Luo Fang pressed, "I see that Steward Li is not yet satisfied, how about giving me some pointers?"
Li Xian replied coolly, "Steward Luo, I advise you to check the time. Don't forget your duties."
It's foolish to act tough.
If I don't fight you, what can you do? Li Xian stood with his arms crossed, taking a step back.
Luo Fang was taken aback, realizing his anger had clouded his judgment, making him forget his responsibilities entirely.
As a servant steward, neglecting his duties to spar with a nursing home staff member... If word got out, the mistress would surely be furious.
Immediately, he gave a cold snort, called the servants, and continued with the transportation of wood and stone materials. His anger could only be directed at the servants.
"Li, not bad at all, that Four Directions Fist move is quite skilled," Zhao Dachun praised with a smile, giving a thumbs-up.
"It's just average, nothing special."
Li Xian smiled modestly and found an open area.
There he could practice his fist techniques while keeping an eye on things. He quickly assumed his stance and began practicing his fists.
"He's diligent. I wonder if this lad can push himself further. If he becomes a C-class nursing home staff, life would be much more comfortable," Zhao Dachun observed, not bothering him further.
[Your mind is clear, and your fist intent has greatly increased, Skill Level +4]
[Heaven rewards diligence, punching tens of thousands of times, fluid like water, Skill Level +2]
[You are persistent, never wasting a day, Skill Level +4]
In the several hours of the afternoon, Li Xian rested no more than fifteen minutes. The rest of the time, he devoted to mastering the Four Directions Fist.
Bi Hao was severely injured and had no choice but to rest on the ground. Seeing Li Xian's relentless diligence, he couldn't help but feel a despair that was beyond words. People more talented than you are working even harder than you.
How can you fight back against that?
"A worthless thing. Had I known, it would have been better to nurture him from the start, you unhelpable useless mud,"
Luo Fang felt a slight regret rising in his heart from the comparison.
"Martial Artists see people as clay embryos, postnatal martial arts training is to transform this clay embryo."
"Commander Pang says that for Martial Artists... whether they've been reborn or are still struggling in the mundane world as clay embryos. It's all about eating, practicing, nurturing, and soaking - those four words."
"For now, only practicing is within my control, and I must achieve excellence!"
Li Xian threw a punch, feeling his own progress.
...
At night.
Li Xian dragged his tired body back to the room. The lights were already out, and the room was dim, with faint snores audible.
"It seems that today has improved a lot, sleeping so early. I need to hurry and rest too, since there's a patrol shift tonight."
Li Xian moved gently, unfastening the long knife from his waist, only to find the candle still warm when he placed it on the table.
It seemed to have been blown out just recently.
"Not sleeping early, just pretending to blow out the candle when I returned."
"Jiang Yun's move is ruthless, so it's normal for there to be a barrier in our hearts."
Li Xian chose to ignore it, lying down in bed and closing his eyes. At midnight, he went out for a one-hour patrol shift, with nothing unexpected happening.
He then returned to the room for more sleep, getting up at dawn for morning training.
"This routine is truly grinding at one's willpower. If there's an opportunity, I must quickly advance to C-class nursing home staff," Li Xian resolved silently.
"Boss, are you guys taking another day off today?"
Before leaving, Li Xian quietly asked beside Zhao Han's bed.
"Let's take one more day off," Zhao Han replied groggily.
"Alright." Li Xian left the room.
After his footsteps grew distant, Zhao Han sat up straight, and Wang Chun and Zhuo Yilei, who were second and third, were no longer sleepy.
In fact, the three of them had not slept all night.
By yesterday afternoon, the swelling had gone down, but there were still green and purple palm marks on their faces, frighteningly hideous and horribly ugly.
Seeing each other's faces, they felt a bitter taste in their mouths and couldn't sleep no matter how hard they tried.
...
Yesterday, they missed morning training due to visiting Pang Long, and didn't consume the Tiger Blood Pill.
Today, after running three laps around the village, during free fist practice, Li Xian took out the "Tiger Blood Pill" from his bosom.
"This pill strengthens bones and generates blood, a Martial Arts Treasure Pill. Consuming it, I wonder what changes my 'clay embryo' body will undergo."
He swallowed it whole.
It tasted extremely bitter and foul, with a stench assaulting his nostrils. It felt as if he had stuck his head into a tiger's mouth, filled with an acrid stench.
As the elixir was absorbed, its effects began to manifest. Li Xian's breathing grew long and deep, with his chest faintly emitting what felt like the "Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound."
Li Xian let out a low shout, throwing a punch. Under the elixir's effect, he seemed to have the momentum of a tiger pouncing. His blood surged, energy vigorous. He felt an urge to throw a thousand punches, venting all his blood and energy.
Seizing this time to train, he could achieve more with less effort! Using the elixir's effects to strengthen his constitution, accumulate inner strength, and fortify his muscles and bones!
[Upon initial consumption of a rare item, a skill is understood: Consumption.]
[Skill Level: 3/500 Beginner]
[Description: Natural treasures enter my mouth. It's important to know how to consume treasures. Mastering this skill can let you use one portion of the elixir as if it were two.]
Once the essence treasure drug is consumed, the efficiency of absorption is higher.
Li Xian only consumed one Tiger Blood Pill, yet the absorbed effect was more than one pill's worth.
With increasing skill level, there may come a day when one "portion of medicine" can be used as "two portions."
However, to master this skill of Consumption, who knows how much silver will have to be consumed.
"Heaven helps me too!"
Li Xian was invigorated, using martial arts moves to apply the elixir's effects rationally.
In these two hours, he was only punching the whole time.
Finally, as the elixir's effects were exhausted, Li Xian had gained a lot.
[Four Directions Fist]
[Skill Level: 125/1500 Minor Achievement]
[Description: On the long road of fists, even a small step is an achievement to be proud of. You've deeply studied Four Directions Fist, and comprehended 'Four Directions Fist Force,' reaching a Minor Achievement in this path.]
Within the dantian, inner qi had accumulated to the size of two fists. The Four Directions Fist is known for being externally square and internally round, seeming simple and moderate yet actually treacherous and cunning.
Combined with "Four Directions Fist Force," his strength reached a new level.
Not only that.
The Tiger Blood Pill also had the effect of strengthening bones. At this moment, Li Xian's whole body was in pain, but it wasn't from injury. Rather, it was growing, with bone structure gradually strengthening.
"No wonder Martial Artists are so formidable."
"Not only does martial arts skill surpass ordinary people, but so does the physical body, this 'clay embryo,' during the process of martial training, undergoes unusual forging."
...
The afternoon arrived in the blink of an eye.
"Fourth Brother."
"Fourth Brother, come over here."
Li Xian was patrolling, eyes scanning in six directions, ears listening in all directions. He appeared very serious, but was actually slacking off, with his mind drifting, fully absorbed in reflecting on his martial arts techniques.
Suddenly he heard several calls, and turned his head. Hidden behind a large tree were three figures.
It was Zhao Han and the other two. They were wearing nursing home uniforms, yet shielded their faces with both hands, hiding in the shadows. Li Xian approached them quickly, "Aren't you resting on sick leave? Why are you out now?"
"Come over and talk," Zhao Han pulled Li Xian into a corner.
"Fourth Brother, we three…" He took a deep breath, removing the cover from his face, revealing the bruised purple visage.
Hideous and dreadful, with palm marks present and unmoving.
Li Xian had expected this, yet was startled by the sight. Zhao Han said, "To be honest, this morning… we went to find Jiang Yun."
"Hmm?" Li Xian looked at the three in confusion.
Wang Chun quickly came over to massage Li Xian's shoulders, apologetically, "Fourth Brother, we're brothers after all, we really shouldn't have kept this from you, but... as you can see, we're in bad shape."
Li Xian asked, "What did you say to Jiang Yun?"
Zhao Han gave a wry smile, rubbing his cheek, "As you saw, with our appearance, we can't even go out."
"We know Jiang Yun did this for the Tiger Blood Pill. You couldn't close the deal last time, so the three of us thought we would try to talk to her again on your behalf."
"The Tiger Blood Pill is indeed precious, but Fourth Brother, you should consider your brothers and go see Jiang Yun again?"