The Immortal Ascension

Chapter 31: Corpse Worm Pill

Han Li's mind was in turmoil, filled with a mix of fear, regret, and confusion. Despite having delayed until now, he still couldn't think of a way to escape, and he was beginning to panic.

After all, he was still very young and couldn't compare to an old Jianghu hand like Doctor Mo. His attempt to remain calm and keep his expression unchanged had been seen through by Doctor Mo. The fine beads of sweat on his forehead had exposed him as a paper tiger.

Doctor Mo didn't miss any change in Han Li's expression and was quite satisfied with the immense pressure he had exerted. He had always believed that only when someone's mind was in disarray could they be made to reveal the truth.

"Do you think I've been slacking off on purpose, delaying my progress in cultivation?" Han Li was stunned by this unexpected accusation.

"Of course. You still haven't reached the fourth layer after two years. Did you really think I wouldn't see through your little tricks? You completed the first three layers in just three years. Even if the fourth layer is harder to cultivate, without the aid of medicine, you shouldn't have made zero progress in two years." Doctor Mo spoke coldly, his eyebrows furrowed and his face filled with a menacing aura, as if he had long been dissatisfied with Han Li and was only now letting it out.

"It seems no matter how I explain, Old Mo won't believe me," Han Li thought bitterly to himself. He hadn't expected that hiding his progress would be the very thing that led to this situation. He had truly lifted a stone only to drop it on his own foot. He didn't know whether provoking Doctor Mo's outburst and revealing everything was the right or wrong move.

"No need to say anything more. I don't care whether your past actions were genuine or not. Listen carefully. Now, I only have one question for you: If I give you one more year, can you reach the fourth layer of the Eternal Spring Art?" Doctor Mo let out a cold laugh and slowly uttered the most important sentence of the day. Then, without blinking, he stared intently at Han Li, waiting for his answer with great seriousness.

Han Li was fully aware that his response to this question not only concerned Doctor Mo's life a year from now but was also the key to whether he himself could survive this moment.

"You should know very well that I can't give you any other answer. Come on, unseal my acupoints first," Han Li said, his entire body suddenly relaxing, and his tone becoming light and casual.

Hearing his words, Doctor Mo's expression softened, and a hint of approval flashed in his eyes. However, instead of stepping forward to unseal Han Li's acupoints, he cautiously took out a finely carved sandalwood box with four corners from his robe.

"I can't just take your word for it. What if you decide to deceive me and not put in the effort to cultivate? That would be no different from before. For the sake of both our lives, it's better to add an extra layer of insurance," he said with a sinister tone.

Carefully opening the lid of the box, he revealed a white pill lying quietly in the center.

Doctor Mo reached out and poked Han Li, unsealing his acupoints. Before Han Li could move, he handed the box to him.

"You're a smart person. I don't need to waste any more words. You know what to do," Doctor Mo said, narrowing his eyes with a hint of malice.

Han Li slightly moved his numb limbs and, without a word, reached out to take the sandalwood box. Using two fingers, he gently picked up the pill inside. Without even looking at it, he placed it in his mouth and swallowed it in front of Doctor Mo."Clap clap! Very good, a wise man knows when to yield. As long as you help me recover, I will surely reward you handsomely. I won’t deceive you with empty promises. Given the rift between us, it’s impossible for me to truly take you as my disciple, but I can guarantee you a lifetime of wealth and prosperity." Doctor Mo clapped his hands a few times and sincerely made a grand promise to Han Li.

"Now, you should tell me the purpose of the pill, so I don’t unknowingly violate any taboos and lose my life." Han Li’s expression remained emotionless, showing no sign of being moved.

"Hehe, this pill is called the 'Corpse Worm Pill.' It’s not actually a medicine but rather a kind of insect egg prepared through a secret method. After you swallow it, it will lie dormant in your body for a year. Don’t worry, during this year, you’ll be completely safe, and it won’t affect anything else you do. After a year, as long as you take a specially prepared antidote, it will dissolve on its own, leaving no trace or harm. But if you don’t take the antidote after a year, hehe! The egg will absorb enough nutrients, hatch, and devour all the internal organs in your body, leaving you in unbearable agony for three days and nights before you slowly die." Doctor Mo casually explained the pill’s terrifying effects, subtly warning Han Li.

Upon hearing the pill’s cruelty, Han Li’s body trembled slightly, and his face turned extremely pale, almost unable to contain the rage in his heart. But Doctor Mo’s trump card was yet to be played.

"By the way, I heard you have quite a few family members at home. Is the silver you send back each month enough? If not, feel free to ask me for more. I’m very concerned about your loved ones." Doctor Mo spoke these words with a seemingly caring tone. At this moment, he finally bared his fangs, striking directly at Han Li’s most vulnerable spot.

Han Li’s face had turned ashen, and he could no longer maintain the calm and unshakable state of mind described in the books.

With his last ounce of willpower, he clenched his lips tightly, afraid that words of cursing or pleading would escape his mouth. He understood clearly that no matter how much he begged or threatened, the other party would never let go of this leverage.

"You can rest assured. Within a year, I will definitely reach the fourth layer." Han Li gritted his teeth and spoke these words one by one, no longer hiding his hatred for Doctor Mo.

Under such blatant threats, he could only yield temporarily. He wasn’t yet capable of disregarding his family’s well-being.

Now, with his fatal weakness exposed, Han Li had to abandon even the thought of mutual destruction with his opponent. In this first confrontation with Doctor Mo, he had been utterly defeated.

Upon hearing Han Li’s submission, Doctor Mo let out a long sigh of relief. His tension was no less than Han Li’s, but he had completely masked it with his ever-changing expressions.

"This Eternal Spring Art is truly sinister. That brat is so young, yet he’s already so difficult to deal with." In his heart, Doctor Mo cursed fiercely, unsure whether he was envious or jealous.In fact, while the Eternal Spring Art does possess certain abilities to cleanse the marrow and open the mind for those who practice it, its specific effects largely depend on the individual. Han Li was naturally more mature and intelligent than his peers from a young age. After cultivating the Eternal Spring Art, his wisdom and strategic thinking far surpassed that of ordinary youths.

(End of Chapter)