Starting as a dockworker

Chapter 47: As his cultivation level improved, Old Xiao became worried!

Ever since Lady Xiangshan granted Li Xiao the backing seal, Li Xiao has been a cultivator.

The mountain mark between his eyebrows absorbs spiritual energy on its own.

However, when I was in Fragrant Hills, the spiritual energy was abundant, and I absorbed a lot of it.

Since descending the mountain, the spiritual energy has been much less, and I can hardly feel any improvement in my cultivation.

But just now, they blew up the Japanese warehouse and rescued a group of women.

His cultivation, which had been stagnant for a long time, began to improve.

"In prosperous times, one secludes oneself in the mountains to cultivate; in chaotic times, one descends the mountains to save lives."

Li Xiao understood that he and the fortune teller were on two different paths.

When the fortune teller was born, it was a prosperous and peaceful time when the world was at peace and the people were well-fed and clothed. She practiced asceticism in the mountains.

In these chaotic times, I can gain merit by going down the mountain to save the world. Killing evil people and saving good people can both accumulate merit.

My actions just now have accumulated merit for the Goddess of Fragrant Mountain, which has benefited my cultivation.

"Relying solely on passively absorbing this meager spiritual energy, it's likely that even after ten years, there will be little progress. Only accumulating merit is the shortcut to cultivation in this chaotic world; heroes have always emerged from times of turmoil!"

Thinking this to himself, Li Xiao couldn't help but feel a little anticipation for this chaotic world.

After a long while, the feeling of spiritual energy entering the body disappeared.

Li Xiao closed his eyes and saw that a golden thread had appeared in his life fire, signifying thirteen years of cultivation!

Although my cultivation level only improved by one year, I felt the improvement was very significant.

The most obvious improvement was in his five senses. His eyes were brighter, his mind was clearer, and he could clearly feel that he was more sensitive to the surrounding energy. His body also felt a little lighter.

Secondly, the upper limit of spiritual power that can be used has increased, and the power of spiritual spells will also be improved.

Most importantly, it has an extra gold thread...

Although the fortune teller hadn't said anything, Li Xiao seemed to have guessed something.

Human life is like firewood; once the firewood is burned out, life is gone.

These golden threads are probably lifespan; once the firewood is burned out, the golden threads can replace the firewood and prolong life.

This is also why fortune tellers can live for hundreds of years!

Martial artists gain powerful vitality through martial arts training, which is like adding fuel to the fire.

The spiritual cultivation of a Taoist practitioner can replace firewood and extend lifespan.

Both have a similar effect!

However, those who cultivate Taoism often do not practice martial arts, and vice versa.

Because human life is finite, it is impossible to have both.

Take that young man who knew sorcery, for example; he was as weak as a chick.

But I'm different; I have my own equipment slots...

Only children make choices.

As for myself... I want to practice martial arts, I want to cultivate immortality, I want it all!

......

......

"Old Huo, what happened?"

"A huge explosion occurred at the Shishan Wharf in the west of the city."

Huo Jiu rushed to Guiyuan Martial Arts School and discussed the matter with Xiao Zhenshan in a room.

The huge explosion just now could be heard throughout the entire city of Wuling.

The towering flames illuminated the darkness of the night.

Xiao Zhenshan asked curiously, "Shishan Wharf? Hasn't that wharf been abandoned for a long time?"

Huo Jiu lit a cigarette, took a drag, and exhaled smoke.

"I only recently found out that those Japanese from the Black Dragon Society have taken over the docks. I don't know what they're up to, but now I understand. They've probably planted a lot of explosives there, possibly to use against my Dingyang Gang. Those treacherous bastards, when they can't do it openly, they resort to underhanded tactics!"

During this period, the Japanese constantly pressured Huo Jiu, forcing him to transfer the mine to the Black Dragon Society.

To exert pressure, he also frequently sent ronin to sabotage the mines.

Therefore, Huo Jiu dispatched more than two hundred men to guard the vicinity of the mine day and night.

The two groups clashed frequently, and both sides killed many people.

Upon hearing this, Xiao Zhenshan suddenly stood up and said, "Wait, Lao Huo, you're saying that the dock is Japanese territory???"

"Yes, why? Why are you so agitated, Brother Xiao?" Huo Jiu asked curiously.

Xiao Zhenshan's expression was grave. He slowly sat down, and after a long while, his throat tightened as he said, "Ah Si, could something have happened...?"

Huo Jiu asked in surprise, "A-Si...you mean Li Xiao? Is he involved in this matter?"

Xiao Zhenshan nodded: "This afternoon, I had a little conflict with those ronin from the Black Dragon Society..."

Huo Jiu said, "I just found out about this myself. I came here to discuss this matter with you. Those ronin are vindictive, so I'm telling you to be careful. They will definitely retaliate. If all else fails, you should take your disciples to my Dingyang City to take refuge."

The Dingyang Gang's headquarters were located outside the city, in a mountainous area. They built a fortified village called Dingyang City and secretly purchased guns and cannons from the Germans. Their firepower was no less than that of the army, and perhaps even stronger.

It would definitely be safer to send the martial arts school's people to Wubao.

"I appreciate Brother Huo's kindness."

Xiao Zhenshan politely declined, saying, "However, if I, Xiao Zhenshan, were to abandon my family and flee just because I fought a few Japanese ronin, what would outsiders think of me? Who would come to my martial arts school in the future?"

"That's true... If anything happens, just call out. The police in the city can't be relied on; they wouldn't dare offend the Japanese."

"Even the commander-in-chief Lan, who is afraid of causing international disputes, dares not offend him. Not to mention that his superior, Luo Keding, is close to the Japanese and signed some damned treaty."

"These bastards are bullying him in his own territory, and everyone just turns a blind eye."

"But I'm not afraid. I don't care what kind of Westerners or Japanese they are. I have guns and cannons. How can I let those foreign bastards shit on our heads?"

Huo Jiu knew in his heart that Lao Xiao definitely wouldn't go to his place.

People in the underworld value their reputation more than their lives.

But these words reassured Xiao Zhenshan.

The gangs in Wuling City are divided into large gangs and small gangs. Small gangs do things that oppress the people, while large gangs generally do legitimate business in order to support their large number of brothers.

Huo Jiu's Dingyang Gang monopolized the sand trade in Wuling City. He also secretly purchased a large number of German-made weapons from the Germans, making it a truly powerful gang.

Although Huo Jiu is not exactly a good person, he has one redeeming quality: he doesn't tolerate outsiders.

Xiao Zhenshan said with relief, "With your words, Brother Huo, I feel at ease."

Huo Jiu said, "By the way, you just mentioned Li Xiao, what's that about?"

Xiao Zhenshan looked worried: "This afternoon, some ronin were causing trouble on the street. Hong Qiong from the Hundred Refinements Martial Arts School and I intervened and rescued a young lady. Later, I discovered that my disciple Li Xiao was missing and hasn't returned yet. He's probably chasing after the Japanese. I'm very worried..."

Upon hearing this, Huo Jiu frowned, looking thoughtful.

However, at that moment, a voice suddenly rang out: "Old Xiao, don't worry, I'm back."

It was Li Xiao's voice.

Xiao Zhenshan was overjoyed and hurriedly looked up and around, but he didn't see anyone.

Huo Jiu was the same; he couldn't find Li Xiao at all.

Li Xiao revealed himself, patted Xiao Zhenshan on the shoulder, and appeared behind him.

"My disciple, your lightness skill is truly remarkable; even I couldn't detect it."

"I've never learned any light-body skills; they're just some minor tricks."

Li Xiao smiled and said.

Falling into the darkness is not about becoming invisible, but about merging into the darkness.

Not only their physical forms, but even their breathing and footsteps... all disappeared.

Even a martial arts master like Lao Xiao couldn't detect it; Li Xiao had already verified it.

Thankfully, electric lights weren't common in this world yet, otherwise he would have been exposed as soon as the lights were turned on...

"That's just a minor trick; I'm incredibly envious..."

As Lao Xiao was talking, he suddenly realized something.

Not only Xiao Zhenshan, but also Huo Jiu standing to the side.

His martial arts skills were also quite advanced, yet he couldn't detect when Li Xiao entered the room.

This ability to remain completely undetected...

Thinking of this, Huo Jiu was extremely surprised.

"Brother Li Xiao, that explosion just now, was it caused by you?!"