The Immortal Ascension

Chapter 20: Marrow Extraction Pill

Han Li had already traveled a considerable distance from the cliff, but he could still faintly hear the clamor of their argument. How they would ultimately resolve the dispute between Wang Da Pang and Zhang Chang Gui was no longer his concern.

The thought of Jin Dong Bao standing there, dumbfounded, made him want to burst into laughter. At this moment, he felt a sense of relief, as if the oppressive feeling he had in the valley had completely vanished.

He walked out of the pine forest and headed toward a more remote area. After wandering for a while, a narrow stream appeared before him.

Han Li looked up at the scorching sun in the sky, then glanced down at the clear water flowing gently in the stream. He thought it would be a good idea to wash up in the stream.

As he bent down and dipped his hands into the cool stream water, a series of painful groans came from upstream.

Han Li was surprised. How could there be someone in such a secluded place?

Following the sound of the groans, he walked upstream and found a person dressed in the attire of an Inner Sect Disciple lying face down by the stream, his body convulsing and his limbs trembling uncontrollably.

Han Li immediately recognized that this disciple was suffering from an acute illness. If no help was given, his life would be in danger.

In a flash, Han Li rushed over, took out a sandalwood box from his robe, opened it, and pulled out several gleaming silver needles. With practiced precision, he began inserting the needles into the acupoints on the person’s back.

After quickly finishing the acupoints on the back, he flipped the person over to work on the acupoints on the chest.

As the person’s face came into view, Han Li gasped. The person on the brink of death was none other than Senior Apprentice Li, who had just displayed his Divine Might on the cliff.

Han Li paused for a moment, carefully observing the face he had seen not long ago.

At this moment, Senior Apprentice Li was far from the invincible and heroic figure he had been earlier. His once cold and composed face was now twisted in pain, and white foam continuously dripped from the corners of his mouth. It was clear that Senior Apprentice Li was in so much pain that he had lost consciousness.

Han Li regained his composure, pondered for a moment, and suddenly began inserting the silver needles into Senior Apprentice Li’s body in a fluid motion. He inserted dozens of needles in quick succession. When he finished the last needle, Han Li wiped the sweat from his forehead and let out a long breath. This emergency acupuncture technique was quite taxing for him.

By the time Senior Apprentice Li’s body was covered in shimmering silver needles, he finally regained consciousness.

“You are…” He struggled to speak, but his strength was too weak, and he couldn’t finish his sentence.

“I’m from the Valley of Divine Hands. Don’t speak anymore. Focus on recovering your strength. I’ve only managed to wake you temporarily. Your illness is strange, and I’m afraid only Doctor Mo can save you. Unfortunately, he’s not on the mountain right now.” Han Li checked Senior Apprentice Li’s pulse and frowned.

“Medicine… in…” Senior Apprentice Li’s face grew anxious, his lips trembling as he tried to raise his arm to say something, but he failed.

“Do you have medicine for your illness on you?” Han Li immediately understood his meaning and asked in response.

“Mmm—” Seeing that Han Li had grasped his meaning, Senior Apprentice Li relaxed slightly and nodded with great effort.Han Li didn't stand on ceremony and began searching the man's body, finding a variety of miscellaneous items. Among them, he picked out a small white jade bottle. The bottle was so exquisitely crafted and tightly sealed that it must contain what he was looking for.

He picked up the bottle and glanced back at Senior Apprentice Li's expression. Sure enough, Senior Apprentice Li's face was filled with joy, and he was blinking rapidly.

Han Li opened the bottle cap. Unexpectedly, there was no medicinal fragrance wafting out. Instead, a strong, pungent stench assaulted his senses.

As soon as Han Li caught a whiff of the odor, his expression turned grim. Carefully, he poured out a pink pill from the bottle. The pill looked so delicate and pretty, yet it emitted such a foul smell—it was truly unbelievable.

"Is this the pill?" Han Li's expression had returned to calm.

Senior Apprentice Li was so anxious that he couldn't speak, only blinking rapidly.

"The Marrow Extraction Pill, refined from Union Orchid, Scorpion Tail Flower, Century Blue Ant Egg, and twenty-three other rare ingredients. Once completed, the pill appears pink in color and emits a peculiar, pungent odor. After consumption, it greatly overdrafts the body's potential, using the user's future lifespan to enhance their current abilities. Is what I just said correct?"

Han Li coldly stared at Senior Apprentice Li, enunciating each word with an undeniable tone.

Upon hearing Han Li's words, Senior Apprentice Li's face immediately turned pale, devoid of color, and a look of panic spread across his features.

"Once this medicine is taken, it must be consumed again at regular intervals, and the user must endure inhuman suffering akin to having their tendons pulled and marrow extracted. If not taken, the consequences range from complete paralysis to death. Even if taken on time every time, within ten years of the first dose, the user will inevitably die from the overdraft of their life force." Han Li didn't stop and continued speaking.

"Don't tell me that the pill in my hand isn't the Marrow Extraction Pill." Han Li paused briefly as he spoke.

By this point, Senior Apprentice Li's face had taken on a look of utter despair, as if his deepest secret had been exposed. Yet, his eyes still betrayed a sense of shock and disbelief.

"Are you surprised? This pill is extremely rare. How could I recognize it?" Han Li, sensing the question in Senior Apprentice Li's mind, shifted the topic to himself.

"In fact, it's quite simple. I've also taken one of these pills."

Han Li's words were earth-shattering, leaving Senior Apprentice Li completely stunned. However, Senior Apprentice Li soon showed a look of disbelief.

"My method of taking this pill was different from yours. I only consumed one pill, but I divided it into ten portions and took it in ten separate doses, each time using it as a catalyst for other medicines. As a result, there were no harmful side effects to my body. Because the appearance of the pill and the smell it emits are so strikingly different, I have a very vivid memory of it. I always thought that, apart from the pill I took, no one in the world would actually consume this secret medicine. I never expected that within our own sect, there would be someone who did."

After saying this, Han Li looked at Senior Apprentice Li with a gaze that seemed both admiring and pitying.

Senior Apprentice Li couldn't bear to meet Han Li's gaze and gently closed his eyes. However, the rapid rise and fall of his chest indicated that his emotions were in turmoil."You've been taking this medicine for several years now. If you stop taking these pills, I can ask Doctor Mo to prepare a different Secret medicine for you. Although it won't restore all your lost lifespan, it could allow you to live an additional twenty to thirty years. However, your martial arts skills would be lost. If you continue taking these pills, based on today's episode, you might only have five or six years left to live. Of course, during these years, your martial arts would progress at an increasingly rapid pace, much faster than your current rate of improvement. Since you dared to take this Secret medicine, you must be a resolute and decisive person. It's up to you to decide what to do with your own body. Will you continue taking these pills or throw them away?"

(End of Chapter)