Han Yu methodically consolidated the incriminating contraband from the two looted Storage Bags into a single, secure pouch.

The collection was dangerous: Wei Xiaoluo’s Spirit Beast Sect Keepsake Token, the Beast Heart Psychic Pact manual, and the grisly inheritance of the Demonic Cultivator—the Blood Refining Art, Blood Droplet, Bloodlust Technique, Blood Mist Technique, and Blood Escape Technique.

He had already memorized the chants for the Blood Mist and Blood Escape techniques, but without a secluded training ground within Wanchun Valley, he had yet to master them.

Once the consolidation was complete, Han Yu purged the remaining trash items, erasing any loose ends, and turned back toward the Sect.

He didn’t bother stopping at the Spirit Field Department. Instead, he stepped onto his flying sword and streaked directly toward the main peak.

Outside Elder Lü’s courtyard, a servant informed him that his master was currently presiding over the Battle Hall.

Han Yu redirected his flight path. The Battle Hall was nearby, a repurposed complex that had once been the residence of a former Elder.

As he touched down at the entrance, a sharp-eyed disciple recognized him immediately. A smile broke across the man’s face as he shouted over his shoulder, “Junior Brother Han Yu is here!”

The shout drew a crowd. Over a dozen disciples poured out from the hall—some Inner Disciples in blue, others Outer Disciples in green.

“The instructor the Sect promised us has finally arrived!” one laughed.

“Greetings, Junior Brother Han!” others chorused.

Han Yu nodded politely, his expression neutral. “Is my Master, Elder Lü, within the Battle Hall?”

“Elder Lü is free today,” an Inner Disciple replied. “He’s inside giving pointers.”

“Many thanks,” Han Yu said, stepping past them with a brisk pace.

Sensing his urgency, the crowd parted, allowing him to enter without further pleasantries.

The front courtyard was empty, so Han Yu proceeded to a smaller side court. There, he found Elder Lü overseeing two disciples engaged in a spell duel, while a dozen others watched intently.

Elder Lü spotted him immediately, his face brightening. “Disciple! Have you come ready to assume your post as instructor?”

Han Yu stopped and cupped his hands in a formal salute. “Master. This disciple has an urgent matter to report.”

“Oh?” Elder Lü waved a hand, signaling the sparring disciples to continue on their own, and walked over. “What is it?”

Han Yu kept his voice low and steady. “Since I am to spar with my Senior Brothers, I felt it necessary to be fully prepared. I took a trip to the Green Grain Market to purchase supplies.”

He paused for a beat. “I did not expect to encounter a Demonic Cultivator on the road.”

Elder Lü’s expression darkened instantly. “You ran into a Demonic Cultivator?”

The conversation had not been quiet enough. The surrounding Battle Hall disciples, hearing the keyword, immediately crowded around, their eyes wide with morbid curiosity.

“Junior Brother Han, a Demonic Cultivator? Was he strong? What realm was he?”

Han Yu glanced at Elder Lü, waiting for permission to proceed.

Elder Lü took a breath, calming himself. Han Yu was standing here, unharmed; clearly, the worst-case scenario had been avoided.

“Since they are curious, tell them,” Elder Lü said. “You are here to teach them combat, after all. A real battle that occurred today is the perfect teaching material.”

Han Yu nodded. “Yes, Master.”

He turned slightly to address the group. “I encountered three enemies. Two were disciples of the Spirit Beast Sect. The third was a Demonic Cultivator practicing the Blood Refining Art.”

The disciples erupted into an uproar.

“Three?” Elder Lü interrupted, his composure slipping. “Disciple, wait. You faced two from the Spirit Beast Sect and a Demonic Cultivator?”

“Correct.”

“Then how did you escape?” Elder Lü asked the question that was on everyone’s mind. “What were their cultivation levels?”

“Master, I cannot say for certain what their cultivation levels were,” Han Yu replied calmly. “I only confirmed their identities by listening to their conversation…”

He paused, then added, “…and by searching their Storage Bags afterward.”

Elder Lü nodded sagely at the first part. “Prudent. Unless a fool broadcasts his aura, it is difficult to gauge the exact stage of someone within the same major realm without a direct probe…”

He froze. The words processed in his mind.

Searching their Storage Bags?

“Disciple,” Elder Lü stared at him. “Are you saying… you won?”

“Yes, Master. I won.”

Without fanfare, Han Yu produced three Storage Bags and a spirit beast pouch, handing them over.

“This is the first Spirit Beast Sect disciple’s bag,” Han Yu explained as Elder Lü took them. “It contains his token and the Beast Heart Psychic Pact manual.”

“This second bag belongs to the other sect disciple. The spirit beast pouch is his as well; it housed a golden-spotted leopard.”

“And this,” Han Yu pointed to the final bag, “belonged to the Demonic Cultivator. Inside, you will find Jade Slips for the Blood Refining Art.”

Elder Lü held the bloody trophies, looking somewhat numb. “You actually killed them all?”

The Battle Hall disciples were vibrating with excitement.

“Junior Brother Han really is the number one Outer Disciple!”

“He soloed three enemies! Three!”

“Tell us the details! How did you do it?”

Elder Lü raised a hand to silence the rabble. “Quiet! Although Han Yu is my disciple, this matter is grave. The death of three enemy cultivators must be verified. We cannot afford errors.”

He quickly grilled Han Yu on the time and location, then pointed to a nearby Inner Disciple. “Tian Ziyue, go to the Deacon’s Office. Find Deacon Liu Mo. Tell him to use the new communication artifact to contact Deacon Song Fang at the Green Grain Market. Have Song investigate the coordinates for battle traces immediately.”

“Understood!” Tian Ziyue bowed and sprinted off.

Elder Lü turned to Han Yu. “That was your Sixteenth Senior Brother, Tian Ziyue.”

Han Yu filed the name away.

Elder Lü returned his attention to the loot, sifting through the bags. “This is indeed the Blood Refining Art… and this is definitely a Spirit Beast Sect token… Hmm?”

He pulled out a folded green robe and a jade pendant from one of the bags. “Why is there a Wanchun Valley Outer Disciple uniform and token in here?”

“Those were in the bag when I found it,” Han Yu said. “I suspected the Spirit Beast Sect disciple might have forged them to infiltrate our sect as a spy.”

“Impossible,” Elder Lü dismissed the idea instantly. “Every Wanchun Valley jade pendant is soul-bound and registered at the Deacon’s stone tablet. Outsiders cannot forge them.”

Elder Lü’s voice trailed off, his face draining of color.

“Unless… he killed a Wanchun Valley disciple and took it.”

He shoved the pendant into the hands of another Inner Disciple. “Run to the Deacon’s Office. Verify this token’s authenticity. Find out which disciple it belongs to and check their status.”

The disciple ran.

The mood in the Battle Hall shifted instantly. The excitement of a victory story evaporated, replaced by a heavy, suffocating silence. This wasn’t just a story about Han Yu anymore; it was about the life of one of their own.

A quarter of an hour later, the group returned: Deacon Liu Mo, Tian Ziyue, and the disciple with the pendant.

They looked grim.

“Elder Lü,” Deacon Liu began, his voice solemn. “Deacon Song has verified the scene. There are unmistakable signs of a fierce battle, including the residual energy of a Foundation Establishment Talisman.”

“As for the pendant,” Deacon Liu held it up, “it belongs to an Outer Disciple named Chen Jingjing. She left for the Green Grain Market once and never returned. She has been listed as missing for over six months.”

He lowered his hand. “It appears she was murdered.”

Elder Lü’s face turned the color of ash. around him, the disciples of the Battle Hall stood in dead silence, the reality of the war finally piercing through their sheltered lives.

It was true. A fellow disciple had been hunted down and killed.