Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

Yao Yin found herself slightly displeased, noticing Li Xian’s casual and carefree demeanor, a rare presence indeed. Jade City has always been prosperous, and over time, the customs have become materialistic, where interactions start by judging one’s attire, family background, and appearance, followed by flattery or arrogance. But this is not exclusive to Jade City; even the seemingly secluded Daoxuan Mountain, the Natural Sect of Guanlong, and the righteous Five Mountains Sword Alliance... such are the majority. Jade City is just more blatant.

So this carefree demeanor amidst the wilderness stands out even more uniquely. Let the worldly affairs rise and fall, I will follow only my heart’s desire. Li Xian’s "sound and rhythm" were actually quite poor, neither respecting musical principles nor following the path of sound. But merits and demerits are judged by others, so why should he care?

Yao Yin quietly thought, "He truly is an eccentric person. Yet, listening slowly, it does become pleasing to the ear."

Her beautiful eyes curiously examined for a moment. As the days go by, she was gradually feeling a bit weary. Sleeping in the wild, she had to settle. Though feeling sticky all over, extremely uncomfortable, she eventually lay down.

Her breathing was unique, light and gentle, unexpectedly emitting a faint glow. She was in a shallow sleep, and already asleep.

Li Xian kept watch for her. He remained attentive to the sounds in the forest, and deep in the night, movements came from the grass on the right. A "Strong-Clawed Tiger" with bright tiger eyes crawled forward, ready to pounce. This "Strong-Clawed Tiger" was nearly ten feet tall, its claws as hard as stone, easily tearing flesh, breaking rocks, and severing gold, its strength extremely formidable.

Li Xian’s eyes flashed sharply, he pinched a leaf from a tree. Infusing it with intention, the leaf became sharp as a blade, wrapped in invisible light. Li Xian flicked the leaf, sending it floating lightly, slicing open the Strong-Clawed Tiger’s flesh, immediately drawing blood.

The Strong-Clawed Tiger was startled, naturally fleeing in panic. The Celestial Screen Mountain Range was vast and boundless, harboring countless dangers. Though Li Xian and Yao Yin had traveled for a day, human presence was rare, they were far from exploring deeply.

Throughout the night, strange beasts and occurrences were frequent, which Li Xian could easily handle. However, if venturing deeper, the dangers of the Celestial Screen Mountain were no less than the mysterious mountain range beside "Tiger Cry Ridge." Otherwise, how could it bear the name "Celestial Screen?"

They must be even more cautious!

The next morning, as the warm sun rose.

Li Xian caught sight of a distant towering tree, where a snake head slowly emerged. That snake head was enormous, entirely jade-white, facing the morning sun, swallowing and spitting. Occasionally emitting "purple" mist.

Yao Yin had slept lightly through the night, paying attention to the situation. Seeing Li Xian dutifully on guard, without any deceptive actions, she nodded secretly. Then noticing the "giant snake emitting mist" in the distance, she knew Li Xian was new here and curious by nature. So she informed Li Xian that this snake was the "Snake Ancestor," and the tree it resided on was called the "Magnus Tree."

The snake and the tree depended on each other, when the tree withers, the snake dies; when the snake dies, the tree withers. The Snake Ancestor does not attack humans but coexists harmoniously with nature, its blood is a rare medicine. The snake and the tree are the symbols of "Celestial Screen Mountain."

Mountain Gatherers and Town Patrols use this to determine their location.

Yao Yin consulted her map, selecting a route. The two had a simple meal of wild fruits and continued their journey. At noon, they encountered a mountain waterfall, like water pouring from the heavens, with powerful momentum. Below the waterfall was a deep emerald pool.

Beside the pool stood a stone stele, engraved with the words: "Hunchback Pool." Yao Yin spoke of the pool’s secrets, beneath Hunchback Pool lies a prison rumored to house extraordinary items.

Li Xian gazed intently, the depths of the pool were pitch black, yet faintly visible chains seemed to entwine, suggesting indeed there was something unusual. He marveled at how the world hides so much intrigue. But knowing his strength was still lacking, he dared not investigate rashly.

Thus, he and Yao Yin circled around the pool, crossing a stream. Soon, they reached a perilous stretch with only a single narrow plank bridge for passage. The bridge spanned over a hundred yards, gusty winds swirled, occasionally causing it to sway gently.

Yao Yin’s expression was solemn, informing Li Xian that this was the "Bridge of Dreams." Below the bridge was a bottomless abyss, holding unknown secrets, difficult to predict. While situated above, lightweight skill could not be utilized, akin to a Second Realm Martial Artist floundering in water.

Li Xian stepped onto the narrow bridge, steadied his body, feeling he still had strength left, extended his hand to assist Yao Yin. Yao Yin hesitated briefly before placing her hand. Both skilled in martial arts, despite the height, they could handle the situation.

After a few slow steps, they crossed the Bridge of Dreams. The Celestial Screen Mountain appeared ever more vast and profound, gradually revealing its majestic contour. Li Xian, with experience from "Tiger Cry Ridge," dared not be negligent, confirming the path multiple times. Yao Yin nodded confidently each time, having not erred. Thus he entrusted her to lead the way.

Yao Yin was in the Martial Arts Second Realm, her Bone Shaping and Embryo cultivation nearing its fifth attainment, with family techniques for regulating breath, "Mouth Containing Breath." This martial art emphasizes breathing through the nose, with the breath circulating among the lips and teeth. It maintains prolonged breathing, preventing chaotic breaths.

Additionally, the Natural Sect’s martial arts "Natural Sense Qi Skill" internally cultivated the physique, a flow of "Ethereal Sound" resonated within, unconsciously harmonizing with all things, keeping the blood active, the body agile, the spirit focused, endlessly beneficial.

She would not easily tire. But the terrain was difficult, their pace quick, sometimes crossing ridges, sometimes climbing trees for a view, sometimes encountering beast attacks. Yao Yin, being female, despite the martial arts support, inherently weaker in pure physical power, the long journey gradually caused her to sweat profusely, feeling slightly fatigued.

Her hair was in disarray, light yellow plain clothing stained with mud, leaves, and dew.

Li Xian had enduring qi power, his pure physical power boundless, despite consumption, using "Perfect Appearance" healing power, and the consumption trait, with Five Viscera Avoiding Dross and Gathering Yang Scripture five viscera strengthening, he could quickly recover completely.

His patience was commendable. Occasionally needing to slow down, slightly waiting for Yao Yin. They continued for tens of miles, by evening, they finally saw a towering mountain. On the east side was a steep cliff, to the west strange rocks jutted.

This was the "Yao Clan’s Peak," the Yao family spent considerable gold and silver acquiring this mountain in one fell swoop. In the past, the ancestors of the Yao family discovered a rare medicine in this mountain, encountered opportunities, gradually rising in power, leading to the prosperous Yao family of today.