"I initially wanted to go to the Yueshan Sword Sect, but such sects have aristocratic families vying to join. Even if I reach the foot of Yueshan Mountain, would anyone spare me a glance?"
"Since Iâve drifted with the wind and landed here, I might as well settle down temporarily at the Water Altar. Iâll use the resources here to recuperate, improve my Martial Arts, and accumulate strength. As for those Flower Cage Sect dealings, Iâll just stay out of them."
"Thus... tomorrow, I need to visit the island within the island and advance to âOrder Holding Discipleâ."
Li Xian reflected upon himself and the situation. He decided on his route and devised his next step. Knowing how and where to proceed, he felt boundless motivation.
After cleaning up, Li Xian took out some rouge and darkened his face slightly, covering the red mole on his brow. He was greatly troubled by his two Rebirth Appearances; the red mole could not be concealed except with rouge.
Heavy Pupils required deliberate control; if exposed, they could cause trouble. This full appearance was rarely revealed, only Wen Caishang and Zhao Zhiyuan had seen it, the latter having already died tragically.
Li Xian thought, "Only with greater strength, unafraid of external matters, can my true appearance be fully revealed. Otherwise... keep those cards hidden whenever possible!"
[You transport impurities, Skill Level +1]
[You transport impurities, Skill Level +1]
...
Transporting impurities, practicing inner cultivation calmly, nourishing blood and strengthening the body. Thereâs currently nothing urgent on the island, quite peaceful.
[Five Viscera Avoiding Dross and Gathering Yang Scripture · Five Viscera Chapter]
[Skill Level: 599/1600 Mastery]
...
...
The next day.
The Five Viscera Avoiding Dross and Gathering Yang Scripture doesnât produce Inner Qi, but it is immensely effective for absorbing and digesting the "Essence of Heaven and Earth".
Last night, he digested seven strands of "Essence of Heaven and Earth", feeling refreshed and light as a swallow. Having "gathered the three flowers at the peak", the "Muddy Clothes" phase was not far off.
Tattered clothing, plain attire... golden attire... Jie Xumiao Clothing. Li Xian was highly curious; given destiny pre-defined the Muddy Clothes phase, what would his destined clothing be?
He sorted through his assorted items and thought of âJie Xumiao Clothing,â capable of concealing items, vanishing into thin air. If he could store his belongings there, wouldnât he feel even lighter?
He still had over twenty taels of silver left, quite ample.
Yesterdayâs "Peach Blossom Brew" and "Drunken Flower Egg" were exceedingly delicious. A craving arose, prompting him to find the alley wine shop from memory and spend a few Wen Coins to purchase three bowls of "Peach Blossom Brew" and two "Drunken Flower Eggs".
Drinking and eating the egg. Savoring the taste brought numerous sensations. Naturally, he asked, "Shopkeeper, is your Peach Blossom Brew made by first salting and baking the February peach blossoms, then cooking, slowly simmering, and finally wrapped with fresh-picked peach blossoms, submerged in a wine vat buried a deep yard underground for fermentation?"
The shopkeeper exclaimed in shock, "Ah, did you spy on me brewing wine?!"
Li Xian chuckled, "Just a wild guess." The shopkeeper insisted, "You definitely spied on it, otherwise, how could you describe it so thoroughly!"
Li Xian said, "Shopkeeper, Iâve just arrived here; how could I spy on your wine making? And this wine must have been fermenting for months. Could I have been trailing you all this time?"
The shopkeeper replied, "Wait a moment!" He turned back into the house, secretly retrieved a cloth bag, and discreetly slipped it into Li Xianâs hands.
Untying the bag revealed several taels of silver. Li Xian was puzzled. The shopkeeper pleaded, "Good Young Hero, since youâve guessed my secret recipe, I beg you to keep it confidential. Please donât disclose it, itâs the livelihood of an old man like me. If you reveal it, Iâll have no future."
Li Xian suddenly understood. His "Dining Skill" was at Perfection, rendering the "Appraisal" trait. He could sample the essence of all things and deduce their composition. Earlier, while appraising the wine, he discerned the brewing recipe.
He realized the great utility of this trait: "When tasting dishes, I can deduce the recipes. While drinking fine wine, I can uncover the brewing secrets. With this trait, why should I worry about earning money?"
"In the future, Iâll hone my Cooking Skill, crafting extraordinary dishes that martial artists will spend a fortune for just a taste. Wouldnât that be splendid!"
Feeling exhilarated, he returned the silver and said, "Rest assured, I will never disclose the brewing recipe. Just keep the money yourself!"
He turned and left.
The island within the island was bustling, already gathering numerous disciples. Li Xian docked his small boat and headed straight towards the "Climbing-Branch Pavilion".
To advance to "Order Holding Disciple", he had to pass the sectâs examination. The Climbing-Branch Pavilion was designated for handling ârankâ promotions.
The steward in the pavilion was named "Meng Han", an elder of the Flower Cage Sect. Today, few sought rank advancement, approximately five or six.
They sized each other up discreetly. Li Xian noticed there were two girls among them, both charming and beautiful, but they were only registered disciples of the Flower Cage Sect.
Li Xian was curiously intrigued: "Goodness... isnât this place a wolfâs den? Arenât you afraid of being mistakenly captured when you join the Flower Cage Sect?"
Suddenly he felt a light pat on the shoulder, a voice behind him saying, "Brother, are you here for advancement? Where are you from?"
The speaker was also a registered disciple of the Flower Cage Sect, named Zhong Kai. Li Xian smiled, "A resident of Qiong Heavenly Mansion." Zhong Kai said, "Qiong Heavenly Mansion... heard itâs poverty-stricken."
Li Xian replied, "Indeed." Zhong Kai said, "I noticed you were eyeing those two girls just now?"
Li Xian chuckled, "Just out of curiosity." Zhong Kai said, "Best it remains curiosity. Let me tell you... the girls who enter Flower Cage Sect arenât ordinary. They must be direct disciples of the âPoison Flower Daoistâ!"
Li Xian asked, "Poison Flower Daoist?" Zhong Kai shook his head and said, "Iâm just reminding you kindly. Be mindful, donât act rashly."
The steward Meng Han of the Climbing-Branch Pavilion addressed the crowd: "Those who need testing, come register your names here!" pointing to the jade table where the roster was displayed.
Everyone registered their names in sequence. Li Xian, at the end of the line, managed to see six names when registering. The two girls were named "Qu Xiaoyou" and "Zhou Xiuwan".