Deacon He led the way, stopping before a courtyard Han Yu recognized all too well.

This was the residence of Elder Lü, Senior Sister Li’s master.

After a servant announced their arrival, Deacon He gestured for Han Yu to follow him inside.

The courtyard was crowded. Twelve elderly cultivators with snow-white hair stood in formation—eight dressed in the grey-green robes of Outer Disciples, four in the azure of the Inner Sect. Despite their age, they stood with heads bowed, listening respectfully to the man before them.

Beside this group of veterans knelt a single child, no older than eight.

When Deacon He and Han Yu entered, Elder Lü was delivering his final instructions. His voice was grave, carrying the weight of a commander sending soldiers to their doom.

“Be it Demonic Cultivators, the Spirit Beast Sect, or the myriad monstrosities plaguing the land, remember this: the Sect does not require you to die in vain.”

Elder Lü paced before them, his hands clasped behind his back. “Your priorities are absolute. First, ensure intelligence is transmitted back to the Sect. Second, preserve your own lives. Only then—if the first two are secured—should you concern yourselves with slaying demons or quelling chaos.”

He gestured to the items in their hands.

“You have received resources for your cultivation and for your descendants. You hold the Sect’s Keepsake Tokens, Magical Artifacts, pills, and Talismans. The Spirit Wood Leaves for secure transmission are also in your possession.”

“Every single day, you must transmit a report at least once. Let the Sect see what you see, and hear what you hear.”

The twelve white-haired elders bowed deeply in unison. “We obey.”

Elder Lü then turned his gaze to the kneeling child. “Jiang Jing. The path you have chosen is fraught with peril. Yet, since you insist on returning to claim your throne, the Sect grants you this opportunity.”

“If you fall, and the Jiang Imperial Family’s line is severed, then it is simply the will of the Heavens.”

Elder Lü’s tone hardened. “But should you succeed and take the throne, remember Wanchun Valley’s warning. You are forbidden from practicing any cultivation method. Above all, you must never touch the Blood Refining Art. If you are discovered, the punishment will be severe.”

The child, the Fifth Prince of the fallen Jiang dynasty, pressed his forehead to the stone floor. “Jiang Jing understands. I thank the Elder for his grace.”

Elder Lü waved a hand, dismissing them. “Go. Pack your things and depart immediately.”

As the group filed out—a procession of the old and the very young walking toward a grim destiny—Deacon He stepped forward.

“Elder Lü,” he asked quietly, “regarding Jiang Jing… it seems the Sect provided him with no protective artifacts?”

“The Sect has already shown him Utmost Benevolence,” Elder Lü replied, watching the boy’s retreating back. “He sees this chaos as a rare opportunity to become Emperor and seek vengeance against the Wei family. We are merely going with the flow.”

The Elder paused, a shrewd glint in his eye. “To put it bluntly, the Spirit Beast Sect killed Wei Gang. In a way, they have already avenged the Jiang family. As for who ends up ruling the mortal kingdom and how those grudges settle… that is still an undecided matter.”

Deacon He nodded slowly. “I see. It is fate’s hand at work.”

“Now,” Elder Lü turned, his gaze landing on Han Yu. “Why have you sought me out? Does it concern this lad?”

“Yes, Elder,” Deacon He said, his voice taking on a note of excitement. “I have discovered that Han Yu possesses a truly exceptional talent for spellcasting. I witnessed him use the Vision Confusing Technique. It was no mere blur—it was as vivid as the advanced Shadow Creation Technique, and he sustained it for twenty full breaths.”

Elder Lü’s eyebrows shot up. Delight washed over his features. “Is this true?”

“If so, he is a natural-born spell master. Even with Four Spirit Roots, such intuition offers a bright future.”

The Elder looked at Han Yu with renewed interest. “Han Yu, demonstrate this for me. Cast the Vision Confusing Technique.”

“Yes, Elder.”

Han Yu didn’t hesitate. He circulated his Qi, weaving the spell with practiced ease. The air shimmered, and a perfect replica of Elder Lü materialized next to him.

The illusion stood solid and lifelike, mimicking the Elder’s posture down to the finest detail. It held its form for twenty breaths before slowly dissolving into motes of light.

Elder Lü walked through the fading particles, nodding repeatedly. “Excellent stability. Tell me, Han Yu, what do you feel when you practice these spells?”

Seeing the situation unfolding exactly as he had calculated, Han Yu adopted a humble, earnest expression.

“Reporting to Elder Lü… honestly, I simply feel that learning spells isn’t particularly difficult.”

He paused for effect. “The two secret techniques I exchanged from the Technique Pavilion—the Green Wood Protection Technique and the Spirit Nurturing Technique—I didn’t find them hard to master either.”

“Furthermore… when I practice the Vision Confusing Technique and the Phantom Body Technique, the results seem quite different from what is recorded in the Jade Slips.”

Both Elder Lü and Deacon He froze.

Different?

Deacon He’s eyes widened. “Wait. You’ve already mastered the Green Wood Protection Technique and the Spirit Nurturing Technique? You only exchanged for them a few months ago!”

Han Yu nodded calmly.

Elder Lü stepped closer, his jovial demeanor replaced by intense curiosity. “And the Phantom Body Technique? You said you achieved a different result? Show me! Show me everything—the shield, the phantom, all of it!”

Han Yu complied.

He triggered the Phantom Body Technique. According to the manual, this spell should create a single illusory double to confuse enemies.

Han Yu’s Qi surged, and two identical figures split from his body, flanking him perfectly.

Elder Lü and Deacon He leaned in, examining the clones with critical eyes. Their shock quickly turned to unbridled joy.

“Incredible,” Deacon He muttered. “This is practically the ‘Clone Shadow Transformation Technique’! No standard Qi Refining Phantom Body spell should be able to do this!”

Han Yu didn’t stop there. He channeled his Wood Qi. A verdant light erupted around him, solidifying into the thick, swirling barrier of the Green Wood Protection Technique.

Elder Lü reached out, pressing his hand against the barrier to test its density. He exchanged a look with Deacon He.

“He has mastered the defensive power completely,” Elder Lü declared. “Within the Qi Refining realm, this barrier is nearly unbreakable.”

“Han Yu,” the Elder sighed, looking at the young man as if he were a rare treasure. “To master such a complex defensive art at the third layer of Qi Refining… it defies logic. With this, you will undoubtedly shine during the Outer Disciple Grand Competition.”

“And the Spirit Nurturing Technique?” Elder Lü pressed. “You succeeded with that as well?”

“Yes,” Han Yu replied. “I raised a spirit crow from the early stage to the mid-stage of Qi Refining.”

“Good! Good! Excellent!”

Elder Lü clapped his hands, laughing heartily. He turned to Deacon He. “He Jin, you have brought me wonderful news today!”

His gaze snapped back to Han Yu. “Han Yu, tell me. Are you willing to take me as your Master right now?”

“Or,” he added, testing the waters, “would you prefer to wait until you become an Inner Disciple and let the Sect assign you a teacher then?”

Deacon He, who had been smiling, looked startled. He glanced at the Elder, then couldn’t help but mutter, “Elder Lü… since Han Yu is a confirmed genius, is there a need to rush? If we report this to the Sect Leader, surely a proper arrangement—”

“Hmph.” Elder Lü’s eyes narrowed, fixing Deacon He with a sharp stare. “He Jin. Are you implying I am incapable of teaching him?”

Deacon He shut his mouth instantly, realizing his misstep. However, he shot Han Yu a subtle, meaningful glance.

Han Yu caught the signal. Deacon He was looking out for him. The implication was clear: You are talented enough to potentially catch the eye of a Golden Core Elder or the Sect Leader himself. Don’t sell yourself short.

Elder Lü wanted to snap him up early to prevent other Elders from competing for a talented disciple.

However, Elder Lü, realizing his petty scheme had been silently exposed, coughed lightly to hide his embarrassment.

“Han Yu, the choice is yours,” Elder Lü said, smoothing his tone. “But consider this: The Sect Leader and Elder Yan are Golden Core cultivators. They rarely take disciples. Elder Wen and Elder Mu are currently in secluded cultivation, risking everything to break through to the Golden Core. They have no time for students.”

“Even if you wait for the Sect’s assignment, it will likely come down to me, Elder Bai, or Elder Mou.”

Han Yu weighed his options swiftly.

He didn’t need prestige; he needed protection now. And more importantly, he needed a master who would give him space.

“Elder Lü,” Han Yu asked politely, “If I take you as my Master, may I continue to cultivate at the Spirit Field Department? I have grown accustomed to living there.”

“That is easily granted,” Elder Lü said, clasping his hands behind his back and resuming his slow pacing. “Housing on the main peak is scarce. If you moved here, I’d have to kick someone else out, which is a hassle. Staying there suits me fine.”

“And…” Han Yu pressed on, “may I practice more spells? For instance, miscellaneous spells I purchased from the market…”

Elder Lü laughed. “Of course!”

“As long as you do not violate the laws of nature, do not harm yourself or others, and do not act against the interests of the Sect, you may practice whatever spells you wish! You need not even report them to me.”

Han Yu’s heart skipped a beat. This was it.

“Just to confirm,” Han Yu asked with deliberate seriousness, “as long as it doesn’t harm nature, myself, others, or the Sect… I can truly practice anything? Without reporting to you?”

Elder Lü thought for a moment, then nodded firmly. “Correct.”

“Han Yu, you have talent, and you have rendered meritorious service to the Sect. As your Master, my role is to facilitate your growth, not to stifle it. I will not bind your hands and feet and rob you of your natural ingenuity.”

Those words sealed the deal.

This was the escape route Han Yu had been hunting for.

With Elder Lü’s explicit permission, Han Yu could secretly practice the Blood Refining Art. If he were ever discovered, he could claim he was simply exploring miscellaneous spells under his Master’s broad authorization. It wouldn’t guarantee safety, but it would provide a layer of plausible deniability that could save his life.

Of course, the goal was never to be found out. But Han Yu always planned for the worst-case scenario.

Having secured the promise, Han Yu hesitated no longer.

He dropped to his knees and performed a solemn, formal bow.

“Disciple Han Yu pays respects to Master!”