Chapter 100 Archery Mastery, Catching Crab Treasure Again
[Proficiency +1]
[Proficiency +1]
[Great Luo Sword]
[Proficiency: 149/500 (Beginner)]
Inside the wooden house at the west entrance of the village.
Li Xian wielded a long saber, unleashing a series of strikes. The blade flashed, accompanied by the sound of it cutting through the air.
The Great Luo Blade is a basic sword technique, and there is nothing particularly special about how to learn it. The swordplay is fierce and powerful, emphasizing large, sweeping movements. The word "Great" in the name of the blade encapsulates its essence.
"I heard from Commander Pang that some martial artists in the Jianghu are used to using their hands and feet and do not like to fight with blades."
"Because weapons are external objects, no matter how well one trains, they are not as good as hands and feet. Moreover, while weapons have advantages, they also have disadvantages."
"When two people meet on a narrow path, if one's skills are not up to par and one's weapon is taken away, one's spirit will be broken, and one has already lost. On the contrary, those who are good at using fists and feet do not have that fearless and reckless spirit."
Li Xian's movements were graceful and elegant. Although his swordsmanship was bold and sweeping, the wielder was not crude or reckless.
Martial arts in the martial arts world are incredibly diverse and varied.
Martial artists have different strengths, so their views are naturally biased. What Commander Pang said may not be entirely right, nor entirely wrong.
Fists, feet, palms, claws, knives, swords, staffs, spears... all sorts of martial arts styles have developed into mature systems in the martial arts world. Each style has many renowned masters.
It is impossible to know which is stronger or weaker.
More than three days have passed since Ma Daozi returned to the village. Heihe Village continues its usual practice, and seeing that things are calm, Li Xian has moved back to his small house in the west of the village.
He practiced martial arts in the bitter cold.
[Azure Palm]
[Proficiency: 1599/2000 Mastery]
Li Xianqi Lake has risen slightly, now reaching a size of two zhang and one dan. His martial arts realm is progressing steadily.
"In a short while, the Azure Palm technique will be mastered."
He started practicing martial arts before dawn, and after several hours, he felt a sudden hunger pang.
Having not gone hunting in the mountains for a long time, and with no game meat at home, they could only cook coarse millet to fill their stomachs.
Yellow millet is a cheap grain; although it can fill one's stomach, it has a rough texture and is difficult to swallow.
Ordinary families grow white rice, which is usually used to pay land taxes. The remaining money is used to buy coarse millet to ensure they have enough to eat.
This winter, Heihe Village has accumulated a considerable amount of coarse yellow millet, ensuring that villagers won't starve or freeze to death.
"It's time to head into the mountains and catch some crabs to try!"
"This time I have circulated my Qi throughout my body and sealed my blood and orifices. I wonder what changes will occur."
Li Xian thought to himself.
...
...
Deep in the mountains and forests.
Li Xian followed his memory, carrying an arrow basket on his back containing hundreds of wooden arrows.
The arrowheads were sharpened pebbles, and the fletchings were duck feathers. Li Xian hunted alone, and in a daze, he returned to the past.
The hunter crafted his own arrows and bow.
Suddenly, a "whoosh" sound was heard, and a bird flew overhead.
Li Xian said, "Well done!" He leaped up, channeling his Qi to his chest, making his body feel incredibly light. He stepped on a tree branch and used it for another leap.
Its body rose again, now several feet off the ground, and it leaped over the treetops, shooting towards the wild geese high in the sky.
With a "whoosh".
A wild goose, wounded by an arrow, fell into the woods. Li Xian went to pick it up; the goose, about the size of a face, was already dead.
Lunch is ready.
With the expansion of Li Xianqi Lake and the acquisition of the "Qingfeng Leg" technique, he comprehended the secret of "lightness." When his internal energy flowed into his chest, his whole body felt like a fully inflated balloon, incredibly light.
He used his skills flexibly and made great progress in hunting.
[You shot and killed a wild goose, your proficiency increased by 3]
[Skill: Archery]
[Proficiency: 1463/1500 Minor Mastery]
Li Xian never deliberately practiced archery, but archery had many uses: hunting, harassing, probing... Whenever he encountered a strong enemy, Li Xian would keep his distance and try to kill him with arrows, so his archery skills improved very quickly.
As the campfire blazed, Li Xian began plucking fur and cleaning entrails, preparing food.
Wild goose feathers have many uses, including making arrow fletchings. Li Xian kept them because they were useful, so he plucked the feathers and put them into his quiver for temporary storage.
They used to go into the mountains to hunt.
Wild geese are very common birds, but he generally disdains to shoot them. This is because, in addition to their valuable feathers, wild geese also have a layer of fine down on their bodies.
These fine hairs stick to the skin and are difficult to remove. If not cleaned properly, they can cause poisoning if ingested. Ironically, the meat of the wild goose is exceptionally delicious.
Therefore, in the county's grand restaurants, there is a famous dish called "Wild Geese Bringing Joy." It is very expensive, and they sell it for a pittance.
Li Xian had never eaten goose meat.
After plucking all the feathers, leaving only the downy skin, Li Xian had his own method. He channeled his inner energy into the wild goose's body, gave it a vibrating motion from the inside out, and then pulled it out by the roots.
The internal energy has many ingenious uses.
Light a fire and bake.
The aroma of meat gradually filled the air.
The first bite of wild goose meat was like a winter plum blossom blooming. It was truly amazing. Wild geese love to eat forest fruits, and over time, their meat has no fishy smell, but rather a natural fruity fragrance.
Juice was flowing.
As Li Xian savored the delicious wild goose, a thought suddenly occurred to him:
"Archery is truly my livelihood. Without it, how could I have dared to venture deep into the jungle after coming to this Black River Village to guard it?"
"Now that my archery skills are nearing perfection, and I happen to be deep in the jungle, there's no time like the present. After I've eaten and drunk my fill, I'll strive to master my archery skills!"
Quickly devour the wild goose.
Immediately draw your bow and shoot arrows to practice your archery skills.
He aimed for accuracy and stability in his archery, not for killing. After all, the animals caught in the mountains were rare resources, and indiscriminately killing them would be a waste.
[You hit the target perfectly from a hundred paces away, earning +2 proficiency]
[You shot and killed a Thick-skinned Wild Boar, skill level +5]
...
[You shot and killed a mountain monkey, skill level +6]
...
Several arrows flew, attracting some forest beasts. Li Xian's archery skills were superb; he dealt with them completely from several miles away.
An hour passed in this manner.
Once you've accumulated enough proficiency, your [Archery] skill will reach its peak.
Li Xian felt a sudden enlightenment, as if struck by a divine awakening, and a sense of natural progression. Combining these two aspects, his arrow's intent naturally rose.
He suddenly felt as if his body were a bow and his mind as an arrow. He felt that not releasing the arrow would not quell his anger, nor would it bring him joy. So he nocked the arrow, drew the bow, and released his full-force intent.
The arrow was still the same arrow, and the bow was still the same bow, but the difference between them was like heaven and earth.
Having achieved some proficiency in archery, I now pursue precision. My goal is to hit the bullseye every time, without ever missing a shot.
It trains hand-eye coordination, posture, and breathing rhythm.
He mastered archery and pursued his passion.
How dare you dodge my flying arrow?
How can a bowman shoot a stunning arrow if he lacks soaring spirit?
Li Xian now understood why the lady had said that a man's heroic spirit should be demonstrated through hunting and archery.
Accuracy is only one aspect, and capturing beasts is only the second.
Spirit is of utmost importance.
The arrow pierced through the tree trunk and became lodged in another tree.
I went over to take a look.
Li Xian gently removed the stone arrow. He saw a black dot at the tip of the arrow, which was a tiny fly. The fly was not dead; its wings had simply been pierced by the arrow.
It flies through the feathers without harming itself.
It's incredible.
[Skill: Archery]
[Proficiency: 12/3000 Mastery]
[Description: You hunted in the mountains and fields, finding the spirit of archery in them. Your archery skills reached perfection; piercing stone and armor was now second nature to you.]
When the arrow is imbued with spirit.
Once the arrow is released from the bow, it goes forward without hesitation, piercing through stone and armor—that's perfectly normal.
Even the most talented archers in the world, who received instruction from renowned teachers from a young age, could not find the elusive "spirit" to archery.
Moreover, that "spirit" is related to one's state of mind, circumstances, and condition. Even a master archer cannot guarantee that every arrow will be amazing and that the spirit will be unparalleled.
Li Xian, however, dared to.
His arrows will only grow stronger and faster! Never back down!
...
...
Because the crab treasure was of great importance, Li Xian marked the route. Relying on his excellent hunting skills, he traveled for about a day and arrived at the surrounding area.
"That crab treasure appeared out of nowhere. I wonder if we'll be able to encounter it again this time."
"Very well, if I get it, I'm lucky; if I lose it, it's my fate. It would be best if I could find it; if I really can't, I'll find another way to get other treasures."
Search along the way.
There are no streams nearby, which shows that mountain crabs do not live near water.
Li Xian turned over the boulder, mainly searching the crevices. He searched for most of the day, and as darkness fell, he still found no trace of it.
Left with no other option, they lit a fire and laid out a mat on the ground to rest for the night.
Watching the campfire rise.
He was all alone in the quiet forest. Occasionally, the calls of animals kept him company, so he wasn't exactly lonely.
Li Xian couldn't help but sigh. The path of martial arts was difficult, and every step was fraught with peril. When would he, a clay figure with no way out, ever truly forge his own path?
“Such precious treasures are so hard to obtain.”
"Martial artist... Martial artist... This path of transformation is truly difficult."
"Worldly industries, connections in the martial arts world, martial arts skills, access to rare treasures, business development..."
Li Xian lay on a broken tree.
The campfire warmed my body.
I couldn't help but think of "Madam Wen," and a sense of admiration welled up in my heart. She was, in a way, a mentor on his path of martial arts.
But he remained clear-headed, feeling neither gratitude nor loyalty, nor any hatred or resentment.
"I hope I can meet Crab Treasure tomorrow!" Li Xian cleared his mind of distractions, closed his eyes, and drifted off to sleep.
The next day, at dawn, Li Xian shuddered, and the snow and frost on his body fell away. His pores opened, and warm air flowed out, melting the remaining snow.
After martial artists "strengthen their blood and close their orifices," their adaptability to the environment increases significantly.
Extinguish the campfire.
Centered on their stronghold, they gradually expanded outwards, plundering the crab treasures hidden in the ground.
Today's luck is good; when he turned over the fourth boulder, he saw a flash of red light. Li Xian exclaimed happily, "Still running?" and leaped forward.
Hold the red mountain crab in your hand.
The crab's claws were strong and powerful, and it swung them around wildly. Li Xian thought to himself, "I wonder how powerful these mountain crab claws are. I'll test them with something." So he cut a tree branch and placed it in front of the crab claws.
With a "click".
The branch had a clean cut, and although the mountain crab was small, it was quite powerful. Li Xian realized he had underestimated the mountain crab, looked around, and saw a huge rock.
He slammed his fist into the rock, sending stones flying. He then used a larger rock to test the power of the crab claws.
With a "click".
The stone turned into powder.
"Good heavens! If it were a mortal body, being clamped like that would surely break bones and flesh."
Li Xian pondered, "This little crab is easy to catch. But... if there are dozens or hundreds of them, I'll have no choice but to run away."
Remove the vine and tie the mountain crab tightly. Pay special attention to its two pincers, coating them with tree sap.
Continue patrolling the mountains in search.
"Haha, another one made in!"
Li Xian caught two more crabs in succession, feeling quite pleased, thinking that he would have more "fine food" to use. However, he noticed that the three mountain crabs were quite small, and he feared that they probably didn't have much crab roe.
So they continued their search.
Just then, he caught a glimpse of a red shadow and immediately pounced. The mountain crab, however, was incredibly fast and dodged him.
"Still running!" Li Xian gave chase, reaching out to grab it several times, but each time he missed.
Li Xian circulated his Qi and unleashed the "Four Directions Fist" technique, creating a series of fist shadows that left the Red Mountain Crab with nowhere to escape, finally capturing it.
This mountain crab is as big as three fists.
Its eyes, like lantern plants, hung down its body.
Tie it up and put it into a cloth bag.
Three small crabs and one big crab.
Today was a fruitful day.
"Know when to stop. Being greedy is not good." Li Xianzhi said smugly, patting his bag.
We were just about to head back to cook some delicious food.
Suddenly, Li Xian stopped in his tracks, his eyes catching sight of something, and his spirits lifted.
(End of this chapter)
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