The ensuing battle grew increasingly fierce.
Because Han Lang had to divide his attention to break through the Shen Nong Imperial Needle Technique, he had to withdraw his divine sense from one of the nine golden needles.
Fortunately, with his current strength, the base power of the nine golden needles was only about that of an ordinary cultivator at the Nascent Soul mid-stage.
Therefore, having Dan Nan replace the golden needle to fight Dr. Sim was just about right.
But the problem was, after Dan Nan joined the battle, he discovered that Dr. Sim was very different from before.
Even he found it a bit strenuous to cooperate with Han Lang's eight golden needles.
"Damn it. After fighting for so long, shouldn't Dr. Sim have been significantly weakened by us? How can he still possess such might? I really don't know how Han Lang endured it alone!"
Dan Nan thought to himself, glancing at the focused Han Lang.
Although his guess was correct.
Dr. Sim's strength had indeed declined after being worn down by the Seven Absolutes Nine Li Formation.
However, after successfully defeating Ma Long and the others, his morale was at its peak.
If Han Lang hadn't held him back with all his might, Dan Nan might have felt even more pressure.
But Han Lang currently had no energy to explain this to Dan Nan.
He was anxiously cultivating the fourth level of the Shen Nong Imperial Needle Technique.
The fourth level required controlling twelve golden needles.
This meant Han Lang had to train himself to divide his divine sense into twelve parts.
Although it was only three more parts, the difficulty had increased severalfold.
Of course, the power also grew with it.
However, what worried Han Lang the most was that in the past, using the Heavenly Derivation Law to deduce techniques took almost a full day.
But now it was different.
Because Dan Nan only had 7 Spirit Preservation Pills in total.
Judging by the consumption during the battle with Dr. Sim, these seven Spirit Preservation Pills could last for at most an hour.
Within that hour, Han Lang not only had to complete the division of his divine sense but also go all out to master the control of twelve golden needles.
This difficulty was not ordinary.
It was known that once Han Lang could control twelve golden needles simultaneously, his strength could even reach the Soul Transformation stage.
Even the fully powered Dr. Sim would be someone he could definitely contend with.
But if he failed to reach this level, then he, Dan Nan, and even Liu Xiaoxiao, Ma Long, and the others would become trapped prey for Dr. Sim.
At that time, they might truly only be able to fight to the death on the battlefield and die in a foreign land.
Thinking of this, Han Lang dared not be the slightest bit negligent.
Immediately, he controlled his divine sense, deducing the Heavenly Derivation Law within his sea of consciousness, and diligently practiced controlling the golden needles.
Rise!
No!
Rise again!
Still no!
...
After about half an hour of effort, Han Lang had made no progress in the fourth level of the Shen Nong Imperial Needle Technique.
Looking at Dan Nan, who was fully resisting Dr. Sim.
Then looking at Liu Xiaoxiao and the others, who were anxiously and attentively caring for Tang Qin.
Han Lang's heart grew more anxious.
He could only try again and again.
Suddenly,
He had an idea.
That's it!
I can first learn to split off a strand of divine sense.
Then, I can use this strand of divine sense to open up new Heavenly Derivation Law deductions!
Wouldn't this be twice as effective?
If that were possible, could I directly open up three strands of divine sense, plus the one I've already separated, making it four strands of divine sense?
Then, the deduction of the Heavenly Derivation Law could proceed at four times the speed.
This way, within half an hour, could I roughly master the fourth level of the Shen Nong Imperial Needle Technique?
Although I might not be able to achieve mastery, as long as I can basically grasp it, with the Shen Nong Imperial Needle Technique reaching the Immortal-tier technique, it should at least be enough to directly confront Dr. Sim head-on!
Thinking of this.
Han Lang was overjoyed.
He acted as soon as he thought of it.
He directly paused the control of twelve golden needles and focused all his efforts on the division of the tenth strand of divine sense.
This process was almost second nature to Han Lang.
Before long, a new strand of divine sense was separated.
Then, he controlled one strand to continue opening up new divine senses, while the other simultaneously performed the deduction of the Shen Nong Imperial Needle Technique.
Immediately after, the second strand of divine sense was opened up.
It was quickly put into the deduction of the Shen Nong Imperial Needle Technique.
Then, the third strand was completed.
A total of four strands of divine sense were tirelessly engaged in training the Shen Nong Imperial Needle Technique.
This was no longer just four times the deduction speed.
Because each strand of divine sense belonged to Han Lang himself.
Therefore, the gains from each strand were shared.
If one had to calculate it in terms of multiples.
Then this speed should be multiplied, not added!
"Come on! Time is running out!"
After three consecutive divisions, fine beads of sweat appeared on Han Lang's forehead.
But he dared not stop.
Because he knew that the time left for him was dwindling.
Rise!
Failure!
Rise again!
Fail again!
Han Lang became increasingly anxious.
On the other side, Dan Nan also became increasingly anxious.
He looked at the last two Spirit Preservation Pills in his hand, swallowed one without hesitation, and then shouted at Han Lang.
"Are you done yet! I can't hold on much longer!"
Han Lang remained oblivious.
Dan Nan had no choice but to continue fighting with all his might.
Soon, he popped the last Spirit Preservation Pill into his mouth.
But this time, he did not urge Han Lang.
Because he knew that at this point, urging him would probably have no effect.
If Han Lang had succeeded, he would have assisted him immediately.
But since he wasn't acting now, it meant he hadn't completed his breakthrough.
If he was in a critical moment, constantly urging him might even affect his state of mind.
So, Dan Nan could only grit his teeth.
"Damn it! I'll go all out!"
There were no more Spirit Preservation Pills.
Dan Nan had only one last burst of strength left.
He did not complain, despair, or give up.
Even if he couldn't change the outcome of failure, he would do his best to protect the new recruits around him!
Even if he had to die, he would die before everyone else!
Only then would he be at peace with himself!
Only then would he be worthy of Song He Guo's entrustment!
Only then could he live up to the efforts and sacrifices of so many border soldiers!
Time ticked by second by second.
Dan Nan's movements became increasingly sluggish due to the immense exhaustion.
Seeing this, Dr. Sim burst into laughter.
"Haha... What? Can't hold on anymore? It seems that in this war of attrition, I will be the victor! Hahaha..."
With that, he suddenly attacked with all his might towards Dan Nan.
At this moment, the weakened Dan Nan was his best breakthrough point.
Dan Nan, of course, would not surrender easily. He fought back with all his might against Dr. Sim's powerful moves.
But he was already at the end of his rope.
Basically, every time he barely defended against the previous move, Dr. Sim's next move was already upon him.
"Damn it!"
Dan Nan was filled with resentment.
Perhaps if he could hold on a little longer, Han Lang could complete his breakthrough.
But Han Lang seemed completely unaware of the perilous situation on the battlefield, still completely focused within his sea of consciousness.
He was repeatedly performing the same action with all his might.
"Rise! Rise!"
He was also extremely anxious.
Sweat dripped from his temples.
"Boom!"
With a loud bang, Dan Nan, who had no strength left, was struck in the chest by Dr. Sim's punch.
He spat out a mouthful of blood, and his body, like a kite with a broken string, slammed heavily onto the ground.
In the last moment of his flight, his gaze still fell on Han Lang, and he lamented with immense helplessness.
"I'm sorry, Han Lang! I've done my best!"