Xu Yan rode out of the city on a tall horse, two large bundles hanging from its back. One contained the Precious Medicine needed for cultivation, while the other held the priceless Red-Eyed Tiger pelt.
"The Xu Family's foolish young master is off searching for an expert again."
"Judging by the look of him, he's brought a generous gift to seek out an expert."
As Xu Yan rode past, the gossip began.
The foolish son of the richest family was off searching for an expert again.
For a time, it once more became the favorite topic of conversation among the people of the commandery city.
Xu Yan paid no attention to such remarks. He was proud to the point of arrogance.
A bunch of frogs at the bottom of a well—what could they know of the vastness of heaven and earth?
The moment he left the city, Xu Yan discovered that his family's guards were secretly following him. His parents had clearly feared that he might encounter danger while traveling, so they had sent the guards to protect him in secret.
Those guards were far too weak. Given his strength, if he encountered danger, the guards would not only be unable to save him—they would probably all be killed in a single exchange.
After traveling a dozen or so li from the city, Xu Yan spurred his horse on and soon entered a forest. With a little maneuvering, he shook off the family guards.
Only after making sure no one was following him did Xu Yan return to the small mountain village.
His master disliked being disturbed, so Xu Yan could not let anyone know where his master lived in seclusion and disturb his peace.
The small town outside the mountain village was already in sight. Xu Yan planned to rest there for a while before entering the mountains and heading to the village.
Suddenly.
A figure rushed over from behind, vaulted into the air, and landed steadily in front of the horse, blocking the road.
Xu Yan frowned. Judging by the man's agility, he was already a First-rate Jianghu Expert. He clearly meant trouble.
"Heh heh, boy from the Xu Family, I've finally found you. I won't waste words—put down the Precious Medicine, and I'll spare your life!"
The man blocking the road was around forty. His arms and legs were different from those of ordinary people, longer and a full circle thicker, while his torso looked small and scrawny. The proportions were rather awkward, making him appear tall and gaunt.
Xu Yan sat on his horse and looked down at him, his eyes filled with contempt. "You?"
"Courting death!"
A cold glint flashed through the tall, gaunt man's eyes. He leaped into the air and struck toward Xu Yan's face with one palm.
Mounted on his horse, Xu Yan did not even furrow his brow. Feeling the power behind the palm, he did not take it seriously at all.
Although the martial artists of Qi Kingdom could split stone tablets and shatter rocks, and possessed impressive might by ordinary standards, to Xu Yan, who had come into contact with true martial arts, such skills were nothing more than mundane techniques.
Their limits were pitifully low, and their destructive power was equally feeble.
Though he had yet to enter the martial path, his bones had already transformed five times. He was not far from refining true Golden Bone.
How could his Vital Energy possibly be compared to that of a mere First-rate Expert?
Even if he stood still and let the man hack at him with blades and axes, Xu Yan was confident he would remain completely unharmed.
Facing the tall, gaunt man's palm strike, Xu Yan barked coldly, "Get lost!"
He raised his hand and punched.
His fist collided with the other man's palm.
A vicious look appeared in the tall, gaunt man's eyes. With the sinister power of his palm, he could easily break the Xu boy's arm, then follow up with another strike and take his life.
The Precious Medicine would be his!
This was Precious Medicine worth a fortune, enough to exchange for a huge sum of money.
Bang!
Yet when fist and palm collided, the tall, gaunt man's expression changed violently. His palm strike crumbled like paper in an instant, while the overwhelming force shattered his arm completely.
The force of the punch did not stop. It slammed directly into the tall, gaunt man's chest.
Bang!
The tall, gaunt man was sent flying. His chest caved in, every bone shattered, and his internal organs were reduced to mush. He died on the spot.
Xu Yan had killed a First-rate Jianghu Expert with one punch, and excitement appeared on his face.
Too weak!
He was like a grasshopper—one punch was all it took to kill him.
He had not even used much strength.
"This is true martial arts!"
Xu Yan's eyes burned with fervor. His Golden Bone had yet to form, and he had not even entered the martial path, yet a First-rate Expert was as fragile as paper before him. The difference was truly like heaven and earth.
"Once I enter the martial path, I'll be invincible in Qi Kingdom. Facing an army of ten thousand alone will be nothing!"
"Even the lofty emperor would be nothing more than a trifling figure!"
At that moment, Xu Yan's blood was surging, his eyes feverishly bright, and his resolve to cultivate had grown even firmer.
"I must enter the martial path within a year, truly become my master's disciple, and cultivate supreme martial arts!"
After killing the First-rate Expert who had blocked his way with one punch, Xu Yan continued on.
"I can't reveal my whereabouts. I can't ride this horse anymore—it'll make me easy to track."
Xu Yan dismounted, sinking into thought.
He glanced at the nearby mountain forest. After a brief moment of thought, he came up with an idea.
He immediately bent down and hoisted the horse onto his shoulders.
Horse: ???
Carrying the horse, Xu Yan strode into the mountain forest. He began taking a detour, erasing the traces along the way before heading to the small mountain village, preventing anyone from tracking him.
Only after passing through Evil Fiend Forest did he set the horse down, mount it again, and hurry toward the small mountain village.
Xu Yan finally returned, bringing with him a large bundle of medicinal materials.
What made Li Xuan even happier was the enormous tiger pelt.
Looking at its mottled colors, Li Xuan could almost confirm that this was the vicious tiger from Evil Fiend Forest!
The threat of Evil Fiend Forest had finally been eliminated. He had, in a sense, avenged the villagers who had died tragically.
"Master, I killed the Red-Eyed Tiger from Evil Fiend Forest. I didn't cause too much commotion," Xu Yan said respectfully.
"Good! Good! Nicely done!"
Li Xuan was delighted inside and praised him aloud, thoroughly satisfied with Xu Yan's trip.
Master is finally satisfied with my performance. My bones have transformed five times, and I'm not far from refining Golden Bone. Master must think my Bone Refining speed is pretty good too.
After receiving the praise, Xu Yan was overjoyed.
"It's all thanks to your guidance, Master!"
Li Xuan held the tiger pelt in his hands, liking it more the longer he looked at it. This pelt was worth a fortune. It would make an excellent family heirloom!
This foolish disciple is actually quite reliable when it comes to getting things done.
Thinking this, Li Xuan encouraged him. "Cultivate diligently and comprehend carefully. You will certainly achieve something."
"Yes, Master. I absolutely won't disappoint you!"
Xu Yan was incomparably excited.
Seeing how excited he was, Li Xuan sighed inwardly. This foolish disciple is so easy to fool. A little encouragement, and he's as energetic as if he'd been injected with chicken blood.
"Very good. I believe in you!"
Li Xuan nodded, then continued, "The weeds in the vegetable garden have grown back. Go clear them out."
His foolish disciple had returned, so it was time to clear away the weeds that had accumulated in the vegetable garden.
With someone to wait on him again, he could return to his leisurely days.
"Huh?"
Xu Yan froze. He had only just returned—why was he being sent to weed already?
Li Xuan put on a solemn expression. "I observe that your mind is restless. Go pull some weeds and calm yourself. It will benefit your comprehension and your cultivation!"
"Yes, Master. I understand!"
Upon hearing this, Xu Yan suddenly understood, while shame crept into his heart. "Master often teaches me to calm my mind, settle my spirit, and guard against arrogance and impatience. After killing a First-rate Expert with one punch, I've become rather impetuous.
"This truly isn't right!
"Master's insight is as sharp as a torch. He saw at a glance that my state of mind had become restless, so he sent me to pull weeds and calm myself, allowing me to settle down and refine my bones more efficiently!"
Xu Yan had only just returned before being sent off to pull weeds. Li Xuan sighed ruefully. This foolish disciple was far too easy to manipulate.
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