Two Inner Disciples departed for the market to report the Old Daoist’s crimes, while Deacon Lu rushed off to inform the Sect Leader.

Steward Wang remained kneeling on the ground, terrified to move a muscle. The other Outer Disciples stood guard, their expressions grim, watching the gathered Laborer Disciples like hawks.

The Laborer Disciples were silent as winter cicadas. Even Lu Yun—the eccentric, pants-less oddball—was huddled into a trembling ball, not daring to make a sound.

A full hour passed.

The two Inner Disciples were the first to return. After inquiring about Deacon Lu’s whereabouts, they waited quietly at the scene.

Not long after, a magnificent carriage adorned with fresh flowers flew in from the direction of the main sect, landing above the Spirit Field Department. A rich, floral fragrance instantly permeated the air. Inside sat a middle-aged woman with hair greying at the temples.

Close behind her, a pitch-black cane soared through the sky, carrying a middle-aged man with a fierce, hawk-like visage.

Both wore the jade-white robes of Elders. These were Foundation Establishment cultivators in the late stage—true powerhouses of Wanchun Valley.

Deacon Lu and several other Deacons arrived shortly after, trailed by a large group of Inner and Outer Disciples. A quick glance suggested there were dozens of them.

The two Elders and the Deacons hovered in mid-air, while the disciples below stowed their Magical Artifacts and descended.

“By order of the Sect Leader!” Deacon Lu announced, his voice booming.

The Inner, Outer, and Laborer Disciples bowed in unison to receive the order. Only Steward Wang remained kneeling, his head low.

The Deacons bowed slightly, awaiting the command. The two Elders simply listened, their expressions unreadable.

“The Spirit Field Department has been infiltrated first by treacherous agents of the Spirit Beast Sect, and now by a Demonic Cultivator of the Demon Blood Sect. Strict management is imperative. Wang Hui is to be handed over to the Deacon Hall. He is stripped of all merits and exiled to an external garrison for ten years. The Spirit Field Department will be managed by a new appointee chosen by the Deacon Hall.”

Steward Wang’s body went limp. He collapsed onto the dirt.

Ten years of external garrison duty. The outside world was unpredictable, dangerous, and lacked spiritual energy. Not only would his cultivation stagnate, but he would also face constant threats of battle and slaughter.

Would he ever return alive?

Deacon Lu continued, “All Laborer Disciples of the Spirit Field Department, form a line and step forward. You will be personally examined by Elder Yan of Law Enforcement and Elder Wen of Sect Guardianship!”

“All Inner and Outer Disciples, form groups of three under Deacon supervision. Search every stone hut and spirit field. Any illicit or treacherous items must be seized. However, the legitimate cultivation resources of Laborer Disciples are not to be touched without authorization!”

As the orders fell, the Laborer Disciples shuffled into two lines. Elder Yan and Elder Wen descended to the ground to begin their inspections.

Meanwhile, Deacons led teams of blue-robed Inner Disciples and green-robed Outer Disciples to sweep the residences and fields.

Deacon Lu called Liu Lan, Han Yu, and Sun Kang to the front of the line.

“Elder Yan, Elder Wen,” Deacon Lu said. “This female disciple was involved in the previous incident with Zhang Shan of the Spirit Beast Sect. And this time, she is connected to Li Quan… Please examine her first.”

Elder Wen, reclining on her flower-filled carriage, reached up to smooth her greying hair. The scent of blossoms was overwhelming.

“Is that so? Come here, little girl. Let me have a look.”

Tears welled in Liu Lan’s eyes as she cautiously approached.

Elder Wen placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled faintly. “I sense our sect’s Green Grain Qi Cultivation Method. No issues here. What do you say, Elder Yan?”

“If you say there is no problem, then there is no problem,” Elder Yan replied coldly. “Also, you are older than me. You should address me as Junior Brother Yan.”

Elder Wen glanced at him coolly, pursed her lips, and turned her attention to Han Yu and Sun Kang.

“These two as well?”

“They were not close to Li Quan, but they spoke with him within the last month. Li Quan was a recluse and had poor relationships with others,” Deacon Lu explained.

“Cultivating demonic arts makes one lonely,” Elder Wen remarked. “Covered in blood and reeking of gore all day—how could anyone hide that from a close friend?”

She beckoned Sun Kang forward and pressed a hand to his shoulder. “This one is fine, too.”

Then she motioned for Han Yu.

As her hand touched his shoulder, her eyebrows lifted in surprise. “Your Blood Essence is quite turbulent and vigorous. At such a young age, where did you acquire such abundant Qi and blood?”

Elder Yan frowned immediately, stepping closer. “Blood Refining Art?”

Deacon Lu started. Sun Kang and Liu Lan jumped in fright.

Han Yu’s breath hitched in his chest.

“No,” Elder Wen said. “Look at his hair, his eyes, his scent. The Qi and blood are his own, definitely not the result of the Blood Refining Art. It feels more like he consumed a highly nourishing spirit medicine.”

Elder Yan scrutinized Han Yu carefully, then nodded. “Correct. The cultivators of the Demon Blood Sect consume the blood of humans, demon beasts, and even ordinary animals as Blood Food. A single mouthful taints the body with the stench of gore. Their eyes turn red, their hair changes color. The deeper the cultivation, the fouler the stench.”

“This disciple’s vigorous blood comes from spirit medicine.”

He fixed his gaze on Han Yu. “What did you eat?”

Han Yu paused for a moment, then described the Spirit Blood Vine. “A section of vine, filled with bright red liquid. After I drank it, the vine shed its skin like a snake…”

Both Elder Wen and Elder Yan nodded in recognition.

“Correct. The Spirit Blood Vine boosts Qi and blood.”

“This one is fine. Next.”

Han Yu rejoined Sun Kang and Liu Lan. All three felt the profound relief of survivors. Even knowing they were innocent, facing two Foundation Establishment Elders was terrifying.

Not long after their examination, Elder Yan reached out and seized a Laborer Disciple by the arm.

“This one has practiced the Blood Refining Art. He has consumed Blood Food, though he has not yet reached the first layer of Blood Refining!”

Deacon Lu immediately stepped forward, searched the disciple thoroughly, and handed him over to the guards.

Elder Wen also found a spy. She frowned as she asked a disciple, “Have you cultivated the Spirit Beast Sect’s Beast Heart Psychic Pact?”

The Laborer Disciple shook his head hurriedly.

Elder Wen smiled faintly. “Lying to me? That’s not very obedient.”

A single flower flew from her carriage, striking the disciple’s chest. His upper garment shattered, revealing a tattoo of a roaring beast head.

Deacon Lu seized the disciple immediately, pressing him for the location of his spirit beast.

Han Yu and the others watched in shock. They hadn’t expected the peaceful Spirit Field Department to harbor even more spies, silently cultivating foreign arts right alongside them.

Elder Yan’s fierce face darkened. “Wanchun Valley has always been benevolent and averse to conflict. We only joined the crusade against the Demon Blood Sect because they used our disciples for cultivation.”

“Now, everyone treats us like pushovers! They view us as nothing!”

Elder Wen sighed. “Elder Yan, there is no need for such thoughts. Fighting and killing have never been our sect’s strength. Planting and alchemy are our true path.”

“Call me Junior Brother Yan,” Elder Yan reminded her.

Elder Wen’s face turned cold. “Then let us continue, Elder Yan.”

Elder Yan fell silent, giving up on the correction, and returned to inspecting the disciples.

One by one, the remaining Laborer Disciples were cleared. No other spies were found. The search of the residences also yielded nothing beyond the two captured agents.

When Lu Yun walked up for inspection, Elder Yan stared at him intently for a long moment.

“Have you consumed Fiery Sun Grass recently?” Elder Yan asked, perplexed. “Your cultivation has improved, but your desires seem… hard to restrain?”

Lu Yun looked confused. He shook his head. “I don’t think so.”

Elder Yan placed a hand over Lu Yun’s dantian to sense his energy. He frowned deeper. “You haven’t? Then this condition… it is strange.”

“Eh? Why are you not wearing pants?”

Someone in the crowd stifled a laugh and whispered an explanation of Lu Yun’s eccentric habits.

Hearing this, Elder Yan and Elder Wen did not scold him or get angry. Instead, they looked at Lu Yun with genuine surprise.

“This is indeed an unusual talent,” Elder Wen said. “When you enter the Outer Sect, come find me. I will help you examine this condition carefully.”

Deacon Lu and the disciples were stunned. No one expected the Elders to take an interest in the local pervert. The laughter died instantly.

Even the usually thick-skinned, shameless Lu Yun looked genuinely touched.