During this period, the Seven Mysteries Sect experienced a remarkable event.
The idol of the new generation of disciples, “Senior Brother Li,” displayed exceptional alertness by uncovering two spies sent by the Wild Wolf Gang. These spies had attempted to steal the list of disciples assigned to down-the-mountain training missions. Along with a dozen fellow sect members, Li Feiyu captured them on the spot, earning himself considerable merit.
A few days later, Sect Leader Wang publicly appointed Li Feiyu to the position of Protector, officially elevating him to the middle ranks of the Seven Mysteries Sect. This caused quite a stir, and Li Feiyu’s reputation grew even more prominent.
Han Li, however, remained completely unaware of these events. He was undergoing intensive training inside a sealed wooden cabin. Aside from occasionally venturing out to the kitchen to fetch food, he had not interacted with anyone for many days. Naturally, he knew nothing of his friend’s recent glory.
Summer faded into autumn, and time flew by swiftly. Finally, the last day before the agreed-upon date arrived.
In a thorny forest at the bottom of a ravine, a bizarre figure drifted in and out among branches covered in sharp, dangerous thorns. The lethal spikes posed no obstacle to him whatsoever. Like a wisp of blue smoke, he ghostily slipped through one densely woven thorny net after another, appearing now nearby, now in the distance. The entire process was utterly silent, as though he were not made of flesh and blood but rather some intangible form.
Finally, the figure came to a stop atop a tree trunk, standing straight on a branch and gazing into the distance. It was Han Li, who had achieved some success in his cultivation.
By now, his clothes were torn to shreds, revealing patches of skin beneath. His hair was loose and disheveled, and his face was streaked with grime, making him almost unrecognizable. Most surprisingly, small iron bells hung from his neck, waist, arms, thighs, and ankles.
The presence of these bells, combined with Han Li’s ghostly movements through the forest, made it clear just how supernatural his footwork had been.
Motionless, he stared in the direction of Divine Hand Valley and murmured to himself:
“Just in time. I finally mastered the Dusky Mist Steps on the last day. With this, I have a better chance of protecting myself.”
Though his facial expression was hard to discern, the joy in his eyes was unmistakable.
After months of diligent study and practice, Han Li had mastered several powerful secret techniques. He felt quite confident in these skills, believing that even if he could not match the unfathomable abilities of Doctor Mo, they would at least grant him some means of self-preservation.
A gentle breeze blew, sending a slight chill through Han Li’s body. He glanced down at his “hole-riddled outfit” and imagined how he must look, inwardly sighing in amusement.
Recalling his training in the Dusky Mist Steps, he still felt a lingering sense of fear. Practicing movement techniques in a thorny forest was truly a life-threatening endeavor. In the beginning, his unfamiliarity with the footwork inevitably left him covered in wounds from the sharp thorns, bleeding profusely.
Fortunately, he had the “Nourishing Essence Pills” with him. These pills not only treated internal injuries but also proved incredibly effective for external wounds. After taking one, his bleeding would stop almost immediately, and the wounds would scab over. By the next day, even the scars would vanish without a trace.
Han Li marveled at this for a long time. These pills were far superior to ordinary wound medicines. Still, he wondered why they were called “Nourishing Essence Pills” — names like “Scar Remover” or “Bleeding Stopper” would have been more fitting, in his opinion.
Had the esteemed creator of the Nourishing Essence Pills known what Han Li thought, he would likely have coughed up blood in fury. His meticulously crafted sacred medicine for healing injuries was being compared to some common “Golden Sore Ointment” used by quack doctors. How could he not be enraged?
Yet it was precisely because Han Li practiced in such a perilous environment that he was able to unleash his full potential. In a short time, he achieved a considerable level of proficiency in the Dusky Mist Steps, making it immediately useful.
Moreover, just a few days prior, Han Li’s “Everlasting Spring Technique” had unsurprisingly reached the sixth layer. This was the highest level described in the mnemonic chant Doctor Mo had given him. Without the aid of those dozen or so bottles of spiritual medicine, even if he had exerted himself to the utmost, it was unlikely he would have achieved this in his lifetime.
After several years of cultivation, Han Li had gained many insights into the Everlasting Spring Technique. He found it exceptionally peculiar — both in its cultivation methods and its effects, it differed greatly from ordinary martial arts.
First, Han Li believed that success in cultivating this technique and the speed of progress depended primarily on the individual. It hinged on the practitioner’s innate aptitude and whether it aligned with the requirements of the technique.
Those with excellent aptitude would naturally progress smoothly and without obstacles. Even without external assistance, they could likely reach a high level through sheer hard work.
Those with poor aptitude, however, would find further progress impossible beyond a certain point without the aid of spiritual medicine. Han Li suspected that such individuals would remain stuck at that level for life, with no room for advancement. He himself was a perfect example: he had sailed through the first three layers but suddenly hit a wall at the fourth, making no progress whatsoever.
Yet with the help of miraculous medicines, the impossible could become possible, allowing one to break through the limitations of their innate aptitude and advance further. This highlighted just how heavily the technique relied on medicinal efficacy!
However, very few people in the world consumed spiritual medicine like snacks, taking one or two pills daily as he did. Thus, the fifth and sixth layers, which should have been even more difficult to cultivate, were mastered by him effortlessly, completely unlike his struggle at the fourth layer.
Now that he had fully mastered the sixth layer of the Everlasting Spring Technique, Han Li found that aside from feeling more energetic, mentally sharper, and having enhanced senses, he had yet to discover any other marvelous effects. Strangely, since he began cultivating this technique, each layer had only strengthened his spirit, mind, and five senses, with minimal impact on his physical body. It merely made him healthier and lighter on his feet. The energy flow generated by the technique — which Han Li called “pseudo-qi” — could circulate freely through his meridians like ordinary qi, but aside from heightening his tactile sensitivity, it had no other practical effects. It lacked the astonishing power of true qi.
Moreover, having reached this level, he was convinced that there were more口诀 beyond the sixth layer. Perhaps the true essence and subtlety of this skill lay hidden within those final layers.
At this thought, he shook his head helplessly and sighed. Given his current relationship with Doctor Mo, hoping to obtain the subsequent layers of the technique was utterly out of the question.
Stopping his wild speculations, Han Li leaped down, landing softly on the ground without making a sound. Then, he strode decisively toward the small wooden cabin.
Tomorrow, he would meet with Doctor Mo. Before then, he needed to make full use of his innate talent to meticulously plan every step of their encounter in his mind. He would carefully consider every possible detail and devise the best strategies to handle any potential dangers that might arise.
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