Divine Tang Era

"Brother Xu".

As soon as I entered, the little magpie opened her arms and pounced over like a whirlwind.

Xu Dan spun her around a few times in his arms before putting her down and asking, "Was school fun today?"

"It was so much fun! Someone brought me food this morning, but I didn't eat it. My mother said that girls shouldn't eat other people's food," Little Magpie said excitedly.

"Um."

Xu Dan nodded and said, "Not only can you not eat food from strangers, but you also can't go to anyone who beckons you from alleys or secluded places. Some bad people like to trick children like that. If you go to them, they'll take you away, and you'll never see your mother and brother Xu again."

"I know, my mother said so. I've heard that those people who deceive children are really wicked. They deceive people, then don't give them food or water, and make them go hungry all the time. They become skin and bones in no time, it's terrifying," Little Magpie said earnestly.

"Uh...where did you hear that from?"

"The kids in my neighborhood used to say that there was a child in the alley next to ours who was all bones. His parents never fed him and even scolded him. He was so pitiful."

At this moment, the little magpie's eyes sparkled with a mixture of gossip and wisdom.

"What nonsense are you talking about? That child is sick, doesn't like taking medicine, and can't eat, which is why he's so thin. He wasn't deceived at all," Yunniang said as she walked over.

"Really?" Little Magpie asked, looking up.

"Of course it's true. You were even held by them when you were little."

Xu Dan initially thought there was a real child abduction case, but it turned out to be just a bunch of kids' wild imaginations. Kids have wild imaginations; they can come up with anything. It's understandable that they might imagine a sick child as someone who has been deceived and abused.

However, it seems that Little Magpie hasn't given up on her idea.

Xu Dan patted her head, then patted the black bear watching longingly beside her, and took Xiao Que'er's hand to eat.

After finishing your meal, rest for a while.

Xu Dan walked into the courtyard, took out the Golden Jade Double Lock True Essence Pill given to him by Li Zhu, chewed it, and swallowed it. The pigeon-egg-sized pill entered his stomach and immediately transformed into powerful qi and blood, flowing into his blood vessels. He quickly took out the Crimson Flame Giant Shield, raised it, suppressed the qi and blood, and circulated the Cauldron Sealing Technique.

Under the suppression of the giant shield and its pull, the surging blood and energy drilled into the ancient furnace phantom located in the center of his body.

Within the illusory image, the furnace foot engraved with a dragon's head rapidly materialized as qi and blood flowed in, while another furnace foot with an elephant's head was also quickly taking shape.

Looking at the rapidly forming furnace legs, Xu Dan thought to himself: No wonder Li Zhu said she could only eat it once every two days. Such a potent pill definitely can't be taken every day, otherwise it will harm the body.

Suddenly I remembered the Ghostly Flesh I ate yesterday. That thing had powerful qi and blood; after eating it, my body swelled up, so I guess my body has been damaged.

It seems I need to rest and recuperate for a while. I can't do anything too strenuous, and I can't eat that domineering beast meat or take any more tonics.

After observing the effects of the Golden Jade Double Lock True Essence Pill, Xu Dan stopped paying attention and began cultivating the Northern Dark Tortoise's Sun and Moon Swallowing Technique.

Strands of moonlight essence were drawn down, entering the body, and after being tempered by the Purple Golden Lotus, they were integrated into the flesh and blood.

Xu Dan felt a cool sensation throughout his body, like eating ice cream on a hot day, refreshing and comfortable everywhere. For some reason, he felt that his body, damaged by the demonic flesh yesterday, seemed to have recovered somewhat.

A surge of joy welled up within him, and he quickly resumed his cultivation.

After a while, the effects of the Golden Jade Double Lock True Elixir wore off, and the three beast feet of the ancient furnace were completely solidified.

In other words, a single pill can gather the power of three thousand.

Xu Dan was shocked. If he ate monster meat, how much would he have to eat to gain the strength of three thousand? Pills were much simpler, but unfortunately, he could only take them once every two days. If he ate them every day, wouldn't he be able to condense an ancient furnace in about three days?

Thinking about the wonderful things, Xu Dan's mouth was practically watering.

But he knew things weren't that simple. All medicines have toxicity. The Golden Jade Double Lock True Replenishing Pill was taken every two days to prevent the toxicity from accumulating in the body and to avoid harming the body. Otherwise, taking it three times a day would be fine.

However, the Golden Jade Double Lock True Elixir is indeed quite effective. I wonder if it's expensive. If it's not expensive, I can buy some to keep on hand.

After experiencing the effects of the medicine, Xu Dan took out the Seven Star Flying Steps and began to practice.

In the early stages of Seven Star Flying Step, there is no need to visualize the seven stars. As long as you are proficient in using the footwork, visualizing the seven stars after you have mastered the footwork will be much more effective.

Xu Dan then began practicing in the courtyard.

The Seven Stars refer to the Big Dipper, which is not a straight line. Therefore, the Seven Star Flying Step does not proceed in a straight line. It takes into account not only speed but also how to avoid being hit by the enemy when encountering them.

As he practiced more, Xu Dan discovered that the Seven Star Flying Step was not simple at all.

Although it's only seven steps, it's infinitely varied. He's like the hour hand of a clock, pointing in one direction, yet he can travel from east, west, south, north, and any direction he chooses, reaching his destination no matter where he goes. It involves Yin and Yang, the Five Elements, and the Eight Trigrams, making it incredibly profound.

These things are too complicated for Xu Dan.

Therefore, he only needed to learn the footwork and visualize the seven stars as described in the book, and he didn't need to worry about anything else.

After practicing all night, I've already made some progress.

The Seven Star Flying Steps are actually just seven basic steps repeated over and over; they're so simple that even a fool could learn them. The visualization that follows is crucial, and integrating the visualization of the seven stars with the footwork is paramount. Whether you can walk without using your own physical strength depends on your ability to visualize the seven stars and draw upon the power of the stars.

To visualize the seven stars, one must be under a starry sky.

So Xu Dan didn't sleep that night. When the stars were at their brightest, he sat on the roof and meditated on the seven stars.

The Big Dipper is very easy to recognize, hanging high in the sky like a ladle. The *He Guan Zi* records: "When the handle of the Big Dipper points east, it is spring throughout the land; when it points south, it is summer; when it points west, it is autumn; when it points north, it is winter."

This saying has always been regarded as a golden rule by those who travel far from home. Throughout history, it has guided countless lost souls.

Xu Dan looked up at the Big Dipper, his eyes fixed on it.

After a while, close your eyes and visualize in your mind. Deep within your mind, there was originally a void, dark and without light, like an endless night. Suddenly, seven points of light appear, initially like fireflies, gradually brightening, hanging in the sky like stars, blinking, and the dark void seems to light up with them.

Xu Dan was completely immersed in it, his heart as still as an ancient well.

If you look closely, you'll notice that his breathing rises and falls with the stars in the sky. When the stars blink, he exhales; when the stars close their eyes, he inhales. With each breath, he harmonizes with the stars, and gradually, a ray of starlight shines down, illuminating the void in his mind.

Xu Dan opened his eyes, a slight smile appearing on his lips. Visualizing the Seven Stars isn't so difficult after all!

He slept soundly through the night, and the next morning he got up early and rushed to Mingfeng Tower to repay his debt.

There's no time to lose! They've threatened to arrest him and lock him up until he finishes telling the legendary tale. How can I accept that? A grown man can't be threatened like that!

Therefore, I have to go by myself.