Not long after, Elder Yan and the two Deacons returned, their faces grim. One look told the Wanchun Valley disciples everything: the Demonic Cultivator had slipped through their fingers.

“Is he still alive?”

Elder Yan glanced at Wang Hui, who had been laid flat on the ground by rescuers.

“There’s still a breath left. His internal organs are shattered, and his ribs and sternum are broken,” Shopkeeper Yang of the Hundred Herb Pavilion reported from the side. “I administered a Rejuvenation Pill, but whether he survives is up to fate.”

Yang was also a disciple of Wanchun Valley. Hearing that a fellow disciple was dying just outside the market, he had rushed over to assist.

Elder Yan frowned slightly. He stepped behind Wang Hui and extended his Foundation Establishment spiritual sense to scan the body. “It’s not hopeless.”

“Fetch another Rejuvenation Pill and two Blood Generating Pills. I will assist him.”

Shopkeeper Yang immediately produced two bottles and poured out three pills.

Elder Yan gestured for him to wait. He channeled his spiritual power, flushing out the congested blood and realigning the shattered bones within Wang Hui’s chest. Wang Hui convulsed, vomiting large mouthfuls of black blood. Only then did Elder Yan allow the three pills to be administered.

Moments later, Wang Hui’s eyes fluttered open, clarity slowly returning.

“Elder Yan… Hong Liang colluded with the traitorous Laborer Disciple Li Quan… they practice the Blood Refining demonic art—”

“I know. Focus on your Circulation Cycle and heal,” Elder Yan cut him off. “You have merit in this affair, though you were far too reckless.”

Wang Hui wheezed, his voice barely a whisper. “I only noticed Hong Liang’s odd behavior today at the Spirit Field Department. When he invited me for a drink… I didn’t know he planned to kill me immediately.”

“I thought I had time, so I sent a Laborer Disciple to deliver a message just in case. I figured once we were inside the Green Grain Market, he couldn’t escape.”

“I truly didn’t expect him to strike today, right outside the market gates…”

Elder Yan nodded slightly. Seeing Wang Hui had enough energy to speak, he asked, “Is Li Quan the old Laborer Disciple you used to bully?”

“Yes. He is now at the seventh layer of Blood Refining. He boasted that all Demon Blood Sect cultivators near Wanchun Valley obey his commands. He must have been formally inducted,” Wang Hui whispered.

“You brought this on yourself.”

Elder Yan shot him a look of displeasure. “Had he stayed on the orthodox path, Li Quan would have died of old age in obscurity. But you drove him to the demonic path, where his ruthless hatred granted him this ‘fortune’.”

“He likely hasn’t drunk a small amount of human Blood Essence to reach this stage…”

Elder Yan paused, then asked, “How exactly did you spot Hong Liang’s treachery?”

“Previously, two Laborer Disciples went missing from the Spirit Fields. Both turned out to be defectors or murder victims. I’ve been on high alert since,” Wang Hui reported weakly. “Today, Hong Liang took me to find Wei Kunyi’s younger brother, Wei Xiaoluo. He claimed the boy had information and benefits for me. I went without suspicion.”

“But Wei Xiaoluo wasn’t there, and no one knew where he was. When I tried to search for him, Hong Liang repeatedly blocked me and changed the subject. That’s when I suspected him.”

“At first, I thought his red eyes were just from overwork. But combined with his strange behavior, it felt wrong. So I hinted to the Laborer Disciple Han Yu…”

“That kid has a talent for spells. He’s sharp.”

Elder Yan listened carefully, but his expression darkened at the mention of the names. “Wei Kunyi’s younger brother? Wei Kunyi is the daughter of the Nanli Kingdom’s Prime Minister—the one you have that sordid affair with?”

“So, if not for your despicable lechery, you wouldn’t have been lured into this trap, and Li Quan wouldn’t be hunting you today?”

Wang Hui gave a guilty, dry laugh. “Probably… yes, Elder Yan.”

“You—you wretched scoundrel!”

Elder Yan raised a hand as if to slap the fat disciple into the afterlife, but restrained himself. “Your merit cancels your fault. Focus on recovering!”

With a cold snort, Elder Yan flicked his sleeve and departed. His entourage followed, boarding their Magical Artifacts to head for the Spirit Field Department.

The Deacons of the Green Grain Market, along with the Inner and Outer Disciples and Shopkeeper Yang, exchanged glances. They lifted Wang Hui and carried him back into the safety of the market.

A black vine staff and over a dozen flying Magical Artifacts descended one by one, landing at the Spirit Field Department.

Deacon Lu and another Deacon led Jin Qi, Ji Yida, Hua Qi, and other disciples forward to greet them. Among the Laborer Disciples, only Han Yu and his four guards were present.

Deacon Lu quickly reported the situation and his preliminary actions to Elder Yan. Han Yu, Ji Yida, and Hua Qi had been personally inspected and cleared. The other Laborer Disciples were under strict lockdown.

Elder Yan glanced at the corpse of the female spy, then looked at Han Yu. “Not bad. At your age, with only the second layer of Qi Refining, to have mastered spells to this degree… and to possess such decisiveness. You are a talent.”

He felt a pang of internal regret.

In peaceful times, a disciple like Han Yu could work his way into the Inner Sect and become an elite. But now, the sect had no time to nurture potential.

“Have you registered for the Laborer Disciple competition the day after tomorrow?” Elder Yan asked.

“Reporting to Elder Yan, this disciple has registered,” Han Yu replied.

“Since you’ve registered, given your combat ability, becoming an Outer Disciple through the competition is a certainty. Therefore, I cannot use an Exceptional Promotion Order as your reward.”

Elder Yan considered for a moment. “Is there anything you desire?”

Han Yu answered, “This disciple wishes to improve his cultivation quickly and learn more spells… But if that is difficult, I will accept whatever the Elder bestows.”

Elder Yan wasn’t surprised. “Such desires are common on the path of cultivation.”

“Very well. I will grant you ten Minor Merits, which you can use to exchange for spells at the Technique Pavilion. additionally, I will give you a bottle of Qi Gathering Pills.”

“These pills are typically for the mid-to-late stages of Qi Refining. Using them in the early stage is somewhat wasteful, but the effects will be potent. Take one every ten days. Do not be Reckless and overdose.”

Han Yu bowed deeply in thanks.

Elder Yan retrieved a bottle of Qi Gathering Pills from his Storage Bag and handed it over. Hua Qi and Ji Yida would handle the administrative record of the Minor Merits.

“Has Wei Xiaoluo been found?” Elder Yan asked.

“No,” Deacon Lu, Ji Yida, and Hua Qi all shook their heads.

“Are there any other suspicious Laborer Disciples—”

As Elder Yan spoke, his gaze swept across the field. Suddenly, his expression turned severe. He lashed out with his hand.

The black vine staff shot out like a colossal serpent, smashing through Li Tonghai’s stone hut a hundred zhang away.

A sharp, metallic clang rang out.

Li Tonghai, face flushed red, held a longsword horizontally to block the blow. The immense pressure of the staff forced him back, sliding out of the ruins of his hut and into the spirit fields, trampling stalks of Green Grain Spirit Rice into the mud.

Sensing Li Tonghai’s aura, Elder Yan’s voice turned icy. “A Qi Refining eighth layer cultivator sneaking in as a Laborer Disciple, spying in the shadows… The Spirit Sword Sect has always prided itself on being upright and honorable. Since when do you engage in such rat-like behavior?”

“Is your Sword Heart not ashamed?”

Li Tonghai struggled to hold his ground against the crushing weight of the staff. He roared back in anger, “Your Wanchun Valley colludes with remnants of the Demon Blood Sect! Shouldn’t you be the ones asking if your hearts are clear?!”