“Junior Brother Han, what brings you here?”

Hua Qi spotted Han Yu the moment he arrived at the Spirit Field Department’s steward office. He rose from his seat by the window to call out.

Inside the office, Hua Qi was accompanied by Ji Yida and the Inner Disciple, Senior Sister Li. At Hua Qi’s question, all eyes turned toward Han Yu.

Han Yu stated his purpose clearly. “Senior Brother Hua, yesterday I was awarded fifteen Minor Merits. Today, I visited the Technique Pavilion to exchange them for spells. Thanks to Deacon He’s consideration, I acquired three techniques: the Beast Taming Technique, the Sharp Gold Technique, and the Phantom Body Technique.”

He produced the Jade Slips. “I have brought them with me.”

Hua Qi looked puzzled. “Oh? That is excellent news. But since you have exchanged for them, you should return to cultivate. Why make a special trip to the steward’s office?”

Senior Sister Li interjected, offering an explanation. “Before the Exceptional Promotion Order, those three techniques—Beast Taming, Sharp Gold, and Phantom Body—would have cost forty Minor Merits in total. Even with the current discount, they are valued at twenty.”

She looked at Han Yu. “Deacon He has shown you significant favor, Junior Brother Han.”

“Your talent for spells was reported by Deacon Lu yesterday and mentioned by Elder Yan. Combined with your battle record of personally killing Ling Hui, you have become somewhat of a celebrity within the sect.”

Han Yu had sensed the shifting attitudes of the Deacons and disciples, but hearing Senior Sister Li emphasize it confirmed his suspicions.

So, I really am famous.

He mused inwardly. The disciples of Wanchun Valley are truly unskilled in combat. For a Laborer Disciple to kill an opponent in a duel is enough to startle so many people.

“Junior Brother Han,” Senior Sister Li continued, “are you telling us this to prove your techniques were obtained legitimately from the Technique Pavilion? To ensure that when you cultivate them later, we do not mistake you for a spy?”

Han Yu nodded. “Precisely, Senior Sister Li.”

“The Sharp Gold Technique and Phantom Body Technique are less concerning, but the Beast Taming Technique worries me. I do not want to be mistaken for an agent of the Spirit Beast Sect. Although the Technique Pavilion assured me I could cultivate it freely, I felt it prudent to inform you, Senior Brother and Senior Sister, in advance.”

“If you feel it is inappropriate, I will set this technique aside for now.”

Senior Sister Li gave him a look of approval. “Smart. Informing us beforehand saves everyone a great deal of trouble.”

“If you had remained silent and we later discovered you secretly raising a spirit beast, we would have had no choice but to detain you for interrogation.”

She paused, then asked, “Have you decided on a spirit beast to raise?”

“I have,” Han Yu replied. “It fulfills a small, long-held wish of mine.”

“When I first joined Wanchun Valley, I brought a crow with me. Deacon Fang, Senior Brother Jin Qi, and Steward Wang Hui all witnessed it. However, consumed by the demands of cultivation, I released it into the mountains to fend for itself.”

“I intend to find that crow and make it my bond beast.”

Senior Sister Li frowned slightly. “The ordinary crow you brought? Is it a spirit beast?”

“I do not know if it qualifies as a spirit beast, only that it is larger than its kin,” Han Yu answered honestly.

“If you are cultivating the Beast Taming Technique, a true spirit beast should be your priority,” she advised. “If it is merely a mundane bird that is slightly stronger than average, it is not worth wasting the technique slot.”

“Our sect’s Beast Taming Technique differs from that of the Spirit Beast Sect. It allows for the bonding and nurturing of only a single beast. Do not squander this precious opportunity, Junior Brother Han.”

Han Yu lowered his head respectfully but remained firm. “Senior Sister Li, I selected the Beast Taming Technique specifically for that crow. Were it not for that bird, I would not have chosen this path.”

Seeing his resolve, Senior Sister Li did not press further. “Since it is your wish, I will say no more.”

She fell silent for a moment, contemplating, before speaking again. “With Wang Hui and Hong Liang both meeting their ends, the Spirit Field Department is currently under my direct supervision.”

“After the Laborer Disciple Grand Competition tomorrow, once you ascend to become an Outer Disciple, you will have a choice. You may stay at the Main Peak, or you may petition the Deacons to return here and assist me in managing the Laborer Disciples.”

Han Yu was surprised. “I can choose to return to the Spirit Fields?”

“When the time comes, simply make the request and state that you have already discussed the matter with me,” Senior Sister Li said. “The Main Peak is chaotic right now. The influx of promoted disciples, combined with the lack of external missions, has made it noisy and crowded.”

“It has become so rowdy that half the Red-crowned Cranes have fled in annoyance, and even the spiritual plantains look withered and listless. It is truly not a place for quiet cultivation.”

Han Yu had no desire to live on the Main Peak, where he might run into Elders and live in constant anxiety. Returning to the Spirit Fields, especially with the matter of the crow settled with Senior Sister Li, was the ideal outcome.

“Senior Sister Li, if I successfully become an Outer Disciple, I will choose to return to the Spirit Field Department.”

A rare, faint smile touched Senior Sister Li’s cool features as she nodded. Beside her, Ji Yida and Hua Qi also smiled warmly. Barring any accidents, Han Yu would be their colleague tomorrow—an Outer Disciple of the Spirit Fields, far distinct from his current status as a laborer.

After concluding his business with them, Han Yu left feeling a profound sense of relief.

The issue of the crow was resolved, and his future residence was secured. After tomorrow, he could return to peaceful cultivation.

Even if Wanchun Valley could not hold out for long, fleeing from the Spirit Field Department would be far easier and freer than escaping from the Main Peak.

Speaking of the crisis…

Yesterday, Elder Yan had hurriedly departed, dragging Li Tonghai of the Spirit Sword Sect with him. The outcome was still unknown.

Is Ye Guxing of the Spirit Sword Sect really that terrifying?

Even the stern, stone-faced Elder Yan had lost his composure completely.

Back in his stone hut, Han Yu began his routine.

He first cultivated the Green Grain Qi Cultivation Method, refining the residual medicinal energy of the Qi Gathering Pill and pushing his Spirit Breath to its daily limit. Next, he completed a cycle of Blood Refining.

Once his foundation was secure, he spent time contemplating the Thousand Illusions Secret Art, gaining a slightly deeper understanding of its principles.

Finally, he turned his attention to the three new techniques: Beast Taming, Sharp Gold, and Phantom Body.

He spent an hour on the Sharp Gold Technique.

Despite being a beginner, the results were impressive. If applied to a weapon, the technique would drastically enhance its edge, allowing it to slice through iron like mud. Without a weapon, the Qi could form a standalone projectile. Even at this initial stage, it was no weaker than the Wind Blade Technique.

Given Han Yu’s metal-attribute Spirit Root, once he mastered it, a simple activation of Sharp Gold would likely far outstrip the Wind Blade in raw power.

It was indeed a tier above the standard elemental spells like Wind Blade or Flame Technique. No wonder it wasn’t on the five-merit list.

Next was the Beast Taming Technique.

Han Yu compared it with the Spirit Beast Sect’s Beast Heart Psychic Pact.

If one ignored the deep psychic bond of the Pact, the sect’s Beast Taming Technique was passable for establishing a basic connection. However, compared to the ability to tame multiple beasts and share their senses provided by the Beast Heart Psychic Pact, the Wanchun Valley version was vastly inferior.

Still, for now, the sect’s technique was sufficient. He could always cultivate the more complex art later if needed.

He spent another hour grasping the basics of Beast Taming. Since the crow was not present, he could not test it immediately.

Finally, he picked up the Phantom Body Technique.

As soon as he began to learn it, Han Yu was stunned.

The Thousand Illusions Secret Art and the Phantom Body Technique triggered a wondrous reaction.

The Thousand Illusions Secret Art contained inherent transformation methods—like the technique Tian Qing had used to create a decoy and escape death. Han Yu had only grasped the general concept of that high-level art, lacking time to study it deeply.

But the moment he applied the principles of Thousand Illusions to the simpler Phantom Body Technique, the result was explosive.

On his very first attempt, Han Yu manifested not one, but two phantom clones.

This was an ability completely absent from the standard Phantom Body Technique.

According to the Jade Slip from the Technique Pavilion, even a master of the Phantom Body Technique could only create a single clone to confuse the enemy. Proficiency merely improved the realism, making it harder to distinguish truth from falsehood.

Yet Han Yu, a complete novice, had produced two clones instantly.

Moreover, they were not blurry, indistinct silhouettes—they were detailed, sharp, and disturbingly real.