The First Realm of Martial Arts: Essence Consumption, a Precious Treasure

That night, Zhao Han, Wang Chun, and Zhuo Ylie's cheeks swelled further, squeezing their features and stretching their skin taut like balloons.

The pain was not intense, but it was extremely tormenting. The force of the Jade Luo Palm had congealed within their flesh without dispersing, making their blood and qi sluggish. Where there was blockage, there was pain.

It felt like needles pricking them every moment. They could endure it, but it was enough to drive a person mad.

In the latter half of the night, once the swelling in their faces reached a certain point, their skin actually split open, oozing blood and pus. It looked utterly horrifying.

It was Li Xian's first time experiencing how formidable martial arts could be. A few seemingly light slaps could torment someone so badly.

The only thing he could do was fetch clean water to help the three wash away the blood. He drew icy objects from the well and pressed them against their wounds.

This eased their pain somewhat.

"Damn it!"

Anger rose in Wang Chun's heart as he punched the bed. His curse named no one in particular; it was impossible to tell whether he was merely venting because the pain was unbearable.

Or whether he truly was cursing someone—and if so, whom.

Yet his gaze deliberately—or perhaps unintentionally—flicked toward Li Xian's cheek.

There was inevitably some resentment in his heart.

"Fourth Brother, go get some sleep. Remember to report to the duty room tomorrow. I won't be going with you."

"Remember to ask for leave on our behalf. If we went out looking like this, we'd be laughed to death."

By the latter half of the night, the pain of the three had lessened, and the swelling gradually began to subside. Zhao Han spoke weakly.

"Alright." Seeing that their conditions had stabilized, Li Xian finally felt at ease. After tidying the room, he lay on his bed and closed his eyes.

Yet he did not fall asleep. He thought to himself:

Martial arts... martial arts... Only by becoming strong in martial arts can I avoid being bullied!

Occasionally hearing the three men's cries of pain, Li Xian slept uneasily.

In his haze, he had a dream. In it, he found a hidden treasury of martial arts containing countless techniques, and he found his own path to becoming stronger.

The next day.

Just as he woke up, a screen of light flashed before his eyes.

[Skill: Sleeping]

[Proficiency: 293/500 Initiation]

[Description: One sleep a day, yet you still cannot do it. It is not stupidity, only that your fortune has not yet arrived.]

Li Xian was astonished. Normally, every time he woke up, his [Sleeping] proficiency increased. But the gains were not high, usually around [4] or [5] points.

Yet today, it had increased by [28] proficiency points.

"Could it be... that dreaming last night actually trained my sleep? Forget it. I don't know what use this skill has, so there's no need to worry about it."

Because the lingering swelling had not faded, Li Xian helped the three ask for leave and let them remain in bed to rest.

"It is better to rely on yourself than to beg others!"

After rising early for morning training and running several laps around the estate, Li Xian did not seek out Jiang Yun. Instead, he headed straight for Pang Long's residence.

"Li Xian?"

Pang Long was carrying a millstone on his shoulder, tempering his body. When he saw Li Xian arrive, he flung the millstone toward a corner of the courtyard.

Strangely, though the millstone was heavy, when it landed, it was as light as a feather.

Li Xian's eyes were opened. Such martial attainments were truly astonishing.

"You didn't practice your fists today and came all the way here instead. What is it?"

"Since you're here, have some water."

Pang Long poured a cup of water and tossed it toward Li Xian. Li Xian caught it, took a sip, and asked, "Commander Pang, I'd like to discuss something with you."

"Oh?" Pang Long smiled. "Are you here to ask about the mysteries of martial arts?"

Li Xian's heart stirred, but that was not why he had come today. "I was wondering whether I could exchange the Tiger Blood Pill you rewarded me with for a martial art?"

"What martial art?" Pang Long asked casually.

"The Jade Luo Palm." Li Xian said firmly, "Could I exchange the Tiger Blood Pill for the Jade Luo Palm?"

Pang Long wiped away his sweat, draped the wet towel over a bamboo rack, and frowned slightly. "The Jade Luo Palm? That is an Entry Vehicle martial art. It is not under my control, and I am not qualified to teach it privately."

"Besides, your body is still weak at this stage. Practicing an Entry Vehicle martial art would not be a good thing. It would drain your blood and qi."

"This Tiger Blood Pill is your best choice right now. If I were you, I would have taken it long ago."

Li Xian asked, "Then, Commander Pang, if I want to obtain the Jade Luo Palm, is there any way?"

Pang Long's gaze shot toward him, carrying a hint of scrutiny. "You really want to learn the Jade Luo Palm?" Li Xian nodded heavily. "I really do."

"The Jade Luo Palm is in the Idle Martial Pavilion, overseen by Madam's maid Qiuyue. When it opens and when one may enter are not for me to decide. Since you wish to go... fine. I'll keep an eye out for news."

"For now, practice martial arts properly and fulfill your duties as an estate guard."

"Among the lower-ranked estate guards, you're one of the few who looks promising. You can strive to climb higher."

As Pang Long spoke, he walked over and patted Li Xian on the shoulder.

"Thank you for thinking highly of me, Commander." Hearing that there was no hope for now, Li Xian could only suppress the thought temporarily.

"So, do you still want to ask about martial arts?" Pang Long asked with a smile.

"Commander Pang is willing to tell me now?" Li Xian naturally could not ask for more.

"It is not a matter of whether I want to tell you. It's just that... I have vaguely touched that level myself. I happened to want someone to brag to." Pang Long laughed heartily, obvious delight showing on his rough features.

Li Xian thought that good fortune truly refreshed the spirit. Still, this was a perfect chance to glimpse that mysterious realm.

Pang Long sat down in the courtyard and reminisced. "I was once a wandering boxer. I went to many places, killed people, and nearly got killed myself. Later, Madam subdued me and made me the commander of the estate guards, helping her watch over this vast estate."

"Not long ago, Madam bestowed soup upon me. After drinking it, I finally gained something. I have drawn a little closer to that realm..."

Li Xian asked, "What realm?"

"The realm of Bone Recasting!" Pang Long emphasized, his eyes gleaming. "What martial artists seek is Bone Recasting! The ultimate goal of cultivating martial arts is Bone Recasting!"

"I did not tell you before because I did not want broad horizons to make you aim too high and accomplish too little, leaving you depressed. I was once like that myself."

"Then why are you willing to tell me today?" Li Xian asked.

"Hahaha." Pang Long said, "Naturally... because I am close to touching that level myself. If I can achieve it, then the estate guards may also have a chance. It would no longer be aiming too high and accomplishing too little, but having a goal and something to pursue."

Pang Long said, "Martial arts! Consume the essence of heaven and earth, drink the splendor of sun and moon, and strengthen oneself. I have faintly come into contact with this."

"Martial artists do not rely on breathing exercises. They rely on eating! They rely on training!"

"We martial artists are born as a lump of 'mud,' also called a 'Clay Embryo.' Through diligent postnatal martial training, we strengthen ourselves and accumulate force. Once our inner force becomes abundant, our physique powerful, and our martial attainments profound, we temper this Clay Embryo until it is fully refined and capable of transforming the medicinal power of Essence Food."

"That is when one touches the first realm of Bone Recasting in martial arts: 'Essence Consumption.'"

At this point, Pang Long's face was filled with anticipation.

He had only stepped half a foot into the realm of Essence Consumption. The road ahead was still long.

"Little Xian..." Pang Long sighed. "Perhaps you cannot feel my joy. But there is something I can tell you in advance. Martial arts... will always be the foundation of the martial path!"

"Madam said that. She passed it on to me, and I pass it on to you. You... can slowly come to understand it."

Looking at Pang Long's spirited face, realization flashed through Li Xian's heart. "I understand. A martial artist is someone who, after reaching a certain level in martial arts, begins seeking Bone Recasting."

"Then the initial realm of martial arts is the Clay Embryo Realm. I can also be considered in the Clay Embryo Realm now."