Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

Chapter 674: Chapter 357: Surging Emotions, Sudden Enlightenment, Heart Protection Divine Intent, Peerless Under Heaven!

Li Xian courteously asked, "Chief Shi, do you need assistance with this matter?" Shi Yufei replied with a smile, "If it involves seeking pleasures or gang disputes that require fighting with bloodshed, I will surely seek your help. More manpower is always beneficial. But for the task of finding the cauldron, familiarity with the place is key. Your presence would be of no use, and given your fame, following hastily would only add confusion. Just pay it no mind and focus on your training."

Li Xian clasped his hands in farewell, watching the carriage depart into the distance, letting out a gentle sigh as he returned to Cyan Ox Residence. The rare opportunity to seize the cauldron ended without incident, leaving him feeling desolate. He quickly recovered, thinking this small setback is not worth mentioning. The Martial Arts path is fraught with obstacles, requiring more courage and strength with each trial!

Nangong Liuli comforted him with a gentle voice, fearing he might feel troubled. At night, she donned exquisite attire, drawing her eyebrows and painting her lips, her legs wrapped in silk, massaging his shoulders and head. She spoke of ancient extraordinary people who encountered many twists and setbacks. Even Great Wu Taizu had moments of missteps and distress. Li Xian was carefree and optimistic, no longer sad. Yet, being moved by Nangong Liuli’s thoughtful comfort, he feigned sadness. Nangong Liuli, knowing his intention, could not bear to reprimand him and simply let him be. Thus, the matter was settled, and though losing four thousand taels was regrettable, the Martial Arts path is rarely smooth and straightforward. A few days passed in monotony and ease for Li Xian, enjoying the island’s delicacies, accompanied by beauty in leisurely play, and diligently practicing Martial Arts.

The Skill Level in the Broken Demon Spear accumulated to [18965], and for the Five Viscera Avoiding Dross and Gathering Yang Scripture, it was [21697]. The Only I have a Heart Skill, with its heart-honing and intent-forging, was slightly slower, accumulating a Skill Level of [1569].

The Golden Light Technique allowed for easy passage through the "Screens," making control feel increasingly effortless.

Advancing through various skills, he found much joy. The Water Altar grew livelier, with several flower boats docked. Elders from outside returned to stay at the altar, and there were many disciples on the island, discussing idle Jianghu matters, such as which family’s daughter was beautiful or captured. Inevitably, conversations about the ’Flower Cage Sect’s rising star, Li Xian,’ were filled with admiration and praise. Although he was temporarily a prospective elder, he already fulfilled the role of one. Ye Cheng, seeing his friend return to the island, was very happy, eagerly organizing a banquet. Taking the opportunity, he called for Li Xian, so they could meet and get acquainted.

Initially, Li Xian attended. All the elders, upon seeing his appearance, were astonished, repeatedly praising and envying him. An Elder Wang remarked, "With such appearance, there’s no need to capture flowers. Just standing here, and the butterflies will come on their own." Another elder countered, "Not so, not so, capturing flowers is essential. Just standing here, they come right to your hand, saving both effort and intrigue."

But the frequent banquets inevitably delayed his martial arts training, so he gradually found reasons to decline. The elders drank and chatted happily, toasting and celebrating in a lively atmosphere. He practiced martial arts alone, guarding the quiet courtyard, his spear technique was intense, with the sound of diligence rewarded by heaven ringing in his ears. Whenever he felt bored, he would pass the time with Nangong Liuli, perhaps picking flowers and planting grass, arranging the five elements, or sparring and bantering warmly.

On this day.

Li Xian and Nangong Liuli were sparring. Their martial competitions were varied and colorful, finding sword and spear duels flavorless. So they cut bamboo into sticks and inscribed each with characters, preparing two tubes. One tube contained diverse characters like: ox, rat, snake, chicken, dog, grass, stone, person, goose... totaling to over a hundred. The other tube had characters like: saber, spear, staff, whip, fist, leg...

The first was the ’Martial Stick.’ Drawing a stick would dictate the Martial Arts move. If drawing the ’goose’ character, one must use moves involving the word ’goose,’ such as Wild Geese Flying West, Returning Geese Wing Flap, Geese Descending South... The second was the ’Weapon Stick.’ Drawing a whip would mean only using a whip; drawing ’leg’ would mean using only the leg.

This way, every spar turned out bizarrely. In one instance, they drew ’ox’ and ’staff’; the moves required were ’ox moves’ with the weapon as ’staff.’ Li Xian only knew a few moves like ’Wild Bull Swings Tail’ and ’Wild Bull Lifts Head’ from Wild Bull Fist. The Jade Palm, Broken Demon Spear, and Setting Sun Bloodsword had no ’ox’ characters and required using a staff, which was naturally very challenging.

Nangong Liuli, however, had numerous ’ox’ moves, her staff technique skillful, quickly noticing Li Xian only knew two moves. She burst out laughing, teasing him at every opportunity, unwilling to claim victory quickly. In this contest, she emerged victorious. In the next match, they drew ’grass’ and ’leg.’ Li Xian’s Clear Wind Leg contained the moves ’Clear Wind Brushes Grass,’ ’Step Grass Leaves No Trace,’ and ’Cut Grass Remove Root.’ The Daluo Saber Technique’s ’Autumn Wind Sweeps Leaves,’ and the Broken Demon Spear’s ’Gale Tough Grass.’ These five moves were quite handy.

Nangong Liuli had countless leg moves, always shouting the move names during execution. But no matter her countless moves, Li Xian, relying on these five moves, could resist them all, seizing the right moment to easily claim victory.

Thus, each had their win and loss, enjoying the sparring thoroughly. It both fortified their Martial Arts skills and enhanced their adaptability.

Nangong Liuli, with a robust family learning base, practiced Martial Arts from a young age, commanding a wide array of Martial Arts Techniques. Whatever character she drew, she could always find five or six corresponding moves, a significant advantage. Sometimes achieving overwhelming victories, she exuberantly released pent-up energy, her joy evident throughout the day.

After several rounds of intense sparring, Li Xian reflected, "Even though Sister Liuli has the upper hand, it also demonstrates that my foundation is insufficient. Since beginning my martial training, I have only mastered nineteen Martial Arts. According to Sister Liuli, even ordinary noble family disciples, despite lesser talent, should have mastered thirty-four Martial Arts by coming of age. Just in the Nangong Family, if a man cannot master numerous techniques, he is deemed incompetent and cannot take on responsibilities, losing face when peers come of age. The indignity of it is imaginable. The elite among noble families have amassed more, with forty to fifty Martial Arts not uncommon."

"But when it comes to specialization, common noble disciples may not be my match."

The two, drenched in sweat, sat chatting in the pavilion. Nangong Liuli, with a charming smile, was very happy. Although the courtyard house was small, having Li Xian’s constant company made every day feel new, never tiresome. Both progressed in martial arts, serving as good teachers and affectionate friends.