Han Yu froze. “We have to be re-examined? Everything?”

“Of course,” Elder Lü replied matter-of-factly. “Every inch of your body must be inspected. You won’t even be allowed to bring a Storage Bag inside. If a spy were to sneak in carrying poison or filth, they could defile the Ancestral Tree and the Earth Vein. If the Guardian Formation fails, the damage would be far worse than a Golden Core enemy invasion.”

Han Yu’s mind raced, electricity sparking through his thoughts. He had never expected that being valued so highly would land him in such a desperate trap.

He was caught in a pincer.

If he refused the opportunity to cultivate at the Ancestral Tree, the Sect Leader and Elders would immediately know he was hiding something. Who in their right mind would turn down a chance for a free breakthrough?

Only a man with a guilty conscience.

But if he accepted…

The Blood Refining Technique was secondary. Even if he steeled his heart and crippled his own blood cultivation to erase the evidence, how would he explain his Spirit Roots? He had entered the sect with four. Now, he had three.

The Spirit Root Refining Art was a forbidden technique in Wanchun Valley.

What should have been a glorious reward had instantly become a lethal dilemma.

If he went, he exposed his illegal modifications and his demonic techniques. If he refused, his behavior would be so suspicious that an investigation would be inevitable.

Han Yu quickly weighed his options.

Wanchun Valley was a peaceful sect, not given to bloodlust or tyranny. The Sect Leader and the Elders had always treated him with favor, especially Elder Lü, who protected him like his own son. The precedent set by the Beast Heart Psychic Pact proved they were willing to overlook unorthodox methods if the disciple was loyal.

His talent was undeniable, and he had never harmed the sect or its members.

No matter how bad the revelation, the Sect would not execute him out of hand.

Han Yu took a deep breath. He had to gamble.

“Master,” he said quietly. “Your warning not to cultivate recklessly comes a bit too late. I have already learned some… other techniques.”

“The examination will be a problem. Not only will I be unable to enter the Earth Vein, I fear I may face severe punishment.”

Elder Lü stared at him, stunned. “You cultivated other techniques?”

Han Yu nodded.

Elder Lü’s expression turned grave. He placed a heavy hand on Han Yu’s shoulder. “What exactly have you learned? Speak.”

“The Yin Style Sword Art given by the Spirit Sword Sect’s Supreme Elder.”

Elder Lü’s shoulders relaxed slightly. “I know that. The Sect knows that. Is this what has you so worried?”

Han Yu shook his head. “There is more.”

“More?”

“Two years ago, before the ban was issued, Zhu San sold me two Jade Slips. One of them was the Spirit Root Refining Art.”

Elder Lü gasped. He immediately grabbed Han Yu’s wrist, sending a pulse of qi to probe his Dantian and meridians. “You practiced the Spirit Root Refining Art?”

He frowned. “Strange… I don’t see the signs.”

“Your body is undamaged. Did you try it, find it too difficult, and give up?” Elder Lü sighed in relief. “If that’s the case, neither I nor the Sect will blame you. Zhu San was a criminal who got what he deserved. You were merely a victim of his fraud.”

Han Yu looked him in the eye. “No, Master. I succeeded.”

“I refined one Spirit Root. I now have the aptitude of Three Spirit Roots.”

Elder Lü stumbled back, incredulous. “Impossible!”

“The Spirit Root Refining Art is a flawed theory cobbled together by a Golden Core cultivator! It destroys the body. It shortens the lifespan, ravages the organs, and cracks the foundation. No amount of resources can fix the damage it causes.”

“How could you possibly succeed?”

“I don’t know,” Han Yu whispered, feigning ignorance. “I just practiced it as written. It took over a year, but… it worked.”

“Show me,” Elder Lü demanded, his voice trembling. “Activate your Spirit Roots.”

Han Yu complied, channeling his qi.

Elder Lü’s spiritual sense swept over him. The result was undeniable: three colors—Metal, Wood, Water. The Green Wood root shone the brightest.

Elder Lü stood there, dumbfounded. “How?”

“I truly don’t know,” Han Yu insisted. “The manual warned of harsh conditions and severe damage, but I never felt them.”

He pushed the narrative further. “It was the same with the Green Wood Protection Technique. The manual said it required massive amounts of wood essence, yet I managed to master it slowly on my own.”

“Hisss…”

Elder Lü stared at his disciple as if seeing a monster. “Your talent… it isn’t just an affinity for spells. Could it be… ‘Universal Comprehension’?”

“Universal Comprehension?”

“It means you are favored by the Heavens,” Elder Lü whispered, excitement creeping into his voice. “Techniques that are impossible for others, arts that require terrible prices—in your hands, they become effortless.”

The Elder began to pace. “If you truly possess Universal Comprehension… then practicing the Spirit Root Refining Art is forgivable. It’s a miracle, not a crime.”

“But this is huge. I need to take you to Sect Leader Qi and Elder Yan for verification immediately.”

He stopped and frowned, his gaze locking onto Han Yu again. “Wait. Something still feels off.”

Elder Lü leaned in, his senses sharpening. “Your cultivation level… and your Blood Essence… Disciple, are you hiding something else?”

Han Yu nodded. “I also cultivated the Breath Concealment Technique and the Spirit Blood Technique.”

“My concealment is thorough. Unless Master actively disrupts my disguised aura, you cannot see my true level.”

“Ah,” Elder Lü nodded, enlightened. “Just like your Phantom Body Technique. Your concealment art is unique as well. Good. Very good.”

He paused. “And this Spirit Blood Technique?”

“It was the second scroll Zhu San sold me,” Han Yu lied smoothly. “It involves circulating Blood Essence daily to increase its volume. Eventually, one can expel this essence to attack enemies.”

Elder Lü stroked his beard. “I see. No wonder your vitality is so robust. It sounds similar to the arts of the Demon Blood Sect, but as long as you don’t harm others or practice the Blood Refining Technique, it is permissible.”

He looked at Han Yu with a mix of exasperation and pride. “Is that everything? No more secret arts?”

“No, Master. That is all.”

Elder Lü chuckled, shaking his head. “You look like the most obedient disciple, but you’re actually the wildest one! Secretly refining your Spirit Roots, practicing blood arts, hiding your cultivation… you’ve deceived everyone under the heavens.”

“If not for the mandatory inspection at the Earth Vein, the Sect would never have known you quietly upgraded your aptitude.”

He waved his hand. “Alright. Drop the concealment. Let me see your true cultivation.”

Han Yu dispelled the Breath Concealment Technique and the Thousand Illusions veil.

Elder Lü probed him again with his Foundation Establishment mana.

The smile vanished from his face.

“Qi Refining… fifth layer?”

His gaze drilled into Han Yu’s chest. “And what is that blood talisman in your Danzhong acupoint? Did you cultivate the Blood Refining Technique?”

Han Yu feigned total confusion. “No? I told you, I practiced the Spirit Blood Technique from Zhu San. I circulated my blood daily, and that talisman just… appeared.”

“As for my cultivation, after my Spirit Roots improved, my speed increased drastically. I was afraid to reveal I hit the fifth layer so quickly, so I hid it.”

Daily circulation resulted in a Blood Refining talisman?

Elder Lü stared at him, his face grave. He probed the bloody seal in Han Yu’s chest one more time.

“This is serious,” Elder Lü muttered.

“Come with me. We need to see the Sect Leader. Now.”