Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

However, it lacks the "Mustard Seed" characteristic, though it can conceal its traces, it can be hidden in a void. Moreover, the ghostly aura is dense, the yin qi pressure is overwhelming, and the ominous garment captures the heart... it makes one constantly attentive. Li Xian thought to himself: "It seems neither the Ghostly Ominous Garment nor the Pure Gang Qi Clothing has such use. The Ghostly Ominous Garment is too conspicuous once revealed. Could it be beneficial if I use only part of it?"

Li Xian looked towards the Ruyi Ring. He directed part of the Ghostly Ominous Garment to wrap around it. Immediately, a thin black qi adhered and intertwined with the ring. The ring became completely hidden within. Li Xian then clad the Pure Gang Qi Clothing over it. Two layers of dense garments stacked.

The Ruyi Ring vanished into thin air. Li Xian rejoiced: "Although difficult to completely conceal treasures, hiding the existence of the ring can at least ward off others’ covetous glances."

He tried throughout the night, studying the wonders of the two dense garments. Unconsciously, the sky gradually brightened, and Li Xian rotated the ring, using the Ruyi Treasure Sword as a cane. Then, he went looking for herbs and ghost jade.

On this day, ghost jade was nowhere to be seen, but he found Red Flower Ginseng, Heart-Enhancing Fruit, South-Returning Leaf... and other herbs for nurturing body and mind. These herbs, by nature, are difficult to heal heart meridian injuries. Historically, damage to heart meridian leads to either death or coma. Ordinary herbs are extremely hard to heal such injuries, let alone effective.

Li Xian, enhanced by "Consumption", was further sustained by his Heart Protection Divine Intent, preventing death. Ordinary herbs were put to use, treated as treasures to drink. Effects did not become apparent in one or two days, but changes were clear in three or four days.

As time passed.

Li Xian’s heart meridian warmed, at times felt the pulse. He was now able to rest slightly, but as fatigue overwhelmed him, closing eyes resulted in deep sleep. He feared oversleeping and causing his heart injury to relapse.

He searched for herbs for four days. While Absolute Palm Peak is vast, herbs related to heart meridian on one peak are ultimately limited. In the accessible areas, any herb associated with heart meridian was eaten raw or brewed thoroughly. Li Xian turned to seek body-and-qi-enhancing herbs. Those beneficial to the body and gentle in nature were consumed.

Thus the mountain was scoured for food.

Li Xian’s cough, restlessness, and fatigue symptoms gradually eased. As long as he didn’t act recklessly, the heart injury remained stable. Yet, despite searching Absolute Palm Peak extensively, ghost jade remained elusive.

On this day... Li Xian climbed to the peak of Middle Finger Peak. He saw bloodstains everywhere, but no "ghost jade". He sat down and sighed: "Could it really have fallen into the lake? The vast lake territory, if it fell in, how could I find it? More likely it’s been eaten by giant creatures at the lake bottom."

Suddenly glimpsed bloodstains on the ground, faintly seeing the ghost jade imprint. Li Xian frowned, leaned closer for a moment’s observation. He guessed that, since the bloodstain hadn’t dried, the ghost jade fell in and thus condensed this imprint.

Li Xian couldn’t stop frowning. Ghost jade fell here, perhaps taken by birds or beasts? He looked up, seeing lake gulls circling in flight. It’s indeed very possible. Upon closer inspection, he found a trail of bloodstained footprints.

The footprints were light, the patterns exquisite. Li Xian mused: "These footprints are certainly not mine. Before my bloodstain dried, someone set foot here and took the ghost jade. This person... must be Zhao Ranran, no doubt!"

Having understood this point, Li Xian’s heart sank, his fists clenched: "This is indeed the most formidable opponent I’ve ever encountered. My archery is useless, and my swordsmanship is instantly broken. Since she took the ghost jade... I’ll demand it back from her in the future!"

"This matter is not over!"

Dangerous fighting scenes appeared in his mind, Li Xian analyzed the pros and cons, increasingly feeling Zhao Ranran’s formidable strength, discarding irrelevant thoughts, focusing on healing his body injuries.

He naturally becomes more courageous in adversity.

...

...

Meanwhile.

Zhao Ranran, upon completing this journey to Perfection, chose a day to leave Swallowing Water City. Before leaving, Zhao Ranran glanced over the lake surface, her mind drifting with mixed emotions. She took out the ghost jade, pondering: "Should I not have killed him? If he truly is the Ghost Doctor’s heir, meeting at Fuyou Residence would be perfectly logical. Su Fuyou’s senior saved my life, but I severed his descendant... this matter I can’t grasp at the moment. Best reconsider later."

Her mind grew increasingly tumultuous, wandering in her thoughts. Despite gaining countless insights, she couldn’t easily digest them. The injuries of Jianghu Guests fully healed, they departed Swallowing Water City together, and parted ways at a crossroads.

Beside Dongran Lake was a "Zhaofeng Town".

The Flower Thieves from the Water Altar and the rescued women were all temporarily settled there. But the aftermath affairs remained stagnant. Nangong Xuanming, Bian Chengfeng, and others were occupied looking for Zhao Ranran, lacking focus on this place, only assigning strict guards.

Returning to this place. The Flower Thieves’ ropes never loosened, those whose martial arts skills were subpar, with extended hands tied behind, blood flowed sluggishly, their arms turning purplish-red, pain beyond words. Kneeling and begging desperately for brief relief, yet received insults and kicks, ultimate humiliation.

Those proficient martial artists and inner qi-bearers secretly circulated inner qi, promoting blood flow, preventing their arms from dying. However, torment and agony were unavoidable. Han Zisha, Ye Cheng, Meng Han... and other elders felt pain but could barely manage. Yet their dignity was shattered, enduring daily torment.

The Flower Thieves were housed in cow sheds, led by ropes through town daily. The townsfolk, hearing of their misdeeds, all punched and kicked, threw stones, and splashed dirty water to vent. Some held pitchforks, intending to pierce the Flower Thieves to death.

They were stopped.

Zhao Ranran and her group returned to Zhaofeng Town, considering how to resolve the situation. Nangong Xuanming said: "These beings, rebellion will cause more harm, better to kill them."

Zhao Ranran frowned and said: "I promised them if they surrender, they’ll be spared. How can I not keep my word."

Bian Bianyun said: "But we also can’t let them go, otherwise they’ll cause harm again." Bian Chengfeng said: "Killing isn’t feasible, releasing isn’t feasible either, this endless stalemate, what is to be done?"

Bian Bianyun said: "Perhaps the Nangong Family can show mercy and take them in? As slaves or servants, they can still be of use."

Nangong Xuanming said: "If my Nangong Family wanted servants, a simple decree would attract countless people. Why to carry these criminals from afar. The cost of food, ship transport, labor... would be considerable. Plus, hiring these figures would tarnish our reputation."