Rainbow Radiance Draped on the Shoulders, a Serpent's Heart and Scorpion's Guts

One Accord Manor, in front of Pang Long Courtyard.

When Li Xian returned from his patrol, he went straight to this place and was greeted by Hua Hanying, Grade-A House Guard.

"Greetings, Eagle Lord!" Li Xian greeted him with a cupped-hand salute. Although he addressed him as "Master," he did not display the obsequiousness and fawning of the other Guard.

Even when others called him Master Li, he didn't feel complacent or arrogant, nor did he think he was superior to others.

What are you doing here?

Hua Hanying's attitude, however, was very bad.

"I'm seeking Commander Pang to inquire about matters concerning the Idle Martial Pavilion," Li Xian stated truthfully, his brows furrowing slightly, sensing that Hua Hanying was not very friendly.

However, Hua Hanying treated him to tiger meat for a while, and he initially had a rather favorable impression of him.

"Snort!"

Hua Hanying flicked his sleeve, thinking to himself, "Is this just a new kid deliberately bringing this up in front of me, trying to show off?"

"Hunting may please your wife, but strength is the most important thing!"

He turned away with a displeased expression and went straight into the courtyard.

"This person is inexplicable. When did I offend him? I should be careful around him in the future."

Li Xian was puzzled, but didn't care much.

Pang Long was in the courtyard, holding a large sword, practicing a set of "Eight Trigrams Saber Technique." This sword technique was a basic sword technique named after the Eight Trigrams and was quite complex.

His swordplay Flowing Like Clouds and Flowing Water and effortless; with a flick of his wrist, the blade emitted soft chimes.

He knew someone was looking for him.

But single-mindedly, he continued to wield the greatsword, which, despite its immense weight, moved with the lightness and grace of a fluttering feather.

Just then, a ray of sunlight shone through. Pang Long laughed loudly, "Good, good, good!" Suddenly filled with heroic spirit, he unleashed several slashes, wildly hacking at the sunlight.

Hua Hanying was visibly shaken, taking several steps back, and exclaimed in disbelief, "This is...!"

Li Xian pinched her chin, greatly surprised.

What I saw before me was this strange sight:

Under the sunlight, streaks of colorful light slowly appeared on Pang Long's shoulders; though extremely faint, they were undeniably visible.

"Is it the light from the sword reflecting sunlight, thus creating the strange phenomenon of radiant light?" Li Xian pondered for a moment, then shook his head.

Unlike...

"Call!"

A moment later, Pang Long flicked his wrist, and the broadsword flew straight out and plunged into the snow, the blade completely submerged, leaving only the hilt visible.

The glow of the sunset on his shoulders had not yet faded.

The Rainbow Radiance Draped on the Shoulders over his shoulders added an indescribable aura to his appearance.

"Commander Pang... you... look..." Hua Hanying exclaimed in alarm.

"What?" Pang Long was stunned, then turned his head and his face lit up with wild joy. "Rainbow Radiance Draped on the Shoulders! It's Rainbow Radiance Draped on the Shoulders! I've really reached this point!"

The man, in his forties, was so excited that he danced with joy.

Hua Hanying was shocked, but his expression gradually darkened, as if he was holding back a lot of anger. He suddenly paused, turned to look at Li Xian, and found that Li Xian was also looking at him.

Quickly controlling his emotions, he smiled and complimented, "Congratulations, Commander Pang, on another step forward! You've now achieved the Rainbow Radiance Draped on the Shoulders!"

"Hahaha, this is indeed a joyous occasion." Pang Long's rough features seemed to have completely opened up.

Li Xian wondered to himself, "Does Hua Hanying not submit to Commander Pang?"

Unlike Pang Long, who was careless, he seized every opportunity and was quite perceptive.

But it wasn't appropriate to draw such a conclusion based solely on his expression, so I went over and asked:

"Commander Pang, what does 'Rainbow Radiance Draped on the Shoulders' mean?"

Pang Long shuddered, sweat beading on his skin. He glanced at Hua Hanying and Li Xian, knowing that the two had come for the Idle Martial Pavilion.

"The so-called 'Rainbow Radiance Draped on the Shoulders'... well, it's a kind of symbol."

"The logo?" Li Xian asked eagerly.

"That's right, it's one of the signs of entering the [Essence Consumption] realm." Pang Long put on a thin cloth robe and stretched out his right hand.

A moment later, a wisp of white smoke rose from his palm.

"This is one of the signs: the Palm Immortal Insight. When a martial artist displays this sign, it proves that he will have the opportunity to seize that elusive magic."

"The strange sight just now was the second sign, called 'Rainbow Radiance Draped on the Shoulders.' I only just appeared with this sign, and it wasn't obvious enough."

Pang Long explained.

It is also said, "After that, there are two more signs: 'Chest Drumming Like Thunder' and 'Life-Bearing Hair on the Head.' When all four signs appear on the same person, it means..."

At this point, the voice rose in intensity, "This person has truly entered the realm of [Essence Consumption], embarking on a path of Bone Recasting! Something so many people dream of!"

"I see." Li Xian was greatly surprised and secretly made a note of it.

I'm happy for Pang Long too; he's getting closer and closer to the Essence Consumption Realm.

"I've heard that some people experience unusual changes in their bodies during this stage. I wonder if it's true or not," Pang Long said vaguely.

"Special changes? What kind of changes?" Hua Hanying asked in surprise.

"It's hard to say, not everyone has it." Pang Long shook his head. "This kind of change varies from person to person, it's hard to say for sure. But that's precisely what makes the Jianghu so fascinating, full of extraordinary people and talents, the only limit is your imagination."

"However, we are afraid we will never see such a person in our lifetime."

"Commander Pang, if you reach the Essence Consumption Realm, wouldn't you be considered one of them?" Li Xian said with a smile.

Pang Long said, "The eight characters are only just beginning to form; it's still a long way off."

Hua Hanying then said, "I think it's getting late. From the time Palm Immortal Insight to today's Rainbow Radiance Draped on the Shoulders, Commander Pang... you're actually not far from that level. Could it be that Madam is helping you..."

Pang Long shook his head and said, "My wife told me about it."

"She won't help with matters at that level. If I can obtain it, it's my good fortune; if not, it's simply my fate that I lack such an opportunity. Everything depends on myself."

Hua Hanying breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Li Xian narrowed his eyes, sensing Hua Hanying's ill intentions. "Commander Pang, if this news gets out, I wonder how many Guards will be jealous."

Intentionally reminding you.

"Hahaha."

However, Pang Long, with his rough and unrefined nature, failed to understand and continued to laugh heartily. Hua Hanying glanced at Li Xian inexplicably began to feel some apprehension towards him.

One Accord Manor, Idle Martial Pavilion.

Built in the center of a lake, it is in the shape of a tower, with three stories, each about two zhang (approximately 6.6 meters) high.

It stands tall in the center of the lake, resembling a jet-black sword.

Pang Long consulted Qiuyue, and together with Li Xian and Hua Hanying, they arrived at the outer perimeter of the Idle Martial Pavilion.

Qiuyue said, "To get to the Idle Martial Pavilion, you need to cross a white jade bridge. There are traps on the bridge, so don't blame me for not warning you. Every step you take must be in sync with mine."

"Otherwise, if you get shot by a machine gun, consider it your own bad luck."

Most of the martial arts techniques in the Idle Martial Pavilion were created by Madam Wen in her spare time. However, Madam Wen is not without enemies. It is feared that these enemies are plotting against her, studying her martial arts to deduce her personality and moves.

Therefore, even the Leisurely Idle Martial Pavilion, which she did not value, was surrounded by traps and guards.

To prevent the secrets of martial arts from being leaked and misinterpreted by others.

After giving some more instructions, Qiuyue stepped onto the white jade bridge. Each step she took was rather strange, as if it contained some hidden meaning.

Hua Hanying followed closely behind Qiuyue, and then Li Xian. Suddenly, Hua Hanying changed his stance, intentionally shifting his position to block Li Xian's view, making it impossible for him to see Qiuyue's steps and thus unsure of how to proceed.

Li Xian thought to himself, "They really don't mean any harm."

He felt even more disdain. Hua Hanying was narrow-minded, but not a threat. In this situation, how could he possibly fulfill all his obligations? Besides, he himself needed a place to stay.

It won't work at all, and it will only expose your true intentions.

After successfully crossing the White Jade Bridge, we arrived at the Idle Martial Pavilion in the center of the lake.

Pushing open the door and entering...

An elderly man came to greet us.

The old man had eyes but no ears, a mouth but no tongue, and long limbs, but the tendons in his hands had been severed.

"Ge Nu, you guide them." Qiuyue felt extremely annoyed and didn't want to look at Ge Nu any longer. She quickly made a gesture and left.

"That lady has such ruthless methods!" Li Xian thought to himself.

Having a mouth but no tongue prevents communication. Having eyes but no ears prevents hearing. Having one's hands cut off signifies the end of one's escape route.

They then imprisoned him in this pavilion in the middle of the lake.

The most poisonous heart is that of a woman; the lady may appear dignified and elegant, but her methods are surprisingly ruthless.