Chapter 33: Private Trade

Han Li grabbed the rope of the wooden bucket, tossed it into the pool, then pulled it back and lifted it.

A full bucket of spring water was pulled up.

Han Li lifted the bucket effortlessly above his head, exerted force with his wrist, and with a "splash," the entire bucket of clear water poured from his head down to his soles.

"So refreshing!"

"So comfortable!"

Han Li and another youth cried out in cool relief at the same time.

This was no wonder; it was the height of summer, the heat was unbearable, and with the two of them shirtless, having the icy mountain spring water poured over their heads was truly comfortable from head to toe.

"Hehe! Han Shidi, you really know how to find a good spot. Even such a hidden little pool, you managed to find it." The youth with the cold exterior suddenly spoke up.

"This is nothing. I've found quite a few places even harder to find than this, though unfortunately, none of them have water as refreshing as this." The other youth accepted the compliment without the slightest bit of modesty.

This youth was none other than Han Li, and the other was Li Feiyu, who had come to collect the medicine.

Ever since Li Feiyu first received the painkiller from Han Li and tried it out, he found it truly effective; the pain from the "Marrow-Extracting Pill" had lessened significantly.

From then on, Li Feiyu couldn't stop; every time he went without Han Li's medicinal powder, he could no longer endure the pain of the Marrow-Extracting Pill. As a result, the supply that was supposed to last a year was completely exhausted by Li Feiyu in just a few short months.

Tortured to the limit by the inhuman pain, Li Feiyu had no choice but to bite the bullet and take the initiative to find Han Li to ask for more medicine.

At that time, Han Li was looking to strengthen his own power. Upon learning that the other had entered the Seven Absolutes Hall for advanced training, he directly proposed a trade: to be taught the secret arts of the Seven Absolutes Hall.

Li Feiyu, who had only a few years left to live, agreed to this very readily and promised him everything.

To prevent outsiders from discovering their secret, Han Li found several very hidden locations throughout the ten-plus-mile-long Colorful Cloud Mountain Range to complete their trades.

Every so often, the two would secretly meet; Han Li would hand over the medicine, and in return, the other would be responsible for teaching him some of the Wu Gong learned from the Seven Absolutes Hall.

In this way, both were quite satisfied with the exchange, and this arrangement had continued for over half a year.

During these six months of contact, Li Feiyu and Han Li both found each other agreeable, and without realizing it, they had truly become close friends who could talk about anything.

Li Feiyu was very satisfied with the places Han Li found, especially this spot with the small pool. It was surrounded by cliffs and precipices, with a small basin in the middle. The only passage leading here was a hidden small cave; the cave was so narrow that one had to crawl through it, and the exit of the cave was incredibly located inside the hollow of an old locust tree growing right against the cliff wall.

Most importantly, on these sweltering days, there was such a cool little pool here.

After stretching their muscles, pouring a few buckets of cold water here was truly an incomparably comfortable thing.

After finishing the cold water, Han Li looked at the sun and said:

"The Wild Python Strength you taught me last time is too rigid and fierce; I don't think it suits me. Do you have any other cultivation techniques that are a bit more subtle and gentle?"

"Han Shidi, do you really think the Seven Absolutes Hall belongs to me alone? That I can learn whatever Wu Gong I want? I can only pick a small portion to learn myself. My cultivation technique leans toward the rigid and fierce, so naturally, I have to learn rigid and fierce secret arts." Li Feiyu rolled his eyes at Han Li and replied with annoyance.

"What kind of person is Li Shixiong? You are the leader among all our disciples; how can you be compared to ordinary Seven Absolutes Hall disciples?"

Han Li smiled sheepishly, feeling embarrassed. Seeing that the other was a bit angry, he quickly stepped forward and said a few flattering words.

"It's truly not easy to be flattered by our genius Han." Li Feiyu teased Han Li with a half-smile.

"What genius? Don't I get taken down by you in just a few moves every time?"

"Hmph! That's because I used my true qi to break skill with clumsiness; that's no real talent. If I didn't use true qi, I'm afraid I would be completely helpless against you within a hundred moves."

"Who doesn't use true qi in a martial arts duel? Li Shixiong is being too modest."

"Modest? I'm not being modest at all. You had never learned Wu Gong before, nor had you ever fought anyone. The only thing you've ever learned is that useless piece of trash heart cultivation method. To be able to understand the moves so thoroughly in such a short time—if you aren't a genius, then what are you? By the way, that mantra has absolutely no power; I don't know why you study it every day."

Han Li secretly gave a bitter smile, thinking:

"You think I want to study it? I'm currently riding a tiger and can't get off; I have no choice but to study it."

"Han Shidi, it's not that I'm nagging, but with the talent for martial arts you've shown over the past half year, hurry up and throw away that trash mantra. Study some real Kung Fu with me properly. I dare say that within two years, you will be able to stand out and make a name for yourself. Then, the two of us can dominate the Seven Mysteries Sect—wouldn't that be grand!" Li Feiyu advised him once again with earnest words.

Han Li felt a bit moved. Although the other had said this many times, making him feel a bit annoyed, he could still feel the sincerity in the other's heart.

Han Li shook his head slightly to indicate his refusal and changed the subject.

"In the Seven Absolutes Hall, is there no martial art that can defeat an enemy without using true qi?"

Seeing that Han Li had changed the subject and was unwilling to dwell on this old issue, Li Feiyu didn't force him further, knowing that the other, like himself, probably had some unspeakable secrets that were hard to talk about.

He lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then looked up and said:

"There really is such a strange sword art that can be used without true qi, but..."

"But what?" Upon hearing that there was a martial art suitable for him, Han Li was overjoyed and quickly pressed for an answer.

"But this sword art has been in the Seven Absolutes Hall for over a hundred years, and no one has ever successfully cultivated it. It is said that even the elder who created this sword art passed away without having mastered it. The name of this sword art is also strange; it's called the 'Blinking Sword Art.' Don't you think that name is weird?" Li Feiyu spoke of this sword art with constant amazement.

===== CHAPTER 34 =====