The Immortal Ascension

Chapter 74: Windriding Technique

Han Li gazed at Li Feiyu’s now somewhat domineering face, silent and solemn, unsure of what to say.

Suddenly, the aura around Li Feiyu abruptly receded, and he returned to his usual playful demeanor. He winked at Han Li and said with a loud chuckle,

“So, how was that? My aura just now was impressive, wasn’t it? Utterly majestic, the very essence of a formidable hero—surely it left you in awe, ready to pledge your loyalty to me on the spot.”

Han Li was left both amused and exasperated by these words. He had been somewhat moved by Li Feiyu’s earlier remarks, but the latter’s subsequent words instantly shattered that impression, revealing his true nature once more.

Han Li glared at him fiercely for a moment before gritting his teeth and saying, “A hero? More like a bear!”

Li Feiyu burst into unrestrained laughter, thoroughly delighted, as if he took great pleasure in having momentarily intimidated Han Li.

Han Li, however, gradually regained his composure. Amidst the other’s laughter, he suddenly spoke in a calm tone,

“I’ve already warned you before, and you’re well aware of your situation. So now I’ll ask you seriously once more—if you disperse your cultivation, I can grant you many more years of life. That way, you could spend a long time with Miss Zhang. Won’t you reconsider?”

Li Feiyu’s laughter abruptly ceased. His expression darkened, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he stared intently at Han Li without uttering a word.

Yet Han Li remained unfazed, his expression unchanged, meeting the other’s gaze with clear, steady eyes.

After what felt like the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Li Feiyu finally withdrew the intensity from his eyes, his expression softening slightly.

“Han Li, you know full well I would never consider voluntarily dispersing my cultivation. I understand you mean well, but please don’t bring this up again, alright?” He forced a smile, his tone carrying a hint of pleading.

“Besides, do you really think Miss Zhang would still look at me the same way if I became a powerless weakling?” There was a self-deprecating edge to Li Feiyu’s words.

Han Li fell silent, turning his head to gaze down the path from which Li Feiyu had come. After a quiet moment, he spoke in a low voice,

“Since your mind is made up, I won’t try to persuade you anymore. You should head back now. I hope you and Miss Zhang Xiuer can truly find happiness together.”

At these words, Li Feiyu’s face immediately brightened with joy. He gave Han Li’s shoulder several hearty slaps.

“Good brother, those are the words I love to hear—the most pleasing thing I’ve heard all day. I’ll take my leave now.”

With that, he leaped into motion, vanishing down the path in a few bounds, disappearing without a trace.

“That hurts!” Han Li suddenly clutched his shoulder, grimacing. Unbeknownst to him, Li Feiyu had secretly infused those slaps with internal force, leaving his shoulder swollen and tender like a small red bun, too painful to touch. The discomfort was no small matter.

“That brat! To get back at me for touching a sore spot, he actually resorted to this.” Han Li gritted his teeth in annoyance as he hastily rummaged through his robes for healing Spirit Medicine. He loosened his clothing and applied the medicine to his shoulder."Cough! The one time I decide to be kind-hearted, I end up like this. I really wasn’t cut out for doing good deeds! Might as well go back and focus on mastering spells. As for this ambush, I’ll just have to settle the score next time we meet." Han Li thought with some reluctance.

...

...

...

After that, a long time passed, and Han Li turned eighteen.

During this period, the Seven Mysteries Sect, pressured by the Wild Wolf Gang’s relentless encroachment, finally declared war on them.

From then on, countless conflicts, both large and small, erupted along the borders between the two factions. Many of Han Li’s companions who had entered the mountains with him perished in these battles, leaving him deeply moved.

The great bell outside the valley rang with increasing frequency due to the rising number of wounded, giving Han Li ample opportunity to practice advanced medical techniques and greatly improve his healing skills.

Yet, despite Han Li’s miraculous hands, many mid- and high-ranking members still fell—either dying on the battlefield or succumbing to their injuries before they could even reach him for treatment.

Because of this, many young talents from both sides rose to prominence, filling the vacancies left by the fallen.

For instance, the Wild Wolf Gang’s "Five Fiends, Three Eagles, and Two Leopards," and the Seven Mysteries Sect’s "Seven Heroes and Two Champions" became the most renowned figures. Li Feiyu was one of the Two Champions. Having personally slain one of the enemy’s Purple Banner Envoys, he had risen to the high position of Deputy Hall Master of the Outer Blade Hall, wielding considerable power. Moreover, his relationship with Zhang Xiuer was progressing rapidly, reaching the point of marriage discussions.

When Han Li learned of this, he could only sigh softly. He didn’t know whether Li Feiyu’s decision was right or wrong. After all, he wasn’t Li Feiyu and hadn’t experienced the situation firsthand, so he couldn’t judge the rights and wrongs of it.

Still, if it were him, Han Li doubted he could stand by and watch the person he loved marry someone else. Yet, knowing he was about to die and still choosing to marry her—that seemed like an act of extraordinary courage, which he wasn’t sure he possessed.

Thus, Han Li could only feign ignorance. After all, relationships had their own degrees of closeness, and Li Feiyu was his good friend. Naturally, he leaned slightly in his favor, and Han Li felt no guilt about it.

On another note, a recent and far more critical matter had consumed most of his attention, leaving him no room to dwell on this affair.

After countless failures, Han Li had finally mastered the use of the "Windriding Technique."

Like the "Heavenly Eye Technique," the "Windriding Technique" was an auxiliary spell that could only be cast on oneself, not others. However, its practical applications far surpassed those of the "Heavenly Eye Technique."

Once the "Windriding Technique" was activated, Han Li felt as light as a swallow. With just a gentle tap of his toes, he could effortlessly leap several yards forward. The exhilarating sensation of sprinting at high speed across the land, effortlessly leaving everything behind, became an addiction for him. He would race through the valley five or six times a day before stopping, thoroughly indulging in the thrill of being a master of lightness.

Of course, this acceleration effect was vastly different from the "Ruyan Step." The latter was a secret technique that emphasized seizing opportunities and turning the impossible into the possible—achieving bursts of speed over short distances at the cost of immense physical exertion. This footwork was most wondrous when employed in confined spaces.The "Wind Riding Technique" is different. Once cast, aside from continuously consuming a small amount of mana, it imposes no physical burden whatsoever, allowing one to sprint freely without ever experiencing exhaustion. Moreover, this speed-boosting effect persists until either the mana is depleted or the caster stops the "Wind Riding Technique." As such, it is commonly used by low-level Cultivators for long-distance travel or urgent journeys, making it one of the essential Spells that low-level Cultivators must master when venturing out.

(End of Chapter)