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

Jiangnan tailored a pale yellow dress for Huang Rong and a moon-white dress for Xiaolongnu.

Three sets each for spring, summer, autumn, and winter, three sets each for nighttime attire, and only one wedding dress was made. Since Xiaolongnu was still young, only Huang Rong's dress was made in Jiangnan.

Jiangnan had made so many clothes that she had enough to change into, so she didn't make any more. Instead, she carefully stored the remaining fabric to prevent moisture, decay, and insects.

"Ah! If only we had top-quality materials like golden silkworm silk for clothing! Not only would the clothes be lightweight and thin against the skin, but they would also protect against cuts and stabs, making them the perfect choice for self-defense when traveling the martial world!"

After sighing, Jiangnan shook his head and abandoned this somewhat whimsical idea, preparing to carve some small trinkets as accessories.

Although there are hairpins, bracelets, necklaces, bangles, earrings, and rings made of gold and silver, different materials evoke different feelings.

Therefore, Jiangnan prepared to use wood, stone, and jade to make hairpins, bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings, plaques, ornaments, etc., to keep as reserves.

First, make the wooden ones. Kunlun Mountain has the most stones and trees, so materials are everywhere, and you can choose the best ones.

After much searching in Jiangnan, it was found that the wood from Kunlun Fangzhi cypress and peach trees was the best for making wooden hairpins, while alpine willow, bitter poplar, and birch were also acceptable.

Peach trees were anciently known as ghost-fearing wood, the essence of five woods, and immortal wood. According to the Compendium of Materia Medica, peach wood has a pungent and strong nature and can suppress evil spirits. In ancient times, the peach trees of Dushuo Mountain were used by Shen Tu and Yu Lei to bind ghosts and demons, which later evolved into peach wood swords.

The valley was filled with peach orchards, including some centuries-old trees. Peach wood is considered yang and has the power to ward off evil. Jiangnan selected three peach tree branches to carve three peach wood swords, one for each of the three people. The remaining wood was used to carve hairpins, small peach wood swords, and peach wood plaques.

Lin Lei specifically chose a southeast-facing peach branch struck by lightning. The branch, reddish in color and with twisted grain, exuded pure yang energy. Legend has it that peach wood struck by lightning has the effect of warding off evil spirits. Whether peach wood in the martial arts world has this effect, Jiang Nan didn't know, but he sensed it with his own true qi and felt that the peach wood did indeed contain an extremely strong and yang energy flowing within it.

It was autumn, and Jiangnan felled the trees at the hour of Hai (9-11 PM), taking only the straight branches. After peeling them, the branches were placed in a cool, well-ventilated place. Normally, this step should have been allowed to air-dry naturally for about a year to prevent the wood from cracking, but Jiangnan couldn't wait that long, so he used his inner energy to accelerate the process.

This may be unrealistic, but it's very much like a martial arts story.

Jiangnan shaped the wood into a rectangular blank, and he chose a length of three feet and three inches to draw the center line of the sword blade, guard, and hilt.

He used a carving knife to carve the wood, making the blade thicker in the middle and thinner at the sides, with a narrower tip; he created a cross-shaped guard, and the hilt was round, solid, and easy to hold; he added ridges on both sides to make an eight-sided blade.

Then, the curvature was adjusted, and all the edges were rounded, leaving no sharp right angles. Jiangnan did not carve any flowers on the wooden sword, but made it into a plain wooden sword. He used his true energy and strength to polish the surface of the wood, making the surface of the wooden sword as smooth as jade.

Finally, Jiangnan used beeswax to repeatedly polish the wood, sealing the pores to prevent moisture and cracking. After a long time, the wood color will slowly turn amber red, which is more in line with the hundred-year-old or thousand-year-old peach wood swords that Jiangnan remembered from his previous life.

In addition to the lightning-struck peach wood, Jiangnan also made extensive use of the wood from the Kunlun Fangzhi cypress.

In the martial world, many seek out precious woods such as sandalwood, boxwood, and nanmu. Jiangnan had heard of these woods in both his past and present lives, and there were markets along the way that sold them, but Jiangnan never bought any. Fabric needs pretreatment; otherwise, making it himself would take at least a year. Wood, on the other hand, is readily available. It may not be as valuable as the woods circulating in the world, but its quality is not necessarily inferior to those precious woods.

  

Especially trees that have been tempered by wind, snow and cold, their timber quality is by no means inferior to that of precious timber.

Kunlun square-branched cypress, also known as Kunlun Mountain square-branched cypress, belongs to the genus Juniperus of the family Cupressaceae. It is a rare and precious ancient cypress unique to western Kunlun and was once a national second-class protected plant.

In the deep Kunlun Valley, Jiangnan discovered several nearly thousand-year-old Kunlun square-branched cypress trees scattered on the cliffs on both sides of the stream. The ancient trees had gnarled trunks that stretched across the rocks, their thin bark cracked like ancient bronze, and their four-sided branches spread out in layers, covered with a layer of verdant green year-round. Having endured thousands of years of tempering by the wind and snow of the high mountains, their branches and trunks were as firm as iron. Jiangnan channeled his inner strength into the sharp axe in his hand, and only then did he cut off a thin branch. He held it to his eyes and found that its wood grain was intricate, and when he brought it to his nose, he could smell a faint, cool fragrance of wood.

This wood is extremely hard and dense, sinking in water. Its texture is fine and compact, with almost no loose grain. The heartwood is light yellowish-brown, gradually turning a light amber color over time. It has a subtle cypress aroma, is insect-resistant and rot-resistant, and will not crack or warp over the years. The grain is fine and straight, with few large knots. After polishing, it has a warm, jade-like texture and a soft sheen. The branches and trunks are mostly thin, straight pieces, making it ideal for crafting hairpins, hair ornaments, and small wood carvings.

In conclusion, this century-old wood from the high-altitude, cold region is stable and won't crack easily. It has a smooth finish after polishing and is the finest material for hairpin making in the Kunlun Mountains. Hairpins made from this wood initially feel just right in weight—not too light, not too heavy; with prolonged use, the wood improves, the color becomes more beautiful, and it acquires a sense of history.

Moreover, there are many Kunlun cypress trees that are over a hundred years old, and the trees are large enough that the materials are easy to obtain and plentiful, which makes it convenient for Jiangnan to make various ornaments and wood carvings.

Jiangnan stood amidst a cypress forest, her clothes fluttering gently in the mountain breeze.

Since he secluded himself in Zhongnan Mountain, traveled the world, cultivated his craft, and built the valley, his tailoring and embroidery skills have reached the highest level. With each stitch, he can weave landscapes and scenery, and cut brocade and embroidery. His skills have long been unparalleled.

Jiangnan deeply understands that craftsmanship and martial arts share a common origin. The skill of needlework cultivates the delicacy of the fingertips and the tranquility of the mind, while wood carving trains the strength of the wrist, the control of the whole body, and the control of energy. To achieve perfection in skill and the unity of art and philosophy, one cannot merely excel in mundane techniques such as embroidery and sewing. One must integrate martial arts techniques into the art of all crafts, utilizing the finest materials to hone one's ultimate control over strength, proportion, and rhythm.

The cypress trees in front of him were the best wood for carving that he had searched far and wide for.

He slowly raised his hand, his eyes slightly closed, shutting out the sounds and shadows around him, his mind completely calmed. For martial artists, the highest realm is the unity of body and mind, where strength follows the will; the same principle applies to carving wood. Ordinary craftsmen rely on their eyes to measure and brute force to cut, but Jiangnan, imbued with martial arts skills, can channel internal energy into his fingertips and concentrate it in his palm, using true qi to explore the nature of the wood and martial strength to determine the precise measure; even the slightest difference is within his perception.

The subtle force is released gently and without violence.

Instead of using sharp blades or axes, he first placed his palm on the trunk of a mature square-branched cypress. His warm and mellow inner energy slowly seeped into the wood's texture, flowing and tracing along the fine grain, allowing him to carefully perceive the growth patterns of the centuries-old tree, the density of its material, the direction of its grain, and the resilient spirit hidden deep within it, weathered by wind and snow.

The wood of the Kunlun Fangzhi cypress is extremely hard. Ordinary craftsmen can easily split the grain and ruin the fine material with a little force. Only by using the hidden strength of martial arts to soften the surface texture, first following the nature of the wood, and then carving it, can the integrity of the wood be preserved, making the object appear natural and without any trace of craftsmanship.

A moment later, Jiangnan opened his eyes, his gaze clear and calm, having already discerned all the characteristics of the entire piece of wood.

He raised his hand and channeled his energy, a wisp of gentle internal energy condensing at his fingertips, precisely sweeping towards the chosen branch. There was no harsh, deafening sound of an axe chopping; only a soft rustling echoed through the forest. The sturdy cypress branch snapped in two, the cut smooth and clean, the grain perfectly intact, as if sculpted by nature itself. This was the exquisite subtlety of martial arts at its most refined level—without weapons, relying solely on the internal energy of his fingertips, he could sever hard wood, define its shape, and control the force with perfect precision.

He cleaned several pieces of cypress logs of varying lengths and thicknesses, and found a flat, clean bluestone platform. The platform, polished by mountain winds and washed by rain and dew year-round, was smooth and warm, perfect for placing fine wood and quietly carving it. Jiangnan stood cross-legged, focusing his mind and spirit, his aura slowly receding, switching effortlessly between visible and hidden strength, beginning his practice of using martial arts to carve wood and craft objects with meticulous care.

The first thing to be carved was a portable wooden sword. Although he already had a lightning-struck peach wood sword, Jiangnan preferred to use the peach wood sword as a Taoist magic sword, while the wooden sword made from Kunlun cypress branches could be used as a personal weapon.

In the world of martial arts, a sword is a gentleman's weapon, a means of self-defense, and a companion for spiritual cultivation. Ordinary iron swords are fierce and ruthless, too heavy on killing—of course, such a weapon is necessary for those who roam the martial world. But the Kunlun square-branch cypress wood sword is warm and restrained, firm yet not brittle, tough yet not soft, making it most suitable for daily sword practice, understanding the essence of swordsmanship, not relying on killing, but cultivating one's inner self.

Take a long piece of the straightest, most upright, and straightest wood from Jiangnan, and gently place both palms on the wood.

He began by shaping the blade with a clear, steady force in his wrist, his palm strikes as sharp as a knife, gently sweeping across the surface of the wooden blank. Fine cypress wood shavings flew about, the hard outer layer of wood peeling away layer by layer. In no time, the rough wood was stripped of its outer shell, revealing its warm, deep green natural color. His palm strikes were rhythmic and controlled, outlining the sword's spine, blade, guard, and hilt from top to bottom. Every curve, every inch of thickness was precisely controlled by his martial arts sense of proportion, requiring no measurement, not even the slightest error.

Ming Jin (明劲) aims for a dignified and orderly form, with a well-proportioned structure; An Jin (暗劲) aims for a gentle and smooth texture, with a restrained and introspective spirit.

After the initial outline was formed, Jiang Nan withdrew his outward, obvious strength, transforming it into a subtle, hidden force, which he concentrated at the tips of his index and middle fingers. Like a needle tip, he meticulously polished the blade's edge and the texture of the sword. Cypress wood is hard; if one were to polish it with brute force, the texture would inevitably be worn away, leaving marks. However, he enveloped his fingertips with his inner energy, the gentle force conforming to the wood surface, carefully rubbing and polishing along the century-old wood grain, smoothing out the subtle edges and smoothing out the natural texture.

The sword's blade gradually becomes longer and more upright, its raised spine conveying a sense of solidity and stability. The edge is smooth and not sharp, possessing a gentle warmth, lacking the harshness and killing intent of an iron sword. The hilt is intentionally narrowed, its delicate lines carved to fit the palm's lines, its textured surface neither slippery nor rough, perfectly conforming to the natural flow of power. The entire wooden sword is three feet seven inches long, the ideal size for a sword in the martial world, its proportions balanced, its lines flowing smoothly. The natural cypress wood grain extends and unfolds along the blade, like flowing clouds swirling around the sword, or rolling green hills.

Once the basic shape was complete, Jiang Nan focused his mind and calmed his spirit, slowly circulating his inner energy over the entire wooden sword. The rich inner force seeped deep into the wood, compacting the loose texture and locking in the pure and refreshing spiritual energy within the wood. This added resilience to the originally hard cypress wood, instantly shedding the rawness of a new weapon and gaining a touch of ancient simplicity and weight. Holding it in his hand, the weight was just right, and the blade was perfectly balanced. With a light swing, the wind whistled softly, and the sword intent was hidden within its gentle warmth. When still, it was like a pine tree standing on a peak; when in motion, it was like a gentle breeze chasing the clouds.

Once the wooden sword was finished, he turned to carving small and exquisite wooden hairpins.

Wooden hairpins are personal ornaments, hidden among the temples. Although they lack the sharpness of weapons, they require the most meticulous craftsmanship, as even the slightest deviation will result in a loss of elegance and charm. Jiangnan people deeply understand that women's ornaments should be lively and gentle, simple and elegant, not complicated and piled up, but natural and elegant, and in line with their temperament.

He selected a short cypress wood blank with the finest texture and warmest color, eliminating all external force and leaving only a wisp of extremely fine internal energy concentrated at his fingertips.

Compared to the steady and imposing presence of a wooden sword, the carving of a wooden hairpin requires extreme precision, testing absolute mental calmness and masterful control of strength. Jiangnan's breathing was long and even, her mind completely undisturbed. Her fingertips fluttered like butterfly wings, her delicate strength tracing the surface of the wood, carefully removing excess wood bit by bit to outline the hairpin's shape.

He abandoned the gaudy and elaborate carvings of the common people, focusing only on the natural beauty of the wood. Following the flowing grain of the cypress wood, he carved a minimalist, streamlined hairpin. The head of the hairpin is round and full, without any sharp edges, like a warm and flawless full moon in the mountains; the hairpin body is slender and well-proportioned, gradually tapering from top to bottom, with soft and graceful lines that conform to the curve of the hair bun; the tail of the hairpin is polished to an extremely rounded, delicate, and smooth finish, without damaging the hair or irritating the skin.

The entire process was meticulously crafted, without the slightest haste. His movements were as light as a snowflake, as fine as a gossamer thread, each breath precise and controlled. Once the outline was complete, he repeatedly rubbed and polished it with his fingertips, bringing out the unique warmth and smoothness of the Kunlun cypress wood. The hairpin was elegant and clean, with naturally flowing grain. Its serene and understated green hue carried the unique, crisp fragrance of ancient snow-capped wood. Neither gaudy nor vulgar, it possessed a refined and ethereal beauty, combining the resilience of pine and cypress with the gentle grace of ornaments—perfect for the refined temperament of those who roam the martial world.

Each tool has its own function, each piece of work reflects one's heart.

Setting down the wooden hairpin, Jiangnan's gaze became calm as she continued carving other pieces of wood, beginning to craft an exquisite wooden ornament.

This time, he didn't deliberately set a shape, but rather followed the natural curves and shape of the Kunlun cypress, using the nature of the wood to create a scene and conveying the spirit of martial arts. He observed that this wood grew in the remote Kunlun region, having endured the baptism of wind and snow and the nourishment of clouds and mist, possessing an inherent vigorous and lofty mountain forest aura. So, he carved a scene of distant green pines following the shape of the wood.

With subtle, controlled movements of the fingertips, the weight and speed of the strokes flow effortlessly. High above, the wood is intricately carved with layered peaks and ridges, the lines powerful yet concise, outlining the majestic and undulating Kunlun Mountains. In the middle section, ancient pines are carved with gnarled branches, their trunks strong and graceful, their needles finely interwoven, showcasing the resilience of ancient trees braving snow and wind. Lower down, flowing clouds and mist are lightly engraved, their textures soft and ethereal, blending seamlessly with the rugged mountains and pines.

While carving, he infused his own martial arts mindset into the work. The uprightness of the pine tree corresponds to a righteous posture, the steadiness of the mountain corresponds to a solid foundation, and the expansiveness of the clouds corresponds to a clear and unobstructed flow of energy. The way of martial arts and the way of craftsmanship are integrated, the strength is both hard and soft, fast and slow, the rough parts are deep and solid, and the fine parts are light and expressive, so that the small wooden carving contains the wind and snow of the Kunlun Mountains and the eternal tranquility.

Once the carving is complete, the small wooden carving perfectly captures the essence of nature. From afar, it evokes the imagery of mountains embracing pines and swirling clouds and mist. Up close, it reveals the ingenuity of the craftsman with its delicate textures and distinct layers. It is simple and elegant, with profound meaning. Holding it in your palm allows you to embrace the beauty of nature, while placing it on your desk can calm your mind and soothe your soul.

With the completion of the wood carving, Jiangnan's mind became clearer and clearer, his strength in his hands became more skillful and fluid, and he became more and more familiar with the combined application of martial arts and carving techniques.

He took a piece of solid, well-formed cypress wood and carved it into a personal wooden plaque. When traveling the world, a wooden plaque can serve as a token, an inscription, or a way to calm the mind. It doesn't need to be ornate, but rather dignified, substantial, and composed.

This type of wood has a straight and regular grain and a uniform and dense texture, making it ideal for crafting square objects. Jiangnan uses palm force to first trim away the excess wood at the edges, shaping the wood blank into a neat and square shape. The edges are not cut sharply, but are slightly polished to be rounded, concealing the sharpness and unassuming nature, which is in line with the martial arts principle of "great skill appears clumsy, and strength is not revealed".

Then, focusing his delicate strength on his fingertips, he lightly carved a textured border on the front of the wooden plaque. The lines were straight, neat, and of uniform thickness, understated and unpretentious. The plaque was left blank, clean and transparent, allowing for future engraving of words, seals, proverbs, or names. The back was lightly engraved with fine pine bark patterns, layered and staggered, subtle and restrained, implying the evergreen nature of pine and cypress and unwavering commitment to one's original aspirations.

The wooden plaque is of moderate thickness and weight, square and stable, warm and substantial. After being repeatedly tempered and polished by internal force, the wood surface is as smooth as a mirror, with clear and transparent texture. It is warm and delicate to the touch, with a faint fragrance of cypress. Holding it in your hand can calm your mind and focus your spirit. It is most suitable for carrying around in the martial arts world.

Finally, the remaining scraps of cypress wood, all of them finely textured and densely packed, were considered precious and should not be discarded. People in Jiangnan cherish wood and materials, knowing that all things have a spirit and that every piece of good wood should be used to its fullest potential. So they carefully crafted them into a string of cypress wood beads.

The most important requirement for beads is that they be perfectly round and even. If they are even slightly off, they will lose their neatness. Only with extremely precise force can they be made into something beautiful.

He divided the scrap wood into small, evenly sized blanks, then focused intently, using the gentle touch of his fingertips to slowly grind and shape each bead. Each bead was repeatedly polished and rounded layer by layer, from rough blank to fine shape, from sharp edges to flawless roundness. Throughout the process, the force was even and stable, and the rotation speed was consistent, ensuring that each bead was the same size, had the same curvature, and was perfectly round.

After dozens of wooden beads have been polished and shaped, each one is round, full, smooth, and delicate, with clear and even textures and a uniform, warm color. Then, using precise internal force, a hole is drilled in the center, ensuring the hole is straight, with smooth, burr-free edges, without damaging the bead in the slightest. Finally, the beads are carefully strung together, arranging each one neatly, and a naturally formed string of Kunlun cypress beads is complete.

The beads are a deep, serene blue-green, each one perfectly formed and flawless. They feel cool and smooth to the touch, releasing a delicate woody fragrance that lingers in the air. They are elegant, simple, and sophisticated. They can be worn on the wrist to calm the mind and soothe the soul, or handled and played with to refine the spirit and calm the mind, perfectly aligning with the principles of stillness and tranquility in martial arts.

Half a day passed in the blink of an eye.

On the bluestone platform, three rustic wooden swords, three elegant wooden hairpins, three landscape wood carvings, three square wooden plaques, and three strings of warm, lustrous beads are all neatly arranged. All fifteen pieces of woodenware are made from century-old cypress wood from Kunlun Mountain, all carved using the powerful techniques of Jiangnan martial arts and tempered with internal energy. There are no rough marks from chisels or the artificiality of human craftsmen; each piece is naturally translucent and possesses a remarkable character.

The mountain breeze swept through the forest, carrying the fragrance of cypress wood that permeated the mountains.