Diligence System: From Servant to Martial King

Li Xian searched the mountains for herbs, treating ordinary herbs as precious ones, and precious herbs as rare ones. Over time, a slight warmth spread from his heart, healing four-tenths. He could now run and jump easily, and perform light martial arts like "Miao Yun Hand" and "Clear Wind Leg." He had initially acquired the power to defend himself.

The Absolute Palm Peak was steep, with many dangerous spots. To the southwest was a mountain gorge with a warm climate and fertile soil that nurtured precious herbs. However, to reach it, one must cross several treacherous plank roads, where the mountainside eroded by lake winds would crumble underfoot. Along the path, vegetation obstructed the view, with a risk of falling into the abyss with one misstep. Although Li Xian coveted the herbs of the mountain gorge, he dared not rashly venture into danger without certainty.

At this time, his heart meridian healed by four-tenths, allowing him to perform the Clear Wind Leg. With light footsteps, he could slowly begin to explore dangerous places to seek herbs.

The Absolute Palm Peak was rich in resources, with birds, fox beasts, and lizard beasts being quite common. Many herbs were nurtured here. Li Xian gradually picked and consumed them in turn, accelerating the healing of his heart injury. In more than four days, though his heart meridian remained fragile, it could barely sustain his life.

Li Xian felt immensely fortunate. Having endured until now, he temporarily escaped danger. It was as if a person who fell off a cliff had finally climbed back to the edge; although still standing on the brink, he could slightly relax his mind.

He chose a sunny afternoon. Using a piece of tattered cloth, he wrapped smooth stones. Then he tied it with vines, looped them around a tree branch, and secured it to the root of another tree, suspending the package in the air. He then lit a fire nearby, where the flames just reached the vines. The vines were very resistant to burning and could last for half an hour or more.

Li Xian lay beneath the stones, closed his eyes, and slept. The Heart Protection Divine Intent needed focus to maintain, and his heart meridian was still fragile. Without the protection of the Heart Protection Divine Intent, there was a danger of repeating past mistakes, so he dared not fully relax. Hence, he set up this trap; when the time came, the vine would break, and the stone-filled package would naturally fall, heavy enough to awaken him but not too harshly.

The soft wooden bed beneath, the mild climate.

A gentle breeze came, with calm water waves. The chirping of birds and the scent of flowers made Li Xian’s eyelids heavy, and he quickly fell into a deep sleep, releasing the long-suppressed fatigue at this moment.

He truly slept long and hard until the package fell, mildly hurting him, and he barely opened his drowsy eyes. The drowsiness, like a flood, couldn’t be stopped easily. Although Li Xian slightly awoke, more overwhelming sleepiness immediately rushed over. Despite sleeping for just half an hour, he felt even more exhausted.

This was a true test of will.

The pain from being awakened was instantly covered by sleepiness. His heart meridian lacked the maintenance of the Heart Protection Divine Intent, causing blood to rush and inducing bouts of stabbing pain.

At this time, even if he were to be slashed by knives or axes, enduring the agony of dismemberment, it would still be hard to stop the encroaching sleepiness.

Li Xian had anticipated this, so he did not dare to easily fall asleep. However, if he forced himself to stay awake indefinitely, there was a risk of his spirit being completely exhausted, endangering his life. He should have slept for three days and nights, or even ten days and nights, to restore his spirit and energy. But he forcibly took just half an hour of rest. At this moment, although slightly recuperated, he felt like a dried well with a ladle of clear water poured in, craving more.

Li Xian knew he couldn’t sleep any longer; if he did, he might not wake up after three days and nights. Without the Heart Protection Divine Intent, it would surely be challenging to maintain stability. He immediately pinched his leg, slapped his hands, and bit his tongue tip, feeling only momentary pain before becoming numb again.

His eyes drowsy, as if teetering on a cliff edge. Li Xian awakened with gritted teeth, splashed his face with cold water, knocked his head against a tree, yet physical pain couldn’t awaken his fatigued spirit. Only by forcing his spirit to break free from the restraints of sleepiness with sheer will could he endure. After an ordeal of time, Li Xian barely managed to stand, re-concentrating the Heart Protection Divine Intent, and the stinging in his heart meridian gradually subsided.

He then went to find herbs to eat.

Thus, from today onwards, Li Xian rested half an hour each day, gradually restoring his spirit and relieving fatigue. He burned off one vine after another. Each time he got up, it was a severe test of will. With his will hardened like iron, constantly hammered and reinforced, he became more resolute.

Only through the tests of life and death can true character be revealed. How many ambitious young men, renowned heroes, and outstanding warriors in history, when facing life-and-death crises, show their true nature, often just ordinary people fearful of death, fortunate, and blessed.

Amid a thousand risks and a myriad of hardships, weathering the storm without changing one’s spirit is truly rare.

Every time Li Xian woke up, he first felt his heart, initially sharply painful, but as his heart meridian gradually healed, the pain upon waking lessened noticeably. He then tried to increase his sleep time.

Gradually, he could sleep for a full hour. At that moment, he barely maintained stability. Although still spiritually depleted, his daily recovery and consumption were balanced. His complexion notably improved, and his heart meridian healed faster.

Li Xian mused, "Even though I have the Heart Protection Divine Intent, and my heart meridian shattered, my life did not perish. But this injury is truly tormenting and extremely hard to heal. Next time, if faced with a dangerous situation, using this feigned death strategy must be contemplated carefully!"

Reflecting on his recent experiences, he felt a chill of fear but quickly realized how much heart injury had healed by five-tenths. Li Xian could sleep for an hour and a half. Upon waking, he soon overcame his sleepiness.

That day...

Li Xian felt his recovery was impressive; he could perform various martial arts easily, climbing trees and running without issue. Observing that he had almost exhausted the herbs around, he decided to explore the mountain gorge to the southwest. Carrying many miscellaneous items on his back, he headed southwest and soon encountered a more than ten-zhang plank road.

The road was filled with loose mud and soft rock, narrow underfoot. One had to walk sideways, hugging the cliffside, with the constant risk of slipping and falling. Li Xian used the "Clear Wind Leg," his body light, treading like a breeze blowing softly as he cautiously made his way through. After passing three treacherous paths and a winding mountain road, he finally reached the gorge area.