Senior Sister Li and Hua Qi both startled at Han Yu’s words.

“Junior Brother Han, why do you say that?”

Han Yu laid out his reasoning point by point. “Senior Sister Li, you weren’t familiar with the Spirit Field Department before, but Senior Brother Hua should remember. When I was a Laborer Disciple there, I had several acquaintances and neighbors. Two of them happened to be children of the Wei Imperial Family.”

“The first was Wei Kunyi, the biological daughter of the current Wei Emperor, Wei Gang. She was connected to Steward Wang Hui and was also in close contact with Zhang Shan, a spy from the Spirit Beast Sect.”

“The second was Wei Xiaoluo, a son born to a concubine of the Wei family. When he first joined the Spirit Field Department, the Demonic Cultivator spy, Hong Liang, was on very good terms with him. Hong Liang even brought Wang Hui to see him.”

Han Yu paused, letting the implication sink in. “It was later confirmed that Hong Liang intended to kill Wang Hui. Yet, isn’t it strange? Why would Hong Liang bring his target to see Wei Xiaoluo first? Could Wei Xiaoluo have been an accomplice? And where did Wei Xiaoluo vanish to after that day?”

“The Wei family sent people to our Wanchun Valley, and they always seemed to get entangled with spies from the Spirit Beast Sect and Demonic Cultivators. Then, just when Wanchun Valley was being besieged by external enemies, the Wei family staged a coup back home and seized the throne. This timing perfectly coincides with the enemy’s sabotage of the Immortal Destiny Grand Ceremony, preventing Wanchun Valley from recruiting new disciples.”

“I believed this was not a coincidence, so I had Zhu San investigate.”

By now, Senior Sister Li and Hua Qi were both visibly tense.

“Did Zhu San find anything?”

“Yes.”

Han Yu continued, “According to Zhu San, there was a pair of Wen brothers in the Green Grain Market. They were Rogue Cultivators at the third layer of Qi Refining, possessed a flying Magical Artifact, and knew several spells. Tempted by the wealth of the Nanli Kingdom, they agreed to help the Jiang Imperial Family restore their dynasty.”

“With a flying Magical Artifact, they were in an invincible position—able to attack at will or retreat safely. Even if they couldn’t defeat an army or a couple of rogue cultivators, they shouldn’t have died in the mortal kingdom of Nanli.”

“Yet now, both brothers have been killed. Not a single one returned.” Han Yu’s voice dropped. “The Wei Imperial Family of Nanli Kingdom almost certainly has the backing of Wanchun Valley’s enemies.”

Hearing this, Senior Sister Li’s brow furrowed tightly.

“This is no small matter!”

She stood up abruptly. “Junior Brother Han, bring Zhu San and come with me. We must report this to my Master immediately!”

As an Inner Disciple, Senior Sister Li had been accepted as a personal disciple by a Sect Elder. However, she usually focused on her cultivation and rarely disturbed him unless she encountered genuine difficulties.

But this crisis warranted direct action.

Han Yu fetched Zhu San, and the three of them left the Spirit Field Department together.

On the way, Zhu San finally pieced together what was happening. His face lit up with joy as he looked at Han Yu excitedly.

“Senior Brother Han, are you saying I’m sharing in the credit? Is there hope for me to cultivate again?”

“Wait for the Sect’s decision,” Han Yu replied calmly.

Zhu San nodded vigorously, unable to contain his excitement. “Right, right! Wait for the Sect’s decision!”

The trio arrived at a courtyard on the main peak. A servant announced them, and soon they were standing before Senior Sister Li’s master, Elder Lü.

After hearing the details, Elder Lü’s expression turned grave. He led them to wait outside the main Sect Hall while he went inside to report to the Sect Leader.

Not long after, Elder Lü emerged. “The Sect Leader is in deep seclusion today and cannot be disturbed. I will discuss this with the other Elders first. You three return for now. The Sect will make arrangements in due time.”

He looked at them approvingly. “If everything is verified, you will certainly be rewarded.”

“Master,” Senior Sister Li asked with palpable worry, “The Spirit Beast Sect… have they still not given up?”

Elder Lü smiled reassuringly. “The Sect still possesses one of Ye Guxing’s Sword Talismans. That alone is enough to ensure our survival through the greatest of crises.”

“Moreover, after this ordeal, Wanchun Valley has developed a collective will to strengthen itself. We are actively cultivating new Golden Core realm experts, and the Battle Hall is training Deacons and disciples specifically for combat.”

“In a few decades, even without Ye Guxing and the Spirit Sword Sect, Wanchun Valley will no longer fear them!”

Hearing this, Senior Sister Li breathed a sigh of relief. “That is good to hear.”

Upon returning to the Spirit Field Department, Senior Sister Li and Han Yu remained calm, but Zhu San was practically vibrating with excitement. He kept pestering Han Yu for reassurance.

“Senior Brother Han, do you think I’ve actually earned merit by following you?”

“Senior Brother Han, if it really counts as merit, how will the Sect reward me? Will they lift my seal?”

“If they really lift my seal, that would be fantastic! I wouldn’t need to buy women anymore!”

Hearing his rambling, Senior Sister Li glanced sideways at him, her eyes sharp. “If the seal is lifted, will you actually cultivate properly and stop buying women to ‘continue your family line’?”

Zhu San chuckled nervously. “Yeah, right, exactly!”

His evasive tone displeased her. “Is that a yes or a no?”

“Sort of, sort of! It’s pretty much the same meaning… If the Sect recognizes my merit and lifts my seal, I’ll explain the real reason to Senior Brother Han,” Zhu San said with a greasy smile.

Senior Sister Li gave him a cool look. Remembering that he had indeed contributed by gathering intelligence, she didn’t press further.

“Junior Brother Han,” she warned as she turned to leave, “be careful with this person. He is dishonest.”

With that, she retired to her room.

Once she was gone, Zhu San grinned at Han Yu. “Senior Brother Han, I just didn’t want to tell her. Actually, there’s no need to wait for the reward. I’ll tell you the truth right now—but please keep it between us.”

Han Yu’s gaze sharpened slightly. “The real reason?”

“I have no hope in cultivation, so I need to accumulate resources for the future. I plan to buy several wives and concubines, set them up in the market, and have them earn Spirit Stones for me… Then, in the future, whether my seal is lifted or I continue my family line, I won’t lack for resources.”

He lowered his voice conspiratorially. “The ones I’m buying now aren’t actually for bearing children.”

Han Yu was surprised. “They are just mortals who cannot cultivate. How can they help you earn cultivation resources?”

“Well, that would be… hehe…”

Zhu San gave a lewd wink, then suddenly realized Han Yu was only thirteen. He silently cursed himself for being an idiot.

This Senior Brother Han learns techniques quickly and is clever, but he’s still a child. He wouldn’t understand matters between men and women. No wonder he didn’t react when I asked about Consort Yu’s looks earlier. He was only analyzing the political situation!

“Never mind, Senior Brother Han, you should rest early! This time, Zhu San has benefited from your guidance. I will follow your orders faithfully from now on!”

Zhu San bowed hurriedly and took his leave.

Han Yu called out to his retreating back, “Don’t forget to keep an eye out for rare spirit fruits and pills.”

“Yes, I will definitely remember!”

Back in his room, Han Yu calmed his mind and began his nightly routine.

He held the Thousand-Year Sunkwood Heart, cycling the Green Grain Qi Cultivation Method. Then came the Blood Refining Art and the Thousand Illusions Secret Art.

He cultivated late into the night. Suddenly, the large crow flew in, followed closely by the little crow. Having not seen the little one for a long time, the bird circled Han Yu affectionately, hopping up and down with excitement.

The large crow had gained spiritual intelligence and knew it could visit its master anytime, but the little crow lacked that discretion. This time, Han Yu didn’t shoo away the smaller bird as it acted spoiled.

Watching the two crows under the clear moonlight, Han Yu was reminded of the many nights he spent as a Laborer Disciple.

Suddenly, a realization struck him.

Zhu San buying women to earn cultivation resources… Is he planning to have those women do something like what Wei Kunyi did with Wang Hui?

Selling their bodies for resources.

That is a crooked path. If he really does it, the Sect will punish him regardless of his excuses.

Senior Sister Li wasn’t wrong. The man was indeed dishonest.

Days passed quickly. Between daily cultivation and tending the spirit fields, Han Yu’s progress was slow but steady, much like the growth of the Green Grain Spirit Rice. His life felt fulfilling.

Then, one day, Elder Lü personally arrived at the Spirit Field Department. He summoned Han Yu, Senior Sister Li, and Zhu San to announce the Sect’s rewards.