The Immortal Ascension

Chapter 8: The Initiate Disciple

After nearly half a year of frenzied cultivation, Han Li finally stood before Doctor Mo to undergo his test.

Zhang Tie stood awkwardly close to Han Li, which was understandable. Han Li had already learned from Zhang Tie’s own words that, despite his efforts over the past six months, he had achieved nothing in mastering the chant.

Han Li knew that Zhang Tie’s dedication to cultivating the chant was no less than his own. Although Zhang Tie lacked Han Li’s life-threatening intensity, he had still put in considerable effort, truly embodying diligence and perseverance.

Yet, strangely, the chant had no effect on Zhang Tie. No matter how hard he worked, it yielded no results. It seemed the chant was simply not meant for him.

Han Li’s heart was also unsettled, far from at ease. He knew that Zhang Tie was almost certain to fail this assessment. As for himself, although he had achieved some minor progress, it wasn’t much better than Zhang Tie’s situation.

Despite his desperate cultivation, the only result was that the strange energy flow within his body had grown slightly stronger. If the energy flow had previously been as thin as a strand of hair, it was now as thick as a cotton thread. But whether this would be enough to pass Doctor Mo’s test, Han Li had no idea. His heart was in his throat, filled with anxiety and unease.

“Are you both ready? Show me the results of your cultivation,” Doctor Mo said, narrowing his eyes as he sat coldly in his armchair, observing the two.

“We’re ready,” Han Li and Zhang Tie replied, forcing themselves to respond.

Doctor Mo slowly rose from his chair and placed the book he always carried on the table.

“Extend your hands.”

“Show me your cultivation.”

Doctor Mo grasped Zhang Tie’s right wrist with one hand and placed the other on Zhang Tie’s Dantian.

After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, Doctor Mo withdrew his hands from Zhang Tie and examined him expressionlessly from head to toe.

Zhang Tie’s face turned red as he hurriedly placed his hands behind his back and lowered his head, not daring to look at Doctor Mo again. He knew Doctor Mo must have realized he had achieved nothing in cultivating the chant, and he expected harsh treatment to follow.

“Your turn.”

Surprisingly, Doctor Mo showed no intention of scolding Zhang Tie. There was only a faint hint of disappointment in his eyes before he turned to Han Li.

Doctor Mo grasped Han Li’s right wrist as before.

“So cold, icy, not at all like the hand of a living person,” Han Li thought, feeling somewhat unsettled.

The skin of Doctor Mo’s hand was dry and covered in calluses, causing a slight prickling sensation on Han Li’s skin. This was Han Li’s first impression as Doctor Mo’s hand gripped him.

Perhaps stimulated by the external contact, the energy within Han Li’s body began to circulate on its own, flowing through the extraordinary meridians, passing through the acupoints across his body, moving from his Dantian to his head, then to his limbs, completing a swift cycle before returning to his Dantian. As soon as this energy began to flow, the discomfort on Han Li’s skin vanished immediately."Ah!" Doctor Mo couldn't help but exclaim, evidently having detected the energy within Han Li's body.

"Quick, run the chant again," Doctor Mo said, though he tried to suppress his excitement, the fervor in his eyes still startled Han Li.

"Take it slow, let me observe carefully," Doctor Mo added, his usually cold tone now urgent as he placed his other hand on Han Li's Dantian.

Han Li felt Doctor Mo's hands tremble slightly, a sign of his inner excitement, and obediently circulated the energy within his body once more.

"Excellent! Excellent! This is exactly the feeling, exactly what I've been searching for. No mistake! No mistake at all! Haha!"

After a thorough examination, Doctor Mo could no longer contain his laughter. He gripped Han Li's shoulders tightly, his narrowed eyes widening as he stared at Han Li as if he were a rare treasure, his gaze tinged with a hint of madness.

Han Li's ears were filled with Doctor Mo's continuous laughter, and he felt a slight pain in his shoulders from the tight grip. Seeing the madness in Doctor Mo's expression, he couldn't help but feel a surge of fear.

"Good, very good," Doctor Mo said, noticing the fear on Han Li's face and realizing he had gotten carried away. He immediately stopped his laughter.

"Continue to work hard like this. From today onward, you are my Personal Disciple," he said, releasing Han Li's shoulders and patting them encouragingly.

Doctor Mo's face returned to its usual calm, as if the earlier madness had never occurred. Only the occasional eager glances he cast toward Han Li revealed that he was still excited.

"As for you..." Doctor Mo finally turned his gaze to Zhang Tie.

Zhang Tie had been stunned by the events that had just unfolded. When Doctor Mo addressed him, he snapped out of his daze.

Faced with the harsh reality of failing the assessment and being sent down the mountain, Zhang Tie looked at Doctor Mo with a pleading expression.

"Your Aptitude is lacking. After such a long time, you haven't been able to cultivate anything. It's quite a stretch for you to be my Disciple," Doctor Mo said, shaking his head repeatedly.

Zhang Tie's heart sank with each shake of Doctor Mo's head.

From Doctor Mo's words, both of them understood that he had no intention of accepting Zhang Tie.

But suddenly, Doctor Mo seemed to think of something interesting, and his gaze toward Zhang Tie took on a strange expression.

"However, I just examined your bone structure, and there's another Cultivation Method that might suit you. Would you be willing to learn it from me?" Doctor Mo's tone suddenly shifted, indicating that he might let Zhang Tie pass after all.

Zhang Tie, of course, agreed immediately.

"Good, very good. Both of you may leave now. Tomorrow, I will teach you new Cultivation Methods," Doctor Mo said, clearly in a good mood as he uttered another "good, very good."

Han Li and Zhang Tie exchanged glances, both feeling that today's test had been full of twists and turns. In the end, both of them had passed the assessment, which brought them a sense of relief.

(End of Chapter)