Mortal: Li Feiyu, who came from the realm of a supreme being

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

Li Feiyu completed the most basic martial arts foundation building in just two months, and then spent eight days mastering the first level of "Myriad Paths of the Forest" (corresponding to the entry level of the Qi Accumulation stage). This technique from the Six Paths Space was divided into four parts and twelve levels in total: Qi Accumulation, Acupoint Opening, External Realm, and Dharma Body. This is only the beginning, and its true wonders will only be revealed when the External Realm is reached.

At present, it mainly exhibits characteristics similar to the "Northern Darkness Divine Art," which can absorb all kinds of energy and utilize various energies. It is already considered top-tier in the low-level martial arts category.

As for Han Xiaomei, she did not disappoint Li Feiyu's expectations and successfully completed the 100-day Foundation Building stage. The speed was a little slow, but it was still remarkable for a farm girl.

That day by the mountain stream, her little face flushed with excitement. She tugged at the cow rope she was holding and exclaimed to Li Feiyu, who was meditating, "Brother Li! I feel like I'm stronger! Before, when Da Huang refused to walk, I had to use a lot of effort, but now it can't resist me!" As she spoke, she straightened her still rather thin little body, as if to show off her newfound strength.

The old ox, called "Big Yellow," seemed to be indignant, snorting loudly, but she managed to hold it firmly.

After achieving the Foundation Establishment in Martial Arts, one's essence, energy, and spirit are abundant, and one's meridians are initially opened, resulting in a comprehensive improvement in physical fitness. Subduing a draft ox with a nose ring is naturally a piece of cake.

However, for a girl of twelve years old, this strength is already quite astonishing.

Li Feiyu finished her practice and opened her eyes, a smile in them. Seeing her undisguised joy, she asked, "How does it feel to be stronger? Do you enjoy practicing martial arts?"

"Of course I love it!" Han Xiaomei nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling. "Before, I could only watch the cow walk, but now I can walk with it! And... and when I wake up in the morning, I feel like my eyes can see things more clearly, and my hearing is better too. I can even hear my mother sighing softly in the kitchen."

She described the subtle changes, and although she didn't understand their deeper meaning, she instinctively felt joy and fulfillment.

"I'm glad you like it." Li Feiyu's smile deepened as she took out another, slightly thicker booklet that she had prepared beforehand. The cover was a plain bluish-gray, and it was still blank.

He handed it over, his tone gentle yet encouraging: "You've laid the foundation for martial arts; you've built a solid first brick. Here, practice what's written on this carefully."

Han Xiaomei took it with both hands and carefully turned to a page, which was still filled with complex human figures and dense annotations.

But this time, she was able to recognize some of the characters that were once completely unfamiliar: "Brother Li, I will definitely study hard and practice hard!" She raised her head, her eyes serious and determined.

"Okay, go ahead. Don't forget your lessons today." Li Feiyu nodded.

Han Xiaomei carefully tucked the booklet into the safest spot in her bosom, then regained her lighthearted demeanor, leading Da Huang by the hand, humming an unknown tune, and walking along the stream towards the village.

Sunlight filtered through the trees, casting dappled patterns of light on her tousled hair and her increasingly upright figure.

Seven Mysteries Gate, Divine Hand Valley.

It has been three months since Li Feiyu was sent abroad.

Han Li sat alone on a rock beside the herb garden, lost in thought.

Just a month ago, he finally mastered the "Nameless Technique" (Martial Arts Foundation Building). The effects were real; his body seemed to have shed an invisible shackle, he was full of energy, had sharp hearing and eyesight, and his hands and feet were light and powerful. Even the other Nameless Technique seemed to run a little smoother.

This kind of internal strengthening is far superior to simple external martial arts training.

However, once the foundation was laid, progress slowed down.

The booklet ends here. What should we do next?

With Senior Brother Li absent, he had nowhere to ask and could not obtain any new cultivation techniques.

Left with no other choice, he had to pick up the cultivation method that Doctor Mo had requested and continue studying it. But having experienced the rapid improvement and solid foundation brought about by the Hundred Days of Foundation Building, practicing this again just felt a little... not quite right.

His mind was now filled with thoughts of the possible future developments of that nameless martial arts technique, and... Li Feiyu. His three-month overseas assignment was almost over, wasn't it?

Senior Brother Li should be back by now, right?

He was even eagerly anticipating Li Feiyu's return, pondering how to ask about the aftermath without appearing too impatient.

The extraordinary nature of that technique had convinced him that it was an unparalleled inheritance beyond the comprehension of the Seven Mysteries Sect!

Just as they were pondering this, an unusual, slight noise came from the direction of the valley entrance, unlike the footsteps of ordinary disciples.

Han Li instantly became alert, put down the herbs in his hand, quietly got up, and his increasingly sharp Qi and blood, which had become even more acute after he established his foundation, quietly flowed within him, stealthily heading towards the valley entrance.

Just as he approached the edge of the bamboo forest, a sudden, sharp gust of wind attacked from his side and rear, aiming straight for his Jianjing acupoint! It was both fast and cunning!

If it were Han Li a few months ago, he would have had no chance of escaping it.

But at this moment, the physical enhancement and improved reaction brought about by the completion of the Foundation Establishment took effect instantly! Almost relying on a kind of honed, near-instinctive intuition, he suddenly twisted his waist, his steps were disordered but he effectively slid half a step to the side, narrowly avoiding the grab.

The attacker let out a surprised "Eh," but continued his attack without stopping. He reached out with both hands in quick succession, his moves dense and swift, covering several vital points on the attacker's upper body.

Han Li had no set pattern, relying entirely on his enhanced physique and alertness. He would either shrink back, dodge to the side, or block with his arms. Although he looked a little disheveled, he managed to barely neutralize the next two or three fierce attacks, only to be forced to retreat repeatedly.

"Not bad, looks like you've really mastered it." A familiar voice, tinged with laughter, rang out, and the attack stopped abruptly.

Han Li looked closely and saw a tall and straight young man standing in the dappled sunlight filtering through the bamboo forest.

He was dressed in the blue close-fitting clothes of the Seven Mysteries Sect, with a slightly worn gray short jacket over it, and a black cloth belt around his waist, from which hung the familiar fine steel willow leaf knife.

Her face seemed thinner than it had been three months ago, with more defined features. But most importantly, her eyes were bright and spirited, and her face had a healthy rosy glow. The ashen and weak look that had remained from the marrow-extraction pills was almost gone!

"Senior Brother Li!" Han Li exclaimed with delight. Then his gaze sharpened as he scrutinized Li Feiyu from head to toe. "Your complexion...?"

"This isn't the place to talk." Li Feiyu smiled, neither confirming nor denying the surprise in his eyes, and beckoned him to walk deeper into the bamboo forest.

The two arrived at a more secluded corner, where the rustling bamboo leaves blocked out the outside noise.

"Senior brother, these past few months..." Han Li couldn't help but look at Li Feiyu's face again. A guess gradually became clear in his mind. Connecting his initiative to apply for an overseas assignment, his mysterious "seclusion" before leaving, and his completely renewed state at the moment, an answer was about to emerge.

He lowered his voice, his tone a mixture of understanding and confirmation: "You volunteered to be stationed abroad to avoid being seen by others, to dissipate your cultivation and start over... that cultivation technique?"

Li Feiyu glanced at him, neither admitting nor denying, but simply said, "It seems you've done a good job with your martial arts foundation building; your reactions are much faster now." This was tantamount to acknowledging Han Li's guess.

He then asked, "How has things been inside the sect these past few months? Has anything unusual happened?"

Seeing that he was unwilling to talk about himself in detail, Han Li wisely stopped asking and thought for a moment before answering, "I mostly stay in the valley and haven't paid much attention to the outside world. However... there seem to be more wounded people coming and going than usual, and the atmosphere is a bit tense." His tone was calm, but as perceptive as he was, he naturally noticed the escalation of the conflict between the sects.

"I understand." Li Feiyu nodded, not delving into the matter further. In any case, he wasn't particularly interested in the Seven Mysteries Sect; it was just that he hadn't even finished accumulating Qi yet, making it unsuitable for him to roam the martial world.

Han Li hesitated for a moment, but still asked the question he was most concerned about: "Senior Brother Li, your contributions from this mission should be enough to exchange for the next stage of your cultivation technique at the Seven Absolutes Hall, right?"

He had other plans in mind, and his question was mainly a test.

Unexpectedly, Li Feiyu reached into his robes and pulled out a thread-bound book that was noticeably thicker and more elaborately bound than the previous one, and handed it over.

Han Li took it, his gaze falling on the cover—three ancient and powerful characters: "The Longevity Manual".

A knowing glint flashed in his eyes, but he immediately lowered his gaze to conceal his emotions. When he looked up, his expression had shifted to one of slight doubt, and he deliberately asked, "The Longevity Manual? Does the Seven Absolutes Hall have this technique in its collection?"

His tone was perfectly controlled, like that of an ordinary disciple who was curious about the sect's armory but not entirely sure.

Li Feiyu chuckled and pointed at him lightly, "Alright, stop pretending in front of me. This is definitely not something from the Seven Absolutes Hall."

Han Li's feigned innocence vanished instantly, replaced by an embarrassed look of having been exposed: "Senior Brother Li, how did you know...?"

"I just finished asking about the current situation within your sect, indicating that I haven't returned to the mountain to report yet. Where would I get a new Seven Absolutes Hall secret manual?" Li Feiyu shook his head, his eyes filled with knowing understanding. "You're not a pig; can't you deduce this much logic?"

Han Li touched his nose, tacitly agreeing.

He did indeed realize this flaw the moment he took the book. He looked down at the cover of "The Secret of Longevity," and those two words seemed to have a special attraction for him.

"Then this secret manual..."

Li Feiyu's expression turned serious, and his voice lowered: "I have my own destiny and circumstances. There are some things I can't explain to you now. You just need to know that you are the first brother I, Li Feiyu, have ever truly acknowledged." He looked directly at Han Li, his gaze frank and earnest. "This thing is also precious to me, but I think it might be useful to you. This matter is between heaven, earth, you, and me, understand?"

These words were spoken sincerely and without any pretense.

Han Li felt a sudden warmth in his heart, a surge of heat welling up inside him.

He had left home at a young age and walked on thin ice in the Valley of Divine Hands. Li Feiyu's unreserved trust and gift were of great importance to him.

He nodded vigorously and said in a deep voice, "Senior Brother Li, rest assured, I, Han Li, am by no means an ungrateful or reckless person. I will remember this kindness."

Seeing the rare emotion in Han Li's eyes, Li Feiyu smiled, patted his shoulder, and spoke in his usual casual tone, yet with an older brother's admonition: "Just keep it in mind. In the Seven Mysteries Sect, practice hard. If you encounter any difficulties... tell your brother Fei. The martial world is dangerous, so be careful in everything you do; caution is never a bad thing."

Han Li gave a heavy "hmm". In that instant, the increasingly imposing shadow of Doctor Mo, the strangeness of the Changchun Gong, and his own many doubts almost burst out of his mouth.

He wanted to tell this senior brother, the only one who gave him some warmth and support, what kind of dangerous situation he was in.

But the words were on the tip of his tongue, and he swallowed them back down.

He had witnessed Master Mo's methods firsthand; they were unfathomable.

He couldn't... he couldn't drag Senior Brother Li into this mess.

Let him bear this danger and secret himself.

In the end, he simply pursed his lips, suppressing his myriad thoughts deep within his heart.

Li Feiyu saw his momentary struggle and final choice, but didn't say anything. She just pressed his shoulder hard at the end: "I'm leaving. I have to go back to the Outer Blade Hall to report. Take care of yourself."

After saying that, he turned around, and his blue figure quickly disappeared into the depths of the lush bamboo forest, leaving only the rustling of bamboo.

Han Li stood still, clutching the "Longevity Manual" tightly in his hand, gazing in the direction Li Feiyu had left, remaining motionless for a long time.

The hustle and bustle outside the valley seemed distant, and the fragrance of herbs inside remained the same, but something had quietly changed in every passing exchange and every word and action.