Xu Fan happened to step out at this moment and, seeing the miserable state of the father and son, feigned surprise as he walked over.
"Oh my, Third Uncle, Goudan, what happened to you two? Didn't I tell you it was dangerous in the mountains? Why didn't you listen to my advice?"
As he spoke, he pinched his nose in distaste. "You two smell... it's too pungent. Go back and wash up quickly, don't attract all the flies in the village."
Xu Laosan looked at Xu Fan's feigned expression of concern, trembling with anger. He couldn't catch his breath, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted directly.
After this incident, Xu Fan completely established his prestige in the village.
Everyone knew that this eldest son of the Xu Family was not only capable and intelligent, but also... he would always repay grudges, and his methods were quite ruthless.
No one dared to scheme against the Xu Family again.
Having resolved the village's troubles, Xu Fan stood in the courtyard, but his heart was not at ease.
He knew that whether it was the village ruffians or the unscrupulous merchants in town, they were all just the lowest-tier of trouble.
However, the terms "Immortal Master" and "Spirit Medicine" that he heard at Yingxian Restaurant left a deep impression on him.
In a world with cultivators, a mere pit trap wouldn't be enough to deal with them.
His small cleverness was insignificant in the face of true power.
The power of Mortals was ultimately limited.
Simply knowing how to farm and hunt was far from enough.
To truly protect this family and ensure his family's peace and stability, he had to possess greater power.
He pulled out a thick wooden stick from the woodpile and held it in his hand.
Recalling the martial arts moves he had seen in movies, he struck a starting pose with a practiced air.
[You attempted to learn staff techniques, unlocking a new skill: Staff Techniques (Beginner 0/100)]
He started with chopping, sweeping, swinging, and thrusting.
However, the ideal was full, but reality was bony.
This body, having suffered from long-term malnutrition, despite the recent conditioning and skill improvement that made his stamina far exceed what it once was, still had a weak foundation.
After a single set of movements, he was panting, his arms aching.
"Hoo... hoo..."
He leaned on the wooden stick, sweat dripping down his temples, feeling the burning sensation in his muscles.
"Fan'er, what are you doing?" Yan Aini came out of the house with a basin of clothes to wash. Seeing her son in this state, her face was filled with worry. "Why are you brandishing weapons for no reason?"
"Our family has finally managed to eat its fill, so don't injure yourself. If you hurt your bones and muscles, what will happen to the farm work later?"
Xu Chang also returned from the fields and, seeing this scene, his brows furrowed even deeper.
He squatted on the doorstep and grumbled, "With that energy, you might as well turn over a few more furrows of land. Farmers rely on digging for food from the earth; practicing these fancy moves won't put food on the table."
In their eyes, farming and hunting were proper livelihoods, while what Xu Fan was doing now seemed more like something a lazy, good-for-nothing would do.
"Dad, Mom, I know what I'm doing." Xu Fan didn't explain much; his family's views needed time to change and more importantly, facts to prove him right.
He continued to swing the wooden stick.
[Staff Techniques proficiency +1]
[Staff Techniques proficiency +1]
Again and again.
His movements, initially clumsy and stiff, gradually became fluid.
With each swing, he could feel his muscle memory deepening and his body's coordination improving.
In his mind, insights on how to exert force, how to conserve stamina, and how to make the tip of the staff more powerful appeared out of nowhere.
[Staff Techniques (Beginner 56/100)]
In the courtyard, the younger children also gathered around, curiously watching their elder brother.
Eight-year-old Xu Jielang was the most lively. He picked up a small twig and imitated Xu Fan's movements with a practiced air, making "hehe haha" sounds.
"Big Brother, what do you call this?"
Six-year-old twins Xu Ruize and Xu Wenwen also found it fun. They joined Xu Jielang, wielding even smaller twigs, and the courtyard instantly became a scene of "demonic dancing."
"Be careful, don't poke your eyes!" Ten-year-old Xu Huining, like a little adult, followed behind them, reminding them with concern.
The children's laughter and antics diluted Xu Chang and Yan Aini's worries.
Yan Aini shook her head, carried the basin to wash clothes, and mumbled softly, "They're so old, yet still acting like children..."
Xu Chang looked at his son's focused profile; that face, still with a hint of childishness, showed an unprecedented seriousness.
He got up and silently went to tidy the farm tools.
In the evening, Chengbo returned from hunting. He was lucky today and snared a wild pheasant.
As soon as he entered the courtyard gate, he saw his elder brother still practicing with the staff.
At this moment, Xu Fan was like a completely different person from the afternoon.
Every swing he made carried a gust of wind.
The staff's shadow danced, tricky and swift.
His steps were steady, his breathing long and deep, and he was immersed in a wonderful rhythm.
Chengbo's eyes widened in astonishment.
He had also practiced before and knew how much hard work it took to wield an ordinary wooden stick with such vigor.
But Big Brother... he only started practicing today!
[Staff Techniques proficiency +1]
[Staff Techniques proficiency +1]
...[Staff Techniques has reached beginner level, advancing to: Staff Techniques (Proficient 0/500)]
Boom!
The instant the proficiency increased, Xu Fan felt his bones crackling, and his muscle fibers seemed to be re-combed and re-woven, becoming tougher.
A faint warm current quietly emerged in his Dantian, flowing along his Meridians, making him feel completely comfortable and full of power.
Xu Fan stood with his staff, his originally slender figure now standing straight, exuding a subtle aura of profound stability.
"Big Brother..." Chengbo's voice was a little dry. "You..."
Just then, an accident occurred.
His youngest sister, Xu Wenwen, chasing a butterfly, accidentally tripped over a stone in the courtyard and was about to hit her head on the nearby stone mill.
"Wenwen!" Yan Aini shrieked, her face instantly turning pale.
Everyone was too far away; there wasn't enough time!
No sooner said than done, Xu Fan's eyes narrowed, his wrist flicked, and the wooden staff in his hand flew out.
Whoosh!
The wooden staff did not fly towards Wenwen but instead lodged itself in a crack in the ground between the stone mill and Wenwen.
The staff body tilted slightly, perfectly blocking Wenwen's fall.
The little girl landed on the wooden staff and burst into tears, but she was completely unharmed.
The entire courtyard instantly fell silent.
Everyone stared dumbfounded at the wooden staff firmly embedded in the ground.
What incredible strength and eyesight was that?
Yan Aini was the first to react, scrambling over to embrace her daughter. After checking her up and down and finding her truly unharmed, she collapsed onto the ground, trembling with lingering fear.
Xu Chang also walked over quickly. He looked at his still-shaken daughter, then at the wooden staff.
Finally, his gaze fell on his eldest son, his eyes filled with shock.
Xu Fan walked over, pulled out the wooden staff, then squatted down and hugged his sister, gently comforting her.
"There, there, don't cry, it's alright now."
Xu Wenwen sobbed in his arms, gradually calming down.
In the evening, the family gathered around the table for dinner.
The atmosphere at the dinner table was a little unusual.
The family members looked at Xu Fan with a hint of inquiry in their eyes.
After dinner, Chengbo helped clear the dishes and couldn't help but lean closer to Xu Fan, asking in a low voice, "Big Brother, how... how did you do that?"
"It's just practice makes perfect," Xu Fan replied indifferently, looking at his brother's adoring gaze.