Strength Greatly Improved, Four Directions Fist Force (Please Follow!)

Luo Fang pressed, "I see that Guard Li is still eager for more. How about giving me some pointers?"

Li Xian said blandly, "Steward Luo, I advise you to check the time. Don't forget your duties."

Only a fool would stubbornly show off.

If I refuse to fight you, what can you do? Li Xian stood with his arms folded and took a slight step back.

Luo Fang froze, only then realizing that rage had gone to his head and made him completely forget the real matter at hand.

As the steward of the laborers, he had set aside his proper work to seek out a house guard for a sparring lesson. If word got out, Madam would surely be furious.

He immediately snorted coldly, called the laborers over, and had them continue carrying timber and stone. The anger in his gut could only be vented on them.

"Brother Li, not bad at all. That Four Directions Fist of yours was played with remarkable skill." Zhao Dachun praised him with a grin, raising a thumb.

"Nothing special."

Li Xian smiled modestly and found an open spot with a wide field of view.

He could practice his fists there while keeping part of his attention on patrol. He immediately took up a stance and began practicing.

"He's certainly diligent. I wonder whether this kid can make another push. If he becomes a Grade-C House Guard, life will be much more comfortable." Zhao Dachun glanced at him and did not disturb him.

[Your heart and intent are clear, your fist intent greatly surges. Proficiency +4]

[Heaven Rewards Diligence. You have thrown tens of thousands of punches, flowing like clouds and running water. Proficiency +2]

[You persevere without rest and have not wasted a single day. Proficiency +4]

Over the several hours that afternoon, Li Xian rested for no more than a quarter of an hour. The rest of the time, he devoted himself entirely to refining the Four Directions Fist.

Bi Hao had been beaten badly and could only lie on the ground to rest. Seeing Li Xian labor tirelessly, he could not help despairing. Those more talented than you were even more diligent than you.

How was he supposed to make a comeback now?

"Worthless trash. Had I known this would happen, I would have nurtured him from the start instead of you, a lump of mud that cannot be plastered onto a wall."

Comparing the two, Luo Fang felt a trace of regret rise in his heart.

"Martial artists regard people as Clay Embryos. Practicing martial arts after birth is meant to transform this Clay Embryo."

"Commander Pang said that martial artists... whether they have already undergone Bone Recasting or are still Clay Embryos struggling in this muddy world, it all comes down to four words: eat, train, nourish, soak."

"For now, training is the only thing I can control. I must carry it to the extreme!"

Li Xian threw a punch and felt his own improvement.

That night.

Dragging his exhausted body, Li Xian returned to the quarters. The lights inside had already been extinguished, leaving the room dark. Faint snores seemed to sound out.

"Looks like they are much better today, going to sleep so early. I still have night patrol tonight, so I should rest soon as well."

Li Xian moved quietly. As he untied the long saber at his waist and placed it on the table, he noticed that the candlewick was still warm.

As though it had only been blown out moments ago.

"So they did not sleep early. They deliberately blew out the candle only after seeing me return."

"Jiang Yun's move was too ruthless. It is only natural for there to be a barrier in their hearts."

Li Xian saw through it but did not expose it. He lay down in his bed and closed his eyes. At midnight, during the Chou hour, he went out to patrol for one hour. Nothing unexpected happened.

He returned to the room and slept a little longer, then rose again at the Mao hour to prepare for morning training.

"This schedule really grinds down one's will. If I get the chance, I must quickly rise to become a Grade-C House Guard." Li Xian silently made up his mind.

"Boss, are you all taking leave again today?"

Before leaving, Li Xian walked to Zhao Han's bedside and asked softly.

"Take another day off," Zhao Han said groggily.

"Alright." Li Xian walked out of the room.

Once his footsteps had faded away, Zhao Han sat upright. Second Brother Wang Chun and Third Brother Zhuo Yilie were no longer sleepy either.

In truth, the three of them had not slept all night.

Their swelling had gone down yesterday afternoon, but bluish-purple palm prints remained on all three of their faces, hideous and frightening, ugly beyond words.

Seeing each other's faces left them in a terrible mood. The more they thought about it, the less they could sleep.

Because he had visited Pang Long yesterday, he had missed morning training and had not taken a Tiger Blood Pill.

Today, after running three laps around the estate, Li Xian took a Tiger Blood Pill from his clothes during free practice.

"This pill strengthens the bones and replenishes the blood. It is a precious martial arts pill. Once I take it, I wonder what changes this Clay Embryo of mine will undergo."

He swallowed it in one gulp.

It was bitter, astringent, fishy, and foul. Waves of stench surged back into his nostrils. It was as though he had thrust his head into a tiger's maw, filled with sour rot and reeking carrion.

As the pill was absorbed and its effects gradually emerged, Li Xian's breathing became long and deep. His chest faintly gave off the sensation of Tiger-Leopard Thunder Sound.

Li Xian gave a low shout and punched out. Bolstered by the pill's effects, his momentum was like a fierce tiger pouncing forward. His blood and qi surged, and his vigor overflowed. He wished he could throw hundreds or thousands of punches to vent every scrap of it.

Seizing this time to practice martial arts would yield twice the result with half the effort! He could use the pill's effects to temper his body, accumulate inner force, and strengthen his muscles and bones!

[You have consumed a rare item for the first time and comprehended a skill: Consumption.]

[Proficiency: 3/500 Initiation]

[Description: Heavenly materials and earthly treasures all enter my mouth. When treasures lie before you, knowing how to eat is very important. Master this skill, and it can help you use one portion of medicine for two portions of effect.]

After Essence Treasure medicines entered his mouth, their absorption efficiency became higher.

Li Xian had eaten only one Tiger Blood Pill, yet the effect he absorbed was an extra ten percent greater than that of a single pill.

As his skill proficiency increased, perhaps one day he truly could use "one portion of medicine" as "two portions."

It was simply that, if he wanted the Consumption skill to reach Proficiency, he did not know how much silver he would have to swallow.

"Heaven is helping me!"

Li Xian was invigorated. Through his martial arts techniques, he made proper use of the pill's effects.

During these two hours, he did nothing but throw punches.

At last, the pill's effects were exhausted, but Li Xian had gained greatly as well.

[Four Directions Fist]

[Proficiency: 125/1500 Minor Accomplishment]

[Description: The path of the fist is long. Take one small step, and though the achievement may be small, it is enough for pride. Through bitter practice of the Four Directions Fist, you have suddenly comprehended Four Directions Fist Force and achieved Minor Accomplishment in this path.]

Within his Dantian, inner qi had accumulated to the size of two fists. The Four Directions Fist was known for its square exterior and round interior. It seemed ancient, simple, and impartial, but was in truth sinister and cunning.

Combined with Four Directions Fist Force, his strength rose another level.

And that was not all.

The Tiger Blood Pill also strengthened the bones. At this moment, Li Xian's entire body ached, but it was not from injury.

He was growing. His bones were gradually being strengthened.

"No wonder martial artists are so formidable."

"It is not merely that their martial arts can surpass ordinary people. Even this body, this Clay Embryo, is tempered through martial practice into something far beyond the ordinary."

In the blink of an eye, afternoon arrived.

"Fourth Brother."

"Fourth Brother, come here for a moment."

Li Xian was on patrol, watching in every direction and listening with All-Around Hearing. He looked extremely serious, but he was actually slacking off. His mind had already drifted away, wholly immersed in savoring the routes of his fist techniques.

Then he heard several calls and turned his head. Behind a large tree, three figures were hiding.

They were Zhao Han and the other two. They wore house guard uniforms, yet held both hands over their faces and hid in the shadows. Li Xian hurried over. "Didn't you take leave to rest? Why have you come out again?"

"Come talk." Zhao Han grabbed Li Xian and pulled him into a corner.

"Fourth Brother, the three of us..." He took a deep breath, then removed the covering from his face and revealed his bluish-purple features.

They were ugly and savage, the palm prints fixed there without fading.

Li Xian had anticipated it, but he had not expected it to be so horrifying. Zhao Han said, "To be honest, this morning... we went to find Jiang Yun."

"Hm?" Li Xian looked at the three of them in confusion.

Wang Chun hurriedly began massaging Li Xian's shoulders and said apologetically, "Fourth Brother, we are brothers. We truly should not have hidden this from you, but... you have seen it yourself. We are miserable."

Li Xian asked, "What did you say when you went to find Jiang Yun?"

Zhao Han gave a bitter smile and rubbed his cheek. "You can see it too. Looking like this, we cannot even go outside."

"We know Jiang Yun only wants the Tiger Blood Pill. You failed to reach an agreement with her last time, so the three of us thought we would go and negotiate for you again."

"The Tiger Blood Pill truly is precious, but Fourth Brother, can you take pity on us brothers and go see Jiang Yun once more?"