Starting With The Martial Arts Holy Fire Order - Chapter 13

Chapter 13: Butterfly Valley, Hu Qingniu

Ding! 

“Congratulations to the host for completing the task of apprenticing to Yang Dingtian and obtaining the Heaven and Earth Shift technique. Rewards acquired: martial arts manuals Lingxi Finger and Treading Snow Without a Trace, along with a powerful divine weapon, the Dragon Sword (crafted from meteoric iron, forged in celestial fire, with power surpassing both the Heaven-Reliant Sword and Dragon Slayer Saber),” the system’s notification echoed in Ling Yihan’s mind.

After leaving the secret passage, Ling Yihan returned to his residence, receiving the rewards with delight.

Lingxi Finger is Lu Xiaofeng’s unique technique, capable of stopping any weapon—be it a sword, saber, whip, or spear—with just two fingers.

Treading Snow Without a Trace is the lightweight technique of Ximen Chuixue, allowing movement across snow without leaving footprints, surpassing even King Wei Yixiao’s Lightness Skill.

The Dragon Sword was originally the weapon of Tianshan Sect’s disciple Chu Zhaonan. According to the original story, it was no match for the Dragon Slayer Saber or Heaven-Reliant Sword. However, the system confirmed that its quality had been significantly upgraded, making it even more powerful.

With the Dragon Sword in hand, I could break either the Dragon Slayer Saber or the Heaven-Reliant Sword, unlocking their secrets.

“Multiple martial arts manuals detected on the host. Would you like to start practicing?” The system prompted him again.

Ling Yihan nodded. “Of course, I want to practice.”

“Good! Loading Lingxi Finger…”

“Loading Treading Snow Without a Trace…”

“Loading Shifting Flower Grafting Jade…”

“Loading Great Nine Heavens Hand…”

“Loading Heaven and Earth Shift…”

With the system loading his practice, it didn’t mean he would master everything immediately. His proficiency level would still depend on his talent and physique.

After a night of practice, Ling Yihan opened the system interface to review his stats:

Name: Ling Yihan

Identity: Ming Cult Holy Son (Unofficial)

Gender: Male

Age: 16

Talent: 99 (Outstanding)

Intellect: 95 (Clever, Calculating)

Inner Strength: Wedding Dress Divine Skill (Level 9), Nine Yang Divine Skill (Level 10, Max)

Martial Skills: Heaven and Earth Shift (Level 7, Max), Great Nine Heavens Hand (Max), Shifting Flower Grafting Jade (Max), Lingxi Finger (Max), Holy Flame Order Divine Skill (Max)

Lightness Skill: Treading Snow Without a Trace (Max)

Weapons: Dragon Sword, Holy Flame Order

Aside from Wedding Dress Divine Skill, which hadn’t reached the highest level, all other skills were maxed out.

The next day, Ling Yihan bid farewell to Yang Dingtian and his wife, and set off down the mountain with Hu Qingyang in search of the Dragon Slayer Saber and Heaven-Reliant Sword. Daiqisi insisted on joining them, with Yang Dingtian’s approval, leaving Ling Yihan no choice but to bring her along.

“Brother Ling, I’d like to visit Butterfly Valley to see my brother. Will you come with me?” Hu Qingyang tugged at Ling Yihan’s hand, her voice pleading.

Ling Yihan smiled. “Of course. We’re in no rush to find the weapons anyway.”

In truth, he had already met Hu Qingniu when treating Yang Dingtian’s internal injuries on Bright Summit. This descent was a good opportunity to pay a visit as well—after all, befriending such a famed physician could only be beneficial.

“Sister Qingyang, I’ve heard your brother Hu Qingniu is known as the ‘Medical Sage of Butterfly Valley,’” Daiqisi chimed in. “I’d love to meet him!”

Ling Yihan silently remarked, In the original story, you went to great lengths to find an excuse to kill Hu Qingniu because he refused to treat you. But this time, you probably won’t be disguising yourself as Grandma Jinhua…

The three of them headed toward a mountain valley. The path was vibrant with blooming flowers, creating a beautiful landscape. At the end of the path, butterflies fluttered among the flowers. This must be Butterfly Valley.

Hu Qingyang led them along a small creek lined with simple thatched cottages surrounded by flowerbeds.

Pointing to the gardens, she smiled and said, “Look, these are all medicinal plants my brother cultivated. Brother, I’m back!”

A young apprentice soon emerged from one of the cottages. Seeing Hu Qingyang, he exclaimed with joy, “It really is Sister Qingyang! Come in! Master has been talking about you these past few days…”

Hu Qingyang pulled Ling Yihan and Daiqisi into the courtyard. There, a refined young man was instructing another apprentice to fan the flames under a cauldron of medicine. This was none other than Hu Qingniu, the Medical Sage of Butterfly Valley.

Seeing him, Ling Yihan bowed politely. “Mr. Hu, it’s good to see you again.”

Remembering how Ling Yihan had saved Hu Qingyang on the snowy ridge, Hu Qingniu returned the gesture with a smile. “Brother Ling, no need for such formality. It’s an honor to have you here.”

He quickly directed his apprentice to serve them tea.

“Hmm? And who might this young lady be…” Hu Qingniu’s gaze fell on Daiqisi. “She doesn’t seem like she’s from the Central Plains?”

Ling Yihan nodded, introducing her. “You’re correct. This is Miss Daiqisi from the Persian Ming Cult. While her mother was Persian, her father was from the Central Plains and served as the Pure Kindness Envoy for the Persian Cult. She recently returned to fulfill her father’s last wishes and join the Ming Cult here in the Central Plains.”

Hu Qingniu nodded in understanding. “I see. Miss Daiqisi is as beautiful as a celestial fairy…”

Daiqisi beamed with delight. “Thank you, Mr. Hu! But Sister Qingyang is the truly beautiful one!”

Hu Qingyang quickly covered Daiqisi’s mouth, embarrassed. “Sister, stop teasing me…”

Ling Yihan and Hu Qingniu exchanged glances and couldn’t help but laugh.

Noticing the scent of the medicine brewing, Hu Qingyang wrinkled her nose. “Sulfur, garlic, calamus… Brother, is this…”

Hu Qingniu smiled and nodded. “Yes, indeed. I’m preparing the antidote for the Golden Silkworm Gu poison.”

“Golden Silkworm Gu poison?” Ling Yihan’s expression changed as a thought crossed his mind.

The young apprentice, unable to contain himself, added, “Master encountered a young man afflicted with Golden Silkworm Gu poison while gathering herbs in Miaojiang a few days ago. He kindly saved him and brought him back, instructing me to prepare medicine to nurse him back to health.”

“Xian… Yutong…” Ling Yihan murmured coldly.

Hu Qingniu looked at him in surprise. “Oh? How did you know? That young man with the Golden Silkworm Gu poison is indeed Xianyutong, a disciple of the Huashan Sect.”