Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King-Chapter 429 - 294: Steady Advancement, Bathing in Clam Oil, Igniting the Cauldron to Refine Treasures, A Girl Seeks Entry!
Throughout the night, arrangements were made according to the Five Elements, adding another layer of water mist formation to the manor.
In case a thief breaks into the courtyard,
There would be both chaotic flowers obstructing the view and mist blurring the eyes.
They would lose their sense of direction and become bewildered within it. Nangong Liuli was very pleased, feeling tender affection in her heart. She knew Li Xian acquired clam shells to enhance the formation mostly with her in mind. Her unique status meant that if thieves attacked, this formation would assist her greatly.
...
...
The next day.
Li Xian rose at dawn, practicing until Qi Lake rippled. He accumulated tens of skill levels, feeling his blood surge like a fountain, exhaling like scorching waves, his Martial Arts mastery improving steadily. After breakfast, he went directly to the Inner Island to purchase "herbs."
Concocting the "medicated bath soup."
Li Xian was well-versed in pharmacology thanks to Wen Caishang’s teachings. According to the properties of the herbs, he crafted his own "Qi Sustaining and Primordial Supplementing Soup." After buying the herbs, he returned to Cyan Ox Residence to prepare it.
"Accumulating water essence does have merit. I need to test if I can extract clam oil; if not... I might use this as an excuse to seek some compensation from Han Zisha."
Fresh water was poured into the clam, and a fierce fire was set to boil it. Various herbs were added in succession, their properties rolling and evaporating, turning the soup dark brown.
Suddenly, white oil seeped from the clam shell.
The mixture of soup and clam oil turned the dark brown color into milky white, emitting a fresh fragrance. Li Xian was very curious, sniffing the aroma; the properties hadn’t changed.
Once it was thoroughly simmered, Li Xian removed his clothes and soaked in it. The medicinal strength flowed into his body, nourishing his meridians and organs, feeling extremely comfortable and pleasant.
Li Xian "eats, nourishes, practices, and soaks"... Only "practicing" is feasible. Eating, nourishing, and soaking were barely managed due to financial strain. At this moment, soaking in the medicated bath was like rain after a drought, rapidly enhancing the body.
In the milky white medicinal soup, his body appeared as flawless White Jade, smooth as silk. His lines were sharp, and both Qi Power and flexibility improved.
The effectiveness of clam oil was remarkable. The medicinal strength stored within the skin did not disperse, remaining without blockage, ready for utilization at any moment. If the soup had healing properties, during fights with opponents, one could always benefit from the miraculous effects of the medicine. It would be an advantage.
Li Xian tested the medicinal properties. His eyes swept over, finding a tiny crack at the bottom of the clam; though the clam shell’s efficiency was marvelous, it was nearing its limit. After intense fire roasting, cracks started appearing on the clam.
"If it were brand new, would Elder Han really be willing to sell it to me?"
Li Xian laughed heartily.
With the medicinal bath done, fatigue was washed away. He then resumed practicing spear and sword techniques, refining his Martial Arts cultivation.
[Broken Demon Spear]
[Skill Level: 3989/15000 Minor Achievement]
In the evening.
Han Zisha was about to start the Treasure Tripod to cook Essence Food. Li Xian, being new, lacked understanding, thus followed her to learn the processes of preparing Essence Food. Han Zisha usually dressed provocatively, almost too seductive; today, for cooking Essence Food, she dressed appropriately in a splendid long robe, silver hairpin, and dangling ornaments...
demonstrating the significance of the occasion.
She first took two hundred taels of silver, dispersing wealth to start the momentum, beginning from the side gate of the manor and setting up a feast along the street for several miles. Any passing citizens could join the feast.
Li Xian asked: "Elder Han, does this have any significance?"
Han Zisha replied: "As elders, we may be frugal about other things, but not at this juncture. When we start the Tripod, the quality of water is contributed by the people’s dew tax, which is the dew among flowers and grass. Hosting a feast first serves to give back to the people and also informs other elders that I’m about to start the Tripod, avoiding time conflicts."
Li Xian sensed the lesson. He thought that if this step were overlooked and the Tripod started directly, it would offend many others.
At the Water Altar, the cooking tripod for Essence Food is called the "Water Stone Treasure Tripod." It stands at the high point of Wanglong Mountain. As Li Xian entered the Water Altar, he glimpsed the Treasure Tripod from afar.
The Water Stone Treasure Tripod is shared among many elders. To prevent disputes and fights over the Tripod, this custom evolved whereby whoever first "disperses wealth to start momentum" gets the Treasure Tripod first. Anyone who disregards the rules and tries to seize by force would face collective condemnation.
Once the feast ended and citizens dispersed, Flower Cage Sect disciples stayed behind. They congratulated Han Zisha on starting the Tripod, praising her Martial Arts Cultivation for advancing another step, saying auspicious words.
Han Zisha smiled and nodded, taking more silver to reward those disciples. The disciples receiving money then grouped up, inviting companions, calling dozens of people. Those taking money were to help with chores, working diligently in exchange for payment and sharing the soup.
Han Zisha firstly allocated half the hiring money, which had already amounted to over a thousand taels.
Li Xian was secretly astonished, sensing how costly Martial Arts could be. He remembered back at Yihetang Manor, Wen Caishang acted decisively, merely needing to speak, and the commander would arrange everything for her.
Once initial matters were settled, Han Zisha led Li Xian and dozens of Flower Cage Sect disciples towards Wanglong Mountain. It was already nighttime, as the Flower Cage Sect disciples lit torches along the mountain path. Wanglong Mountain’s path was relatively gentle, with blue stone slabs laid along the way to facilitate water transportation and coal moving.
At the peak.
The mountain wind howled; the Water Stone Treasure Tripod stood quietly. This Treasure Tripod was approximately four zhang high, rounded at the top, entwined with branches and vines, lush and full of vitality.
Li Xian gazed into the distance. The town’s lights glittered sporadically like viewing lofty peaks, small compared to oneself. Li Xian asked: "Elder Han, why is the Tripod placed on such a high point? Isn’t it inconvenient to constantly travel back and forth?"
Han Zisha explained: "Ordinary Treasure Tripods require continuous water addition, consuming great manpower along the way." Li Xian nodded secretly, personally having transported water, aware of the difficulty. Han Zisha added: "We use dew as the water quality, not needing large manpower to support it. Naturally, there’s no need to exhaust laborers."
"However, during cooking, dew easily absorbs impurities, turning into ordinary water, hence the Treasure Tripod is set at a high point."
