Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King-Chapter 397 - 287: Garments Beyond the World, Ghostly Deadly Attire! Deeper Foundations, Stepping into the Second Realm!
"This method... Others must have thought of it too. Practicing like this hardly captures the essence of the scroll. Starting with the Middle spear technique, ending with an unrefined spear technique, what will it amount to? My spear technique is just beginning; I shouldn’t rush to progress but ensure the direction is right."
Li Xian calmed his mind and sat in meditation, breathing steadily. Picking up the Residual Demon Map again for observation, after numerous attempts, he suddenly felt enlightened.
His past cultivation through the Five Viscera Avoiding Dross and Gathering Yang Scripture imbued him with the "Enlightenment" characteristic, the "Observing Heaven and Earth" characteristic, combined with his extraordinary insight, naturally produced remarkable effects.
The feeling towards everything became even more vivid.
Looking at the Residual Demon Map, the demon seemed to come alive, frolicking with water, creating ripples. The shadow of the willow swayed high, marking a strong wind this night. Li Xian immersed himself in it, seemingly enlightened... Suddenly he thought:
"I always wanted to directly find a complete magic skill from the scroll, always assuming the secrets were hidden deep inside, how to delve and investigate. However... the secrets aren’t too deep nor shallow, in fact, sweeping the eyes over it at first glance reveals everything."
"Every brushstroke, every grass and stone in the scroll are Martial Arts moves. And the demons in the scroll are the essence of the Broken Demon Spear technique."
"Others observing the Residual Demon Map, will certainly deduce the martial arts essence is hidden in the demons, hence they fixate on observing the demons, wanting to discover martial arts essence from them. Yet this painting, first paints the scenery then the demons, aligning with the principle of heaven and earth existing before mankind."
"They go right to the essence of the spear technique, how can they succeed? This simple truth, I pondered for a long time!" 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮
The more Li Xian thought about it, the more he felt this way. Inspiration gushed forth, feeling the world within the painting, an eerie, sinister feeling came over, the "demon" presence was terrifying, sprouting dense soft hair, sinister eyes staring, malicious and cunning. Li Xian focused on the roadside weeds, only two strokes but concealing a subtlety.
Seeing the green grass blown down by the wind, leaning left, but upon closely inspecting its growth, after the gusts pass, it will inevitably stand upright again. Hidden within are two spear moves.
Li Xian rooted his legs firmly, lunging out. The posture resembles the fallen grass, with supple strength carrying the power of the wind, the attack aggressive, yet with a hidden retreat path! This move was peculiar, and moments later, the spear stood upright once again.
By now he has touched upon the intricacies of the Broken Demon Spear. Though the spear lacks a demonic aura, it is indeed a spear technique.
Li Xian expanded his thoughts, the painting is dead but the world within it vibrant. The lingering wind swirls, grass and vegetation swayed, any changes can be used for spear technique practice.
It turned out...
Martial arts embodied within the painting. Since it deviates from traditional martial arts frameworks, the moves naturally defy definition. Li Xian expanded his thoughts, from the important environment, comprehending the principles of spear technique, this concept was extremely accurate, at this moment the spear technique was bizarre and eccentric, even chaotically stabbing without any form.
Yet it already possessed the aura of the Broken Demon Spear.
He practiced diligently, although not grasping the true essence of the spear technique, and unaware of its true power, he was content; the spear technique went from mysterious to agile, then to casual, eventually to free and unrestrained.
He suddenly used the move ’Probe the Grass to Startle the Ghost’, a feint but with great momentum, possessing the effect of startling the ghost. It was an insight from the corner weeds in the Residual Demon Map.
He speculated... amidst the weeds, certainly ghosts might be spying. That’s why he naturally used this move, aligning perfectly with the "Residual Demon Map" practice essence, expanding thoughts from the painting, thereby extending limitless spear techniques from a finite scene!
[You grasped the essence of the Residual Demon Map, mastered spear technique practice essentials, and initiated practice in the Broken Demon Spear technique.]
[Broken Demon Spear]
[Skill Level: 13/700 Beginner]
[Description: A spectral spear technique, unpredictable and eerie, with ghostly shadows swarming. Wraiths... belonging to marshlands, engulfing shadows, playing with water.]
Li Xian felt invigorated, being clever and discerning priority and importance, understanding the essence of the Broken Demon Spear was not surprising. Having grasped the essentials, there were no more difficulties thereafter, only "Heaven rewards diligence", and accumulating effort was the key.
Full of excitement, observing the Residual Demon Map, his spear thrust continuously. Skill level accumulated bit by bit, tireless, determined in progress.
Two hours passed, accumulating [156] skill points. Li Xian was drenched in sweat, feeling hunger and fatigue, after a simple wash he went outside to buy food. His craving got the better of him, muttering "Peach Blossom Brew", "Flower Drunk Eggs".
He thought: "As the saying goes, old must go for new to come. This half a tael of silver, if left will be useless, might as well eat and drink freely. Spend it all cleanly, then think about making more money."
He felt quite helpless... making money was the hardest thing for him. His skill deepened, his cultivation progressed, naturally no error. But he lacked the ability to produce "resources", a Martial Artist must master production, self-sufficient... to independently stand firm and slowly advance in Martial Arts.
Li Xian understood various business paths. But lacked estate, instantly envying Wen Caishang’s "Silkworm Robe Mismatched Jade Technique", an extraordinary skill of the era, profoundly capable, cultivating ancestral silkworms, trading silk, financial flow never lacking.
And with Wen Caishang’s strategy, she would surely ensure perfect management. Li Xian lamented: "Some people are born without worrying about money, some have become almost Second Realm Martial Artists, but can’t afford good wine."
Turning into a small alley, he bought two jars of fine wine, four Flower Drunk Eggs. With remaining Wen Coins spent entirely, buying two braised pig knuckles, several dishes of side dishes for the wine. Wrapped in oiled paper, he brought them back to Cyan Ox Residence.
Upon entering, Nangong Liuli had already awakened. She held a wooden sword, honing Martial Arts moves, practicing the Nangong Family basic martial arts: Floating Wind and Rain Sword.
This swordsmanship was created by the Nangong Family’s talented individuals in the recent decade. Though powerful, it’s not as well-established as the ancestral "Nangong Sky-Encompassing Sword", and not very refined, causing difficulty in practice, Nangong Liuli’s talent was remarkable, yet she barely achieved Great Success.
