From Poverty to Wealth, Astonishing Methods, the Marvelous Book of Fish Herding, a Mysterious Woman!!

Han Zisha was more adept at whispering intimately in bed, communicating directly with her. This time, however, she couldn't use her special skills in the negotiation and indeed lost her rhythm. She angrily sat back down, thinking, "If you didn't have Shi as your backer, I'd be proud of myself if I didn't drain you dry." Both seduction and bribery were useless; she was completely on the defensive.

She picked up her teacup, took a small sip, crossed her legs, her waist swaying gracefully, her movements creating a fragrant breeze that subtly wafted to Li Xian's nose. She said softly, "Tell me what you think."

Li Xian laughed and said, "Elder Han, you've come here offering yourself and marrying into the family. It all comes down to self-interest." Han Zisha remained silent, put down her teacup, and rolled her eyes.

Li Xian then said, "I am new here and my foundation is still shallow. I dare not accept such a windfall, but since Shi placed high hopes on me, I have no choice but to bite the bullet and accept it, so as not to disappoint Shi's expectations. Some time ago, I went to investigate the site and found that the honey harvest was very abundant. Elder Han came looking for me in the middle of the night, and I can't let you make a wasted trip. If Elder Han is willing, we can cooperate sincerely and seek common benefits."

After inspecting the bee farm, he began to consider how to make money. The biggest problem was the lack of a boat. Water Altar were difficult to access, Li Xian had no flower boats. He had Run Crisp Honey piling up, but he couldn't transport it to sell. He really needed to cooperate with the elders and borrow their flower boats to sell it.

Han Zisha instantly understood. Her eyes rolled, her eyebrows curved, and she looked at him with great interest. After a while, she laughed and said, "Oh dear, oh dear... so you don't have a pleasure boat. Since you've asked, this elder will naturally grant your request. But do you know how troublesome water transport is? It involves a great deal of manpower and resources. Going in and out is quite tiring."

"As an elder, it's not reasonable for me to work for my disciples."

Li Xian said, "Of course, we'll split the profits 70/30. I'll take 70% and you 30%." Han Zisha smiled faintly, "Brother Hua, you haven't figured things out. You don't have a flower boat, and your bee farm and orchard are practically useless. If I don't help you transport them out, you won't get a single penny. No matter how much bee and fruit you produce, it'll just rot in the ground. As far as I'm concerned, the stakes are too high... it should be 80/20, me 80% and you 20%."

Previously, she had only considered using her beauty and money to entice Li Xian's predicament. But now, after negotiating again, she discovered Li Xian's fatal weakness and regained her confidence. She no longer needed to use her beauty or money to win Li Xian over.

She thought to herself, "You cunning lad, you don't even have a pleasure boat, yet you want to talk to me about cooperation? Just wait and see how I'll take advantage of you."

Li Xian calmly smiled and said, "In that case, Elder Han, please return." Han Zisha was taken aback and asked, "What do you mean?"

Li Xian said, "Naturally, we couldn't reach an agreement." He sipped his tea calmly, remaining composed. Han Zisha sneered, "Brother Hua, you're too young. You haven't figured out the situation yet. If you can't even reach an agreement with me, it'll be even harder to reach an agreement with the other elders. The bee farm and orchard are yours, that's true, but the Water Altar is isolated from the world. To put it bluntly, you should be the one begging me for this cooperation."

Li Xian smiled and said, "Elder Han, since we've come this far, I'll be frank with you. If it were anyone else, what you said wouldn't be wrong. But I am Hua Wucuo, so naturally there are some exceptions."

Han Zisha frowned and pondered, "This kid is so calm, could it be that he has a plan? He said he has an exception, could it be that he has an extraordinary background? Ah... he has a close relationship with Shi, could it be..." She was filled with surprise and doubt.

Li Xian then said, "I originally intended to make money amicably with Elder Han, achieving mutual benefit and building connections. Since Elder Han has taken it as me asking for a favor, then please leave."

Han Zisha frowned, unsure whether Li Xian was bluffing or genuinely confident. She pondered further, "Regardless of anything else, I'll still profit from this, it's just a matter of how much. I'll feign agreement first, then observe this young man. If he's deliberately trying to trick me, I'll raise the price and take back my principal with interest." She smiled sweetly and said, "Brother Hua, I was just joking with you earlier. How about this, we split it 70/30?"

Li Xian smiled and said, "Alright." Han Zisha stood up to leave, raising an eyebrow and smiling, "Besides that, if you want to come find me, you can do so anytime. Anyway, this elder is always free and quite lonely. Or... why don't you come back with me now?"

A seductive fox.

Li Xian smiled and refused, then saw Han Zisha out of the mansion. After today's negotiation, the stockpiled "Run Crisp Honey" would have a way to be sold. In the following days, Li Xian and Han Zisha went to Bee Island several times to inspect the area. The Run Crisp Honey had been stockpiled for two or three months, totaling more than 4,000 catties, which could earn them nearly 3,000 taels of silver.

Li Xian gave up 30%, leaving her with over 2,000 taels. After paying wages and other miscellaneous expenses, she received about 1,600 taels. Han Zisha also owned a bee farm and a flower farm. Every time she went out on a flower boat, she would sell things like "Heart-Soothing Balm," "Brewed Flower Dried Goods," and "Floral Oil." She helped Li Xian sell the Run Crisp Honey, which was extremely effortless and almost free money.

Don't be fooled by the fact that martial artists spend money extravagantly. They furnish their mansions, cook Essence Food, and live a life of extreme luxury. In reality, they are extremely stingy. They are happy to earn an extra thousand taels of silver for no reason. The mountain stronghold Black River Village, which relies on plundering the people, can only accumulate a few dozen taels of silver a month.

A year of frugal living barely covers the cost of 'smokeless charcoal'. Using a shoddy cauldron to cook inferior Essence Food, his cultivation has made no progress in a long time. A manor as wealthy as Wen Caishang's is truly rare. Five hundred coins can buy a life; one can only imagine the value of a thousand taels.

Han Zisha was in charge of water transport, which took ten days round trip. She was overjoyed when she made money. However, she was in trouble when it came to paying. She made several excuses and delays, but fearing that Li Xian would sue her, she still divided the money with Li Xian according to the agreement. In this way, Li Xian went from being poor to rich. The first thing he did was to decorate his mansion.

First, they purchased grass and transplanted it into the yard. Then, they bought flowers and plants to create a stream, a rockery, a pavilion for viewing the scenery, soft cushions for reclining, bookshelves for appreciating porcelain, and so on. Nangong Liuli directed the staff to take care of the yard and make it look brand new. The original yellow clay soil was transformed into a lush and vibrant lawn. This grass was soft, durable, and comfortable to lie on.

Filling the courtyard with scenery brings joy to both mind and spirit.

More importantly, Li Xian and Nangong Liuli had gradually Proficiency the ' Five-Elements Esoteric Escape ' and had long wanted to arrange the Five Elements. However, due to their poverty, their courtyard was empty and lacked the Five Elements. 'Even a clever cook can't cook without rice,' and even Yan Hao would find it difficult to arrange the Five-Elements Esoteric Escape Five-Element Maze Formation.

The Five-Element Command Flags proved invaluable, planted amidst the lush greenery and courtyard. This created five layers of mystery around the residence, each corresponding to one of the Five Elements. Thus, although the residence was not large, it was remarkably safe and comfortable. Living there, with all five elements complete and the feng shui flowing smoothly, it was like a miniature world, indescribably comfortable.

As Nangong Liuli began to decorate, she gradually felt a sense of belonging. In her spare time, she watered and cared for the flowers. Seeing her life getting better day by day, she felt quite satisfied, just like she had started from scratch and worked hard with her poor husband to accumulate wealth.

Holding the 'Golden Flag,' Nangong Liuli could manipulate the five elements within the courtyard by waving it, effectively controlling the layout of the maze. If any outsiders broke in, she wouldn't need to show herself; she could use the Five-Elements Esoteric Escape to trap them. While she had achieved some success with the Five-Elements Esoteric Escape, she was still far inferior to Li Xian.

Occasionally, when a playful impulse arises, he will manipulate the five elements in the courtyard, deliberately obscuring Li Xian. But Li Xian always breaks through the illusions quickly and invariably punishes him severely, sending Nangong Liuli back to the prison of the pleasure boat. However, Nangong Liuli feels no fear; instead, she becomes even more ruthless.

Whether it's Qi Ingestion, enjoyment, or some other purpose, it's unclear.

Life went on like this, Li Xian accumulated strength, gathering drops of water to form a lake. His Proficiency in the Five Organs Purge-Turbidity Revive-Yang Scripture had reached [5685/8000 Minor Accomplishment Success], and his mastery of the Wraith Spear Technique was [3655/15000 Major Accomplishment]. What was once a desolate and abandoned house is now a stream and rockery, with a beautiful woman by his side.

Steadily accumulate strength.

The only drawback is that the ' Essence Food ' has run out. At this rate of earning money, it will take several months to barely raise the cauldron. Li Xian is not in a hurry. He will take it slow and steady, diligently Martial Dao, which will also increase his strength.

He now possesses an increasing number of trump cards, with the Wraith Spear and the Waning Sun Blood-Draining Sword being incredibly powerful. Nangong Liuli strictly adheres to Lineage rules, never easily passing on her family's martial arts techniques. However, as she spends more time with Li Xian, even her hardened heart has been softened. Sometimes, when their feelings are at their peak, she will tell Li Xian anything he asks. But Li Xian is in no hurry to inquire, instead focusing on studying the Wraith Spear and Martial Dao.

That day.

Li Xian suddenly received the news.

Recently, bandits have become increasingly rampant in Dongran Lake, killing and attacking passing fishermen. This has prompted the local righteous forces to enter the lake to hunt them down. As a result, the shipping of the Flower Cage Sect has been affected, so a reward has been offered to call on the Flower Thief to kill the evil bandits known as "Water-Gold Den".

It was truly a rare sight for Flower Thief to defeat river bandits. Li Xian was delighted to see the generous rewards: one river bandit's head could be exchanged for one Merit token, and if the leader was killed, one could earn an additional Merit Silver.

He responded to the call, went to the "Flower-Appreciation Tower" to get a "water map", and followed the map to sail quietly to Water-Gold Den. He prepared his bow and arrows, rented a small boat, and then charged along the map.

Water-Gold Den in a maze of water and forest. The bandits there come in all shapes and sizes, but all have faces covered in black fuzz, eyes that hold a murderous glint, and bodies reeking of fish and decay. Their ambushes and killings are abhorrent and despicable, yet they occur frequently. The Great Martial Dynasty is in decline and powerless to govern; even mountain bandits are difficult to eradicate, let alone the water bandits. Disciples of reputable sects often venture into Dongran Lake to slay bandits, hone their skills, and spread their fame.

However, Water-Gold Den has recently gone too far, intercepting and killing three merchant ships in succession, resulting in the disappearance of hundreds of people. These merchant ships are full of powerful martial artists, and if they were to fight head-on, Water-Gold Den would be no match for them.

The Water-Gold Den is home to "Golden-Mouthed Fish," which live in broods and love to gnaw on the bottoms of boats. They also know how to take advantage of the water's terrain to set traps along the way and cast iron nets into the water. Whenever a merchant ship passes through their area, its bottom leaks, Panic and Confusion, it will jump overboard to escape.

There was an iron net in the water, which entangled their hands and feet, trapping them like fish.

This method has never failed; even martial artists at the Second Realm have been captured.

Li Xian boarded a boat and secretly approached Water-Gold Den.

This place is actually in the deeper part of Dongran Lake. It is neither an island nor a swamp. Instead, it is filled with countless aquatic trees that grow from the bottom of the lake. Their vines and roots intertwine, becoming thick and sturdy, gradually forming an environment where one can stand, walk, and climb. Water-Gold Den built Wooden Lodge on these roots as a base.

Li Xian sneaked in and Double Pupils to observe. He saw that the bandits were hiding in the canopies of several water trees, keeping a lookout post. This place was easy to defend and difficult to attack. If any strong enemy appeared, the bandits would jump into the lake. The roots of the trees in the lake were tangled and they could dart around and escape. Who could catch them? The terrain was extremely advantageous.

He was eager to try, and without any impatience, he secretly bypassed the sentry, climbed up a water tree, and used the dense canopy to conceal himself.

He discovered a bird's nest in a tree. A clever idea struck him. He caught a bird, plucked a strand of his long hair, and tucked it among the bird's feathers. He then tossed it deep into the Water-Gold Den. The bird flapped its wings and flew away into the distance. As it passed over the Water-Gold Den, strands of hair fell, touched the roof tiles, and sprouted.

Meanwhile, a strand of hair Green Ox Residence withered and curled up, turning into ashes. ' Hair Falling, Roots Taking Hold ' could only maintain three strands. Li Xian concentrated his energy, sensing the hair strands. After the hair strands took root, he had auditory, visual, and tactile sensations... but his visual sensations were blurry, as if shrouded in thick fog. It was difficult to see the number of enemies. He thought that when night fell, the patrolmen would surely be patrolling with torches. With the bright firelight, the sensations from the hair strands would be clear, allowing him to know the layout of the hideout and identify the patrol positions. At that time, by connecting with his Double Pupils vision, he could move freely.

We waited until nightfall.

The hideout was indeed ablaze. Li Xian sensed the strands of hair and, through the firelight, could vaguely discern the locations of the hideout. Combined with his "Double Pupils" ability to see through things, he could clearly see inside and out of the hideout even before entering.

Li Xian's eyes flashed with a sharp light, and with a "plop," he jumped into the lake. His body sank rapidly, but he could still move freely while gripping the tree roots. Li Xian crept into a weaker spot in the hideout, listening for sounds above.

Two bandits, their feet planted on tree roots, came to relieve themselves nearby. They spoke in their slang, and Li Xian stealthily reached out, grabbed their ankles, and suddenly dragged them into the water. His move was incredibly skillful; he didn't even splash water!

The two bandits struggled violently. Li Xian was jolted. He struck the bandits' chests with his Pure Astral-Qi Garment, instantly shattering their lungs and killing them on the spot. Li Xian then trapped the two bandits in the tree roots, preventing their bodies from floating. He then swam away to another location.

Since he was going to test his skills, he wanted to do it quickly. To catch the thief, you must first catch the kingpin. He used his eyesight and Hair Falling, Roots Taking Hold to gradually figure out where the bandit leader was. He quietly sneaked over and suddenly saw a large tree cage.

It was a circular cage formed by intertwined tree roots. Dozens of people were imprisoned inside, submerged in water, with only their noses barely sticking out of the water. Li Xian thought to himself, "These people must have been captured by the river bandits."

Instead of rushing to rescue them, they quietly bypassed the area. They came across several tree cages, holding over a hundred people in total. There were men, women, and children. The water was extremely murky and foul-smelling, with white maggots and mosquito larvae writhing in it. Anyone who was soaked in it, even if they didn't die, would fall seriously ill. Li Xian exhaled pure qi and covered himself with his Pure Astral-Qi Garment, ensuring that the pure qi lingered around his body and kept the murky water at bay.

He has recently gained a great deal, and his various ingenious applications, combined with each other, have made him invincible. He can calmly and composedly deal with any crisis. Some people in the tree cage saw Li Xian, but they only vaguely felt it was an illusion, and coupled with the fishy smell of the water, it was difficult for them to concentrate.

The merchant ship was destroyed, and four martial artists at the Second Realm were captured alive by river bandits. They were in a miserable state, their limbs entangled by tree roots and submerged in water several tens of feet deep. These tree roots were strong and reliable, and in the water, their Qi was blocked. These martial artists at the Second Realm were quite capable, but they had no way to stop them.

Li Xian took this as a warning, thinking to himself, "Even Second Realm martial artist was helpless and captured by a group of river bandits. I have already Second Martial Realm, and many unique abilities are manifesting around me, but I need to constantly hone my martial arts and increase my skills to avoid such an end."

Martial Dao techniques depend entirely on martial arts skills. These Second Realm martial artists were entangled and bound by tree roots. If they had learned the family martial arts of the Luo Household of Qiongtian Prefecture Embroidery City, they could have shaken their bodies to loosen the tree roots and escape their predicament.

Diving deeper, he could see the wreckage of a merchant ship. Li Xian looked up and observed the intertwined tree roots extending from the water to the surface. He had found the bandit leader and secretly followed him. The bandit leader was tall, with a full beard, and was very fierce. He carried a large iron pestle on his back, the end of which was a sphere the size of a head, and the inside of the sphere seemed to be a vacuum.

Li Xian waited until he was alone, then suddenly emerged from the water. His movements were swift and decisive, and he thrust his spear forward. The bandit leader was shocked and was about to shout when he realized that Li Xian's spear was aimed at his throat. The force was immense, and it was wrapped in "Pure Astral-Qi Garment," making the Qi waves seem to materialize, creating a "whooshing" sound that forced his shout back into his throat.

It was as if a gust of wind had hit his face. The moment he opened his mouth, the wind rushed in through his mouth and nose, making it impossible to speak. The bandit leader's shout turned into a furious roar, and he stomped his foot, taking out an iron pestle to block. He deliberately used a spherical object to block; it was hollow inside, and when the spear tip pierced through, it would vibrate and make a strange noise.

Little did the bandit leader know that Li Xian's spear technique was extremely exquisite. Although his martial prowess was fierce, he also concealed his strategies. Suddenly, he withdrew his strength, stopping short of a direct hit. The bandit leader raised an eyebrow, thinking, "Could he be all bark and no bite?" At this moment, although he could speak, his mind was completely focused on the attack, and speaking or shouting would distract him. He immediately grabbed his iron pestle and struck.

However, he felt that the tip of Li Xian's spear was sticky, adhering to his iron pestle, making it impossible to pull it back or throw it out. It turned out that when Li Xian thrust his spear, his Pure Astral-Qi Garment contained Inner Qi that adhered to the spear shaft. Although he had withdrawn the force of his spear, the Pure Astral-Qi Garment rushed out and tightly covered the iron pestle, as if it were entangled by a rope.

Li Xian flicked his spear. His Pure Astral-Qi Garment trembled, and a burst of Inner Qi lashed out. The bandit leader had never seen such a technique before and was completely unaware of what was happening. He was sent flying several feet away. Li Xian turned around, nocked a bow, and shot a wooden arrow that swiftly pierced the bandit leader's throat.

The ordinary, mortal Clay Embryo was already dead. The bandit leader, possessing the cultivation of Essence Consumption, immediately Blood Solidification and Aperture Closure, slowing the progression of his injuries. The higher Martial Dao realm, the greater the possibility. Nangong Liuli once said... Among the nine types of Turbid Garment, the Gold-Thread Jade Garment preserves the corpse from decay, and may even allow for resurrection.

Li Xian used the tip of his spear to dab at the water, creating splashes. Then he unleashed the Jade Luo Palm, striking the splashes. With a 'splash,' each drop of water hit the bandit leader's acupoints and meridians, promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. It contained extremely strong Inner Qi.

The bandit leader let out a 'plop' sound as blood flowed from his throat, unable to hold back any longer. He collapsed and died before he could utter a single word. Li Xian remained vigilant, firing several arrows in quick succession to confirm the bandit leader's death, before severing his head and storing it in one place.

He was efficient and quick, and in this way, one or two Merit Silver were earned. Li Xian thought to himself, "This is a rare opportunity. I need to kill as many river bandits as possible to earn Merit Coins." He put away the two arrows, stepped on the Seven-Star Step, and moved nimbly and invisiblely around the hideout.

He first sought out lone bandits. He would fire three, four, or even Five Arrows at Once, aiming to kill as many as he saw. His archery skills had reached their Peak Mastery. Archery is different from martial arts; anyone who can draw a bow can shoot an arrow, and ordinary hunters can achieve some skill in archery. However, reaching the Peak Mastery archery is more difficult than martial arts. Later stages of archery training involve Intent-Qi and concentration, which cannot be cultivated through training alone; one can only rely on talent.

Li Xian used his full strengths and silently shot down three more bandits. The bandits in the hideout had dark skin, large hands, and faces covered in black fuzz because they had lived in the lake for many years, making them very easy to identify. Wu Cuo. Li Xian went all out and killed the bandits, thus gaining merit.

His wooden arrows were silent, and his eyesight was exceptional. His unparalleled archery skills, combined with his Peak Mastery eyesight, made the numerous bandits easy prey. They were defeated and killed one by one, all without a sound or a commotion.

Li Xian was extremely thorough in his work. He hid the dead bandits underwater, stuffing them into the crevices of tree roots. Not even a trace of blood was left. In the darkness of night, the number of bandits quietly decreased by 70% or 80%, and no bandits noticed.

As night deepened, the remaining bandits found it strange, as if the night was unusually quiet. Suddenly, fear gripped their hearts, and they were filled with unease, unsure of what to do. Some of the bolder ones broke away from their patrols to search for their leader. But after circling around dozens of times, they were suddenly shocked to find that their usually bustling hideout was eerily quiet.

Former close bandit friends vanished without a trace; no matter how much they cried out, only echoes remained. Just as they discovered the reason, a wooden arrow shot out, ending their lives. Li Xian was like a vengeful ghost, annihilating them from the inside out.

There were 323 bandits in Water-Gold Den, and Li Xian wiped them all out, leaving not a single one alive. This ability would be difficult even for the elders, and they would be far inferior to him. Li Xian possessed many extraordinary qualities that others could hardly match. After confirming that the bandits were completely wiped out, he retrieved them from the water based on his memory.

He carried only thirty-four arrows and killed three hundred and twenty-three river bandits, without losing a single arrow afterward. He collected so many heads that they were difficult to store, so he found boats, removed the heads, and arranged them among the boats. It took five boats to barely contain them.

It was pitch black by then. From the moment Li Xian launched his attack on the lake to the complete annihilation of the enemy, it only took him an hour. He knew that Dongran Lake was no child's play; if you lost your way while sailing at night, you might be lucky enough to return to the Water Altar, or you might unknowingly find yourself out of Dongran Lake.

If luck is bad, spending one's entire life wandering the lake, or being mysteriously swallowed by it, is perfectly normal. So he decided to stay overnight at the hideout. He used this free time to search the corpses one by one, looking for anything useful. Ordinary river bandits were dressed simply, covered in mud, and had never left the lake; they had neither money nor treasures on them.

Li Xian then examined their clothing. Only those of high status and well-dressed bandits, such as the leader, second-in-command, and third-in-command, could be found to possess valuable items, including gold and jade. Li Xian accepted them all with a smile, estimating that he could exchange them for several dozen taels of silver. Now that he was worried about ' Essence Treasure,' he valued silver even more, and would never waste it if he could save it.

Money flows like water.

The most important thing is to find a place and methods that can consistently generate wealth.

The long night stretched on. Li Xian searched through the corpses, but the night remained deep and quiet. Bored, he wandered around, searching for the hideout's treasure. He first went to the bandit leader's room, and after searching, he indeed found something. He discovered chests of jewels, of great value. It turned out that one of the merchant ships recently hijacked was a jewelry store.

The merchant ship had the most skilled warriors and put up the fiercest resistance. Unfortunately, they were powerless to turn the tide. Taking advantage of the water's terrain, they were held back and unable to make any progress. The skilled warriors on board had no choice but to surrender, and the remaining crew and passengers were all captured and brought here, where they are now submerged in the water. The merchant ship originally carried more than just these few boxes of jewelry and utensils. However, when the ship sank, many of these jewels and beautiful objects sank to the bottom of the lake forever.

It's truly a pity.

Li Xian thought to himself, "This is undoubtedly a windfall. Since I've seen it, I'll find a way to take it. As for those prisoners, their ship is destroyed, so they probably need to be taken back to the Flower Cage Sect. Otherwise, if they stay here, they'll only starve to death."

The bandit leader's bedroom was decorated with green vines, making it a rather elegant residence. Li Xian searched around and, upon lifting the pillow, found a tattered book containing a wooden flute. He perused the book and was delighted.

This tattered book, titled "The Marvelous Book of Fish Herding," is incomplete and its origins are shrouded in mystery. It contains methods for raising, herding, and controlling fish. This wooden flute is the key to herding fish. The book originally recorded methods for raising and training more than ten kinds of fish, but due to its incompleteness, only the method for raising and training the ' Golden-Mouthed Fish ' remains intact.

The maintenance, raising, and controlling of fish are all crucial aspects of its value. The Golden-Mouthed Fish is not a natural species; it can eat gold and iron. The Water-Gold Den has repeatedly hampered martial artists of the Second Realm, making this fish extremely useful.

Li Xian quickly put it away, overjoyed. After searching the house again, he found another 'water map', which recorded how to leave the lake and reach the shore. Li Xian's mind raced. He knew he would eventually have to leave the Water Altar, and this water map might be useful. But not now.

He took out the water map of the Flower Cage Sect. His brows furrowed slightly. If he followed the water map of the Water-Gold Den now, he could sail away from Dongran Lake starting from here. However, if he Water Altar first and waited for the right time and sufficient preparation before attempting to travel the same route again, first arriving at the Water-Gold Den from the Water Altar and then leaving Dongran Lake from the Water-Gold Den, it would be much more difficult.

Because the water map leading from the Water Altar to the Water-Gold Den involves the Five Elements and is constantly changing. Today he was able to find the Water-Gold Den by following the water map, but if he set off again in two days and followed the original route according to the water map, he would not be able to reach the Water-Gold Den.

"Fine, let's take our time and plan this carefully. If I run away like this, not only will I be in trouble, but Nangong Liuli will also be furious with me. I can't just abandon her like this."

Keep the water map safe.

The subsequent harvest was nothing special, just jewels and such. Along the way, he came to appreciate the ruthlessness of the river bandits. These bandits had lived in the lake for a long time, feeding on fish. When they got tired of the fish, they even thought of cooking people. They were cruel and wanted to try the taste of a ' Second Realm martial artist'. One Second Realm martial artist died such a miserable death, becoming food for the river bandits.

After everything was settled, Li Xian lay in the canopy of the water tree, internally cultivating his five internal organs and Turbidity Transport.

[Proficiency +1]

[Proficiency +1]

The next day.

The sky is clear and bright.

Li Xian jumped down from the treetop and carried the gold and silver treasures onto the small boats. Five boats were used to carry the bandit leaders' merits, and two boats were used to carry gold and silver jewels. He found branches and vines and linked the seven boats together, making them one. Having done all this, he prepared to leave.

Li Xian thought to himself, "I was initially concerned about Dongran Lake, as the lake area is treacherous and unpredictable. Even if these stranded people escaped, they would most likely get lost in the lake and be trapped. Bringing them back to the Water Altar would at least give them a place to stay. But now that I've discovered the water map and know the route out of Dongran Lake, bringing them back to the Water Altar would only harm them."

Li Xian redraws three copies of the "Water-Gold Den" map and hides them in various locations within the nest. Once they obtain the map, even if the merchant ships are destroyed and they cut down trees to make boats, they will still be able to escape.

He was being considerate, delaying his rescue of the group to avoid trouble. If a misunderstanding or conflict arose, Li Xian's fists and kicks would complicate matters. Therefore, he waited until daylight, when it was already bright, to allow Li Xian to escape by boat before devising a rescue plan.

No need to meet in person, naturally reducing trouble.

Several cannons were mounted on an abandoned merchant ship next to the bandits' hideout. They contained gunpowder and cannonballs. Li Xian took out the gunpowder and cannonballs and secured them to a tree cage. Then he steered the boat away from the bandits' hideout.

After realizing that the distance had become too great.

They lit the wooden arrow and shot it towards the Water-Gold Den. The arrow flew in an arc, struck the gunpowder shell, and exploded with a loud 'boom'. The tree cage was blown apart, and those trapped inside were freed. The first to escape surfaced, their eyes filled with terror and confusion.

Once it was confirmed that no one was around, the rescuers immediately freed the four Second Realm martial artists, who were entangled by tree roots and sank deep into the lake.

They were also pulled out of the deep lake and brought back to the light of day. The four of them had endured a long and arduous time in the water, without eating or drinking for several days and struggling to breathe. But the bandits did not really intend to drown them.

The vines of the water tree are mostly hollow, allowing for breathing underwater. The bandits would often bite the vines and dive to catch fish. These four men relied on this to survive for several days. However, after being soaked in dirty water and invaded by external evils, their bodies were swollen and blistered, emitting a foul stench.

Having escaped their predicament, everyone immediately rallied together, determined to fight the river bandits to the death and seize the boat. The four Second Realm martial artists, at a loss and feeling frustrated, resolved to take revenge. They roused their spirits, unleashed Thunder Sound, and forced the sewage out of their bodies. Their momentum surged, and they had recovered several tenths of their strength. However, after searching the hideout, they found it deserted.

The group believed that the bandits had all gone out to rob and ambush passing merchant ships. They had hoped to take this opportunity to escape by boat. However, remembering their encounter on the water, they worried that if they met the bandits again, they would inevitably be captured using the same trick. So they suggested setting up an ambush at the bandits' hideout, killing them all, and then escaping.

Half an hour passed, but still there was no sound; the silence was terrifying.

As if haunted, they vanished into thin air, leaving no trace of gold, silver, jewels, or valuables. After careful consideration, a chill ran down their spines. The bandits had all left their hideout; surely someone should have been left to guard it. There was no more bizarre thing in the world. They changed their minds and meticulously searched every place, finding a water map that revealed a way to escape.

Feeling the place was eerie, they decided not to linger. They immediately felled trees and built boats, and more than ten small boats sailed Dongran Lake, thus escaping and ascending to heaven. Seeing the warm September sun and the lake breeze, they felt as if they had been reborn.

Meanwhile, on the other side...

Li Xian turned back by boat. The sun shone brightly, and he was horrified to find hundreds of heads tucked around him. After traveling several miles, the morning mist dissipated, and his view opened up to a vast expanse of sky and lake, with clear blue water White Cloud. He shouted loudly a few times to express his feelings.

The lake ripples gently, a truly rare and beautiful sight. Within Dongran Lake are waterfalls, aquatic forests, and numerous peculiar lake fish, some possessing unusual venom, others possessing unique appearances. This place is fraught with danger; it is said that deep within the lake, some great tombs are hidden, and a coiled black dragon, among other things.

After walking for about half a day, the outline of the Water Altar can be seen.

It was midday, and the shore was more lively than usual. A flower boat was moored by the shore, and the disciples of the Flower Cage Sect disembarked one after another and gathered on the shore.

Li Xian stood at the bow of a boat, seven boats linked together to form one, one side piled with bloody skulls, the other with gold and silver treasures. His long hair flowed freely, and his figure was handsome. This strange sight immediately drew gasps and stares from the disciples.

They exclaimed in unison, "Hey, look! There's something going on over there!"

"It looks like one person... Ah... his boat is full of heads. Oh dear, could it be some expert who discovered our sect and came here specifically to seek revenge?"

"That's quite possible. Immediately inform the elders; this person is Blood Qi aggressive and definitely not a good person!"

After a lot of noise...

Elder Tang Feng of the Flower Cage Sect and the ferryman Jin Shichang rushed out of the ship's hold, looking around as if facing a formidable enemy.

Tang Feng had only returned from outside the altar today and was unaware of Li Xian's name. Seeing this situation, he was alarmed and immediately ordered his men to fetch weapons, saying, "Envoy Jin, this is terrible! A master has arrived! I'll try to hold him off here, but I'm afraid I'm no match for him. Go quickly and inform Shi so we can join forces to deal with this enemy!"

Jin Shichang frowned, observing intently. After clearly seeing the appearance, he laughed and said, "Elder Tang, how do you know this is a formidable enemy, one that even you are no match for?"

Tang Feng said solemnly, "Based on my eyesight and experience, I am absolutely certain. This person is young and handsome, and his demeanor and bearing as he navigates the boat are far from weak. Moreover, the Water Altar is surrounded by Five-Element Maze Formation; how could anyone else possibly enter? This person must be extremely Proficiency in the Five Elements, which shows how unfathomable he is."

Jin Shichang laughed, "I don't think so." Tang Feng frowned and said, "Envoy Jin, this is no laughing matter; we must take it seriously. This man has come carrying severed heads; he's probably determined to wreak havoc. If we don't want to become victims, we must not underestimate him."

As they were talking, a voice suddenly called out, "Messenger Jin!"

Jin Shichang laughed, "That's Wu Cuo, where have you been?" He glanced at Tang Feng with a mocking look. Li Xian truthfully replied, "I received the extermination order and wiped out all the bandits in Water-Gold Den."

Jin Shichang laughed, "So that's how it is." He turned to Tang Feng and said, "Elder Tang, you haven't returned to the Water Altar for several months, so there are some things you might not be aware of. This Hua Wucuo is a rising star in our sect, not some fierce person."

Tang Feng, looking embarrassed, hid his weapon behind his back, his old face flushed, and said, "A rising star... a rising star indeed! It's amazing that my Flower Cage Sect can have such talent. Your arrival by boat just now really gave this old man quite a fright."

Jin Shichang stopped teasing and said, "Elder Tang is naturally cautious, which is excellent. If a strange expert could actually ride a wooden boat and single-handedly enter the Water Altar, that would indeed be a formidable enemy. Therefore, Elder Tang's cautious approach is correct."

By this time, the commotion had spread, and the disciples in the town also rushed to see what was happening. The shore was bustling with activity. When Li Xian's boat docked and he carried the bandit leaders out of the boat one by one, Jin Shichang and Tang Feng came to watch. They counted the heads one by one, and the more they counted, the more shocked they became. The disciples waiting on the side were even more incredulous.

Destroying a hideout is neither easy nor difficult. It tests one's abilities, methods, strategies, and martial arts skills to the extreme. In this chaotic world, disorder arises everywhere. Young masters and noble ladies from the Aristocratic Clan roam the Jianghu, possessing superb Martial Dao, yet they often capsize in the gutter, captured alive, or even lose their lives. This is extremely common.

However, when bandits are suppressed and their dens are destroyed, the bandits scatter and flee, making it even more difficult to wipe them out completely.

Jin Shichang and Tang Feng, both with considerable insight, were momentarily baffled as to how Li Xian had accomplished this.

Jin Shichang asked in surprise, "Wu Cuo, you... you wiped out all these bandits all by yourself? You really didn't have any help?" Li Xian smiled and said, "Of course, I capture the leader first, and then defeat them one by one. It's not that difficult."

Jin Shichang patted Li Xian on the shoulder and sighed, "Good heavens, it's easier said than done. Even if Elder Tang were to take action, he might not be able to wipe them all out."

Tang Feng truthfully replied, "It's definitely impossible to wipe them all out!"

Pointing to the numerous corpses, admiration returned to his eyes as he said, "If I were to take action and scatter the hideout, it would be extremely easy. They scattered and fled, using the water to escape, and I would be helpless against them."

"Look at the expressions of these river bandits. Hundreds of corpses lie there, yet they all appear relaxed and at ease. This means... these hundreds of people died silently. They didn't even know they were dying."

Upon hearing this, the other disciples were all shocked, and the surrounding area immediately erupted in noise. "Elder Tang is extremely skilled in martial arts, has extensive knowledge of various martial arts, and is known as the 'Martial Arts Scholar.' Shi says he has a sharp eye for martial arts. If he says so, he can't be wrong."

"Ah... this is too terrifying! Is this Hua Wucuo a ghost?"

"More than that, Senior Brother Hua is already incredibly skilled; he also won first place at the grand event not long ago."

"Winning a martial arts contest only proves Martial Dao, but defeating these bandits requires far more ability!"

Tang Feng was extremely interested. Jin Shichang, knowing that Li Xian had joined the Candle Cult, paid him close attention. Tang Feng continued, "Bandit hideouts are usually not very large, and there are many sentries, both visible and hidden. It's not difficult for Martial Dao expert to force their way in, but to do it like this... to take hundreds of lives so quietly, is extremely difficult. How did you manage to do it?"

These words are a sincere request for advice.

Li Xian stated bluntly, "I shot it with an arrow." Tang Feng said, "That's even more difficult. Even if you shot it with an arrow, there should still be some noise." He continued, "Unless your archery skills are exceptional, your control over the arrow is exquisite, and you have a complete grasp of the overall situation, you can't achieve this level of skill."

Upon hearing this, Jin Shichang said, "It seems that Shi was right about you!" Tang Feng, "Brother Hua is a man of skill. I admire him. I didn't expect to see such a rising star so soon after Water Altar. I truly admire him. Let's have a drink together sometime."

After their conversation, Jin Shichang and Tang Feng left first.

Seeing the heavy pile of heads on the ground, Li Xian hired several disciples to help carry them. His past deeds had already established his prestige in the Water Altar, and with a wave of his hand, several disciples fawned over him, calling him "Brother Hua," "Senior Brother Hua," and "Boss Hua." To avoid frightening the local residents, Li Xian took another route, bypassing the town and traveling along the mountain path.

The disciples along the way, hearing the news, gathered in amazement. After walking several miles, the crowd grew larger and larger, almost like a welcoming party. The disciples of the Water Altar were constantly moving around, some knew about it and some did not. The disciples were both curious and respectful, and all sorts of praise and compliments poured out.

The disciples of the Flower Cage Sect are of average strength and have always needed to rely on others. As a result, a fawning and flattering sect culture has formed. Li Xian's strength has become extraordinary, so he naturally receives a lot of flattery. No one dares to be disrespectful, and even if they are, they would never dare to show it in the slightest.

Along the way, people had praised Li Xian to the skies, saying he was unparalleled on earth. Li Xian just smiled and walked by, completely unconcerned. Little did he know that it was precisely because the disciples of the Flower Cage Sect roamed around and, in their leisure time, loved to boast and chat about everything under the sun.

The name "Hua Wucuo" had quietly spread Water Altar. Li Xian was leaving his name in the Jianghu for the first time, and although it was a villainous and infamous one, there were still some traces left.

Among the onlookers, a woman in Black Robe stared at Li Xian, a glint of light flashing in her eyes.

(P. S.: I'll be writing 10,000 words tomorrow, please vote with your monthly tickets!)