Failure

Thinking of the remarkable effects after eating the Golden Thread Eel today, Li Xiao figured that if he could regularly eat Exotic Beast Meat, his cultivation speed would surely increase greatly.

"Senior Brother Wang, is there anywhere in the Outer City that specializes in selling Exotic Beast Meat?"

Li Xiao asked.

Wang Hai was taken aback, then laughed. "What, got a taste for it?

There are indeed. Hundred Flavors Restaurant in the south of the city and Rare Beast Pavilion in West City both sell it, but neither is cheap."

He held up two fingers.

"Even the most ordinary Exotic Beast Meat costs over ten taels of silver per jin.

Golden Thread Eel like we ate today costs more than fifteen taels."

Li Xiao was secretly shocked.

"So expensive?" He could not help frowning.

"Of course."

Wang Hai explained, "Exotic Beasts are unlike ordinary livestock. They either grow deep in the mountains and ancient forests, or lurk in the depths of vast marshes. Catching them is extremely difficult.

Some powerful Exotic Beasts can only be captured and killed by a Great Martial Master in person.

Then there are the costs of transport and preservation. Naturally, the prices remain high."

He patted Li Xiao on the shoulder. "Not just you—even I can't eat it every day.

My dad always says that while resources are important for a Martial Practitioner's cultivation, you can't rely too heavily on external things. Otherwise, your foundation will be unstable, and it may end up harming you instead."

Li Xiao nodded, though he had other plans in mind.

The existence of the Panel allowed him to maximize the effects of every bit of resources.

To others, Exotic Beast Meat might only be an aid, but to him, it was a genuine experience accelerator.

"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Brother."

Li Xiao cupped his hands.

Wang Hai waved him off. "Why be so polite? But if you really want to buy some, I suggest going to Hundred Flavors Restaurant. Their Shopkeeper knows my dad well, so the price will be fairer."

Night fell, and the Martial Arts Hall gradually quieted down.

Li Xiao lay on his bed, yet sleep would not come.

What he had experienced today gave him an even clearer understanding of this world's rules—might made right, and resources came first.

The Yellow Robe Cult running rampant and the sky-high prices of Exotic Beast Meat both proved it.

Without strength, one could only be carved up by others.

Without resources, one could only watch helplessly as others soared ahead by leaps and bounds.

After thinking it over and over, he could not find a single reliable way to make money.

"Looks like, for now, I still have to rely on hard training."

Li Xiao sighed softly, closed his eyes, and rehearsed the moves of Iron Wire Fist again and again in his mind.

Several more days passed. One morning, when dawn had barely broken, Li Xiao had already risen and arrived at the Martial Arts Training Ground.

He assumed the opening stance of Iron Wire Fist and began practicing each move and form.

Without the boost from Exotic Beast Meat, his cultivation speed had clearly slowed, but he was not discouraged in the slightest and remained fully focused.

Iron Wire Fist Experience +1

Iron Wire Fist Experience +1

He discovered that as the Qi and Blood in his body grew increasingly abundant, and his understanding and insights into Iron Wire Fist deepened,

the Iron Wire Fist that had originally yielded seven experience points a day had now reached ten.

Host: Li Xiao

Already Recorded: Herbal Compendium Basic Archery Technique (810/1000 Proficient) Iron Wire Fist (60/500)

Special skill: Herbal Mastery

Limit-Breaking Points: None

By midmorning, Li Xiao was already drenched in sweat,

Every point of experience grew steadily and slowly, nowhere near as exhilarating as yesterday.

Li Xiao wiped away his sweat and was about to continue when a commotion at the other end of the Martial Arts Training Ground drew his gaze.

More than a dozen Disciples had gathered on the eastern side of the grounds. At the center of the crowd,

a young Disciple dressed in a coarse cloth robe, washed until it had faded white, sat cross-legged on the ground. His face was flushed red, Qi and Blood surged throughout his body, and a faint gurgling could even be heard.

Master of the Hall Qian Li stood before him with his hands behind his back, calm-eyed yet carrying a trace of scrutiny.

"It's Senior Brother Zhang,"

Wang Hai said in a low voice, having come over at some point.

"He's been here nearly half a year. His family is poor; I heard he even sold off his ancestral fields to pay the tuition.

The half-year deadline is here. If he still can't break through and cultivate Internal Force, he'll have to leave the Martial Arts Hall."

Li Xiao's heart tightened.

He knew this Senior Brother Zhang. He was usually quiet and reserved, but he trained diligently as well.

Yet sometimes, the threshold of Martial Dao could not be crossed through diligence alone.

At that moment, a Disciple brought over a bowl of medicinal soup. The soup was dark brown, with steam billowing from it.

It was far thicker than anything Li Xiao usually saw, giving off a rich herbal scent faintly mixed with a trace of blood.

"This is Blood Vitality Soup, specially bestowed by the Master of the Hall. It'll help him make one final attempt."

Wang Hai explained softly, with a touch of envy in his voice.

"There must be some Exotic Beast blood mixed in it. It's worth a great deal."

Senior Brother Zhang took a deep breath. With slightly trembling hands, he lifted the bowl and tipped his head back, draining the thick medicinal soup in one gulp.

He then closed his eyes and, following Qian Li's instructions, moved the Qi and Blood throughout his body with all his strength, attempting to lock down and refine the surging heat from the medicine and transform it into his own Internal Force.

Before the naked eye, his exposed skin turned crimson.

Veins bulged, and the sweat that had just seeped out was steamed into white vapor.

He clenched his teeth, his body trembling slightly.

The watching Disciples all held their breath.

Li Xiao watched intently as well.

Time passed bit by bit. The Blood Qi around Senior Brother Zhang gradually began to destabilize, the flush fading from his face and giving way to a pallor.

Qian Li shook his head slightly and said in a grave voice:

"Your mind is not pure enough. Distractions have disrupted the circulation of your Qi and Blood. Guard your Dantian, keep a single thread of intent, and try again!"

At his words, a flash of panic and unwillingness crossed Senior Brother Zhang's face. He forcibly steadied himself and tried again to guide that restless power.

Yet the more anxious he became, the more his Qi and Blood scattered.

Finally, his body jolted. He spat out a small mouthful of clotted blood, and the surging aura around him rapidly withered like a punctured balloon.

He lowered his head dejectedly, bracing himself weakly against the ground as his shoulders slumped.

He had failed.

The surroundings fell silent, save for his heavy, despairing breaths.

Qian Li looked at him, regret flashing through his eyes, though his tone remained even:

"The half-year term has expired. Since you have failed to break through, we shall proceed according to the Martial Arts Hall's rules.

Go back and rest properly. The path of Martial Dao is not the only way forward."

Senior Brother Zhang said nothing. He merely lowered his head even further, his fingers digging fiercely into the dirt.

A few soft sighs rose from the watching Disciples. Some sympathized with him, while others secretly rejoiced that they still had time.

Soon, the crowd dispersed, leaving only that lonely, desolate figure slumped in place.

Wang Hai tugged on Li Xiao's sleeve and said softly, "Let's go. It's painful to watch.

That's fate. Resources and talent—neither can be lacking.

He worked hard enough, but unfortunately..."

Li Xiao remained silent and left with Wang Hai, but Senior Brother Zhang's despairing eyes at the moment of failure kept replaying in his mind.

It shook him deeply.

If one could not break through and had no money to keep paying tuition, one would not even be qualified to remain in the Martial Arts Hall.

Without a breakthrough, no matter how much effort one put in, it all seemed like empty talk.

At the Li Family home, the atmosphere was heavy.

A tall, burly man dressed in fitted martial attire held several gift boxes in his hands.

Behind him stood Chen Hu, usually arrogant and domineering, now sizing up Li Youde before him with great interest.

"Uncle Li, these are supplements I bought in the city, along with some rouge and cosmetics.

This is just a small token of respect from a junior."

Though Chen Long was a Martial Master, he was willing to discuss matters with Li Youde in a pleasant tone.