The Fourth Layer's Secret

Han Li had not originally planned to prepare the two types of medicine unrelated to his training. But after careful consideration, he felt that he was, after all, half a member of the martial world. Who knew when some disaster might befall him? When he might be dragged into the killings and skirmishes of the Jianghu? It was better to have some antidotes and healing medicines ready in advance. If he were to die from poisoning or injury simply because he lacked good medicine, wouldn’t that be a grievous injustice!

With this thought, Han Li went ahead and prepared small quantities of the latter two medicines, intending to keep them on his person as a precaution. After all, everyone only had one life, and Han Li had no intention of dying young.

Although this would reduce the quantity of the other two elixirs, slowing the progress of his oral formula training, it was unavoidable. There were not so many perfect outcomes in this world. At certain times, one had to make choices.

On the very day the medicines were completed, Han Li took one “Yellow Dragon Pill” and one “Golden Marrow Pill” according to the consumption method described in the recipe. These two medicines truly deserved their reputation as legendary holy elixirs. Under their astonishing medicinal power, he broke through the bottleneck that very night without any trouble, mastering the fourth layer of the oral formula.

Upon reaching the fourth layer, Han Li immediately experienced sensations completely different from before. His five senses were suddenly elevated to an inconceivable realm. Everything before his eyes became so bright, so clear. Even the finest details he had never been able to see before now appeared magnified and distinctly visible. He could clearly make out the slender spider silk in the corner of the room. His hearing also sharpened immensely. Countless sounds, both familiar and unfamiliar, flooded into his ears: the faint “rustling” of an earthworm burrowing over ten zhang away, the “buzzing” of some unknown insect flying past the house. These sounds seemed to occur right next to his ear, so vivid and clear. Furthermore, some strange odors suddenly surfaced, letting Han Li know that his sense of smell had also undergone a significant change.

Han Li was both shocked and delighted. This was the first time since he began training this oral formula that he felt his time had not been wasted. Such extraordinary sensations proved that the formula was not worthless—it had its own unique qualities.

Although the previous layers of training had also improved his five senses to a certain extent, none had caused such obvious and massive transformations as the fourth layer. This was fundamentally a qualitative leap, as if he had become an entirely different person.

In addition, he felt his body had become much lighter, and his mental energy had also greatly improved. He estimated that he could now go three to five days without sleep without much issue.

Han Li savored the changes within his body, completely different from before. Remaining still, he could discern everything happening within several dozen zhang. This feeling of being able to control everything captivated Han Li.

Only now did he understand that training the oral formula to the fourth layer was what could be considered true minor success.

He couldn't help but imagine what it would be like. If the fourth layer brought such unforgettable sensations, what wonderful feelings would the fifth and sixth layers bring?

Not long after Han Li had comprehended the marvels of the cultivation method he was practicing, his nominal master—Doctor Mo—returned to the valley. He did not return alone but brought along a mysterious figure.

When Doctor Mo first entered Spirit Hand Valley, Han Li heard the familiar coughing sounds from afar. He had been meditating in his stone chamber, striving to advance further. Upon detecting Doctor Mo’s presence, he quickly circulated his energy to conclude his training, walked out of the stone chamber, and headed toward the valley entrance to pay respects to his master, whom he had not seen in nearly a year. He met Doctor Mo not far from the valley entrance.

The moment he saw Doctor Mo, Han Li was greatly alarmed. The person was still the same person, but what met his eyes was a face sallow and defeated, with scarcely any trace of vitality. Although his complexion had always been sickly yellow, it had never been as utterly decayed as it was now, like someone whose time had come.

Even more astonishing to Han Li was the figure following behind Doctor Mo. This person wore a black hooded cloak, and his entire body was wrapped tightly in a wide green robe, not revealing a single inch of skin. He was extraordinarily tall and broad, towering a full two heads above Han Li, with a giant’s frame. But because of the cloak, Han Li could not clearly see his face from the outside; he could only vaguely sense that his features must be hideous and grotesque.

Suppressing his doubts, Han Li quickly stepped forward to greet Doctor Mo with a bow, then stood respectfully to the side, awaiting his master’s questions.

He knew very well that the other party did not care whether his disciple showed him courtesy and respect. But as a disciple, he still had to perform the proper rituals of the master-disciple relationship. He could not casually abandon them, giving the other party the impression that he was unruly and defiant. That would only put him in an even more disadvantageous position.

Based on his understanding of Doctor Mo, given how concerned the man usually was about his oral formula training, after such a long separation, he would likely first ask about the progress of his training to determine how far Han Li had advanced.

Sure enough, upon seeing Han Li voluntarily come out to greet him, Doctor Mo paused briefly, coughed a few times, and then asked in a weak voice:

“How is your oral formula training? Have you made any slight progress?” His face immediately showed anxiety and anticipation.

Han Li had already mentally prepared himself and gave the answer he had rehearsed.

“Still the same as before. No significant changes.” Han Li did not intend to tell the other party the truth about his training. He could not explain how, without any external aid, his progress had miraculously jumped from the early third layer to the fourth layer.

“Extend your hand.” Doctor Mo’s expression darkened, and his tone instantly turned harsh.

After carefully noticing this expression, Han Li’s heart thumped, and he felt a trace of unease.

But he was not afraid of the other party personally taking his pulse to examine the condition of his true qi. Because after entering the fourth layer, Han Li had unexpectedly discovered that he could freely control the strength of the strange true qi within his body. He could completely suppress it to the intensity of the third layer, deceiving the heavens and crossing the sea, with no fear of Doctor Mo’s personal examination.