Begin your practice with the crane-shaped stance.

Deep inside the county government office, in the shelving room, there was a pungent smell of old paper and insect-repelling herbs.

Xia Dong sat behind a pile of dusty files, quickly flipping through the records of "strange events" in Pingyang County over the past century by the flickering candlelight. Lord He had entrusted him with the important task of compiling the "Collection of Strange Tales," which also gave him the legitimate privilege of accessing the county government's confidential archives.

His information retrieval skills from his past life allowed him to quickly extract valuable intelligence from a sea of ​​nonsense.

He discovered that the so-called "demons causing trouble" or "immortals fighting" records often contained strange descriptions of secular martial artists. For example, a rebel leader from the previous dynasty was described as having "skin as hard as stone, impervious to swords," or a notorious bandit who "had muffled thunder rumbling inside his body when he exerted his strength."

This is by no means a simple matter of improving physical fitness.

Xia Dong found a coverless notebook under a pile of moldy files. The paper was yellowed and brittle, and judging from the signature, it was a collection of notes left by a retired constable from Pingyang County more than eighty years ago.

This old constable had dealt with cultivators in his youth.

The journal begins with a sentence filled with resentment and bitterness:

"They say demons eat people, but in this world, aren't cultivators demons too? Martial arts are doomed!"

Upon seeing this sentence, Xia Dong's expression turned solemn.

He immediately adjusted the candlelight and looked down intently, holding his breath.

The following sections of the journal divide martial arts training into "Five Ordinary Stages" and "Transformation."

The first hurdle is the "Qi and Blood Realm".

"The body is conditioned through stance training and boxing techniques, and large amounts of blood-based foods and medicinal herbs are ingested. Ordinary people cannot tolerate such supplements if they eat too much, but only by enduring this hurdle can one greatly increase their strength and lengthen their energy channels."

Xia Dong touched his abdomen and thought to himself, "This is the stage I'm at right now. No wonder my body underwent such an amazing transformation after consuming those fifty taels of silver and the old ginseng."

The second level is called "Skin Polishing Realm".

The description in the notebook reads: "This realm is an extreme test of willpower. One must use coarse sand, iron filings, and even highly poisonous medicine to beat and rub the skin day and night, causing the necrotic epidermis to regrow. Those who achieve the highest level are impervious to swords and spears, their skin as hard as blue stone and iron armor. But the slightest carelessness will result in hidden injuries, leading to lifelong regret."

The third stage, "Bone Forging Realm".

"Qi and blood enter the bone marrow, and a special force is used to vibrate the entire skeleton. The bones are like lead and mercury, and when the force is exerted, a muffled thunder sound is emitted from the body, which is called 'Tiger and Leopard Thunder Sound'. This stage is the most dangerous. If you are not careful, you will break bones and become paralyzed, becoming a cripple. However, after mastering it, you can strike out 'hidden force' that penetrates the body and ignores ordinary iron armor."

The fourth level, "Inner Strength Realm".

"Externally train muscles, bones, and skin; internally train breath. Qi and blood nourish the five internal organs, making them as strong as leather, immune to all kinds of poisons, able to hold one's breath for a long time, and with inexhaustible physical strength, it's like having a furnace inside the body."

The fifth level is the ultimate in mortal martial arts – the "Transcendent Realm".

Upon seeing this, the old constable's handwriting became frantic and awe-inspiring: "Breaking the limits of the human body, the physical form transforms, like a dragon descending to earth. When unleashed at full power, the blood and qi burst forth from the body, soaring into the sky, transforming into 'blood and qi smoke'! This smoke is extremely yang and powerful; ordinary cultivators' illusions, low-level spells, or yin objects will crumble upon contact, burning to ashes! This is the foundation upon which a martial artist can contend with immortals!"

Above the five mortal realms, only a few words remain in the final part of the manuscript, mentioning a transcendent stage called "True Intent." It states that when the physical body can no longer advance, one must condense "True Martial Intent" and integrate it into the soul. A martial artist possessing True Intent has a soul as solid as a rock, and even a Foundation Establishment cultivator cannot search their soul or possess their body.

call.

Xia Dong closed the note and let out a long breath.

So this is the true face of martial arts in this world!

This appears to be a bloody path full of thorns, requiring constant tempering of will and relentless exploitation of one's potential.

"For ordinary people, cultivating skin-refining and bone-forging techniques requires walking on thin ice, fearing hidden injuries, crippling, and even more so, having their vital points breached..."

Xia Dong understood his own strengths, which made him even more certain that, without spiritual roots, martial arts was currently the most suitable path for his cultivation.

However, the opening words of the author of the manuscript seem to be a warning to those who come after.

Demons eat people, so from the perspective of martial artists, cultivators are also demons?

Xia Dong vaguely sensed that martial artists themselves might be of great benefit to cultivators.

No wonder he had never heard of any powerful martial artists in Pingyang County.

Could it be that all those powerful martial artists have been captured by cultivators?

Fortunately, the Crane Stance he practiced was more focused on health preservation, so he didn't look that bulky and rough, and his qi and blood were relatively restrained.

However, this disguise is certainly not enough to fool cultivators.

"It seems that it's best not to show off your martial arts skills in front of others unless absolutely necessary." Xia Dong was quite wary of this.

Next, Xia Dong became even more cautious when practicing martial arts at home, and with the help of Lord He's connections, it became much easier for Xia Dong to buy medicine.

However, many rare and precious tonic herbs are kept by wealthy families in the city for their own use. When they occasionally appear on the market, they are snapped up immediately, and Xia Dong never gets a chance to use them.

This incident further demonstrates how sincere the Qin family's compensation to Lao Shen for breaking off the engagement was.

Without precious tonics, Xia Dong's progress in practicing the Crane Shadow Step was much slower.

However, he could sense that his vital energy had far surpassed that of ordinary people during this period, making him qualified to attempt to break through to the "Skin Polishing Realm".

However, he lacked relevant experience and techniques, so he did not attempt it rashly.

In addition, the amount of money spent on compiling the county gazetteer was neither a lot nor a little.

If Xia Dong wants to go further in martial arts, compiling county chronicles alone is not enough.

However, he could also see that the novel market in Pingyang County was still too small. To make more money from it, Xia Dong needed to open up a wider market.

Xia Dong already had a plan in mind.

He intends to maintain contact with the Qin family.

So far, the Qin family seems to be treating him well.

Compared to Lord He's inexplicable goodwill, the Qin family's goodwill was perhaps purer. After all, it was a friendship carried on from the previous generation.

Xia Dong also sent a letter to the prefectural city a few days ago. Judging by the time, there should be a reply from there.

Just as I was thinking about this, there was a knock at the gate.

"Master Xia, this old man has come to bother you again."

The courtyard gate opened, and there stood the old steward of the Qin family, still dressed in a well-fitting silk robe.

This time, however, he was accompanied by a meek and obedient young woman.

The girl was about sixteen or seventeen years old. She was dressed in a simple green half-sleeved ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress). She had delicate features and a slender figure. She was also holding a small bundle in her hand with a restrained expression.

After welcoming the old steward into the reception hall and serving him tea, the old steward smiled and took out a thick letter from his sleeve, handing it over with both hands: "Master received your letter and was very pleased. This letter contains your handwritten reply. Also... this girl is named Xiao Hong. Master specially chose her from the matchmaker. She has a clean background, and her legal contract was also brought along. Master instructed that since your husband is now living alone in the county town, how can he manage without someone to care for him? This girl is quick and efficient; from now on, she will take care of your daily needs."

Upon hearing this, Xia Dong's gaze swept over the maid named Xiao Hong. Xiao Hong immediately blushed, lowered her head, and gracefully bowed to Xia Dong, timidly calling out, "This servant greets young master."

Xia Dong didn't show it on his face, but he was greatly surprised inside.

He immediately opened the letter and began to read it carefully.

In the first half of the letter, Master Qin's tone was extremely familiar and friendly. Apart from explaining that he bought Xiao Hong to take care of his daily life, he began to earnestly advise him to "settle down and have children as soon as possible."

In his letter, Master Qin even stated that if Xia Dong found a woman he liked, regardless of her social status, the Qin family would be willing to arrange the betrothal gifts for him; if not, Master Qin could take care of the matter and find him a few well-bred young ladies in the prefectural city whose birth dates were compatible.

"Miss Qin sent a letter last time, urging me to get married and have children as soon as possible. Now Uncle Qin has replied, also urging me to have offspring so urgently, even going so far as to send a maidservant over..."

A strange chill crept into Xia Dong's heart.

This is extremely unusual. The attitude of the Qin family father and daughter towards him has far exceeded the scope of "compensation for annulment of the engagement".

If giving money to annul the engagement was out of guilt and to sever the cause and effect, then what is the purpose of this behavior of wanting to see him give birth to a big, fat baby right away?

Suppressing her doubts, Xia Dong continued reading.

The latter part of the letter mentioned Xia Dong's plan to make money by writing a novel. Master Qin expressed his support for this.

In his letter, he went on to promise that as long as Xia Dong had a good manuscript, she could send it directly to the prefectural city, and the Qin family would use their connections to get it published by the "Linyuan Prefecture Official Bookstore".

In this Great You Dynasty, although there are many illegal bookstores in the market, most of them can only do small business in one place. The government-run bookstores are different. They not only recruit the best woodblock engraving masters, but more importantly, they have official backing, so no one dares to print privately.

Moreover, the "writing fees" offered by government-run publishing houses were often extremely generous.

Because these bookstores were often hidden welfare institutions used by high-ranking officials and gentry in the prefectural city to legitimately "use public funds to subsidize their own people." As long as connections were established, the commission for a book could often be several times or even ten times higher! Moreover, with the Qin family's connections, Xia Dong didn't have to worry about being pressured to lower the price.

The last paragraph of the letter surprised Xia Dong even more.

Master Qin earnestly stated that if Xia Dong found the path to the imperial examinations too difficult and decided not to take them anymore, that was fine too. The Qin family could secure him a civil service position in the prefectural government; even more so, if Xia Dong wished, the Qin family could use their influence to directly "buy him a substantive military post"!

After reading the entire letter, Xia Dong slowly folded it and put it into his sleeve.

This isn't how you treat a down-on-his-luck nephew who's broken off his engagement! This is more caring than a father would treat his own son!

They paved the way, gave money, provided women, encouraged childbirth, and even arranged a way out for everyone.

"I am truly humbled by your kindness, Uncle. Please ask the old steward to convey my gratitude to you, Uncle, and tell him that Xia Dong will remember your kindness. As for the manuscript, I will expedite its writing later." Xia Dong composed himself and politely bowed to the old steward in thanks.

Seeing that Xia Dong had accepted the letter and Xiao Hong, the old steward's smile widened even more, and he nodded repeatedly: "My husband is a wise man. If the master knew that my husband was so ambitious, he would surely be pleased. In that case, I will not linger any longer, as I must hurry back to the prefectural city to report."

After seeing the old butler off at the alley entrance, Xia Dong turned and went back into the courtyard.

In the cramped courtyard, Xiao Hong was busily fetching water to wash the stone table. When she saw Xia Dong return, she stopped like a startled rabbit, nervously clutching the hem of her clothes.

Xia Dong closed the courtyard gate and carefully examined the maid sent by the Qin family.

His vital energy and blood flow far surpassed that of ordinary people, and his senses were extremely sharp. Under his gaze, Xiao Hong's breathing became slightly rapid, her steps unsteady, and her palms bore thin calluses from years of hard labor. On the surface, she was indeed an ordinary person.

After a brief interrogation, Xia Dong confirmed that Xiao Hong was indeed just an ordinary farm girl from a poor family who had been sold to a matchmaker.

It seems that the Qin family bought her simply to take care of Xia Dong's daily life and... to help him satisfy his physiological needs so that he could have a child as soon as possible.

"You will live in the east wing. From now on, you will be responsible for cleaning the courtyard and preparing three meals a day. Do not enter my main room without my permission."

"Yes, young master." Xiao Hong hesitated for a moment, but ultimately said nothing more.

Master Qin said that if she could give birth to a child for the young master soon, he would buy her family ten acres of fine paddy fields.

She was certainly tempted, but the young master seemed to dislike her.

Xiao Hong naturally dared not offend Xia Dong, so she decided to obediently follow the young master's orders. This was a scholar, after all; if he were to pass the imperial examination and become a Juren, he would be a celestial being descended to earth, and even the village head would have to treat him with utmost respect.

That night, Xiaohong had a dream: the young master passed the imperial examination and became a scholar; she gave birth to a big, healthy son for him and no longer worried about being sold off.

That night, Xiao Hong slept exceptionally well.

...

...

Xia Dong turned around and walked back into the house, closing the door behind her.

He pondered it carefully and felt that Master Qin's behavior was very likely related to Miss Qin, who had entered the Immortal Sect.

But Xia Dong couldn't figure out the specific reason.

However, Miss Qin wouldn't be so lusting after his body. After all, with the Qin family's resources, they could certainly train a martial artist. Besides, the Qin family probably doesn't know much about his martial arts training anyway.

Considering that the other party wanted him to have a child as soon as possible, it was probably related to his bloodline.

"I don't have spiritual roots, but if my child does, wouldn't that be helpful to cultivators?"

Xia Dong can only speculate on this aspect at present, but still can't get to the bottom of it.

He currently lacks the strength to contend with the Qin family, especially since Miss Qin is a cultivator.

He needs more power to take control of his own destiny.

Since the Qin family seems to need something from him, he might as well take this opportunity to ask for more benefits.

Xia Dong thought of the "spirit stone" that had been absorbed by the ancient bronze bell. Clearly, this spirit stone would be of great benefit to his martial arts cultivation.

"If I ask Miss Qin for another spirit stone, will she give it to me?" Xia Dong had a bold idea.

However, if Miss Qin really gave it to him, Xia Dong would be even more afraid.

After some hesitation, he suppressed the idea for the time being.

It's not the right time yet.

His Crane Shadow Step has not yet been perfected, and he is not yet at the point where he needs to break through the limits.

Currently, it seems that the ancient bronze bell will definitely be of great help to Xia Dong's martial arts cultivation, but he needs spirit stones to help him break through his limits, that is, break through the bottleneck.

"Ancient bronze bell, where are your limits?"

Xia Dong thought to himself.