187: I Had Reached Peak Mastery-Now I Asked the Martial Experts in the Tower

Seeing this, Peng Lianyun became even more anxious. He feigned a look of deliciousness, as if to say, "It really is delicious, everyone must believe me!"

Li Xian said, "It seems Brother Peng has a great fondness for this kind of food."

The assembled prodigies could no longer contain themselves and burst into laughter. Peng Lianyun's face turned ashen, his brows twitching with rage, knowing it was impossible to hide his anger any longer. He had held a high position since childhood and had never been laughed at before.

A wicked thought suddenly arose in his mind, "I'm making a fool of myself, but you won't get away with it either!" He gathered his Inner Qi, faced Li Xian, and was about to spit out the rotten stuff in his mouth.

The two were about ten feet apart. Li Xian was already on guard and stepped forward to pinch his lips. Her Inner Qi surged, shaking the rotten thing back into her abdomen.

"You!"

Peng Lianyun was caught off guard and had no way to resist. He felt the putrid substance slide into his intestines, making him extremely nauseous. In fear and anger, he took several steps back and opened his mouth to curse. As soon as he opened his mouth, the stench spread everywhere.

Everyone covered their noses and frowned.

Peng Lianyun looked around, bewildered and at a loss. He glanced out of the lake and realized that powerful families, martial Martial Arts Academy, and ordinary people were all watching.

Such ugliness is enough to kill him.

Extremely ashamed and enraged, his blood boiled and his Inner Qi surged, and he assumed a desperate stance. But a moment later, he suddenly clutched his stomach, lay on the ground in agony, and foamed at the mouth.

turn out to be...

These rotten shrimp have produced toxins; ordinary Clay Embryo would die if they Essence Consumption them. However, the bodies of martial artists who have been refined by the Heaven and Earth Essence possess extremely strong resistance. If they swallow them and realize the taste is wrong, they can immediately spit them out without any harm.

However, to save face, Peng Lianyun endured the bitter smell and chewed for a long time. By this time, the poison had already entered his body, but the poisoning was not severe and the symptoms were not obvious. He then swallowed the rotten shrimp.

The poison was compounded, and the symptoms appeared instantly, causing unbearable abdominal cramps.

He was nearly unconscious and no longer capable of fighting.

A few moments later, he began to convulse, broke out in a cold sweat, and his expensive clothes were completely soaked. He kept muttering incoherently, and the situation was extremely dangerous.

He was so angry that his Qi and Blood were disordered, which caused the poison to be delivered to his heart meridian.

A prodigy named Zhang Xiao strode out quickly. With agile steps, he lifted Peng Lianyun onto the table and pushed him from behind. Peng Lianyun coughed up the rotten stuff in his stomach.

However, some of the poison had already spread throughout his body. Zhang Xiao checked his pulse, his brow furrowing and relaxing, already knowing how to deal with it. He casually untied the jade belt at his waist and took out ten Golden Needles.

His movements were swift as the wind, and his needlework natural.

A moment later, Peng Lianyun's condition stabilized, but his lips remained dark purple, indicating the poison hadn't subsided. Zhang Xiao said, "Brother Peng has been poisoned. Although the poison isn't fatal, he won't be able to participate in this grand banquet."

Zhang Xiao arrived at the building and called out loudly into the open space, "Please send someone by boat to bring Brother Peng back so he can recover from his injuries."

Li Xian praised, "As expected of the Golden Needles Divine Physician! His medical skills are superb and his heart is truly compassionate. I have long admired him."

Zhang Xiao Xiaowen smiled gently and said, "Brother Li, I've long admired you."

Peng Lianyun was taken away by boat. The farce was over, and everyone took their seats to continue enjoying the food. After a stick of incense had burned, several dishes were served one after another.

Although the onlookers were far apart and could only listen and watch, it was by no means boring. Each dish contained many interesting stories, insights, and knowledge. The geniuses present also had their own methods, making the meal wonderful and showcasing their talents.

They talked freely and in a harmonious atmosphere.

Each displayed its own unique style.

As a result, more and more people gathered around the pond and lake, including both local residents and Jianghu. The joyous atmosphere was beyond words.

Peng Lianyun was sent to the Dragon Gate Tower.

Peng Shan, the leader of the Seven Mountains Sect, massaged his back to expel the poison. After being given Antidote Pills, his complexion gradually improved and he regained consciousness.

Peng Lianyun roared, "I'll fight him to the death!" Recalling all his embarrassing moments, he was filled with rage. Peng Shan said calmly, "Lianyun, you've already left the stage; don't embarrass yourself any further."

"Father!" Peng Lianyun said, "It's a small matter that your son has been humiliated, but it's a great matter that the sect's reputation has been dishonored. If this grudge isn't avenged... how... how can we stand here?"

Peng Shan remained silent, gazing at the lake's surface. The water, as smooth as a mirror, rippled in concentric circles, and suddenly a strange sight appeared:

Two figures clashed in the water mirror, both using Basic Martial Arts, yet their performance was exceptionally captivating.

The crowd gasped in astonishment.

Two voices echoed between the pond and the lake. They spoke of Basic Martial Arts techniques: Soaring Eagle Spreads Its Wings, Heavenly Eagle Plunges Straight Down, Tiger Pounces, Claw Strikes...

With each sound, the reflection in the lake changed, as if the two voices were fighting within the lake's shadow.

"Father, what's going on?" Peng Lianyun asked.

Peng Shan said, "When people discuss martial arts, their voices echo across the lake. This lake is quite special; when people's words contain profound martial intent, they can resonate with the lake, turning Sword-Tongue Exchange battles into a fight on the lake's surface."

Upon hearing this, Peng Lianyun became even more furious. Such a grand event was no longer something he could participate in.

"Don't overthink it." Peng Shan shook his head and said, "Not every martial arts contest can elicit a resonance in the lake mirror, revealing a battle reflected in its image. Those who participate in the contest need to have near- Perfection martial arts skills to achieve this. Even though you're present, your Basic Martial Arts are only barely at Major Accomplishment. While that's not bad, it's not enough to create a spectacular scene in the lake mirror."

"Of course... you've suffered such a great loss. If there's a chance, I'll help you get it back."

The commotion here was felt most keenly by the elites of the Heavenly Man Tower, who cried out in surprise.

"Although the move used by Lake Shadow is only a simple Eagle Claw Hand, its offense and defense are well-balanced and close to Perfection, making it invincible."

"That opponent was no weakling either; his moves were direct, fierce, and powerful."

"It's Wang Kun, ranked third on the Heroes Ranking, challenging Zhou Shijie, Top Position. Both of their moves are extremely powerful, affecting the atmosphere of the lake."

Before long, the lake's reflection paused, then fell silent; the battle was over. Yet, the onlookers, and even the proud scholars in the tower, could not discern the outcome, nor did they know who had won or lost, as if in a dream.

Zhang Xiao saved Peng Lianyun, but being a kind-hearted person, he was afraid of offending Li Xian afterward, so he took the initiative to offer a toast to show his goodwill. Li Xian readily responded, and the two became friends after a few exchanges.

"Brother Li, is it a draw?" Zhang Xiao asked.

"No, it was Zhou Shijie who won by a landslide."

Li Xian said, "Zhou Shijie's eagle claws pointed downwards, while Wang Kun, not to be outdone, used the move 'Vicious Tiger Raises Its Head, ' with his fist pointing upwards. This attack seemed to be evenly matched, but in reality, the outcome was already decided."

"After Zhou Shijie's Eagle Claw attack, he still Carp-to-Dragon Transformation, with countless variations in his subsequent moves. Although Wang Kun was formidable and intentionally concealed his strength, the situation changed rapidly during the fight, and he eventually found himself with no room to maneuver. Seeing his predicament, he conceded defeat."

"In short, one still has strength to spare, while the other is already in a desperate situation. If it were a life-or-death struggle, with Wang Kun fighting to the death, the outcome might be different. But in this friendly martial arts contest, he has already suffered a crushing defeat!"

Zhang Xiao pondered it and realized it made sense. But he didn't dare to believe it completely and continued to think to himself.

A moment later, Wang Kun's voice drifted across the lake. "Brother Zhou, you are truly remarkable. This Top Position is rightfully yours. If anyone covets it, they'll have to get past me, Wang Kun, first."

He truly admitted defeat and was sincerely convinced of his superiority.

This grand occasion ignited the competitive spirit of all the prodigies. One after another, they challenged the martial arts masters, causing ripples to spread across the lake.

The Multi-Story Banquet was a feast, not a contest; it was a display of talent, with verbal discussions taking precedence. It showcased the demeanor of exceptional individuals, and was in full swing, bustling with activity.

Li Xian frowned in thought, "Human Token me to stir up trouble, but I don't know what her intentions are. All the prodigies in this building have powerful backers and connections. I alone am all alone, with no one to protect me."

"But since I'm already here, I might as well climb the tower and test my skills! Don't I want to meet the prodigies of the Prefectural City?"

Li Xian was young and impetuous!

The banquet was not yet halfway through when Li Xian bowed to the people on the second floor to say goodbye, and then casually went upstairs.

On the third floor were Luo Bu'er, Li Ru Hu, and others. The layout of the floors was similar, except that the Copper Cauldron contained more wine and had a stronger aroma. It was also "Dreams a Thousand Times", but it was older and had a more mellow taste.

Luo Bu'er savoring fine wine. Several people had debated his martial arts prowess, yet no one could solve his puzzle. His Martial Dao soared. Seeing another person ascend the tower, he sneered, "Fine, another one wants to debate martial arts. If you know what's good for you, I advise you to obediently descend. Otherwise, you'll become a laughingstock."

Li Xian glanced at it, but didn't stop, and went straight to the fourth floor. There was nothing wrong with climbing upstairs to ask questions about martial arts. But Li Xian's decision to leave the building was a huge loss of face for everyone.

Li Ru Hu, who lived in the same building, immediately shouted angrily, "You brat, how arrogant!" He then threw the wine in his cup at Li Xian.

Li Xian blew out a powerful breath, his lungs surging with energy. Through the "Iron-Copper Body" martial arts, he had forged a pair of Iron Lung, which were perfectly suited for this purpose. The wine was splashed back.

Li Ru Hu raised an eyebrow, not to be outdone, picked up a wine glass and swung it forward, catching all the wine in mid-air back into the glass, leaving it perfectly intact without spilling a drop.

The fourteen prodigies on the third floor slammed their fists on the table and stood up, shouting, "Boy, you look down on us?!"

Li Xian asked in surprise, "When did I say I looked down on you guys?"

"You skipped over the third floor and went straight to the fourth. You mean you don't take us seriously!" the crowd said angrily.

Li Xian said, "Only by securing a place on the third floor first, and then inquiring about the fourth floor, can I be considered worthy of your respect?"

"You!" The crowd was furious, but they couldn't find fault with him.

Li Xian chuckled and said, "Very well, then I'll challenge you to a martial arts contest. Please, Brother Li, teach me." He pointed to Li Ru Hu, who had just made his move, and his humble expression gradually faded.

Li Ru Hu's face was grim, and he coldly agreed. A debate about martial arts... seemingly a verbal exchange, but in reality, it was far from simple.

Li Ru Hu stood with his hands behind his back, speaking eloquently.

He planned out the sequence of moves beforehand and described them verbally:

First, master the "Ten Forms of Dragon Soaring," then apply the many basic and Strange Art of the hands, elbows, and legs. Explain the level of skill in each martial art, how to arrange the layout meticulously, how to proceed step by step, and how the moves are smoothly connected.

Take one step, anticipate at least three steps ahead.

Li Ru Hu is the head disciple of the "Dragon-Tiger Martial Hall." He is a prominent figure among the younger generation, and his reputation is earned through his skillful fighting. He has defeated many opponents.

His voice echoed across the lake, drawing admiration from Jianghu martial artists. He had previously fought against the prodigy, and although he had lost, the reason for his defeat remained a mystery. It seemed he was only half a step behind, and with a little more effort, he could catch up.

Today, after listening to discussions about martial arts, I learned that even in a fight, there are subtle calculations, careful maneuvering, and psychological battles involved. This suddenly made me realize the gap in skill levels, and I've completely lost confidence.

The Jianghu arts practitioners couldn't help but wonder, "How should we deal with this Vicious Commandant, Li Xian?"

Everyone looked over.

Li Ru Hu asked arrogantly, "In that case, what is your explanation?"

How should this be solved? The assembled geniuses were also deep in thought.

Li Xian said seriously, "Resolve it with your fists."

"Hahahaha," Li Ru Hu said smugly, "You're just a kid from the county, your knowledge is a bit shallow. I used the Dragon Soaring Ten Forms to fight you, and I set up three traps. You used your fist techniques to deal with them, so you just stepped straight into the traps. You're really straightforward."

He immediately explained the details of the moves.

"When I attack like this, you still parry with your own fists. Your old momentum has dissipated, and no new momentum has emerged, so you will inevitably stop and defend yourself. At this point, I will do this and that again, and in this fight, you have already lost."

"But it won't be revealed for a while. I need to use three more moves before you can vaguely detect anything, but by then it will be too late."

Having said that, he casually gestured. These were all Basic Martial Arts. The underlying rule of "discussing martial arts" is to discuss them based on "Basic Martial Arts." Once Entry Vehicle Martial Arts, the profound mysteries are revealed, and the key points within them cannot be clearly explained in words. Therefore, they are not included in the "discussion of martial arts."

Luo Bu'er and the others all agreed that this made sense. They silently gestured in their minds and all felt that Li Ru Hu had already won a great victory.

Li Xian said, "That's not actually the case. Your moves, seemingly natural and methodical, can actually be neutralized by fist techniques, even the most basic Four Directions Fist, which can easily counter them."

"The three traps you just set weren't really traps. I only need to do this and that, and with one set of punches, I can naturally break all your moves."

It explains the principles of breaking through Li Ru Hu's moves one by one, and how to use the same set of boxing techniques and similar moves to defeat all of Li Ruhu's moves.

That's utter nonsense!

Li Ru Hu retorted angrily, "What you just said is simply impossible to achieve with basic boxing techniques that Major Accomplishment mastery or even Perfection. What's the point of discussing martial arts with such nonsense? Or are you saying you've already Peak Mastery? Heh heh."

Upon hearing this statement...

Lin Aoshang, inside the Dragon Gate Tower, also frowned slightly. Li Xian was right; the method to break the curse made some sense, but it required extremely high proficiency in basic boxing techniques. There were 180 sets of basic boxing techniques in the Prefectural City, but very few people could truly Perfection.

Diligent study can lead to Proficiency.

With good natural talent and consistent effort over ten years, he is likely to achieve [Minor Accomplishment].

Major Accomplishment depend on both circumstances and one's character. As for "Perfection," it is extremely rare.

The Prefectural City is teeming with talented individuals, and with their exceptional abilities, it's not impossible for them to reach the [Perfection] level through diligent practice. However, the time and effort required would be more than the gain.

Even Basic Martial Arts techniques have inherent flaws.

To achieve Perfection requires filling in the gaps, making it extremely difficult. As for [Peak Mastery]... even martial arts that Peak Mastery, while not necessarily the most powerful, are certainly extremely rare!

Some dare to claim "Perfection," but who dares to say they've "Peak Mastery"?

Gu Nianjun gazed at the lake, sipping her tea. Zhou Shijie, who was in love with her, went to great lengths to invite her to Multi-Story Banquet, intending to showcase his own talent. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, Gu Nianjun's gaze fell more on Li Xian.

He thought to himself, "Wenwu is no child's play. Such nonsense is just asking for trouble. After all, he is Xiao Fan Xiaofan. If necessary, I should lend him a hand."

"But he's too flamboyant. How can he go far on the path of Martial Dao? I'm afraid he'll never become a true hero, and he'll hardly impress me."

Suddenly at this moment.

A sound rippled across the lake, "Young friend Li Xian, we invited you to the banquet, not so that you might cause trouble. You'd better promise you're not lying, otherwise the Cao Family will have to invite you in for some tea."

The elders of the Cao Lineage seized the opportunity to launch an attack.