“Han Yu, for your keen observation and alertness in uncovering the enemy’s plot against the Sect, the Sect Leader has decreed a reward of one Major Merit, one protective Magical Artifact, one Keepsake Token, and one bottle of Qi Gathering Pills!”

Elder Lü finished speaking and handed Han Yu three items: a green ring, a disc-shaped Wanchun Valley Keepsake Token, and a small porcelain bottle.

Han Yu had already consumed nearly twenty Qi Gathering Pills, and their efficacy hadn’t diminished. Now that the Sect had provided another bottle, he wouldn’t need to rush to replicate them. More importantly, he could now attribute his rapid cultivation progress to these official rewards, saving him the trouble of hiding his speed.

He examined the disc-shaped token. This was identical to the Keepsake Token he had used to enter the Sect. He hadn’t expected the Sect to reward him with another one.

An entry Keepsake Token could be passed down to descendants or gifted to others. In its dormant state, it resembled a small, ordinary wooden carving of a tree, making it difficult for mortals to distinguish from a toy. However, if infused with Spirit Breath or mana, the small tree would transform, growing into a large, lush tree with abundant branches and leaves.

Years ago, Old Daoist Li had seen Han Yu’s grandfather display this “immortal seeking object.” Having mingled in the cultivation world for years, the old rogue knew exactly what it was and had successfully swindled it from Han Yu. Without that knowledge, stealing such an obscure object—which functioned almost like a Magical Artifact—would have been nearly impossible.

Among the three rewards, the most valuable was undoubtedly the green ring. This protective Magical Artifact could change size at will, shrinking to become an earring or ring, expanding into a bracelet, or growing large enough to serve as a belt. Its protective barrier covered the user’s entire body, regardless of where the artifact was worn.

After Han Yu received his items, Elder Lü announced the rewards for Senior Sister Li and Zhu San.

Senior Sister Li was credited for her report and received five Minor Merits and a bottle of Qi Gathering Pills.

Zhu San was credited for intelligence gathering. His cultivation seal was lifted, allowing him to resume his path to immortality. However, his status as an Outer Disciple was not restored; he would remain a Laborer Disciple and was still strictly forbidden from selling goods to fellow disciples.

Zhu San was overjoyed regardless. He knelt on the ground and kowtowed furiously. “Thank you for the Sect’s mercy! Thank you for allowing this disciple to cultivate once more!”

Rising, he bowed deeply to Han Yu, his voice trembling with gratitude. “Thank you, Senior Brother Han, for your kindness! Thank you, Senior Brother—”

Han Yu raised a hand to stop him. “Since you can cultivate again, you should stop engaging in shady dealings. What about the two women you bought earlier? How do you plan to handle them?”

Zhu San’s smile froze. He glanced nervously at the others. “Senior Brother Han, this… Elder Lü and Senior Sister Li are both here…”

“What? Is it difficult to say?” Elder Lü’s eyes narrowed immediately. “Speak.”

Zhu San forced a dry laugh, realizing he couldn’t evade the question. “Reporting to Elder Lü… some time ago, feeling my cultivation sealed and having lost hope of immortality, I planned to purchase mortal women as wives and concubines to continue my family line. Therefore, I bought two women.”

He hesitated, then mumbled, “Now that I can cultivate again, I… I plan to resell them later.”

Elder Lü and Senior Sister Li both frowned instantly.

“What nonsense is this!” Elder Lü rebuked him sharply. “You bought them as wives to bear your children, and now you treat them as cattle to be sold off? What kind of scoundrel sells his own wife? Shameless!”

“No, it’s not like that…” Zhu San stammered. “I never really intended to—”

“Even if they were to bear your children, you still wouldn’t treat them as human beings? Then what does that make you? No better than a beast?”

Elder Lü was deeply displeased. “Zhu San, while Wanchun Valley generally doesn’t interfere in domestic matters, if the mistreatment of mortals becomes excessive, the Sect will intervene!”

“Before the Sect fell into hardship, our disciples would hunt down demonic beasts and punish Rogue Cultivators who oppressed the innocent. That is why places like the Nanli Kingdom and Xiyue Kingdom enjoyed peace. Now, as a disciple of Wanchun Valley, do you have less conscience than a common rogue?”

As he spoke, Elder Lü’s expression grew grim. Scolding Zhu San reminded him of the peace Wanchun Valley used to maintain across the neighboring kingdoms. Now, chaos was breeding in the mortal world, and enemies were circling like vultures. The Sect was doing its utmost to train disciples and bolster its strength, but no one knew how long this standoff would last or how it would end.

Under Elder Lü’s withering gaze, Zhu San hung his head dejectedly. “Yes, Elder, I understand. I will not mistreat them.”

“Even if I arrange for them to leave, I will find them good households and ensure they are not wronged.”

“That is acceptable,” Elder Lü said, his expression softening slightly.

Senior Sister Li stepped forward. “Master, is it truly the work of enemies in the Nanli Kingdom?”

Elder Lü nodded. “The Sect sent envoys to Nanli. The Wei Imperial Family refused to meet them, and inquiries about the Immortal Destiny Grand Ceremony were met with silence.”

“That usurper Wei Gang had dealings with us before. He sent candidates to the ceremony several times in the past; he knows the protocol. To suddenly treat the Sect’s envoys with such disrespect… it is definitely suspicious.”

“The Nanli court will likely not send anyone to participate in the Immortal Destiny Grand Ceremony this year.”

“Master,” Senior Sister Li asked, “are they colluding with the Spirit Beast Sect or Demonic Cultivators?”

“The Sect has not yet confirmed that,” Elder Lü replied, waving his hand dismissively. “You needn’t dwell on it. Focus on your cultivation. Although the Sect faces difficulties, we Elders are still here to hold up the sky. It won’t fall on you.”

With that final reassurance, he returned to the main peak.

Once Elder Lü had left, Zhu San sidled up to Han Yu and whispered, “Senior Brother Han, why did you bring up the women in front of Elder Lü?”

Han Yu looked at him calmly. “I felt what you were doing was wrong.”

Zhu San was taken aback. “That’s it? Senior Brother Han, they were just mortals I bought. What’s wrong with that?”

Senior Sister Li, standing nearby, cut in coldly. “Those women are human beings. You bought them claiming you wanted a family, yet you treat them like livestock to be sold off at a whim. Do you think you have the right to do so?”

She paused, eyeing Zhu San with sudden suspicion. “Wait. You weren’t planning to use those women for some… other vile purpose, were you?”

“No, no, absolutely not!” Zhu San shook his head frantically.

“It’s best if you haven’t. If I find out you are mistreating mortals, I will report you to the Sect for severe punishment,” Senior Sister Li warned.

She turned and walked away, leaving the two men alone.

Zhu San immediately turned to Han Yu, pleading in a hushed voice. “Senior Brother Han, what I told you before about… making money… please don’t tell Senior Sister Li. I haven’t actually done anything yet!”

“Since you haven’t done anything, then treat those two women well,” Han Yu said evenly. “If you treat them poorly, I will report you.”

“Ah?”

Zhu San’s face fell.

He had bought them as money-making tools. Now, he had to feed and house them at a loss?

This entire scheme had turned into a disaster!