junior Brother Hua, the peach blossom wine here is exceptionally delicious. We've been eating fish soup for days; it's time to show you some other delicacies."

Li Xian laughed and said, "Senior Brother Qiao, I don't have any money."

Qiao Sanyan laughed and said, "Haha, it's my treat. Do we disciples of the Flower Cage Sect lack money?"

Tables and chairs were set up outside the wine shop. The aroma of wine wafted out of the alley. Three children with braids ordered a bowl of peach blossom wine and three wooden chopsticks. They dipped the chopsticks into the wine and sipped it little by little.

The "Peach Blossom Wine" brewed by Hualongmen is an exceptionally fine wine. It sells widely outside the region, with a mellow and delicious flavor that is neither spicy nor strong, yet intoxicating without being overpowering.

People of all ages crave this flavor.

Jade City, Naked Sect, Lishan Sword Sect... many sects also love this fine wine. When preparing for grand events or gatherings, they will purchase it in large quantities to entertain guests.

Qiao Sanyan bought a jar of fine wine and some fresh-flower-infused eggs. The wine shop owner carried the jar to the table. Qiao Sanyan paid for the wine, about thirty coins.

He then laughed and said, "Junior Brother Hua, outside, a sip of peach blossom wine would cost at least five hundred coins."

He pulled back the cloth covering the wine jar, and a rich aroma of wine wafted out. Upon closer inspection, he saw four eggs floating in the jar.

The so-called "flower-infused drunken egg" is actually made by hiding raw eggs in wine, which then ferments along with the wine, creating a unique flavor.

Qiao Sanyan said, "This is a 'flower-infused drunken egg,' you should try it!" He lightly tapped the wine jar. The wine splashed up in two streams, spilling into the thick-bottomed wine bowl.

Two freshly made drunken eggs jumped out of the jar and landed on the table, spinning rapidly. Fine cracks appeared on the eggshells.

This move is the "Heart-Shaking Palm." It's a basic martial art, which Qiao Sanyan has mastered to perfection. The palm force penetrates into the jar, stirring up the wine. It knocks the drunken egg out of the jar, demonstrating exquisite control over the palm force.

Li Xian praised, "Senior Brother Qiao, excellent technique!" Qiao Sanyan humbly smiled and said, "Junior Brother Hua, your martial arts are not bad either, won't you show off a skill?"

Li Xian laughed and said, "Hahaha, how dare I show off in front of Senior Brother Qiao?"

Peel off the eggshell.

The flower-infused drunken eggs are crystal clear, with translucent flesh. They possess the rich aroma of wine, and the yolks are surprisingly liquid, concentrating the essence of the wine, with a slightly sweet taste. Dipping them in cumin sauce enhances their unique flavor even further.

Li Xian ate a drunken egg and drank a sip of fine wine, thoroughly enjoying himself. Qiao Sanyan ordered two more plates of drunken fried peanuts, and mysteriously, another plate of snacks to go with the wine.

When it was served, I realized it was "fresh bee pupae," still wriggling on their own. They were white, tender, and translucent, like jade and cream.

It's sweet, refreshing, and helps cut through any greasiness. This is "Drunken Pupae," a unique appetizer from Peach Blossom Town. Peach Blossom Town is abundant with all sorts of flowers, attracting bees and butterflies in large swarms.

Chasing bees to collect their pupae is a common practice. When stung by bees, the pain is intense, and people often seek relief with alcohol. Over time, this led to the creation of a dish called "Drunken Pupae."

They ate and drank their fill.

After traveling a few more miles, we briefly looked at the tall pavilions and towers in the town. The town was becoming increasingly deserted, and we were about to leave.

Ordinary disciples of the Flower Cage Sect can purchase residences in small towns. They can develop mansions and fields, hire people to help manage them, or live there themselves.

Qiao Sanyan said, "Junior Brother Hua, you've just arrived at the Water Altar and don't have a place to stay. What are your plans?" Li Xian replied, "Please instruct me, Senior Brother Qiao."

Qiao Sanyan said, "There are inns in town. If you are only staying temporarily, you can rent a room at an inn. If you want to stay for a long time, you can rent a house."

"Either buy your own house."

Li Xian laughed and said, "Where would I get the money to buy a house?" Qiao Sanyan said, "Then you can rent guest rooms first. Buying a house is indeed not easy."

"I presume I need to assist you with renting the guest rooms. You may proceed on your own. Once everything is settled, follow this path deeper into the area, and you will find an island within an island. That is where my Flower Cage Sect disciples exchange skills, hone their techniques, and acquire martial arts materials."

"By the way, we're going to be holding a grand event. The rewards are very generous. You're quite capable, so take advantage of this time to prepare well."

The two parted ways here.

Li Xian returned to town and used the remaining money to rent a guest room. The room was clean and tidy, with bookshelves, a desk, a bed, etc., which was quite complete.

Ordinary disciples of the Flower Cage Sect have no right to enter or leave the island. Whether they enter or leave, they can only follow the elders' ships and obey their orders.

The world is in chaos now, and the Flower Cage Sect is being besieged by various factions, resulting in the deaths and injuries of its elders. It is quite common for shipping to be suspended for months at a time.

After settling the guest room, Li Xian headed towards the "island within an island." After leaving Peach Blossom Town, she drove for another ten miles or so, winding and turning, and sure enough, she saw a lake.

A white mist shrouded the lake, obscuring everything. A boat was available on the shore; he untied the rope and rowed into the deeper water.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the "island within an island." More than a hundred boats were moored at the shore, and many disciples of the Flower Cage Sect were coming and going.

The island has luxurious buildings.

There is a Red Flower Pavilion, a Martial Arts Pavilion, a Flower Visit Pavilion, a Climbing Branch Pavilion, four academies (east, south, west, and north), a Flower Seeking Residence, a fighting arena, an auction house...

All kinds of buildings have their uses. The flower cage gate may seem chaotic, but it actually uses profit and beauty to drive people away. Yet it surpasses many rules and regulations.

The inner hierarchy was extremely strict.

Disciples are divided into three levels: "registered," "holding orders," and "stamped." Registered disciples have little real power. They must obey orders and accumulate "merit."

Once one accumulates one hundred merits, one can exchange them for the basic martial arts of this sect. After that, one must accumulate more experience over two years to master the basic martial arts and then become a "Commander".

If one possesses exceptional talent and has mastered the fundamentals of martial arts, one can skip the "experience-building" stage, pass the assessment, and obtain a disciple token.

Most disciples of the Flower Cage Sect fail in their pursuit of seniority. Some die halfway through, while others, feeling hopeless, simply flee.

Sect "merit points" have numerous uses. They can be used as currency at the Water Altar, exchanged for martial arts manuals, auctioned off items, and even used for promotions, serving as a crucial assessment tool.

Only after becoming a disciple holding the command token are they officially members of the Flower Cage Sect. They are then able to register for and participate in grand events, possessing a certain status and access to designated venues.

To obtain certain ways to acquire resources.

Those who cook fine dishes will also receive a share of the broth. If they perform a great service, they will be rewarded with a piece of meat.

Li Xian pondered, “Now that I’ve arrived at the Water Altar, the layout outside the island is complicated. It’s difficult to escape. I might as well settle here and focus on accumulating strength. Nangong Liuli comes from a prominent family. Even she said that although the Flower Cage Sect is despicable and shameless, its unique skills are quite formidable. Moreover… it has close ties with the Candle Sect. If there’s an opportunity, it wouldn’t hurt to investigate a bit.”

Li Xian surveyed the area from east to west. As dusk fell, the disciples of "Island Within an Island" gradually departed by boat.

Li Xian did not linger long. Upon reaching the shore, he rowed back to Peach Blossom Town. Along the way, he heard rustling sounds and saw fellow disciples. Some were young, some were old, and the group was very diverse.

Li Xian spoke with him and learned that some disciples, in their thirties or forties, by chance entered the Flower Cage Sect and began their journey of martial arts cultivation. He and his ilk started a little later, but if they were lucky, they still had a chance to achieve a good position.

Li Xian imagined the scene at Yihe Manor. Starting as a menial servant, he risked his life to become a guard. In this world... unless one is a member of a powerful family, it is extremely difficult for an ordinary person to achieve anything in martial arts!

Back in the bedroom, it was completely dark. The sky was filled with stars, and the moon shone brightly over the horizon. The scenery was truly breathtaking.

Li Xian opened the window, letting the night breeze blow in, and sat there blankly for a long time. Remembering that she hadn't washed herself, she exhaled a breath of "pure air" from her "Three Flowers Gathering at the Top," which would blow away all the filth.

He had some free time today. He had initially imagined the Water Temple to be a hellish, dangerous place, rife with evil deeds, a gathering place for thugs, and a place of oppressive atmosphere... but it turned out to be quite different. Although it was still a gathering place for thugs and a place with a long history of evil deeds, at least it was peaceful on the surface.

The mind is relaxed.

He spent some money to buy a kettle of hot water. He soaked in the hot water, letting his long hair fall loosely. His muscles and skin gradually relaxed and soothed in the water.

He breathed a long sigh of relief. He gathered his energy in the three directions above his head and exhaled a breath of pure air. He raised his hand to play with the pure air, passing the time in his leisure.

The Peach Blossom Town is extremely tranquil.

Li Xian's thoughts gradually drifted away.

"Now that we have arrived at the Water Altar, it is peaceful and tranquil. Although the Flower Cage Sect are all heinous thieves, I, Li Xian, am just a lone leaf drifting in the wind, with nowhere to go."

"I originally wanted to go to the Yue Mountain Sword Sect, but such a sect is so popular with the scions of powerful families. Even if I went to the foot of Yue Mountain, would they even give me a second glance?"

"Since I've drifted here by the wind, I might as well settle down in this water basin for now. I can use the resources here to recuperate, improve my martial arts, and build up my strength. As for the shady dealings of the Flower Cage Sect, I will not get involved."

"In that case... tomorrow, I need to go to the island within the island again to be promoted to 'Disciple of the Order'."

Li Xian reflected on himself and considered his current situation. He chose a route and then planned his next step. Knowing how to proceed and where he would go, he felt a surge of boundless motivation.

After washing and cleaning himself, Li Xian took out rouge and applied it to his face, darkening it slightly. He then covered the red mole between his eyebrows. He was extremely troubled by his two transformation marks. The red mole could not be hidden, so he could only use rouge to conceal it.

His double pupils needed to be deliberately controlled. Otherwise, their exposure would cause trouble. His full appearance was rarely revealed. Only Wen Caishang and Zhao Zhiyuan had seen them. The latter had already died tragically.

Li Xian thought to himself, "Only by becoming stronger and fearless of external forces can I reveal my true form. Otherwise... I should keep my trump cards hidden!"

[You moved dirty items, skill level +1]

[You moved dirty items, skill level +1]

...

Moving away the impurities, calming the mind and cultivating inner peace, nourishing the blood and strengthening the body. There are no urgent matters on the island for the time being, and it is very peaceful.

[The Five Viscera Avoid Turbidity and Meet Yang Classic - Chapter on the Five Viscera]

[Proficiency: 599/1600 Mastery]

...

...

The next day.

The five internal organs avoid turbidity and the Yang meridians do not generate internal Qi, but they are quite effective in digesting and absorbing the "essence of heaven and earth".

Last night, he digested seven strands of "essence of heaven and earth," feeling refreshed and light as a feather. He has already "gathered the three flowers at the top of his head," and is not far from "wearing the turbid robes."

Ragged clothes, plain clothes... a golden robe and jade garment... a demonic robe of the Void. Li Xian was greatly curious. If fate was predetermined, and so were his clothes, what kind of clothes would he be destined to wear?

As he tidied his belongings, he remembered the "Mustard Void Demon Robe," which could conceal items within its fabric and make them vanish into thin air. Wouldn't it be much lighter to hide his clutter inside the Demon Robe?

There were still more than twenty taels of silver left, which was quite sufficient.

Yesterday's "Peach Blossom Fresh Wine" and "Fresh Flower Drunken Eggs" were absolutely delicious. Li Xian's craving was strong, so he followed his memory and found the wine shop in the deep alley. He spent a few coins to buy three bowls of "Peach Blossom Fresh Wine" and two "Fresh Flower Drunken Eggs".

Drinking wine and eating eggs. Having tasted the wine, one has many feelings. Naturally, one asks, "Shopkeeper, is your peach blossom wine made by first marinating February peach blossoms with fine white salt, then cooking and simmering them... and finally wrapping the layers of peach blossoms with freshly picked ones, placing them in a wine jar, and burying it about ten feet deep in the ground, thus brewing it?"

The wine shop owner exclaimed in surprise, "Oh dear! You've been watching me brew wine?!"

Li Xian laughed and said, "Just guessing." The wine shop owner said confidently, "You definitely peeked, otherwise how could you have spoken so clearly!"

Li Xian said, "Shopkeeper, I'm new here. How could I be spying? Besides, this jar of wine of yours has been brewing for at least several months. Do you think I've been following you the whole time?"

The wine shop owner said, "Wait a moment!" He turned around and went back into the house, secretly taking out a cloth bag and slipping it into Li Xian's hand.

He untied the cloth bag, revealing a dozen taels of silver inside. Li Xian was puzzled. The wine shop owner pleaded, "Good young hero, since you've guessed my brewing secret, please keep it a secret for me. Don't tell anyone, this is my livelihood. If you reveal it, I... I'll be finished."

Li Xian suddenly understood. His "drinking" skills were now perfected, and he had grasped the essence of "tasting." He could now taste the spirit of all things and discern their subtleties. Just now, through tasting wine, he had figured out the secret recipe for brewing.

He realized the great potential of this characteristic: "By eating other people's food, I can discern the recipes. By drinking other people's fine wine, I can discern the brewing secrets. With this characteristic, why should I worry about not making money?"

"In the future, I will hone my culinary skills, create amazing dishes, and make martial artists all over the world spend thousands of taels of silver just to have a bite of my food. Wouldn't that be wonderful!"

Feeling elated, he returned the silver, saying, "Don't worry, I will never reveal the brewing recipe. You can keep this money for yourself!"

He turned and left.

The island within an island was bustling with activity, already filled with many disciples. Li Xian's small boat docked and headed straight for "Panzhi Tower".

To be promoted to "Disciple Holding Orders," he needs to pass the sect's assessment. Panzhilou is the place specifically for handling "rank" promotions.

The steward in the building is named Meng Han, and he is an elder of the Flower Cage Sect. There are not many people who want to be promoted today, only about five or six.

They exchanged glances. Li Xian noticed that there were two women among them. They were charming and beautiful, but they were also disciples of the Flower Cage Sect.

Li Xian thought curiously, "Good heavens... this place is a den of wolves. If I come to the Flower Cage Sect as a disciple, am I not afraid of being mistakenly captured?"

Suddenly, he felt a light tap on his shoulder, and a voice came from behind him: "Brother, here to advance? Where are you from?"

The speaker, also a disciple of the Flower Cage Sect, was named Zhong Kai. Li Xian laughed and said, "A man from Qiongtianfu." Zhong Kai replied, "Qiongtianfu? I've never heard of it being poor."

Li Xian said, "Indeed." Zhong Kai said, "I noticed you were looking at those two women just now?"

Li Xian laughed and said, "I'm just curious to take a look." Zhong Kai said, "It's best if you're just curious. Let me tell you... any woman who can enter the Flower Cage Sect is no ordinary person. She must be a direct disciple of the 'Poison Flower Taoist'!"

Li Xian asked, "The Poison Flower Taoist?" Zhong Kai shook his head and said, "I'm just kindly reminding you. Be careful and don't try anything rash."

Meng Han, the manager of Panhua Tower, said to the crowd, "Those who wish to take the test, please come here and register your names!" He pointed to the jade table beside him, on which a register of names was displayed.

The people listed their names in order. Li Xian was at the end of the list, and when registering names, she could see six names. The two women were named "Qu Xiaoyou" and "Zhou Xiuwan" respectively.

Li Xian scanned our names one by one. Then he wrote down the three characters "Hua Wucuo".

Meng Han nodded slightly and stroked his beard. He beckoned a servant to check the list of "registered disciples." After confirming that everything was correct, he led the group deeper into the pavilion.

Upon entering a room, one finds a statue of a deity, with incense burning continuously and smoke filling the air. In front of the statue are candlesticks, with dozens of incense sticks burning.

Meng Han said, "To be promoted from a registered disciple to a disciple holding a token, one must possess the basic martial arts of our sect. Those who have been qualified for two years and have mastered the basic martial arts must pay a hundred merit coins to purchase incense and worship our sect's founder before they can receive a token."

"In the future, cooking fine food, eating meat and drinking soup will surely prolong life."

Li Xian frowned slightly. He had learned about the sect rules yesterday and it seemed that there was no need to purchase incense or donate money, thus he would be wasting another hundred coins as a donation.

An older disciple stepped forward and took out a green copper coin from his pocket. The front read "Candlelight Illuminates the World," and the back read "Sun and Moon Under the Same Sky."

At that time, the Great Wu was in turmoil, and the minting of copper and silver coins was in complete chaos, beyond the control of the imperial court. The official copper coins of the Great Wu were inscribed with the words "Martial Arts Prosper" and "Year After Year." However, local copper and silver coins were secretly altered…

Family surnames were incorporated into local copper coins, resulting in the circulation of numerous coins during the Da Wu Dynasty.

The Flower Cage Sect originated from the "Candle Sect," and its merit coins refer to remnants of the Candle Sect's currency. At that time, the Candle Sect was at its peak, its power and prestige unmatched. The Candle Sect's might shook the four seas, causing even the true dragon to bow its head and the world to fall silent. All the disciples of the Flower Cage Sect who knew of that glorious history were filled with overwhelming excitement, considering themselves members of the Candle Sect, their eyes brimming with tears.

Therefore, the burning of the tattered coins is of great significance.

Meng Han said, "You are a bit older and have not made any great contributions, but considering your hard work, I grant you the token." He then handed the Flower Cage Gate token to the old man.

Zhong Kai said, "Elder Meng, although I have not been a senior for two years, I am filled with reverence for the statue of the Ancestral Master. I am willing to donate one hundred merit coins to purchase incense for worship."

Meng Han smiled broadly and said, "Good, good, good boy!"

Qu Xiaoyou and Zhou Xiuwan exchanged a glance and said in sweet voices, "We juniors admire our ancestors. Although we are not senior, we are willing to purchase incense and offer it to our ancestors."

Meng Han nodded repeatedly and said, "You two must be disciples of the Poison Flower Daoist. You are truly outstanding individuals. Very good, very good. With such a mindset from you, how can my Flower Cage Sect not prosper?"

Li Xian saw through the scheme. The purchase of incense to worship ancestors was actually Meng Han using his position to extort money from his disciples. One hundred merit coins were the savings of an ordinary registered disciple over half a year; this was an outrageous demand.

If Li Xian had merit coins, he would surely tolerate the exploitation for the sake of a smooth promotion. But he actually had no merit coins, and pondered:

“Such abuse of power for personal gain, presented in such a grand and righteous manner, is surely petty and calculating. He hates being exposed for his wrongdoings. There are many people here. If I were to offer to use money to purchase incense, he would be extremely ashamed and angry, thinking that I am abusing his power for personal gain. He would still be unhappy, so it is better to do nothing.” He then remained calm and made no comment.

The others, gritting their teeth, all contributed merit coins to purchase incense and worship the ancestral master. Only Li Xian remained rooted to the spot, his soul seemingly wandering beyond the heavens.

Meng Han frowned, staring at Li Xian for a long time. He gave a slight "humph," flicked his sleeve, and said, "Those who are not qualified enough, come with me. I will test your martial arts skills."

Zhong Kai asked in a low voice, "Why didn't you buy incense? Don't you know that Elder Meng is notoriously petty and narrow-minded?"

Li Xian smiled wryly and said, "I really don't know. Besides, I don't have any merit coins." Zhong Kaiqi said, "How could that be? Are you intentionally hiding them from me?"

"If you don't get promoted, then you'll miss out on this grand event. I've heard there's a really big prize involved!"

Li Xian said, "I don't think so..."

Zhong Kai lost interest and said, "Nonsense, whatever." He then quickly left.

Purchasing the sect's basic martial arts requires one hundred merit coins. Those who wish to advance to the rank of a disciple must at least master or even achieve great mastery of the sect's basic martial arts.

This process will take another six months or a year. During this time, one can accumulate merit points, cultivate relationships with superiors and subordinates, and prepare for promotion.

Li Xian's circumstances were unique. He was valued by Ye Cheng, who casually taught him the basic martial art "Flying Snake Hand," thus setting him apart from others. Meng Han, with his hands behind his back, began to use the "Circling Intestines Small Steps," his figure appearing hazy and indistinct. Li Xian and the others, knowing the secrets of the Circling Intestines Small Steps, followed closely.

Suddenly, it was seen that with each step Meng Han took, a wondrous melody was produced. His speed was incredibly fast, creating a musical piece. He had actually combined his slow, delicate steps with ethereal, otherworldly music.

The ethereal, melodious sound is essentially the sound produced when the bones of a martial artist collide. However, even the most skilled martial artists find it difficult to control their bones as completely as they control their arms. In the heat of battle, there's no time to manage bone structure. Therefore, over time, high-level martial artists have incorporated this ethereal sound into certain techniques. When executing these techniques, the posture of the body determines the direction of the bone structure, which helps in producing the ethereal sound.

If one can follow the natural course of events and execute the moves in sync, miraculous effects will suddenly appear. Meng Han's zigzag steps, aided by celestial music, caused green flowers to sprout wherever he stepped.

As they walked further and further, the sea of ​​flowers spread out, and they found themselves in a realm that seemed both real and unreal. Li Xian secretly played the "Self-Guarding Melody," his mind becoming unbreakable, and he gradually broke free from the illusion.

It turns out that Meng Han was petty and narrow-minded. Seeing that Li Xian was not handing over the merit coins, he deliberately used underhanded tactics to make him fall behind completely.

Li Xian stayed close behind, never falling behind. Meng Han was quite surprised and glanced at Li Xian without showing any emotion. At this moment, they arrived at a stone chamber.

It contains numerous wooden dummies. The Flower Cage Sect's basic martial arts consist of approximately seventeen techniques, including Flying Snake Hand, Smoke-blowing Palm, Poison Sand Palm, and Soft Body Technique…

Qu Xiaoyou and the others successfully passed the test.

Soon it was Li Xian's turn. His martial art was the Flying Serpent Hand. The Flying Serpent Hand emphasizes both softness and power. Li Xian deeply understood the essence of martial arts and demonstrated it in public. His hands moved like soaring serpents, combining softness and power to strike vital points.

Zhong Kai and Qu Xiaoyou were both surprised. They felt that this martial art was almost perfect, with virtually no flaws.

Meng Han frowned and said, "Flying Snake Hand? Who taught you to practice like that?" He was determined to find fault and wouldn't let him get away with it easily.

Meng Han said calmly, "The Flying Serpent Hand emphasizes ruthlessness and viciousness. Your practice, which is like soaring and dancing, is wrong."

Li Xian said, "It was Elder Ye Cheng who taught me. He praised my progress as extremely fast." He said "taught" but not "instructed," deliberately exaggerating his abilities.

Meng Han's expression changed slightly. He was also getting angry and said, "You brat, you still won't admit it. I said you've practiced it wrong, so you've practiced it wrong. Go back and practice another one. This Flying Serpent Hand is not suitable for you."

"I'm doing this for your own good. Going down the wrong path will only lead you further astray and cause you to miss out on more opportunities. Turning back from the wrong path is the right way. You may not understand now, but you will thank me in the future."

Li Xian said, "Elder Meng is absolutely right. But Elder Ye said that martial arts have no fixed rules. Young disciples don't need to blindly imitate their predecessors. They need to have their own understanding. He has also seen the disciple's Flying Snake Hand."

Meng Han thought to himself, "Did Ye Cheng bring back a troublemaker this time?" He was quite displeased and secretly annoyed. Since he became an elder, when had any disciple dared to disobey him?

Meng Han said, "Since you're so persistent, fine. I'll barely count you as passing this test." His expression was gloomy as he thought, "You better really have some connections. If I find out you're just spouting nonsense, I'll see how I deal with you."

Li Xian's martial arts skills were excellent, and the rules of the Flower Cage Sect were as they were. Even if Meng Han intended to make things difficult, he had nothing to say in this situation.

And so on...

Li Xian successfully advanced to the rank of "Disciple Holding the Order," but offended Meng Han as a result.

"Well... it's impossible to avoid all these kinds of people."

After leaving Panzhi Tower, he held the token in his hand and weighed it lightly. A sense of disorientation rose within him; life had played a cruel trick on him, and now he was a legitimate "flower thief" of the Flower Cage Sect.

The Flower Cage Gate Festival is approaching. In the following days, boats will arrive at the shore and land on the Water Altar Island.

Seven small towns surround the water altar, each with its own boat lane. As boats dock, the island becomes increasingly crowded with people. Those with exceptional martial arts skills begin to distinguish themselves and their fame spreads far and wide.

Li Xian focused on himself. He practiced the Flying Serpent Hand and the Blood Spitting Technique day by day, silently accumulating strength. At night, he transported impurities and digested the essence within his body.

Several days have passed.

Li Xian occasionally inquired about Nangong Liuli's situation, but all his efforts were in vain, yielding little information. He thought to himself that good fortune would come to those who were fortunate, and all he could do was practice martial arts.

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +2]

...

...

[Flying Snake Hand]

[Proficiency: 5966/10000 Perfect]

[The Three Codexes of Blood Refining: The Codex of Spitting Blood]

[Proficiency: 2566/3000 Minor Mastery]

[The Five Viscera Avoid Turbidity and Meet Yang Meridian]

[Proficiency: 1489/1600 Mastery]

...

Li Xian's progress was both steady and rapid, with solid advancements in all three martial arts techniques. He was gradually absorbing the essence of heaven and earth. The signs of the "Gathering of Three Flowers at the Top" had been present for some time, and gradually…

The characteristic of "clothes covered in filthy clothes" also began to emerge!

(End of this chapter)