Chapter 209 Reveals the Primordial Essence: Four Major Characteristics
"Lady Zhejian is renowned, and she is entitled to a superior room and a private suite. I'm sure none of you have any objections, right?"
A young man descended the stairs. He was dressed in a colorful robe, dazzling and eye-catching. He wore a jade belt around his waist, from which hung sachets, jade pendants, and other items.
"Young Master Cai is the owner of Wangzhen Tower. We have no objection to how he arranges things."
The old woman, who had been holding a sword, had kept her eyes closed the whole time. Only now did she open her eyes and glance indifferently at Wen Caishang and Li Xian.
The young man's name is "Cai Qiuzhou." He comes from a wealthy family with businesses scattered across the country, and he is neither a Taoist priest from Yu Nan nor a Taoist priest from Long Xiong. He has a particular fondness for business.
Cai Qiuzhou cupped his hands and said, "Wangzhen Tower is the hall of heroes under heaven. I, Cai Qiuzhou, am merely contributing money and effort, doing odd jobs, and receiving a meager salary. There are not many guest rooms, so how dare I make decisions on my own? I must ask everyone if they have any objections."
The heroes on the third floor—including the old man with the wooden canopy, Hong Muya; the man with the toad-like hand, Di Bin; and the old woman with the sword, Su Yu—had no objections.
Cai Qiuzhou smiled and said, "In that case, please check in. Congratulations, Madam Zhejian, you are the second person to check into the guest room."
Wen Caishang smiled and said, "Heroes, you have shown me compassion for my female status and the many inconveniences I face, by not competing with me for a room. I am deeply grateful."
There was no gratitude in his words; in the world of martial arts, there is no such thing as "yielding." It was simply that he dared not compete, for he could not win.
The fourth floor is quiet and secluded; it's the rooftop. Over seven zhang (approximately 33 meters) high, it offers a panoramic view of the town.
Upon entering the guest house, I closed the door latch.
It is quiet and peaceful, and the guest rooms are very spacious.
Inside, there are courtyards, artificial hills and flowing water, screens, bathing pools... it's like another world. Push open the window, and you see crowded streets, sitting on a bench under the scorching sun... the difference in treatment is like night and day.
Li Xian thought to himself, "Martial artists practice martial arts to improve their strength, and that's all they seek. With such strong abilities, Madam can handle any situation with ease."
She unpacked her luggage, checked her money, clothes, poison... and confirmed everything was in order. Wen Caishang nodded slightly. She was very satisfied with how well Li Xian had handled the miscellaneous matters along the way.
She took off her boots and sat cross-legged. She focused her inner energy, slowing her retreat. Li Xian moved gracefully, not daring to disturb her. She looked around at the room's decor.
"Senior Li Bohou has a wide range of knowledge. After spending two days with him, I have also learned to appreciate calligraphy, paintings, flowers, plants and porcelain."
Li Xian stopped in front of the gallery. The painting depicted a plum blossom standing proudly in the cold, its meaning unique and profound. The plum blossoms were in full bloom, with a snowflake adorning each petal. At first glance, it seemed to be an extremely beautiful and lifelike painting, almost like the original.
Unbeknownst to me, I had been observing for quite some time.
“Plum blossoms bloom in the snow; such a flower is both rare and not rare. Do you know why this painting is hung here?” Wen Caishang walked slowly over.
Li Xian said, "Please enlighten me, Madam."
“I haven’t taught you how to appreciate paintings,” Wen Caishang chuckled. “Why don’t you tell me your feelings first? I’ll see how much talent you have.”
Li Xian pondered for a moment and said, “In my understanding, appreciating a painting is like appreciating a person. Because no matter how realistic a painting is, it can never compare to the real thing. Just like what you just said, plum blossoms are neither rare nor uncommon. If you are looking for flowers in the cold winter, you can most likely find them.”
"In that case, if you want to see plum blossoms, you only need to wait for winter. Wouldn't it be superfluous to paint plum blossoms? Well... it can't be said to be superfluous, after all, not everyone has the leisure to brave the cold wind and the twelfth lunar month to look for flowers."
“But hanging it here is superfluous. Although Wangzhen Tower is not tall, it is not low in standard. This painting must be precious, and it may be one of the collections of that young master Cai. Such value cannot be justified by its lifelike appearance.”
“I just observed it closely. I found that the plum blossoms in the painting are lifelike. What’s exquisite is that each branch is painted with a different technique. This plum blossom embodies the essence of the painter’s school of thought.”
"Therefore, those who appreciate this painting are not appreciating the painting itself, but rather admiring the painter's astonishing skill. They linger there unconsciously, unable to look away. Madam... I wonder if what I have said is right or wrong?"
There was an old gallery in Yihezhuang. It contained many famous paintings, and Li Bohou taught the art of appreciation and explained the different schools of painting. As the saying goes, the layman looks at the painting, the expert looks at the brushstrokes.
Li Xian had only a superficial understanding of the subject, and now, based on his comprehension, he spoke eloquently. Wen Caishang frowned slightly: "This is indeed a school of thought in connoisseurship. Who taught you this?"
"It is Li Bohou," Li Xian said truthfully while appraising the painting.
Wen Caishang snorted coldly and said, "Raise your hand."
“Madam…” Li Xian asked, puzzled, and raised his hand as well. Wen Caishang said calmly, “I told you before that you shouldn’t hide anything from me. You still dare to hide it from me. How should I punish you?”
Li Xian was taken aback and said, "Madam, I really didn't hide it from you." Wen Caishang said, "But you didn't tell me either."
Wen Caishang said, "That Li Bohou is a heartless and ungrateful person himself. What good is it for him to learn his appreciation of paintings?" With a flick of her sleeve, a bloodstain appeared on Li Xian's palm.
His injuries were severe, with traces of internal energy remaining. Wen Caishang said, "You need to quickly forget about his third-rate tricks."
His voice softened as he said, "The true way to appreciate paintings is exactly the opposite of what you just said. According to you, wouldn't all paintings in the world become mere displays of skill?"
"It's all about who has the most skillful painting technique and who uses the most complex method. After seeing so many paintings like this, is it really that interesting?"
Li Xian suddenly realized: "What the lady said makes sense."
Wen Caishang caught a glimpse of the sword wound, and a pang of pity rose in her heart. Just now, for some unknown reason, she had been filled with intense anger. The sword wound contained internal energy, causing excruciating pain that might take months to heal. Seeing his wounded skin and flesh, and no longer displaying his former cold indifference, she couldn't help but think:
"Why was I so angry just now? Well... everything Li Xian has learned so far was passed down to me. I was afraid he would make friends with the wrong people and be led astray. This punishment was indeed too severe, but he needs to learn a lesson."
Wen Caishang said, "Therefore, appreciating the painting skills is one thing. Appreciating the charm is another. This painting of plum blossoms in the snow was painted by the painter Gong. He painted it two years after his wife died, in the winter when he was looking at plum blossoms and thinking of his wife."
“You said that each branch was painted using a different technique. That is indeed true, but Master Gong’s painting skills are profound, and he has integrated many different painting styles. He paints them naturally, which is the most superficial layer of his work.”
"But there are some self-righteous and vulgar people who only know one side of the story and not the other. It's really laughable."
Li Xian gave an awkward smile.
Wen Caishang said, "Although it's a painting of plum blossoms, it's actually a painting of my wife. Look at that plum blossom standing proudly in the cold. Just savor its charm..."
Li Xian broke free from the constraints of painting techniques and began to truly feel the scene. He suddenly sensed the howling wind and snow, and the graceful swaying of plum blossoms… as if he were there, amidst the howling wind and snow, as if his wife were present. Amidst the swaying plum blossoms, as if his wife were present…
When love runs deep, her image is everywhere. But looking at the paintings alone, one can't discern any clue. Li Xian thought to herself, "This old painter Gong is truly a man of deep feeling and true character. Such profound affection is truly admirable."
He couldn't help but ask, "Madam, how is Master Gong's painting doing now?"
“I don’t know either,” Wen Caishang said.
"Thank you for your reminder, Madam. Otherwise, I would have regretted missing this painting for the rest of my life," Li Xian said.
“Of course.” Wen Caishang returned to her seat and said, “If you want to learn how to appraise objects and appreciate paintings, I can teach you. Li Bohou’s shallow knowledge is no match for mine.”
Li Xian thought to himself, "I remember that Madam used to have quite a lot of praise for Senior Li Bohou. Women really change their tune quickly."
The building was bustling with activity.
One after another, heroes and guests sought seats on the tower, each vying for attention, creating quite a lively scene. The Yuhua Road and Longxiong Road were teeming with heroes and outstanding figures. How could the small Wangzhen Tower possibly encompass them all?
The grand banquet for appreciating the dragon was a significant affair, but the news was not publicized. Therefore, the claim that heroes from both sides attended the banquet is an exaggeration.
Longzhao Town enjoys a spring-like climate year-round.
It was late January, still late winter. Longzhao Town was lush and green, with babbling brooks and shimmering water. The scenery was beautiful.
Young Master Cai knocked on the door and said, "Have I disturbed Madam?"
Li Xian glanced at Wen Caishang. Seeing her sitting cross-legged on the bed, meditating and practicing internal energy, he said, "No. Is there something you need, Young Master Cai?"
Cai Qiuzhou said, "Longzhao Town is located in a remote mountain area, lacking seafood and delicacies, but it has its own local specialties. As the Dong family of Lou Dong, I would like to invite all of you heroes to taste them. Now that the dishes are being served one by one, I would like to ask the lady to condescend to dine in the private room."
Li Xian smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble. I will go and inform Madam now, and ask her to make a decision."
“Okay,” Cai Qiuzhou said.
Wen Caishang also had a craving. So they went to a private room to enjoy the banquet served to guests. Longzhao Town is famous for its wild mushrooms, which are delicious. Among them is a type of wild mushroom called "Longzhao Mushroom," which is shaped like a dragon's claw and contains a deadly poison.
However, it is cooked using a special method to remove its toxins. The flavor is indescribably delicious, comparable to the finest delicacies. Interestingly, wild boars roam freely in the mountains and fields.
Wild boar meat has a strong, gamey smell. It's almost inedible unless you're extremely hungry. However, when stir-fried with "dragon claw mushrooms" and "wild boar penis," one is fresh and sweet, the other has a strong, unpleasant odor. Combined, they become a delicacy.
Seeing that Li Xian was holding chopsticks in his left hand, Wen Caishang knew that his right hand was injured. She said, "The same principle applies to martial arts recipes. There are 180 kinds of 'Human Essence Black and Yellow'. The higher the ranking, the rarer and more powerful it is."
"However, the precious techniques acquired by those who consume the top three items are extremely useless. Therefore, a martial artist's diet should not solely pursue high-ranking items. How to combine ingredients is of utmost importance. But this matter depends heavily on fate."
...
...
And so it is.
Li Xian and Wen Caishang stayed at the guest house.
The guest rooms are spacious with ample room, allowing for free-flowing practice of martial arts.
Li Xian diligently practiced martial arts, especially the "Vast Leg Technique," gradually increasing his proficiency.
[Vast Legs]
[Proficiency: 4895/20000 Perfect]
Every morning, a thick fog rises from the mountain stream. Li Xian has mastered a leg technique that causes the fog to flow backwards. He is enveloped in mist, a truly peculiar sight.
[Proficiency +1]
[Proficiency +1]
[You have comprehended the essence of the Golden Scale Technique in the pool, increasing your Essence Consumption Realm proficiency by 2]
[Your mastery of various martial arts is profound, encompassing the skills of numerous masters. You have gained insights and understanding, and your absorption of the essence of heaven and earth has accelerated.]
[Mastery of Food Essence, Proficiency +3]
...
Li Xian's body was rich in the essence of heaven and earth, which was stored and not dispersed. When he was on his way to the banquet, he would practice his martial arts whenever he had a spare moment to aid digestion.
Broaden your horizons and cultivate a generous heart.
It contains a universe within.
It aligns with the essentials of martial arts cultivation.
[Eating Essence]
[Proficiency: 91/100]
Having consumed the essence and undergone nine transformations, extraordinary phenomena naturally appeared. Li Xian's body exuded a pure fragrance, and his face was as fair as jade. He was over seventeen years old, but not yet eighteen.
He was elegant and charming, with a beautiful and graceful appearance.
A handsome young man is hard to find in this turbid world.
Wen Caishang was very satisfied and nodded secretly.
Li Xian's eyes were tightly closed, making his transformed appearance even stronger. His pupils were almost visible, which he forcefully suppressed, and the red mole between his eyebrows shone brightly.
A rosy glow illuminated her face, and her hair fluttered in the wind.
Both his perfect appearance and double pupils were extremely powerful. Li Xian felt the power surge, his whole body trembled, and his spine, like a divine mountain, emitted strange "crackling" sounds.
Behind it stands a towering mountain, its colors swirling, within which cranes, deer, and dragons gather... a wondrous sight beyond words.
The extraordinary sights that Li Xian displayed far surpassed those of others!
Despite his humble origins, by a twist of fate, he was valued and nurtured by the lady of the house. His innate talent, foundation, and level of understanding are second to none!
Wen Caishang looked up and gazed at him for a moment. “I didn’t expect Xiaoxian to have laid such a foundation. That’s naturally very good, and that’s why I admire him. But this child’s character still needs to be refined. Before that, I need to keep him in check. Such a fine seed needs to be carefully sculpted.”
Li Xian's strength has advanced again. His path of absorbing essence and transforming into mortal is nearing its end. With a fortuitous encounter, he could easily reach the second realm of martial arts. Without such an encounter, it would only take a few months to a year.
"Now I... can glimpse the scenery of the second realm of martial arts."
"Martial Arts Second Realm, Bone Shaping Embryo".
"Martial artists consume the essence of heaven and earth over a long period of time, and their bodies gradually transform."
"Beyond the Essence Absorption Realm, more characteristics will appear one after another. I already know about the ethereal celestial music."
"But in addition to these, there are three other characteristics!"
(End of this chapter)
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