The Immortal Ascension

Chapter 44: The Antidote

The sun hung high in the sky, and even though it was early autumn, there was still a hint of lingering heat.

Doctor Mo sat restlessly in his room. Although he was confident in the method he had used to coerce Han Li, he couldn't help but feel a sense of unease as the moment approached.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed from a distance, gradually drawing closer to the house.

Upon hearing the familiar footsteps, Doctor Mo's face lit up with joy. He quickly rushed to the door and pushed it open.

In the distance, a figure slowly approached—it was Han Li, the person he had been eagerly waiting for.

As he watched Han Li draw nearer, Doctor Mo suppressed his excitement and forced a smile onto his face.

"Good, you're punctual. I'm glad to see you haven't tried to run away. This shows you're wise. Come in, we need to have a proper talk."

Doctor Mo's expression at this moment was as kind as that of a neighborly elder, his face beaming like a blossoming flower.

"Don't worry, there are no traps inside. It's not a dragon's den or a tiger's lair," Doctor Mo explained, noticing Han Li's wary glance toward the house. He also employed a small provocation.

"Hmph! Since I've already come, why would I be afraid to enter your house?" Han Li snorted lightly, seemingly provoked, and spoke up.

Then, he took the lead and walked in.

Doctor Mo quickly stepped aside with a smile, making way for Han Li to enter. As Han Li stepped inside, Doctor Mo reached to close the door but suddenly heard Han Li say without turning his head:

"If you dare to close that door, I'll assume you're playing some underhanded trick, and I won't continue this conversation."

Doctor Mo was momentarily taken aback, hesitating for a moment, but then he stepped away from the door and said nonchalantly:

"I'm genuinely here to discuss matters with you, not to harm you. If you don't want the door closed, then so be it."

With that, Doctor Mo reclined back into his armchair, while Han Li, without any pretense of politeness, pulled over a stool and sat down boldly across from him. It had been nearly half a year since they last saw each other, and they took a moment to size each other up.

Han Li noticed that Doctor Mo had aged significantly, now resembling a man in his seventies, with no trace of his former vigor. He couldn't help but wonder to himself, "Could it be that what he said before was true? Did he really just want me to help him restore his vitality, without any ulterior motives? Have I been overthinking this?"

As Han Li glanced around the room, his pupils suddenly contracted. In the corner stood the tall, mysterious man, silent and motionless, like an inanimate object. If one weren't specifically looking for him, his presence would go entirely unnoticed.

At this moment, Doctor Mo also finished his appraisal of Han Li and, seemingly satisfied with his condition, spoke in a gentle tone:

"Seeing you now reminds me of when you first entered my door. Back then, you were just a child of ten or so, only this tall. Now, you've grown so much. Time truly spares no one!"The casual tone of the other party's conversation immediately left Han Li somewhat bewildered, unsure of the other's intentions. However, he immediately heightened his vigilance, reminding himself inwardly that the other party was an old fox who had eaten more salt than he had eaten rice. He must be careful not to fall into the other's trap.

"Old Mo, I have always remembered your care for me and dare not forget it. If there is anything you need, please feel free to instruct me," Han Li's expression softened, and he used a respectful tone, seemingly reverting to his former obedient disciple.

"Good! Good! With your words, I haven't wasted all the effort I put into you. Come, let me first check your progress in the Eternal Spring Art." Doctor Mo seemed to genuinely step into the role of a benevolent teacher, standing up and walking over, intending to directly take Han Li's pulse.

"Old fox! Still relying on his seniority and shamelessly pushing forward," Han Li cursed inwardly, quickly sidestepping to avoid the other's grasp.

"Old Mo, don't be in a hurry. I can clearly tell you that I have indeed reached the fourth layer of the Eternal Spring Art. However, could you first give me the antidote for the Corpse Worm Pill? Once I am free from this worry, I can let you examine my progress with peace of mind," Han Li said with a smile, speaking in a very sincere tone.

"Oh! Indeed, look at my memory, getting old and forgetful. I had intended to give you the antidote as soon as you entered the room," Doctor Mo suddenly realized, as if he had just remembered.

He fumbled in his sleeve and pulled out a silver bottle, from which he poured out a black medicinal pill and tossed it to Han Li.

Han Li pretended to fumble, barely catching the pill. He brought it to his nose and sniffed; a pungent smell rushed up. He looked up at Doctor Mo, who was watching him with a half-smile.

He hesitated slightly, somewhat doubting the authenticity of the pill.

But he had no choice but to take it, as the day the Corpse Worm Pill would activate was approaching. If he didn't take it, he would surely die! He reasoned that the other party still had use for him, so it shouldn't be a fake pill. With a solemn expression, he swallowed the pill and waited for its effects to take hold.

Doctor Mo, on the other hand, was in no hurry. He slowly lay back down and began to chat idly with Han Li, seemingly forgetting the original purpose of summoning him.

Not long after, Han Li felt a momentary pain in his stomach, but it quickly passed. He hurriedly checked his body and found that the "Corpse Worm Pill" had completely dissolved, leaving no trace. He couldn't help but feel overjoyed, and a hint of it showed on his face.

These changes naturally did not escape the notice of Doctor Mo, who had been facing him all along. After Han Li finished checking the effects of the pill, Doctor Mo smiled and said:

"Han Li, I must say, giving you the Corpse Worm Pill was a necessary measure. Without it to push you, you probably wouldn't have reached the fourth layer so easily!"

"Thank you for your kindness, Old Mo. However, next time, it would be better not to use such 'kindness' on me," Han Li, now relieved of a major worry, felt much better and slightly believed in the other's sincerity, so he no longer countered the other's hypocrisy with sharp words.

"Now, can this old man take your pulse?"Doctor Mo still uttered these words sincerely meant to put Han Li in a difficult position, as he had no idea whether the other party might take this opportunity to subdue him.

(End of Chapter)