The Immortal Ascension

Chapter 35: Stealing the Secret Manual

One afternoon, more than ten days later, Han Li once again sneaked out of the Valley of Divine Hands to meet with Li Feiyu.

To be honest, it wasn’t exactly sneaking out. Doctor Mo was already well aware of Han Li’s frequent trips out of the valley, but he didn’t interfere at all, allowing Han Li to come and go as he pleased.

At first, this hands-off approach made Han Li feel uneasy, as he couldn’t figure out what Doctor Mo was scheming. However, after a few uneventful trips, he realized that no one was actually following him, and he gradually let his guard down, boldly going about his own business.

After a long period of contemplation, Han Li began to understand the reason behind Doctor Mo’s leniency toward him.

Doctor Mo had his own reasons for being so tolerant of Han Li.

Although he had Han Li firmly under control with the "Corpse Worm Pill" and the threat to his family’s lives, Doctor Mo also knew that using such brutal methods to control someone would inevitably breed resentment. If Han Li was forced to cultivate against his will, his progress would be lackluster. If Doctor Mo were to further restrict Han Li’s freedom of movement, it would only backfire. After all, Doctor Mo’s true intention was for Han Li to actively and willingly cultivate the Eternal Spring Art, not to force him into it by binding his hands and feet.

Once Han Li understood the reasoning behind Doctor Mo’s actions, he became even bolder. Previously, he had to be somewhat cautious when leaving the valley, avoiding Doctor Mo’s gaze and sneaking out quietly. Now, he didn’t even bother to explain himself, striding confidently right past Doctor Mo.

On the surface, Han Li appeared carefree and completely unconcerned, but deep down, he remained cautious and vigilant.

As soon as he stepped out of the valley, Han Li activated the Eternal Spring Art, enhancing his senses to an extraordinary level. He could now detect and monitor all moving objects within a radius of several dozen meters.

Han Li was confident that even if Doctor Mo himself were to tail him, he wouldn’t be able to escape Han Li’s heightened awareness.

While Han Li might not be a match for Doctor Mo in a direct confrontation, he had absolute confidence in his mastery of sensory perception.

Along the way, Han Li carefully avoided the patrolling disciples and used the secret passage within the old locust tree to climb to the vicinity of the small pond where they had last met.

As soon as he entered, he saw Li Feiyu sitting by the pond, barefoot.

Li Feiyu had his head down, his bare feet soaking in the cool pond water. He was vigorously splashing the surface, sending colorful droplets flying into the air, clearly enjoying himself.

Hearing Han Li enter, Li Feiyu didn’t even look up and immediately complained, “Junior Brother Han, you’re getting later and later. Every time, I have to wait for ages. Can’t you come early just once?”

“Sorry, I…” Han Li brushed the dirt off his clothes and was about to explain.

“Catch.”

Before Han Li could finish, Li Feiyu tossed a large package he had been hiding behind his back directly at Han Li.

“What’s this? Something delicious?” Han Li was puzzled, but then he noticed the package was hard and heavy, not something edible.

“All you think about is food! Didn’t you ask me to bring out the manual for the Blinking Swordplay?” Li Feiyu glared at him, then spoke in a serious tone."Is this a sword manual? You must be kidding! You didn't accidentally put the whetstone from your courtyard in here, did you?" Han Li looked at the massive object on his wrist, his face filled with disbelief.

"So heavy!" He exerted strength in both arms, struggling to lift it, and nearly toppled over in the process.

"Hahaha!" Li Feiyu could no longer hold back, bursting into loud laughter until he was rolling on the ground, covered in grass and dirt.

Han Li glanced suspiciously at his friend's strange behavior, then looked back at the unusually large package.

"Thud!"

He gently kicked the package with his foot—it really did feel like books inside.

Ignoring his friend, who was now beside himself with laughter, Han Li stroked his chin, crouched down next to the package, and stuck out his butt.

For him, speculating about something he could find out immediately was a foolish waste of mental energy.

His clean, pale hands reached for the tightly knotted rope on the package. His fingers began to move subtly, and in a blur of motion, the tightly tied knot miraculously loosened.

"Clap, clap!"

A crisp round of applause sounded.

Han Li didn't immediately open the package. Instead, he turned to look at his mischievous friend, who had been laughing earlier.

At some point, Li Feiyu had stopped laughing and put his shoes back on.

Now, he was clapping his hands vigorously, cheering for Han Li as if he didn't care that his palms were already red.

"Tsk, tsk! Every time I see you use the 'Silk Reeling Hand' technique so masterfully, I find it incredible. It's as if this martial art was tailor-made for you. It's only been two months since I taught it to you," Li Feiyu continued clapping, his mouth still full of praise.

"You didn't turn a single book into such a huge package just to make me perform, did you?" Han Li said irritably.

"Of course not. Open the package, and you'll understand everything," Li Feiyu replied, his playful expression turning serious.

Seeing his friend suddenly adopt such a serious tone, Han Li's curiosity was piqued. He turned his head back, his gaze falling on the package in front of him.

After a moment of thought, he extended his index and middle fingers, gently pinched a corner of the package, and lifted it, revealing the contents inside.

"This is..." Han Li's forehead instantly broke out in a cold sweat, and his eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

"How about that? Quite a shock, huh?" Li Feiyu walked over leisurely and patted his shoulder.

Han Li turned around stiffly, staring straight at him, speechless for a long while.

"Why are you looking at me like that? I'm not going to offer myself to you, you know?" Li Feiyu teased with a grin.

Only after hearing this joke did Han Li seem to snap out of his daze.

"I'm cutting ties with you. From now on, act like you don't know me, and I've never met you," Han Li shouted angrily.

"Either I'm seeing things, or you've gone mad. You've brought over nearly half of the Seven Wonders Hall's collection. If the Protector on patrol finds out, it'll be a fate worse than death for both of us," Han Li pointed at the pile of secret manuals of various sizes in front of him, yelling at Li Feiyu.On the top left corner of each book cover, there was a uniform inscription in striking gold characters, encircled with a brush: "Collection of Seven Wonders Hall."

(End of Chapter)