During this period, the Seventh Xuanyuan Sect also experienced an extraordinary event. The new generation of disciples, inspired by their idol, Li Shi, demonstrated exceptional alertness and on the spot uncovered the plot of two traitors from the Wild Wolf Clan who had been secretly working to steal the list of junior disciples scheduled for their mountain-based training. Together with over a dozen fellow disciples, Li Feiyu successfully captured and detained the traitors, earning significant recognition. A few days later, in front of a large gathering of disciples, the Master of the Sect formally appointed Li Feiyu as a Deputy Grand Master, officially elevating him into the mid-level ranks of the Sect and generating considerable excitement. Li Feiyu's reputation thus grew even more prominent. Han Li, however, remained completely unaware of these developments. He had been deeply engaged in intensive training within his isolated wooden cottage, only venturing out occasionally to fetch food from the kitchen. For several days, he had not interacted with anyone, naturally missing the remarkable rise of his close friend. As summer gave way to autumn, time flew by, and finally, the last day before the scheduled meeting arrived. Amidst the thorny undergrowth, a strangely ethereal figure emerged and vanished intermittently among the sharp, pointed branches. Those formidable, piercing thorns offered no resistance at all—like a vapor, he slipped through the dense, interwoven meshes of thorny stems, appearing suddenly close, then reappearing from afar, all without a single sound. The entire process unfolded silently, as though he were not of flesh and blood, but an intangible form. Finally, the figure halted on a tree trunk, standing upright at the branch's end and gazing steadily toward the distance—none other than Han Li, now having made notable progress in his cultivation. At this moment, his garments were torn and tattered, revealing his bare flesh beneath; his hair was wild and disheveled, and his face was marred with patches of black and white, so that his original features were nearly unrecognizable. Most astonishing of all, small iron bells hung delicately at several key points on his neck, waist, arms, thighs, and ankles. Seeing these iron bells and recalling Han Li's ghostly movements through the forest, one can easily grasp how remarkably unusual his earlier movements had been. He remained motionless, gazing toward Shenshou Valley, murmuring: "The timing was perfect—finally, on the very last day, I've mastered Luo Yan Step. With it, I now have a solid measure of self-protection." Though his facial expression was not clearly visible, the joy in his eyes was unmistakable. After months of dedicated study and practice, Han Li had acquired several powerful secret techniques, and he was quite confident in them. While he might not be able to match the incomparable skill of Mo Doctor, he felt assured that these techniques would suffice for self-defense. A gentle breeze blew through, bringing a coolness to his body. He looked down at his "dung-style" attire, imagining his current appearance, and could not help but smile wistfully. Recalling the practice of refining his Luo Yan Bu movements, he still felt a lingering sense of apprehension. Training his body movements amidst the thorny forest truly proved to be a daunting task. At first, due to his unfamiliarity with the techniques, he was constantly scraped and wounded by the sharp thorns on the branches, bleeding profusely. Fortunately, he carried the "Yangjing Dan" with him, which not only healed internal injuries but also proved remarkably effective for external wounds. After taking just one pill, bleeding stopped immediately and wounds began to heal, forming scabs; by the next day, even the scars were completely eliminated. This development amazed Han Li no end. The medicine far surpassed ordinary bandages or wound treatments used in the countryside. Yet he found it puzzling why it was named the "Yangjing Dan"—he personally believed names like "Scar-Removing Pill" or "Hemostatic Pill" would have been more fitting. If the master who originally formulated the "Yangjing Dan" were to hear Han Li's thoughts, he would likely be so astonished that he would gasp and even spew blood. His carefully crafted healing elixir, a true holy remedy, was being compared and ranked against the common How could this not drive the master to fury! Yet, precisely because of the perilous conditions under which he practiced, Han Li was able to unlock his full potential and, within a short time, achieve several stages of the "Luo Yan Step," making it immediately applicable. Moreover, Han Li's "Changchun Technique" had, just a few days ago, successfully reached its sixth level—the highest level prescribed by Mo Doctor—according to the oral instructions. Without the aid of those dozen bottles of spiritual medicines, even with his utmost effort, he would not have been able to attain this level during his lifetime. Over the years of cultivation, Han Li has gained profound insights into the Changchun Technique, finding it remarkably unique, both in its cultivation methods and in its effects, differing significantly from ordinary martial arts. First of all, Han Li believes that the success and pace of progress in mastering this technique largely depend on the individual practitioner—specifically, on their inherent aptitude and compatibility with the technique itself. Those with exceptional innate potential naturally progress smoothly and without obstruction. Even without external assistance, they can, through persistent effort, reach a high level. On the other hand, those with less favorable potential find themselves struggling significantly once they reach a certain stage—without the aid of medicinal elixirs, their progress becomes extremely difficult. Han Li speculates that such individuals may stagnate at this point for life, with no further advancement. It is precisely his own experience: he progressed very smoothly through the first three layers, but at the fourth layer, the journey suddenly became immensely challenging, with little to no progress. However, if potent elixirs and medicinal remedies are available, what was once impossible becomes achievable—thus overcoming the limitations imposed by innate potential and advancing to the next level. This clearly demonstrates the immense dependence of this cultivation technique on medicinal power. Nevertheless, Han Li's habit of consuming medicinal pills—just one or two per day, like snacks—is likely unique among all cultivators. Therefore, it is no surprise that he effortlessly mastered the more difficult fifth and sixth layers, without experiencing the same level of difficulty he encountered at the fourth layer. The Changle功 at its sixth level, besides making Han Li feel more energetic and mentally sharper, had not yet revealed any other remarkable benefits. It was strange indeed—since beginning its cultivation, this Changle功 had strengthened his spirit, mind, and five senses progressively with each level, yet its effects on his physical body had been rather subtle, merely enhancing his overall strength and agility. The energy flow it generated—which Han Li called "pseudo-zhenqi"—could indeed circulate freely within his meridians like ordinary zhenqi, but beyond sharpening his sense of touch, it had no other practical applications, falling short of the powerful effects of true zhenqi. Moreover, as he reached this stage, he sensed that there must still be uncompleted mantras beyond the sixth level, and perhaps its true benefits lay precisely in those final few layers. With this thought in mind, he shook his head with a sense of resignation and sighed. Given his current relationship with Mo Doctor, he realized that any hope of mastering the later layers of the technique was simply out of reach. Setting aside his wandering thoughts, Han Li leapt forward and landed softly on the ground, making no sound at all, then strode purposefully toward the small wooden cottage. Tomorrow he would meet Doctor Mo. In the meantime, he wished to make full use of his innate abilities, mentally planning out the steps for their meeting, carefully considering every subtle detail, and preparing the most effective responses for any potential dangers yet to unfold.