Chapter 9, Elephant Armor Technique

After Han Li was injured, Doctor Mo's reaction was even more anxious than Han Li's own. Throughout the entire treatment process, he was restless and unable to sit still. Only after seeing that Han Li's condition had finally improved did he let out a significant sigh of relief

Although Doctor Mo fully informed Zhang Tie of the advantages and disadvantages of this skill, Zhang Tie did not have a personal experience of its harmful effects and did not take it seriously. He was merely envious of the formidable nature of the "Elephant Armor Skill" and unhesitatingly agreed to practice this skill. Moreover, this martial art seemed particularly suitable for him, as within a short span of two months, Zhang Tie had mastered it to the peak of the first level.

After officially becoming Dr. Mo's disciple, Dr. Mo still instructed Han Li to practice only this unnamed formula, showing no intention of imparting any other skills. Perhaps to comfort him, Dr. Mo was completely open in teaching him medical skills, guiding him step by step. For any questions he had regarding medical techniques, Dr. Mo made sure to answer them all satisfactorily and even allowed him to freely browse through all the medical books in his room.

Looking back at the stone house where he practiced, Han Li couldn't help but chuckle at himself. And the books.

Han Li slowly uncrossed his legs, rubbing his calves with his hands. Prolonged meditation and practice had caused his legs to feel somewhat numb, and the circulation in his blood vessels was not very smooth.

After rubbing a few more times, Han Li felt that the sensation in his legs had completely returned. Only then did he stand up from the mat, habitually patting off the dust that had settled on him, and pushed open the stone chamber door to walk out.

This martial art is so extraordinary that its power becomes truly astonishing at higher levels. It is said that those who practice it to the ninth level are as if clad in precious armor, impervious to blades and firearms, and resistant to water and fire. Not to mention the force of palm or fist strikes, even precious swords and blades find it difficult to inflict serious injury upon them

Doctor Mo's behavior far exceeded the usual affection expected between a master and disciple, leaving Han Li with an inexplicable sense of unease. If it weren't for the fact that aside from his third uncle, no one from the Han family had ever left their impoverished mountain valley, Han Li might have almost thought that Doctor Mo was some distant relative of his family.

Those who know this skill can be said to both fear and love it. Apart from the master who created this skill, no one else can practice it to the ninth level. It is said that this master was born without the sensation of pain, which enabled him to develop such an extraordinary martial art and to bring it to its ultimate form

After Han Li stepped out of the stone chamber, he stretched lazily and then slowly walked towards his residence. After becoming an official disciple, Han Li and Zhang Tie had moved out of their original quarters, and both now had their own private rooms.

Once this stone chamber was completed, it was designated by Doctor Mo for Han Li's exclusive use. This decision took Han Li by surprise; Doctor Mo was exceedingly kind to his disciple. Since the day he officially became his student, Doctor Mo had administered several different medicines to him daily, and prepared herbal concoctions from unknown herbs for him to soak in. Although he did not recognize the names or functions of these medicines, he could see that whenever he used them, a rare expression of reluctance would appear on Doctor Mo's usually impassive face. This allowed him to grasp the preciousness of these medicines.

Recently, Zhang Tie, in order to break through the first layer of "Xiangjia Gong," has been practicing under the waterfall at Chishui Peak every afternoon, enduring the immense impact of the water falling from above, following the advice of Doctor Mo.

According to Zhang Tie himself, this method is quite effective; there is only a thin layer of paper separating him from the second level, and with a little more effort, he will break through the bottleneck

During the past six months, he and Zhang Tie, due to their compatible temperaments and similar backgrounds, naturally became close friends who shared everything with each other

Unlike the ordinary martial arts that are commonly circulated in the present world, the typical training process for martial arts progresses from easy to difficult, with the higher levels becoming increasingly challenging, requiring exponentially more effort. This particular martial art is divided into nine levels. The first three levels are relatively easy to practice, with a difficulty comparable to that of ordinary martial arts. However, starting from the fourth level, the training suddenly becomes arduous, accompanied by unimaginable pain and torment. Many practitioners of this art are unable to endure such inhuman suffering and thus cease their training, resulting in a stagnation of their progress. Furthermore, the training for the fifth and sixth levels entails suffering that is several times greater than that experienced in the earlier stages.

Such a practice chamber is not casually accessible even to the core disciples of the Seven Absolute Hall, except for those with a certain status such as the sect leader, elders, and hall masters of the Seven Mysterious Gate. This stone chamber is specifically constructed for individuals who practice profound internal martial arts, designed to prevent interference from external factors during their training and to avoid the risk of deviating into madness. It is unclear what method Doctor Mo employed to persuade several elders to agree to the creation of this stone chamber on the cliff within the Divine Hand Valley, a space that ordinary disciples cannot enjoy.

As Han Li casually glanced at Zhang Tie's room, he found, as expected, that Zhang Tie was not inside. It was likely that he had gone to practice at the waterfall beneath Chishui Peak again

It was only during the challenge that a few meridians nearly ruptured, resulting in some minor internal injuries. Fortunately, thanks to Doctor Mo's exceptional medical skills, the damaged meridians were not too severe, and with the willingness to use good medicine, no lasting effects were left behind

As for Zhang Tie, Doctor Mo imparted to him another set of very practical skills, in accordance with what he had previously stated.

This room is entirely carved out of solid granite rock, and the door is made from a single large piece of blue stone. Ordinary people attempting to force their way in from the outside would need to wield a giant axe for a considerable time to achieve their goal.

What is even more astonishing is that after practicing this skill, ordinary individuals will gradually acquire the strength of a giant elephant. At higher levels, they will possess immense power, capable of capturing ferocious wolves and tearing apart tigers and leopards, demonstrating extraordinary prowess

It is evident that these external forces are still having a significant effect, as Han Li's cultivation speed has noticeably increased. Recently, he finally succeeded in breaking through and has mastered the first layer of this unnamed technique.

These factors deter those who wish to cultivate this skill, and they are also the primary reasons for the near extinction of this practice today

However, once this skill breaks through the sixth level and reaches the seventh level, the path ahead will be smooth and unobstructed. It is only that there are a few days each month when one must endure the excruciating pain of life and death.

Han Li recalled this moment, and a faint smile of understanding appeared on his face

The martial arts practiced by Zhang Tie are quite unique. According to Doctor Mo, it is a rare form of martial arts known as "Elephant Armor Skill." He claims that this skill is seldom seen in the martial world, and many people have not even heard of it, let alone practiced it.