I have a martial arts panel.

-

Consume 3 units of energy to upgrade Spring Breeze Technique?

whether

-

"Breaking through to the first level of the mortal realm requires 3 units of energy..."

Xu Ning pursed her lips.

Three energy units, just like when I upgraded the Gale Blade Technique to minor mastery, isn't a lot and is perfectly acceptable.

However, it's a bit of a pity that my energy reserves are currently depleted and I can't directly upgrade.

"no."

Xu Ning closed the martial arts panel with a bit of helplessness.

If you want to improve in the future, you still need to build up your energy first.

However, Xu Ning is no longer worried about gaining new energy.

Having mastered the Gale Blade Technique, he could now operate freely within the greater area of ​​the Yunze Mountains, both inside and outside the inner circle.

There, the wild resources available to them will be much more plentiful and valuable than before.

With the support of the Yunze Mountains, their martial arts advantages will be fully utilized.

"Let's rest for two days and make preparations before heading into the mountains again."

Xu Ning has already made her plans.

A day has passed.

Tao Yunchuan and Xu Lian went out to work, so Xu Ning temporarily took on the role of nanny since they weren't home.

yard.

Xu Ning and Tao Tao stood facing each other.

Tao Tao is not even four years old this year, and she is less than one meter tall.

She held the wooden stick she had used to chase the chickens earlier, looking at Xu Ning with a serious expression.

She wanted to duel with her uncle.

Tao Tao is very obedient in front of Xu Lian, but deep down she is actually quite wild.

When playing with his friends, he's a little tyrant, getting into fights with boys every few days, and preferring to solve problems with force.

The day before yesterday, Xu Ning passed the training assessment, which further fueled Tao Tao's longing for martial arts.

After that, Tao Tao would often practice martial arts with Xu Ning.

Xu Ning certainly wouldn't teach her. At Tao Tao's age, she wasn't from a wealthy family and didn't have the resources to support her. If she rashly started practicing martial arts, she could easily injure her body.

Tao Tao was naturally unconvinced and challenged Xu Ning to a duel.

"Bring it on."

Xu Ning crossed her arms over her chest and looked down at Tao Tao.

Upon hearing this, Tao Tao frowned slightly.

She felt she had been provoked.

"Ah~~"

Tao Tao shouted and charged over, wielding a wooden stick.

She was determined to show her uncle her martial arts talent.

Xu Ning narrowed his eyes as he looked at Tao Tao, who seemed rather dull.

Just as Tao Tao rushed in front of him, Xu Ning raised his foot and nudged Tao Tao's lower abdomen with his toe, making it impossible for Tao Tao to move an inch.

Then, Xu Ning pushed hard.

Tao Tao tilted its four paws upwards toward the sky.

"Again!"

Tao Tao was unconvinced, stood up, dusted herself off, and charged back at them.

So, the process just now was repeated.

Tao Tao lay back on the ground again.

Just as she was about to get up, Tao Tao suddenly felt a large hand pressing her down.

Xu Ning squatted down and pressed down on Tao Tao's stomach, making her unable to move.

"Are you convinced?"

Xu Ning looked at Tao Tao.

"I refuse to accept this!"

Tao Tao is still struggling.

"Oh……"

Xu Ning sneered.

He held Tao Tao down with one hand and started tickling her with the other.

"Are you convinced?"

Xu Ning asked again.

"I disagree..."

Tao Tao's tone softened noticeably.

Her voice trembled, a mixture of anger and amusement at being tickled.

"Are you convinced?"

Xu Ning asked another question.

"No...no, I give up!"

Tao Tao conceded defeat.

"Just accept it."

Xu Ning released Tao Tao.

He glanced at the sun; it was almost noon.

Tao Yunchuan and Xu Lian have both returned for lunch, so it's time for me to cook.

Xu Ning went to check the kitchen and found that there wasn't much firewood left, so he decided to chop some more.

Tao Tao, feeling utterly defeated by Xu Ning, turned her gaze to the old hen in the yard.

The old hen shuddered, as if she had been targeted by some terrifying being, and clucked as she ran away.

"stop!"

Tao Tao took off after him.

While Tao Tao was still making a fuss, Xu Ning had already finished chopping the firewood.

Just as Xu Ning was about to wash some vegetables and put them in the pot, she heard someone calling her from outside the door.

"Xu Ning!"

Then, the half-closed courtyard gate was pushed open.

Guo Ye walked in.

He carried a knife on his back and held an oiled paper package in his hand.

"Are you busy?"

Guo Ye looked at the busy Xu Ning and asked a question.

"Busy making lunch."

Xu Ning glanced at Guo Ye: "You've come right at lunchtime, are you trying to freeload?"

"I won't rub it against you."

Guo Ye shook his head: "I came to practice martial arts with you."

"Let's talk about it after lunch."

Xu Ning declined.

"No need to cook, just eat this."

Guo Ye smiled and unfolded the oil paper, revealing several sausages wrapped inside: "My uncle bought these, and I brought some over."

Guo Ye's uncle, Tao Yungang, traveled all over Kangyun County and often brought back food that was not commonly found in Taojiazhuang.

"Thank you very much."

Xu Ning didn't stand on ceremony and took the sausage: "Thank you very much. I'll go steam the sausage and teach you how to practice the Gale Blade Technique."

"Okay."

Guo Ye grinned.

Xu Ning went into the kitchen, and Guo Ye called over Tao Tao, the hero who was chasing chickens.

"Uncle Wild".

Tao Tao greeted her politely.

"Um……"

Guo Ye pursed his lips. He was seventeen years old this year, so being called "uncle" made him look a bit old.

"for you."

Guo Ye took out a few pieces of candy from his pocket and handed them to Tao Tao.

This was also brought from home.

"Thank you, Uncle Ye."

Tao Tao's eyes lit up, and she took it.

She stopped chasing the chickens and sat in the corner of the yard licking candy.

"Uncle Gang is a master of the Inner Peak Realm of the Third Level of the Mortal Realm, and his Gale Blade Technique is also highly accomplished. Why don't you let him teach you?"

Xu Ning steamed some sausages and came out of the kitchen.

"My uncle has been busy collecting medicinal herbs in several nearby villages lately and has no time for me at all."

Guo Ye complained, "They were so enthusiastic when they asked me to help negotiate the price, but once the deal was done, they just ignored me."

Xu Ning glanced at Guo Ye but didn't reply.

Although Guo Ye has no talent in martial arts, he is quite good at business.

He negotiated deals with other villagers and not only got good prices, but also built strong relationships with his clients.

It was precisely because of this ability that Guo Ye was able to stand tall in front of his uncle and not feel like he was living under someone else's roof.

"Alright, enough talk. First, demonstrate your Gale Blade Technique to me."

Xu Ning said to Guo Ye.

Regardless of whether Guo Ye truly enjoys martial arts, since he currently wants to improve himself, we should still offer him some assistance.

"it is good."

Guo Ye took the steel knife from his back and gripped it tightly in his hand.

The steel blade he used was a size smaller than the reward Xu Ning received. At a glance, it weighed only four or five pounds, about the same size as the one he used during training.

"Hey!"

Guo Ye gave a low shout, seemingly trying to boost his morale.

Then, they practiced the Gale Blade Technique.

Xu Ning stood aside, watching Guo Ye's actions, and gently shook her head.

Just like Tao Yunmeng said before, he hadn't even figured out the basic core of the Gale Blade Technique.

"How is it?"

After finishing the set, Guo Ye asked Xu Ning for his opinion.

"Not very good."

Xu Ning didn't hold back: "Come on, let me demonstrate for you."

Xu Ning was very patient. First, she demonstrated the movement breakdown to Guo Ye herself.

He then pointed out the flaws in Guo Ye's use of the Gale Blade Technique and offered suggestions for improvement.

Having been spurred on by Xu Ning, Guo Ye has clearly become more serious about his studies.

After going through the routine a few more times, Guo Ye actually managed to correct quite a few mistakes.

"I feel like I've improved!"

Guo Ye seemed to have noticed this.

"Yes, there has been some progress."

Xu Ning nodded in approval.

Guo Ye laughed loudly, threw down the knife, and sat down directly on a stone in the yard.

He was covered in sweat: "That's enough for today, I'm going to rest for a bit."

"Peach, scoop a ladle of water."

Xu Ning called out to Tao Tao in the corner.

Tao Tao responded and ran into the kitchen, scooped a ladle of water from the vat, and handed it to Xu Ning instead of Guo Ye: "Uncle, have some water."

"For your Uncle Ye."

Xu Ning waved his hand as Tao Tao handed him the water.

"Uncle Ye, have some water."

Tao Tao then handed the water to Guo Ye.

"You child..." Guo Ye took the water ladle and muttered, "Your Uncle Ye is so tired, and you still give the water to your little uncle. You are still my own niece."

Guo Ye gulped down the water and handed the ladle back to Tao Tao.

Tao Tao twitched her little nose, bared her teeth at Guo Ye, and then turned and ran away.

"Xu Ning, are you planning to stay home and take care of Taozi for the next few days?"

Guo Ye watched Tao Tao skip and hop away and asked.

"No, we'll head into the mountains in a couple of days. We're stronger now, so we can explore a wider area."

Xu Ning responded.

"Oh……"

Guo Ye nodded, paused, and then suddenly said, "Well... my uncle is going into town in a couple of days to deliver goods. Would you be interested in going with him as a guard?"