“There were originally around two to three thousand Laborer Disciples. A few hundred at the third layer of Qi Refining were promoted to the Outer Sect, and a few dozen fled when news of the sect’s crisis broke. Now, roughly two thousand remain.”

“Rogue Cultivators who recently joined as Laborer Disciples are barred from this competition.”

“We estimate over a thousand disciples will participate in the combat trials. We’ll have twenty arenas running simultaneously, so the fighting will last nearly a full day. Aside from combat, there will be selections for talent in artifact forging, alchemy, talisman making, and spirit herb cultivation…”

Han Yu listened intently as Hua Qi broke down the logistics of the upcoming Grand Competition. After digesting the numbers, he asked about the oversight committee.

“The Deacons will supervise the selection process,” Hua Qi explained. “Inner and Outer Disciples are tasked with maintaining order. The final results are reported to Elder Bai and Elder Yan, who then pass them up to the Sect Leader and the Supreme Elder.”

Han Yu’s eyes widened slightly. “Does that mean every single one of the two thousand disciples will be scrutinized layer by layer? From Deacon to Elder to Sect Leader? Surely one day isn’t enough for such a thorough vetting.”

Hua Qi burst out laughing. “You’re overthinking it! It’s not nearly that strict.”

“The registration process alone filters out ninety-nine percent of potential spies. Those allowed to compete are already considered trusted disciples.”

“Only the winners—the ones truly qualified for the Outer Sect—will catch the eye of the Deacons. The rest? They’ll just be sent back to farming. Even if they have ulterior motives, they’ll spend their days tilling soil for the sect. There’s no need to waste time screening them further.”

Han Yu felt a wave of relief wash over him.

The Sect Leader and Elders were swamped with the war effort. The promotion of Laborer Disciples was being delegated almost entirely to the Deacons. Once promoted, the new Outer Disciples would simply receive their jade tokens and robes at the Deacon’s Hall with minimal fanfare.

If that’s the case… trying for the Outer Sect isn’t impossible.

Staying here was risky. The Laborer district was a sieve for spies—even a Steward like Hong Liang had defected to the Spirit Beast Sect. Moving up might actually be safer.

“Senior Brother Hua,” Han Yu asked, mind made up. “I still have five Minor Merits saved up. Is there enough time for me to go to the Technique Pavilion and exchange them for a spell?”

Hua Qi frowned thoughtfully. “That… might be tricky.”

“I’m stuck here guarding the Spirit Field Department. Stewards Hong and Ji are both absent. I can’t leave my post to escort you to the main peak.”

“If you go alone, the main peak patrol will likely detain you for interrogation. You need a familiar face to vouch for you.” He paused. “Do you know anyone? Perhaps Senior Brother Jin from yesterday? Or those two new Outer Disciples? I can send a message asking them to escort you.”

Han Yu considered his options. Senior Brother Jin was kind, but they weren’t close enough to ask for such a favor. Sun Kang and Liu Lan were friends, but as fresh Outer Disciples without flying artifacts, they couldn’t ferry him back and forth.

Then, a name surfaced in his mind. Someone who still owed him an apology—and who happened to own a flying artifact.

“Outer Disciple Zhong Yue could do it,” Han Yu said.

Hua Qi blinked in surprise. “Zhong Yue? That scatterbrained girl?”

“A few days ago, she delivered that new disciple, Wei Xiaoluo. She dropped him off and vanished immediately without even handing him over to us. Wei Xiaoluo had to find Senior Brother Hong himself.”

Hua Qi chuckled, shaking his head. “You know her?”

“Yes. Asking her to ferry me to the Technique Pavilion should be fine.”

“Alright. I’m busy now, but when I return to the main peak this evening, I’ll pass the message. She should come for you tomorrow.”

“Thank you, Senior Brother Hua.”

Han Yu bowed in gratitude. Hua Qi was already going above and beyond by arranging this; Han Yu couldn’t possibly expect him to abandon his duties just to play chauffeur.

Han Yu returned to his spirit field. But before he could even reach his door, a head popped up from the neighboring field.

“Ah, Senior Brother Han! Did you register?” Tian Qing called out, his face beaming.

“Yes, I registered.”

“Wonderful! Simply wonderful!” Tian Qing clapped his hands together. “Since my wife and I joined the sect, you’ve been the kindest to us, Senior Brother Han. We’ve received so much care from you!”

His enthusiasm was almost manic. “Now that you’re about to become an Outer Disciple, we simply must celebrate!”

“Please, don’t refuse! I have wine and good dishes prepared, and I’ll steam a fresh pot of spirit rice. You must honor us with your presence at noon for an early celebration!”

He leaned in conspiratorially. “My wife and I also have a few heartfelt words we’d like to share with you.”

Han Yu was taken aback by the aggressive hospitality. He waved a hand in refusal. “That won’t be necessary. Let’s talk some other time.”

He didn’t need to be a genius to know they wanted something. A meal with these two would only drag him into a mess he didn’t need.

“Senior Brother Han, please! We’ll need your guidance in the future. You simply must come!” Tian Qing stepped forward, looking ready to drag him over physically.

“I said no need!” Han Yu’s face went cold. He turned and marched into his stone house, slamming the door.

There was no point in being polite. Refusal meant refusal.

The last person who asked Han Yu for “help” was Wei Xiaoluo, who was currently rotting in a storage bag. What kind of help did this couple want? The life-and-death kind?

Han Yu assumed his harsh rejection would end the matter.

He was wrong.

At noon, Tian Qing and Hui Ling appeared at his door, carrying trays of wine and food. They insisted they couldn’t rest until they had expressed their gratitude.

Seeing they had come to his doorstep, Han Yu decided to stop being polite.

He opened the door, took the trays of food and spirit rice, but pushed the wine back at them. “Fine. I accept your sentiment.”

“I don’t like eating with others. You can leave now.”

Tian Qing and Hui Ling froze, their smiles twitching. They exchanged a panicked glance.

This kid… is harder to crack than we thought.

“Senior Brother Han,” Hui Ling pleaded softly, “could you let us inside for just a moment? We really want to say a few words of heartfelt thanks.”

Han Yu shook his head. “No need to thank me. I haven’t done anything to deserve it. And there’s no need for secrecy. Whatever you have to say, you can say it right here.”

The couple gritted their teeth.

This brat wasn’t just difficult; he was a stubborn stone in a latrine—hard and smelly.

How could they talk here?

Sure, it was somewhat secluded, but discussing secrets on a doorstep was vastly different from the privacy of a room.

Hui Ling hesitated, glanced at her husband, then tested the waters. “Senior Brother Han… besides thanking you, we actually wanted to ask about the Technique Pavilion.”

“As far as we know, the sect requires ten Minor Merits to exchange for a technique, correct?”

Seeing that they had given up on entering his house, Han Yu relaxed slightly. Answering a few questions on the porch shouldn’t cause trouble.

“Ten Minor Merits will get you a decent spell. But with the Exceptional Promotion Order in effect, the price has dropped. You can get a standard technique for five Minor Merits now.”

Tian Qing and Hui Ling looked genuinely surprised.

“Really? It’s five now? Wasn’t it always ten?”

“How did we not know—oh, right, we’re just Rogue Cultivators who recently joined. We don’t have the same information networks as you original disciples…”

Tian Qing cut off his wife’s rambling and stepped closer, his voice lowering to a confidential tone. “Senior Brother Han, you have enough Minor Merits saved up, don’t you? You’re planning to get a new technique?”

“I wonder… do you have a specific one in mind?”

“My wife and I spent years trading in the Green Grain Market. We have quite a bit of experience with different spells. Perhaps we could help you… counsel your decision?”