Chapter 99: The Art of Elixir Medicine and Martial Arts, Evergreen Bone

Chapter 99: The Art of Elixir Medicine and Martial Arts, Evergreen Bone

Li Xuan waved his hand, and several books flew out of the room, landing in his grasp. These were medical books from the frontier wastelands.

"Shall I test your knowledge?" he asked.

Sulingxiu nodded.

Li Xuan found it hard to believe that this lively and playful young girl possessed exceptional medical skills. If this were true, her talent was extraordinary, and he could consider taking her on as his disciple.

He flipped open one of the medical books and presented Su Lingxiu with some case studies, testing her knowledge. To his surprise, she answered fluently and was able to provide treatments for various illnesses.

Her medical skills were indeed impressive, and she had not learned them through mere hearsay.

Li Xuan's interest was piqued, and he paid no heed to Su Wenxiu's internal domain martial arts, which was only a seventh-rate practice. It would be easy for her to switch to his martial arts system.

Moreover, with her existing foundation, her cultivation would not be slow.

Li Xuan waved his hand, dismissing Shi Er, before getting up from his chair. He toyed with a jade scepter, circling Su Lingxiu with a smile.

Su Lingxiu's heart raced. "Oh no, I've kicked the iron plate this time. There's no going back now!"

Zhou Yi breathed heavily, her fists clenched tightly as if she were ready to overcome any obstacle to protect her young miss. Her eyes had turned red with determination.

Li Xuan's aura was subdued as he chuckled, "Fourth-rank martial artist? From the Internal Domain?"

Zhou Yi took a few deep breaths before replying in her deep voice, "Yes, I am Zhou Ying from the Internal Domain, and I am responsible for protecting Young Miss."

Li Xuan's eyebrows rose slightly, intrigued by the young girl's seemingly complex background. However, he didn't care much about his disciples' backgrounds. All that mattered was their suitability as disciples, and he was even more inclined to accept those with influential backgrounds.

"Internal Domain warriors rarely venture to the frontier wastelands. Are you here to escape some trouble?" Li Xuan inquired, his eyes narrowing.

Zhou Ying remained silent but breathed a sigh of relief inwardly. At least, they weren't the ones pursuing her young miss.

"It's not escaping trouble; we just wanted a change of scenery!" Su Lingxiu huffed, her nose wrinkling.

Li Xuan was taken aback by her response.

He pondered for a moment, realizing that Su Lingxiu had been in the frontier wastelands for quite some time. After all, she had been the contemporary Heavenly Mother of the Tianmu Sect for several years.

In all this time, no one from the Internal Domain had come to the frontier wastelands in pursuit of the pair.

Perhaps they never expected the two of them to flee to such a remote location.

Li Xuan weighed his options. If he took Su Lingxiu as his disciple, he would undoubtedly attract the attention of the forces chasing them. Was it worth the trouble?

"With my strength, defeating Grand Masters is a breeze, and if Xu Yan comprehends the innate realm's martial arts, I will break through to a new realm as well.

"Therefore, the troubles behind Su Lingxiu are insignificant."

Of course, all of this depended on Su Lingxiu's ability to comprehend the new martial arts system he had fabricated. If she could master it, the troubles behind her would be child's play.

"This young girl seems rather clever, and she started learning medicine at the age of four. What a monstrous talent! I doubt there's anyone else in the frontier wastelands who is more suitable than her." Li Xuan's mind was made up.

"Little girl, do you know anything about pill medicine?" he asked.

Su Lingxiu shook her head. "No."

"What about pill medicine? Are they like these pills?" She reached into her bag and took out a bottle of pills, pouring a few into her palm.

"Pill medicine is far superior to these common pills," Li Xuan remarked, glancing at the small, round pills in her delicate hand.

He saw potential in this young girl and thought that she might be able to comprehend the martial arts system he had created.

"I think you have decent talent and a quick wit. I have a martial arts system called the Elixir Medicine Martial Arts. Are you willing to become my disciple?" Li Xuan asked, taking a seat in the chair.

Without hesitation, Su Lingxiu immediately knelt down and kowtowed, "Master above, Lingxiu pays respect to Master!"

"Young Miss, what are you doing?!" Zhou Ying exclaimed, taken aback by her young miss's sudden decision to kneel and bow.

Li Xuan's lips twitched as he watched Su Lingxiu's quick thinking. By becoming his disciple, she would gain his protection.

Given his formidable strength, Su Lingxiu believed that becoming his disciple would greatly enhance her safety.

"Let me be clear," Li Xuan said sternly, his face serious. "You only have one year. If you don't make progress within that year, I will dissolve our master-disciple relationship. I do not take on useless disciples."

He didn't want to invite trouble by keeping Su Wenxiu as his disciple if she couldn't comprehend the Elixir Medicine Martial Arts.

But if she could master it, then she would be a treasured disciple! His martial arts legacy was at stake, and anyone who dared to cause trouble would be crushed!

"Yes, Master!" Su Lingxiu replied respectfully.

A year was more than enough time, and she was confident that with her talent, she would make progress with ease.

"Master, what do you think?"

"My martial path is not something that can be compared to the Internal Domain. Claims about the depletion of celestial qi and the inability to cultivate are all nonsense."

Li Xuan scoffed dismissively.

"Just remember this: I will teach you a cultivation technique, and you must meditate on it diligently. If you fail to grasp its fundamentals within a year, our master-disciple relationship will be dissolved!"

Su Lingxiu's eyes lit up. "Master, it truly won't hinder my cultivation?"

"Of course not!" Li Xuan nodded.

"Then rest assured, Master. I will definitely grasp it within a year!" Su Lingxiu promised.

"Don't make promises you might not be able to keep," Li Xuan said with a smile.

The Dan Medicine Martial Arts was a cultivation system he had devised, separate from the physical martial path.

"Master, I started studying medicine at the age of four, and by six, I was already treating and curing people..." Su Lingxiu said solemnly.

Li Xuan was speechless.

As he looked at Su Lingxiu, he fell into deep thought, recalling what he had been doing at the age of six.

Playing with mud!

Damn! That was quite a difference.

"Six years old is no longer that young. I vaguely remember that when I was three, I had already fought and killed a fierce beast with my bare hands."

As an exalted master, he couldn't let his mysterious and invincible image be overshadowed by his disciple.

Li Xuan proudly declared without blushing or batting an eye.

Su Lingxiu's mouth hung open slightly as she stared at her master, speechless.

She suspected he was boasting, but she had no evidence to refute him.

"Master, you're truly amazing!" She exclaimed admiringly, flattering him.

"Mhm." Li Xuan nodded, pleased.

"You can stay here for now. Tomorrow, I will teach you the ways of martial arts."

"Yes, Master!" Su Lingxiu nodded.

Holding the shovel, she excitedly went to tidy up her dwelling.

Shi Er returned.

The Heavenly Mother had actually become the Master's disciple?

But thinking about Su Lingxiu's exceptional talent, he felt it was only to be expected.

"Miss, why did you choose to become his disciple? In the frontier wastelands, how is cultivation even possible?" Zhou Ying asked worriedly as she cleaned the room.

"Aunt Zhou, what if it's true? What if I have to stay in this remote wasteland forever? Master is an extraordinary man, and if I can successfully cultivate, I won't have to fear those people anymore," Su Lingxiu said earnestly.

Zhou Ying opened her mouth but ended up sighing instead.

"Aunt Zhou, you're a fourth-rate warrior. If you hadn't come to protect me in the frontier wastelands, you would have already broken through to the third-rate by now," Su Lingxiu said excitedly. "If it's truly possible to cultivate here, then you'll also have a chance, Aunt Zhou. I will make sure to bury all those people who wronged us!"

As she spoke, she waved the shovel in her hand.

Zhou Ying nodded.

The next day.

Outside Yunshan County.

On a slope, Meng Chong was cultivating, honing his blade, and meditating on the Great Sun Golden Body.

Two figures appeared.

"Master!"

Meng Chong quickly got up and bowed respectfully.

"Mhm."

Li Xuan nodded.

Meng Chong curiously looked at the beautiful young girl beside his master.

"This is your junior martial sister, Su Lingxiu!" Li Xuan introduced.

"Junior Martial Sister?"

Meng Chong's eyes lit up.

"For now," Li Xuan added after a moment's thought.

Meng Chong was stunned, looking at his master in confusion, not understanding what he meant.

"I think she's intelligent and may have the potential to be molded. I intend to teach her the Dan Medicine Martial Arts. If she fails to cultivate and grasp the fundamentals within a year, she will be expelled from the sect, and she won't be your junior martial sister anymore.

"I do not take useless disciples," Li Xuan emphasized.

Upon hearing this, Meng Chong understood. So that was the case.

He recalled Elder Martial Brother mentioning that the Master had given him a year to prove himself.

Although the Master hadn't explicitly stated the same to him, it was clear that he, too, had been given a year to demonstrate his worth.

As an exceptional master, Li Xuan would not be careless when accepting disciples.

Only those who surpassed ancient geniuses were worthy of being his disciples.

"This is your second senior martial brother, Meng Chong," Li Xuan continued the introductions.

"Greetings, Second Senior Martial Brother!"

Su Lingxiu bowed.

"Junior Martial Sister, no need for formalities!"

Meng Chong returned the courtesy.

Su Lingxiu sized up Meng Chong. He had a sturdy and robust build, a bald head, and an extraordinary aura. His entire being seemed to exude terrifying power.

Second Senior Martial Brother was incredibly strong!

Far stronger than Aunt Zhou!

Su Lingxiu was amazed. Her master hadn't lied; cultivation was indeed possible in the frontier wastelands!

After introducing the two siblings, Li Xuan led Su Lingxiu to the side and began instructing her in the Dan Medicine Martial Arts.

"Your talent lies in the realm of pills and medicine, so I will teach you the Dan Medicine Martial Arts... Whether it's the orthodox martial path or the physical martial path, the foundation lies in refining the skin, bones, and organs, with only slight differences in the methods used," Li Xuan explained slowly.

"Refining the skin, bones, and organs?"

This wasn't the first time Li Xuan had taken on disciples. He was well-versed in the process, reiterating the same points he had made to Xu Yan and Meng Chong before—the importance of understanding and intention, and how only by grasping the true essence of the technique could one truly succeed in their cultivation.

"Refining bones can be categorized into Iron Bones, Bronze Bones, and Golden Bones... The foundational stage of orthodox martial arts involves refining Jade Bones. For the physical martial path, it's the Diamond-Glass Bones, while for the Dan Medicine Martial Arts, it's the Evergreen Bones!" Li Xuan explained in a deep voice.

Evergreen Bones—this was the foundational stage he had invented for the Dan Medicine Martial Arts.

"Evergreen Bones embody everlasting vitality. They are imperishable and immortal. Even if buried underground, they will absorb the vital energy of heaven and earth, gradually transforming into spirit objects imbued with vibrant life force, thus earning the name 'Evergreen.'

"Those who achieve the Evergreen Bones will have longer lifespans than other martial artists, but their defensive capabilities might fall slightly short of those with Jade Bones or Diamond-Glass Bones."

Li Xuan continued to elucidate the fundamentals of the Dan Medicine Martial Arts.

"Practitioners of the Dan Medicine Martial Arts can both save and take lives. They have the power to resurrect the dead and kill without a trace."

Su Lingxiu was already stunned.

Her mouth hung open slightly, and she was utterly amazed.

She found it hard to believe that such a martial art existed in the world, and if it was truly possible to cultivate it.

Evergreen Bones—a body that embodied everlasting vitality. If one were to die and their bones were buried in the ground, they would absorb the vital energy of heaven and earth, transforming into spirit objects brimming with life force. It all seemed too fantastical!

Su Lingxiu's heart raced as she felt she had stumbled upon a tremendous opportunity. If she could successfully cultivate such a formidable and mysterious martial art, how powerful would she become?

"Master, teach me quickly! Teach me, and once I've mastered it, I'll bury them all!"

Su Lingxiu waved the shovel in her hand excitedly.

Li Xuan's lips twitched at his disciple's enthusiasm for burying people. He cleared his throat and said sternly, "What I'm imparting to you is not just a technique but a path. You must contemplate and understand its true meaning. Only by doing so can you truly enter the door of cultivation.

"As for the various spirit herbs and elixirs, I won't go into detail since you've been studying medicine since childhood and are already familiar with their effects and distinctions.

"I will teach you the art of pill concoction!"

There were countless types of spirit herbs and elixirs, and Li Xuan had no idea about their effects or how to combine them into pills. Thus, he decided to skip this part and focus on imparting the art of pill concoction itself, leaving it to Su Lingxiu to figure out the specifics.

"Yes, Master!" Su Lingxiu replied respectfully.

"Pills are the essence of refinement, where impurities are removed and the pure is melded into a whole, resulting in various effects..."

Li Xuan's voice was calm as he imparted the pill concoction technique he had devised, word by word, to Su Lingxiu.

Pill concoction was about extracting the essence, refining the spiritual essence, and distilling the original source of power from the spirit herbs. Pill formulas involved combining different spirit and elixirs, and during the refining process, the essences would merge and undergo qualitative changes, endowing the pills with miraculous effects.

Su Lingxiu's bright eyes widened further, and her flawless, fair face turned red with excitement as she listened to her master's explanation.

So, spirit herbs and elixirs could be used in this way!

They could be refined into pills!

Ordinary medicinal soups or pills retained the original herbs' medicinal properties, and prolonged consumption without breaks could lead to an accumulation of medicinal toxins in the body, causing harm over time.

However, pills were different!

Pill concoction involved extracting only the essence and removing impurities, resulting in a pure form that left no residue when ingested.

What a miraculous art!

"I want to refine pills!" Su Lingxiu vowed in her heart.

"I must succeed in my cultivation and become a Dan Medicine Martial Artist!"

She understood that if she could master the art of pill concoction, she would attain an incredibly powerful status in the martial arts world.

Of course, having a powerful backer was essential. Otherwise, she might be captured by a formidable force and forced to refine pills for them.

But with such a powerful master, that scenario was unlikely.

Su Lingxiu listened intently, and as her master's explanation progressed, a pill formula began to take shape in her mind.

"Ginseng and Nine-Leaf Primal Herb combined with tiger blood... This formula has a great effect on replenishing qi and blood, and if refined into a pill, it will definitely be of immense help in cultivation."

Having studied medicine since childhood, she was already familiar with various spirit herbs and elixirs.

(End of Chapter)

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