Chapter 32: Rising Resolve
Chapter 32: Rising Resolve
Eli Mason turned and headed toward the door. As he reached the threshold, he paused and looked back, asking, "The man standing behind you, Doctor Mo, has not said a word. Who is he?"
Doctor Mo heard Eli's sudden question and smiled slyly, evading the answer, "You're clever enough, Eli. Take a guess. You might just figure it out."
Eli shook his head and briskly walked out of Doctor Mo's house. Whether he couldn't guess or simply didn't want to, he left it unsaid.
Once outside, Eli's face turned somber.
"In this confrontation with Doctor Mo, I was completely outmatched. It shows that I was too naive, thinking I could outsmart him with mere cleverness. The Five Poisons Elixir I painstakingly prepared didn't even get a chance to be used; it was confiscated immediately. I need to figure out a way to truly enhance my strength," he thought.
With that resolve, Eli strode purposefully toward his quarters. Clearly, he wasn't content with being under Doctor Mo's control.
Inside, Doctor Mo was staring dumbfounded at the wooden floor, where a black, bowl-sized hole had appeared. He had casually tested the elixir from Eli's confiscated device, and the corrosive liquid had eaten through the floor effortlessly. Seeing the potency of the toxin, Doctor Mo was left reeling with fear, cursing aloud, "That little bastard! When did he learn to make such a deadly poison? I never taught him this. I thought it was just some common knock-out potion. This brat is ruthless and ungrateful!"
Unaware of the fright he had caused Doctor Mo, Eli returned to his room and collapsed onto his bed, falling into a deep sleep. The events of the day had drained him, both mentally and physically, and he needed rest to recover.
After a long sleep, Eli awoke slowly, feeling refreshed. Sitting up, he saw that the eastern sky was beginning to lighten; it was early morning.
Still seated on the bed, Eli propped his chin on his hands, resting his elbows on his knees, and began pondering ways to escape Doctor Mo's control.
Clearly, he was safe for the next year. Doctor Mo, needing him alive, would protect him. But what about after a year?
Eli wasn't too worried about the "Longevity Technique." He had already reached the fourth level and was confident he would achieve the fifth within a year.
The real concern was the "Corpse Worm Pill." Eli figured he could use his progress in training to negotiate for the antidote when the time came, ensuring Doctor Mo wouldn't dare cross him.
Suddenly, Eli remembered something. He retrieved a vial from his pocket and swallowed a green pill. After a moment, he began to meditate, observing his internal state.
"Damn! Doctor Mo wasn't lying about the Corpse Worm Pill. The Cleansing Spirit Elixir, which can neutralize a hundred poisons, has no effect on it. Looks like I'll really need the antidote in a year," Eli muttered, annoyed.
He put the vial away and got out of bed, pacing around the room's only table, deep in thought.
Doctor Mo's words couldn't be fully trusted, Eli knew. There were likely many lies mixed in. But with Doctor Mo threatening his family, Eli had no choice but to comply.
Eli doubted Doctor Mo would keep his promise in a year. If it were truly so straightforward, there'd be no need for all this caution. The real danger was what Doctor Mo wasn't telling him.
Turning the situation over in his mind repeatedly, Eli found no clear solution.
He and Doctor Mo were both afraid. Doctor Mo feared Eli wouldn't train diligently, wasting his efforts. Eli feared that once he was no longer useful, Doctor Mo would kill him.
Originally, Eli might have used this mutual fear to his advantage. But with Doctor Mo holding his family's safety over him, Eli was forced to comply.
"Am I really going to entrust my life to Doctor Mo's mercy, hoping he'll spare me?" Eli felt a wave of despondency.
"No! I can't do that. My fate cannot be left to someone else's whims. Putting my life in another's hands is the height of foolishness," Eli thought, banishing the notion.
After wracking his brains, Eli came up with a simple, yet potentially effective, plan.
He would focus on strengthening his own abilities, increasing his leverage. If Doctor Mo decided to move against him, Eli would at least have a chance to defend himself.
It wasn't a perfect plan, but it was pragmatic and feasible given his circumstances.
Having made up his mind, Eli decided to take a walk. He stepped out into the yard, stretching and yawning in the crisp morning air.
Facing the rising sun, Eli felt a surge of determination.
"My fate will be in my own hands. I won't let anyone else control it."
With a renewed sense of purpose, Eli began to strategize his next moves. He needed to find ways to increase his strength, both in terms of martial prowess and in other skills that could give him an edge.
Firstly, he needed to enhance his martial arts training. Despite the risk of being caught, Eli resolved to secretly practice the techniques he had learned from Zack. He would push his body to its limits, training harder and longer than ever before.
Secondly, Eli decided to delve deeper into the alchemical arts. The Five Poisons Elixir was a start, but he needed more potent concoctions. He would experiment with different ingredients, seeking out rare herbs and minerals that could be used to create powerful elixirs and antidotes. Perhaps he could even find a way to neutralize the Corpse Worm Pill on his own.
Thirdly, he planned to gather intelligence. Eli knew that knowledge was power. He would quietly observe Doctor Mo and any interactions he had with others, looking for weaknesses or vulnerabilities that he could exploit. He would also try to find out more about the mysterious figure who had accompanied Doctor Mo back to the valley.
Eli also considered the possibility of seeking allies. While he had to be extremely cautious, there might be other disciples or individuals within the sect who were dissatisfied with Doctor Mo. Forming alliances could provide him with additional support and resources when the time came to confront Doctor Mo.
As these plans formed in his mind, Eli felt a sense of calm determination settle over him. He would not be a pawn in Doctor Mo's game. He would take control of his destiny, no matter the cost.
With his resolve steeled, Eli began his day. He spent the morning practicing his martial arts, pushing himself to new levels of physical and mental endurance. In the afternoon, he experimented with alchemical mixtures, carefully recording his observations and results.
Each day that passed, Eli grew stronger and more confident. He could feel his skills sharpening, his body growing more resilient, and his mind becoming more focused.
He knew that the path ahead would not be easy. Doctor Mo was a formidable opponent, and the stakes were incredibly high. But Eli was determined to face whatever challenges came his way.
As the weeks turned into months, Eli's efforts began to bear fruit. He discovered new techniques and strategies that enhanced his fighting abilities. His experiments in alchemy yielded promising results, including a potential antidote for the Corpse Worm Pill.
Eli also began to gather information about Doctor Mo and the mysterious figure. He learned that the figure was a powerful enforcer, loyal to Doctor Mo but with a ruthless streak that could potentially be turned against his master.
With each new piece of information, Eli refined his plans. He was patient, waiting for the right moment to strike. And as the year drew closer to its end, he knew that moment was fast approaching.
On the surface, Eli remained the obedient disciple, carefully masking his true intentions. But inside, he was readying himself for the confrontation that would decide his fate.
He continued to train, to learn, and to prepare. Every day brought him closer to the point where he could challenge Doctor Mo and reclaim his freedom.
As the final days approached, Eli felt a sense of anticipation mixed with a calm determination. He was ready. No matter what happened, he would fight for his future with everything he had.
"My fate will be decided by my own hands," he reminded himself each day. And with that thought, he faced each new challenge with unwavering resolve.
The time for confrontation was drawing near, and Eli Mason was prepared to face it head-on.