A year.
That was a little too short for Han Li, but it was enough for Han Feng.
He looked at the worry etched across Han Li's face, yet his own heart remained calm.
Corpse Worm Pill.
Doctor Mo had indeed reached this point.
This was the final ultimatum, as well as the last preparation before the Body Seizure.
"Brother Er Leng, don't panic yet."
Han Feng's voice was steady, carrying a calmness far beyond his years.
"A year will be enough."
"A year?" Han Li gave a bitter laugh. "How could I possibly..."
"I'm not talking about you." Han Feng cut him off. "I'm talking about myself."
He looked straight at Han Li and said, word by word, "Within a year, I'm confident I can cultivate the Positive Yang Force to the Ninth Layer!"
"By then, even if I still can't deal with Doctor Mo, I'll be able to protect you!"
His words rang with power.
They were not empty threats, but the result of precise calculations based on the Attribute Panel.
As long as he had enough pills, reaching the Ninth Layer within a year would be as easy as drinking water.
Han Li was completely stunned.
The Ninth Layer of the Positive Yang Force?
Over all these years in the Seven Profound Sect, which person who cultivated to the Ninth Layer had not already passed the age of forty?
His own younger cousin.
Could he truly possess such heaven-defying talent?
Looking at Han Feng's calm, confident face, the storm raging in Han Li's heart gradually settled.
He suddenly remembered that this youth before him had already created too many miracles.
He had cultivated the Positive Yang Force to the Sixth Layer in a month, and after a month of Downhill Training, his strength had become even more unfathomable.
Perhaps... he really could do it!
"Actually..."
Han Li lowered his voice. "I... I've already cultivated the Evergreen Art to the fourth layer."
"Really? That's wonderful!"
Han Feng smiled. In truth, he was not surprised at all. In the original story, Han Li had indeed cultivated the Evergreen Skill to the fourth layer by this point.
"I never dared tell Doctor Mo. I was afraid he..." Han Li did not finish, but the meaning was already obvious.
Han Feng understood.
Han Li's caution had saved his own life.
If he had honestly told Doctor Mo that he had already broken through, he would probably have become an empty shell claimed by Body Seizure by now.
"Then what are you afraid of, Brother Er Leng?"
Han Feng smiled. "Since you've already reached the fourth layer, all you need to do now is continue cultivating."
"In a year, you might break through to the fifth layer, or even the Sixth Layer!
"By then, give Doctor Mo a truly massive 'surprise'!"
A hint of coldness colored Han Feng's smile.
A surprise.
Han Li mulled over those words, and the fear in his eyes was gradually replaced by a trace of ruthlessness.
That was right!
Rather than sitting around waiting to die, he might as well stake everything on one desperate attempt!
He made up his mind, and the gloom in his heart instantly vanished.
When he was about to leave, he once again took a small porcelain bottle from his robes and handed it to Han Feng.
"A Niu, there aren't many pills this time. I need to save some for my own cultivation too, so use them sparingly."
Han Feng accepted the porcelain bottle and immediately felt that it was much lighter than before.
He did not mind.
The pills he had obtained in exchange for the goods seized during his Downhill Training would be more than enough for him to squander for quite some time.
Although their medicinal effects were inferior to those of the pills refined from spirit medicines nurtured by the Little Green Bottle, they made up for it with their quantity.
He returned to his courtyard.
Han Feng once again began his secluded cultivation, rarely leaving his residence.
He immersed his entire mind in comprehending the Evergreen Art. The immense medicinal power spread through his body, continuously transforming into spiritual energy and surging through his meridians.
The days passed one by one.
Seven days later.
Someone gently knocked on the tightly closed courtyard gate.
"Feng'er, may your master come in?"
It was his master, Wang Juechu.
Han Feng ended his cultivation, rose, and opened the door.
Wang Juechu walked slowly into the courtyard. After taking just one look, he could not help nodding repeatedly, his face filled with approval and satisfaction.
"Not bad, not bad! Your aura has become much more refined. It seems the Positive Yang Force's Seventh Layer is already stable."
In just a few short months, he had grown from a child without the slightest foundation into a First-rate Master!
Such speed was simply astonishing.
The more Wang Juechu looked at him, the more satisfied he became. He felt that accepting this disciple despite everyone's objections had been the wisest decision he had ever made.
"Feng'er, I've seen how diligently you've been cultivating, and I'm deeply gratified. However, the Martial Path also requires a balance between work and rest."
Wang Juechu changed the subject, a meaningful smile appearing on his face.
"You're not that young anymore. There are some matters you should start considering."
Han Feng's heart jolted, and he had a bad feeling.
Sure enough.
"I have a niece who just turned twelve this year. She's bright and lovely, well-read and sensible, with a gentle disposition."
Wang Juechu beamed. "I'll make the decision and arrange an engagement for the two of you!"
"When you turn sixteen and undergo your capping ceremony, the two of you can marry. How does that sound?"
A marriage between close relations!
He wanted to use the marriage alliance to bind Han Feng completely to the Seven Profound Sect and to the Wang family!
Han Feng's mind raced.
Take a wife?
A mortal woman, at that?
Absolutely not!
His goal was the immortal path and eternal life. How could he allow a mundane marriage to bind him?
"Master..."
A troubled expression appeared on Han Feng's face. "Disciple... Disciple is currently devoted entirely to the Martial Path, and I'm still young. For now... I don't want to consider matters of love."
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