I'll write a manual called the Sunflower Manual, and the entire martial arts world will turn in

Upon hearing this, Xie An was overjoyed and even found it somewhat unbelievable.

Treasure Fish!

Ah Shui really caught the treasure fish!

For the past few months, Xie An had been asking A Shui to buy two crucian carp almost every day to take home and make soup. They gradually became familiar with each other, and A Shui would occasionally tell Xie An about fishing, so there was some trust between them.

Actually, Xie An didn't have high hopes when he invested in Ah Shui. Unexpectedly... Ah Shui was a lucky person, and actually succeeded.

Xie An forcibly suppressed his excitement, "Take me to see the quality of the treasure fish first."

"Alright, Lord Xie An, please follow me."

"Hold on."

Xie An returned to Li Shengnan and Liu Wei's side and, using an excuse, told them to go back to the riverbank first.

Li Shengnan and Liu Wei knew that Xie An and A Shui were close, and that Xie An would occasionally ask A Shui about the villagers in the neighborhood, so they didn't think much of it. Li Shengnan told Xie An to "be careful" and then left with Liu Wei.

Xie An turned back to Ah Shui and patted him on the shoulder: "Ah Shui, lead the way."

I thought Ah Shui would hide the treasure fish at home, but he bought it in a secluded ditch on the banks of the Huai River. The ditch was covered with aquatic plants and mud, so no outsider could see it.

Splash!

Ah Shui pulled a red catfish about a foot long from the ditch. It had two horns on its head and was covered with rough, hard scales that reflected a dazzling, cold light.

This fish may not look big, but it is extremely ferocious. Its eyes are wide open, filled with rage, and it occasionally reveals two rows of fine, sharp teeth.

It's clearly not an ordinary item.

Xie An was overjoyed. "It really is a treasure fish! Ah Shui, you're quite skilled. How did you catch it?"

Ah Shui scratched his head and smiled, "I've been watching it for days. This thing swims extremely fast in the water. If I weren't a good swimmer and hadn't specially made a fishing net out of wire, I wouldn't have been able to catch it at all."

Xie An squatted down to examine the precious fish, nodding repeatedly: "Its quality looks excellent, and its vitality is very strong. Ah Shui, how much do you plan to sell it for?"

Ah Shui hesitated, feeling rather embarrassed. "I saw Zhang Pizi from the village sell a smaller treasure fish the other day for thirty taels. You've always been a patron of my business, so how about I sell it to you for thirty taels?"

Ah Shui was clearly a little uneasy when he said this.

He grew up by the river and made a living by fishing. His daily catch was usually only about a hundred coins. Only when he was extremely lucky could he catch four or five hundred coins.

Thirty taels... that's an astronomical price for Ah Shui. It's no wonder he didn't have the confidence to ask.

"I'll give you forty taels. I'll also introduce you to Yong Sheng Martial Arts School. Is that alright?" Xie An wasn't trying to be a sucker, but the treasure fish was indeed bigger than Zhang Pizi. If he still had to pay thirty taels, Ah Shui would inevitably feel cheated.

Xie An was still hoping that Ah Shui would continue to bring him precious fish.

Like Wei Dian, Ah Shui is also a person with good fortune.

It's not worth it to create a rift between him for ten taels of silver.

Ah Shui was surprised by Xie An's generosity and immediately felt like she had hit the jackpot. "This... I can't accept this. Forty taels is too much. I can't take advantage of you, sir."

"It's alright, business is all about sincerity. I'm just looking out for Ah Shui because it's not easy for him to fish. If you catch any more treasure fish in the future, you can come back to me." Xie An waved his hands repeatedly, "If you trust me, I'll take the treasure fish with me first. I'll bring you the silver when I come on patrol the day after tomorrow."

Ah Shui bowed repeatedly in thanks: "I trust you completely, sir. Please take it. Everyone wants this precious fish, but I have no martial arts skills and no family background to rely on. Keeping it around would only bring trouble. I haven't been able to sleep for the past two days, fearing something bad might happen..."

"You're young, but you're quite perceptive. Even I, after catching the treasure fish, would have to be careful, lest I attract unwanted attention. We both need to keep this matter strictly confidential."

"Don't worry, sir, I know."

Xie An took the cloth bag that Ah Shui had prepared in advance and wrapped the treasure fish inside.

The two walked side by side toward the dock, chatting casually along the way.

"By the way, sir, I've been seeing someone sneaking into the inner cave lately. This person has caught several treasure fish. I'm told he's from your Yong Sheng Martial Arts School. I've been keeping my distance, afraid he'll find out and kill me."

Xie An was taken aback.

It must be Wei Dian.

That guy is really lucky.

"You should avoid that man; he is vindictive and not a kind person."

"Thank you for reminding me, sir. I understand."

After saying goodbye to Ah Shui, Xie An carried the precious fish straight to Wuqiao Town.

This was Xie An's first time seeing the treasure fish, and he didn't know whether it was poisonous or not, or whether there were any precautions to take when consuming it.

"I need to go to the martial arts school and ask someone reliable."

Zhan Ping? Senior Sister Li? Wei Xiang?

The one most familiar with it is naturally Li Shengnan, but Li Shengnan has limited knowledge and doesn't seem to know much about Baoyu, so it's unlikely that she can get any information out of her.

Zhan Ping has now reached the Great Perfection of the Blood Rush Realm and is ready to break through to the Ming Jin Realm at any time. He is currently in seclusion.

That leaves only Wei Xiang.

Wei Xiang was already a seasoned martial artist, having followed Chen Lutang from Cangzhou to this place to open a martial arts school. He was well-traveled and knowledgeable. He probably wouldn't covet a mere treasure fish.

……

"This precious fish is truly extraordinary; I have never seen anything like it before."

Wei Xiang looked at the precious fish in Xie An's cloth bag with great surprise, "Junior Brother, where did you buy it?"

Xie An said, "I met a fisherman on the banks of the Huai River who had caught a treasure fish, so I bought it. But I don't know how to eat it, or if it's poisonous... I would appreciate your guidance, Senior Brother."

"Junior brother, you're so lucky!" Wei Xiang exclaimed repeatedly, then frowned. "I've never seen such a wondrous treasure fish before. I dare not speak presumptuously. Master is in seclusion. Come with me, and I'll take you to see Master's wife."

Xie An was taken aback: "Master's wife?"

Wei Xiang said, "That's right. Our master's wife, Lin Xiulan, was originally a swordswoman from Cangzhou. She traveled the martial world in her early years and was a perfect match with our master. She is also quite skilled. Moreover, our master's wife comes from a prestigious family and is very knowledgeable. She must recognize this treasure fish."

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Senior Brother."

Xie An followed Wei Xiang to the central courtyard in the backyard, where Chen Lutang usually lived.

When Xie An first saw Chen Lutang's wife, she was a middle-aged woman around forty years old, but she was very well-preserved and still had a charming appearance, especially her long, slender, and powerful legs.

Wei Xiang then explained the origins of Xie An and the precious fish...

Lin Xiulan was slightly surprised when she saw the treasure fish. "This is a bull horn catfish. Judging from its size, it's at least ten years old. Among the many treasure fish, it's considered mid-range. Its market price is at least 150 taels. If the market is good, it can easily sell for 200 taels. Moreover, it's in high demand but not in low demand."

After saying that, Lin Xiulan looked up and sized up Xie An. "You're the Xie An everyone's been talking about, the one who was promoted from a laborer in the backyard?"

Xie An cupped his hands in a respectful gesture: "Yes, Madam. I wonder if this precious fish is poisonous, and how it should be consumed?"

Lin Xiulan stopped, saying, "This treasure fish is non-toxic, so you can just cook and eat it directly. However, the treasure fish has a great effect on the body. Although you already have the foundation of the Five Organs Realm, you still need to eat it over four days. Otherwise, the medicinal power of the treasure fish will overwhelm your body and easily damage your bones and muscles."

"Thank you, Madam."

"It's alright, they're all disciples of the martial arts school. You can go back now."

After dismissing Xie An, Lin Xiulan muttered to herself, "Things have been really strange lately. Wei Dian has caught a series of precious fish, and now Xie An has caught one too. Could something have happened on the Huai River?"

Wei Xiang asked, "Is Master's wife still worried about the water monster in the inner cave?"

Lin Xiulan said, "Treasure fish are as rare as precious medicinal herbs in the mountains, and they mostly live in groups. They might have been bred by the water monster in the inner cave. You went there twice before but didn't find the water monster. When your master comes out of seclusion, you should ask him to go to the inner cave to find out what's going on. We don't want a big water monster to really come out and harm the villagers."

Wei Xiang cupped his hands and said, "My master's wife is truly kind and benevolent."

A short while later, Chen Ling, dressed in a ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress), walked in. "Mother, Senior Brother."

Seeing her daughter looking so downcast, Lin Xiulan asked, "Why do you look so gloomy?"

Chen Ling frowned, and hesitated several times before speaking.

Lin Xiulan scolded, "There are no outsiders here, just say what you have to say."

Chen Ling then muttered, "It's Wei Dian. Wei Dian just gave me a hairpin. I think Wei Dian is trying to woo me."

Lin Xiulan smiled slightly: "Wei Dian has joined the sect, and at such a young age, he already has good fortune. Breaking through to the Ming Jin realm is only a matter of time. He's not a bad person either. Pursuing you isn't a bad thing."

Chen Ling pouted, watching Xie An's departing figure, "But Wei Dian is too unruly and flamboyant. I still prefer... Xie An, who is more steady and gentle."

Lin Xiulan sighed: "Xie An has good natural talent, but he started practicing martial arts too late. I'm afraid his future achievements will be much less than Wei Dian's."

……

Xie An went to the backyard of the martial arts school to pick up his younger sister and brought her home. After dinner, he revealed the treasure fish.

Xie Yu was also seeing the treasure fish for the first time and was quite surprised. "I've heard that treasure fish are extremely rare, costing tens of taels of silver each. And even if you have money, you can't buy one. Brother, you're very lucky."

"Ah Shui is lucky, she cooked it first." Xie An was in a great mood and immediately cooked the catfish.

Following Lin Xiulan's instructions, I ate a fish tail first.

As the fish entered my throat, an indescribable sweet and delicious sensation immediately filled my senses. I felt every hair on my body relax and unfurl.

"Oh my god... this is so delicious! Xiaoyu, have a bite."

Xie Yu took a small bite and exclaimed how delicious it was, but immediately felt her body burning hot. "This medicine is too strong. I dare not eat it, brother, you eat it."

After saying that, Xie Yu jogged away.

Xie An didn't force him. After eating the precious fish, he felt his whole body burning up, as if he were on fire. He immediately rushed to the courtyard to practice the fifth form of Bajiquan, the Mountain-Splitting Palm. His body seemed to be filled with indescribable power, which flowed out like a river.

This effect is even better than the previous Internal Organs Revitalization Pill.

Xie An cleared his mind of distractions, forgot the heat in his body, and began to focus on the practice.

[Mountain Splitting Palm: 15/100]

[Mountain Splitting Palm: 17/100]

[Mountain Splitting Palm: 19/100]

He could clearly feel that the progress of the Mountain-Splitting Palm technique was increasing at a speed visible to the naked eye...

"What an exaggerated pace! No wonder Wei Dian's martial arts level has improved so quickly."

……

Five days passed in the blink of an eye.

On New Year's Eve.

During his stay, Xie An gave Ah Shui forty taels of silver and introduced him to the Yong Sheng Martial Arts School. Ah Shui was only fifteen years old, and he could start learning martial arts after paying tuition. Thanks to Xie An's introduction, Instructor Liao Yong also took good care of Ah Shui, and Ah Shui was naturally grateful to Xie An.

That noon, Xie An completed his final tiger bone marrow bath in the medicinal bath room of Jingsi Garden.

Feeling the surging energy and blood within my body, and being able to control the blood flow at any time...

call!

Xie An breathed a long sigh of relief.

"So this is the power of the Blood Rush Realm. My five internal organs breathe continuously, and my blood and qi surge. I have finally mastered the fifth level of the five basic levels, the Blood Rush Realm."

Xie An was overjoyed, his brows furrowed with an air of authority and power.

"I thought it would take me another two or three months to reach the Blood Rush Realm. But thanks to the extraordinary effects of the Treasure Fish, I broke through to the Blood Rush Realm just one month after breaking through the Five Organs Realm."

Xie An knew that for a true martial arts genius, such progress was nothing.

However, Xie An doesn't have much talent, so it's already quite remarkable that he was able to reach the Blood Rush Realm so quickly.

He got out of the bathtub, put on his clothes, and stretched his arms and legs.

A casual punch produces a crackling sound. Bones connect seamlessly, tendons snap and spring, internal organs breathe powerfully, and blood and qi surge wildly.

He's completely different from the kid who used to be.

"So comfortable~"

After stretching his limbs and getting used to his newfound strength, Xie An opened the control panel.

[Author: Xie An]

[Treasure Vault Level: Lv0]

[Martial Arts Realm: Ming Jin (Beginner: 0/100)]

[Current Martial Arts Skill: Sunflower Manual, Level 1 100/100, Level 2 62/100]

【Strength: 8.2】

【Spirit: 7.1】

【Speed: 7】

[Attribute Points: 0]

[Talent: Dragon's Breath]

[The Sunflower Manual includes 3 characters (Chen Lutang, Zhang Long, Liu Wei)]

[Chen Lutang's Sunflower Manual, Level 2: 62/100]

[Zhang Long's Sunflower Manual, Level 1: 77/100]

[Liu Wei's Sunflower Manual, Level 1: 68/100]

【八极拳（撑锤：100/100）、（降龙：100/100）、（伏虎式：100/100）、（探马掌：100/100）、（劈山掌：100/100）】

【Red Sun Blade Technique (Tiger Crouching Stance Perfected, Sinking Press Perfected, Mountain Pushing Stance Perfected), Red Sun Stance: 4/100】

[Talent: Dragon Breath (Unskilled): 0.0000013]

"Wait, didn't I just break through to the Blood Convergence Realm? How come I'm already at the Ming Jin level?"

Xie An was taken aback and even wondered if the system was garbled...

At that moment, Xie An felt the heat from the first level of the Sunflower Manual at the base of his spine suddenly unlock, transforming into a rolling heat wave that spread wildly throughout his limbs and bones, urging Xie An's five senses and physical body to undergo a comprehensive transformation for the second time.

"It's the heat flow of the first level of the Sunflower Manual... It's fully unlocked!"

"The first level of the Sunflower Manual is originally a Qi cultivation method, which cultivates internal strength. I already mastered the first level with the help of Chen Lutang, and in this world, internal strength is called 'Jinli'..."

"Previously, my martial arts level wasn't high enough to unlock the internal energy of the Sunflower Manual. Now that I've reached the Blood Rush Realm, with the internal energy flowing in, I've directly stepped into the Ming Jin stage!!"

After figuring out the reason, Xie An felt a chill run down his spine.

The enhancement effect of the Martial Arts Treasury System is terrifying!

After practicing martial arts on my own for half a year, I've reached the Ming Jin level!

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

P.S.: Thanks to reader Bao Ying for the donation. This is a combined two-part chapter. That's all for today.