The Immortal Ascension Episode 2 Recap
> The Immortal Ascension Recap
Zhang Tie found it peculiar that despite living with Mo Juren for so long, they never knew he practiced martial arts. Han Li suggested everyone has secrets, just as they kept the Green Vial a secret from Mo Juren. Zhang Tie insisted Mo Juren treated Han Li like his own son, questioning Han Li's doubts, especially since Zhang Tie endured much pain training Mammoth Skin without complaint. Han Li pointed out Mo Juren had killed someone.
Zhang Tie justified it by explaining that Wu Yan was a member of the Wild Wolves Gang and a traitor to the Seven Mysteries Sect, therefore deserving of death. He also added that Mo Juren had done it to save Han Li. This only made Han Li question further why he was so important, but Zhang Tie emphasized Han Li's importance, reminding him that Mo Juren had taught him healing and reading, surely not to harm him.
Han Li then wondered if he had truly misunderstood Mo Juren. Noting Han Li's lack of progress in cultivation, which he attributed to inefficient herbs, Mo Juren decided to leave the mountain to find better ones. Han Li, concerned for Mo Juren’s health, offered to accompany him, but Mo Juren refused, instructing Zhang Tie to stay and supervise Han Li’s cultivation, warning of punishment if there was no progress upon his return.
For the next year or so, Mo Juren frequently left the valley for months at a time in search of herbs, and life returned to a deceptive calm. Four years later, Han Li discovered Li Feiyu collapsed by a stream. Observing Li Feiyu’s strange condition, Han Li used silver needles to temporarily seal his pressure points and inquired about any medications he had taken. Li Feiyu indicated a pill, which Han Li identified as the Bone Agony Pill.
He recognized it as a red, repugnant concoction made from Helan, Scorpion Flower, Blue Ant Eggs, and about thirty other rare herbs. Han Li explained that while the pill could unlock potential and enhance power, its major drawback was depleting one’s life force with severe side effects, causing excruciating pain and a wish for death. He urged Li Feiyu to stop taking it, estimating he had at most ten years left to live.
However, Li Feiyu insisted, and Han Li administered the pill. Li Feiyu then demanded a reason for Han Li to be spared. Han Li retorted that saving Li Feiyu’s life should be reason enough, admitting he had considered the risk of being silenced but was surprised by Li Feiyu’s quick turn. He swore secrecy, but Li Feiyu dismissed oaths as meaningless.
Han Li then revealed he was Mo Juren’s final disciple, an important fact because he studied medicine under Mo Juren and could alleviate Li Feiyu’s suffering, even if he couldn't save his life. With Li Feiyu’s blade still at his throat, Li Feiyu agreed to trust him, apologizing for his initial aggression and acknowledging the debt he owed Han Li for saving him and keeping his secret.
They agreed to meet at the same spot in three days, where Han Li would provide the medicine. Reflecting on the encounter, Han Li almost regretted his intervention and pondered Li Feiyu's comment about Mo Juren having many disciples, wondering why he had never seen any others. Upon Zhang Tie’s return from gathering wood, he informed Han Li that he had been sitting motionless for an entire day and night, making Zhang Tie think he was dead.
Han Li was surprised by the duration, attributing it to a dream-like trance during his cultivation, and wondered if it was related to the mantra he practiced. He then noticed Mo Juren seemed to have returned. Zhang Tie quickly called for Han Li, exclaiming that Mo Juren was dying. Han Li rushed to Mo Juren, who, disoriented, initially mistook Han Li for "Caihuai" but quickly recognized him.
Mo Juren gripped Han Li tightly, exclaiming that Han Li had ascended to the Third Tier of the Longevity Art. Han Li was surprised, describing his cultivation experience as a dream where a vortex on his stomach absorbed spiritual energy. Mo Juren confirmed it was not a dream but true meditation and inner eye, expressing immense joy and calling Han Li his "child" and "beloved disciple," declaring his hard work had paid off.
Zhang Tie retrieved a white vial from the herb cabinet as instructed by Mo Juren. Han Li felt an unsettling, greedy gaze from Mo Juren, as if he was viewing an object rather than a person. Han Li silently wondered if Mo Juren knew the Bone Agony Pill’s dangers, since even Li Feiyu understood them. After his breakthrough, Han Li met Li Feiyu as agreed, presenting a month’s supply of the Bone Agony Pill.
He explained he needed more time to gather the remaining herbs. Li Feiyu offered to pay, but Han Li declined money and his treasured blade, instead suggesting Li Feiyu owed him a favor, which Li Feiyu accepted, promising to assist Han Li with anything. Han Li then questioned why Li Feiyu took the pills, to which Li Feiyu explained he needed an "edge" to establish himself in the martial arts world.
He admitted that while he once didn't mind sacrificing longevity for immediate gains, he now had regrets but felt it was too late. Han Li pondered what Mo Juren might be striving for, if Li Feiyu sought the present. Later, Zhang Tie brought a pot for Mo Juren, who proposed a toast for the three of them.
Zhang Tie offered a heartfelt toast, expressing gratitude for Mo Juren teaching him Mammoth Skin and other skills, and for clearing his family’s debt, before becoming dizzy from the drink. Mo Juren told Han Li to take Zhang Tie back so he wouldn't have to coddle him. Han Li took Zhang Tie to bed, leaving a note instructing him to leave the mountain immediately and not return if Han Li wasn't back by morning.
Returning to Mo Juren, Han Li was asked to read Mo Juren’s pulse. Han Li found Mo Juren's pulse disorderly, with two energies disrupting his meridians, concluding that he was beyond cure and his days were numbered. Mo Juren acknowledged his own fragile health and decided to be honest with Han Li. He asked Han Li to guess his age, to which Han Li estimated sixty or seventy.
Mo Juren then revealed he was only thirty-seven after the new year, instructing Han Li to ask the third uncle of the Seven Mysteries Sect's outer disciple about "Wondrous Hands, Mo Juren of Lanzhou," confirming that he was indeed Mo Juren. Mo Juren then recounted his past: in his youth, he was an unparalleled healer, capable of curing any illness and removing any toxin.
However, he was harmed by despicable beings, and although his medical knowledge kept him alive, his body remained broken. He confessed that the Bone Agony Pills could only sustain him for another year, but he had found a cure: Han Li. He stated that only Han Li could save him now, implying it was time for Han Li to return the favor. Han Li asked if this was why Mo Juren had chosen him.
Mo Juren clarified that the mantra Han Li practiced had chosen him, as it required great fortune, which even Mo Juren himself lacked. He revealed he had tested dozens of children before Han Li, none of whom succeeded. Without Han Li, he would have accepted his demise, but now he would seize this second chance. He offered Han Li everything in the valley if Han Li cured him. Han Li, though surprised, was accused of regretting his apprenticeship.
Han Li asserted his loyalty and lack of betrayal but questioned why Mo Juren had never mentioned this before. Mo Juren then taught him his sixteen-character life motto: "Hide cleverness with clumsiness, do good with discretion, stay pure in this world of darkness, treat concession as a way to advance." He explained that if he had told Han Li everything upfront, Han Li wouldn't have remained loyal.
Han Li questioned what would happen if he failed to reach the Fourth Tier, reminding Mo Juren how difficult the mantra was to cultivate, stating that reaching Tier 4 in one year was "harder than being an immortal." Mo Juren cut him off, stating it wasn't a negotiation and ordered Han Li to continue cultivating, promising to find precious herbs, and reiterating the one-year deadline for Tier 4.
Han Li, reflecting on Mo Juren’s motto, burned the note he had left for Zhang Tie. He resolved to endure for another year, reach the Fourth Tier, cure Mo Juren, and then leave Shenshou Valley to open an apothecary, envisioning a comfortable life. Meanwhile, Mo Juren was speaking with a shadowy figure.
Mo Juren expressed his eagerness to proceed with his plans for Han Li immediately, but the shadowy figure warned against a premature forceful possession, asking if Mo Juren wished to become "formless" like them, and emphasizing that Mo Juren lacked time to find another disciple capable of cultivating the Longevity Art. Mo Juren insisted his body was failing, but the shadow, an Immortal disciple, refused to let Mo Juren, a mortal, die with him.
They agreed to wait a maximum of one year, after which Mo Juren would act regardless of Han Li's cultivation progress. Mo Juren then heard a noise. Han Li arrived, having realized Zhang Tie was missing. Han Li questioned Mo Juren about Zhang Tie's whereabouts. Mo Juren claimed Zhang Tie had asked for ten taels and left the mountain because he missed home. Han Li found this impossible, as Zhang Tie always informed him of his movements.
Mo Juren defended himself, claiming he wouldn't lie after confessing everything. Han Li insisted Zhang Tie wouldn't leave without a word and believed Mo Juren knew his whereabouts, threatening to leave and find Zhang Tie himself if Mo Juren didn't tell him. Mo Juren, acknowledging Han Li’s Third Tier abilities allowed him to sense his movements, then approached to take his pulse, offering to speak.
Mo Juren asked if Han Li missed home and recalled Han Li mentioning his younger sister from Qingniu Town. Han Li cut to the chase, stating Mo Juren simply needed to ask for help, as Han Li understood gratitude. He questioned why Mo Juren was resorting to coercion. Mo Juren acknowledged Han Li’s intelligence and prudence, but stated his "attachments" were their greatest weakness, admitting this was why he prevented Han Li from seeing Zhang Tie.
Mo Juren reiterated his offer: cure him, and Han Li would gain a life of riches. He then proposed a wager: who would die first—Mo Juren, Han Li, or the ones you hold dear? Han Li accepted the wager, agreeing to reach the Fourth Tier in a year to cure Mo Juren, on the condition that Mo Juren reveal Zhang Tie's location. Han Li also demanded more herbs, as Mo Juren's current supply was insufficient.
Mo Juren agreed to handle the herbs while Han Li focused on cultivation, but made him take another pill without explanation. Han Li simply stated he hoped Mo Juren remembered his promise next year. Han Li reflected that their master-disciple bond had ended that day, no longer what it was. Mo Juren then dropped all pretense, frequently leaving to gather herbs and returning visibly weaker each time.
Han Li wondered why things had turned out this way, feeling his previous carefree years were an illusion. He attempted to remove Mo Juren’s toxin but concluded only reaching Tier 4 would work, acknowledging its extreme difficulty. He vowed to find Zhang Tie. Han Li then noticed the Green Vial, which had been inactive, now contained liquid that had condensed from absorbed moonlight.
He wondered if it was safe to drink but quickly hid it when he saw Mo Juren’s bird observing him, pretending to cultivate. A rabbit drank from the diluted liquid and exploded. Han Li quickly discarded the remaining liquid, but the surrounding plants grew rapidly. Han Li realized the liquid was incredibly potent, making a common ginseng instantly age hundreds of years. He understood animals could not tolerate it, but it was perfect for maturing herbs.
Recognizing the limited supply of liquid, which required moonlight absorption, he decided to dilute it and use it in a secluded spot for mass cultivation and pill refining, using a wooden dummy to feign cultivation in the valley, seeing the liquid as his key to turning the tables. Han Li cultivated herbs to be several hundred years old, following pill recipes.
He decided to take both the Yellow Dragon Pill, which strengthened his power, and the Golden Marrow Pill, which boosted his meridian system. The combined, immense medicinal power nearly overwhelmed his meridians, forcing him to circulate his energy to break through. He reached the Fourth Tier of the Longevity Art, sensing the aura of all beings. He realized merely sensing them was not enough to contend with Mo Juren, concluding he needed to be stronger.
Han Li began refining poisons and researching hidden weapon techniques. He then met Li Feiyu, who expressed surprise at Han Li’s speed. Han Li asked Li Feiyu for a more subtle martial art, as Serpentine Art was too brutal for him. Li Feiyu asked if Han Li had offended someone and offered protection, but Han Li countered that no one could help him forever.
Han Li then asked if Li Feiyu’s master had taught him to use poison against enemies, acknowledging it as a valid strategy but emphasizing the need for more diverse means to defeat foes. Han Li specifically requested quick footwork, hidden weapon techniques, and moves that didn't rely on qi, mentioning "Misty Step." Li Feiyu realized Han Li wanted to learn his secret technique, warning him it took five years to even roughly master.
Han Li replied he didn't have much time but still wished to learn. Li Feiyu demonstrated some moves. Han Li concluded that he could no longer be naive; Mo Juren would not spare him even after being cured, so he needed sufficient self-defense capabilities.
