The Discipleship Test

After nearly half a year of frantic cultivation, Han Li finally stood before Doctor Mo, awaiting the physician's test.

Zhang Tie stood helplessly close to Han Li. It was no wonder he was nervous; Han Li had already learned from him that, after nearly half a year of practice, he had achieved nothing with the oral formula.

Han Li knew that Zhang Tie had devoted himself to the formula with a seriousness no less than his own. Though he could not match Han Li's desperate intensity, he had put in no small effort—diligent and hardworking by any measure.

Yet strangely, the formula had produced no effect on Zhang Tie at all. No matter how much effort he poured into it, not a single trace of effect emerged. It seemed the formula simply had no connection to him.

Han Li's own heart was unsettled, far from at ease. He knew that Zhang Tie was almost certain to fail this test, and while he himself had achieved a little progress, he was not much better off.

His desperate cultivation had only made the strange energy flow inside him slightly stronger. If before it had been as thin as a strand of hair, now it had grown to the thickness of a thread. But whether that would be enough to pass Doctor Mo's inspection, he had no idea. He could not help but feel his heart rising into his throat, anxious and uncertain.

"Are you both ready? Show me the fruits of your cultivation," Doctor Mo said. He squinted, sitting in a large armchair, watching the two of them with a cold gaze.

"We are ready," Han Li and Zhang Tie replied, steeling themselves.

Doctor Mo slowly rose from the chair and placed the book he always carried on the table.

"Extend your hands."

"Let me see your energy circulation."

Doctor Mo seized Zhang Tie's right wrist with one hand and placed his other hand on Zhang Tie's lower abdomen.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, he withdrew his hands. Expressionless, he carefully examined Zhang Tie from head to toe.

Zhang Tie's face flushed red. He hastily put his hands behind his back and lowered his head, not daring to meet Doctor Mo's gaze. He knew that Doctor Mo must have realized he had achieved nothing with the formula, and that a harsh scolding was likely next.

"Your turn."

Surprisingly, Doctor Mo showed no intention of scolding Zhang Tie. Only a faint trace of disappointment flickered in his eyes. He turned and came before Han Li.

Doctor Mo seized Han Li's right wrist, just as before.

"So cold... icy cold, not at all like a living person's hand," Han Li thought, a little disturbed.

The skin on Doctor Mo's hand was somewhat dry and covered in calluses, pricking Han Li's skin slightly. That was the first sensation Han Li felt from Doctor Mo's grip.

Perhaps stimulated by the external contact, the energy inside Han Li began to circulate on its own, without his conscious command. It flowed through the Eight Extraordinary Meridians, passing through various acupoints throughout his body, from the lower abdomen to his head, then to his limbs, completing a rapid circuit and returning to his lower abdomen. Once this energy started moving, the slight discomfort on his skin vanished immediately.

"Eh!" Doctor Mo could not help exclaiming. He had clearly detected the energy inside Han Li.

"Quick! Run the formula again," Doctor Mo said. Though he tried to restrain himself from showing delight, the fanatical gleam in his eyes still startled Han Li.

"Slowly, let me examine it carefully," Doctor Mo added, his normally cold tone becoming urgent. He placed his other hand on Han Li's lower abdomen.

Han Li felt Doctor Mo's hands trembling slightly—clearly he was very agitated. He did as he was told and let the energy circulate once more.

"Excellent! Excellent! This is the feeling, this is exactly what I wanted. No mistake! It cannot be wrong! Ha ha!"

After a thorough examination, Doctor Mo could no longer contain himself and burst into laughter. He gripped Han Li's shoulders tightly, his squinting eyes now wide open, staring at Han Li as if looking at a rare and precious treasure. There seemed to be a hint of madness in his gaze.

Han Li's ears were filled with Doctor Mo's relentless laughter. He felt his shoulders ache from the grip, and seeing the wild expression on the man's face, he could not help feeling afraid.

"Good, very good." Doctor Mo noticed the fear on Han Li's face and realized he had lost control. He immediately stopped laughing.

"Continue to work hard from now on. Starting today, you are my personal disciple." He released his grip and patted Han Li's shoulder in encouragement.

Doctor Mo's face returned to its usual calm, as if the wild display had never happened. Only the occasional intense glance he cast toward Han Li revealed that he was still in high excitement.

"As for you..." Doctor Mo finally turned his attention to Zhang Tie.

Zhang Tie had been stunned by what had just happened. When Doctor Mo turned to him, he snapped back to reality.

Remembering the grim fact that failing the test meant being expelled from the mountain, Zhang Tie looked at Doctor Mo with an expression of desperate pleading.

"Your aptitude is lacking. After all this time, you have not managed to produce even a trace of energy. You are really a bit too unqualified to be my disciple," Doctor Mo said, shaking his head.

Zhang Tie's heart sank with each shake of the head.

Both could tell that Doctor Mo was unwilling to take Zhang Tie on.

But suddenly, Doctor Mo seemed to think of something interesting. He looked at Zhang Tie with a strange expression.

"However, I just examined your bone structure. There is another mental cultivation method that might suit you. I wonder if you would be willing to learn it," Doctor Mo said, changing his tune. He was actually giving Zhang Tie a way out.

Zhang Tie, upon hearing this, leaped at the chance. He agreed on the spot.

"Good, very good. Both of you may leave. Tomorrow I will teach you the new mental cultivation method." It was clear that Doctor Mo was in a fine mood. Another "good, very good" slipped out.

Han Li and Zhang Tie exchanged glances. Both felt that today's test had been full of twists and turns. Unexpectedly, they had both passed. The relief was palpable.