"Blink Sword Technique?" Han Li murmured the name of the sword technique to himself, intrigued.
"Yes, the name is really odd, right? What's the connection between a blink and a sword technique? Kind of funny, don't you think?" Li Feiyu grinned, clearly entertained by the strange name.
"Have you ever practiced this technique?" Han Li asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Of course not. Who would bother with a martial art that doesn't even require true qi? It's just for show, isn't it? No one has ever practiced it," Li Feiyu replied dismissively. "In fact, the only reason this technique was ever added to the Seven Xuan Hall's collection was because the elder who created it saved the sect from multiple crises. Before he passed away, he left a will stating that this technique must be included among the Seven Xuan Hall's secret arts. Otherwise, it would have never been included."
Li Feiyu's open and chatty nature took Han Li by surprise. He often revealed more than Han Li had asked for, but that was only when they were alone. In front of others, Li Feiyu would resume his cool and mysterious persona as "Senior Brother Li."
After hearing the story, Han Li's instincts told him that this technique might be the very thing he had been searching for.
"Senior Brother Li, could you transcribe this technique for me? Could you bring me a copy from the Seven Xuan Hall?" Han Li asked earnestly.
Li Feiyu chuckled mischievously. "Heh, no problem. Normally, I wouldn't be able to transcribe just any martial arts, since they are always monitored, but this Blink Sword Technique is so obscure that no one cares about it. It's tucked away in a corner, completely ignored. Transcribing it is a hassle, but if you want, I can sneak out the original scroll for you. You can memorize or copy it, and I'll return it without anyone noticing."
Han Li's eyes gleamed with approval. It was much better to get the original scroll than rely on a transcribed copy. Although he had some doubts about Li Feiyu's tendency to be careless, this offer seemed too good to refuse.
"Alright, time's running out for me to go back and practice. I might get caught sneaking around again," Li Feiyu said as he wiped off the water and began to put his clothes back on, preparing to leave.
Han Li didn't say much, just reminding him to be careful while sneaking out the scroll. "Don't get caught," he added.
Li Feiyu gave a careless wave of his hand as he turned to leave, disappearing into the narrow mountain cave.
Han Li watched as his friend's silhouette gradually faded away, then his smile faded as well, replaced by a thoughtful expression. He stood still for a while, lost in thought.
Not long after, Han Li returned to Shenshou Valley. He immediately spotted the tall, mysterious figure standing motionless outside of Doctor Mo's house. The man wore a cloak, his posture rigid, standing completely still as though unaffected by the blazing summer sun.
Han Li paused at the entrance of his room and gazed at the man. Ever since Doctor Mo had used this mysterious figure to pressure him, Han Li had grown curious about him. This man never spoke, and since coming to the valley, he had never uttered a single word. His silence made Han Li suspect that the man might be mute by nature.
What was even more baffling was the man's extraordinary stamina. Han Li had seen him stand motionless for an entire day without showing any sign of exhaustion. Han Li privately called him a "monster" due to his unnerving strength and unwavering obedience.
The man had never reacted when Han Li tried to engage him in conversation. No matter how much Han Li spoke or tried to connect, the man remained like a block of wood, unresponsive. Han Li had eventually resigned himself to the fact that Doctor Mo had somehow managed to turn this man into a perfect puppet—emotionless, tireless, and seemingly invincible.
What perplexed Han Li even more was a vague feeling of familiarity whenever he looked at the man's back. It was as if he had seen this exact figure somewhere before, but no matter how hard he thought, he couldn't place it.
With a sigh, Han Li turned away and closed the door behind him. He knew that without Doctor Mo's orders, the silent man would never rest. He couldn't afford to waste time worrying about him now.
Han Li leaped onto his bed in one swift motion, lying down and placing his hands behind his head, closing his eyes. He began replaying the techniques he had learned from Li Feiyu earlier, mentally running through each move, analyzing it in minute detail. Each technique was broken down into sections, which he repeatedly practiced in his mind to perfect them.
This ability was something Han Li had gained after reaching the fifth level of the Changchun Gong—the ability to remember everything at a glance. With this power, he could mentally capture the essence of any martial technique and replay it in his mind, refining it until it became second nature. This is why Li Feiyu had thought of Han Li as a genius—he could grasp martial arts with minimal effort.
Two months ago, with the help of two precious elixirs, Han Li had broken through the fourth level of Changchun Gong and reached the fifth. The effects of the Huanglong Dan and Jinsui Wan far exceeded his expectations. These medicinal pills were far more valuable than he had imagined, and they had propelled his cultivation to new heights.
However, half of the pills were already used up, and Han Li knew he would need to be cautious with the remaining ones. They should be enough for him to break through to the sixth level, but he couldn't help but wonder what new surprises the sixth level would bring.
As the deadline set by Doctor Mo drew closer, Han Li's anxiety grew. He had learned some new techniques from Li Feiyu, but without true qi to back them up, they were little more than decorative skills—perfect for show, but ineffective in real combat. They might be useful against someone with little martial training, but against someone like Doctor Mo, they would be completely useless.
He sighed in frustration, worrying about how his Changchun Gong would fare in battle. Despite its advantages, it was still a technique built for cultivation, not combat. Right now, his only hope was the Blink Sword Technique. He prayed that it would provide him with the breakthrough he needed to survive.