After nearly six months of relentless cultivation, Han Li finally stood before Doctor Mo, ready for his assessment. Zhang Tie stood nervously by his side, unable to hide his unease. Han Li already knew from Zhang Tie's own words that despite his hard work, Zhang Tie had made no progress with the mantra. Han Li knew that Zhang Tie had put as much effort into it as he had, though he lacked the same obsessive determination. Nevertheless, Zhang Tie had not seen any results. It seemed that the mantra simply didn't resonate with him.
Han Li's heart was heavy with uncertainty. Although he had seen some small improvement, he wasn't confident it would be enough. The energy flow in his body had become slightly stronger, but the difference was minuscule. If before it was as thin as a strand of hair, now it was only as thick as a piece of cotton thread. Would it be enough to pass Doctor Mo's test? Han Li didn't know, and he couldn't shake the feeling of anxiety.
"Are you ready? Show me the results of your cultivation," Doctor Mo said, his eyes narrowing as he coldly observed the two boys.
"Ready," Han Li and Zhang Tie answered, their voices trembling slightly.
Doctor Mo slowly rose from his chair, placing his ever-present book on the table.
"Extend your hands, and demonstrate your cultivation."
He grabbed Zhang Tie's right wrist with one hand and placed the other on his dantian. They waited for what felt like an eternity, a full tea kettle's worth of time, before Doctor Mo slowly withdrew his hands and gave Zhang Tie a long, measured look.
Zhang Tie's face flushed with embarrassment. He quickly pulled his hands behind his back and lowered his head, avoiding Doctor Mo's gaze. He knew that Doctor Mo had detected that he had not made any progress with the mantra, and he couldn't bear the thought of being criticized.
"It's your turn," Doctor Mo's voice broke the silence.
To Han Li's surprise, Doctor Mo didn't show any sign of anger toward Zhang Tie. There was only a trace of disappointment in his gaze before he shifted his focus to Han Li.
Once again, Doctor Mo grabbed Han Li's right wrist and placed his hand on Han Li's dantian.
"So cold. Cold as ice, as though your hand is not that of a living person," Han Li thought to himself, a little startled by the sensation.
Doctor Mo's skin was dry, rough, and covered with calluses, making the touch uncomfortable for Han Li. It was at that moment that Han Li's internal energy, without him consciously guiding it, began to move on its own. The strange energy flowed through his meridians, moving swiftly through the eight extraordinary vessels and various acupoints, circulating from his dantian to his head and limbs before returning to his dantian.
The moment the energy began to circulate, the slight discomfort in Han Li's skin vanished.
"Ah!" Doctor Mo's voice slipped out, sounding unexpectedly surprised.
"Quick! Run the mantra again," Doctor Mo urged, his tone betraying an excitement that Han Li wasn't accustomed to hearing from him. His usual coldness was replaced by a sense of urgency.
"Go slowly. Let me watch carefully," Doctor Mo added, his usual composed tone now sounding almost frantic. He placed his other hand on Han Li's dantian.
Han Li could feel Doctor Mo's hands trembling slightly. It was clear he was very excited. Following his instructions, Han Li focused and began circulating the energy again, more slowly this time.
"Not bad! Not bad! This is the feeling! This is what I've been looking for!" Doctor Mo muttered to himself, clearly overjoyed. "There's no mistake! No mistake at all! Haha..."
After carefully observing Han Li's energy flow, Doctor Mo couldn't contain his excitement any longer and burst into loud, uncontrollable laughter. His hands gripped Han Li's shoulders tightly as he looked at him with wide, intense eyes, as though he were admiring an exceedingly rare treasure. Han Li felt the weight of Doctor Mo's hands, a bit painful from the tight grip, and he was also unnerved by the crazed look in the doctor's eyes.
"Good. Very good," Doctor Mo said, noticing the fear in Han Li's expression and realizing he had overstepped. He immediately stopped laughing and let go of Han Li's shoulders. "From now on, you will work hard like this. From today onward, you are my personal disciple."
Doctor Mo patted Han Li's shoulder in encouragement, and though his face returned to its usual calmness, Han Li could still feel the lingering excitement in his gaze.
"As for you..." Doctor Mo turned his attention to Zhang Tie, who had been standing in a daze, still recovering from the shock of Han Li's assessment.
Zhang Tie had been stunned by the entire process. When he heard Doctor Mo's gaze turn to him, he snapped out of his stupor. Thinking about how he might fail the test and be sent back down the mountain, Zhang Tie looked at Doctor Mo with a desperate, pleading expression.
"You don't have the right talent," Doctor Mo said, shaking his head. "After all this time, you haven't made any progress at all. It would be difficult for you to be my disciple."
Zhang Tie's heart sank. He could hear the finality in Doctor Mo's voice. His hopes of becoming a disciple of Seven Mystical Gates seemed to be slipping away.
But then, Doctor Mo's gaze shifted, as though something had occurred to him. His eyes gleamed with curiosity.
"However, after checking your root talent, I believe there is another technique that might be more suited to you. Would you be willing to learn it?"
Zhang Tie's heart leapt at the words. There was still a chance! He immediately agreed, without hesitation.
"Good. Very good. You two can go now. Tomorrow, I will teach you a new technique." Doctor Mo seemed in an even better mood now, the excitement still apparent in his words. "Good, very good!"
Han Li and Zhang Tie exchanged glances. Both of them were deeply relieved. The test had been full of twists and turns, but in the end, both of them had passed. The sense of accomplishment was overwhelming, and they couldn't help but feel gratified.
Both of them had made it through the trial and had secured their place as official disciples of Doctor Mo. They would now begin their journey as formal disciples of Seven Mystical Gates.