CHAPTER 60: CHAPTER 60: RAPID PROGRESS, A PERSON OF THE JIANGHU

"The name Biluo is derived from the Biluo River."

"I’m not sure where the Biluo River is."

"Among the thousands of skills in the world, if we strictly count, Martial Arts is also a kind of skill. Different paths lead to the same destination; no matter what skill you practice, to become outstanding and admired by many, one must transcend the skill itself."

"Integrating one’s insights and perceptions about the world and everything..."

"So-called Martial Arts is essentially the understanding and perception of the world by Martial Arts masters, simply expressed through Martial Arts?"

Li Xian was in the phase of crossing the river by feeling the stones.

His mind wandered freely, pondering those martial artists who were glorified to have reached godly levels.

The palm power of the Jade Palm was ruthless, something Li Xian had witnessed firsthand. But when he obtained the palm technique and read through it, he found some discrepancies.

The palm power might not necessarily be cold.

Instead, it had the vastness of a mighty river, layer upon layer, unyielding waves. Likely, the lady had observed the river for a long time, seeing the endless flow, which prompted her inspiration to create this palm technique.

Of course, this was just Li Xian’s assumption.

Like Book Scriptures, Martial Arts are subjective.

Practicing a single style of Martial Arts can yield different results depending on the person.

"Jade Palm is best practiced in conjunction with medicated baths."

"I currently don’t have that condition, so I’ll figure out a way to practice on my own."

The early practice of Jade Palm is quite intriguing. One needs to prepare a silk rope, specifically a silk rope as thin as hair, wrapped around the finger joints, with little wind bells hanging at the ends.

The goal is to transmit the palm power through the silk rope to ring the little wind bells. When they start to ring in sequence, forming a melody, it signifies that the initial stage of practice is complete.

If you can achieve this, it means you’ve managed Qi Manipulation, thus reaching the beginner stage.

Failure to achieve this level means one can never truly practice the Jade Palm, for its essence lies in releasing different palm forces simultaneously through the palm and finger joints.

These palm forces intertwine and bind like knots, much like a lock.

Leaving indelible marks on the body.

This Martial Art indeed appears vicious in the early stages, but it becomes more powerful and majestic as you progress.

Like a river that starts as an inconspicuous trickle and gradually gathers into a surging torrent.

"Practicing Martial Arts... combined with the current state of mind, seems to offer little assistance in understanding Martial Arts."

From today, Li Xian became deeply engrossed in the Jade Palm.

Besides patrolling, he would practice Martial Arts, with no other matters on his mind.

In the blink of an eye, two days passed.

[Jade Palm]

[Skill Level: 11/800 Beginner]

[Description: A trickle can become a river. With diligent practice, you’ve grasped the basics of the technique.]

"As expected of the Entry Palm Technique, just reaching the beginner level requires 800 points of skill."

"Let’s get to work!"

Li Xian murmured softly, dismissing further thoughts.

At this stage, his practice method changed.

It was divided into two approaches: first, practicing palm techniques, which pertain to combos used during battles; second, practicing palm force, which is the core of this palm technique.

Li Xian steadily progressed in parallel.

[Skill Level +1]

[Skill Level +1]

Silently accumulating...

In one day, the Jade Palm skill level increased by [152], showing significant progress. Clear Wind Leg wasn’t neglected either, with a skill level increase of [174].

[Clear Wind Leg]

[Skill Level: 719/1500 Minor Achievement]

The feeling of progress filled him with motivation.

"Accumulating strength, accumulating strength!"

Under the clear moonlight.

Li Xian was drenched in sweat, drawing a bucket of icy well water. Splashing it over himself, the bone-chilling cold washed away the sweat and fatigue.

Resting briefly, he continued practicing palm techniques, striving relentlessly.

Indeed, the Jade Palm, as an Entry Martial Arts, accumulated Inner Qi much faster than other techniques like the Four Directions Fist.

Moreover, it was purer, and when condensing Qi into threads, it was even harder to interrupt.

All these improvements were clearly visible.

These days of relentless practice, though fulfilling, do not need to be overly detailed.

In a blink, three days passed.

"Master Li, your guidance has been a great help."

At night.

Outside the estate on a large open field, under a sparse starry night, a bonfire burned, surrounded by eight or nine nursing home staff, continuously praising Li Xian.

"It’s not really helping, just doing what I’m paid for."

Said Li Xian.

Li Xian’s straightforward style had long circulated among the nursing home.

He was known for his decisiveness, never delaying or playing tricks.

With the nursing home competition approaching, the staff had to prepare, many C-class members hoping to advance further.

At worst, they wished to maintain their C-class status, avoiding being demoted to D-class.

Thus the tradition of "extra coaching" emerged.

Several C-class members with good relations would pool together three taels of silver to seek instruction from a B-class member, identifying their weaknesses for improvement.

During the day, everyone was busy, so the extra coaching usually took place at night, lasting an hour.

Reporting it in advance, it wasn’t considered a violation of the estate’s rules, but rather an unwritten norm.

"Master Li, here’s the pooled money, hoping your wise guidance will be plentiful." The C-class member Hao Xiaohuo offered a cloth bag with both hands.

"I will teach what I can," Li Xian accepted the money.

Another three taels of silver earned.

It’s undeniable that the higher you climb, the more opportunities for wealth abound. Sometimes, it’s not about seeking money, but rather money finding its way to you.

"Who wants to go first?"

"Within an hour, I’ll provide guidance."

Li Xian responded promptly.

"I’ll go first!"

A tall and sturdy C-class member stepped forward, bowing, "Master Li, I practice the Horizontal Martial Arts Training Great Strength Skill and ’Luozhuang Leg’. Please guide me."

Without further ado, he attacked. His robust frame intimidated the others, who thought, "If Master Li loses, it’d be quite amusing."

The nursing home staff member’s swift leg strikes were indeed intimidating. But Li Xian sidestepped and lightly kicked the area below his ribs.

The burly man felt his entire strength drain away instantly, defeated in a single move.

"This move is ’Pointing and Sending a Clear Wind’ from Clear Wind Leg, a technique for targeting acupuncture points with your foot."

Since Li Xian accepted payment, he took responsibility.

"Your Great Strength Skill enhances qi power, and your Luozhuang Leg stabilizes your stance, but while they’re potent, they lack stability."

"Against weaker opponents, your momentum can indeed overwhelm, achieving quick victory. But facing Martial Artists of the same level, you expose flaws from the start."

The burly man broke into a cold sweat hearing this.

Li Xian couldn’t help but sigh. Many nursing home staff had commendable Martial Arts Mastery but failed to unleash the full power of their Martial Arts.

He wasn’t sure why.

"You’d better go reflect on this thoroughly, next in line." Li Xian looked at the group.

After witnessing this, everyone understood this Master Li genuinely had substance. They eagerly awaited their turn.

The second nursing home staff was proficient in "Tiger and Leopard Hand" and "Clear Wind Leg". Tiger and Leopard Hand, though perilous, if wielded well, could make even slightly weaker opponents challenging.

Combining it with Clear Wind Leg, it’s quite a flexible Martial Arts pairing.

Although the staff attempted the techniques, their execution was tragically poor, hands and feet uncoordinated, assuming a continuous offensive but was sluggish and cumbersome.

Like the Clear Wind Leg’s move "Gentle Wind Playing with Willow," aimed at the opponent’s flank. Tiger and Leopard Hand’s "Tiger and Leopard Forms" also target the side waist.

The individual attempted both simultaneously, aiming both hands and feet at the same spot.

This not only exposed vulnerabilities but evoked laughter.

Li Xian lightly kicked his backside, saying, "You’re too eager for quick success. You must distinguish between hands and feet. Hands are hands, and feet are feet."

These flaws were evident to Li Xian.

Yet the nursing home staff failed to see them and couldn’t correct them.

Just like this.

With merely the "Clear Wind Leg," these C-class staff struggled beyond two moves.

It was more than sufficient for providing pointers.

After educating everyone, Li Xian rested briefly, planning another round to observe any improvement.

Suddenly, a strange sound. Li Xian paused his movements, looking towards the distance with a serious expression.

There, on the mountain path, came the sound of horse hooves on the snow.

A woman, under the moonlight, draped in a fox fur coat, rode forward.

"Hey, are you from the estate?" the woman asked.

Li Xian’s mind jolted, a thought flashing instantaneously:

"This is someone from the Jianghu!"