Nothing but Digestion; Xiao Fan Had Made Something of Himself

"Commander Pang, congratulations!"

Li Xian cupped his hands in greeting.

"Hahahaha!" Pang Long laughed heartily, his expression excited. "Congratulations! Congratulations!"

Pang Long has been making rapid progress lately, and he asked his wife about it. His wife was in a good mood at the time and told him...

He has already taken one foot into the First Realm "Essence Consumption," and if you were to count, he could be considered half a Bone Recasting martial artist.

Chest Drumming Like Thunder and Life-Bearing Hair on the Head... these are all just a matter of time. However, individual constitutions differ, so the speed of these changes is difficult to generalize.

Some people possess several characteristics simultaneously, and their bodies undergo strange changes, granting them extraordinary power, which is truly enviable.

Some people, however, took decades to go from the initial "Palm Immortal Insight" to "Life-Bearing Hair on the Head".

Pang Long's recent transformation is not due to innate talent, but rather to the accumulation of experience that has gradually become apparent.

"Commander Pang, what's it like?" Li Xian asked with great envy.

"Hmm..." Pang Long pondered for a moment, "I can't quite put my finger on it, but... it's very good."

"Li Xian, you're better off than me. You're only fifteen or sixteen this year, and you've already enjoyed Medicinal Bath and Essence Food."

"Be loyal to your wife and serve her. You definitely have a chance to become a completely Bone Recasting martial artist in the future."

Pang Long was overjoyed and greatly admired Li Xian, showering him with praise.

"It's a long way off," Li Xian said. "I've already completed the Qi circulation, but I don't know how long I'll have to wait. Besides, even if I do complete the Qi circulation, I'm still far from reaching the Essence Absorption Realm and undergoing a complete transformation, right?"

"Um..."

Pang Long said, "Well, how should I put it?"

"I never dared to speak presumptuously before, but now, I think I can say something about it."

"You said that Qi Circulation Through the Heavens is far from the 'Essence Consumption' First Realm, and it is indeed very far. Without the help of a benefactor, one may never even reach it in a lifetime."

"But you said it's close... it is indeed very close."

Taking advantage of the situation, Li Xian asked for guidance, "Commander Pang, what you're saying sounds very mysterious; I don't understand."

"After Qi Circulation Through the Heavens, you can try to 'Blood Solidification and Aperture Closure'," Pang Long said, and then demonstrated it.

His pulse stopped and his pores closed.

"Having reached this point, we are now only one step away from the 'Essence Consumption Realm'."

The two extinguished the fire and headed back.

Li Xian asked, "What distance?"

"Digestion!" Pang Long said, "Strictly speaking, the 'Essence Consumption' First Realm, which involves both the Clay Embryo and the Bone Recasting, has only one definition from beginning to end: digestion."

"Having consumed Essence Soup and Essence Food, you should know that we are born of Clay Embryo, our lives as fragile as mud. Even if we happen to receive the Heaven and Earth Essence, it is difficult to retain even a fraction of it."

"Indeed." Li Xian nodded.

As they spoke, they turned a corner and came to a lake. Pang Long cupped the lake water in his hands and said, "It's like water slipping through your fingers."

"The so-called Qi Circulation Through the Heavens and the Blood Solidification and Aperture Closure are all for the purpose of allowing the Heaven and Earth Essence to remain in the body for a longer period of time."

"I see." Li Xian understood, and scooped up some water, feeling the drops slip through her fingers.

I am deeply aware of the cruelty of the world.

Even the most abundant heavenly materials and earthly treasures are utterly useless against a mere Clay Embryo figure.

"The Heaven and Earth Essence, even when dispersed, will subtly influence and change the human body."

"It's like water flowing through a crack, but the palm remains damp."

"Over time, the Clay Embryo gradually developed the ability to digest 'Essence Food'."

Therefore... there is only one difference between the Clay Embryo and the Essence Consumption Realm: the ability to digest and absorb the Heaven-and-Earth Essence Treasures.

"If possible, even by a fraction, it would be considered half a step into the Essence Consumption Realm. As long as the Essence Treasure keep up, one will gradually enter the Essence Consumption Realm, and from then on... begin the path of Bone Recasting."

Pang Long scooped up the lake water, clenched his fingers tightly to lock the flow of water, and became more and more excited as he spoke. At the end, he struck out with his palm.

The water in his palm was sprinkled onto the lake. Each drop stirred up even larger waves, its power considerable; if it hit a person, it would surely cause great pain.

"Been taught a lesson!"

Li Xian seemed to be deep in thought.

Only today did I fully understand that the meaning of "Essence Consumption" was actually just that.

Only those that qualify as "Edible Essence Treasure" can be obtained.

Only then can one truly embark on the long and arduous path of pursuing Bone Recasting Martial Dao.

Early November.

The cold snap has passed, and warmth is on its way.

Although the ice and snow had not melted, some of the strong and healthy Guard were already able to wear short clothes.

Based on past weather patterns, the weather will likely get even colder.

It won't be until the end of January or the beginning of February that the Qingning County truly warms up and the ice and snow begin to melt.

That noon, Li Xian prepared his long sword and swung it a few times on the spot.

He hadn't formally begun practicing the Great Luo Saber Technique, but he had already Initiation, and his casual swings were quite graceful.

"Uncle Li...?"

Suddenly, a voice called out.

Looking around, he saw that it was Bi Hao had come looking for him.

"You were looking for me?" Li Xian asked, quite surprised.

Ever since he became a B-level nurse, Bi Hao and his nephew have avoided him like the plague. It was really strange that they took the initiative to seek him out this time.

In truth, the two uncles and nephews were being petty and judging others by their own standards. Although Li Xian was not a gentleman, he was broad-minded. It was true that he had a grudge against Luo Fang, and given the opportunity, he would definitely kill him.

If he had the ability, he would not hesitate to dismiss Luo Fang. But he would disdain resorting to underhanded tactics or making things difficult for him.

He would be better off using that energy to practice swordsmanship or boxing.

Bi Hao knelt down with a thud, thinking to himself, "Uncle Li is truly a master, a real genius! Oh dear, if I had realized this sooner, how could I have dared to offend him?"

"What do you want with me?" Li Xian sheathed his sword.

"Sir," Bi Hao said in a flustered voice, "I came to see you because... because..."

"Someone outside is looking for you, so I immediately relayed the message. I first went to the Estate Guard Compound, but didn't see you, so I went to your residence and inquired around before finding you here. That's why I'm so anxious to see you. I hope I haven't disturbed you. If you don't want to see me, I'll help you send them away."

His explanation was clearly the result of countless rehearsals in his mind.

"Someone's looking for me?" Li Xian was delighted. "Could it be my Younger Brother?"

"No... no," Bi Hao said, "It's a couple, sir. Will you see them or not? I'll serve you faithfully without complaint."

Bi Hao of Li Xian, Bi Hao missed out on the opportunity to become Guard. He was extremely jealous and resentful of Li Xian, feeling unconvinced, confused, and bewildered. He was also insulted and beaten by his Maternal Uncle, which tormented him until he became increasingly thin.

However...

When Li Xian was promoted to Grade-B, his mentality completely changed. His initial confusion, bewilderment, and resentment transformed into complete understanding and submission. He dared to talk back when his Maternal Uncle insulted him, and although he endured the beating, he Maternal Uncle that they were uncle and nephew after all—could the uncle really kill him?

He ate well, slept well, and understood everything. He no longer hated Li Xian; instead, he treated him like a superior person and tried his best to please him.

Today I heard that someone has come looking for Li Xian.

Overjoyed, they treated him with great hospitality and rushed over without stopping.

"A couple?" Li Xian asked. "Could it be the Liu-Wang Couple?"

"Yes, yes, the woman's surname is Liu, and the man's surname is Wang. You know them, sir?" Bi Hao nodded repeatedly.

"Take me to them," Li Xian said. "If you cause any more trouble, I'll kill you on the spot!"

Bi Hao said in a panic, "Sir, I was blind before and misjudged you. I was foolish and not human. Now I see myself clearly and I can see your true identity. How could I dare to play any tricks?"

"I only hope this incident can settle the old grudges. Oh, talking about grudges is too much. How could a lowly person like me have any grudges against a great man like you? That's just too much self-aggrandizement. slaps face"

As he spoke, he slapped himself several times.

"That's enough," Li Xian said, stopping them.

"Grandpa, it's right there." Reaching the outside of the village, Bi Hao pointed to a large tree.

Sure enough, Mr. and Mrs. Liu were waiting under the tree.

Li Xian walked quickly over and called out, "Auntie Liu, Uncle Wang, are you feeling any better?"

"Wow! Xiao Xian, you've grown so tall! You're much taller than your Uncle Wang!" Auntie Liu exclaimed in surprise.

Immediately afterward, his expression tightened, and he said, "Xiao Xian, there is something I need to tell you."

"Your Xiao Fan is doing great! Flower Plucker the Winter Examination!"