[Essence Treasure Boiling] concluded, and the servants returned to their usual routine.
Li Xian continued weeding, using the intervals to refine his fist technique.
[Skill Level +1]
...
[Skill Level: 756/1000 Mastery]
At the current pace, three days might not be enough. Li Xian gritted his teeth, firm in his resolve.
Intensifying his fist practice!
Two days swiftly passed.
[Skill Level: 872/1000 Mastery]
Only one day remained.
That noon.
In the servant room, Li Xian made do with a meal of simple steamed buns and water. His gaze roamed, observing his surroundings.
Seeing Luo Fang and Bi Hao absent, none of the other servants focused on him.
"The time is ripe." Li Xian softly walked out, picking up his pace after distancing himself from the others, heading toward the nursing home courtyard.
The path was lush with greenery and pleasant scenery, featuring occasional rockeries, ponds, and other garden landscapes.
A world apart from the servant room.
"Enrollment must happen at the last moment. That sly and sinister Luo Fang, if I register too early, he'll surely learn of it and target me."
"Similarly... if I fail the nursing home competition this time, the outcome will be utterly miserable. Luo Fang won't spare me! It's all-or-nothing!"
Li Xian clenched his fists, palms sweating, yet his steps remained steady.
"Sneaking around, what are you up to?"
Someone reached out to block Li Xian, glaring with a commanding presence.
This person was named Qiao Dashou, one of the nursing home guards at Yihetang Manor.
Though both were housekeepers, bound by indenture contracts, "nursing home guards" and "servants" were worlds apart.
Just looking at the meals revealed the difference.
Nursing home guards, if nothing else, at least had meat every meal, their stomachs never lacking oil and water.
"Big brother, I'm here to enroll." Li Xian respectfully said.
"Enroll?"
Qiao Dashou appeared arrogant, looking down at Li Xian, and casually advised:
"Your height is suitable, but so skinny, surely you're unsuited for the nursing home. Go back, don't waste effort."
Li Xian frowned; this person's attitude was unpleasant.
"Still not leaving?"
Qiao Dashou sneered; after offering kind advice, this stubborn servant remained oblivious, he remarked: "I've seen many like you."
"As a servant, harboring unrealistic fantasies all day. What kind of person is Qiao Dashou? I say you're not suitable, surely that's no lie."
Li Xian responded calmly: "Though I'm a servant, I believe enrolling is my decision. How you see me, matters not."
He sidestepped Qiao Dashou, directly entering the courtyard.
"You!"
Qiao Dashou was furious, "How dare a mere servant speak to me this way."
Just as he considered punishment, Pang Long's reminder surfaced: servant enrollment must not be impeded, violators face expulsion.
...
Pang Long sat in the courtyard, seeing a young servant approach, he said: "Here to enroll?"
Li Xian nodded: "Servant from Class Nine, number twenty-seven Li Xian requests to join the nursing home competition."
"Alright."
Pang Long glanced over.
This youth wore ragged clothing and had a filthy appearance, initially indistinguishable from other servants.
Yet upon closer inspection, his eyes bore a bright sharpness.
"Interesting, for a martial artist, a bit of spirit is essential. Recently, many enrolling servants have been sneaky types. This one... seems different," Pang Long thought.
Unbeknownst to him, Luo Fang feigned compliance, intentionally concealed news of the nursing home competition.
Only leaking information to those weak and sickly, who even if enrolled, lacked competitiveness.
Also, this obscured suspicion from Pang Long.
"Write your name here and servant number. Return here tomorrow morning."
"Understood!"
Li Xian signed his information and turned to leave.
Pang Long picked up the paper, raising his eyebrows slightly: "Firm writing, has this Li Xian studied before?"
In fact, Li Xian wasn't bad in academics. If talent were considered, pursuing the Great Wu Dynasty exams was well within reach.
However... education cost was high, Li Xiaofan, his brother, had an exceptional memory and intelligence, suited more for academia.
Before Li Xian's father passed, the three lived by hunting, the brothers each pursuing academics and martial arts, though not wealthy, had hopeful futures.
...
That night.
Displaying determination, Li Xian, marked at the servant room, hid in a neglected room he often cleaned.
Awaiting deep night...
Under moonlight and gentle breeze, practiced punch after punch, intensely training.
[Skill Level +1]
[Skill Level +1]
"The world is cruel, and my life, Li Xian, is worth little."
"But I refuse to sink here; whether it's good or bad depends on tomorrow's fate."
"I will...
just keep throwing my punches!"
Suddenly inspired, he punched relentlessly, feeling neither tired nor weary. Sweat soaked his clothes as if he were standing in the rain.
Time passed...
[Skill Level +1]
[Skill Level +1]
[Wild Bull Fist·Fragment]
[Skill Level: 915/1000 Mastery]
...
[Skill Level: 946/1000 Mastery]
By this time, the sky was beginning to brighten.
Li Xian faced both physical and mental exhaustion, sustained only by sheer will.
He widened his eyes, which were bloodshot.
Every punch remained steady and consistent, like an old ox chewing grass — clearly hungry but with a distinct rhythm.
Despite his youth, he showed a mature and composed demeanor.
[Skill Level: 976/1000 Mastery]
By now, daylight had fully arrived, and the copper gong in the servant room rang out.
If Li Xian's guess was correct, the class leader would already be counting heads.
Luo Fang likely knew he didn't return all night. According to Yihetang Manor's rules, he could seize the opportunity to put him to death!
"If a man doesn't strive upwards, what kind of man is he?"
"Rules are made to bully honest people."
Ignoring the sound of the copper gong, he continued to swing his fists, again and again...
[Skill Level: 989/1000 Mastery]
"Just a bit more!"
Li Xian had pushed beyond exhaustion.
"Class Nine, Number Twenty-Seven!"
"How dare you stay out all night!"
"Steward Luo said if you show up immediately, you might be spared!"
"Where are you hiding? Come out now!"
"I know you're nearby!"
Servants from Class Nine searched everywhere.
With Luo Fang implementing a system of collective accountability, Li Xian's disappearance made the rest of Class Nine the most anxious.
They soon found their way near the desolate house.
At that moment, Li Xian was invigorated.
[Skill Level Maxed]
[Wild Bull Fist·Fragment]
[Skill Level: 0/1500 Minor Achievement]
[Description: Wild Bull, cunning yet straightforward... possessing an ox's simplicity without losing the ferocity of a tiger or leopard. Head down as an ox, head up like a tiger. You've thrown tens of thousands of punches, thus slightly enhancing your Qi power.]
In his dantian, warmth gathered and lingered.
Heaven does not overlook those who strive; a night of practice finally bore fruit, catching up on progress!
Li Xian scaled the wall of the backyard, avoiding the servants' search.
"As long as I successfully join the Nursing Home, I can escape this calamity."
"Although I violated servant rules, Luo Fang, as a timid bully, would never dare to ask Pang Long for me!"
Li Xian wasn't just a hothead acting recklessly.
He had his considerations and knew how to endure, suppressing himself for his goals.
...
At the Nursing Home courtyard.
The martial arts competition was about to begin; Pang Long sat in front, flanked by three nursing home staff on each side.
Bi Hao stood among the servants.
Though dressed in ordinary servant attire, he stood tall, standing out in the crowd.
Pang Long's gaze lingered on him for a few moments, thinking silently, "Among this group, only Bi Hao has some presence."
"The time is almost up; is there anyone who hasn't..." Pang Long asked one of the nursing home staff before he finished his sentence, footsteps approached.
Li Xian rushed into the courtyard, catching his breath, and said, "Commander Pang, I'm here."
"Hmm, you're not late yet. Join the ranks," Pang Long said flatly.
"Li Xian?! Why are you here too? Who allowed you to come?" Bi Hao recognized Li Xian, eyes wide with shock.
Li Xian narrowed his eyes slightly, "Brother Bi, I came on my own. We are rivals. Please guide me in the future."
"You brat! You've been hiding this so well, you knew about it too!"
Bi Hao was furious, leaning in and whispering, "Do you think you deserve to be my brother? Fine, showing up here is really something. You've got guts, daring to challenge me; let's see if you can withstand my wrath!"
Li Xian couldn't be bothered to argue, clenching his fists.
A real man shows his true strength through his fists!