Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King-Chapter 402 - 288: Unusual Signs, More Wonders, Candle Sect’s Clear Autumn, Day of the Wager (3)
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Time passed.
The scorching August heat boiled the world.
Li Xian practiced diligently every day, accumulating several hundred skill levels daily in the Broken Demon Spear. The bet was only to achieve mastery, which Li Xian had long achieved. But Martial Arts is practiced for oneself, and since the Flower Cage Sect is classified as an Evil Sect, with the Vice Envoy being eccentric, he naturally strives to do his best.
He possesses the quality of "Heaven rewards diligence," and all his accomplishments are accumulated bit by bit. He naturally has no fear of suspicion, as there are many prodigies in the world, some who suddenly attain Perfection in Martial Arts overnight. His hardworking practice is quite normal.
Accumulating slowly like this...
The plants and rocks depicted in the Residual Demon Map have all transformed into spear techniques, honed by Li Xian over time to extreme proficiency.
"Whirlwind Bends the Grass," "West Wind Brings Cold," "Old Tree Crows," "Fading Shadows," "Probe the Grass Frightens Ghosts," "Broken Crow Defeats Moon"...
Each move is refined, almost perfect. Li Xian’s comprehension deepens, attaching ghostly aura to seemingly insignificant scenes within the Residual Demon Map...
He began to develop spear techniques from corpses. The Residual Demon Map features seven corpses. Three are intricately depicted, heavily imbued with the essence of spear techniques, while four are hidden deeper, only visible with keen observation.
What kind of spear techniques these corpses can evolve depends on one’s comprehension. With such depth, the spear dance brings about a clear ghostly mist, eerie and chilling. "As the writing reflects the person, so do Martial Arts."
Li Xian is naturally free-spirited, his life as transient as an ephemera. When wielding spear techniques, he seems like a wandering spirit. He had practiced many orthodox Martial Arts like the Setting Sun Bloodsword, Thunderbolt Finger, and Iron Copper Body. These were elegant and graceful, quite dignified. With this foundation, further practicing the Broken Demon Spear should have seemed vaguely incongruous.
But his unrestrained nature, coupled with "Heaven rewards diligence," made it actually quite fitting, with a rampant wickedness, rather sinister.
Nangong Liuli once mistook him for a haunting ghost returning, but Li Xian explained the spear technique to dispel her doubts. Only then did she realize that Li Xian’s spear technique was actually related to "ghostly beings." Fearing ghosts, she never asked about the details of the spear technique.
During this period...
Li Xian finally had the energy to plan financial strategies, hunting beasts for money. Though earning small amounts and not great wealth, most profitable ventures in Peach Blossom Town were controlled by the elders. Common folks engaged in basic trades related to food, clothing, housing, and transportation.
However, it allowed Li Xian and Nangong Liuli to enjoy Peach Blossom Brew and Flower Drunken Eggs... The remaining money helped Nangong Liuli buy a new set of clothes, with silk fabric, very alluring. Nangong Liuli hesitantly accepted them after several attempts.
The day of the bet was approaching.
The situation at the Water Altar subtly changed, with two elders of the Flower Cage Sect returning on flower boats, named An Weicheng and Han Zisha, respectively. An Weicheng was nearly seventy but looked young, slightly short in stature. Han Zisha was attractive, with the appearance of a mature woman.
Each brought back dozens of Flower Cage Sect disciples. The island became lively, with the two elders delivering the news that Elder Tong, Tong Sannian, was unfortunately besieged by enemies and had died.
Chief Shi, upon hearing of the demise, furrowed his brow. Benefiting from the morning brings the twilight. In recent years, with the Court in decline and lacking local control, the Flower Cage Sect exploited the void, capturing noble women, inciting public anger.
The Flower Cage Sect is proficient with Arrays, creating formations like the "Resplendent Bloom Array," "Search for Spring among Flowers Array," and "Divide Blossoms and Shadows Array," allowing the weak to triumph over the strong. Disciples merely needed to possess Inner Qi, strictly arranging the formation, to overpower mighty Martial Artists and capture Female Heroes from Jianghu.
Over time...from elders to disciples, they relied heavily on formations, resulting in slackening in Martial Arts, with predictable sluggishness.
If their formation was disrupted or they were besieged by more enemies, they would be defenseless. In recent years, two hands’ worth of the Flower Cage Sect elders have been lost.
Chief Shi gathered the elders to discuss important matters, announcing the death of Tong Sannian, and also decided on a crucial matter...
With Tong Sannian’s death, how should his assets be handled? Tong Sannian owned "two bee farms," "a mansion," "three beautiful womenfolk," "an orchard," "a flower boat"...
The flower boat, being besieged, was already lost outside, but surely well-preserved. These numerous legacies made the elders envious, eager to carve it all up.
Han Zisha tearfully said, "Zisha had a deep friendship with Elder Tong. My heart long granted to him, with him dying outside, I am willing to manage the mansion, bee farms, orchard..."
Her red lips were alluring, dressed in light purple with shoulders exposed and legs wrapped in sheer stockings, speaking most appealingly.
An Weicheng said, "Han Meizi, you can’t say it like that. I was best friends with Elder Tong, and the bee farm, womenfolk, flower boat should be managed by me."
Ye Cheng smiled and said, "I want one of the bee farms, and as for the beautiful womenfolk...I heard Elder Tong has one from the Sword Lake Manor. I’d like to ask for her."
Meng Han said, "I might concede on other things, but the flower boat ought to come to me."
Ye Cheng replied, "The outside world is not calm. Do you want the flower boat to go out and deliver your life?"
As it turns out...An Weicheng and Han Zisha hurriedly returned to the Water Altar with the intent to divide family wealth. Everyone looked to Chief Shi to make a decision.
Shi Yufei lightly tapped the table, knowing the distribution of assets needed swift resolution. If other elders became aware, they too would rush back to the Water Altar, creating further chaos, but the distribution required comprehensive consideration.
He said, "Elder Tong was loyal to the Flower Cage Sect, and his death outside the altar deeply pains me. The asset distribution is a major matter. None of you are relatives, with no right to inherit. But as fellow elders, close as family, there’s a difference."
"Starting today...Ye Cheng, you investigate the cause of Elder Tong’s death, confirming it was from being besieged before all his assets are transferred to the Water Altar. You may use Merit Silver if you wish to exchange for them."
