Han Li hadn't originally planned on making the two non-cultivation-related medicines, but after careful consideration, he realized it would be wise to prepare some antidotes and healing potions. After all, as someone who dabbled in the martial world, he never knew when he might get caught up in a calamity or a battle. If he were poisoned or wounded without access to good medicine, it would be a terrible and unjust way to die.
Thus, Han Li decided to prepare a small quantity of the antidote and healing potions, keeping them on hand just in case. Though this decision would reduce the number of cultivation-related medicines he could make, slightly delaying his progress in the secret technique, he felt it was a necessary trade-off. After all, no one had an unlimited supply of perfect opportunities—sometimes one had to make sacrifices.
On the day he finished crafting the medicines, Han Li immediately took one Yellow Dragon Pill and one Golden Marrow Pill. These two pills truly lived up to their legendary status. With the overwhelming potency of the pills, Han Li easily broke through his bottleneck and achieved the fourth layer of the secret technique that very night.
As soon as he reached the fourth layer, Han Li experienced a profound change. His senses—sight, hearing, smell—were all enhanced to an extraordinary level. Everything around him became incredibly sharp and clear. The smallest details, things he could never have noticed before, suddenly stood out. For example, he could clearly see the fine threads of spider silk in the corners of the room, and hear the faint sound of an earthworm burrowing several dozen meters away. Even the slightest, unfamiliar smells reached his nostrils with startling clarity.
Han Li was both surprised and delighted. This was the first time since beginning his cultivation that he truly felt the time spent was not wasted. The sensations he was now experiencing showed that the technique was not useless—it had a unique and profound effect.
Until now, the previous layers of cultivation had brought some improvements to his senses, but they were far less dramatic than the leap he just experienced. The fourth layer had brought about a qualitative change, as if he had become a completely different person.
He also felt physically lighter and more energetic than ever before. He could now go for several days without sleep and still feel refreshed. Han Li took a moment to revel in the new sensations coursing through his body. He could sense everything happening within a large radius around him, and the feeling of having such control over his surroundings was intoxicating.
This was the true beginning of progress in his cultivation. Han Li couldn't help but wonder: if the fourth layer felt so extraordinary, what would the fifth or sixth layers be like?
Just as Han Li was lost in these thoughts, he heard a familiar cough from afar. It was the cough of his nominal master, Mo Dafu. Han Li quickly gathered his focus, ending his meditation. Realizing that Mo Dafu had returned, Han Li hurried to greet him.
When Han Li reached the entrance of the valley, he saw Mo Dafu for the first time in nearly a year. But the sight that greeted him made his heart skip a beat. Mo Dafu, though still the same person, looked drastically different. His complexion had grown even more jaundiced and sallow, and he appeared to be on the brink of death, a far cry from the sickly but still somewhat energetic figure he had been before.
What shocked Han Li even more was the mysterious figure standing behind Mo Dafu. This person was cloaked in a black hood and draped in an oversized green robe, completely concealing their appearance. The figure was enormous, easily two heads taller than Han Li, with a physique resembling that of a giant. Han Li could barely make out the figure's face under the hood, but it was clear that their appearance would likely be monstrous and unsettling.
Despite his curiosity and unease, Han Li remained calm. He approached Mo Dafu and respectfully bowed. Though he knew his master didn't care about his formalities, he made sure to show proper respect. It was crucial for maintaining a good relationship with his master, even if it was complicated by their growing distance.
Han Li, having studied Mo Dafu's usual behavior, knew that the first thing his master would likely ask was about the progress of his cultivation. Mo Dafu had always been deeply concerned with the speed at which Han Li advanced in the secret technique. Sure enough, as soon as Mo Dafu saw Han Li approaching, he paused for a moment, then coughed weakly and asked, "How's your cultivation progressing? Have you made any improvements?"
Han Li had already prepared an answer in advance. He didn't intend to tell Mo Dafu about his real progress, especially not the miracle-like jump from the third layer to the fourth layer. It was impossible to explain, especially without revealing the influence of the mysterious green liquid. So, Han Li responded with a calm face, "It's still the same as before, no significant change."
Mo Dafu's expression shifted, and his tone turned sharp. "Extend your hand," he ordered, his voice suddenly tense.
Han Li's heart skipped a beat. He noticed the shift in his master's demeanor, and a sense of unease crept into his heart. Mo Dafu, though still weak, seemed unusually focused. Han Li, however, was not afraid of the pulse check. Since breaking through to the fourth layer, he had discovered that he could now control the strength of the energy in his body with great precision. He could easily adjust his internal energy to match the level of the third layer, ensuring that Mo Dafu wouldn't detect anything out of the ordinary.
As Mo Dafu moved closer, Han Li prepared himself to carefully conceal his true cultivation level and body's energy.