Mortal: Starting with the Seven Mysterious Sects, I proved my Dao through sacrifice.

Reaching the third level of Qi Refining in less than two months was a feat that would put most inner disciples of cultivation sects to shame. Murong, however, was not complacent. Filled with awe and a thirst for knowledge about the cultivation world, he knew this was just the beginning.

After his and Li Feiyu's rampage, coupled with the Wild Wolf Gang's burning, killing, and looting, the Black Wind Mountain area was devoid of any decent resources. Merchant caravans had become increasingly secretive and cautious, offering little to no profit. Moreover, the ordinary resources available in the secular world were no longer sufficient to meet the needs of cultivation.

"Let's go to God's Hand Valley"—this thought suddenly flashed into my mind.

After bidding farewell to the sect leader Wang Juechu, Murong Fan walked straight towards Shenshou Valley as he left the study.

The mountain path wound its way through the grass and trees, glistening with dew. Murong Fan deliberately slowed his pace, his Changchun Gong circulating to suppress his aura to the first level of Qi Refining, neither overly flamboyant nor appearing to be deliberately concealing his abilities—in a mortal sect like the Seven Mysteries Sect, suddenly becoming an ordinary person without any cultivation would be quite conspicuous.

Along the way, he encountered several outer disciples who were practicing martial arts early in the morning. They all stopped and bowed, addressing him as "Senior Brother Murong." He nodded slightly, his demeanor composed.

The outline of Shenshou Valley was faintly visible in the morning mist. The century-old pine tree at the entrance of the valley was still green, but the disciples who used to gather herbs were nowhere to be seen under the tree.

A slight smile played on his lips, but he wasn't in a hurry to enter the valley. He first stopped by the stream to wash his face and straighten his clothes. Dealing with someone like Han Li couldn't be rushed. That kid seemed dull and taciturn, but in reality, he was meticulous and extremely shrewd. If anything seemed amiss, he would retreat into his shell, and it would be difficult to pry him open again.

"Senior Brother Murong?" A hesitant call came from the valley entrance.

Murong Fan looked up and saw Han Li standing about three zhang away, carrying a medicine basket on his back. His coarse cloth clothes were still covered with morning dew, indicating that he had just returned from gathering herbs in the back mountain. In the two months since he last saw him, the boy's aura had become much more composed, and he had grown taller. At first glance, he appeared even more mature and experienced.

"Junior Brother Han, how have you been?" Murong Fan smiled and cupped his hands in a very humble manner.

"Senior Brother Murong is a rare guest indeed. Doctor Mo is not here, so please convey any instructions you may have," Han Li said, remaining as low-key and cautious as ever.

"I've come here not for Elder Mo, but specifically for Junior Brother Han," Murong Fan said softly, patting Han Li on the shoulder.

"Oh, may I ask what business Senior Brother Murong has with me?" Han Li cupped his hands in greeting and asked in a low voice.

"I've long heard that Junior Brother Han has mastered Doctor Mo's true teachings and possesses exceptional medical skills, earning him the nickname 'Little Divine Doctor' within the sect. However, Doctor Mo, despite his vast abilities, has only imparted his medical skills to you, never teaching you a single martial arts move. You must understand that in the Seven Mysteries Sect, and even throughout the entire Jingzhou region, without martial arts prowess, it's difficult to find a foothold."

Murong Fan did not immediately state his purpose, but first probed. He knew that with the depletion of his resources at the third level of Qi Refining, he had almost exhausted them and needed to go out and find some decent offerings.

"Senior Brother Murong, you flatter me. I come from a humble background and have never had any great ambitions. Fortunately, I have been mentored by Doctor Mo and have received the care of the seniors and fellow disciples in the sect. I am now completely content and have never had any other thoughts." Han Li's serious expression also revealed a hint of hypocrisy and cunning.

"Damn it, he's at it again. This Han Li is really cunning. He's completely unyielding. Looks like I'll have to get straight to the point," Murong Fan thought to himself.

"Junior Brother Han, your medical skills are superb, and your talent is extraordinary. You are clearly destined for greatness and will surely leave this Divine Hand Valley in the future. With this peerless martial arts in your possession, you will be even more powerful. Let's make another deal today," Murong Fan said, looking at Han Li with a sincere expression.

"Oh!" Han Li uttered this word lightly, leaving Murong Fan quite puzzled.

"I, Murong Fan, have always had three principles in making deals: First, I never treat the other party unfairly; second, both parties must keep their mouths shut; and as for the third, it is naturally the word 'honesty'." Seeing that Han Li was still playing hard to get, Murong Fan simply became direct.

"Junior Brother Han, stop pretending to be profound. Senior Brother Murong treated us well during the last transaction. Now that he is the sect leader's closed-door disciple, he can naturally come and go freely in the Seven Mysteries Sect's Scripture Pavilion. The 'Wind and Thunder Saber Technique, Volume 2' and 'Seven Mysteries Internal Energy' that he gave me some time ago are indeed powerful. What he brought out to exchange with you is even more of a top-quality item."

Seeing the stalemate between Murong Fan and Han Li, which resembled a duel between masters, Li Feiyu could no longer bear to watch and spoke up hastily.

Seeing that Han Li remained silent, Li Feiyu glanced at Murong Fan, then at Han Li again. The three of them instantly reached a tacit understanding; it was truly a case of "a deal being struck" conveyed through their eyes.

"Junior Brother Han, the four manuals in the box, namely 'Seven Profound Inner Strength,' 'Blinking Sword Technique,' 'Luoyan Step,' and 'Sunset Sword Manual,' are indeed suitable for you to cultivate."

Murong Fan took out a sandalwood box from his bosom, gently lifted the lid, and four yellowed silk scrolls lay quietly on a velvet background. Each scroll had the unique cloud-patterned sealing wax of the Seven Mysteries Sect printed on its edge, clearly genuine copies taken from the depths of the Sutra Repository.

"The Seven Profound Inner Strength is the sect's most treasured internal skill. When mastered, it generates protective qi, making it difficult for ordinary swords and spears to harm the body. The Blink Sword Technique consists of thirteen moves, taking the meaning of 'killing in the blink of an eye,' and is designed to attack the enemy's weak points. The Luo Yan Step is a unique movement technique, which is as elusive as smoke and mist when used. As for the Sunset Sword Technique—" He paused, his gaze meaningful, "it is said to have been inspired by the sect's founder observing the afterglow of the setting sun. The sword's momentum is like the setting sun falling in the west, never to return."

"These Seven Profound Inner Strength Manual and Sunset Sword Technique have always been the sect leader's most prized treasures. If the sect leader is still alive, they should never be shown to others lightly unless it is a matter of life and death." Murong Fan closed the sandalwood box and tapped the surface of the box lightly with his fingertips, producing a dull sound.

Han Li's pupils contracted slightly. Any one of these four martial arts techniques could cause a bloodbath in the martial world, yet Murong Fan had produced all four at once. He subconsciously took a half step back, his back against the rough tree trunk: "Senior Brother Murong, this gift... is too much."

"When you give a gift, you must have something in mind." Murong Fan closed the box, his tone as calm as still water: "Junior Brother Han is a smart man, he should understand that there is no such thing as a free lunch. What I want may be precious to others, but to you—" He deliberately dragged out the last syllable, "it may just be a small favor."

Han Li lowered his eyes, his fingers unconsciously stroking the edge of the medicine basket, the transaction from two months ago still vivid in his mind.

"Senior Brother Han, do you want some pills?" Han Li suddenly asked, his voice extremely low.

Murong Fan smiled. It's so much easier to talk to smart people. Han Li's probing seemed abrupt, but he was actually confirming the bottom line of the deal—whether Han Li had what he wanted, how much he wanted, and whether he was willing to give it up.

"I have quite a few Yellow Dragon Pills, Nourishing Essence Pills, and Golden Marrow Pills here. As for higher-grade pills, we'll have to find rare medicinal herbs to refine them," Han Li said in a low voice.

"Senior Brother Murong, all the pills you requested are here. Please come back for more if you need them," Han Li said, turning around and handing the package of pills to Murong Fan.

Upon hearing the words "come back for more," Murong Fan couldn't help but smile knowingly, and then said, "I look forward to the next transaction. I will keep an eye on the precious medicinal herb you mentioned."

Murong Fan then said, "Elder Mo is always elusive, mysterious, and unfathomable. Junior Brother Han also needs to..." He swallowed the words back.

Han Li's body trembled violently. He had secretly pondered this question countless times. Doctor Mo seemed to treat him kindly, but in reality, he was always wary of him, and the feeling of being used as a tool was like a fishbone stuck in his throat. Murong Fan's words struck at the very core of his suspicions.

Holding the pills in his hands, Murong Fan walked happily towards Sunset Peak. The setting sun cast a long shadow of him. He did not return directly to his residence, but stopped at a secluded cliff halfway up the mountain to examine the newly acquired pills one by one.

The three bottles of pills were all carefully sealed with wax, clearly indicating that Han Li had personally refined them. Murong Fan uncorked one of the bottles, and a rich medicinal fragrance wafted out, even purer than the one he had obtained last time—it seemed that Han Li's alchemy skills had improved again in the past two months.

"I underestimated him," Murong Fan muttered to himself.

He carefully put the pills away and gazed at the distant, layered mountains in the twilight. His Qi Refining Level 3 spiritual sense was already capable of detecting subtle movements that ordinary martial artists couldn't perceive. Below the cliff, a mountain rat was dragging wild fruit into a crevice; thirty paces to his left, in the bushes, an owl quietly folded its wings.

This sense of control was intoxicating, yet it also made him more sober—resources were the foundation of the path to immortality. The pills Han Li possessed could alleviate his immediate crisis, but they were not a long-term solution. That young man seemed generous today, but in reality, every word he spoke left room for maneuver; the phrase "rare medicinal herbs" was a foreshadowing, paving the way for a future transaction.

"Each takes what they need, each with their own ulterior motives." Murong Fan chuckled lightly, not taking it to heart.

P.S.: My new book is currently being tested, so please read it, add it to your favorites, and vote for it. Thank you so much for your support!