"Congratulations, Commander Pang!"

Li Xian clasped his hands and said.

"Hahahaha." Pang Long laughed heartily, brimming with excitement. "The same to you, the same to you."

Pang Long had been progressing incredibly fast lately, and he sought advice from his wife on this. She was in a good mood then and told him…

He already had one foot stepping into the First Realm of "Food Essence"; if calculated, he would be considered half a Martial Artist who has undergone Rebirth.

Chest Drumming Like Thunder, Head Life Hair... these were all just a matter of time. However, everyone's physique is different, and the speed of these changes varies greatly.

Some people exhibit several characteristics simultaneously, and their bodies undergo miraculous changes, gaining extraordinary strength, causing others to admire them.

Meanwhile, some take decades to go from "Immortal Mechanism in the Palm" to "Head Life Hair".

Pang Long built up gradually and has been experiencing consistent changes recently. It wasn't due to good talent but because he accumulated enough; it naturally emerged.

"Commander Pang, what does it feel like?" Li Xian was full of admiration.

"Hmm…" Pang Long thought for a moment, "I can't quite describe it, but... it feels great."

"Li Xian, you're better off than me, just fifteen or sixteen years old this year. You've experienced Medicated Baths and Essence Food."

"Sincerely serve the Madam, and there's definitely a chance for you to become a Martial Artist who has undergone Rebirth in the future."

Pang Long was in high spirits, appreciating Li Xian and not stingy with his praise.

"Far from it," Li Xian said, "I'm still working on the Qi Circulation, and who knows how long that'll take. Moreover, even achieving Qi Circulation, it's probably still far from the First Realm of Food Essence and Rebirth, right?"

"Hmm..."

Pang Long said, "How should I put it?"

"I used to not dare to speak casually, but now, I think I can say a thing or two."

"You said that the distance from Qi Circulation to the Food Essence Realm is far, which is indeed very far. Without help from a noble person, you might never reach it in your lifetime."

"But if you say it's close... it's also quite close."

Li Xian took the opportunity to ask for guidance, "Commander Pang, your words sound profound. I don't understand."

"After Qi Circulation, you can try to achieve Blood Solidification and Aperture Closure." Pang Long said, demonstrating it afterward.

His pulse ceased, and his pores closed.

"Once you reach this step, there's only one step between you and the 'Food Essence Realm'."

The two extinguished the fire and walked back.

Li Xian asked, "What step?"

"Digestion!" Pang Long said, "Strictly speaking, from the Clay Embryo to the Rebirth of the Food Essence Realm, there is only one fundamental aspect, which is digestion."

"You've consumed Essence Soup and Essence Food, so you should clearly know that we are born as Clay Embryos, with a life as fragile as splattered mud, even if we occasionally acquire essence of heaven and earth, it's challenging to retain even a tenth of it."

"Indeed," Li Xian nodded.

As they spoke, they turned a corner and arrived at a lakeside. Pang Long scooped up lake water with both hands and said, "It's like holding water in your palm, only for it to seep through your fingers."

"And the so-called Qi Circulation, Blood Solidification, and Aperture Closure are all meant to retain the essence of heaven and earth within the body for a longer period."

"I see," Li Xian understood, also scooping up water, feeling it drip through his fingers.

He profoundly realized the cruelty of the world.

Even with abundant treasures of heaven and earth, they are utterly useless to a 'Clay Embryo'.

"Even when the essence of heaven and earth dissipates, it gradually changes a person's physique."

"It's like water flowing through a gap, yet the hand remains moist."

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

"Therefore... the distance from a Clay Embryo to the Food Essence Realm is only about whether one can digest and absorb heaven and earth treasures."

"If so, even slightly, it means one foot has stepped into the Food Essence Realm. As long as the essence treasures continue, one will slowly enter the Food Essence Realm, and from there... begin the path of Rebirth."

Pang Long scooped up lake water again, his fingers closed tightly, securely holding the water, his expression growing more excited as he spoke. At the end, he thrust a palm out.

Seeing the water in his palm splash onto the lake surface, each drop stirred up larger waves, possessing notable power, causing pain if it hit a person.

"I have learned!"

Li Xian pondered over it.

Only today did he finally understand, the meaning of "Food Essence" was merely this.

Only those qualified to "consume essence treasures"

truly embark on the long martial path of pursuing Rebirth.

...

...

Early November.

The cold wave passed temporarily, and warmth blew in.

Although the ice and snow hadn't melted, some robust Nursing Home guards were already wearing short clothes.

Based on past climate, the weather would get cold again.

Qingning County wouldn't truly warm up until the end of January or early February, when the ice and snow began to melt.

That noon, Li Xian equipped with a long knife, casually swung it a few times on the spot.

He hadn't formally started practicing the Daluo Saber Technique yet, but had already begun, and his casual swings were somewhat tasteful.

"Li... Mr. Li?"

A voice suddenly called out.

Turning his head, he saw that it was Bi Hao coming over.

"You're looking for me?" Li Xian was quite surprised.

Since he became a B-class Guard, Bi Hao and his uncle avoided him as cats avoid water. This time they actively sought him, which was quite strange.

Actually, the two uncles and nephews were being overly wary. Li Xian was not a gentleman but had an open heart. He indeed had a grudge against Luo Fang, and given the chance, he would definitely kill him without hesitation too.

If he could demote Luo Fang, he wouldn't hesitate. But he disdained petty tricks and sly moves.

If he had that energy, he'd rather use it to practice swords and fists.

Bi Hao suddenly knelt down, thinking to himself, "Mr. Li is indeed formidable, truly god-like. Oh, had I noticed sooner, would I have dared to offend him?"

"Why are you looking for me?" Li Xian sheathed his knife.

"Sir," Bi Hao said nervously, "I came to find you... it's... it's..."

"Someone is looking for you outside the door. I came to inform you immediately. I first went to the Guardian Mansion and didn't see you, then went to your residence. After some inquiries, I found you here and rushed to see you, not knowing if I disturbed you. If you don't want to meet them, I'll send them away for you."

This speech was obviously well-rehearsed in his mind countless times.

"Someone is looking for me?" Li Xian was pleased, "Could it be my younger brother?"

"No... it's not," Bi Hao said, "It's a couple, Sir, do you want to meet them? I have no complaints about doing any errand for you."

This Bi Hao, due to Li Xian's influence, had missed the opportunity to join the Nursing Home. He used to be extremely jealous and resentful of Li Xian, feeling unfair, puzzled, and bitter, further agitated by his uncle's scoldings and beatings, leading to gradual emaciation.

However…

When Li Xian advanced to B-class, his mindset completely changed. His confusion, lack of understanding, and dissatisfaction transformed into clarity, understanding, and acceptance. He dared to talk back to his uncle's scoldings. Although he still suffered beatings, memory served, an uncle wouldn't kill his nephew, right?

He started eating and sleeping well, smoothly comprehending everything. Towards Li Xian, he no longer harbored resentment, instead worshiping him as a person of high stature, eagerly aiming to curry favor.

Hearing today that someone came looking for Li Xian...

He was excited beyond words, graciously receiving the visitors, rushing over immediately.

"A couple?" Li Xian asked, "Could it be the Liu and Wang couple?"

"Yes, yes, the woman is Liu, the man is Wang. You know them, sir," Bi Hao nodded repeatedly.

"Take me to them," Li Xian said, "If it's another trick, I'll kill you on the spot!"

Bi Hao said fearfully, "Sir, I was blind before and didn't recognize you. I was foolish, inhuman. Now that I see clearly, and understand your true nature, how dare I play any tricks?"

"I only hope this can offset past grievances. Oh, saying grievance seems overdone; how can a person like me claim to have grievances with a divine being like you, sir? It would be elevating myself too much. I'm such a fool," he said, giving himself a few slaps on the face.

"Enough," Li Xian commanded to stop him.

"Sir, they're right there," Bi Hao pointed under a large tree as they walked out of the estate.

Sure enough, Liu's couple was waiting under the tree.

Li Xian walked quickly towards them, calling out, "Aunt Liu, Uncle Wang, feeling better?"

"Ah! Little Immortal, you've grown so tall, even taller than your Uncle Wang," Aunt Liu remarked in amazement.

Then her face turned serious and said, "Little Immortal, there's something we need to tell you."

"Xiaofan has made something of himself. He achieved success in the winter exams!"

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