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An ordinary mountain village youth, by chance enters a minor Jianghu sect as a provisional disciple. How does he establish himself within the sect's hierarchy? How does one with mediocre spiritual roots ascend the celestial ladder of immortal cultivation, ultimately reigning supreme across Heaven, Earth, and the Mortal Realm?

Start with a mortal

As Han Li walked away from the cliff, the distant shouts of the quarreling disciples faded. The thought of Jin Dongbao's dumbfounded expression made him stifle a laugh. His mood lightened, the suffocating gloom of the valley now gone.

He wandered deeper into the wilderness until a narrow stream appeared. Under the scorching sun, he knelt to dip his hands into the cool water—only to freeze at the sound of agonized moans upstream.

Following the noise, Han Li found an inner disciple facedown by the stream, limbs trembling violently.

The disciple was in critical condition. Without hesitation, Han Li pulled out a sandalwood box filled with silver needles. Swiftly, he inserted them into the man's back acupoints, then flipped him over.

His breath caught. The dying man was **Senior Brother Li**, the same martial prodigy who had dominated the cliffside duel earlier. Now, Li's face contorted in pain, foam dribbling from his lips.

Han Li steadied himself and began another round of acupuncture. Sweat dripped from his brow as he finished the final needle.

Li regained consciousness, his body bristling with needles. "Who…?" he rasped weakly.

"I'm from Divine Hands Valley. Don't speak—save your strength. Your illness is beyond my skill. Only Physician Mo could cure it, but he's not here," Han Li said, checking Li's pulse.

"M-medicine…" Li struggled to lift his arm.

Searching Li's robes, Han Li found a jade vial. Inside lay a pink pill reeking of rot.

"Is this the medicine?" Han Li's voice turned icy.

"The **Marrow-Extracting Pill**," Han Li recited coldly. "Brewed from 23 rare ingredients like Orchid Lily and Scorpiontail Blossom. Enhances power by draining life force. Users become addicted, enduring excruciating withdrawal. Even with regular doses, death follows within a decade. Am I wrong?"

Li paled, panic flashing in his eyes.

"Don't lie. This *is* the Marrow-Extracting Pill." Han Li paused, studying Li's despair. "You're shocked I recognize it? Because I've taken it too."

"I split one pill into ten doses, using them as catalysts for other medicines. No side effects. But you…" Han Li's gaze softened with pity. "You've swallowed these for years. How many do you have left?"

Li closed his eyes, chest heaving.

"If you stop now, Physician Mo might brew a remedy to extend your life by decades—though your martial arts will vanish. If you keep taking these, you'll die in five years… but your strength will soar. The choice is yours."

Han Li held out the vial. "Eat it or throw it away?"

Chapter 19: Marrow-Extracting Pill