After nearly half a year of frenzied cultivation, Han Li finally stood before Doctor Mo to undergo his assessment.
Zhang Tie stood awkwardly close to Han Li, which was hardly surprising. Han Li had already learned from him that despite his diligent efforts over the past six months, Zhang Tie had achieved absolutely nothing in mastering the cultivation chant.
Han Li knew that Zhang Tie had practiced the chant just as earnestly as he had. Although Zhang Tie lacked Han Li’s almost desperate intensity, he had still put in considerable effort, working diligently and conscientiously.
Yet, strangely, the chant had no effect on Zhang Tie whatsoever. No matter how hard he tried, it yielded no results. It seemed the chant simply wasn’t meant for him.
Han Li’s own heart was uneasy. He knew that Zhang Tie was almost certain to fail this test. Although Han Li had achieved some minor results himself, they weren’t much better than Zhang Tie’s.
Despite his relentless cultivation, the only progress he had made was a slight strengthening of the strange energy flow within his body. If it had been as thin as a strand of hair before, it was now about as thick as a cotton thread. But whether this would be enough to satisfy Doctor Mo, he had no idea. His heart hung in the balance, filled with anxiety and uncertainty.
“Are you both ready? Show me the results of your cultivation,” Doctor Mo said, narrowing his eyes as he coldly observed the two from his armchair.
“We’re ready,” Han Li and Zhang Tie replied, steeling themselves.
Doctor Mo slowly rose from his chair and placed the book he always carried onto the table.
“Extend your hands. Show me your energy flow.”
He grasped Zhang Tie’s right wrist with one hand and placed the other over Zhang Tie’s dantian. After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he withdrew his hands and examined Zhang Tie expressionlessly.
Zhang Tie’s face flushed red. He hurriedly hid his hands behind his back and lowered his head, not daring to look Doctor Mo in the eye. He knew Doctor Mo must have realized he had made no progress in the chant, and he expected harsh words to follow.
“Your turn.”
Surprisingly, Doctor Mo showed no intention of scolding Zhang Tie. He merely revealed a faint trace of disappointment in his eyes before turning to Han Li.
Doctor Mo grasped Han Li’s right wrist as before.
“His hand is so cold, icy—it doesn’t feel like a living person’s hand at all,” Han Li thought, feeling uneasy.
The skin on Doctor Mo’s hand was dry and covered with calluses, causing a slight prickling sensation against Han Li’s skin. This was Han Li’s first impression upon being touched by him.
Perhaps stimulated by the external contact, the energy within Han Li’s body began circulating on its own, without any conscious effort from Han Li. It flowed through the extraordinary meridians, passing through various acupoints across his body, moving from his dantian to his head, then to his limbs, completing a full cycle before returning to his dantian. As soon as the energy began circulating, the discomfort on Han Li’s skin vanished instantly.
“Oh!” Doctor Mo couldn’t help but exclaim, evidently having detected the energy within Han Li’s body.
“Quick, circulate the chant once more,” Doctor Mo said, though he tried to suppress any visible excitement, the fervor in his eyes still took Han Li by surprise.
“Slowly, let me observe carefully,” Doctor Mo added, his usually cold tone now urgent as he placed his other hand over Han Li’s dantian.
Han Li could feel Doctor Mo’s hands trembling slightly, a clear sign of his excitement. Complying with the instruction, Han Li guided the energy through another cycle.
“Excellent! Excellent! This is the feeling, this is exactly what I’ve been searching for. There’s no mistake! Absolutely no mistake! Haha…”
After a thorough examination, Doctor Mo could no longer contain himself and burst into laughter. He gripped Han Li’s shoulders tightly, his narrowed eyes widening as he stared intently at Han Li as if beholding a rare treasure. His gaze even held a trace of madness.
Han Li could hear Doctor Mo’s incessant laughter and felt his shoulders ache from the tight grip. Seeing the wild look on Doctor Mo’s face, he couldn’t help but feel afraid.
“Good, very good.” Noticing the fear on Han Li’s face, Doctor Mo realized he had lost control and immediately stopped laughing.
“Continue working as hard as you have been. From today onward, you are my personal disciple,” he said, releasing Han Li’s shoulders and patting them encouragingly.
Doctor Mo’s face returned to its usual calm demeanor, as if his earlier outburst had never happened. Only the occasional fervent glance he cast toward Han Li revealed that he was still deeply excited.
“As for you…” Doctor Mo finally turned his attention to Zhang Tie.
Zhang Tie had been stunned by everything that had just happened. Only when Doctor Mo addressed him did he snap out of his daze. Remembering the harsh reality that failure meant being expelled from the mountain, Zhang Tie looked at Doctor Mo with a pleading expression.
“Your aptitude is lacking. After all this time, you haven’t achieved anything. It would be difficult for you to become my disciple,” Doctor Mo said, shaking his head repeatedly.
With each shake of Doctor Mo’s head, Zhang Tie’s heart sank further.
Both of them could tell from Doctor Mo’s tone that he had no intention of accepting Zhang Tie.
But suddenly, as if struck by an idea, Doctor Mo looked at Zhang Tie with a strange expression.
“However, when I examined your bone structure earlier, I noticed that another cultivation method might suit you better. Would you be willing to learn it from me?” Doctor Mo’s tone shifted unexpectedly, suggesting that he might let Zhang Tie pass after all.
Overjoyed, Zhang Tie immediately agreed.
“Good, very good. Both of you may leave now. Tomorrow, I will teach you new cultivation methods.” It was clear that Doctor Mo was in high spirits, as another “good, very good” escaped his lips.
Han Li and Zhang Tie exchanged glances, both feeling that the day’s test had been full of twists and turns. In the end, both had passed, bringing them a sense of relief and satisfaction.
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