Chapter 38: Secret Technique Origins

The complainers were unaware that the elder who created this sword technique had his profound internal cultivation accidentally crippled during a martial arts skirmish in his prime, making him forever unable to practice inner qi.

Fearing a significant drop in his status within the sect, the elder kept this secret from everyone. Instead, he began to act as if his martial arts had greatly advanced, appearing unfathomable, thus deceiving all members, great and small.

However, the fact that he was thenceforth without self-defense was an unchangeable reality. From that point on, he lived in seclusion, and with extraordinary resourcefulness, managed to avoid detection by others.

That period was the Seven Mysteries Sect's heyday, when it dominated Jing Province.

When the elder realized that his cultivation could indeed not be recovered, in despair, he discreetly used his authority to secretly send his subordinates to raid many obscure minor sects, without the knowledge of other power holders.

From these sects, he forcibly seized numerous illicit martial arts manuals, attempting to find a supreme martial art that could be utilized without internal energy.

After years of searching, he did indeed uncover many incredible secret techniques, but none of them were suitable for his use.

He was greatly disappointed.

This elder was also a person of immense talent and brilliant intellect. In his despondency, he conceived the idea of utilizing the many secret techniques he possessed to create a unique and ultimate martial art tailored for himself.

The inception of this idea excited him greatly. Creating a unique martial art was every martial artist's lifelong dream. From then on, he became completely engrossed, dedicating himself to researching and practicing his various ideas. Finally, to avoid worldly distractions, he even entered a secluded retreat, no longer concerning himself with the sect's external conflicts.

Creating a martial art was an extremely difficult endeavor. Moreover, the martial art he intended to create had immense limitations: it had to be usable without true qi, yet also encompass numerous secret techniques to become a profound and ultimate skill.

The arduousness of creating this unprecedented martial art far exceeded his imagination. Yet, he was a person of great perseverance. After nearly half a lifetime of painstaking effort, spanning several decades, this "Blink Sword Manual" finally came into being.

The elder was ecstatic. However, when he eagerly went to share the good news with others in the sect, just as his martial art had reached its peak, he unexpectedly discovered that the Seven Mysteries Sect had completely fallen into decline. The entire sect was besieged by numerous large and small gangs, constantly facing the danger of annihilation.

This elder, now in his sixties, was both shocked and enraged. In this critical moment, he unleashed the power of his newly mastered, strange sword technique, striking down numerous powerful enemies and intimidating the remaining experts. He single-handedly carved a bloody path for the Seven Mysteries Sect to break through the encirclement and escape, performing an immense service for the sect's continuation.

Regrettably, soon after escaping danger, the elder's time had come. He left only a dying wish: that the sword manual, the fruit of his painstaking efforts, be placed in the Seven Absolutes Hall. Then he passed away.

Even more regrettable was that in the years that followed, none of the subsequent disciples, until Han Li, ever attempted to cultivate this technique, allowing this brilliant pearl to remain hidden and neglected until now.

Han Li was completely unaware of these past events. In truth, even if he had known, he wouldn't have been particularly moved. For him, it was enough that this sword technique was suitable for his cultivation and might allow him to preserve his life against Doctor Mo. As for its origins or who created it? Han Li had no interest whatsoever. He was a very pragmatic person and would not bother to understand anything that brought him no benefit.

Inside his room, Han Li lit an oil lamp and leaned over the wooden table, continuing to pore over the manuals in the dim light.

He had no intention of physically transcribing the manuals. Instead, he planned to rely on his extraordinary memory to engrave them all firmly in his mind. This way, it would be safe from loss and eliminate the risk of information leaking.

He maintained a high level of vigilance against Doctor Mo and would not be foolish enough to assume that the other party was not monitoring him at all. If so many manual copies appeared in his room, wouldn't it expose everything and allow Doctor Mo to be forewarned about him?

The orange lamp flame flickered with a small burst, like a "puff," reminding Han Li that much time had passed and he should rest soon.

But Han Li paid no attention, completely immersed in the world of the manuals. The bizarre techniques described in the books fully captivated his mind.

As one lamp burst after another, the human shadow projected on the wall swayed and changed in size. Han Li himself remained motionless, creating an uncanny contrast between stillness and motion, yet giving onlookers an oddly harmonious feeling.

Time passed quarter-hour by quarter-hour. The shadow behind Han Li gradually faded from clear to blurry, then slowly from blurry to blank, as the sky outside brightened.

Han Li had unconsciously read with intense focus throughout the entire night.

With a "bang," the last large lamp burst, and the oil lamp completely extinguished. Han Li was finally startled awake from the book.

He looked up at the oil lamp, then glanced at the light outside the window, a bitter smile on his face.

He never imagined he would one day become so engrossed in studying killing techniques. He was truly very different from his former self.

After sighing for a while, Han Li stood up, stretched his neck, and moved his limbs, making his joints crackle. Then he turned, pushed open the door, and went outside. He drew a basin of cool water from a nearby well, splashed it on his face to refresh himself, and then circulated the Evergreen Art through his body. All traces of fatigue from the night disappeared without a trace.

After a night of reading and studying, Han Li now knew that to fully master this martial art, it would be unthinkable without ten or even eight years of diligent practice. Even with his exceptional talent in this area, it would still take two or three years to achieve even minor proficiency.

But time waited for no one!