Chapter 72: Secret of Riding the Wind

Han Li gazed at Li Feiyu's suddenly imposing face, rendered speechless. He wasn't sure how to respond.

Suddenly, Li Feiyu's powerful demeanor vanished, and he reverted to his usual playful self. He winked at Han Li and chuckled loudly, saying:

"So, what do you think? Wasn't my aura strong enough just now? Didn't I exude true heroism, the essence of a formidable figure, making you prostrate yourself in admiration and immediately pledge your loyalty?"

Han Li couldn't help but let out a wry smile. Just moments ago, Li Feiyu's words had touched him, but the subsequent remarks instantly brought him back to reality.

Han Li glared fiercely at him for a moment, then gritted his teeth and retorted, "Hero? I'd say 'cowardly bear' is more fitting!"

Li Feiyu burst into carefree laughter, thoroughly amused. He seemed delighted that he had managed to momentarily fluster Han Li.

Han Li, however, gradually regained his composure. Amidst the other's laughter, he suddenly spoke in a calm tone:

"I've already warned you about this before, and you're well aware of your situation. But I'll ask you one more time, very carefully: if you were to disperse your cultivation, I could allow you to live many more years. That way, you could spend a long time with Miss Zhang. Won't you reconsider?"

Li Feiyu's laughter abruptly ceased. His face darkened, and his eyes narrowed into a fierce glare, fixed intently on Han Li. He remained silent.

Han Li, however, maintained a calm expression, showing no hint of unusual emotion, simply meeting Li Feiyu's gaze with clear eyes.

After a full fifteen minutes, Li Feiyu finally withdrew the sharp intensity from his eyes, and his expression softened slightly.

"Han Li, you know I would never consider dispersing my cultivation voluntarily. I know you mean well, but please don't bring it up again, alright?" He forced a smile, his voice tinged with a plea.

"Besides," Li Feiyu added with a hint of self-mockery, "do you really think Miss Zhang would still care for me if I became a powerless, useless commoner?"

Han Li fell silent. He turned his head away, gazing down the path in the direction Li Feiyu had come from. After a moment of quiet contemplation, he spoke in a low, somber voice:

"Since you've made up your mind, I won't try to persuade you further. Go back now. I truly hope you and Miss Zhang Xiuer find happiness together."

Hearing Han Li's words, Li Feiyu's face immediately lit up with joy. He clapped Han Li heartily on the shoulder several times.

"Good brother, those are the words I wanted to hear, and the happiest I've heard all day! Well then, I'll take my leave."

With a leap, he sprang up and, after a few bounds, disappeared from sight at the end of the path, utterly vanished.

"Ouch!" Han Li suddenly clutched his shoulder tightly. Li Feiyu's slaps had unexpectedly incorporated internal energy, leaving his shoulder swollen like a small red bun and excruciatingly painful to the touch. He was certainly suffering.

"That brat," Han Li grumbled, grimacing, "to get back at me for touching on his sensitive spot, he actually used *this* method of revenge!" As he thought this, he fumbled for a spiritual healing elixir from his robes, unbuttoned his top, and applied it to his shoulder.

"Hmph! Just my luck to try and be kind for once, and this is what I get," Han Li thought with a hint of resentment. "I'm really not cut out for good deeds! Better just go back and focus on comprehending spells. I'll get him back for this sneak attack next time we meet."

A considerable amount of time passed after this encounter. Han Li was now eighteen years old.

During this period, the Seven Mysteries Sect, pressured by the Wild Wolf Gang's relentless encroachment, finally declared war.

Consequently, countless skirmishes and battles, both large and small, erupted along the contested borders between the two factions. Many of Han Li's companions who had entered the mountains with him perished in these conflicts, leaving him with a deep sense of sorrow and reflection.

The large bell outside the valley, signaling casualties, was rung with increasing frequency due to the growing number of wounded. This, ironically, allowed Han Li to practice numerous high-difficulty treatment techniques, significantly advancing his medical skills.

Even with Han Li's miraculous healing abilities, many mid- to high-ranking individuals still fell. They either died on the battlefield or succumbed to their severe injuries en route, never even having the chance to be treated by Han Li.

Consequently, many young masters on both sides rose to prominence, ascending to the high positions left vacant by the fallen.

Notable examples included the Wild Wolf Gang's "Five Fiends, Three Eagles, Two Leopards" and the Seven Mysteries Sect's "Seven Heroes, Twin Stalwarts." Li Feiyu was one of these Twin Stalwarts. Having personally slain a purple-robed standard-bearer from the opposing side, he had ascended to the high and influential position of Deputy Head of the Outer Blade Hall. Moreover, his relationship with Zhang Xiuer was rapidly progressing, reaching the stage of discussing marriage.

Upon learning this, Han Li could only let out a soft sigh. He didn't know if Li Feiyu's actions were right or wrong. After all, he wasn't Li Feiyu; without being in his shoes, he couldn't truly understand the complexities of the situation.

Yet, if the roles were reversed and he had to watch the woman he loved go to another, Han Li admitted he couldn't do it. But to marry someone, knowing he was soon to die, seemed to require an immense fortitude he might not possess either.

So Han Li could only feign ignorance. After all, there were degrees of closeness between people, and Li Feiyu was his close friend, so naturally he was inclined to side with him slightly. Han Li felt perfectly justified in this.

Furthermore, another crucial development had recently occurred, consuming most of his attention and making it impossible for him to dwell on this matter further.

After countless failures, Han Li finally mastered the "Wind Control Art" spell.

Like the "Heavenly Eye Art," the "Wind Control Art" was an auxiliary spell, usable only on the caster themselves, not on others. However, its practical utility far surpassed that of the "Heavenly Eye Art."

Once the "Wind Control Art" was activated, Han Li felt as light as a swallow. With a mere touch of his toes, he could effortlessly dart several *zhang* (meters) forward. The exhilarating sensation of sprinting at high speed across the ground, leaving everything behind, became almost addictive. He would compulsively dash through the valley five or six times daily before finally stopping, indulging his craving for exceptional agility.

This acceleration effect, of course, was fundamentally different from the "Misty Smoke Step." The "Misty Smoke Step," a secret technique, focused on exploiting every minute opening, turning the impossible into reality, and achieving rapid acceleration over short distances by expending significant physical strength. This footwork was most remarkable when executed in confined spaces.

The "Wind Control Art," however, was different. Once cast, it continuously consumed a small amount of spiritual energy but imposed no physical burden, allowing the user to sprint freely without any risk of exhaustion. This acceleration effect would persist until all spiritual energy was depleted or the spell was consciously stopped. Consequently, it was commonly used by low-level cultivators for long-distance travel or rapid transit, making it one of the essential spells for them when venturing out.