Starting from the world of martial arts in the Condor Heroes, practicing martial arts across the hea

On this day, Jiang Nan put down the book in his hand. He had read through all the books in Peach Blossom Island's collection, memorizing those that were helpful to him and those he had never seen before. It was only because his martial arts had improved, his physical body had evolved, his mental abilities had evolved, and his memory had greatly increased, and his Memory Palace had even become a skill, reaching level 5, that he was able to ensure that the books he had memorized would not be forgotten over time!

Huang Yaoshi visited once during this period, but he allowed him to immerse himself in books and was not disturbed.

Now that Jiangnan had some free time, he naturally went to pay his respects to the host family.

Before going to see Huang Yaoshi, Jiang Nan refined and summarized the array formations he had comprehended over the past few days and wrote them down as a book called "General Outline of Array Formations" as a thank-you gift.

If you borrow and repay, it's easy to borrow again.

It's still relevant here!

Jiangnan found Huang Rong, who was preparing lunch, and helped her finish the meal. The two of them, carrying the food box and leading Xiaolongnu, went to the Sword Testing Pavilion.

Inside the Sword Testing Pavilion, Huang Yaoshi was sipping tea, gazing at the distant horizon, lost in thought.

Hearing footsteps approaching, Huang Yaoshi turned around and found that there were three people! He could only hear the footsteps of two people. Jiangnan's lightness skill was already at the maximum level. Regardless of the speed, the unique lightness effect of the lightness skill was maximized. Moreover, it was integrated into daily life and the lightness effect could be achieved without deliberate effort. Huang Yaoshi could not hear the footsteps.

Seeing the food boxes in Huang Rong and Jiang Nan's hands, Huang Yaoshi chuckled and teased his daughter, whose cotton-padded jacket was leaking, "Have you forgotten about your old father now that you have a lover? This is the first time you've brought me food since you came back!"

One sentence made Huang Rong blush deeply.

"No, I... I'm just... um... I've been quite busy lately, busy... busy practicing martial arts?" Huang Rong pouted and protested.

"Haha! Hahaha!" Huang Yaoshi couldn't help but burst into laughter upon seeing his daughter's expression. This was the first time Huang Rong had ever shown such a shy expression since she was a child, filling Huang Yaoshi with both immense joy and a bittersweet feeling. This complex emotion was difficult to describe and could not be shared with outsiders.

However, this also shows that Huang Yaoshi was satisfied with the son-in-law his daughter had chosen. Otherwise, if you look at how Huang Yaoshi made things difficult for Guo Jing in the original story, you'll know what the father-in-law's attitude was towards the young man who had taken away his family's "cabbage."

Seeing his daughter's shyness, Huang Yaoshi stopped teasing her and instead asked Jiangnan, "Have you finished reading the book?"

"Yes! I've read most of them!" Jiang Nan replied with a smile.

"Hmm! If you haven't finished reading it, take your time, no rush... Wait, you said you've finished reading it!?" Huang Yaoshi had just said it casually to change the subject so his daughter wouldn't be too shy, but he didn't expect Jiangnan to have actually finished reading his collection of books.

Huang Yaoshi knew exactly how many books were in his study. They were all obscure and difficult classics and professional books. Huang Yaoshi thought it would take Jiang Nan at least a year to finish reading and understand them, but to his surprise, Jiang Nan finished reading them in just about a month.

Is this what genius is all about?!

Huang Yaoshi always felt that he, his wife Feng Heng, and his daughter Huang Rong were geniuses enough. His wife and daughter had photographic memories, which was a standard feature. Although he did not have the talent of photographic memory, his mastery of all schools of thought was not an exaggeration.

  

Unexpectedly, I met an even more talented person.

Indeed, there are always higher levels to reach and more capable people to rely on.

The ancients were right!

Huang Yaoshi ate the feast prepared by his daughter Huang Rong with a somewhat absent-minded demeanor.

After the meal, Jiang Nan handed Huang Yaoshi the "General Outline of Formation Techniques" that he had just written.

"This book, 'General Outline of Formation Techniques,' is what I learned from my senior's collection of books. I should give back to him, but I have nothing of value to offer except this little bit of knowledge."

Jiang Nan wasn't being modest; in the more than ten years he'd been in the world of The Legend of the Condor Heroes, he hadn't really saved much money. The money he used for traveling the world was all "borrowed" from those ruthless corrupt officials. He didn't dare "borrow" all of it, only a small portion, so naturally he wasn't very wealthy.

Moreover, in his view, only knowledge can be equated with knowledge itself. Knowledge gained from other places is not a good gift, but the knowledge he has gained here is not a problem.

With the copyright in hand, no one can say anything else!

Well... although others might not understand, Jiang Nan doesn't need others to understand. He only needs to meet his own moral bottom line.

"Huh?! You actually chose such an arrogant name. I'd like to see what you've learned from my collection of books!" Huang Yaoshi still couldn't quite believe Jiang Nan's words. Rationally, he told Jiang Nan wasn't lying, but emotionally, he didn't want to admit his reason.

Huang Yaoshi reached out and took the "General Principles of Formation" in his hand, then opened it and read it carefully.

Although he didn't believe it, he was still serious about knowledge, especially since his handwriting was so good that Huang Yaoshi was amazed.

On the title page of the book was a preface written by Jiangnan himself:

Before the separation of heaven and earth, there was only chaos and one breath; after the separation of yin and yang, all things came into being. The heavens have the constellations, the earth has the mountains and rivers, and humans have the qi, blood, and meridians. All things have formations—formations are the form of the Dao, the body of the law, and the gathering of power.

In ancient times, Fuxi drew the trigrams, thus dividing Yin and Yang; Xuanyuan grasped the Qi (a magical artifact) to observe celestial phenomena and deployed the eight-directional formations, thus becoming the ancestor of military strategists. Taigong developed the variations of the Eight Formations, Zhuge Liang elaborated on the wonders of the Nine Palaces, and Li Jing created the Six Flowers system. All of them used formations to align with the Way of Heaven, to govern all things, and to stabilize the universe. However, ancient formations were mostly used in military campaigns and battles, rarely touching upon the fundamental principles of the Great Dao and the profound mysteries of life and nature.

The art of array formations is not merely about arranging troops, drawing talismans, and forming seals; it is the supreme path that encompasses the principles of heaven and earth, the transformations of yin and yang, and the workings of creation. On a small scale, it can gather qi and concentrate the spirit to protect oneself and defend against enemies; on a large scale, it can move mountains and overturn seas, summon wind and rain, and even reverse time and space to attain immortality. All of these can be achieved through array formations.

The essence of a formation lies in four elements: foundation, eyes, patterns, and variations. The foundation is the root of the formation, established by drawing upon the spiritual energy of mountains and rivers, stars, and objects. The eyes are the core of the formation, gathering vital energy, condensing the spirit, and unifying all methods, serving as the central hub of the formation. Patterns are the network of the formation, engraved on metal and stone, inscribed in flesh and blood, and manifested in the void, guiding energy and connecting the network. Variations are the soul of the formation, changing according to time, place, people, and enemies, with the orthodox and the unorthodox mutually generating each other in an endless cycle.

Most cultivators in the world wield fists and weapons, neglecting the Way of Formations. Formations are the vessel of all laws, capable of carrying the Dao; formations are the bridge of all forces, capable of leveraging momentum. Without cultivating the Way of Formations, one is ultimately only partial to one's studies, making it difficult to reach the state of perfection.

I have studied the art of formations in the collection of books on Peach Blossom Island, read extensively on ancient and modern formation books, and thoroughly investigated the formations of various schools of thought. I have integrated military formations, Taoist mystical formations, and immortal spiritual formations into one, and comprehended the origin of the Way of Formations, which I have compiled into "The General Outline of the Way of Formations".

This book encompasses the arrays of the heavens and the earth, down to the myriad veins of the underworld, and includes the arrays of one's own destiny. It progresses layer by layer, from the fundamental Five Elements, Eight Trigrams, and Nine Palaces, to the advanced Four Symbols, Six Harmonies, and Seven Stars, and finally to the supreme Chaos, Primordial Chaos, and Great Void. It contains methods for setting up arrays, techniques for breaking arrays, secrets for refining arrays, methods for nurturing arrays, and even the secrets to condensing the array core and achieving true unity with the array's essence.

May those who practice this art understand that formations are not trivial techniques, but the foundation of the Great Way; may they comprehend that formations are not rigid rules, but the essence of change. Through formations, observe the heavens and earth; through formations, comprehend yin and yang; through formations, connect with creation; through formations, prove longevity. If one can unite the mind with the formation, and the formation with the Way, then all methods will be complete, all power will return to its source, and traversing the three realms, roaming freely in the vast void, will be within reach!

Huang Yaoshi could sense the author's grand vision just by reading this preface, and he couldn't help but nod slightly.

No matter what you study, you need a lofty goal to keep you moving forward.

Huang Yaoshi continued reading, gradually becoming captivated by Jiangnan's unrestrained imagination and impressed by his rigorous theories...

Seeing that Huang Yaoshi was already immersed in his own world, Jiangnan and Huang Rong did not linger and took Xiaolongnu to the seaside to play and rest.

The Spring Festival is here again in the blink of an eye.

Since arriving in the world of The Condor Heroes, Jiangnan hasn't celebrated the Spring Festival for a long time.

At first, it was because of the hardships of life; they couldn't even fill their stomachs, so they had no interest in celebrating holidays. They were content as long as they knew another year had passed. Later, when food and clothing were no longer a problem, and they were single, they didn't care so much about the Spring Festival anymore. After adopting Xiaolongnu, the two of them depended on each other for survival. Xiaolongnu would never mention celebrating the Spring Festival, and Jiangnan had already gotten used to not celebrating holidays, so he had forgotten about the Spring Festival.

Now that Peach Blossom Island is celebrating the Spring Festival, the Jiangnan region is reviving the traditions of celebrating the Spring Festival.

Jiangnan, also in high spirits, specially ordered a ship full of fireworks and firecrackers from the island.

It must be said that even in this day and age, fireworks and firecrackers are still considered luxuries. In fact, anything related to entertainment was popular in the Southern Song Dynasty, while anything related to warfare was considered unpopular. No wonder the Southern Song Dynasty was conquered by the Mongols, and no wonder the Mongol Yuan Dynasty's leadership declined so quickly! The root of the problem lies here!

Perhaps because he hadn't encountered top-notch artisans in modern times, Jiangnan felt that the skills of these ancient artisans far surpassed those of modern craftsmen. They could even create such intricate handmade fireworks that it left Jiangnan, a modern person, dazzled.

At this time, the Central Plains were in the dead of winter. The north wind blew snow, and the cold fog sealed the cities. The people in the city were all wrapped up in cotton clothes and stayed at home to welcome the New Year. Everywhere was a desolate winter scene.

Only Peach Blossom Island in the East China Sea is blessed with a unique advantage, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the world. The island's climate is mild and humid, and even on New Year's Eve, there is no biting cold. The bright peach blossoms of spring have faded from the mountains, leaving behind verdant bamboo shadows and evergreen trees. The blue stone streams have never frozen, and the sea breeze brushes against the branches, carrying the unique coolness and warmth of the sea, spreading the peaceful atmosphere of the New Year throughout the entire fairy island.

The pavilions and towers on the entire island were decorated with festive decorations, and Jiangnan also helped with his modern perspective.

Strings of vermilion tassel lanterns are tied to the carved railings of the winding corridor, each adorned with a bright red Chinese knot at intervals. Warm yellow lights illuminate one after another, hanging haphazardly among the bamboo trees. A gentle evening breeze stirs the lantern shadows, and dappled light falls across the bluestone path.

Newly cut peach wood charms hang under the eaves, their brushstrokes vigorous and powerful. They are auspicious words of peace and good fortune written by hand in Jiangnan, replacing the old talismans used to ward off evil. Each character is gentle and warm, containing the tranquility of time.

Along the shore, beside the rocks, and at the four corners of the Sword Testing Pavilion, are evergreen pines and cypresses newly picked at the end of the year, arranged in the shape of Western Christmas trees, adorned with small red ribbons and colorful knots. Simple and elegant, untouched by worldly dust, they make this peerless fairy mountain feel warm and festive.

As dusk settles, the setting sun over the East China Sea melts into gold, dyeing the vast expanse of blue waves a crimson hue. Where the sky meets the water, soft, fluffy clouds slowly fade away, obscuring the daylight.

Smoke rises from the island, mingling with the sweet aroma of cakes, the mellow fragrance of rice wine, and the fresh scent of seafood. The warmth of human connection, passed down through the years, blossoms in full at this moment.

In the courtyard, two figures frolic and play together, their presence ever-present and captivating, year after year.

Huang Rong wore a well-tailored apricot-colored brocade dress with delicate peach blossom patterns embroidered on the collar and cuffs. Her black hair was simply tied up with a jade hairpin, with a few strands falling beside her cheeks. Her eyebrows and eyes were lively and bright, and she was as pretty as a peach blossom in early spring.

She was clever and cunning from a young age, and was exceptionally lively. Now, at the age of eighteen, she was young and carefree, with a touch of innocent charm in her eyes, which also added to her gentle and graceful beauty.

At this moment, Huang Rong was squatting beside the stone table, her fingertips deftly kneading glutinous rice dough, learning to make modern-style flower cakes from Jiangnan. She was always exceptionally intelligent, learning everything with ease, except when it came to kneading dough and making pastries, which always carried a touch of mischief. Her fingertips were covered in snow-white powder, and she would occasionally sneak a little bit of powder into her mouth. When no one was looking, she would quietly smear a little white powder on the hair of the child next to her. Her eyebrows were curved, her smile was bright, and her clear laughter scattered throughout the courtyard, shattering the silence of the courtyard.

The girl nestled beside Jiang Nan was Xiao Long Nu, who was only seven or eight years old.

She also changed into a festive outfit. Her skin was as white as jade, and her eyes were clear and aloof. Even at such a young age, she had an ethereal and distant air about her, as quiet as cold jade under the moon or flowing clouds in the mountains.

Having been taken away from Zhongnan Mountain by Jiangnan at a young age and traveled the world, most of her inherent aloofness and coldness have faded away. She is no longer the aloof, taciturn, and otherworldly figure described in the original work. However, she remains quiet and serene by nature and dislikes noise.

At this moment, she sat obediently on the stone bench, her legs swinging gently, her little hands neatly placed on her knees, neither making a sound nor causing trouble, quietly watching Huang Rong and Jiang Nan busy themselves. Huang Rong occasionally teased her, sticking white powder in her hair, but she didn't get angry. She just turned her head slightly, her clear eyes looking at the playful Huang Rong, and then she also used powder to paint Huang Rong's face, faintly curving up a very light and gentle smile. That faint smile was pure and flawless, surpassing all the spring colors in the world.

Jiang Nan stood beside the two, dressed in a simple, elegant long robe, calmly arranging the ingredients for pastries on the table. He skillfully kneaded the dough, filled the fillings, and printed the designs, his movements fluid and graceful.

Peach Blossom Island has always been a secluded place. Huang Yaoshi is aloof and dislikes formalities. In the past, the New Year celebrations on the island were always simple and quiet, without any of the usual festive atmosphere.

The arrival of Jiangnan added a unique touch to this year's Spring Festival. Pasting peach wood charms, preparing New Year's food, staying up all night on New Year's Eve, and celebrating the New Year brought warmth and family reunion to the once quiet and secluded mountain.

"Long'er, take your time. Osmanthus cakes at the end of the year should be eaten while they're hot; they lose their soft and glutinous flavor when they cool down."

Jiangnan spoke softly and gently, handing a freshly steamed, still-warm osmanthus cake to Xiaolongnu.

Children are always greedy. Don't be fooled by Xiaolongnu's quiet and aloof appearance. She was raised in Jiangnan and has a very picky palate!

The little girl reached out and took it, her fingertips touching the warm cake. Her eyes softened, and she gently lowered her head to taste it. The sweet osmanthus fragrance spread on her tongue, her eyes crinkling, quiet and well-behaved.

Seeing this, Huang Rong immediately feigned jealousy, pouting and teasing, "Brother Jiangnan is biased! He only dotes on Long'er, and doesn't give me any first!"

Before she finished speaking, she reached out and picked up a piece of cake, took a big bite, her eyebrows curved, bright and charming. Her cute and lively appearance made the festive atmosphere in the courtyard even more vivid.

Jiangnan chuckled helplessly and handed her another soft, glutinous cake: "You're the most mischievous one here, always the first to ask for food."

As dusk deepened, the sunset faded from the horizon, and night slowly enveloped the East China Sea. The deep blue night sky was clear and cloudless, with scattered stars lighting up one after another, casting a soft, shimmering glow. The sea was calm and still, its surface sparkling, reflecting the lights of the islands, creating a tranquil and gentle scene.

Huang Yaoshi sat alone on the balcony of Tingyu Pavilion, his green robe fluttering in the wind, gazing into the distance. He was usually aloof and indifferent, taking a detached view of worldly festivals, but as he watched the three people laughing and playing in the courtyard, a faint warmth appeared in his usually cold eyes.

Everyone says that Huang Rong is eccentric and aloof, but only he knows that the years Huang Rong grew up and the annual reunions on Peach Blossom Island were the most peaceful and warm times in his life.

The night is deep and quiet, midnight is approaching, and the new year is about to begin.

"It's time to stay up late to welcome the new year."

Jiangnan spoke softly, raising his hand slightly. A gentle burst of energy shot out, sweeping towards the open beach, rubbing against the air and igniting the fuse.

The next instant, a dazzling light suddenly tore through the night!

The first burst of fireworks roared into the sky, breaking through the deep darkness of the night and blooming brilliantly in the East China Sea night sky.

Crimson sparks exploded across the sky, like a thousand peach blossoms blooming overnight, their shimmering light and scattered fire fragments covering the sea and the entire Peach Blossom Island, dyeing the dark night sky a vibrant crimson.

Huang Rong's eyes lit up instantly. She tossed aside the pastries in her hand, ran quickly to the center of the courtyard, looked up at the fireworks filling the sky, her eyes brimming with dazzling sparks, and couldn't help but clap her hands and chuckle. Her clear laughter carried on the sea breeze: "Beautiful! Brother Jiangnan, these are the most beautiful New Year's fireworks I've ever seen!"

An eighteen-year-old girl is at the age of carefree innocence. Before she transmigrated, she would have been a high school student who had just finished the college entrance examination. Although she was intelligent and insightful and her mind was far beyond that of ordinary people, she still had the carefree nature of a young girl.

The dazzling fireworks light fell upon her eyes and brows, making her bright eyes and white teeth stand out, her beauty more radiant than any starlight in the night sky.

Xiaolongnu slowly rose and gently walked to Huang Rong's side, standing amidst the lights and fireworks, her cool and aloof features softened by the gentle glow. She quietly looked up, gazing at the dazzling fireworks filling the sky, her clear eyes reflecting the twinkling starlight and the blazing sparks, adding a touch of human tenderness to her ethereal beauty.

She rarely saw such a lively and dazzling scene, and finally couldn't help but gently raise her hand, stretching out her slender fingertips as if she wanted to touch the starlight falling from the night sky. Her small face was pure and flawless, quiet and moved.

The silly girl was jumping around excitedly. Her old ailment had been cured, but her cognitive abilities were still at the level of a five or six-year-old, and she could only grow slowly over time.

One wave of fireworks after another rose into the sky, blooming one after another, never repeating the same thing, dazzlingly beautiful.

Golden fireworks soared into the sky, spreading out like a sky full of flowing clouds, illuminating the vast blue waves of the East China Sea; silvery sparks exploded like a galaxy overturning, shattering into the world, with specks of light falling into the sea and swaying with the waves; bluish-purple smoke drifted and dispersed, like flowing clouds, gentle and tender; colorful fireworks layered upon layer, blooming in succession, dazzling and adorning the entire night sky with ultimate romance.

The booming sound of fireworks echoed across Peach Blossom Island, a remote place in the East China Sea. Instead of being noisy and disruptive, it made the New Year celebrations on Peach Blossom Island all the more peaceful and lively. Fireworks filled the sky, illuminating the green hills, blue sea, pavilions, and bamboo groves. Crimson lanterns and countless sparks reflected each other, creating a dreamlike and enchanting scene.

Jiangnan stood beside the two girls, quietly watching the scene before him.

The gentle sea breeze caressed my face, carrying the fresh scent of peach blossoms and vegetation. I could hear the clear laughter of a young girl, and before my eyes lay a magnificent panorama of fireworks and tranquil scenery of mountains and sea.

After more than ten years of travel, he has settled down in this martial arts world. He is no longer a lonely wanderer in this strange world. He has the innocent and charming Huang Rong who has grown up, the gentle and transformed Xiao Long'er, and the proud yet warm-hearted Huang Yaoshi by his side. Every year is peaceful and fulfilling.

From the top of the pavilion, Huang Yaoshi quietly looked down at the three people in the courtyard, watching the two children laughing and playing under the fireworks, and looking at the gentle and serene Jiangnan region, a very faint smile appeared on his lips.

He lived a life of unbridled freedom, seeing through the conflicts between the martial arts world and the imperial court, and the wickedness of human nature. He roamed the world for half his life in solitude, never imagining that Peach Blossom Island, where he had lived alone for half his life, would have such a New Year scene of reunion and gentle fireworks every year.

When midnight arrives, the new year officially begins.

The last burst of fireworks roared into the sky, transforming into countless tiny sparks that slowly fell, like a galaxy descending to earth, a gentle curtain call.

The night sky was filled with sparse stars, the sea breeze was gentle and continuous, and the island was brightly lit, exuding warmth.

Huang Rong leaned against the corridor, her eyebrows curving into a smile, and sighed softly, "This year's New Year on Peach Blossom Island is the best. There are no conflicts in the martial world, no worldly worries, only the warmth of fireworks and the presence of loved ones. May we all live in peace year after year."

Little Dragon Girl nodded gently and spoke softly, her voice gentle and ethereal: "If it could be like this year after year, that would be the best."

Jiangnan gazed at the night view of the mountains and sea, and at the two girls beside her who were growing up year by year. She smiled softly and said, "The new year has arrived. May you be carefree and safe every year."

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