Night hung heavy over the valley.

Han Yu sat cross-legged, gripping two pieces of Thousand-Year Sunkwood Heart. He pushed his daily absorption of Spirit Breath to the absolute limit. Once finished, he replicated and refined two drops of essence blood, making tangible progress in the Blood Refining Art.

Afterward, he quietly practiced the Thousand Illusions Secret Art, the Phantom Body Technique, and the Ice Condensation Technique.

Destructive spells like the Sharp Gold Technique, Wind Blade Technique, and Flame Technique were ill-suited for indoor practice. However, since many in Wanchun Valley now knew him as a disciple with a talent for spellcraft, he could simply find an open clearing to practice them openly when he had the time.

Han Yu’s talent for spells was indeed genuine. Having consumed the Mystic Heart Fruit over a long period, his affinity and mastery had grown profound. He could unleash two offensive spells in a single breath—a feat many Wanchun Valley disciples would find unimaginable.

This speed was the key to his ability to defeat opponents unexpectedly.

It wasn’t just that he could “see” the opening; it was that his spells, Talismans, and Blood Droplets could be released fast enough to actually “seize” it.

Seeing an opportunity was one thing; having the capability to act on it in time was another.

Of course, ever since Senior Sister Li cited Lu Yun as an example and suggested Han Yu might also possess some “innate peculiar talent,” he had a convenient cover. Even if he displayed slightly more power than usual, it would be accepted.

Still, he had no desire to attract unnecessary attention.

Early the next morning, Senior Sister Li summoned Han Yu.

Han Yu called for Zhu San, and together they boarded the Plantain Leaf Magical Artifact, heading toward the market.

Standing atop the Plantain Leaf, Zhu San looked troubled. “Senior Sister Li, Senior Brother Han… I haven’t even received my spirit seeds yet. With my cultivation sealed, I have to rely on brute strength to till all five acres. I really shouldn’t be away for too long…”

Han Yu didn’t answer. He stood behind Zhu San, his hand quietly gripping a Sharp Gold Talisman.

Senior Sister Li ignored the complaints entirely. She steered her flying shuttle Magical Artifact to glide parallel to Han Yu’s Plantain Leaf.

As they descended toward the entrance of the Green Grain Market, they noticed a commotion. A crowd had gathered under two large locust trees near the gate, pointing and whispering at five figures kneeling in the dirt.

At the front was a woman dressed in cloud-patterned brocade robes. Though the fabric was fine, it was worn and dirty. Her face was pale, her hair disheveled, and a single crooked gold hairpin held her messy bun together.

“I beseech the Immortal Masters of Wanchun Valley to show mercy!” she cried out, her voice cracking with desperation. “Save my Nanli Kingdom from its dire straits!”

She slammed her forehead against the ground, weeping uncontrollably.

Beside her, a boy of seven or eight, wearing a miniature four-clawed dragon robe, rubbed his red, swollen eyes and joined the chant. “I beseech the Immortal Masters of Wanchun Valley to show mercy!”

After shouting, he collapsed against the woman, sobbing quietly.

Behind the mother and son knelt a white-haired elderly minister and two burly guards. They too cried out in unison, “We beseech the Immortal Masters of Wanchun Valley to show mercy!”

Senior Sister Li and Han Yu, with Zhu San in tow, landed slowly nearby.

The woman with the gold hairpin saw them and her eyes lit up with frantic hope. She scrambled forward on her knees, prostrating herself before them. “Immortal Masters!”

“This concubine is Consort Yu of the Nanli Kingdom’s Jiang Imperial Family. The treacherous villain Wei Gang has murdered His Majesty, usurped the throne, and is now hunting down the Fifth Prince—the last of His Majesty’s bloodline. Our lives hang by a thread!”

She looked up, tears streaking the dust on her face. “We beg the Immortal Masters of Wanchun Valley! In consideration of the Nanli court’s years of deference and obedience, please show mercy! Slay the usurper and restore justice to our Imperial Family!”

She knocked her head against the ground repeatedly. Thud. Thud. After just a few strikes, blood stained her forehead.

Senior Sister Li frowned slightly. She turned to the two Outer Disciples guarding the market entrance.

“What is this about?”

The guards did not know Senior Sister Li personally, but seeing her blue robes, they recognized her as an Inner Disciple and quickly bowed.

“Senior Sister,” one whispered, “this is indeed Consort Yu of the Nanli Kingdom. She brought the Jiang Family’s Fifth Prince here to seek asylum.”

“A rebellion broke out in Nanli. Prime Minister Wei Gang killed the Emperor, the Empress, and the Crown Prince. According to her, only these five managed to escape.”

“She has been kneeling here for hours every day for the past two days.”

“What has the Sect said?” Senior Sister Li asked coolly. “Has no one handled this?”

The guard replied, “A Deacon came yesterday to deliver the Sect’s verdict. The Sect is currently focusing all efforts on recovery and will not dispatch disciples externally for ten years.”

“They were told that if they wish, they may reside within the Green Grain Market. The new regime in Nanli would never dare cause trouble on Sect grounds. Furthermore, when the Fifth Prince turns ten, he can be tested for Spirit Roots. If he has the aptitude, he may join Wanchun Valley.”

Senior Sister Li nodded. “Mortal power struggles are of no concern to the Sect. Offering shelter and a chance for the Prince to join the Sect is already the utmost benevolence. Are they unsatisfied?”

The guard sighed. “According to cultivation world rules, once the Prince enters the Sect, he can no longer be Emperor. But he is the last of the Jiang bloodline… They are begging us to intervene militarily and help them reclaim the throne.”

Upon hearing this, Senior Sister Li’s expression turned icy.

She lost all interest, ignoring the weeping Consort Yu and the Fifth Prince completely.

To a cultivation sect, the mortal world’s primary value was as a breeding ground for disciples. While the Sect might dispatch disciples to slay demons or evil Rogue Cultivators, they would never mobilize to resolve a dynastic dispute for the sake of a specific surname.

Turning her back on the royals, Senior Sister Li asked the guards about Zhu San. The guards knew nothing of his activities.

“Let’s go,” she said, leading Han Yu and Zhu San into the market.

They headed to the reed mat district—the slum area for mortals—to investigate. After questioning several locals, they confirmed that Zhu San had indeed spent the previous day eating, drinking, and purchasing a woman.

Behind the reed mat district lay rows of crude shacks. This was where Zhu San’s “purchase” lived.

Senior Sister Li insisted on seeing the woman. She was short, submissive, and plain-looking—certainly not a beauty by any standard. With the neighbors corroborating the story, Li’s suspicions faded.

The guards at the gate also confirmed Zhu San hadn’t sold any items.

“It seems Zhu San was being honest,” Senior Sister Li said to Han Yu.

Zhu San immediately bowed, grinning obsequiously. “Yes, yes! Can we go back now? I need to tend to my spirit fields! Only a good harvest will allow me to afford more women to carry on my family line!”

“Silence,” Senior Sister Li snapped, frowning with distaste.

Dedicated to the Dao, she despised those who wallowed in mediocrity.

Han Yu nodded silently, saying nothing, but his mind was working rapidly.

According to information he had extracted from Wei Xiaoluo, the Prime Minister of Nanli Kingdom had long ago pledged allegiance to the Spirit Beast Sect. Furthermore, Hong Liang, the spy who cultivated the Blood Refining Art, was also connected to them.

Now, Prime Minister Wei Gang had rebelled and seized the throne. Was this a simple mortal coup, or was it a deeper conspiracy orchestrated by the Spirit Beast Sect or the Demon Blood Sect?

If it was the former, it mattered little. But if it was the latter…

If the Spirit Beast Sect controlled the mortal kingdom, the number of new disciples entering Wanchun Valley would plummet. The Immortal Destiny Grand Ceremony might never be held again.

As the trio exited the Green Grain Market, Consort Yu, the Fifth Prince, and their entourage were still kneeling in the dust, refusing to rise, hoping their persistence would move an Immortal Master’s heart.

Han Yu harbored doubts, but speaking up now would be foolish. He needed to verify his suspicions privately.

He glanced at the kneeling royals one last time, then unfurled his Plantain Leaf Magical Artifact.

“Get on,” he told Zhu San.

As they ascended into the air to follow Senior Sister Li, Han Yu noticed something.

Two Rogue Cultivators—clearly not from Wanchun Valley—were approaching Consort Yu and whispering to her.

Han Yu turned his head to watch them for a second longer.

“Hehe, Senior Brother Han…” Zhu San leaned in, winking with a lecherous grin. “Checking out Consort Yu? What do you think of her looks?”

Seeing Han Yu look back, the sleazy farmer assumed Han Yu had been moved by lust.