Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

Chapter 675: Chapter 357: Surging Inspiration, Sudden Enlightenment, Heart Protection Divine Intent—Peerless in the World!

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. A young servant delivered a red invitation card. Li Xian opened it and saw that it was from "Wang Shouxin" Elder Wang, who had returned a few days ago and planned to hold a "Momentum Banquet" tomorrow, preparing to start the tripod and cook Essence Food.

Li Xian accepted the invitation, his heart complicated: "Counting carefully, Chief Shi has been gone for more than ten days. I don’t know the details about seeking the tripod, and I wonder if prolonged absence means something went wrong, or if seeking the tripod naturally takes a long time. Now that the elder is starting the tripod, they cannot see through to detect subtle changes, and it may not be easy to notice the tripod has already broken. Even if starting the tripod fails and the Essence Treasure turns foul, they will only be confused and unsure if the tripod itself is broken. But with successive failures, they will gradually realize, and eventually, it will be exposed."

"When that time comes, the Flower Cage Sect will surely be in chaos, with countless speculations arising and disorder brewing. The sect has loose rules, with disciples scattered and not very united; once the tree falls, the monkeys scatter even quicker. If I had previously borrowed Chief Shi’s name, claiming he was already starting the tripod and needed to occupy it for several days, I could have delayed it without detection. But... Chief Shi, though he has shown kindness to me, and it is because of him I obtained the Broken Demon Spear Technique and the Ghost Python Spear, I am ultimately unwilling to exhaust my efforts for the Flower Cage Sect, suppressing it aggressively. If one day the Flower Cage Sect captures women, it will be an evil debt on my account."

"Moreover, if the Flower Cage Sect falls into chaos, Sister Liuli will have more chances to escape. She is in her prime, beautiful as a flower, and with an esteemed family and boundless future. How can I let her be confined to one house, squandering her youth? Therefore, it’s best to watch quietly and not intervene. Chief Shi’s kindness, if there is a chance, I will repay in the future."

With his mind made up, he accepted the invitation.

The next day, he went to the banquet. The food and wine were abundant, and Li Xian ate and drank heartily, openly making acquaintances with many elders: Wang Shouxin, Liu Renyi, Zhou Zhengde, Zhang Kaixuan... These elders had all recently returned to the altar. Some he had met before, while others he met for the first time.

On the surface, Li Xian flattered them, but inwardly, he thought: "The elders of the Flower Cage Sect do have rather meaningful names: Shouxin (Heart Protector), Renyi (Benevolence and Righteousness), Zhengde (Upright Virtue), Kaixuan (Open and Joyous). Listening to these names, one might think they are scholars or men of culture."

After the banquet, Elder Wang Shouxin began preparing to start the tripod. He gathered the Flower Cage Sect disciples and purchased things like dark bamboo charcoal and dew... Li Xian excused himself early, returning to his residence to practice martial arts. Sitting cross-legged under a fruit tree, he hammered his heart and tempered his intention, refining the "Only I have a Heart Skill."

[Skill Level +1]

[Skill Level +1]

The essence of martial arts lies in perseverance. Like water grinding a stone, over time, one climbs step by step.

...

...

From the peak of Wanglong Mountain, one could glimpse the Cyan Ox Residence. When Li Xian watched the tripod or guarded it, having nothing better to do, he liked to gaze at Cyan Ox Residence, observing Nangong Liuli arranging flowers and grass, setting up the Five Elements formation, all in his view.

As a daughter of a prominent family, she was expected to possess full grace. Alone in a residence, though naturally relaxed, her manners and poise were deeply ingrained, naturally maintained. She was irresistibly charming.

Li Xian was feeling observed as Wang Shouxin started cooking food with the tripod, inadvertently glancing at Cyan Ox Residence. Aware of their interactions, Li Xian thought romantic encounters were inevitable. To avoid being spied upon, he decided to take a carriage alongside Nangong Liuli for an outing.

In the carriage, they prepared "blankets," "wooden pillows," "clean clothes"... and made their way out of Cyan Ox Residence. Li Xian’s wings were gradually growing stronger, his abilities advancing greatly, while the elders of Flower Cage Sect only had cultivation but lacked in skills. Li Xian felt confident in protecting Nangong Liuli and taking her out safely.

They distanced themselves from human habitation, venturing straight into the deep mountains. The Water Altar forests were extensive, with many areas rarely visited by people. After traveling several miles deep inside, they were no longer disturbed by anyone. They discovered a lush sea of flowers, with beautiful scenery.

Li Xian stopped the carriage, deciding to rest there. He started a fire, hunting some forest birds, wild boar, grass rats, and carefully cooked meals. Filling their stomachs, they admired the flowers and scenery, practiced martial arts and roamed leisurely, having a delightful time.

In this undisturbed place, they could be bold and advance a few more steps during their joyful moments. Nangong Liuli had once aspired to seek a good partner for a life of galloping across the Jianghu, helping others and seeking justice. Although this scenario was somewhat different, the Mental Realm was richer. At night, lying beside Li Xian, she thought: "Oh, Heaven, I don’t know if you’re treating me well or not. I really...really love these days from the bottom of my heart. Although trapped in the Flower Cage Sect, I have not been humiliated or beaten, and I am more carefree and happier than before."

"But there’s an old saying, that a person’s joyful days in life are amount determined. Enjoying one more day now means one less day later. I don’t know how many more of such days there are. I just hope they last longer, much longer."

For three days in a row, they traveled and played around. They explored secluded valleys, ventured into mysterious caves, and visited natural sinkholes. Using their skills with ease, they raided bird nests, stole honey, battled snake groups, and fished for giant fish.

Nangong Liuli, having grown up in her family estate, was quite familiar with peer disputes, arena gambling, and rules of etiquette. Yet, during her outings with Li Xian, she felt the vastness of the world, gradually gaining insight into the concept of deriving martial arts from nature and utilizing it within nature. Martial arts not only defeat enemies but also add pleasure.

While Li Xian was stealing honey, he provoked a swarm of bees. A wave of his palm scattered the swarming bees in disarray, losing their direction. Facing the snake groups, he tied the snake beasts into a "snake whip," nicknaming it a tool for fighting enemies and emerging victorious.

Various martial arts were creatively employed. The infinite of observing heaven and earth, and the joy of uncovering the wonders of all things. Grass and trees were not merely grass and trees, and mountains and stones were not simply mountains and stones. Li Xian, born a hunter, had a weak martial arts foundation, yet possessed a natural understanding and temperament that those from noble families could not reach.

In the past, Wen Caishang, carrying heavy responsibilities, felt similarly affected during the journey. Nangong Liuli also felt deeply touched, finding Li Xian vivid and unique in his speech and manner, a style all his own, unmatched anywhere in the world, as vibrant and engaging as he was.