Chapter 5: Doctor Mo

After a while, Han Li felt his waist tighten and his body become light, suddenly rising automatically.

Han Li turned his head and saw that the senior brother who had been closely following him was now holding him with one arm while climbing up nimbly with the other hand and his legs. At the same time, Han Li noticed the sun hanging high in the sky.

He realized that he had ultimately failed to complete the journey, feeling a bit sad. Despite his efforts, why was he still not as good as others?

In a blink, they reached the top of the cliff. Only six young children were sitting cross-legged to the side, resting. Wu Yan was talking to a man in his fifties, dressed in a dark blue robe, with his hands behind his back. Hall Master Yue and Protector Wang were standing beside him, along with several others, all waiting for the young senior brothers to bring up the slower children.

After waiting for a while, all the children were brought up. At this point, Hall Master Yue stepped forward and faced the children solemnly.

"There are seven qualified this time. Six of them will enter the Hundred Forging Hall and officially become inner disciples of our sect," he said slowly.

"The other one, Wu Yan, was the first to reach the cliff and performed outstandingly. He will be directly sent to the Seven Absolutes Hall to learn our sect's ultimate techniques." Hall Master Yue glanced back at the man in the dark blue robe, who stroked his beard and nodded in satisfaction.

"As for the rest of you..." Hall Master Yue sized up the remaining children, lightly stroked his chin, and after a moment's thought, said:

"Zhang Tie and Han Li, although you did not reach the top of the cliff on time, your performance was outstanding, showing that you can endure the hardships of martial arts training. You two will first train with some instructors in our sect for half a year. If you pass the assessment, you will officially become inner disciples. If not, you will be sent to the outer sect as outer disciples."

Han Li glanced at the other child who stood up, named Zhang Tie. He was the one who had been right behind him, also hanging on the rope, almost reaching the top of the cliff.

"Protector Wang, give the remaining children some silver and send them home," Hall Master Yue said coldly, looking at the remaining children.

"Understood!"

Protector Wang stepped forward, bowed, and led the children who did not pass down the cliff.

"Zhang Jun, Wu Mingrui, you two take these qualified children to the hall and hand them over to Deputy Hall Master Gu and Instructor Li."

Two young men stepped forward and divided Han Li and the others into two groups, leading them down the cliff. One of them was the cold-faced senior brother. As they were about to descend the cliff, Han Li couldn't help but look at Wu Yan, who was still talking to the man in the dark blue robe, showing no signs of moving.

"He's different from you. He's a core disciple sent to the Seven Absolutes Hall. Once he completes his studies, he will at least be a protector," the tall, thin-faced senior brother seemed to have noticed Han Li's confusion and explained, but there was a hint of envy and jealousy in his voice.

"It's only because he has a brother-in-law who is a deputy sect master. If it weren't for his sister marrying Deputy Sect Master Ma as a second wife, he wouldn't have been able to enter the Seven Absolutes Hall, given his age exceeds the entry requirements," the cold-faced senior brother's words made everyone feel a chill run down their spines.

"Zhang Jun, are you trying to get yourself killed? A deputy sect master is not someone we can casually talk about. If other sect members hear, we will both face the punishment of wall-standing and repentance!" The tall, thin-faced senior brother was startled by the cold-faced senior brother's words and quickly looked around. Seeing no one else but the children, he let out a sigh of relief.

The cold-faced senior brother snorted, seemingly wary, and fell silent. Han Li then learned that the cold-faced senior brother was named Zhang Jun. Although he understood some of what they said, he vaguely realized that Wu Yan had not entered the Seven Absolutes Hall through genuine talent but because of a relative who was a deputy sect master.

Walking on the mountain path, the two senior brothers were lost in thoughts of some disheartening matters within the sect and no longer had the mood to speak. They led the children silently, and Han Li and the others did not dare to talk privately, perhaps sensing the differences between the Seven Profound Sect and their homes.

As they passed through a dense forest, an old man slowly emerged. He was in his sixties, tall and thin, with a sallow complexion and long white hair that reached his shoulders. The old man kept coughing as he walked, looking as if he could collapse at any moment, which was quite worrying.

Upon seeing this man, Zhang Jun and the other senior brother showed no concern but hurriedly approached and bowed deeply to the old man.

"Doctor Mo, how are you, Elder? Is there anything you need us to do?" Zhang Jun, who was usually cold, now showed great respect, as the old man was more worthy of respect than even the hall master or deputy sect master.

"Oh, are these the new disciples who just arrived?" The old man finally stopped coughing and asked in a hoarse voice.

"Yes. Among them, there are six formal disciples and two named disciples," Zhang Jun answered carefully.

"I am short of hands now and need a medicine refining child and a medicine gathering disciple. These two will come with me," Doctor Mo pointed at Han Li and the other named disciple, speaking with an authoritative tone.

"Understood. These two are named disciples. It is their good fortune to be chosen by you, Elder Doctor Mo. Come and pay your respects to Elder Mo. If you can learn even a bit of his medical skills, it will be a great blessing for your lives!" The two senior brothers had no objections, and Wu Mingrui even flattered the old man.

Seeing that the senior brothers had no objections, Han Li and Zhang Tie naturally had no right to oppose and followed the old man into the forest.

The old man led them slowly along a small path in the forest, turning left and right. Suddenly, a lush, vibrant green valley appeared before them.

On the left side of the valley was a large field filled with medicinal herbs emitting a strong fragrance. On the right side were several houses of various sizes connected together. Looking around, there seemed to be no other exits except the entrance they came through.

"This is the Divine Hands Valley. Outsiders generally do not come here unless they are sick or injured. You two will live here from now on. Rest for a while and come to the main hall tonight. I have something to tell you," the old man stood in front of a row of connected houses and pointed to a smaller one.

"You can call me Elder Mo," the old man paused and added:

"Calling me Doctor Mo is also fine."

With that, Doctor Mo ignored them and coughed his way into a more impressive large house.

Han Li was already exhausted and, without caring about the other child named Zhang Tie, fell onto a wooden bed and fell into a deep sleep. For him, no matter what, he was now considered a half-disciple of the Seven Profound Sect.

Page Break

Page Break