Peering into the Second Martial Realm, Four Major Traits

"Lady Broken Sword is renowned, and she is entitled to a superior room with a private suite. I presume none of you have any objections?"

A young man descended the stairs. He was dressed in a colorful robe, dazzling and eye-catching. He wore a jade belt around his waist, with sachets, jade pendants, and other items hanging from it.

"Young Master Cai is the owner of True-Seeking Tower; we have no objection to how things are arranged."

The old woman holding the sword had kept her eyes closed the whole time. Only now did she open her eyes and glance indifferently at Wen Caishang and Li Xian.

The young man's name is "Cai Qiuzhou". He comes from a wealthy family and has businesses all over the place. He is neither Yunan Circuit nor Longxiong Circuit. He has a particular fondness for business.

Cai Qiuzhou cupped his hands and said, "True-Seeking Tower is the True-Seeking Tower of heroes under heaven. I, Cai Qiuzhou, merely contribute money and effort, assisting in the process, and receiving only a meager salary. With so few rooms, how dare I make decisions on my own? I must ask everyone if they have any objections."

The heroes on the third floor —Wood-Piercing Elder canopy, Hong Muya; the Heaven-Swallowing Toad Hand Di Bin; and the old woman with the sword Su Yu —all had no objections.

Cai Qiuzhou smiled and said, "In that case, please check in. Congratulations Lady Broken Sword, you are the second person to check into the guest room."

Wen Caishang smiled and said, "Heroes, you have shown me compassion for my female status and the many inconveniences I face, by not vying for my room. Cai Shang am deeply grateful."

There was no gratitude in his words; in the world of Jianghu, there is no such thing as "yielding." It was simply that he dared not contend, for he could not contend anyway.

The fourth floor is quiet and secluded; it's the rooftop. Over seven zhang high, it offers a panoramic view of the town.

Upon entering the guest house, I closed the door latch.

It's quiet and peaceful, and the guest rooms are quite spacious.

Inside, there are courtyards, artificial hills and flowing water, screens, bathing pools... it's like another world. Open the window, and you see crowded streets, sitting on a bench under the scorching sun... the difference in treatment is like night and day.

Li Xian thought to himself, "Martial artists practice martial arts to improve their strength; that's all they seek. With such formidable strength, Madam can handle any situation with ease."

She unpacked her luggage, checked her money, clothes, poison... and confirmed Wu Cuo. Wen Caishang nodded slightly. She was very satisfied with how well Li Xian had handled the miscellaneous matters along the way.

She took off her boots, sat cross-legged, focused her inner energy, and slowed her retreat. Li Xian moved lightly, not daring to disturb her, and looked around at the room's decor.

"Senior Li Bohou is very knowledgeable. After spending two days with him, I've even learned to appreciate calligraphy, paintings, flowers, and porcelain."

Li Xian stopped in front of the gallery. The painting depicted a plum blossom standing proudly in the cold, its meaning unique and profound. The plum blossoms were in full bloom, with a snowflake adorning the petals. At first glance, it seemed to be an extremely beautiful and lifelike painting, almost like the real thing.

Unbeknownst to me, I had been observing for quite some time.

"Plum blossoms bloom in the snow; such a flower is both rare and not rare. Do you know why this painting is hung here?" Wen Caishang walked slowly over.

Li Xian said, "Please enlighten me, Madam."

"I haven't taught you how to appreciate paintings," Wen Caishang chuckled. "Why don't you first share your feelings? I'll see how much talent you have."

Li Xian carefully considered his words and said, "In my understanding, appreciating a painting is like appreciating a person. Because no matter how realistic a painting is, it can never compare to the real thing. Just like what you just said, plum blossoms are neither rare nor uncommon. If you are Flower Seeking in the dead of winter, you can most likely find them."

"In that case, if one wishes to see plum blossoms, one only needs to wait until winter. Wouldn't these paintings of plum blossoms be superfluous? Well... it can't be said to be superfluous, after all, not everyone has the leisure to brave the cold winter months to Flower Seeking."

"But hanging it here is superfluous. Although True-Seeking Tower is not tall, its standards are not low. This painting must be precious; it might even be one of Young Master Cai's collections. Such value cannot be justified by its lifelike depiction."

"I just observed it closely and discovered that the plum blossoms in the painting are incredibly lifelike. What's exquisite is that each branch is painted using a different technique, and this single plum blossom embodies the Major Accomplishment of the painter's various schools of painting."

"Therefore, those who appreciate this painting are not appreciating the painting itself, but rather admiring the painter's astonishing skill. They linger there unconsciously, unable to extricate themselves. Madam... I wonder if what I have said is right or wrong?"

There is an old gallery in the One Accord Manor. It contains many famous paintings. Li Bohou taught the art of appreciation and explained the different schools of painting. As the saying goes, laymen look at the paintings, while experts look at the brushstrokes.

Li Xian had only a superficial understanding of the subject, and now, based on his comprehension, he spoke eloquently. Wen Caishang frowned slightly. "This is indeed a school of thought in connoisseurship. Who taught you this?"

"It is Li Bohou," Li Xian said truthfully while appraising the painting.

Wen Caishang snorted coldly and said, "Raise your hand."

"Madam..." Li Xian was puzzled, so he also raised his hand. Wen Caishang said calmly, "I told you before that you shouldn't hide anything from me. How dare you still hide it from me? How should I punish you?"

Li Xian was taken aback and said, "Madam, I haven't hidden anything from you." Wen Caishang said, "But you didn't tell me either."

Wen Caishang said, "That Li Bohou is a heartless and ungrateful person himself. What good is it for him to learn his appreciation of paintings?" With a flick of her sleeve, a bloodstain appeared on Li Xian's palm.

His injuries were severe, with traces of Inner Qi remaining. Wen Caishang said, "You need to quickly forget about his third-rate tricks."

His voice softened as he said, "The true way to appreciate paintings is exactly the opposite of what you just said. According to you, wouldn't all paintings in the world become mere displays of skill?"

"It's all about who has the most skillful painting technique and who uses the most complex method. After seeing so many paintings like this, is it really that interesting?"

Li Xian suddenly realized. "What you say makes sense."

Wen Caishang caught a glimpse of the sword wound and felt a pang of pity. Just now, for some unknown reason, she had been filled with intense anger. The sword wound, imbued with Inner Qi, was extremely painful and might not heal for months. Seeing that he was now unharmed and no longer as cold and indifferent as before, she couldn't help but think:

"Why was I so angry just now? Well... everything Li Xian has learned so far was passed down from me. I was afraid he would make bad friends and be led astray. This punishment was indeed too harsh, but he needs to learn a lesson."

Wen Caishang said, "Therefore, appreciating the painting skills is one thing, appreciating the charm is another. This Winter Plum Blossoms in Snow was Gong Laohua. It was painted two years after his wife's death, in the winter when he was looking at plum blossoms and thinking of her."

"You said that each branch was painted using a different technique. That's true, but Gong Laohua skills are profound; he has integrated many different painting styles. He paints them naturally, which is the most superficial layer of his work."

"But some self-righteous and vulgar individuals only know one side of the story and not the other. It's truly laughable."

Li Xian gave an awkward smile.

Wen Caishang said, "Although it's a painting of plum blossoms, it's actually a painting of my wife. Look at that plum blossom standing proudly in the cold. But savor its charm..."

Li Xian broke free from the constraints of painting techniques and carefully felt the scene. He suddenly sensed the howling wind and snow, and the gracefully swaying plum blossoms... He felt as if he were there, and in the howling wind and snow, he felt as if his wife were there. In the swaying plum blossoms, he felt as if his wife were there...

Deeply in love, her image naturally appears everywhere. But looking at the paintings alone, no clue can be found. Li Xian Intestine-Turning Narrow Passage, "This Gong Laohua is truly a man of deep feeling and true character. Such profound affection is truly admirable."

He couldn't help but ask, "Madam, how is Gong Laohua doing now?"

"I don't know either," Wen Caishang said.

"Thank you for your reminder, Madam. Otherwise, I would have regretted missing this painting for the rest of my life," Li Xian said.

"Of course." Wen Caishang returned to her seat and said, "If you want to learn how to appraise objects and appreciate paintings, I can teach you. Li Bohou's shallow knowledge is no match for mine."

Li Xian thought to himself, "I remember that Madam used to have quite a lot of praise for Senior Li Bohou. Women really change their tune quickly."

The building was bustling with activity.

One after another, heroes and guests sought seats on the tower, each vying for attention, creating quite a lively scene. Heroes and valiant figures Yunan Circuit and Longxiong Circuit. How could the small True-Seeking Tower possibly encompass them all?

The Dragon-Appreciation Grand Banquet was a significant event, but the news was not publicized. Therefore, the claim that heroes from both sides attended the banquet is an exaggeration.

Dragon Claw Town enjoys a spring-like climate year-round.

It was late January, still late winter. Dragon Claw Town was lush and green, with babbling brooks and shimmering water. The scenery was beautiful.

Young Master Cai knocked on the door and said, "Have I disturbed Madam?"

Li Xian glanced at Wen Caishang. Seeing her sitting cross-legged on the bed, meditating and practicing internal energy, he said, "No. Is there something you need, Young Master Cai?"

Cai Qiuzhou said, "Dragon Claw Town is located in a remote mountain area, lacking seafood and delicacies, but it has its own local specialties. As the Dong family of Lou Dong, I would like to invite all of you heroes to taste them. Now that the dishes are being served one by one, I would like to invite Madam to dine in the private room."

Li Xian smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble. I will go and inform Madam now, and ask her to make a decision."

"Okay," Cai Qiuzhou said.

Wen Caishang also had a craving, so they went to a private room to enjoy the banquet served at the Food Tower. Dragon Claw Town is famous for its wild mushrooms, which are delicious. Among them is a type of wild mushroom called "Dragonclaw Fungus," which is shaped like a dragon's claw and contains a deadly poison.

However, it is cooked using a special method to remove its toxins. The taste is indescribably delicious, comparable to delicacies from land and sea. Interestingly, wild boars roam freely in the mountains and fields.

Wild boar meat has a strong, gamey smell. It's hard to eat unless you're extremely hungry. But when stir-fried with "Dragonclaw Fungus" and "wild boar penis," one is fresh and sweet, while the other is pungent and unpleasant. Together, they become a delicacy.

Seeing that Li Xian was holding chopsticks in his left hand, Wen Caishang knew that his right hand was injured. She said, "The same principle applies to Martial Artist's Menu. There are 180 kinds of the Human Rankings '. The higher the ranking, the rarer and more powerful they are."

"However, the precious techniques acquired by those who consume the top three items are extremely useless. Therefore, Martial Artist's Menu should not solely pursue high-level skills. How to combine ingredients is of paramount importance. But this matter depends heavily on fate."

And so on.

Li Xian and Wen Caishang stayed at the guest house.

The guest rooms are spacious with ample room to practice martial arts.

Li Xian diligently practiced martial arts, especially the "Vastmist Leg," gradually increasing his Proficiency.

[Vastmist Leg]

[Proficiency: 4895/20000 Perfection]

Every morning, a thick fog rises from the mountain stream. Li Xian has mastered Leg Technique that causes the fog to flow backward, leaving him shrouded in mist—a truly peculiar sight.

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

[You Appraisal Insight the essence of the Golden Scale in the Pool Art, increasing your Essence Consumption Realm Proficiency by 2]

[Your mastery of various martial arts is profound, encompassing the skills of numerous masters. You have gained insights and understanding, and your absorption of the Heaven and Earth Essence has accelerated.]

[Essence Consumption Realm, Proficiency +3]

Li Xian's body was rich in the Heaven and Earth Essence, which was stored and not dispersed. Whenever he had time while attending the banquet, he would practice his martial arts to aid digestion.

Broaden your horizons and cultivate a generous heart.

It contains a universe within.

It aligns with the essentials of Martial Dao cultivation.

[Essence Consumption]

[Proficiency: 91/100]

Essence Consumption and undergone nine transformations, a wondrous transformation naturally appeared. Li Xian's body exuded a delicate fragrance, and his face was as fair as jade. He was over seventeen years old, but not yet eighteen.

He was elegant and charming, with a beautiful and graceful appearance.

A handsome young man like him is hard to find in this turbid world.

Wen Caishang was very satisfied and nodded secretly.

Li Xian's eyes were tightly closed, Transformed Aspect even stronger. His pupils were almost visible, but he suppressed them forcefully, and the red mole between his eyebrows shone brightly.

A rosy glow illuminated her face, and her hair fluttered in the wind.

Both his Perfect Aspect and Double-Pupil Aspect were extremely powerful. Li Xian felt the power rising, his whole body trembled, and his spine, like a divine mountain, made a "crackling" sound.

Behind it stands a towering mountain, its colors swirling, within which cranes, deer, and True Dragon converge... a wondrous sight beyond words.

The extraordinary sight that Li Xian displayed far surpassed that of others!

Although he came from a poor background, by a twist of fate, he was valued and nurtured by his wife. The Root Bone, level, and character he developed were second to none!

Wen Caishang looked up, gazing at him intently for a moment. "I didn't expect Xiao Xian to have laid such a foundation. That's naturally excellent, and that's why I admire him. But this child's temperament still needs polishing. Before that, I need to keep him in check. Such a fine seed needs to be carefully sculpted."

Li Xian's strength has advanced again. He has reached the end of his path of Essence Consumption Mortal Transcendence into a mortal. If he has a fortuitous encounter, he can easily reach the Second Martial Realm. If he doesn't have a fortuitous encounter, it will only take a few months or a year.

"Now... I can glimpse the scenery of the Second Martial Realm."

"Second Martial Realm, Bone-Sculpting Embryo"

"Martial artists, through prolonged consumption of the Heaven and Earth Essence, gradually undergo a transformation in their physique."

"Further characteristics will appear beyond the Essence Consumption Realm. The Double Wafting Immortal Tone —I already know it."

"But besides that, there are three other characteristics!"