"How old do you think I am?" The muscles on his cheeks twitched several times before he stiffly asked a question that seemed entirely out of place. "By appearance, you'd probably say I'm in my sixties. But since you've asked this, your age must differ from what I see—either significantly older or much younger, isn't it?" Han Li was somewhat surprised, yet he maintained his calm and spoke in a composed, matter-of-fact tone. "Hmph! Truly no wonder you've practiced the 'Changchun Technique'—a country bumpkin has grown into such a sharp, perceptive person!" Doctor Mo continued to marvel, now gazing at him with eager eyes. "You're absolutely right," said a figure that left Han Li utterly astonished. "I'm only thirty-seven this year." "Impossible?" For the first time, Han Li, who had remained composed throughout, was genuinely taken aback. "Impossible! Indeed, it is impossible!" Those who have met me would hardly think I were sixty—let alone claim I were already in my seventies. They’d never doubt it. Master Mo’s voice suddenly became sharp and high-pitched, striking directly into Han Li’s ears, painfully clear, painfully uncomfortable, as if it had touched the deepest wound in his heart. “Master Mo Kuiren, in my younger days, I was well known throughout the martial circles of Lánzhou in the Yue State. I built my own reputation from scratch, entirely without any formal training or support. Back then, who didn’t know my reputation as the ‘Ghost Hand’? Whether in the black or white sectors of society, those who followed me prospered, while those who opposed me faced adversity.” Master Mo returned to his usual tone, speaking slowly and with a steady, low voice. As he recounted his story, a sharp, sword-like intensity shone in his eyes, as though he had once again returned to the time when he was full of vigor and in full command of his affairs. Hearing Master Mo’s words, Han Li was quietly amazed. He had never imagined that his nominal master held such a distinguished background. “Unfortunately, this prosperous period did not last long. When I was just entering my middle age, aiming to further expand my career, I was betrayed by trusted allies who laid a subtle, venomous plot against me. Though I managed to control the onset of my illness through my exceptional medical skill, I could not fully recover, my martial arts abilities greatly diminished, and I was unable to establish myself in the northern lands. To avoid further treachery from my enemies, I had to abandon my existing foundations and family, disappearing into the other regions of Yue, seeking remedies that might restore my former strength. As he recounted his subsequent hardships, he became completely absorbed in the memories, gripping his fists tightly—his fingers deeply pressing into the palms, bleeding profusely. Yet he seemed entirely unaware of the blood, only displaying a fierce, gritted-dental expression of relentless determination. This intensity of hatred made the observers feel a deep chill, clearly indicating that he bore an unyielding resentment toward those who had orchestrated his downfall. Hearing the continuous threads of resentment in his words, Han Li could not help but feel a shiver run through his body, a cold sense of unease settling in his heart. "The heavens have their eyes. Finally, at some mysterious place, I stumbled upon a rare book—deeply obscure and profound—requiring nearly all my strength to grasp even a little of its meaning. From it, I discovered a shortcut to restore my inner power. I followed the methods described, and the results were…." Doctor Mo paused, not immediately continuing, but his frustration and a touch of regret were clearly evident. "The result is that you now look like a ghost." Han Li coldly took up the words he had been about to say but had not yet spoken. "Indeed, I did not expect that after following the book's instructions, my inner power would be restored, yet I would rapidly age—now appearing prematurely aged, half-human, half-ghost." Doctor Mo nodded quietly, remaining calm despite Han Li's mockery. "Now, haven't you found the reason?" "I've been invaded by negative energies due to my improper practices. Currently, each day I live requires the energy equivalent of ten ordinary days. I'm constantly draining my life force. Fortunately, I'm well-versed in health maintenance techniques and have prepared a special remedy as described in the texts, which has allowed me to slow down my aging process and sustain myself over the past several years." "What connection does the technique I've been practicing have with resolving your current difficulties?" Han Li directly addressed the core issue. "Shortly after I began to deteriorate, I studied the texts and discovered the solution—your 'Changchun Technique.' As long as someone who has reached the fourth level of this technique assists me with energy circulation and massage, using the Changchun energy to stimulate the vital points, I can overcome my current predicament and recover the essence I've lost." "Why must I be the one? Can't any other person who has mastered this technique suffice?" Han Li paused, asking a question he had been pondering for a long time. "Do you really think the 'Changchun Technique' is something anyone—any ordinary person—can learn?" This secret formula not only requires young practitioners to begin their cultivation from scratch, but also demands that they possess a "spirit-root" constitution. Although I don't know exactly what a "spirit-root" is, I have already examined hundreds of young boys prior to you, none of whom could cultivate the Changchun Technique. Master Mo is clearly frustrated. "Is this really the case?" Han Li is momentarily stunned, not expecting the cultivation requirements to be so stringent. "For the rest of my life, I thought I would never find another person capable of mastering this formula, so I gave up and adopted the persona of a wandering country physician, traveling from place to place. Unexpectedly, I encountered the seventh-generation master of the Qi Xu Sect, who had also been betrayed and attacked. In our shared plight, I stepped in to save his life. At his invitation, I naturally became a dedicated attendant within the sect, intending to fade into the background and spend my final days quietly on the mountain. Hehe!" Miracles did happen. At first, afraid that all my medical knowledge and martial arts skills might be lost, I invited you both into the valley—indeed, I had intended to take you as my disciples. Yet somehow, unexpectedly, I had managed to have you both undergo trials of the Changchun Technique. Perhaps I still held out some hope. Even if you failed to master this technique, I would have taken you in and passed on a portion of my entire knowledge. But I never expected that you would actually respond to it! Hah! Truly, there is no limit to human fortune! Doctor Mo, in one breath, revealed all these mysteries, his face flushed with a sickly red glow, clearly delighted with his good fortune. "I haven't yet mastered the fourth layer of the Changchun Technique. Then, why now, and why do you suddenly restrain me, laying bare all this?" Han Li finally asked the question that concerned him most. "This is all your own doing," I replied. "I've invested so much time and effort in you, yet you continue to disappoint me, always playing tricks on me." Now all that remains is this final step, yet I've been hesitating to take it further. Originally, I could have waited for another two years, but upon my descent this time, I was recognized by an enemy—someone I've long resented. After a fierce struggle, though I managed to defeat him, I've drained nearly all of my already limited vitality, and my lifespan has been greatly shortened. Even with my utmost efforts, I can only extend my life by another year. How can I possibly wait any longer? The proud expression on Doctor Mu's face vanished completely, replaced by a fierce glare, and finally, he stormed at Han Li. Han Li, after hearing this, remained composed, showing no outward sign of emotion or disturbance. Yet within, his heart surged with waves of emotion—far from the calm, collected demeanor he appeared to have. Though he had long anticipated Doctor Mu's deep intentions toward himself, he had never imagined such extensive hidden motives. The doctor's background, experiences, and even the specific cultivation mantras he had practiced—all of them far exceeded his expectations.