Set a goal, and the system takes over the body.

Qi Xiuyuan quietly watched the boy practicing his boxing not far away. Sunlight filtered through the leaves and fell on the boy, making him look spirited and energetic.

This promising youngster has begun to feel a sense of belonging to the Qingshan Martial Arts School.

Back in the side courtyard, Qi Xiuyuan composed himself and sat down at the table.

"Set a goal: study the White Tiger Golden Blade for one hour!"

[Target detected: Research the White Tiger's Golden Blade]

Method 1: Focus all efforts on research...

"Method One!"

[The system has taken over the body and begun full-scale research.]

His body automatically picked up the sword manual on the table and slowly turned the pages one by one.

Qi Xiuyuan took advantage of this free time to sort out his own situation in his mind.

"Right now, I have perfected both the Five Elements Stance and the Five Animal Fist, but my cultivation level is still in the late stage of the Qi and Blood Realm. I still need to practice the Five Elements Stance diligently every day and strive to break through to the Inner Strength Realm as soon as possible."

"I have to study the White Tiger Golden Blade every day and find out the traps hidden inside as soon as possible before I can start practicing it with peace of mind. As for the God-Sealing Finger, its foundation is too deep, and I will have to endure a long time before I can break through to the next realm."

"The rest is to find more martial arts, level them all up to perfection, and obtain more Dao Fruits. This is the fastest way to improve in the early stages."

"Unfortunately, the system panel doesn't recognize the simplified version of the basic long fist technique that my father made, so it wasn't included. I'll have to find some time to go to my father's room and check if the manual for the Hundred Battles Blade is still there."

The Hundred Battles Saber is another famous martial art of Qi Qingshan, which follows a fierce and brutal approach and is much more powerful than the Five Animal Fist.

In the past, only formal disciples with sufficient aptitude could be taught this sword technique.

But ever since Han Zhou's betrayal, Qi Qingshan has never passed it on lightly again.

According to him, anyone whose character doesn't pass the test will not be allowed to participate.

This knife technique is a true killing skill; if it falls into the hands of someone with evil intentions, it will only bring harm to others.

Without hesitation, Qi Xiuyuan went to his father's room as soon as he regained control of his body. The room was simply furnished, with an old wooden cabinet against the wall and a bookshelf by the bed, but no books were on it.

He searched high and low, even looking under the bed and on the beams, but he still couldn't find the secret manual for the Hundred Battles Blade.

There was no other way but to give up.

Given his status, it would be impossible for him to go to another martial arts school to learn from a master.

So Qi Xiuyuan turned around and went to the pharmacy, took five portions of medicinal materials for refining Qi and Blood Pills, and returned to the martial arts school's alchemy room to start refining the pills.

Qi Xiuyuan skillfully added the medicine and controlled the fire, his movements flowing smoothly.

"As expected of a master alchemy technique, eight pills in one batch, with four high-grade and four mid-grade pills produced steadily, and the pill-forming time was reduced by nearly a third."

Looking at the gradually cooling pills in the porcelain plate, each one round and glistening with a faint glow, Qi Xiuyuan smiled slightly.

Refining complete.

Twenty high-quality grains and twenty medium-quality grains were produced.

Qi Xiuyuan kept fifteen high-grade pills for his cultivation, and wrapped up the rest to send to Qingshan Pharmacy to give to Hua Nanweng.

"Excellent! Young Master's alchemy skills are becoming increasingly impressive! With this batch of top-grade Qi and Blood Pills, those who doubt our pharmacy will soon be silenced, and Green Mountain Pharmacy's business will definitely see a significant increase!"

Qi Xiuyuan nodded slightly: "I'll leave the pharmacy matter to Elder Hua."

Hua Nanweng quickly cupped his hands in greeting: "Young Master, you're too kind. These are all things that this old man should do."

Second Uncle Qi Wence has always trusted Hua Nanweng.

Qi Xiuyuan naturally trusted him.

Without lingering, he turned and left the pharmacy.

It was getting dark, and the shops along the street were gradually closing up, with only a few lanterns casting a dim yellow light.

Qi Xiuyuan took a shortcut and turned into a secluded old alley.

The alley was narrow, the bluestone pavement was uneven, weeds grew in the corners of the walls, and it rustled in the wind, carrying with it the sultry heat of the day.

We hadn't gone far inside.

Qi Xiuyuan felt a sudden alarm bell ring in his mind, and the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end.

Without thinking, he suddenly exerted force with his feet and took half a step to the side.

"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Three short, triangular nails, each about an inch long, flew past his shoulder, making three sharp clanging sounds, before landing diagonally on the bluestone slab, sparks flying everywhere.

"Huh? He actually dodged it?"

A surprised voice came from above.

Qi Xiuyuan's gaze turned cold as he looked up at the eaves diagonally above.

A dark figure crouched on the roof, a hidden weapon in his hand, his body almost blending into the night.

The dark figure leaped down and landed steadily in the alley, blocking the retreat.

Qi Xiuyuan turned his head slightly, and a dark figure slowly walked out from the other end of the alley, carrying a thick-backed machete in his hand. The blade was chipped in several places, but it was still sharpened to a gleaming shine.

"You brat from the Green Mountain Martial Arts School, huh? Hmph, daring to join the prefect in instigating this rebellion and trying to wipe out my Black Wind Stronghold? Today, I'll let you see some blood, as a warning to the others!"

The dark figure holding the knife let out a deep snort, his tone full of ferocity.

As soon as they finished speaking, the two of them charged towards Qi Xiuyuan simultaneously, one after the other.

"People from Black Wind Stronghold?"

Qi Xiuyuan frowned slightly, but his steps remained perfectly steady.

He shifted his feet, unleashing his deer-like movement technique, sidestepping two incoming hidden weapons, and then stepped onto the wall, using the momentum to leap into the air, barely dodging a horizontal slash from behind.

The blade grazed past, carving a deep gash into the earthen wall beside him.

Both of them are veterans and work together seamlessly.

If the first attack misses, immediately change tactics.

Hidden weapons shot in from the front like a string of pearls, while blades slashed down from behind, weaving a net of hidden weapons and blades in the narrow alley.

Qi Xiuyuan remained completely calm, using the Five Animal Frolics technique to dodge left and right with ease, without even being touched by the hem of his clothes.

In just a few breaths, he spotted the weakness in the black figure wielding the knife.

With a light step, he suddenly closed in, transforming from deer to ape, his movements unpredictable and cunning, his fingertips brushing against the blade's edge as he aimed for his opponent's heart.

But just as it was about to hit the target.

Two short nails shot towards him with a whistling sound, clearly intended to force him to withdraw and defend.

Qi Xiuyuan neither dodged nor avoided, but instead used his waist and abdomen to twist his body in mid-air, as nimbly as a nimble ape turning over.

"Swoosh! Swoosh!"

Two short nails flew past his waist and abdomen, tearing his outer garment but not injuring his skin.

His fingers, without pausing, steadily touched the chest of the figure wielding the knife.

The divine energy instantly flowed into his body.

The black figure wielding the knife suddenly stiffened and froze on the spot.

His internal energy and blood seemed to be disturbed by an invisible hand, completely out of control. He was so shocked that his eyes widened suddenly. He desperately tried to urge his internal energy and blood to break free from the restraint, but it was no use at all. He couldn't even open his mouth to shout.

The next instant, two more hidden weapons flew towards this side.

"Get out of the way!"

The shadowy figure who launched the hidden weapon shouted in a deep voice.

Based on their years of tacit cooperation, the shadowy figure wielding the knife should have taken two steps to the left at this moment.

The shadowy figure wielding the knife remained rooted to the spot and crashed right into it.

"Pfft! Pfft!"

Two flying nails struck the black-clad figure with solid force, causing him so much pain that his eyes nearly bulged out and veins bulged on his forehead, yet he couldn't even utter a groan.