The Immortal Ascension

Chapter 54: Calming Spirit Talisman

"Han Li, you truly know when to bend and when to stand firm. But do you really think I’ll let you go?" Doctor Mo’s rejuvenated face broke into a smile, radiant enough to drive any woman wild. However, the sound of his voice startled Han Li once again.

His voice carried an indescribable magnetism, soothing to the ears, completely different from the dry, bitter tone of before. It seemed that, alongside his appearance, his voice had also undergone a remarkable transformation.

This was the first time Doctor Mo had directly addressed Han Li by his full name. Although the news wasn’t good, it gave Han Li a sense of recognition, far better than being constantly called "kid" left and right. This eased a fraction of the frustration in his heart.

From appearance alone, the current Doctor Mo was flawless. Every movement exuded elegance, making him the epitome of a handsome man. There was no trace of the old, decrepit figure he once was. It was likely that, in his youth, this face had captivated countless heroines of the Jianghu.

"Just tell me plainly, what do you intend to do with me?" Han Li wasn’t a woman, so he naturally wouldn’t be swayed by the other’s extraordinary handsomeness. Moreover, since there was no hint of leniency in Doctor Mo’s words, there was no need for Han Li to show him any courtesy.

"What do I intend to do? Heh heh!" Doctor Mo stretched his newly revitalized limbs and let out a lazy yawn, smiling without answering Han Li’s question. Instead, he pulled out another item from his robe.

This time, it was a small silk pouch, folded neatly. The silk was a fiery, dazzling red, vibrant and eye-catching. Every stitch on it was exquisitely crafted, clearly not an ordinary object.

What could be wrapped inside this silk pouch? Could it be another strange artifact like the silver blade? For a moment, Han Li forgot to press for answers, his curiosity piqued.

Doctor Mo didn’t keep Han Li guessing for long. With a few deft movements, he unwrapped the silk pouch and carefully extracted a crumpled piece of yellow paper.

Han Li felt a twinge of disappointment, but deep down, he was on high alert. He knew that the more unremarkable something appeared, the more likely it held unimaginable uses. For Doctor Mo to produce a piece of paper at this moment, it certainly wasn’t for ordinary purposes. Considering the bizarre events that had transpired earlier, there was likely something significant about it.

Doctor Mo gently pinched the yellow paper between two fingers, carefully smoothing it out. Han Li finally got a closer look. The paper wasn’t large, about the size of a palm, cut into a long strip. Its color was faded, suggesting it had been around for quite some time.

What caught Han Li’s attention the most were the shimmering silver symbols painted on it. The symbols were peculiar in shape, unlike anything Han Li had ever seen.

Yet, the moment he laid eyes on them, he felt a mysterious force stir within him. Even the Eternal Spring Art in his body began to react uncontrollably, as if awakened by these symbols, leaving Han Li utterly astonished.

Realizing something was amiss, Han Li focused intently on the symbols, trying to decipher their secrets.

The symbols were twisted and winding, yet they seemed to follow a certain pattern. From their arrangement to their shapes, they concealed something profound. Unfortunately, with so little time, Han Li couldn’t make sense of them right away.In that instant, Doctor Mo had already arrived in front of Han Li. Seeing Han Li staring at the yellow paper in his hand with a strange, almost entranced expression, a hint of pity flashed in Doctor Mo's eyes, but it disappeared as quickly as it came, and his expression returned to normal.

He leaned his head down slightly, his mouth close to Han Li's ear, and spoke in an extremely low, deliberate voice:

"Han Li, don't blame me. I have no other choice. May you reincarnate soon. I will be taking over this body."

"What are you saying? What do you mean?" Han Li was jolted out of his trance by Doctor Mo's words, his soul seemingly fleeing his body in terror. He vaguely sensed that the worst possible fate was about to befall him.

Ignoring the threat of the giant man behind him, Han Li began to struggle desperately, writhing his body. He still had a few small items on him; if he could retrieve them, perhaps he could create chaos and seize a chance to escape.

"Iron Slave, hold him down. Don't let him move."

Unfortunately, with Doctor Mo's cold command, Han Li's last resistance was thwarted. Two massive hands, like two small mountains, increased their pressure, firmly pinning his shoulders and rendering him immobile.

Beads of sweat the size of soybeans rolled down Han Li's temples, dripping from his forehead. His eyes widened, and he clenched his lips tightly, watching helplessly as Doctor Mo chanted incantations in front of him.

The yellow paper held between Doctor Mo's fingers began to flutter without any wind, and the silver symbols on it slowly lit up one by one, emitting a mysterious silver glow.

Though Han Li's body was immobilized, his mind remained clear. It seemed that once all the symbols lit up, it would be the moment Doctor Mo would act against him.

Doctor Mo's expression was solemn as he stared at the yellow paper. When the last symbol emitted its silver light, a hint of joy flickered across his face. He then made a series of specific gestures, waving the yellow paper through the air.

Then, with a voice as loud as spring thunder, he uttered the word, "Fix!"

At the same time, the yellow paper strip was pressed firmly onto Han Li's forehead, sticking tightly to it.

The moment the paper touched his head, Han Li felt as though he had lost control of his body. He couldn't even blink his eyelids, and all sensation in his body vanished. Yet, he could still see with his eyes and hear with his ears. His consciousness, however, felt like a stranger, unable to command his body, as if he had become a walking corpse.

This sensation was entirely different from being struck at a pressure point. When struck, although one couldn't move, the numbing sensation was still perceptible.

Panic surged in Han Li's heart. He didn't know how Doctor Mo planned to process him to seize his body. Had he already succeeded?

"Don't worry. This body of yours can still be preserved for a short while longer," Doctor Mo said, as if deliberately informing him, or perhaps just muttering to himself.

(Starting today, I'll try to update twice a day, once in the morning and once in the afternoon. Fellow readers, please give a round of applause, and don't forget to vote!)

(End of Chapter)