Chapter 147 Martial Arts Realm, Transcending Mortal Might!
Li Xian was strolling around the "Hundred Martial Arts Pavilion" at the time, carefully selecting martial arts techniques.
He had his eye on a high-level martial art called "Floating Willow Sword Technique" and wanted to buy it, but he was short of money. Even with his current wealth and power, it would take him several years to accumulate enough to even be qualified to covet it.
One last stroll around.
I chose this "Iron Body" skill.
This martial art falls between "Basic Martial Arts" and "Advanced Martial Arts". It costs two hundred taels of silver, and since it is unsecured, the price is relatively cheap.
It is a martial art that only defends and does not attack.
He cultivated an iron body and copper skin, capable of withstanding blows from outsiders. Li Xianyi was curious, and secondly, he had never seen any defensive martial arts techniques in his wife's armory.
He then bought the martial arts manual.
Upon opening the book cover, the words "Iron and Copper Body Technique" are prominently displayed: "The Iron and Copper Body Technique uses Qi to control the body. When mastered, the body becomes as strong as iron and the flesh as thick as copper, making one unafraid of swords and blades."
"To practice this skill, one must take medicinal baths. Only after nine sessions of practice and nine baths can one see the true skill. The pain during this process is indescribable. Those who are not firm in their mind and will should give up practicing to avoid wasting their time."
...
Li Xian glanced at it briefly, giving it a general overview.
He pinched his chin, pondering:
"This martial art is indeed powerful. I have practiced martial arts for a year and mastered six martial arts: Four Directions Fist, Gentle Breeze Leg, Great Luo Saber, Azure Palm, Cloud Soaring Hand, and Sunset Bloodfall Sword."
"The Sunset Blood Sword is the most powerful. Besides that, there is the Azure Palm, but this palm technique is not comprehensive. Although it is an advanced palm technique, it has a fatal flaw. In this regard... this Iron Copper Body Technique is even slightly better than the Azure Palm."
I immediately began to examine it closely.
The book primarily uses text, supplemented by illustrations. The content is concise, but due to space limitations, many parts are not thoroughly understood and are recorded in a rather vague manner.
Li Xian understood.
As the lady once said, 99% of the martial arts in the world can be traced back to their origins. They all gradually evolved from other martial arts.
The same applies to the "Iron and Copper Skill." Those parts that are unclear in their records or whose logic is flawed often originate from upstream martial arts. They may be dross, or they may be the essence.
"Although it is said that hard work pays off, as long as you practice diligently, your martial arts skills will always improve."
"However, only by understanding the essence of martial arts can one fully unleash its power. Each martial art should not be learned hastily; it must be carefully studied."
Li Xian thought to himself.
The martial arts training is actually quite simple.
The main method is to "practice" by repeatedly striking the body with special techniques, injuring the physique and causing bleeding.
Then immediately soak in a specific medicinal bath. The medicinal properties penetrate the body and are completely absorbed.
With firmer skin and flesh, one is naturally more resistant to blows when fighting.
The medicinal herbs for the bath weren't cheap either. One bath would cost an estimated twenty taels of silver.
"Given my current circumstances, I can barely manage to learn this skill."
"The ability to withstand blows is secondary."
"My Qi Lake is currently over fourteen zhang in size, and I am only one step away from a qualitative change in my Qi Lake. Learning another martial art can accelerate the process and help me accumulate internal Qi."
Li Xian acquired this martial art a few days ago. In the past few days, he has been collecting medicinal herbs and has already purchased a four-day supply.
Everything is ready, except for the east wind.
Li Xian ordered people to boil the medicinal liquid.
He then went to the courtyard and used a special method to strengthen his body. He raised his palm, spread his five fingers, and slammed it hard against his chest.
This "Iron and Copper Kung Fu" may seem to train the body and muscles, but it actually trains the "lungs".
The method of striking involves striking the chest. Below the chest lies the lungs, and the hollow cavities within the lungs, when subjected to external force, vibrate like a drum.
At this moment, his five orifices were tightly closed, and the vibrating sound reverberated throughout his body. It traveled from his internal organs to his blood, from his blood to his flesh, and from his flesh to his skin. Every part of his body was shaken.
Whether the claim that one's "body is like iron" and "flesh like copper," making them fearless of swords and blades, is true or false, remains to be seen.
But his "iron lungs" are a given.
The strength of a martial artist lies not only in the power of their martial arts, but also in the various benefits that come from honing their entire body during the practice.
Li Xian struck the blow a few times, but not with excessive force, and with a "pfft," he spat out blood.
"Cough cough."
Li Xian wiped his mouth and chuckled to himself, "Don't kill yourself with that."
This martial art is risky. The lungs are a delicate organ; too much or too little can cause severe lung damage, resulting in difficulty breathing and weak breaths. In severe cases, it can lead to pulmonary hemorrhage, other symptoms, and even immediate death.
[Your chest-hammering training has increased your proficiency by 1]
[Iron and Copper Kung Fu]
[Proficiency: 12/500 Entry]
Li Xian pounded his chest with his hammer. The shockwave traveled through his skin and flesh, sending a tingling sensation through his body with each blow. His skin gradually turned red, and blood seeped from between his skin and flesh.
Wait until the hammer reaches its limit.
Boil the medicinal herbs and immerse yourself in them.
[You soaked in a body-strengthening medicinal bath, proficiency +25]
[Your Blood Nourishment skill has increased by 36.]
"With the addition of medicinal baths, the learning speed of this martial art will be even faster!"
Inside the water tank.
As Li Xian immersed himself in the medicinal liquid, the medicinal power seeped into his body. This medicine also had restorative effects, and the injuries Li Xian had sustained from slapping his body were quickly healed.
Hammering and bubbling repeatedly. Li Xian possesses the [Perfect Appearance] and the [Double Pupil Appearance].
A perfect appearance inherently increases recovery and healing abilities. The [double pupil appearance] is even more miraculous; when it manifests, strength increases out of thin air, making one as powerful as a tiger or a dragon, with boundless strength and an incredibly resilient physical body.
The two are combined.
Li Xian's mastery of the Iron Copper Skill was as if aided by divine intervention. Ordinary people would have to rest and recuperate for a few days after hammering it a hundred times before they could start practicing again.
Li Xian, however, felt no pressure and could strike three hundred or even four hundred times.
Progress was naturally extremely rapid.
[Iron and Copper Kung Fu]
[Proficiency: 123/1000 Mastery]
Combined with the medicinal bath method, he mastered it by the second day. His breathing became long and deep, and in the instant he concentrated his energy, his entire body trembled, as if covered by an invisible armor.
"My martial arts skills are currently only of average grade, but they are becoming more and more comprehensive!"
Li Xian was pleased with his own progress.
...
...
Leopard Knife Faction.
The place was deserted. A black coffin blocked the entrance to the vermilion gate, inside which lay a hand and a foot, already decaying and swarming with mosquitoes.
Once upon a time, this sect was incredibly powerful. A mighty dragon suppressed the local snakes, and no one dared to utter a word of dissent among the three halls and two factions. They suppressed Qingning, their prestige unmatched.
The lady is gone, but her influence remains. The black coffin blocking the way has cut off all chance of survival.
But then I saw it in the courtyard.
Xu Liefeng had sunken eyes, stood on one leg, his right trouser leg and sleeve hanging empty. He leaned on a large knife in his left hand, his body crippled yet imposing, a thin stubble of beard flying from his chin.
"You are all my personally trained disciples. Now that I am facing imminent disaster, why don't you flee?" Xu Liefeng asked calmly.
Beneath him, more than ten disciples knelt on one knee in worship.
"Disciple is willing to live and die with Master!" Yang Tong declared loudly. The other disciples followed closely behind.
"Good, very good! They are all my good disciples, and my years of training have not been in vain!"
Xu Liefeng's eyes flashed with a sharp light, "If you can overcome this difficulty, I will pass on to you the true essence of the Leopard Blade Sect!"
Upon hearing this, the disciples' eyes lit up. Martial arts skills are hard to come by, especially for those from impoverished backgrounds.
Xu Liefeng said, "Although you have followed me for decades, I have never told you about my origins or the various connections within the Leopard Blade Sect. I have seen your loyalty in this life-or-death situation, and today it is time for you to know the details of this connection."
"Today's matter is of utmost importance. If you hear about it, there will be no turning back. Moreover, it involves a family's secret martial arts. Are you all willing to change your surname to Xu?"
The disciples clamored, "We are willing! We couldn't be happier!"
"Alright, then I'll speak." Xu Liefeng waved his left hand, his blade flashing like the wind at incredible speed. He swung it several times in the air, creating a gust of wind that sent the disciples staggering about. It was quite a sight.
He said, "You have practiced the Leopard Blade for many years, so you should know that this sword technique emphasizes speed and ruthlessness. It trains the spine and tendons, making the body like a bow and the sword like an arrow."
"This leopard blade was created by the ancestors of the Xu family. It was used by the Xu clan to strengthen their spine and bones. Once their spine is trained to be as strong as a tiger or a dragon, they can then further learn the family's secret martial arts."
"Unfortunately, my talent is limited, and I have only glimpsed the tip of the iceberg of that family's secret martial art. I have already seen your unwavering loyalty."
"That secret weapon is..."
Xu Liefeng paused, looked around warily, and then said:
“Walls have ears… Here’s what we’ll do: the ten of you will live separately for the time being. You are not allowed to visit each other. I will personally come to your door every night to teach you a part of the material.”
"After this calamity is over, you will all come together to compare and fill in the gaps, and then you will receive my true teachings."
The disciples excitedly said, "Thank you, Master."
And so it was. The disciples lived separately, as the Leopard Blade Sect occupied a considerable area, with each house being quite far apart.
Each waited expectantly in their room. They had served their master for many years, all for the sake of mastering the true essence of martial arts. The fellow disciples vied for his favor, all vying to gain his approval.
Xu Liefeng gazed at the backs of his disciples, his eyes deep and dark, a fleeting hint of reluctance before being replaced by ruthlessness.
That day and night.
"Master, you've arrived!"
The eldest disciple, Liu Fu, couldn't sleep. He saw a dark figure standing outside the door. It was undoubtedly his master.
Guessing that it was about imparting secret martial arts, he immediately went to open the door. He saw that Xu Liefeng's expression was cold, completely devoid of the gratification and harmony he had shown during the day.
Xu Liefeng closed the door, grasped the disciple's pulse with his right hand, and with a flick of his shoulder, a golden blade rolled up in his left sleeve instantly severed the disciple's head.
Blood should have flowed like a fountain.
But Xu Liefeng's hand, which was taking the pulse, had already solidified the blood beforehand. The head rolled off, and Xu Liefeng aimed at the severed neck, frantically sucking at it.
turn out to be…
The instruction of secret martial arts was a pretense; he spoke like this deliberately to appease his disciples and make them stay voluntarily for his use at any time.
He had become a ginseng-human, and the blood ginseng within him needed a supply of blood. These disciples secretly helped him capture respectable women and drink their blood. But it wasn't enough; they couldn't get enough of this vulgar blood.
His direct disciples had all consumed the [essence of essence], and some even exhibited characteristics of consuming essence. This kind of precious blood was what he desired.
"Li Xian, you killed my disciple! I will never forgive you!" Xu Liefeng wailed, blaming Li Xian for the murder of his disciple.
Drinking the blood of a wandering immortal causes the blood ginseng within the body to glow radiantly, as if drawing out strands of the essence of heaven and earth.
Xu Liefeng was stunned. Staring at his disciple's mangled body, his eyes flashed with greed: "Good, good disciple, you have truly lived up to my expectations. You were the one who ate the most of the precious treasures I brewed for you. I never expected that you would still give back to me like this after your death."
At this moment, he was like a demon, a monster in human form, and was not human to begin with. By a twist of fate, he was able to treat humans as food, just like a demon.
"My dear disciples... let me digest this slowly."
"I seem to have glimpsed the scene of the second realm of martial arts."
...
...
The sixth day of the eighth lunar month.
The sky was clear and the heat was mild. A gentle breeze made it very comfortable.
The exquisite food in the cauldron is ready.
"Your chest is already pounding like thunder. If I'm not mistaken, you will soon be able to generate life force. The moment life force is generated, you will have completely stepped into the first realm of martial arts."
"I won't say more; you'll have to experience it for yourself."
The lady glanced at Li Xian, then lightly sliced off two palm-sized pieces of tender meat with a small jade-handled knife.
Li Xian properly distributed the remaining essence soup.
Back in the Royal House.
Drink fine soup and eat fine meat.
On this day... I will surely reach the first realm of martial arts!
(End of this chapter)
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