That night, Zhao Han, Wang Chun, and Zhuo Yilei's cheeks became increasingly swollen, compressing their facial features and stretching their skin like a balloon.
The pain wasn't intense, but it was extremely bothersome. The Biluo Palm Force lingered in their flesh and blood, causing the Qi-blood to become thick and stagnant, leading to pain.
It felt like being pricked by needles constantly. Although bearable, it could drive one mad.
In the latter half of the night, their facial skin swelled to a certain extent and actually burst open, oozing blood and pus, which looked terrifying.
For the first time, Li Xian felt that martial arts were truly extraordinary. A few light slaps could be so tormenting.
All he could do was fetch clear water to help the three clean their bloodstains and place ice from the well onto their wounds.
To alleviate their suffering.
"Damn it!"
Wang Chun, overwhelmed with anger, punched the bed. This "damn it" wasn't directed at anyone in particular. Whether it was out of unbearable pain or just to vent frustration was uncertain.
His gaze, however, inadvertently glanced at Li Xian's cheeks.
There was some sense of imbalance in his heart.
"Fourth Brother, you go to sleep. Remember to report at the patrol room tomorrow; I won't accompany you."
"Remember to request leave for us. Looking like this, we'd be laughed to death if we went out."
In the latter half of the night, the pain of the three began to decrease, and there were signs of the swelling diminishing. Zhao Han weakly said.
"Alright." Seeing the three's condition stabilize, Li Xian gradually felt relieved. After tidying up the room, he lay on the bed and closed his eyes.
But he didn't fall asleep, thinking to himself:
"Martial arts... martial arts... only with strong martial arts can I not be bullied!"
Occasionally hearing the groans of the three, Li Xian didn't sleep well.
In a daze, he had a dream. In the dream, he found a secret martial arts cache filled with martial arts, discovering his path to becoming stronger.
The next day.
Just as he woke up, a screen flashed before his eyes.
［Skill: Sleeping］
［Skill Level: 293/500 Beginner］
［Description: Sleeping daily, yet never mastering. It's not foolishness, but rather a lack of luck.］
Li Xian was surprised. Usually, the skill level for [Sleeping] increased slightly each day upon waking, but it wasn't much, generally around 4 or 5 points.
But today, it increased by 28 points.
"Could it be... that dreaming last night actually trained my sleep? Well, I don't know what use this skill has, so there's no need to worry about it."
...
Since the swelling had not subsided, Li Xian helped the three to request leave, allowing them to rest in bed.
"Relying on others is never as good as relying on oneself!"
After the morning's training and several laps around the manor, Li Xian didn't go to find Jiang Yun but headed straight to Pang Long's residence.
"Li Xian?"
Pang Long was lifting a millstone on his shoulders, training his physique. Seeing Li Xian come over, he tossed the millstone into a corner of the courtyard.
Strangely, though the millstone was heavy, it landed as lightly as a feather.
Li Xian was amazed. Such martial arts mastery was truly impressive.
"You're not practicing punches today, and you specifically came here. What for?"
"Since you're here, have some water."
Pang Long poured a cup of water and tossed it to Li Xian. Li Xian caught it, took a sip, and asked, "Commander Pang, I wanted to discuss something with you."
"Oh?" Pang Long smiled, "Is it about the secrets of martial arts?"
Li Xian was moved, but that wasn't why he came today. "I was wondering if I could exchange the Tiger Blood Pill you rewarded me with for a martial art?"
"What martial art?" Pang Long asked casually.
"Jade Palm." Li Xian said resolutely, "Exchanging the Tiger Blood Pill for Jade Palm, is it feasible?"
Pang Long wiped his sweat and hung a wet towel on a bamboo rack, frowning slightly, "Jade Palm? It's an Entry Martial Art. It's not under my jurisdiction, and I don't have the qualification to teach it."
"Moreover, at your current stage, your body is weak. Practicing Entry Martial Arts would be detrimental, consuming your Qi-blood."
"This Tiger Blood Pill is your best choice for now. If I were you, I'd take it early."
Li Xian asked, "Then, Commander Pang, if I want to obtain the Jade Palm, is there a way?"
Pang Long's gaze turned scrutinizing, "You really want to learn the Jade Palm?" Li Xian nodded firmly, "I really want to learn."
"The Jade Palm is in the Leisure Martial Pavilion, managed by the lady's maid, Qiuyue. I can't decide when it is open or when you can enter. Since you wish to go, so be it... I'll keep an eye out for you."
"For now, focus on practicing martial arts and fulfilling your duties at the Nursing Home."
"Among the D-class Nursing Homes, I see potential in you to strive forward."
Pang Long said, patting Li Xian on the shoulder.
"Thanks for your confidence, Commander." Li Xian realized it was currently hopeless and had to suppress the thought for now.
"So, regarding martial arts, do you still want to ask?" Pang Long asked with a smile.
"Commander Pang is willing to speak?" Li Xian was naturally eager.
"It's not about wanting to or not, it's just that... I vaguely touched that realm. I was just looking for someone to brag to." Pang Long laughed heartily, his coarse features visibly delighted.
Li Xian thought, it's true that when good things happen, one's spirits are lifted. This is a chance to glimpse into that mysterious domain.
Pang Long sat in the courtyard, reminiscing about the past, "I was originally a Jianghu pugilist, traveled to many places, killed people, and nearly got killed. Later, the lady took me in, and I became the commander of the Nursing Home. Helping the lady manage this vast estate."
"Recently, the lady gifted me a soup, and after consuming it, I finally achieved something. I'm a bit closer to that realm..."
Li Xian asked, "What realm?"
"The realm of transformation!" Pang Long intensified his tone, his eyes gleaming with essence, "Martial Artists in this world seek transformation! Martial arts, practiced to perfection, aim for transformation!"
"I didn't tell you before because I didn't want you to become conceited and feel depressed. Because I too was once like that."
"Then why are you willing to tell me today?" Li Xian asked.
"Hahaha." Pang Long said, "It's naturally because... I'm about to reach that level. If I can succeed, then the Nursing Home's caregivers might also succeed. It won't be overreaching, but having goals and aspirations."
Pang Long said, "Martial Arts! Consume the Essence of Heaven and Earth, drink the brilliance of the sun and moon, to strengthen oneself. This... I've vaguely touched upon."
"Martial Artists don't rely on breathing techniques; they rely on what they eat and practice!"
"We martial artists are born as 'clay embryos', also known as 'mud embryos.' Through diligent practice of martial arts, we strengthen ourselves and accumulate power. When the inner strength is abundant, the physique strong, and martial arts mastery deep, and when the mud embryo is thoroughly refined to vasodilate the power of 'Essence Food.'"
"This is the touch of the first realm of transformation in martial arts: 'Essence Feeding.'"
At this point, Pang Long was full of anticipation.
He's only partially stepped into the "Essence Feeding" realm, with a long road still ahead.
"Little Immortal..." Pang Long sighed, "You may not feel my joy. But there's one thing I can tell you in advance. Martial arts... are forever the foundation of martial arts!"
"That's what the lady said, she told me, and now I'm telling you. You... slowly comprehend it."
Looking at Pang Long's invigorated face, a realization flashed through Li Xian's mind: "I understand. What martial artists pursue is transformation once they've reached a certain level of martial arts mastery."
"So, the Initial Realm of Martial Arts is the Mud Embryo Realm. Now, I'm also in the Mud Embryo Realm."