A Record of a Mortal’s Journey to Immortality (Chapter 1-Chapter 200)

“Hmph, isn’t Wu Yan just pulling strings and depending on his family’s connections? If it wasn’t for his older cousin being married to Vice Sect Leader Ma, how could he be selected as a core disciple with such meager skill? He already surpassed the age limit but he was still sent to the Seven Supreme Division,” the other senior said in a freezing tone that made chills run down people's spines.

“Zhang Jun, have you gone mad? How dare you gossip about the Sect Leader’s decisions? If this news were to be spread, both of us could suffer severe punishments and end up in dire straits!” After hearing Zhang Jun’s words, the senior with the long and thin face felt startled and rapidly checked his surroundings to make sure no one heard Zhang Jun's words. Only after ascertaining that there were no other disciples around did he heave a sigh of relief.

The senior with the cold countenance snorted as if he were harboring hatred in his heart, but after Wu Ming Rui’s warning, he stopped talking. Only then did Han Li understand that the senior with the cold countenance was Zhang Jun. Listening to their conversation, Han Li could roughly understand what they were talking about. Wu Yan entered the Seven Supreme Division, not because of his own skills, but because he had the backing of the Vice Sect Leader!

As they walked along the mountain path, the two seniors both thought of the sect’s internal affairs, which filled them with sadness. Lacking the mood to converse, they silently led the children forward. The rest of the children also dared not speak out of turn; perhaps they were thinking of the differences between the Seven Mysteries Sect and their hometowns.

Just as they were passing through a forested region, an old man emerged from the woods. He appeared to be over sixty years old, and was tall and thin with a yellow tinge to his skin and a head full of white hair. As he approached them, he coughed with every step, causing many of them to worry that he was suffering a great deal and could collapse at any moment.

The senior disciples, upon seeing this old man, did not show a trace of worry on their faces. Instead, they respectfully greeted the old man with a bow.

“Doctor Mo, this disciple greets you. Is there anything that you need this disciple to handle?” Zhang Jun, unlike his previously cold demeanor, now had an expression full of respect. To Zhang Jun, this old man in front of him was worthy of more respect than Division Head Yue and even the Sect Leader.

“Oh, is this the latest batch of disciples?” The old man continued coughing and asked with a hoarse voice.

“Yes, among the eight of them, six are official Inner Disciples and two are Unofficial Disciples,” responded Zhang Jun.

“Coincidentally, I’m currently in need of some manpower, specifically an alchemy apprentice and an herb gatherer. Let these two follow me instead.” Doctor Mo randomly raise his finger and pointed, just as luck would have it, towards Han Li and Zhang Tie, the two Unofficial Disciples.

“This disciple will obey your words. These two Unofficial Disciples actually caught eyes of the esteemed Doctor Mo, their karma must be exceptional… The two of you, why are you still standing there? Hurry and come to pay your respects to Doctor Mo. If you are able to learn a thing or two about the arts of healing from this esteemed elder, you will be extremely fortunate.” The two seniors had no traces of hesitation or objection on their faces. The senior with the long and thin face, Wu Ming Rui, flattered Doctor Mo in order to curry favor with him.

Han Li and Zhang Tie, upon seeing the two senior disciples’ sudden change of heart, naturally couldn't object. They could only accept in silence and follow the old man into the forest.

Doctor Mo led the two of them down a small path that meandered through the forest. The path turned left and right before suddenly stopping in front of an entrance leading to a luscious green valley.

On the left side of the valley was a large field used for farming medicinal herbs that emitted a fragrant smell into the air. Gazing at the field, Han Li spotted many herbs that he couldn't recognize. At the same time, on the right side of the valley were lines of houses of varying sizes. Han Li looked around, but apart from the gateway they entered through, there didn't seem to be any other exits in the valley.

“This valley is called God Hand Valley. Other disciples will not dare enter this valley unless they are sick or injured.” The old man stood in the middle of the line of houses and pointed to a smaller house. “For now, this will be your home. Rest and replenish your energy. When night falls, look for me in my house so I can inform you about some things.”

“The two of you can call me Old Mo.” The old man huffed and considered for a moment before saying:

“Doctor Mo is also acceptable.”

After speaking, Doctor Mo ignored the two of them and slowly walked towards a lavish looking house, coughing with each step.

Completely exhausted, Han Li did not bother to check with Zhang Tie before entering the smaller house and finding a bed to fall asleep on. He was satisfied, because, at this moment, he was halfway to becoming an Inner Disciple of the Seven Mysteries Sect.





Chapter 6: Nameless Oracular Chant


“Get up, hey, get up!”

A barely audible sound came from above Han Li, rousing him from his deep slumber. As soon as he opened his eyes, a huge face appeared in front of him. In shock, Han Li quickly scrambled backwards, and only then was he able to see that the owner of the face that had frightened him to death was the boy named Zhang Tie.

“Hurry up and eat this. After you’ve finished, we need to see Old Mo.” Zhang Tie said, passing a couple steaming white buns over to Han Li.

“Where did you find this food?” Han Li stared blankly for a moment before accepting the buns.

“At a big kitchen near the valley, I saw a ton of people eating there, so I also grabbed a portion. After I had finished, I realized that you hadn’t eaten yet, so I grabbed two buns for you.” Zhang Tie smiled sincerely at Han Li.

“Thank you very much, Brother Zhang.” Han Li was somewhat touched. Seeing that Zhang Tie looked quite a bit older than himself, he couldn’t help but blurt out the words “Brother Zhang.”

“N-no problem. I’m too used to labor. If I’m idle even for just a moment, I always feel a bit…. uncomfortable. If you ever need any help in the future, don’t hesitate to tell me. I have nothing else but strength.” Zhang Tie seemed to be somewhat embarrassed, as he began to stammer.

Han Li hadn’t eaten breakfast or lunch, and was somewhat starved. In just a few bites, he devoured one bun, and a few moments later, both of the large buns completely disappeared into his stomach.

“It’s getting late, we should go see Old Mo.” Han Li burped a few times and looked out the window towards the setting sun. After mentally calculating the time, he decided that it was probably about time to go see Doctor Mo.

Zhang Tie didn’t object, following Han Li to Doctor Mo’s house.

There were rows of bookshelves along all four walls of Doctor Mo’s residence. These shelves were densely packed with various books.

“Old Mo!”

“Old Mo!”

......

Doctor Mo’s back was tightly pressed against his chair as he was currently engrossed in reading the book in his hands. He didn’t seem to have noticed the arrival of the two, nor had he heard their greetings. The two of them were still children after all, so when they saw Doctor Mo ignore them, they were at a loss on what to do, unsure of what would be the best course of action. Thus, they could only stand to one side and wait.

Finally, by the time Han Li’s feet had begun to turn numb, Doctor Mo slowly placed his book down onto the table beside him. He coldly looked over at the two children and picked up his teacup to drink a few sips before slowly saying: