Chapter 3: The Nameless Incantation

Starting from the next day, they received a bit of medical knowledge and knowledge about herbs from Mr. Wen in the morning, and in the afternoon, they went to other places to learn characters with the other children, as well as the basics of martial arts, including the Twelve Meridians and the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, and the acupuncture points throughout the body. They studied and practiced martial arts without missing a single day.

* * *

A month later, Han Li and Zhang Shixie no longer went to other places for training.

This was because Mr. Wen had started to impart a set of the Nameless Incantation to them.

They had to pour most of their time into practicing this incantation, and Mr. Wen strictly prohibited them from passing this training to others.

If it were to leak out, the two would face severe punishment and be expelled.

Han Li learned more about the Seven Strings Sect and Mr. Wen while training in other places.

The Seven Strings Sect is divided into the Outer Sect and the Inner Sect. The Outer Sect consists of the Flying Bird Hall, the Treasure Gathering Hall, the Four Seas Hall, and the Outer Blade Hall. The Inner Sect is made up of the Hundred Forging Hall, the Seven Absolute Hall, the Venerable Hall, and the Blood Blade Hall.

Additionally, the Inner Sect is led by the Seventh Absolute Senior, who is the direct heir and the formal head of the sect, along with three deputy heads. There is also the Elders' Council, which exists solely under the formal head.

Mr. Wen came here due to a connection formed when he saved the life of the sect leader, who was severely injured by the enemy's plot in the sect's park a few years ago, with his outstanding medical skills.

Although he was not a formal disciple of the Seven Strings Sect, he was brought here by the sect leader because of his exceptional medical skills and virtuous character.

Afterward, he was provided with a residence, allowed to settle down, and became a member of the Venerable Hall of the Seven Strings Sect.

No one knew the extent of Mr. Wen's abilities, but after he came here, he saved many disciples' lives, and everyone respected him.

* * *

Han Li had been in the sect for more than half a year, and the formal entry examination to become an inner sect disciple had already been completed two months ago.

Very few disciples could enter the inner sect, and most of those who took the exam failed and went down the mountain to become outer sect disciples.

When Han Li thought about the exam the other inner sect disciples had taken two months ago, his hair still stood on end.

They had to circle the Sunset Mountain within a ten-mile radius, form teams in the sparsely populated forest to compete with each other, and finally, block attacks from the senior disciples who were stronger in martial arts from all directions.

During the exam, Han Li sighed in relief. Han Li and Zhang Shixie did not have to take such a terrifying exam; they only had to take an exam on the incantation as Mr. Wen had said. However, this was not easy either.

The incantation was divided into several stages, and Han Li and Zhang Shixie only needed to complete the first stage.

Mr. Wen said that if they could show their skills in the first stage of the incantation, he would accept them as formal disciples and treat them the same as other inner sect disciples of the Seven Strings Sect.

After learning this from others, Han Li realized the significant difference in treatment between inner and outer sect disciples and completely abandoned the idea of becoming an outer sect disciple and returning home.

After receiving the incantation from Mr. Wen, Han Li refrained from going out and devoted himself to cultivation day and night.

Mr. Wen did not give them any guidance for their cultivation, so Han Li learned the method of cultivation by referring to the basic internal energy cultivation method of the Seven Strings Sect, the Righteous Yang Energy, which other children practiced.

Three months had passed since he started cultivating. Despite his hard work, only a faint thread of internal energy had formed in his body. This internal energy was so weak that it was hard to detect even with careful cultivation.

'Is this the internal energy the seniors talked about?'

Han Li asked himself while continuing his cultivation. However, when he heard from other children who practiced the Righteous Yang Energy, their internal energy was a very distinct and warm energy.

But Han Li only felt a slight coolness. The effects of the two cultivation methods were clearly different. Other children, after cultivating the Righteous Yang Energy, could already break thick trees with their fists or jump high.

But when Han Li cultivated his energy, there was no change. He only had a better appetite and a clearer mind. But what good were these things?

Seeing the other children display their divine might in front of him made him feel anxious and restless. Later, Han Li wondered if he lacked the necessary talent and worried about how he would live if he went down the mountain.

One day, Han Li discovered a surprising fact about Zhang Shixie, who was cultivating with him.

Zhang Shixie had no changes in his body despite cultivating the incantation. He did not even generate a trace of internal energy.

Seeing Zhang Shixie, he gained a little courage and started to focus on cultivation again, even more intensely than before.

Han Li did not waste a single moment, sitting in meditation and practicing energy circulation with all his might.

At night, he would even fall asleep while maintaining the posture for energy circulation. However, Han Li was frustrated.

After teaching them the incantation, Mr. Wen did not pay attention to them.

He did not ask about their cultivation results or show any interest in their difficulties.

It was as if he had forgotten their existence.

Mr. Wen spent his days reading the book Han Li had seen before.

It was as if the book contained beautiful women or golden treasures.

Han Li and Zhang Shixie did not understand or comprehend what Mr. Wen was thinking.

They joked that they might study to take the imperial examinations. Later, after they learned to read, they found out that the book was called the "Longevity Energy."

The Longevity Energy contained content on how to cultivate and refine the Dao to achieve immortality.

Only then did the two understand everything.

Mr. Wen was not trying to pass the imperial examinations but wanted to live for thousands of years like a turtle by the river, aging but not dying.

* * *

After half a year of intense cultivation, Han Li and Zhang Shixie were finally to be tested by Mr. Wen.

Zhang Shixie was at a loss, which was not surprising.

No matter how hard he cultivated the incantation, he could not achieve any results.

It seemed he had no affinity for the incantation. However, Han Li's mind was not at ease either.

It was clear that Zhang Shixie would not pass this exam, but Han Li had not achieved anything significant either.

He had risked his life in cultivation, but only the strange internal energy in his body had become slightly stronger.

If the previous internal energy was as thin as a strand of hair, it was now as thick as a silk thread.

He was not sure if this would be enough to pass Mr. Wen's exam. Therefore, both of them were anxious and conflicted.

"Are you ready? You just need to show me the results of your cultivation."

Mr. Wen, with narrowed eyes, sat in his chair and looked at the two coldly.

"We are ready," Han Li and Zhang Shixie answered without hesitation.

Mr. Wen slowly stood up from his chair, placed the book on the table, and said,

"Show me your energy circulation."

Mr. Wen took Zhang Shixie's right pulse with one hand and placed the other on his dantian. After a while, he removed his hands from Zhang Shixie's body and examined him closely.

Zhang Shixie, with a red face, hid his hands behind his back and bowed his head deeply, knowing that Mr. Wen had realized he had not achieved any results.

Surprisingly, Mr. Wen did not seem to want to scold Zhang Shixie.

There was only a hint of disappointment in his eyes.

After a moment, he turned to Han Li and said,

"Come here."

Mr. Wen had already placed his hand on Han Li's pulse.

'Cold as ice. It doesn't feel like a living person's hand.'

Han Li muttered to himself as Mr. Wen took his pulse. Mr. Wen's hand was dry and calloused, and he felt a slight pricking pain where it touched his skin.

Perhaps due to the external stimulation, the internal energy in his body began to move even before Han Li started his energy circulation.

The internal energy traveled through the Eight Extraordinary Vessels, passing through the blood vessels throughout his body, from the dantian to his head, and then to his limbs.

It quickly circled once and returned to the dantian. As the internal energy moved, the slight pain disappeared.

"Ah!"

Mr. Wen exclaimed, as if he had discovered something in Han Li's body.

"Quickly, circulate the incantation one more time."

Although Mr. Wen's face did not show joy, his uncontrollable excitement and passion were evident, surprising Han Li.

"Slowly, let me examine it carefully."

His cold tone was gone. When Mr. Wen placed his hand on Han Li's dantian, his hands were slightly trembling.

"Good, very good! This is it. This is exactly what I wanted. No doubt about it. Ha ha."

After examining Han Li, Mr. Wen could not contain his laughter. He firmly held Han Li's shoulders and looked at him as if he were the most precious treasure in the world.

Han Li was stunned. All he could hear was Mr. Wen's continuous laughter. His shoulders, which were being held, began to hurt, but the emotion in Mr. Wen's eyes was more frightening.

"Good, very good."

Mr. Wen realized Han Li was scared and stopped laughing.

"From today, you are my direct disciple."

He released his hands and patted Han Li's shoulders, as if the previous behavior had never happened. However, the occasional glance from Mr. Wen revealed that he was extremely excited.

"And you..."

Mr. Wen's gaze fell on Zhang Shixie.

Zhang Shixie, who had been stunned by what just happened, finally came to his senses when Mr. Wen spoke to him.

Thinking about being expelled from the mountain for failing the exam, Zhang Shixie unknowingly sent a pleading look to Mr. Wen.

"Hmm... Not achieving any results after such a long time, you are still not ready to be my disciple."

Mr. Wen avoided his pleading gaze and said. Zhang Shixie's heart felt like it was falling off a cliff. After a long moment of contemplation, Mr. Wen looked at Zhang Shixie with a glint in his eyes and said,

"However, I just examined your physique, and it seems other cultivation methods might suit you better. I'm not sure if you want this, though."

Hearing Mr. Wen's words, Zhang Shixie was very pleased, and Mr. Wen, seeing his expression, smiled and said,

"Good, very good. From tomorrow, I will teach you a new cultivation method."

Han Li and Zhang Shixie looked at each other and were very happy. It felt like they had finally escaped the dark and dangerous mountain path.

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