In the vast world of Daliang.
The Fang Residence.
In a fine blue-and-white porcelain plate, carefully prepared New Year's meat was served.
The unique fragrance grew stronger, causing even the attendants like Baihe to involuntarily swallow.
Baihe was somewhat of an anomaly among the Twelve Beauties, lacking the gentleness of Yuegui or the charm of the other women.
Compared to them, her tall stature and sharp features did not conform to the typical aesthetic of the Daliang literati.
She was originally a gift when purchasing other maidservants.
But Fang Xi felt that she was quite good-looking, exuding a bold and heroic beauty. If dressed in a more masculine attire, she would resemble a handsome young man.
At this moment, Fang Xi specifically had Baihe change into a white martial attire, giving her the appearance of a spirited white fox.
Fang Xi enjoyed teasing Baihe usually, as this woman had a somewhat strong-willed nature, making the process of subduing such a stubborn woman quite interesting.
However, today, he had no interest at all.
Fang Xi took a bite of the New Year's meat, letting the juicy meat explode in his mouth.
In the next moment!
His skin turned slightly red, as if he were drunk.
At the same time, his thigh muscles wriggled, and a black snake-like pattern on his skin rapidly expanded and enlarged.
In an instant, Fang Xi's figure moved like the wind, swiftly moving among numerous plum blossom stakes.
Bang! Bang!
Baihe felt as if she saw a giant python moving back and forth, causing her body to tremble in fear.
Accompanied by explosive sounds, each wooden stake Fang Xi kicked exploded, with tiny wood chips flying around.
After a long time, Fang Xi finally stopped and looked at his legs.
The pants below his thighs had become tattered, revealing smooth skin with a snake-like pattern on it.
"A complete double snake pattern, indicating that I have reached the realm of the third transformation of Qi and blood in the Red Snake Leg."
Fang Xi was not surprised by this.
After all, his White Cloud Palm had long been breakthrough, and the Red Snake Leg was just a matter of analogy.
"Young Master."
Baihe handed him a towel, her movements stiff.
But Fang Xi liked her spirited demeanor, smiling, "This is the Red Snake Leg. How about it? Want to learn? I can teach you..."
With her long legs, if she learned the Boneless Snake Form... Hiss...
Fang Xi took a sharp breath.
After teasing the maidservant as usual, he arrived at the White Cloud Martial Hall.
Since advancing to the third transformation of Qi and blood, the disciples in the martial hall held him in great awe.
As for Wujie?
He rarely appeared in the martial hall anymore.
Apart from that, there were no retaliatory actions, but rather he became more low-key.
This made Fang Xi somewhat impressed, realizing that in the world, both fools and wise men were rare, while mediocre commoners made up the majority.
In the main hall.
"Master!"
Fang Xi clasped his hands and bowed slightly.
Mu Canglong sat on the grandmaster's chair, holding his beloved purple sand teapot, taking a sip from the spout with a contented squint, "Fang Xi, you're here... By the way, you've broken through to the third transformation of Qi and blood, a grand event in the martial hall. According to tradition, we should celebrate. What do you think?"
"I think there's no need."
Fang Xi waved his hand in refusal.
It was just a third transformation of Qi and blood, not reaching the realm of true strength like the martial hall master. What was there to celebrate?
Moreover, holding a celebration was either for fame or profit!
He didn't care about mere reputation, and as for benefits? It was even more laughable. The gifts sent by the martial hall couldn't compare to what he could casually pick up from the ground!
"Well then."
Mu Canglong was a little unhappy at first, as if Fang Xi were a true apprentice of the martial hall, he would have to listen to his words. However... Fang Xi was different from the other apprentices, he was already very wealthy!
The White Cloud Martial Hall had become much more prosperous recently because of him, so it wasn't easy to reprimand him...
"If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."
Fang Xi bowed again and left the main hall.
His main purpose in coming today was to find an opportunity to imprint the essence of the White Cloud Palm.
Once he obtained the essence, the White Cloud Martial Hall would truly be of little use to him.
'This is the trouble with third-rate martial arts. A slight breakthrough brings you to the limit. What should I do next?'
Fang Xi's eyes flashed slightly as he thought of the next steps: "Mount Yuanhe..."
...
"Junior Brother, Father has been feeling stifled for too long."
While borrowing the essence, Mu Miaomiao excused Mu Canglong, "Father has been supporting the White Cloud Martial Hall and has been working hard. The disciples below are not very capable. It's rare to have someone like you..."
Speaking of this, Mu Miaomiao also felt a bit regretful.
This junior brother Fang Xi's talent in the White Cloud Palm was truly the best since the establishment of the White Cloud Martial Hall.
However... he was too wealthy.
Sometimes, being too wealthy was not a good thing.
For example, if Fang Xi were a beggar or even a commoner, Mu Canglong might have adopted him as a foster son, nurtured him carefully, and used him to maintain the facade in the future!
What did it mean to maintain the facade? Naturally, it meant sending him out to compete with other martial halls, to fight and spar!
When the master grew old, the disciples also had the obligation to defend against challengers.
If Fang Xi could do this, Mu Canglong might even consider marrying Mu Miaomiao to him.
However... Fang Xi was too wealthy!
How could he fight to the death for a small martial hall?
"Master's efforts, I naturally understand..."
After pondering for a while, Fang Xi reluctantly replied, "How about this, I can promise to help the martial hall once in the future!"
"Is that so?" Mu Miaomiao's eyes lit up slightly.
"But I have a condition..." Fang Xi immediately stated his request upon seeing this.
"What condition?" Mu Miaomiao, seeing Fang Xi's gaze fixed on her, blushed slightly, thinking, 'If it's Junior Brother, maybe it's not impossible...'
An 'I agree' was almost about to blurt out.
In his ear, Fang Xi continued, "I want to comprehend the essence of the White Cloud Palm alone... for one night!"
"Ah?" Mu Miaomiao widened her eyes, looking somewhat at a loss.
Fang Xi seemed a bit embarrassed as he explained, "Today, when I tried to comprehend the essence, I felt unable to make progress. It's probably because there were people around you, which made it easy to be distracted. That's why I'm making this awkward request."
"Just borrowing the essence... for one night?"
Mu Miaomiao also didn't know how she felt, but she suddenly felt angry!
Such a good opportunity, she almost agreed...
"Of course, if Senior Sister is worried, you can wait outside and then inspect it." Fang Xi displayed the demeanor of a gentleman.
But the next moment, Mu Miaomiao thrust the White Cloud Scroll into Fang Xi's arms: "Alright, I agree."
Turning around and running away, as if there was a monster chasing her from behind.
"Hehe..."
Fang Xi touched his nose.
He naturally understood the thoughts of this little girl Mu Miaomiao. Just now, he deliberately created an awkward atmosphere to make her feel embarrassed to appear in front of him again.
Taking advantage of this opportunity, a blank jade slip appeared in his hand, and he began to copy...
After a while, the essence of the White Cloud Palm was in his hands!
In Fang Xi's eyes, the entire White Cloud Martial Hall was reduced to this.
...
Night.
Elemental Harmony Mountain, Black Stone City branch.
Several martial artists were feasting, occasionally discussing some interesting anecdotes in the city.
The cold-faced woman in a white dress, Chunyu, looked at the young senior brother, Linghu Yang, sitting at the head of the table, hesitating to speak.
This senior brother had extraordinary talent. He was noticed by an elder of Elemental Harmony Mountain at a young age, taken up the mountain as a personal disciple, and his martial arts progressed rapidly, reaching the realm above the martial hall master at a young age!
Due to his single-minded focus on martial arts and lack of social interaction, he had developed a solitary and eccentric temperament.
The elder had him enter the world, serving as the guardian of Black Stone City, with the intention of tempering his character in the mortal world.
However... it seemed that over the past few years, he remained the same as before, not understanding any human emotions.
"Chunyu, why do you hesitate to speak?"
Linghu Yang's senses were very keen. After taking a sip of wine, he became a little impatient and casually asked.
Chunyu then gently opened her red lips, "Senior Brother... do you remember Fang Xi?"
Linghu Yang was taken aback, "Who is this person?"
Chunyu felt quite helpless at once. Even some disciples in the branch still couldn't remember the names of Linghu Yang's senior brothers.
She could only explain, "This person wanted to join our Elemental Harmony Mountain a few months ago, but was rejected. He went to the White Cloud Martial Hall instead. In recent days, there have been rumors that he has been practicing the White Cloud Palm and has entered the realm of the third transformation of Qi and blood..."
"Is that so? It seems that although this person's talent is average, he is lucky." Linghu Yang played with his wine cup, "Perhaps his body is extremely compatible with the White Cloud Palm lineage... but that's it. How can such a third-rate martial art compare to our Elemental Harmony Mountain's secret techniques? This person will probably only linger among the martial hall masters for his whole life... Why do you mention him?"
Chunyu replied with a bitter smile, "Junior Brother just feels a bit regretful. This person can break through to the third transformation of Qi and blood, so his talent is at least somewhat decent. Perhaps Junior Brother was a bit shortsighted back then."
"Shortsighted is shortsighted... There are many talents in this world. Even if it's a piece of uncarved jade, without someone to carve it, it won't become a treasure. Perhaps right now, there are corpses lying on the roadside who were more talented than me, but so what?"
Linghu Yang waved his hand indifferently, his eyes flashing with wise light, "The martial path is vast and profound. Talent is just the threshold. What's more important is the resources, guidance from mentors, and one's own diligence after entering. Among these, the most important is the martial technique!"
Therefore, regardless of the outcome back then, Linghu Yang would not regret it, because after practicing a third-rate martial art, the person's limit was already set.
"Senior Brother's words are truly profound."
A chubby martial artist exclaimed, clapping his hands, "It's like a great white floating!"
Chunyu glanced over and recognized the sect steward, Qiao Wuchang. This person was always fawning, but his martial arts were indeed outstanding, and he was particularly ruthless in secret actions.
She didn't say much at this moment.
With her naturally cold temperament, tonight was just a bit of sentiment...
(End of this chapter)