Chapter 43: Preparation Complete

Chapter 43: Preparation Complete

During this period, a significant event transpired within the Seven Mysteries Sect. The new generation's idol, Aiden, demonstrated his extraordinary vigilance by uncovering two undercover agents from the Wild Wolf Gang. These spies intended to steal the names of disciples heading down the mountain for training. Aiden, along with over a dozen fellow sect members, apprehended the spies, earning considerable merit.

Days later, the sect master publicly awarded Aiden the position of Guardian, formally elevating him to the sect's middle echelon. This caused quite a stir, further enhancing Aiden's already impressive reputation.

Unbeknownst to Eli, he was secluded in his wooden hut, undergoing intense training. Apart from occasional trips to the kitchen for food, he hadn't interacted with anyone for several days, remaining ignorant of his friend's newfound glory.

Summer turned to autumn, and time flew by. The appointed day finally arrived.

In the thorny forest at the bottom of the gorge, an eerie figure flitted among the sharp branches. The dangerous thorns posed no obstacle to him as he glided like smoke through the dense web of branches. He appeared and disappeared like a ghost, moving silently as if he were not made of flesh and blood but an ethereal being.

Eventually, the figure stopped on a tree trunk, standing straight and gazing into the distance. It was Eli, whose training had reached a certain level of proficiency.

His clothes were tattered, revealing patches of skin, his hair disheveled, and his face streaked with dirt, making him almost unrecognizable. Most notably, small iron bells hung from his neck, waist, arms, thighs, and ankles.

Seeing these bells, one could easily deduce the bizarre nature of his movement technique, known as the Misty Steps.

He stood still, looking towards the direction of the Godly Hand Valley, muttering to himself, "Just in time. I've finally mastered the Misty Steps on the last day. With this, I have a better chance of protecting myself."

Although his facial expression was unclear, the joy in his eyes was unmistakable.

After months of rigorous research and practice, Eli had mastered several powerful secret techniques. He was confident that while these might not rival Doctor Mo's profound skills, they would at least provide a measure of self-defense.

A gentle breeze blew, causing Eli to feel a slight chill. He looked down at his "holey" clothes and imagined his current appearance, feeling a bit amused.

Recalling his training in the thorny forest, he still felt a twinge of fear. Training in such a hazardous environment had indeed been a life-threatening task. At first, his unfamiliarity with the movement technique led to numerous injuries from the sharp thorns, leaving him bloodied and bruised.

Fortunately, he had the Nourishing Essence Pill, which not only healed internal injuries but also proved remarkably effective for external wounds. Taking just one pill stopped the bleeding and hastened the formation of scabs. By the next day, even the scars had completely disappeared.

Eli marveled at the efficacy of the pill for a long time. This medicine was far superior to ordinary wound treatments. However, he found its name, Nourishing Essence Pill, somewhat misleading, thinking a name like Scar Remover or Blood Stopper would be more appropriate.

If the creator of the Nourishing Essence Pill knew of Eli's thoughts, he would likely be infuriated. His meticulously crafted healing elixir being compared to common concoctions was an insult that could drive him to spit blood in anger.

Nevertheless, it was precisely this dangerous training environment that forced Eli to unleash his full potential, allowing him to quickly grasp the basics of the Misty Steps and put them to immediate use.

Additionally, Eli had recently reached the sixth level of the Changchun Gong, the highest level described in the manual given by Doctor Mo. Without the aid of numerous elixirs, he would not have been able to achieve this in his lifetime, even with his utmost effort.

Through years of practice, Eli had gained significant insights into the Changchun Gong. He found it unique, differing greatly from conventional martial arts in both training methods and effects.

First, Eli believed that the success and speed of mastering this technique depended largely on the practitioner's aptitude and compatibility with the method. Those with exceptional aptitude could progress smoothly and quickly, potentially reaching high levels without external aid.

Conversely, those with less aptitude would find their progress stagnate at a certain level without the help of elixirs. Eli hypothesized that such individuals would be unable to advance further in their lifetime without external support. His own experience was a testament to this: the first three levels were smooth sailing, but progress became exceedingly difficult at the fourth level, with no advancement without elixirs.

However, with elixirs, the impossible became possible, breaking through the limitations of aptitude. This reliance on medicinal aids was significant for this technique.

Using elixirs like daily snacks, Eli had no trouble reaching the fifth and sixth levels, which were supposed to be more challenging than the fourth. He found the process surprisingly easy, thanks to the potent elixirs.

The sixth level of the Changchun Gong enhanced Eli's vitality and mental acuity, but its other benefits remained to be seen. Curiously, the technique primarily strengthened his mind, senses, and mental faculties, with minimal impact on his physical body. It only made him healthier and more agile. The energy flow it generated, which Eli dubbed "pseudo-true energy," could circulate through his meridians like genuine true energy but only enhanced his senses, lacking the formidable power of true energy.

Furthermore, Eli felt there were likely additional levels beyond the sixth, where the true potential of the technique might be revealed.

With this thought, he shook his head in resignation and sighed. Given his current relationship with Doctor Mo, obtaining the remaining levels of the manual was out of the question.

Setting aside his idle thoughts, Eli jumped down softly, landing silently on the ground. He strode towards the small wooden house.

With his meeting with Doctor Mo scheduled for the next day, Eli planned to fully utilize his mental faculties to anticipate and rehearse every possible scenario. He would meticulously prepare for any potential dangers and devise the best possible responses to ensure his survival.