Chapter 855 - 401: Daily Essence Soup, Monthly Essence Treasure—No Hardship Can Stop Me

Chapter 855: Chapter 401: Daily Essence Soup, Monthly Essence Treasure—No Hardship Can Stop Me

Li Xian laughed freely and said, "In that case, I’m certainly not at a loss." Brother Yu nodded and said, "Of course not. Our Jade City, a city of wealth, would never shortchange the Thirty-Two True Guards. Moreover, the Gold Appraisal Guard involves many powerful martial arts, coveted even by the major families in the city. If the younger generation joins the Gold Appraisal Guard, their future is limitless, and guarding Jade City is naturally an honor. If one can learn the martial arts of the Gold Appraisal Guard, the family’s status would also rise significantly!"

Brother Yu was easygoing and pleasant to talk to. Knowing that Li Xian had little hope of joining the Gold Appraisal Guard, he did not walk away but instead engaged in a thoughtful discussion of the pros and cons. Li Xian pondered in his heart, "In this way, the Gold Appraisal Guard is indeed extraordinary. If I truly can remain here, aside from having a good future, the many challenges in martial arts can also be resolved."

Brother Yu told Li Xian that every member of the Gold Appraisal Guard need not worry about Essence Treasures or Essence Soup. After the daily duties are completed, they are given a bowl of "Essence Soup," which can nourish the Essence of Heaven and Earth from "fifteen threads" to "nineteen threads," retaining about ten threads within the body, urging the Gold Appraisal Guard to quickly absorb it through martial arts practice and competition.

Every month, members receive "two qian" of Essence Meat, which, when consumed, can nourish over "fifty threads" of the Essence of Heaven and Earth. By drinking Essence Soup daily and eating Essence Meat monthly, with diligence, their Martial Arts Realm naturally advances steadily. If one is diligent and has an excellent physique, the Essence of Heaven and Earth is absorbed quickly, and the monthly and daily rewards are not enough to satisfy their appetite, so they can also purchase extra Essence Treasures to consume.

Most members of the Gold Appraisal Guard are from noble families, where the family itself has its own Essence Treasures to distribute. In this way, members of the Guard need not worry about a lack of Essence Treasures.

The only worry is insufficient digestion capability, leading to a waste of the abundant Essence of Heaven and Earth. While honing martial arts aids in digestion, the ability to digest ultimately varies with one’s physique.

Becoming a true member of the Gold Appraisal Guard allows for notifying the "Equipment Hall" to forge a personal suit of Black Gold Armor and a unique Jade City Horizontal Saber, as well as selecting warhorses as mounts. By accumulating military merit, one could learn the True Guard Martial Arts...the benefits are endless and hard to fully describe at once. Advancing can lead to achievements and recognition, and you can even reach Dubhe. Retreating, your martial arts progress steadily, earning respect from others.

Brother Yu said, "Although you haven’t received the Dubhe appointment, it was verbally promised by General Xu. However, the Central Lang General is a man of silver face and copper body; his words carry the weight of gold and cannot be taken lightly. During this month’s period, you’ll temporarily serve as a Gold Appraisal Guard Courser. As for armor, horizontal saber, and other equipment, if in the future you are fortunate enough to join the Gold Appraisal Guard, they will be forged by the Equipment Hall for you."

"The Gold Appraisal Guard Coursers start their duty at Mao (early morning) each day, have coursework at noon, and train at night. The remaining time is at their discretion. I noticed your surname is Li, do you not have a major family background?"

Li Xian said, "That’s correct."

Brother Yu said, "The Marquis Compound is quite large, and if you wish to live here, there is space. But since you’re only a provisional Courser, even with the verbal promise from the Central Lang General, there are still some procedural flaws, implying a lack of formal legitimacy. If you live at the Marquis Compound, it might cause trouble. You are a Martial Artist, surely you know the temperament of martial artists. Not everyone is as easygoing as I am, and the young masters inside have quite the temperament, making it difficult to associate with them!"

Li Xian understood and said, "I will find another place to live, and each morning at Mao, I will come to the Marquis Compound to start my duty."

Brother Yu said, "That’s very wise."

Li Xian asked, "By the way, Brother Yu, what does the examination entail? Could you please explain in detail, I would be very grateful!"

Brother Yu shook his head and laughed, "You were indeed concerned about this matter."

"Examination...the original intent is to assess whether there is any laziness or dereliction within the Gold Appraisal Guard, verify the true identity to prevent outsiders from infiltrating. It involves horseback riding, archery, martial arts competition, Dubhe Saber Technique, Stone-Pushing Palm Technique, hardship maintaining...and other things. If you have prior experience in these, passing regulations concerning riding, arching, and martial arts competition is not easy, but it’s possible. However, achieving passing marks on the Dubhe Saber Technique, Stone-Pushing Palm Technique, and hardship maintaining is phenomenally difficult since it’s a temporary endeavor, leaving a slim chance."

Brother Yu said, "These three are precisely the easiest martial arts for ordinary members of the Gold Appraisal Guard. These three techniques belong to Basic Martial Arts, designed to hone the physique and mind of the Gold Appraisal Guard, not for defeating enemies but for sharpening and training. Ordinary members of the Gold Appraisal Guard must go through many layers of selection, ultimately facing a final barrier that spans three whole years. During those three years, they would enter deep mountains and forests, facing trials that test their body and mind. The Dubhe Saber Technique, Stone-Pushing Palm Technique, hardship maintaining—all these would have been practiced to at least Minor Achievement or Great Success level during this time."

"Because you haven’t gone through this phase, even if you manage to pass riding, arching, and martial arts competitions, the chance of passing these three is slim, and therefore passing the examination is naturally difficult."

Li Xian asked, "I see, that’s where the challenge lies."

Brother Yu said, "In fact, some noble offspring use family connections to directly become part of the Gold Appraisal Guard without undergoing layers of selection or the three-year ordeal. However, even so, they must first practice the ’Dubhe Saber Technique,’ ’Stone-Pushing Palm Technique,’ ’hardship maintaining’ to at least Minor Achievement before they dare join the Gold Appraisal Guard. The Gold Appraisal Guard is directly under Dubhe; each examination is presided over by Dubhe’s representatives and is not easily falsified."

Li Xian asked, "So, Brother Yu, where can these three martial arts be learned?"

Brother Yu hesitated for a moment and said, "You are truly persistent, really want to try?" Li Xian said, "I only seek to try my best, whatever the result may be."

Brother Yu said, "Alright, I won’t dissuade you, as you won’t give up hope. These three martial arts are intended purely for training body and mind, hence are very difficult to practice. The Dubhe Saber Technique is quite exquisite and has decent lethality, but the Stone-Pushing Palm Technique and hardship maintaining are essentially useless."

He handed over the three martial arts to Li Xian.

Li Xian hid them close to him before wandering around with Brother Yu, learning about the affairs, big and small, of the Gold Appraisal Guard. Before long, it was already noon. The Marquis Compound had the "Vegetarian Restaurant," where the Gold Appraisal Guard would eat and drink.