Chapter 3, Everything Begins with Raising Chickens

"Elder brother, what good news do you have? Share it with us so we can be happy too," another foolish lad chimed in.

On that cliff, a greenhouse had already been constructed, designed in the style of silkworm rearing houses typical of Jiangnan. The only difference is that the roof of the greenhouse is adorned with slightly concave copper mirrors. This device is called a solar concentrator, which can focus light onto a single point. The gathered light is directed into each layer of partition through copper tubes with silver-plated inner walls, ensuring that the greenhouse is very bright during the day, with no corners left in darkness.

In the past, he felt it was tragic, even to the point of not wanting to recall that inhumane life, but at this moment he realizes that this year was not in vain

The scholar's face suddenly turned pale. The aura of killing intent is also a testament to one's strength; it was at this moment that he glanced at the wolf corpses.

Life continued as usual. Early in the morning, Li Guangzong took everyone to the mine. However, unlike before, there was always one person left behind to watch over the house and take care of the eggs. Four days later, chicks the size of fists hatched from the eggs

"The toxic gas in the mine is too heavy; I will have them break stones outside." Li Guangzong understood Xie Xiaoyu's intention. If it were purple copper, collecting two baskets a day would already be a good harvest. Having those youngsters break stones was meant to strengthen their physical abilities. He had not forgotten what Xie Xiaoyu had said: the "Strength Master Sutra" teaches to practice strength during the day and energy at night, complementing each other.

In Tianbao Prefecture, gold and silver are inexpensive, yet the prices of ingredients are exorbitant, especially those with minimal toxins, which are essentially a scarce resource

The few individuals were immediately startled. The scholar at the front quickly flicked his fan, and countless petals instantly appeared on the originally snow-white surface of the fan. This was the magical artifact he used.

As soon as he finished speaking, he received a slap to the back of his head, causing him to stagger and see stars before his eyes. Li Guangzong rarely struck his son with such force, but this time he truly exerted himself. After the blow, he angrily shouted: "Just remember this: from now on, you are not allowed to ask questions, no questions whatsoever. If you ask once, I will hit you once."

"Alright, let's go," said Xie Xiaoyu as she placed the bowl on the ground. The two of them went to the mine empty-handed, without even bringing a pickaxe.

Tianbao Prefecture is filled with towering mountains and dense forests, making flat land a rare sight. To venture into the interior, it is essential to bring along someone skilled in the Six Lines divination technique. A practitioner of this art can certainly predict fortune and misfortune in critical situations, and through such divination, the outcome can be determined.

"The subordinates do not speak; please do not take it to heart, Your Excellency." The scholar knows that it is impossible to remain unyielding.

Upon hearing this, Li Guangzong was immediately delighted and said to Chang Shu repeatedly: "Quick, bring the food over. After we finish eating, I will accompany the young master to the mine. You all should meditate and practice your skills; practicing when your body is fatigued is the most effective."

The purple smoke clouds appeared to be right above, but in reality, they were at least twenty miles away. Xie Xiaoyu was not skilled in the art of flight; he only knew a very ordinary technique called "Ground Flying Technique"

Uncle Chao shook his head, expressing his disagreement with Li Guangzong's actions, and thus began to explain: "That young man is different from us; he is certainly not here just to make a living. If he is not here because of some wrongdoing in the Middle Earth, then it must be for the sake of 'love and hate.' If you ask recklessly, you will be treading on taboo. Encountering that young man is your opportunity, and it is also our opportunity. Just look at the present; we have gained the techniques, and now we have that so-called spiritual vein. Last night, I meditated for an hour, which is equivalent to a month of hard work before. As long as that young man does not leave, there will surely be more good things to come. Do not turn this opportunity into enmity." Encountering that young man is your opportunity, and it is also our opportunity. Just look at the present; we have gained the techniques, and now we have that so-called spiritual vein. Last night, I meditated for an hour, which is equivalent to a month of hard work before. As long as that young man does not leave, there will surely be more good things to come. Do not turn this opportunity into enmity.

The waterfall was once again severed. However, this time, a blade of water soared from the point of rupture. The knife was invisible, yet this blade of water was visible. The blade flew far away, gradually unfurling and becoming thinner and thinner. As sunlight passed through the blade of water, it was refracted into a dazzling brilliance akin to a rainbow. This was an exquisite cut

Do not assume that what you see with your own eyes is the truth; there are many who play the role of a pig to eat the tiger. The scholar snorted coldly: Moreover, this person is either a martial cultivator or a sword cultivator. Let alone that both you and I are merely at the Qi Refinement stage, even if one has already communicated with the heavens and truly entered the realm of the mysterious, they would likely still need to be cautious.

This mine is entirely composed of Purple Chen Copper, so do not exert yourself too much; be careful not to be discovered by others, " Xie Xiaoyu warned.

However, at this moment, there is no time to think about other matters; preserving one's life is of utmost importance. His foot slipped again, and he swung his knife horizontally.

How is the harvest? he asked

Understood! A group of foolish boys said in unison. In fact, they did not understand; they simply did not dare to speak up for fear of being beaten, only knowing that they should not ask questions recklessly in the future

He stood on a stone, holding a straight knife in his hand

Practicing swordsmanship only in dreams is insufficient; no matter how well one practices, it is merely a form of sword dance. True swordsmanship is the art of killing, where life and death hang by a thread.

"I still don't know how to address you," said Xie Xiaoyu

A gust of cold wind swept through the dense forest, carrying with it a chilling aura of murderous intent

Then I can rest assured. "Xie Xiaoyu breathed a sigh of relief, and immediately thought of another matter: "Please leave one more person behind, as there are some things that need his management in a few days.

Tianbao Prefecture is a land of wealth, yet it is also a realm of danger. The most perilous elements are threefold: poisonous miasma, earth barbarians, and demon beasts. He has already experienced the severity of the poisonous miasma, and now he encounters the demon beasts

That is not a life lived by human beings

Mundane weapons are still unusable; he must acquire a magical sword. However, this also leaves him somewhat hesitant. "Six Methods of Law" is a technique for controlling the sword with qi, allowing the flying sword to traverse thousands of feet and travel several miles, which is certainly not the same as this close-combat swordsmanship where death lies within a single yard. Should he obtain a flying sword, or should he acquire a magical sword similar to the straight blade in his hand

The crowd responded in unison

Did you all understand what Uncle Chao said?" Li Guangzong shouted

As long as the water is boiled, steam will pass through the copper pipe, causing the pipe to heat up and warming the quilt. After three or four days and with the aid of illustrations, these eggs will hatch into chicks.

"How is this possible? They can't even defeat those real people?" another person hurriedly asked

However, this beauty lasts only for a moment, vanishing without a trace in an instant. Xie Xiaoyu paused his actions. He gazed at the sky, savoring the fleeting glimmer of the blade from just now, as if he had gained some understanding. Unfortunately, this feeling was dreamlike and elusive, somewhat difficult to grasp

As the sun rises and sets, sitting in the cave gives no sense of the passage of time, until he hears a heavy sound of footsteps outside, followed by the noise of cooking. Only then does he realize that it is already evening. It was his uncle Chang who returned first to prepare the meal.

"Find a way to deal with him," said the person who had just been slapped, eager to take action

He is able to comprehend this principle and is already ahead of others, including the one who framed him

Upon thinking of this, he immediately became excited

Before the change, he definitely would not have even asked, as it had nothing to do with him. Now, to some extent, he sees himself as part of it.

Xie Xiaoyu gathers strength and strikes decisively

He must wield the knife here a thousand times every day. These thousand strikes are not made casually, but with full commitment, leaving no effort spared

Once again, a strike is delivered.

Li Guangzong was unaware of Xie Xiaoyu's thoughts, yet his eyes sparkled with excitement. He certainly understood the preciousness of those high-grade ingredients. In the past, the guild he belonged to had cultivated a piece of spiritual farmland, producing less than 10,000 jin of grain each year, which was hardly accessible to ordinary people; only members above the rank of incense master could receive a bag each month. He never expected that he would also have the opportunity to enjoy the benefits reserved for the incense master.

"A vein of ore!" Li Guangzong's eyes widened in astonishment. Having worked here for many years, he certainly understood what discovering a vein of ore entailed

This magical artifact is exceptionally beautiful. Thousands of petals encircle these few individuals, swirling and dancing in a chaotic manner.

Just now, while watching the commotion from the side, Xie Xiaoyu did not find anything frightening about these things, but when faced with them directly, he immediately realized their power

Although Xie Xiaoyu's abilities are only at the second or third level of Qi training, he is capable of slaying so many demon wolves with a single strike. This suggests either that he is concealing his true strength or possesses other means. Regardless of which possibility it is, it is beyond the capability of the few of them to handle.

The "Land Flying Technique" is said to allow one to traverse mountains and waters as if walking on flat ground; however, it is limited to this, as its speed is only slightly faster than that of a horse and it cannot leave the ground

The night gradually fades, and the eastern sky reveals a fish-belly white.

As he saw more clearly, that face became increasingly pale

Two hundred chicks filled a wooden frame completely, with a small portion of the remaining space used for raising insects, while the larger portion contained several tubes, each with a hole the size of a finger drilled into it

The previously desolate and quiet residential area has finally gained a bit of liveliness. The entire mining district has around 2,000 to 3,000 people, most of whom spend their days in the mines and return home at night to fall into a deep sleep, with only the early morning hours offering a bit of leisure.

Let me make it clear to you, so you won't cause me trouble in the future. The scholar is keen to show off: "There are indeed different levels among so-called true practitioners. Those who have just entered the realm of the mysterious are not strong. They might be able to defeat martial cultivators and sword cultivators, but even if they win, it would be a pyrrhic victory. One careless move could lead to disaster, dragging them down to mutual destruction with their opponents."

As the saying goes: "Those who are righteous often associate with the likes of dog butchers, while the ungrateful are often scholars." He can confidently befriend someone like Li Guangzong, but when it comes to the people before him, he is wary and cautious.

On the other side, the demon wolf saw its companion being slain and immediately let out a fierce howl to the sky. The pack of wolves that had originally surrounded those people all turned their heads in unison.

This is Er Dai. Li Fu Lu patted the shoulder of the person who had just spoken, and then pointed one by one: "That is Da Dai, and there are Mu Tou, Zhu Zi, Tian Zhuang, Xiao Wu Zi, Xiao Liu Zi, Lao Bai, Chang Shu, and Chao Shu."

The path of sword cultivation is fraught with peril, a fact he has long been aware of. However, in his quest for revenge, he has no other choice. Xie Xiaoyu has always been resolute in his actions, and the hardships he has faced over the past year have taught him many things, including the importance of maintaining a calm and composed demeanor.

Xie Xiaoyu suddenly thought that it would be better to let Li Guangzong and his team handle those tasks he needed to do

"Do you dare to doubt me?" the scholar exclaimed angrily

Li Guangzong is not concerned about anyone being disobedient. Although he may not be very bright, his people understand right from wrong, and those who come from the countryside are willing to endure hardship

If it is the former, his vital energy is insufficient, and he cannot wield it at all; if it is the latter, he is merely drawing on the insights of martial artists to comprehend the essence of swordsmanship, and he does not intend to pursue the path of close combat, thus acquiring such a sword technique would be of no use.

They originally thought that Xie Xiaoyu was merely a hunter, but such a lack of appreciation for the prey is certainly not the behavior of a hunter

It is imperative to handle the situation, but we must not kill him. It is rare to encounter such a capable sword cultivator; he will surely be of great use to the young master

The brilliant flashes of the blade converged into a single arc, as if his body were surrounded by a halo of light. The few wolves that leaped forward were all severed in half.

Li Fulv has fallen silent; the one he fears the most is his father

Every morning, before the others have risen, he has already left the mining area. There is a large waterfall several miles away.

He has already realized that all the wolves were killed by a knife, and each was slain with a single stroke

Upon entering the mine, the space was quite low and narrow, with the tunnels sloping downward. It was dark and gloomy, with a faint glimmer of light appearing only every hundred meters.

The demon wolf felt nothing at all, merely startled and retreating a few steps. As soon as it moved, its body suddenly tilted, blood gushing out chaotically from its neck, where a thin line of blood appeared on what had originally seemed an unscathed neck. In the blink of an eye, a wolf's head rolled to the ground

In the cave, Xie Xiaoyu is busy at work

If it were in the past, they would certainly be unable to keep secrets. At the peak, there were over 100,000 miners here extracting resources, with every mine filled to capacity. Whoever discovered a vein of ore would immediately be known by others.

Xie Xiaoyu did not raise her head and interrupted the person, saying: "I am doing well"

Uncle Chang used to work as a servant in a wealthy household, starting from menial tasks and eventually becoming the manager. He also worked as a cook for a period of time, so a myriad of miscellaneous tasks fell to him. However, he had his advantages; because he had to prepare meals for everyone, he could start work half an hour later than others and return half an hour earlier.

Although Tianbao Prefecture is not cold, the water, soil, and air are all contaminated. Even the crops grown in the farmlands surrounding the coastal city contain toxins, albeit in lesser amounts, similar to those in Liaobei.

Without that experience, how could he possibly possess such an almost instinctive reaction? Once again, he swung his blade, and another demon wolf fell to the ground. The remaining demon wolves no longer dared to approach, encircling him from a distance. Xie Xiaoyu did not dare to relax in the slightest, cautiously moving step by step towards the open ground

As a wolf pelt was about to be completely stripped away, a sound of footsteps echoed through the forest. The group that had just fled returned. The scholar at the forefront, holding a fan, glanced at the ground covered with the skinned wolf corpses, then looked at Xie Xiaoyu, snapped the fan shut with a clap, and said: "Your skills are quite impressive. My master is in need of someone like you. If you are willing..."

That person may not be a hunter; it is very likely that he is working in the mines. The scholar pondered. In Tiangbao Prefecture, most capable individuals choose to become hunters. The bodies of the demon beasts accumulate toxins, making their meat inedible; however, their skins, bones, claws, teeth, tendons, and blood are all of great use. Moreover, the mountains are home to various medicinal herbs, which, although toxic, are insignificant compared to their value.

Did you not notice? This morning when the young man came out, his spirit and energy were completely different from before, as if he had become a different person. Although he used to be quite polite, the way he looked at people was like looking at stones; there was no trace of us in his eyes, but today it was different. Uncle Chao is a meticulous person and quickly explained on the side

I understand, we also have such a silkworm room at home. Li Guangzong is not an unknowledgeable person. However, he soon became despondent. He recalled the prosperous years when simply selling raw silk could earn fifty to sixty taels of silver in a year, and the two silkworm rooms at home were practically a money tree. Unfortunately, natural disasters and man-made calamities could not be withstood, no matter how solid the family fortune.

Raising chickens, breeding insects, and eventually planting crops all require water. If this water is transported from outside, the cost would be prohibitively high. While aboard the massive vessel, Xie Xiaoyu had already realized that the key lies in whether the river water here can be distilled for use. After several days, it was proven that his idea was feasible

The entire waterfall was abruptly severed in half, with one part crashing down while the other seemed to freeze in mid-air. Days of arduous practice had allowed him to grasp the essence of the "like lightning" technique; the movement of the blade was so swift that it was nearly impossible to discern its shadow, only the glimmer of the blade after it had passed. ... Gathering strength once more, he struck again with another slash ...

Li Guangzong became increasingly certain of one thing—encountering this young man was undoubtedly his fortune, and he must firmly hold onto this opportunity

There is a stone beneath the waterfall. This stone has been worn smooth by the rushing water, making it exceptionally slippery, and it is nearly impossible for an average person to maintain their footing.

Xie Xiaoyu was taken aback for a moment and looked closely at the person. He immediately understood.

These demon wolves are unlike ordinary wild wolves; they possess immense strength, making it unsafe even when one is backed against a large tree. Moreover, in the forest, wielding a long knife is simply impractical.

"Why?" Li Fulv asked in confusion

The mining area is vast; as one walks along, there are mines on both sides everywhere. Some mine entrances have been sealed with wooden planks, indicating that they are exhausted mines.

During the six-month journey, Xie Xiaoyu contemplated many matters, including how to survive after arriving here. This memory was brought back to his mind.

The outer side of the light arc is a blood ring, which spreads evenly, thin as paper yet sharp as a blade

The experiences of the past year have made him understand a principle: in order to lead a peaceful and stable life, one must first possess the strength to cope with unforeseen calamities

Chicks are far more delicate than humans. If a person directly drinks the river water here, symptoms of weakness will appear after three months, while chicks will show reactions within three days

The "Heavenly Observation and Earthly Penetration Technique" is not solely used for divination; it is also a formidable adversary against various forms of illusion. Countless wolf shadows still exist, yet most have truly become mere shadows, appearing exceptionally dim, revealing their true forms instantly

He paid no attention to the remaining small piece of wolf skin, deeming it unnecessary to waste time. He casually tossed it aside, bent down, and picked up a wolf carcass, still slicing down with a single stroke.

What have you come to understand? Li Fulv continued to inquire

The mine is indeed being depleted quickly; after a day's work, the yield is much less than before. Li Guangzong feels somewhat helpless, as it seems that continuing like this may even lead to problems with having enough to eat

Xie Xiaoyu has gradually found the knack for wielding the knife

However, none of this posed a problem for Xie Xiaoyu. He possessed the Heavenly Observation and Profound Insight technique, which allowed him to see the entire mine as brightly as day, with colorful orbs of light visible everywhere. These orbs represented the ores, each differing in color and type.

The smell of blood in the forest grew increasingly strong, and more and more wolf pelts piled up at his feet; the higher he went, the more intact the pelts became

I have been quite offensive, my apologies, my apologies. The scholar repeatedly clasped his hands in greeting. He bypassed Xie Xiaoyu and walked back the way he came

This is the first batch, regarded as an experiment. Once successful, there will be no need to worry about toxins in the soil and water in the future. Xie Xiaoyu revealed: "Do not eat too much of that rice. Although it appears very clean, it still contains many toxins."

After walking over a mile, Li Guangzong turned his head and said sternly to his son: "Listen, you are not to ask your brother about this matter again."

He could not help but recall a book of notes he had read in the past. That predecessor, who entered the path through martial arts, claimed to be able to engrave characters on a grain of rice using a golden silk broadsword.

Li Guangzong and his companions went to a relatively remote mine, which required walking about 5 or 6 miles

Suddenly, a demon wolf let out a sharp howl, and other demon wolves simultaneously charged in from all directions. The one giving the orders was the leader of the pack. The principle of overwhelming the few with the many is not exclusive to humans; even beasts understand this logic. Xie Xiaoyu did not move, knowing that he had only one chance to strike, and he must kill all the demon wolves with a single blow. Otherwise, if even one demon wolf got close, he would undoubtedly meet his death

In the northern part of Liaoning, winter brings frigid temperatures, and the snowfall can bury a person. If chickens are raised outdoors, they are sure to freeze to death. Therefore, the people of northern Liaoning construct wooden frames inside their cottages, layering them with partitions to raise the chickens on these shelves. A modest-sized cottage can accommodate two to three hundred chickens.

Suddenly, a faint sound of a bang echoed from afar, and a purple cloud of smoke began to spread across the eastern sky; that was a signal for help

Those tubes are another experiment by Xie Xiaoyu. He intends to try growing crops without soil. There is a medicinal herb called "Fog Bellflower" that is incompatible with the five elements; it cannot come into contact with metal, wood, water, fire, or earth. Therefore, this herb can only be planted in ceramic tubes, which are then filled with mist.

"What does this have to do with what I asked?" Li Fululu remained unconvinced

"Alright, go rinse your mouth and wash your face, then have your meal. After finishing your meal, come with me to work." Li Guangzong approached, wielding a large pot lid. He primarily communicated with his son through gestures, rarely using words to reason, as that was too exhausting.

In other words, these wolves were not killed by any special means, but rather were directly slain one by one with a single stroke, using an ordinary steel knife. Those capable of achieving this are either martial cultivators or sword cultivators

Three days later, the chicks were still lively and energetic, showing no signs of distress. Xie Xiaoyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief

Half an hour later, the sounds of footsteps outside became indeed noisy, and the others had returned as well. Emerging from the cave, Xie Xiaoyu saw Li Guangzong and the others climbing up the cliff, their faces covered in dirt and their hair disheveled.

I noticed that the chickens, ducks, fish, and meat here in the market seem to be categorized into different grades. The same item, if it is of a higher grade, costs ten times more. Originally, Xie Xiaoyu only intended to eat by himself, so he did not plan to scale up too much. However, after wandering around the market, he suddenly had a new idea

"Young man, just call us Lao Chang or Lao Chao; we cannot bear the title of 'uncle.'" A middle-aged man, roughly the same age as Li Guangzong, quickly cupped his hands in greeting.

"Go, hurry up, this is the only opportunity," shouted the scribe protected in the middle. The people beside him seemed to have been in agreement beforehand and immediately took off running.

In Middle-earth, there are also monstrous beasts; however, due to the multitude of sects and a large population, there are no longer any wild and desolate lands. The monstrous beasts have no habitat and can only survive in areas with fewer human traces, which is why most of them are small in size, quick in movement, and pose no threat

In the past, his first thought was to escape, or at least to take advantage of the terrain. Just on his way here, he had seen a cliff, which would have been a good place, as it would at least spare him the worry of being surrounded by enemies. But now, he would rather fight his way through with bloodshed.

This is a vein of ore He drew a large circle on the cave wall with his hand

A knife was plunged into each dead wolf, and their heads were severed. Xie Xiaoyu finally felt at ease. The smell of blood permeating the air made him frown

"Elder brother, you still haven't said what good news there is?" Li Fululu continued to inquire after finishing his introduction

Looking at the jagged blade, he secretly felt fortunate that the edge had shattered after the pack of wolves had fallen; otherwise, he would likely have faced dire consequences

A sound of metal cracking reached his ears. The blade had shattered.

These chickens eat insects, which need to be raised separately. The people of Liaobei feed them with materials like straw and bran, which are not consumed by humans. Therefore, even though Liaobei is covered in ice and snow for more than half the year and little crops can be grown, the people there still live quite well

In the past, Xie Xiaoyu was solely focused on rigorous training within the sect, and now it seems laughable to reflect on it. At that time, he had no idea what he was cultivating, much like an old farmer diligently plowing the fields without knowing what to plant. Diligence is indeed commendable, yet it was foolish to the extreme

After the chick hatches, it is immediately transferred to this coop

Knowing that this method is feasible is sufficient; he can practice according to this method, and one day he will surely reach that level.

He also saw the long knife, noticing the shattered blade.

There was a short and stout fellow beside him, holding a compass the size of a mirror. Xie Xiaoyu realized that she had been negligent

The hostility did not diminish due to these words; instead, it grew even stronger.

With his mind settled, he no longer troubled himself with these mundane matters. For a practitioner, strength is the most important.

This statement is not only directed at Li Fulv, but also aims to help the other few foolish individuals understand the reasoning behind it

Currently, in such a vast mining area, there are only two to three thousand people engaged in mining, and often only a few individuals are working in a single mining tunnel

Just now, this person revealed the location where Xie Xiaoyu was hiding, drawing all the attention of the demon wolves. They took the opportunity to escape, which has already made Xie Xiaoyu very displeased. Now, with such unpleasant words being spoken, it is commendable that Xie Xiaoyu has not resorted to violence.

His gains are not limited to these; more importantly, he has come to understand the meaning of the phrase "All things have their ultimate principles"

He threw the bare wolf carcass far away, then bent down to retrieve another wolf carcass. Just like before, he plunged the knife into its back, then slid the blade along the wolf's skin to peel it off. This time, he removed more than half of the wolf's hide.

Others also dared not speak much, tidying themselves up. After finishing breakfast, they tossed their bowls aside and all followed Li Guangzong, leaving only Chang Shu to clean up the dishes.

One wolf after another crashed into the blood ring.

The chaotic footsteps and the cacophony of wolf howls came to an abrupt halt, leaving only a series of soft thuds as the bodies of the wolves fell to the ground

Li Guangzong let out a gasp, his expression changing dramatically, for he understood that Xie Xiaoyu was not exaggerating

To master the knife, there is truly no secret involved; with practice, the principles become clear. However, how many can endure this monotony?

The meal has long been prepared. Uncle Zhang respectfully presented a bowl of fine white rice to Xie Xiaoyu.

As soon as he arrived, he wanted to subdue Xie Xiaoyu, and this was not without reason

After walking away, he finally let out a sigh of relief, suddenly turning around to deliver a slap to the subordinate who had just spoken: "Don't be so clever in the future. It doesn't matter if you die, just don't drag me down with you."

There are sounds of beasts roaring ahead, as well as the sounds of fighting. The ground and trees are strewn with broken branches and fallen leaves, and many trees have toppled over. The thickest tree would require two people to embrace it.

Placing a flawless wolf pelt aside, Xie Xiaoyu shook his wrist. The long knife in his hand was no longer as stiff as it had been at the beginning; it had become increasingly agile. Of course, he was still far from being comparable to that senior who carved characters on rice grains with a golden-threaded broadsword.

"I dare not, I dare not." That person shrank back, displaying an expression of deep trepidation.

The scent of blood will attract other beasts; however, it is truly a waste to leave these wolf corpses here. He took one of the wolf corpses and plunged his long knife directly into its spine, then sliced down along the wolf's hide. Half of the wolf's skin was peeled away, and the edges of the cut were jagged. This was due to the knife being too long, and the blade had all become chipped, resulting in a serrated edge.

"Please help me build a shed, and also make some wooden frames and partitions, resembling the silkworm houses found in the Jiangnan region." Xie Xiaoyu was at a loss for words, gesturing continuously as she spoke.

This is the practice of martial artists, not the method of swordsmanship practiced by monks, yet the principles are the same. The understanding of swordsmanship by martial artists may even surpass that of monks, as their sword techniques are more pure, unlike those of monks which are mixed with too many elements.

Xie Xiaoyu was hesitating whether to save or to leave when suddenly she heard the scholar calling out loudly in this direction: "If this friend is willing to lend a helping hand, I will surely repay you generously."

The blade remained as swift as ever, while the other end of the demon wolf still maintained its posture of howling at the sky, yet its vitality had been extinguished. Strike with the blade, and strike again.

Xie Xiaoyu felt a bit embarrassed. Having known this group of people for several days, he surprisingly did not know their names. Previously, he had been feeling depressed and viewed everything with indifference; to him, these people were merely passersby and had not been taken to heart. However, after venting his feelings last night, he felt refreshed and found everyone more agreeable. Moreover, he was able to obtain the "Six Suchness Method" largely thanks to Li Guangzong and these individuals. If the "Six Suchness Method" was his opportunity, then perhaps getting to know these people was also a form of fortune.

The elders in the sect certainly understand this principle, but they will not articulate it; this principle must be comprehended on one's own, otherwise it may have the opposite effect and could very well lead to a loss of ambition.

The subordinate, holding his face, asked with a sense of grievance: "That kid is at most at the third level of Qi training, why do you care so much?"

Others, of course, do not know the reason behind it; they believe that true cultivators do not need to eat. With a few hurried bites, Li Guangzong impatiently walked up to Xie Xiaoyu.

Xie Xiaoyu hesitated not only about whether he would put himself at risk, but also about whether these people were worth saving

Following the sound and running for a mile, he finally saw seven or eight people surrounded by numerous phantoms ahead. These phantoms resembled wolves, their colors dull, and their outlines vague, as if shrouded in a mist, or like a series of overlapping shadows. They were demonic beasts

Xie Xiaoyu still tightly gripped the long knife, not daring to relax in the slightest. During his time in prison, he had suffered losses, thinking that others had already been defeated by him. Unexpectedly, that person feigned death and, taking advantage of his turn, stabbed a hole in his chest with a chopstick

Since his concealment had been seen through, Xie Xiaoyu no longer hid himself and leaped out. As soon as he moved, two demon wolves immediately charged towards him

Others likely see him as he sees Li Fulü, considering him foolish and naive. Truly intelligent individuals understand the purpose of cultivation; they simply need to focus on their goals. This is why there is the saying that one can learn from the mistakes of others and draw parallels from different fields. Taiyuan Laozu was devoted to calligraphy and painting, while Hengyi Laozu was obsessed with stone inscriptions and seal carving. It is likely that these were not mere hobbies, but rather a form of cultivation.

His knife is very long, measuring one zhang in length, with the blade and the handle each accounting for half. Normally, the blade can be retracted into the handle. The waterfall is a hundred zhang high, with the water flowing down with tremendous force, yet he remains completely unconcerned, not even moving his heels.

In high spirits, Xie Xiaoyu no longer skinned the wolf. He casually rolled up the wolf skin on the ground and left. Not long after he walked away, a rustling sound emerged from the forest, and the group returned. The person who had just been slapped was pushing a unicycle, and they were all somewhat surprised to see that there were still wolf carcasses that had not been fully skinned.

Aren't those eggs? Li Guangzong had long been speculating about the uses of eggs and bronze vessels. Although he is a countryman, he is not foolish; eggs are not meant for eating, but rather for hatching into chicks and raising them.

"You brat, don't be so ungrateful. It's your good fortune that I have taken a liking to you." A person beside them, seeing Xie Xiaoyu remain indifferent, immediately scolded.

Xie Xiaoyu's mind became completely blank in the face of the situation, and wielding a knife had long since become a reflex. This was a result of his time spent with that group of thugs. During the six months in prison and the six months on the vast ship, he hardly dared to sleep, for once he did, he could be suddenly attacked and killed. He could only take brief naps, keeping his body in a posture ready to strike at any moment, immediately countering any assault.

"After finishing the meal, I will go over with you to take a look," said Xie Xiaoyu. Since he is a member of this group, he should contribute his share.

The few individuals who were besieged were not simple; most of the people gathered on the periphery, each holding a sharp blade. A middle-aged scholar was protected in the center; it was this person who wielded a magical artifact composed of countless petals, keeping the demon wolves at bay.

"Elder brother, what were you shouting about last night?" Li Fulou asked, still half-asleep.

The path of sword cultivation is not merely about meditation; possessing a robust amount of true energy is of no use at all. The remarkable aspect of sword cultivators lies in their mastery of extraordinary swordsmanship.

The blood ring is far from being as sharp as a blade, yet it is already sufficient to cut into the flesh

Seeing this group of people flee, Xie Xiaoyu was so furious that he nearly spat blood. He came to rescue others, yet those he saved actually treated him as bait and a scapegoat

"Isn't that impressive? Wouldn't everyone choose these two paths then?" the person just asked.

I just want to understand a few things said Xie Xiaoyu with a slight smile

"I can't eat that much," said Xie Xiaoyu, pushing half a bowl away with his chopsticks. It wasn't that he had a small appetite, but rather that he didn't want to eat more, not wanting to let too many toxins enter his body. Before the chickens hatched and grew up, it was sufficient to consume just enough food to sustain life.

Suddenly, he stopped. On a section of the cave wall, there were numerous clusters of light, most of which were a deep purple. This mining area primarily produces copper, including not only regular copper but also varieties such as red fire copper, purple celestial copper, pearlescent copper, and blood streak copper. The wall before him was composed of purple celestial copper

However, one cannot fully trust everything in books; it is essential to verify. Therefore, he only purchased 200 eggs. Once successful, he would then scale up.

Having set up the incubation platform, Xie Xiaoyu returned to her seat and sat cross-legged again. Cultivation is a tedious endeavor, with most of the time spent in meditation, thus one must endure solitude.

Originally, there were only two demon wolves, but as they approached, the scene transformed into a multitude of wolf shadows, with at least a thousand appearing from all directions. This demon beast possesses the ability to create countless illusions. Xie Xiaoyu quickly formed a hand seal and brushed it across her eyes.

Xie Xiaoyu slowed his pace, hesitating.

How could it be so easy? Martial practitioners must first train their bodies; among ten individuals, at most one or two can endure this hardship. To enter the path of martial arts also requires talent, aptitude, and comprehension, all of which are indispensable. With such talent, pursuing other paths would surely be smoother. The requirements for sword practitioners are slightly less demanding, yet the expectations for comprehension remain high. Moreover, the path of the sword is fraught with danger; when encountering a bottleneck, one often has to seek breakthroughs through life-and-death struggles. Those who frequently stand by the river will inevitably get their shoes wet. Out of ten sword practitioners, nine will die untimely deaths, and the remaining one will surely be overly cautious, unable to make any progress throughout their life. At this point, the scholar felt much of the frustration in his heart dissipate.

The monstrous beasts before us are distinctly different; it is immediately apparent that they are extremely dangerous

He used to possess a remarkably swift escape technique, but unfortunately, it could only be executed with that particular life-bound magical artifact. Now that the artifact is lost, this escape technique has been rendered completely useless. After running for a full half an hour, he finally arrived.

The demon wolves were arranged both in front and behind, clearly aware that lining up could lead to being taken out in one fell swoop. In the blink of an eye, the nearest wolf had already charged within three feet, even leaping into the air. The blade finally moved, the sharp long knife slicing through the air, producing a buzzing sound. It was not as thunderous as a storm, yet it instilled a sense of dread.

That is the place where he practices swordsmanship

He suddenly slid forward, his long knife slicing out like lightning. The knife was a full 10 feet long, and with its speed, the demon wolf had no time to evade. The blade passed without leaving a trace

Outside the shed, that oddly shaped copper kettle was boiling on the stove, and from the other end of the copper pipe, drops of clear water kept dripping down.

The people around him were initially somewhat stirred, but upon hearing this explanation, they were no longer moved. The scholar spoke these words very loudly, and his voice drifted far into Xie Xiaoyu's ears. He knew that these words were deliberately spoken for his benefit, intended to disturb his state of mind

This is not a treasured sword, nor is it a magical weapon; it is merely a blade that he had forged by a blacksmith for five taels of silver, made from ordinary fine steel. Just now, when he exerted all his strength to deliver that strike, the blade barely withstood the force, but the edge was simply too fragile, which is why it shattered.

"I’m afraid there won’t be enough time? I also raise chickens at home, and it takes two to three months for a chick to grow up." Li Guangzong was in a state of panic, sweating profusely.

The copper kettle has been taken out and placed on a small stove. The kettle is filled with water, and a copper pipe connects to the spout. The section that runs back and forth is covered with two thick layers of cotton blankets, and he is placing the eggs one by one on the blankets

Xie Xiaoyu hesitated for a moment, but still rushed towards that direction

Even if this is merely a low-grade magical artifact, it is still quite rare, as this artifact possesses both offensive and defensive capabilities, making it impossible for an ordinary person to possess such an item

Your Excellency, think it over carefully. Once this village is passed, there will be no more shops. The scholar said slowly and unhurriedly. Unfortunately, this tactic was of no use at all

During his time in the sect, he had extensively read a wide range of books, including various geographical texts and agricultural writings. Among them, one book mentioned that the people of Liaobei raised chickens in their cottages

There is no need for that; a month and a half will be sufficient. Xie Xiaoyu is confident. All those eggs have been nourished with wood spirit energy, so their growth rate will undoubtedly be much faster. Moreover, he does not intend to let the chickens grow too large; reaching one pound will be enough

He took another slice, removing the remaining half of the wolf skin, and this time it felt even more effortless. Xie Xiaoyu suddenly realized that this was a good method for practicing control.