Chapter 96 Fish Scale Armor, Reaching the Pinnacle!

Before Li Xian were more than twenty kinds of pills.

"Young man, take a look for yourself."

"The efficacy and price are all listed on the label. If you have your eye on any particular pill, just let me know."

The salesman selling the pills showed little interest.

Just moments ago, the woman walked past him, and he caught a whiff of her hair's fragrance. From that moment on, he lost a part of his soul and his heart drifted away with her.

Most of the elixirs sold on the market are "common, miscellaneous elixirs." Despite their humble names, they are not cheap.

Worldly alchemy has no fixed grade or rank. However, it is not without its own distinctions of good, bad, superior, and inferior. The differences must be discerned by the individual.

The Tiger Blood Pill, Deer Blood Pill, and Bear Bile Pill that I had previously taken were all common, mixed pills. Due to the scarcity and high cost of the ingredients, they were considered "good pills" or "superior pills".

"Tiger Red Pill," on the other hand, is a typical "inferior pill." Although its effects can help martial artists practice martial arts, its poison directly attacks the five internal organs, damaging the body's physique.

"Okay, you can go ahead and do your work."

Li Xian ignored the waiter's neglect.

Of the more than twenty kinds of elixirs, most are for assisting in martial arts training.

There is the "Mianqi Dan" (Cotton Qi Pill), which makes one's Qi flow continuously, making martial arts practice smoother. There is the "Nongshen Dan" (Body Manipulation Pill), which enhances physical sensitivity.

The same kinds of pills that can be found in the village, such as Tiger Red Pill, Tiger Blood Pill, and Bear Blood Pill, also appear here.

It's just that the price is a bit high.

"By the way... just what level is Madam's alchemy skill?"

Li Xian thought to himself for no reason.

If we're talking about preciousness and mystery, the lady is definitely top-notch.

His martial arts skills are unfathomable, and he is extremely skilled in alchemy, medicine preparation, and cooking.

"Right now, I urgently need pills that can directly enhance my combat power."

Li Xian pulled herself back to reality.

There are many similar pills.

"Strengthening Pill" increases strength by 30%, but the specific effect varies from person to person. "Reversal Pill" makes the body more supple and agile…

These single-use pills are priced relatively low, generally around 600 coins.

Li Xian waved his hand and purchased ten Strength-Boosting Pills, ten Rejuvenation Pills, and ten Qi-Extending Pills.

He then went to the black market to purchase items such as poison powder, gunpowder, and darts.

The black market was crowded and chaotic. Before entering, Li Xian deliberately smeared plaster on his face.

Aside from the fact that I lost more often than I won when bargaining with others, the process was generally smooth.

"Good heavens, this time we've spent over thirty taels of silver."

It was evening.

Li Xian checked his pockets and found he had bought everything he needed. He touched his chest pocket and realized he was short more than half his money. It would be a lie to say he wasn't distressed.

Just as I was about to leave, my gaze suddenly fell on a small stall on my right. The stall was deserted, with only one item on display.

"How much is this?" Li Xian bent down, picked it up, and looked it over.

It is a fish-scale breastplate, made of soft material and finely crafted, but it is somewhat damaged.

"Ten taels."

The seller was a woman. Half of her face was burned, making her look grotesque and terrifying, but the other side of her face had fair skin and a proud and heroic look.

"Can you make it cheaper?" Li Xian was very pleased. She gently gestured to her chest; the size was small, but the breastplate was stretchy and would fit her well.

"Ten taels."

The woman gave a cold laugh. If she couldn't even sell it for ten taels, it would be too humiliating for her. Although she was down on her luck and had no choice but to sell her breastplate, she couldn't lose face.

Ten taels...not a penny less!

Li Xian gritted his teeth and said, "Fine, ten taels it is!" He took out the money, paid with one hand and took the goods with the other.

This "fish-scale breastplate" appeared ancient, but when Li Xian's palm touched it, it felt icy cold, indicating its special material. Furthermore, the connections of the breastplate, the arrangement of the scales…

The craftsmanship involved is truly remarkable.

The black market was frequented by martial artists, commoners, and merchants, many of whom were wealthy, but without exception, they were all natives of the county.

This item doesn't appear to be exquisite.

Li Xian, relying on his knowledge from two lifetimes, finally noticed something amiss and now had a premonition that this armor... shouldn't have appeared in the county.

Ten taels of silver, that's a huge profit!

"You know your stuff, you got a good deal."

The woman spat lightly, took the silver, and turned to leave the black market. She was tall and had a dashing air about her; she was probably not a local either.

"That's quite unique."

Li Xian rubbed and pulled at the breastplate, feeling increasingly satisfied. The ten taels of silver were well worth it, and he put the breastplate on close to his body.

It looked as if a layer of fish scales had been attached to his chest.

The breastplate was very thin, and if it were wrapped in another layer of clothing, it would be completely undetectable.

Li Xian thought to himself:

"Ziyun County today is truly a place where hidden talents abound, quite fascinating indeed."

First came the noblewoman seeking elixir gold, then came the man who sold his armor and disfigured himself.

But all these upheavals had nothing to do with him, this insignificant clay figure.

...

...

Mountain Wind Pass.

Beside a river.

The ceaseless flow of the river powers the wooden waterwheel, which carries the water along the irrigation canal to a reservoir deep within the forest.

There is a cave nearby.

Inside the cave stood a black cauldron, about half a person's height. A fire burned brightly beneath the cauldron, and the soup inside was boiling and evaporating rapidly, requiring constant replenishment.

"Hmm, a letter?"

Ma Daozi, the leader of Shanfeng Village. He has a hideous scar on his left cheek, a burly build, and two short knives tucked under his armpits.

A pigeon flew by.

He picked up a pebble, flicked it lightly, and knocked the pigeon to the ground. He opened the envelope and saw that it was a letter from his third brother, Peng the Fox.

After reading the letter, Ma Daozi frowned. "Second brother, fifth brother, look at this." He handed the letter to the two of them.

Ma Daozi was a desperate swordsman in his early years.

Having fled from place to place, with no fixed abode, he had no desire for stability. One day, while passing through this area, he had a great adventure and discovered a precious cauldron in a cave.

It should be known that a martial artist who has undergone a complete transformation and is able to establish his own school is marked by possessing a "cauldron".

Only with a cauldron can one boil down to a decent delicacy.

Moreover, this precious cauldron is not far from the river vein.

This is truly a "treasure land"!

The tripod is heavy and connected to the earth's energy; it's best if it can remain unmoved. Moreover, some ancient tripods are intertwined with the earth's energy, as if they are glued to the ground.

Even a martial artist who has undergone a complete transformation would find it difficult to bear.

Ma Daozi was unwilling to waste such an opportunity, so he became an outlaw. He established a stronghold on a dangerous mountain in the distance and accumulated strength.

If there is any "fine food," it is secretly cooked here. Only the most trusted members of the mountain stronghold know where this place is.

"The guards of Yihe Manor?" Hong Kai, the second-in-command, frowned after reading the letter.

"What's wrong with Third Brother? How come he can't even defeat a mere guard? And he wants me to go back and help him out?" Fifth Master Lu Xuefeng said unhappily.

With the delicious meal about to be cooked, he was reluctant to leave. Staying here might allow him to get an extra sip of soup.

Ma Daozi said, "Since there's a situation in the village, Fifth Brother, you should go back and take a look. If you can resolve it, then do so as well."

“We are using smokeless charcoal, which does not produce smoke, but the heat is weaker. It may not be possible to boil enough soup in the next few days or half a month.”

"You can make it back in time. Don't worry, you'll definitely get your share of this delicious soup and meat."

Lu Xuefeng said happily, "Since you've spoken, I'll head back right away."

We set off immediately.

Because the mountain pass was a secluded place and close to the river, there was no need for people to carry water. To minimize disturbance, the three of them did not ride horses when they arrived.

Therefore, we need to walk back.

Hong Kai watched Lu Xuefeng's retreating figure and said enviously, "Big brother, fifth brother's talent is truly undeniable. If he were in another place, wouldn't he also be hailed as a genius?"

“He’s one of the people blessed by heaven.” Ma Daozi seemed a little jealous. “But as for genius, well, he’s a long way off.”

...

...

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

Martial arts skills come from enduring hardship, and strength is forged through tempering. The more urgent the crisis, the more composed one must remain.

Li Xian is proficient in several martial arts. He has achieved "perfection" in Qingfeng Leg and is approaching "the pinnacle" in Sifang Fist.

Only a little over a thousand points of proficiency are needed.

If you stand on your tiptoes, you can reach it.

Therefore, I stayed up all night studying diligently...

"Bang!"

In a sudden instant.

Li Xian's whole body trembled, his blood and qi surged, and naturally, all the pores on his body closed and his blood stopped flowing.

After “circulating Qi throughout the body”, “consolidating blood and closing the orifices” is completely completed!

"I'm cooking up some refined food now; it will be even more effective!"

For ordinary clay figures, achieving "circulating Qi throughout the body" and "sealing blood and closing orifices" is already the limit.

At this time, one's internal energy is abundant, blood and qi are locked within the body, breath is long and deep, energy is vigorous, the body is light and agile, and bones and muscles are strong.

And so on...

How could ordinary people who are not skilled in martial arts possibly withstand such an attack?

Li Xian ate and drank animal food, making his muscles and bones stronger than those of ordinary people.

To go further, one needs to consume "essence treasures" to gradually detach from the clay body and enter the realm of "eating essence".

Li Xian did not rest. Taking advantage of his strong physique, he threw punches continuously. His punches were powerful and forceful, seizing the spiritual light in his heart.

Blood flow in the body is sometimes slow and sometimes rapid...

Using blood as a carrier, internal Qi is transported. When blood is surging, Qi surges like a raging river; when blood is flowing slowly, Qi is like a gentle spring breeze.

While the purpose of solidifying blood and closing the orifices is to "retain the essence" and "digest the precious essence," it also has great advantages in martial arts combat.

A balanced approach.

If you can use it skillfully, it is clearly an ordinary martial art, an ordinary move, or even the simplest straight punch, but when it comes at you, it is difficult to defend against.

[You have grasped the principles of blood circulation, which complements your fist techniques perfectly, elevating their power to a new level.]

[Proficiency +21]

The Four Directions Fist was created by the lady.

The original intention was simply to use techniques like "feinting to the east while attacking the west" and "pointing to the left while striking the right," as well as how to deftly escape danger when surrounded from all sides.

Square on the outside, round on the inside; plain and simple; strong yet tactful.

Xi arrived at the back.

The principles behind the variations in boxing techniques are even deeper…

At this moment, Li Xian added the changes of contraction and relaxation, slowness and urgency to the principles of change.

It has undergone a qualitative change, with countless variations appearing out of thin air.

[Proficiency +10]

Taking advantage of the countless flashes of inspiration, Li Xian seized the opportunity and threw punch after punch.

As the saying goes, diligence pays off, and his skill in boxing became increasingly profound.

In a daze, Li Xian recalled how he had pulled weeds in the abandoned house and stayed up all night to cultivate, all in the hope of using his fists to create a chance to change his fate.

Times change.

All Li Xian could rely on was still his fist.

But this time…

His breathing was deep and long, and even when he stayed up all night practicing boxing, he didn't feel sleepy.

"My martial spirit is pure, I throw a punch, and then another!"

One night passed.

Li Xian was radiating heat from his body, and he dared not close his pores to lock it in, otherwise he would burn his body.

Light snow fell continuously last night.

But there wasn't a single snowflake in the courtyard, only a patch of water.

Li Xian was soaked to the bone, it was impossible to tell whether it was sweat or melted snow.

Just as he was about to unleash his final punch, a sharp glint appeared in his eyes. In that instant, his entire body convulsed, and a strange "bang" resounded from within.

Heaven rewards diligence.

[Four-Sided Fist...]

[Reaching the pinnacle!]

(End of this chapter)