Republic of China Era: Entering the Dao through Divine Strike.

Overwhelmed with emotion, she laughed heartily, "No problem, I'm always ready. It's just that prices have gone up these days, a bowl of tea costs three coins, so don't think I'm stingy then."

Li Xin had already stepped out of the courtyard gate.

The warm morning light bathed Li Garden, gilding the entire courtyard with a gentle golden glow.

Compared to Zhuang Hongxiu and the others, their master needs them even more.

Furthermore, apart from the world's top mystical powers, no one in the normal secular martial arts world can suppress him.

In the bamboo garden, Cheng Yuanhua was concentrating on standing meditation to cultivate his inner energy.

Since he comprehended the principle of Yin and Yang in balance last time, his cultivation level has steadily increased.

He barely stands at the level of a grandmaster of Chinese martial arts.

However, there is still a long way to go before one can cultivate true qi.

In his lifetime, Cheng Yuanhua also wanted to see the scenery in the distance, so that his apprentice wouldn't be the only one to enjoy it.

Don't be fooled by his seemingly indifferent attitude.

Actually, people also care about saving face.

Li Xin stepped forward slowly, steadily holding out two ounces of condensed dragon energy with both hands, his tone respectful and sincere.

“Master, this wisp of dragon energy is gentle and nourishing, which can stabilize your old injuries and help you improve your cultivation.”

Cheng Yuanhua lowered his eyes and looked at the golden light pulsating in his palm. He remained silent for a long time without any further emotion, and then directly opened his mouth to absorb and refine it.

The pure dragon energy enters the body, slowly nourishing hidden injuries and strengthening the body's foundation.

He raised his hand, and his thick, steady palm gently patted Li Xin's shoulder. The force was so strong that Li Xin almost thought his master was testing his palm technique.

"Good lad, you've got some skills."

Cheng Yuanhua sighed, "Master has taken too much advantage of you."

"Why speak like two families?"

Li Xin smiled.

"That's true." Cheng Yuanhua didn't say anything more, his heart filled with mixed feelings.

This wisp of dragon energy helped him condense his inner strength, greatly increasing his power. With a single palm strike, his inner strength extended half an inch beyond his palm.

In the martial arts world, apart from the hidden masters of the Taoist and Buddhist sects, no body-refining martial artist can reach this level.

He has now completely transcended the realm of the Six Absolutes and has seen the path ahead.

This was something I never dared to dream of before.

This apprentice...

……

In the backyard training ground, under the scorching sun and gentle breeze, Li Cheng was sweating profusely as he practiced the Mad Demon Staff.

The staff's wind howled fiercely, each move was powerful and domineering, every strike was executed with all one's might, and the diligent and arduous training never ceased.

Seeing Li Xin approach, he put away his staff, stopped, wiped the sweat from his face with his sleeve, and waited for instructions.

Li Xin offered no further explanation, but instead raised his hand and steadily channeled two ounces of dragon energy into his dantian, saying softly, "Brother, refine it well and diligently cultivate your martial arts."

A warm, pure current burst forth instantly, spreading to every part of the body and throughout the meridians.

Li Cheng stood there stunned for a moment before realizing how precious this opportunity was.

He was not good with words and could not express his gratitude in a fancy way. He just nodded heavily, his eyes full of determination.

He picked up the staff again and began practicing, this time wielding the Mad Demon Staff with even greater ferocity and power than ever before.

The fierce wind from the stick swept across the courtyard wall, shaking off the withered moss and broken stones that had accumulated over the years, its power increasing several times over.

Li Xinli stood quietly under the corridor for a moment, then turned and returned to the Bamboo Garden Study.

The antique silver bottle that he always kept with him was now completely empty.

The full ten taels of dragon vein true energy were all divided into light.

Each of the five people received two ounces, and everyone benefited greatly.

Zhuang Hongxiu broke through from the initial stage of refining strength to the mastery of refining strength in one fell swoop. The next step is to soften the strength and completely solidify the foundation.

Cheng Feiyan and Wang Jingya both broke through the peak of Dark Force and steadily stepped into the realm of Transformation Force;

Cheng Yuanhua condensed and compressed his internal energy, taking a half-step into the True Qi Realm;

Li Cheng successfully developed hidden strength. He worked even harder and took half a step ahead of Zhuang Hongxiu.

All of their breakthroughs and advancements were within his prior calculations and predictions.

The empty silver bottle sat still on the table, the sun, moon, mountains and rivers patterns engraved on its body completely faded and lost their luster. No one knew how the monk with the silver bottle obtained this thing, as it could absorb all intangible things.

It's really easy to use.

Li Xin found it so convenient that he was reluctant to part with it even for a moment. He would even sigh, lamenting that it was a pity it couldn't hold solid objects, which was ultimately a bit of a shame.

……

The sound of weapons clashing echoed from the front yard.

Cheng Feiyan and Wang Jingya were sparring and testing their swords, their blades flashing and clanging.

Interspersed among them were the clear cheers of Xiaoyue and Ali.

Li Garden is vibrant, lively, and full of youthful energy.

Li Xin leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes slightly, and a smile appeared on his lips.

He rested for less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn before he opened his eyes, got up, and reached out to spread out the topographical map of the capital region on the table.

He remembered every single piece of information that Jin San Niang had kept hidden in her heart last night.

A thousand Onsa Templar Knights and ten boxes of deadly Holy Light bombs will arrive in the capital within two days at the latest.

This was merely the vanguard of the foreign powers' entry into Beijing.

Since the dragon vein of the capital city was torn open and the dragon energy was leaked out, all the great powers of the world have sensed an opportunity, like bloodthirsty sharks.

If the Anssa dared to send a large number of troops into the country, then Japan, Germany, France, and other countries must also be secretly deploying troops and waiting for an opportunity to enter the fray.

Once the armies of various countries gather, his hopes of seizing the dragon vein will be slim.

Leaving aside things that are too far in the future, let's just talk about this batch of Holy Light Bombs. They absolutely must not set foot in the capital.

He not only wanted to stop them all, but also to establish his authority with ruthless methods.

This will make all foreign forces that covet the Central Plains' dragon veins see clearly:

Sending troops into the country to seize the dragon vein and national destiny is not a viable option.

Li Xin folded the map, tucked it into his robes, and pushed open the study door.

"Yang Fan, Dong Zhu."

Two boys rushed over upon hearing the commotion, bowing and waiting for orders.

Li Xin quickly assigned tasks, ordering the two to split into two groups to gather intelligence.

They rushed to Yuanshun Escort Agency, relying on Lu Changming's extensive network of informants throughout the Zhili prefectures and counties, to thoroughly investigate whether any large groups of foreign troops, military equipment, or supplies had recently moved towards the capital from the Tianjin Port area.

He ordered all the Cheng family's Bagua Sect disciples outside the capital to guard the nine gates of the capital and keep a close watch on all unfamiliar foreigners and suspicious groups entering and leaving the city.

The two accepted the order and left.

As darkness fell, all the intelligence from both sources was gathered.

Lu Changming personally went to the outer perimeter to investigate and collect evidence, and the disciples of the Bagua Sect also sent back detailed secret reports.

The intelligence from both sides corroborated each other, and the truth was more serious than Li Xin had anticipated.

Three days ago, allied forces did indeed land at Tianjin Port; it wasn't just the Anssa people.

Small groups of elite troops from Germany, Japan, and France landed and assembled.

Among them, the Anssa army was the most impressive in appearance and the best equipped.

Moreover, they also sent the Knights Templar.

I've heard that this group of people are all martial artists with cultivation, each one incredibly powerful and difficult to deal with.

The enemy's advance scout team has already penetrated deep into Langfang territory.

Under the guise of searching for Boxer rebels, they ravaged the countryside, not only conscripting laborers but also robbing grain and other supplies.

Anyone who refused to obey orders was hanged alive from a big tree at the village entrance.

Two young men who had narrowly escaped death risked their lives to rush to the capital to deliver the news, but were intercepted by disciples of the Yuanshun Escort Agency on the way. They recounted in detail all the inhumane events that had transpired.

"Master Wang is also trapped in the Langfang area."

Lu Changming's expression was solemn, and his tone was low and heavy.

"After burying Mr. Tan, he planned to return to Beijing immediately."

On the way, he witnessed foreign soldiers massacring villagers. Unable to bear the tragic deaths of the people, he intervened and killed several soldiers, but was then pursued by the enemy.

Later, when he encountered the Boxers fighting against foreigners, he immediately joined them to fight the enemy.

"We've fought several tough battles recently, suffering heavy casualties..."

Li Xin nodded. He knew that the famous sword could not possibly remain silent.

He fights wherever he goes.

"Does Senior Sister Jingya know about this?"

"I haven't told her yet. I'm afraid she'll be too distraught and impulsively leave the pass."

"I'll go and tell her."

Li Xin turned around and headed straight for Wang Jingya's courtyard.

After listening to the whole story, Wang Jingya didn't speak for a while.

"Father has always been like this."

She said weakly, with a hint of helplessness in her voice.

He took the dangers and hardships of others to heart, but never considered his own life and safety as worthless.

She raised her hand and fastened the long sword back to her waist, then suddenly stood up, her eyes filled with unwavering determination.

When do we set off?

"Let's set off immediately."

Before the words were finished, a soft sound came from the courtyard gate.

Cheng Feiyan was already fully prepared, with two swords at her waist and a bow and arrows on her back.

……

The night was deep, and the stars and moon were hidden.

The three men rode out of the capital on three horses.

The horse's hooves shattered the darkness of the night as it sped along the southeastern official road, heading straight for Langfang.

At dawn the next day, the three of them entered Langfang.

The scenery along the way was devastated and shocking.

The fertile fields on both sides of the official road were all abandoned, and the fallen wheat stalks were soaked in mud and water, turning black and rotting.

Every few miles, you can see farmhouses that have been completely burned down by fire, with charred beams and pillars standing crookedly in the ashes, and wisps of smoke rising from them.

Corpses were scattered along both sides of the road.

There was an old man whose chest and abdomen were pierced by bayonets and who died with his eyes wide open, and a woman whose head was shattered and whose body was covered in blood.

On the edge of the field, a barefoot child lay face down, his small hands tightly clutching half a withered ear of wheat. The dark red blood from the congealed wound on his head completely stained the wheat.

Wang Jingya gripped the reins tightly, her anger surging within her.

Cheng Feiyan looked away, her lips pressed into a cold, hard line, gripping the hilt of her knife tightly, clearly burning with rage.

Li Xin's eyes were cold as he looked up into the distance.