The countless grievances of those who had dismissed the "Blinking Sword Technique" were rooted in ignorance. What they didn't know was that the creator of this art had suffered a profound setback in his youth—his internal cultivation was irreversibly crippled during a bloody conflict with rivals. After this fateful incident, he was no longer able to practice internal energy, the foundation of most martial arts.
In fear that his loss of power would cause him to lose standing in the sect, this elder never revealed his condition to anyone. Instead, he chose a more subtle path: he crafted an image of an extraordinary martial artist who had made tremendous breakthroughs, thereby fooling everyone around him. However, despite his deception, his ability to protect himself was forever compromised.
At that time, the Seven Xuemen sect was at its peak, dominating the entire Jingzhou region. In the face of his own impotence, this elder resorted to desperate measures. He quietly used his influence within the sect to launch a series of covert raids on small, hidden martial arts sects, stealing their secret scrolls and attempting to find a technique that could be mastered without the use of internal energy.
After years of searching, he indeed uncovered many astonishing techniques, but none were useful to him. Disheartened, he realized that he could not simply give up. Instead, he did what few martial artists could: he devised a new art by combining the techniques he had stolen and tailored them to suit his specific needs. This moment of inspiration ignited a passion in him. The idea of creating a martial art of his own was irresistible, something that every true martial artist dreams of. Driven by this newfound resolve, he poured all his energy into his research, isolating himself from the outside world, and even ceasing to involve himself in the sect's internal power struggles.
Creating a martial art was no small feat. Moreover, this technique—designed to not rely on internal energy—had to integrate a wide variety of other secret techniques, forming a completely unique and formidable form of martial prowess. The process was arduous and far more difficult than the elder had imagined. However, as a person of extraordinary willpower, he dedicated several decades of his life to this creation. Finally, after many years of painstaking work, the Blinking Sword Technique came into being.
When the elder, now in his later years, was finally ready to present his groundbreaking achievement to the sect, he discovered that the Seven Xuemen was on the brink of collapse. The sect, once the most powerful force in the region, was now surrounded by hostile factions, and its extinction seemed imminent. At this critical juncture, the elder wielded his newly acquired technique to unleash a deadly display of martial skill, cutting down many of the invading enemies and scattering the rest. His intervention saved the sect, ensuring its survival for the time being.
However, the elder's triumph was short-lived. Exhausted from the battle, he passed away shortly afterward, leaving behind only the Blinking Sword Technique and a will instructing that it be placed in the Seven Xuemen's treasure hall. His work, a lifetime of blood, sweat, and sacrifice, would remain there, gathering dust.
Sadly, in the years that followed, no one within the sect showed any interest in attempting to master this extraordinary technique. The Blinking Sword Technique was left forgotten, until it was rediscovered by Han Li. Though the technique's history and the elder's struggles were unknown to him, Han Li's pragmatic nature kept him from caring about the origins of the technique. For him, the only thing that mattered was how useful it could be for his survival.
Back in his room, Han Li lit an oil lamp and sat at his desk, the dim light casting shadows as he immersed himself in the books before him. He had no intention of copying the texts. Instead, he planned to rely on his exceptional memory to commit the entire set of techniques to his mind. This way, he could avoid leaving any traces behind, ensuring both his safety and the secrecy of his actions.
Han Li still viewed Mo Dafu with suspicion, keeping his guard up at all times. He wasn't naïve enough to think that the doctor wasn't watching him. If too many copies of the Blinking Sword Technique were discovered in his room, Mo Dafu might become suspicious, so Han Li decided to take extra precautions.
As the hours passed, the flame of the oil lamp flickered and sputtered, casting dancing shadows on the walls. Han Li remained absorbed in the books, the eerie techniques written in them completely capturing his attention. Outside, the world slowly transitioned from night to dawn, but Han Li didn't notice. He was too deep in his studies, obsessed with the strange and deadly skills outlined in the texts.
The last flicker of the lamp marked the end of his night's reading. The oil lamp extinguished with a soft "pop," and Han Li was startled back to reality. He blinked in the morning light, realizing he had spent the entire night studying. A wry smile crossed his face.
He couldn't help but reflect on how much he had changed. Not long ago, he would never have imagined himself becoming so engrossed in a killing technique. Yet here he was, completely fascinated by it. His former self—less focused, more innocent—seemed like a distant memory.
After a moment of self-reflection, Han Li stood up and stretched, cracking his stiff neck and limbs. The sound of his joints popping filled the quiet room. He stepped outside, washed his face with cold water from the well, and used his Longspring Art to circulate energy through his body. The fatigue from the night melted away.
Despite his progress in understanding the Blinking Sword Technique, Han Li knew that mastering it would take years of hard work. Even with his natural talent, it would take at least two to three years before he could make any noticeable progress. But time, as always, was in short supply. He had to act quickly, for he could not afford to waste any more time.