[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality":3,"chapter-a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-chapter-17":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","A Mortal's Journey to Immortality",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2334943,4565,"Chapter 17","a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-chapter-17",17,"\u003Cp>Between the two men, blade flashes and sword shadows danced as they twisted and dodged, their weapons whirling into two blinding spheres of cold light, clashing repeatedly, neither gaining the upper hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Li watched for a while but couldn’t make sense of anything; he only thought the fight was lively and entertaining, couldn’t tell which moves were skilled or clumsy, let alone judge who was superior—he was a complete outsider.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Han brother, I wonder which elder’s sect you train under? You’ve just emerged from seclusion, surely your cultivation has greatly improved?” Xiao Suanpan finally couldn’t hold back and respectfully inquired about Han Li’s master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Every inner disciple of the Seven Mysteries Sect typically undergoes two years of basic training in the Forging Hall before being sent to bow before an elder disciple to formally become their student and learn advanced martial arts; only after completing their training do they assume specific roles within the sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, this is the standard path for ordinary disciples; those who perform exceptionally in their entrance tests may bypass the two-year basic training entirely and enter the Seven Perfections Hall directly, where they may be taken as personal disciples by the sect masters and taught the sect’s ultimate techniques—truly leaping over the dragon’s gate to soar into the heavens.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among those undergoing the two-year basic training, if any show outstanding talent, they may catch the eye of elders, hall masters, or patrons, and be taken as direct disciples; though their prospects don’t match those of the sect masters’ personal students, they are still far more favored than ordinary disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Suanpan, hearing Han Li had just emerged from seclusion and having never seen him before, naturally assumed he was a disciple of some high-ranking figure within the sect, and thus asked respectfully, hoping to forge a connection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A few years ago, I was chosen by a patron and taken as a disciple. As for which patron, I can’t mention his venerable name.” Han Li understood his intentions perfectly but feigned a shy expression, deliberately letting a hint of pride slip into his words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really? Han brother, you’re so lucky! Your status in the sect will surely rise high, your future boundless—I hope one day you’ll take me under your wing.” Xiao Suanpan didn’t mind Han Li refusing to reveal his master’s name; no matter which patron it was, it was better than his own master, and his tone shifted instantly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Han brother, you’re clearly no pond-dwelling fish—your rise to glory is inevitable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This guy’s dark-skinned and looks stupid—how did a patron even take him as a disciple? I’m so sharp and clever, yet no big shot wants me?” Xiao Suanpan muttered inwardly, yet his expression grew even more respectful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Li heard his tone change completely—he’d gone from “Han brother” to “Han senior brother”—and found it amusing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Han Li held no contempt for him; he knew that fawning on the powerful was merely human instinct—who didn’t want a better life, to climb higher? Especially since the man’s name itself revealed him as someone shrewd and scheming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he’d be bitterly disappointed: Han Li’s claim, though true, was hollow—his status as a patron’s disciple was a sham; any ordinary disciple in the Seven Mysteries Sect could easily overpower him. He was mistaking a mere reed for a towering tree to lean on.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Han Li silently grimaced but listened to Xiao Suanpan’s flattery as if nothing were amiss, forced to nod and reply now and then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Han senior brother, with your martial prowess, if you stepped onto the field, you’d surely crush the swordsman into dust—you’d definitely…” Xiao Suanpan kept babbling compliments without pause, while also carefully observing Han Li’s every move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Huh! Strange—patron’s disciples should have deep internal energy and strong skills, yet why can’t I gauge his depth? His solar plexus isn’t even slightly swollen, his eyes don’t gleam with inner light—he looks utterly untrained in martial arts!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The match is decided,” Han Li said lightly, cutting through Xiao Suanpan’s thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Suanpan startled, snapping his gaze back to the arena.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, the swordsman had dropped his weapon, one arm spurting blood, the other pressed tightly against the wound, his face ashen—he clearly didn’t accept defeat. It was no surprise; both fighters were evenly matched, and the loser had simply fallen for a trick, losing by a hair’s breadth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xiao Suanpan’s face fell with regret, his mouth repeating “Too bad, too bad” over and over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s so regrettable?” Han Li hadn’t understood anything, but with such a ready commentator beside him, not asking would be a waste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If Wang Dapang’s side wins this match, they’ll have won three rounds, and the final one won’t even be needed—but they still didn’t win!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But it doesn’t matter—only one match remains. The one from Wang Dapang’s side is the strongest among our batch of disciples—his Thunderclap Blade Art is devastating, capable of shattering rocks and severing metal. Ha! To see Master Li’s signature blade technique, I’ve already gotten my money’s worth. No matter who Zhang Shopkeeper sends out, we’re certain to win!” Xiao Suanpan had been downcast moments ago, but now he was thrilled, brimming with confidence in Master Li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Already at the final match?” Han Li replied absently, wondering who this “Han senior brother” was—he didn’t recognize anyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a cold-eyed youth stepped forward from Wang Dapang’s side, holding a long blade radiating icy light. He walked slowly to the center of the arena, then said nothing, closing his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Li! Master Li! Master Li!…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the youth appear, the crowd erupted in excitement, all shouting his name in unison, each cry louder than the last, shaking the entire arena—no longer could one distinguish rich disciples from poor ones; only one unified roar of support for the youth remained.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Web\u003C\u002Fp>",970,"2026-06-20T21:12:45.940Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","32ba42ddb0e290e75f9a179b93ce633c96a145ffa690a6a4f0eee32918fedf55","a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-chapter-18","a-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-chapter-16",1000,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fa-mortal-s-journey-to-immortality-cover.jpg"]