Chapter 102: Dual Cultivation!

Fang Han accepted the cup of tea, and upon hearing her words, he gently shook his head:

“Xiao Wuxiang Gong is profoundly exquisite. Cultivating this art brings me great benefit as well.”

Cultivating inner strength was never limited to practicing just one discipline.

Take Jiumozhi as an example—he had not only cultivated the supreme arts of the Great Wheel Temple on the Snow Mountain, but later also practiced Xiao Wuxiang Gong and Yijinjing. His inner strength thereby multiplied, and because of this, he could freely imitate countless martial techniques, including the Seventy-Two Ultimate Arts.

In the original records, the seventy years of inner strength possessed by Wu Yazi also contained within it the power of Xiao Wuxiang Gong. This proved that cultivating multiple disciplines in tandem was not impossible.

Of course, if one looked into it carefully, not all inner disciplines could be practiced together without conflict.

But Beiming Shengong and Xiao Wuxiang Gong both originated from the same school—the Xiaoyao Sect. They shared the same root and source, and their inner strength stemmed from similar principles.

Naturally, there was no conflict.

If one could cultivate both, then to Fang Han, it would be of tremendous advantage.

The other profound marvels of Xiao Wuxiang Gong aside, its ability to imitate any martial art under heaven was what Fang Han especially valued.

At present, he already knew of many martial arts manuals, but was constrained by time and energy—it was impossible to practice them all.

But if he succeeded in cultivating Xiao Wuxiang Gong, then all of these martial arts could be wielded by him, and even with power surpassing their original versions!

In truth, Beiming Shengong cultivated to this stage also had a hint of this marvel. But its focus was different, and could not compare to the most ingenious aspect of Xiao Wuxiang Gong.

If Fang Han only relied on Beiming Shengong, with its vast, unmatched reservoir of inner strength, then indeed he could rapidly master other martial arts. For example, the finger force of Yiyang Finger or the invisible sword qi of Liumai Shenjian—these he could quickly succeed in!

But when it came to external combat forms, it lacked the power of imitation. He could only practice and comprehend them by himself, refining them slowly.

Hmm… actually, it cannot even be called slow. In just a few months, I’ve made such tremendous progress. How could one call that slow?

But if he succeeded in cultivating Xiao Wuxiang Gong, then he could see and use it instantly—and with power far beyond the original!

Speaking in essence, it was not really as exaggerated as “understanding at a glance.” In reality, it was using the inner strength of Xiao Wuxiang Gong to simulate the essence of other martial techniques. Outwardly it seemed identical, but within, it was entirely different.

For example, if he used Xiao Wuxiang Gong to execute Yiyang Finger, then its root was not finger force cultivated through Yiyang Finger, but rather the inner strength of Xiao Wuxiang Gong itself.

But regardless, he would have already grasped the essence of the external martial form—an extraordinary gain!

Hearing this, Madam Wang’s beautiful face could not help but reveal a smile.

That is my mother’s protective divine art, naturally it is supremely exquisite.

Her heart, for some reason, leapt with a faint joy. Then she heard Fang Han continue:

“Besides, I also intend to pass this skill to others for protection. Naturally, I must master it first myself.”

At those words, Madam Wang’s expression instantly changed. Her heart tightened slightly, and she hesitated:

“Pass it… to others? This kind of peerless divine art—if you alone master it, that’s one thing. But if you pass it on further, wouldn’t that…”

What she meant to say was—wouldn’t that pose a threat to you?

But suddenly she remembered—over the past half month, with his assistance, she herself had gradually cultivated Xiao Wuxiang Gong. If she asked such a question, would it not…

Her heart was inevitably unsettled, and she paused.

Fang Han did not raise his head. He savored the tea lightly before replying:

“They are no outsiders. You’ve already met the two young ladies. Their inner strength is rather lacking, but this skill is perfectly suited for them.”

In fact, if examined carefully, Xiao Wuxiang Gong was indeed highly suitable for women to cultivate. For its style was impartial, balanced, and harmonious. Its essence was “small yet without form, invisible and traceless”—truly the subtlety of Daoist art!

What’s more…

Just look at Madam Wang, who had now cultivated Xiao Wuxiang Gong to about seventy or eighty percent. Not only was she more dazzling and radiant than before, but she even appeared younger. Her skin had become even more fair, delicate, and crystalline.

So much so that Fang Han was momentarily dazed by her.

Hiss!

Madam Wang bit her lower lip, her heart feeling uneasy.

“You really do cherish fragrant flowers and jade,” she muttered.

Such a supreme divine skill—in the martial world, let alone passing it on, most people would not even reveal a single word of it even on their deathbed.

And yet he, without hesitation, thought of teaching it to his beloved confidantes.

Fang Han’s gaze grew subtle, his eyes lingering on her.

Madam Wang’s cheeks grew hot under his look. She quickly turned her face aside and muttered:

“Shall we… shall we continue practicing?”

Fang Han smiled faintly.

“Of course. If you don’t feel tired, then let’s continue.”

Madam Wang did not speak.

Even if I were tired, would you stop anyway?

She lightly closed her eyes, extending her delicate hand once more.

Half an hour later, as evening approached, Fang Han finally loosened his grip on that slender, jade-white wrist. On her creamy skin remained faint imprints of his fingers, white flushed with red.

Her hand was long and elegant, slightly full at the joints.

Her nails were tinted with balsam flower dye, crimson against her snow-white skin, strikingly alluring.

Madam Wang had just returned to herself from cultivation, only to find that he had not fully released her wrist. His gaze still lingered on her hand, eyes filled with appreciation.

Unable to help herself, she scolded softly:

“You… What are you staring at? What’s so good to see about this…”

Though she seemed displeased, she did not pull her hand back.

Fang Han’s expression did not change. He merely nodded lightly:

“It’s beautiful indeed. Truly lovely.”

Not only pleasing to look at in its graceful form, but more importantly, it felt wondrous to the touch—soft and delicate.

How did that saying go again?

Tsk, this hand… I could play with it for a year…

At last, he released her hand, tidied away the manuals, and leisurely took his leave.

“Tomorrow we’ll continue~”

His clear, smooth voice lingered in the air.

Madam Wang remained seated for a long while before she came back to her senses.

Looking at her slender hand, her cheeks flushed red, yet she could not resist the faint curve of her lips. She muttered softly:

“Pah! Truly a lecher! Pretending to be so proper on the surface—as if I wouldn’t know…”

As evening deepened, Madam Wang returned to her dressing table.

She removed her hairpins, letting her cloud-like tresses fall loosely, then changed into a simpler, more modest gown before heading to Yunjin Pavilion within Mantuo Villa.

That was where she and Yuyan usually took their meals.

When she arrived, she saw Wang Yuyan already waiting for her.

Wang Yuyan resembled her mother by seventy or eighty percent. Though she lacked her mother’s bewitching charm, she was more refined and graceful instead. With hair flowing over her shoulders, arched brows, and a fair, delicate countenance, she possessed a beauty to topple kingdoms.

Seeing her mother arrive late once again, Wang Yuyan’s brows furrowed in doubt.

“Mother, have you been occupied with something lately? Why…”

She did not finish her words, but the meaning was clear:

Why are you always late?

“…Nothing much. Let’s eat.”

Madam Wang’s expression returned to her usual dignified composure. In front of her daughter, she remained that stern and commanding mother whose word was law.

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FOOTNOTES

1. 1. 1. 1. Xiao Wuxiang Gong (小无相功)– “Little Formless Skill,” a supreme martial art of the Xiaoyao Sect, capable of imitating countless martial techniques.

1. 1. 1. 1. Yijinjing (易筋经)– “Muscle/Tendon Changing Classic,” a legendary Shaolin internal cultivation manual.

1. 1. 1. 1. Beiming Shengong (北冥神功)– “Northern Darkness Divine Skill,” a Xiaoyao Sect internal art that absorbs others’ inner energy.

1. 1. 1. 1. Yiyang Finger (一阳指)– “One Yang Finger,” a powerful finger technique used for both combat and healing.

1. 1. 1. 1. Liumai Shenjian (六脉神剑)– “Six Meridians Divine Sword,” a legendary Dali martial art that projects invisible sword qi.

1. 1. 1. 1. Mantuo Villa (曼陀山庄)– “Mantuo Mountain Villa,” residence of Madam Wang and Wang Yuyan.

1. 1. 1. 1. Yunjin Pavilion (云锦楼)– “Cloud-Brocade Pavilion,” dining hall within Mantuo Villa.