A Record of A Mortal's Journey to Immortality

Chapter 45: Ambush and Fangs

Han Li lowered his head and pondered for a moment. It seemed that refusing to let the other party test his cultivation was truly impossible.

Without hesitation, the other party handed him the antidote for the Corpse Insect Pill, already showing some sincerity. If he kept hesitating and making excuses, it would only arouse the other’s suspicion, making them think he hadn’t actually mastered the fourth layer of the everlasting spring technique and was lying to deceive them. This would cause things to go downhill and might even lead to unexpected complications.

Besides, he had anticipated this step and made some preparations in advance. Even if he was turned against immediately after the pulse reading, he had some means of escape.

With this in mind, Han Li lifted his head and looked straight into Doctor Mo’s eyes. Slowly, he said, “Old Mo, since you’ve been straightforward in giving me the antidote, this will be the last time I trust you. I hope you won’t disappoint me.”

After speaking, he extended his right wrist, carefully watching the other's reaction. If anything seemed off, he would immediately pull back.

Unfortunately, Doctor Mo maintained a fake smile, showing no change except that his eyebrows twitched slightly upon hearing Han Li’s consent. But then he returned to his original expression, obviously confident in Han Li’s answer.

He said nothing else, stretched out his withered left hand, and gently placed it on Han Li’s wrist. His smile gradually faded, taking on a solemn and serious demeanor, as if he were performing something sacred.

Han Li quietly forced himself to maintain the fourth layer of the everlasting spring technique. Seeing Doctor Mo’s expression, he muttered to himself and immediately raised his guard to the highest level. His left hand quietly pressed against his waist, where a custom sheathed short sword was concealed.

Gradually, a look of surprise appeared on Doctor Mo’s face. He had detected the continuous flow of strange energy in Han Li’s meridians. The intensity of this energy far exceeded the minimum standard he had expected.

Even though he was cunning and scheming, seeing a long-planned event finally about to succeed couldn’t stop the genuine joy blooming on his face. Earlier it had been a forced fake smile, but now his happiness radiated from within.

“Excellent! It really is the fourth layer of the everlasting spring technique! Ha! Ha! This is truly great! Ha ha ha ha!” Doctor Mo laughed out loud in front of Han Li, his laughter echoing throughout the room. Yet his hand never loosened its grip on Han Li’s wrist.

“Old Mo, what are you doing? Isn’t it time to let go?” Han Li’s expression darkened. He already sensed things were going wrong. He tried hard to pull back his right hand, but the other’s grip was firm, not moving an inch.

“Let go? Fine, I’ll let go!” Doctor Mo stopped laughing and wore a ferocious expression.

Suddenly, he shouted, “Hey!”

Han Li felt a sudden explosion in his ears, his vision darkened, the sky and ground spinning, and his body lost balance. He couldn’t stand and wilted onto the ground. His left hand, which had been on the sword hilt, weakly slipped away.

“Damn it!” Although Han Li’s body no longer obeyed him, his mind remained clear. He realized he had been somewhat careless and had been struck first by the other party’s ruthless move, leaving him helpless.

“You’re still too inexperienced, kid. Now you can’t even use any tricks, right?” Doctor Mo grinned with pride, knowing he had succeeded as expected.

“Come here!” Doctor Mo tugged Han Li up from the ground to his feet with his left hand, then bent down and pointed his right index finger straight at the numbing acupoint on Han Li’s chest.

“Bang!” His finger seemed to hit an iron plate, producing a dull sound. The first half of his finger hurt slightly from the impact, and the acupoint sealing failed.

“What’s going on?” Doctor Mo was stunned and taken aback by this unexpected result.