A crow swooped down from a branch, snatching the demonic cultivator’s Storage Bag in its beak.

Simultaneously, two Wind Blades sliced through the air, cutting the corpse open once more.

Han Yu emerged from the soil beneath the shrubs only after confirming the Storage Bag was secure and the enemy was truly dead. He cast a Flame Technique, engulfing the body in fire.

As the flames roared, a sharp, agonized scream pierced the air.

Han Yu’s brow twitched. These demonic cultivators had formidable life-preserving methods. If he hadn’t burned the body, the man might have revived himself using a hidden reserve of essence blood.

After incinerating the corpse to ash, Han Yu had the crows pass the Storage Bag amongst themselves, double-checking for traps before finally taking possession of it.

Inside, he found two dark-red Jade Slips containing the Blood Refining Art and four techniques: Blood Droplet, Bloodlust Technique, Blood Mist Technique, and Blood Escape Technique. The latter two were activated by burning one’s own blood essence. While somewhat gruesome, they weren’t inherently evil. Han Yu decided he could learn them; while mostly useless for daily life, they could be critical lifesavers in an emergency.

Several empty jars stained with dried gore lay inside—likely used to store essence blood, now depleted. The bag also held Spirit Stones, gold, silver, jewelry, several sets of clothes, and identification documents.

“Liu Danian, Liu Family Village, Dawa Township, Black River County.”

“Wang Youfu, Vegetable Market Street, Black River County.”

“Black Mountain Market Special Entry Permit. Non-replaceable if lost.”

The first two identities were disguises used in Black River County—one as a villager, the other as a town resident. The last document was an entry permit for another market, the “Black Mountain Market,” stamped with spiritual energy and intricate patterns. Han Yu had no idea where this market was, but he guessed it wasn’t nearby.

This cultivator had likely been summoned from afar by the Saint Blood Perfected One, only for his leader to be killed before the plunder could begin. No wonder he had been cursing and fuming before his death; he had traveled a long way to die for nothing.

Han Yu handed the Storage Bag back to the crows for safekeeping. Moments later, he sent the large crow aloft to survey the area. Seeing Wanchun Valley Deacons searching the sky for stragglers and gradually approaching his position, Han Yu retrieved a Plantain Leaf artifact from his own bag and slowly flew out to meet them.

“Han Yu!”

Deacon Lu and another Deacon flew over immediately. “You were hiding in the dense forest just now. Did you see any demonic cultivators?”

“I saw one who was severely injured. I killed him,” Han Yu replied calmly.

Killing an enemy was nothing to hide. If someone had witnessed the fight, trying to conceal it would only make him look suspicious.

“Good!” Deacon Lu exclaimed, delighted. “How did you manage it?”

“I exchanged for quite a few Talismans recently, and my tamed crows helped distract him. I was already hiding in the woods, and he was severely injured and caught off guard.”

“Were there any others?” the second Deacon asked.

“I didn’t see any.”

“Take us to the corpse,” Deacon Lu ordered.

Han Yu nodded. He mentally instructed the large crow to lead the flock away to a safe hiding spot, then guided the two Deacons to the scorched patch of earth where the body had burned.

The Deacons examined the ashes and the lingering scent of blood, confirming the kill. Satisfied, they swept the forest one last time before escorting Han Yu to meet the Sect Leader and the three Elders.

Upon arrival, Han Yu spotted Senior Sister Li and Hua Qi among the disciples gathered near the leadership. The two looked over, their faces lighting up with relief as they nodded to him.

After Deacon Lu reported the kill, Sect Leader Qi Wanfa spoke. “In that case, only one demonic cultivator remains unaccounted for…”

Before he could finish, another Deacon rushed over to report. “Sect Leader! A demonic cultivator was found hiding in the mountain spring. He has been dragged out and executed!”

Qi Wanfa nodded, his expression easing slightly. “Then there are no more hidden threats.”

“Open the formation’s entrance and invite our guests from the Spirit Sword Sect inside!”

“Send Outer Disciples from the main peak to inspect all areas and assess the losses.”

Following Qi Wanfa’s orders, the Wanchun Valley Guardian Formation opened. The Sect Leader, Elders, and Deacons welcomed Ye Guxing and his party from the Spirit Sword Sect, escorting them toward the main peak.

Senior Sister Li, Hua Qi, and Han Yu gathered together and headed back to the Spirit Field Department to assess the damage.

“Senior Brother Ji was killed?”

“He brought it upon himself. He was scared out of his wits by the demonic cultivators and ran around like a headless chicken. He ran straight into another enemy and was cut down,” Senior Sister Li said, her tone devoid of sympathy.

Hua Qi, who had worked alongside Ji Yida for years, looked somewhat saddened. “We got along quite well usually. I never thought he’d…”

“Never mind, let’s not talk about it,” Senior Sister Li interrupted. “Junior Brother Han, you’re really impressive. You killed another demonic cultivator!”

Han Yu wore a helpless expression. “I used up every Talisman I just bought and barely managed it. Those guys are truly hard to kill.”

“Yeah, they are tough… Our Wanchun Valley disciples are no match for them,” Hua Qi agreed.

“Surviving is what matters,” Senior Sister Li said firmly. “Talismans can be bought again. If your life is gone, everything is gone. Junior Brother Han, don’t feel bad about the cost. You personally killed a demonic cultivator; the sect won’t be stingy with your reward.”

Han Yu nodded.

“Our Wanchun Valley should be safe now, right?” Hua Qi asked tentatively.

“Should be,” Senior Sister Li replied.

As they talked, they returned to the Spirit Field Department. Chaos still reigned—Laborer Disciples were wailing in despair or fleeing in panic. The three quickly set to work restoring order and tallying the casualties.

After they made announcements and order began to return to the valley, the Laborer Disciples in the Spirit Field Department gradually calmed down, though most remained visibly shaken.

“Thirty-five killed by demonic cultivators. Eleven missing—we don’t know if they were killed or fled the valley.”

“The spirit fields weren’t badly damaged. At most, some laborers trampled a few stalks of Green Grain Spirit Rice while hiding, which is negligible.”

Hua Qi discussed the report with Senior Sister Li. “So, our Spirit Field Department got off lightly.”

“The Medicine Garden… all the Laborer Disciples there were slaughtered. I wonder how the sect will handle that.”

Han Yu listened quietly. Not long after, a flash of sword light drew their gaze upward. They saw a white-haired swordsman leading the way, followed by the disciples of the Spirit Sword Sect.

The group was departing Wanchun Valley.

“The Spirit Sword Sect… they’re just leaving like that?” Hua Qi asked in surprise.

Senior Sister Li and Han Yu were equally puzzled.

A short while later, several Plantain Leaves drifted slowly from the direction of the main peak, carrying over a dozen Outer Disciples.

Han Yu recognized Sun Kang, Liu Lan, Zhong Yue, and Lu Yun. Even Bai Lingyun and Pig Third were among them.

The Plantain Leaves landed, and the disciples explained their purpose: the sect had sent them to assist the Spirit Field Department with recovery.

“Is there anything we can help with?” Zhong Yue asked, her eyes red-rimmed.

“Junior Sister, what’s wrong?” Senior Sister Li asked, surprised.

“She’s from the Medicine Garden. She knew many people there. It was hit terribly hard,” Pig Third explained somberly.

Senior Sister Li understood. She patted Zhong Yue’s shoulder. “Junior Sister, please accept my condolences. The demonic cultivators have all been killed. The spirits of our fallen brothers and sisters can rest in peace.”

She then turned to the group. “Why did the Spirit Sword Sect leave so quickly? Do any of you know?”

Everyone shook their heads.

“Seems we’ll have to wait for news from the sect,” Senior Sister Li said. “Junior brothers and sisters, things here at the Spirit Field Department are mostly back in order. You can return to report or go help elsewhere.”

The visiting disciples asked for specific details to report back to the Deacons. Sun Kang and Liu Lan exchanged a few hurried words with Han Yu, waved goodbye, and left with the group.