Even after traveling some distance from the cliff, Han Li could still faintly hear the clamor of voices. He no longer cared about how Wang Da Pang and Zhang Changgui resolved their dispute.
The thought of Jin Dongbao standing there, stunned and dazed, made Han Li want to burst out laughing. At that moment, he felt his mood lighten considerably, the stifling feeling from the valley completely gone.
He passed through a pine forest and headed toward a more remote area. After walking aimlessly for a while, a narrow stream appeared before him.
Han Li looked up at the scorching sun in the sky, then down at the clear water flowing gently in the stream. He thought washing up in the stream would be a good idea.
As he bent down and dipped his hands into the cool water, a series of pained moans came from upstream.
Han Li was surprised—someone else was in such a remote place?
Following the moans, he headed upstream and found a person dressed in the inner disciple uniform lying face-down by the stream, their body twitching uncontrollably, limbs trembling.
With one glance, Han Li could tell this disciple was suffering from an acute condition. Without immediate help, their life was in danger.
He rushed over in a single bound, pulling a sandalwood box from his chest. Opening it, he took out several gleaming silver needles and swiftly inserted them into the acupuncture points on the person’s back.
After quickly finishing the back, he turned the person over to work on the chest acupuncture points.
As the person’s face came into view, Han Li gasped. The person in critical condition was none other than “Senior Brother Li,” who had just displayed his prowess on the cliff.
Han Li froze for a moment, then closely examined the face he had seen not long ago.
Gone was Senior Brother Li’s gallant, invincible demeanor from defeating his opponent. His once cold, composed face was now contorted in agony, froth spilling from his mouth. Clearly, the pain had driven him to the point of delirium.
Regaining his composure, Han Li hesitated briefly before rapidly inserting the silver needles into Li’s body, working like flowing water. He placed dozens of needles in succession, and after inserting the final one, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and let out a long breath. This silver needle emergency technique was quite taxing for him.
With his body covered in gleaming silver needles, Senior Brother Li finally awoke, regaining his senses.
“You are…” He struggled to speak but lacked the strength to finish.
“I’m from the God Hand Valley. Don’t speak—focus on recovering your strength. I can only keep you conscious for now. Your condition is strange, and I’m afraid only Doctor Mo can cure you. Unfortunately, he’s not on the mountain right now,” Han Li said, checking Li’s pulse and frowning.
“Medicine… in…” Senior Brother Li’s face grew anxious, his lips trembling as he tried to lift his arm to gesture, but he failed.
“You have medicine to treat your condition?” Han Li immediately understood his meaning and asked.
“Mm!” Relieved that Han Li understood, Senior Brother Li’s expression relaxed, and he nodded with effort.
Without hesitation, Han Li searched Li’s body, finding various items. Among them, a small white jade bottle stood out. Given its exquisite craftsmanship and tight seal, it was likely what he was looking for.
Han Li picked up the bottle and glanced at Senior Brother Li, whose face lit up with joy, his eyes blinking rapidly.
Opening the bottle, Han Li was surprised—no medicinal fragrance emerged. Instead, a strong, foul odor hit him.
His expression darkened as he carefully poured out a pink pill. The pill’s charming appearance contrasted starkly with its stench, making it hard to believe.
“Is this the pill?” Han Li’s face returned to calm.
Unable to speak, Senior Brother Li could only blink in confirmation.
“‘Marrow Extraction Pill,’ refined from twenty-three rare ingredients, including Helan, Scorpion Tail Flower, and century-old Blue Ant Eggs. When completed, it appears pink and emits a peculiar foul odor. After consumption, it drastically overdrafts the body’s potential, trading future lifespan for a temporary boost in the user’s abilities. Is that correct?” Han Li said coldly, staring at Senior Brother Li, his words deliberate and authoritative.
Upon hearing this, Senior Brother Li’s face turned deathly pale, devoid of color, his expression filled with panic.
“This pill requires repeated doses at regular intervals, each accompanied by excruciating pain, as if your marrow is being sucked out. If you stop taking it, at best you’ll be paralyzed; at worst, you’ll die. Even if you take it on schedule, within ten years of the first dose, you’ll die from exhausting your vitality,” Han Li continued relentlessly.
“Don’t tell me this pill in my hand isn’t the Marrow Extraction Pill.” He paused briefly.
By now, Senior Brother Li’s face showed the despair of having his secret exposed, though his eyes still held an incredulous, astonished look.
“You must be wondering how I, of all people, recognize such a rare pill,” Han Li said, picking up on his confusion and shifting the topic to himself.
“It’s simple—I’ve taken one of these pills myself.” His words stunned Senior Brother Li, who immediately showed disbelief.
“My method was different. I took only one pill, divided into ten doses, using each as a catalyst for other medicines, so there were no harmful side effects. The pill’s appearance and its distinct odor left a deep impression on me. I always thought that, aside from the pill I took, no one else would actually use such a secret drug. I never expected to find someone in our sect who did.” Han Li looked at Senior Brother Li with a mix of admiration and pity.
Unwilling to meet Han Li’s gaze, Senior Brother Li gently closed his eyes, his chest heaving, betraying his turbulent emotions.
“You’ve been taking this pill for several years, haven’t you? If you stop now, I can ask Doctor Mo to prepare another secret medicine. It won’t fully restore your lifespan, but it could let you live another twenty or thirty years, though your martial skills would be lost. If you continue taking the pill, judging by your episode today, you have at most five or six years left. Of course, during those years, your martial skills will improve rapidly, even faster than now. Since you dared to take this secret drug, you must be a resolute and decisive person. Your body, your choice—will you take the pill or discard it?”
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