Once Pig Third had departed, Han Yu channeled his Spirit Breath into the ring awarded by the sect. He shrank the band down and slipped it onto a finger on his left hand.

His gaze then fell upon the Wanchun Valley keepsake token. He sank into deep thought.

The sect clearly recognized his talent for spells, yet they dismissed his “Four Spirit Roots” aptitude. They believed his cultivation journey had a low ceiling. This token likely wasn’t intended for him to use, but rather for his future children or grandchildren—a legacy gift to ensure his descendants could one day join Wanchun Valley.

I must cultivate diligently, Han Yu told himself. Otherwise, their prediction might just become my reality.

The following days brought little change to Han Yu’s routine.

Each morning, he took the large crow for a patrol around the spirit fields, inspecting the crops and surveying the perimeter. The rest of his time was dedicated to cultivating the Green Grain Qi Cultivation Method, the Blood Refining Technique, the Thousand Illusions Secret Art, and practicing various spells.

Unknowingly, a month slipped by.

Inside his dantian, the second tender sprout of Spirit Breath began to germinate. Once its second leaf unfurled, he would step into the fifth layer of Qi Refining. When that sprout grew another segment and transformed from a shoot into a seedling, he would reach the sixth layer.

At his Tanzhong acupoint, the fifth blood-colored striation on the Blood Rune was faintly visible—a sign of his steady march toward the fifth layer of Blood Refining.

Han Yu also worked tirelessly on combining the Thousand Illusions Secret Art with the Phantom Body Technique, as well as mastering methods to conceal his presence and alter his appearance.

Simultaneously, he had drilled the Sharp Gold Technique, Wind Blade Technique, and Ice Condensation Technique to the point of instinct. He could now cast them as effortlessly as his Flame Technique.

His mastery of the Beast Taming Technique had also deepened. Coupled with his hidden cultivation at the fourth layer of Qi Refining, his sensory connection with the large crow now extended to one and a half li, while direct telepathic communication reached roughly thirty zhang.

Before he knew it, Han Yu had nearly mastered every technique he had previously exchanged for in Wanchun Valley.

He checked his assets: one Major Merit, thirty-five Minor Merits, and two opportunities to learn spells from the Technique Pavilion. It was time to acquire something new.

He stepped out of his dwelling, intending to summon his Plantain Leaf and head to the main peak.

Just then, Pig Third passed by the Steward’s office with two women in tow. Seeing Han Yu, the fat man hurried over, bowing profusely.

Since Senior Sister Li and Han Yu had strictly forbidden him from mistreating or reselling the women, Pig Third had no choice but to bring them to the Spirit Field Department. Leaving them to idle in the Green Grain Market was a waste of resources; it was better to have them handle chores and tend to daily needs.

Grateful for Han Yu’s patronage and the lifting of his seal, Pig Third had been diligent. Between his trips to the market over the past month, he frequently brought Han Yu news from the outside world.

The Fifth Prince, the sole surviving bloodline of the Jiang Imperial Family, had learned of Consort Yu’s death. He spent days weeping in the Green Grain Market, begging Wanchun Valley to avenge his parents.

The sect naturally refused.

The Fifth Prince was forced to accept reality. He could only wait until he turned ten to test his Spirit Root aptitude. If he had talent, he might join Wanchun Valley. If not, he would be forced to hide within the Green Grain Market for the rest of his life, never to leave.

Meanwhile, the Wei Imperial Family of the Nanli Kingdom had sent an envoy to request an audience with the Immortal Masters.

Ostensibly, they came to express submission. However, they claimed that the tyranny of the previous Jiang dynasty had caused demons to proliferate, making it difficult for the Nanli Kingdom to find suitable “immortal seedlings” for the sect. They audaciously suggested that Wanchun Valley dispatch disciples to slay these demons.

Furthermore, they requested that the Immortal Masters grant them the “convenience” of capturing the Fifth Prince—the “remnant of the tyrant”—to bring him back for execution.

Wanchun Valley generally had a mild temper, but they could not tolerate mortals who had betrayed the sect and become lackeys of an enemy now trying to play clever tricks on them.

Elder Wen used “Hundred Flowers Poison” on the envoy, instructing him to report back to the Wei Emperor, Wei Gang: Since you’ve become another’s dog, there’s no need for pretenses.

The envoy, ignorant of a cultivator’s methods, returned to the Nanli Kingdom and delivered the message. When the Hundred Flowers Poison erupted, it killed over a hundred people—eunuchs, palace maids, guards, and officials. Wei Gang himself was nearly poisoned to death on the throne.

After this incident, the Wei Imperial Family raged, but ultimately found themselves powerless. When the anger faded, only terror remained. They dared not play games with the Immortal Sect again.

They even proactively expanded the scale of “Seeking Immortal Town,” funneling more mortals toward the Green Grain Market to show weakness and seek peace.

Wanchun Valley paid them no mind. Having delivered the lesson, they ignored the ants. As long as the enemy backing the Wei Imperial Family remained inactive, the sect would use the time to develop in peace.

Aside from political news, Pig Third had also tried to curry favor by finding a “rare spirit fruit” for Han Yu.

It was a cluster of over twenty small black spheres, radiating a faint spiritual energy. Han Yu, having studied the Common Spirit Plants Jade Slip, couldn’t identify them.

A trip to the market with Pig Third revealed the truth: they were fakes.

The so-called “spirit fruit” was merely the wild “Starry Sky Fruit.” The counterfeiter had soaked them in water infused with Spirit Stone powder. To the untrained eye, the lingering energy made them look like genuine spirit medicine.

It just went to show that most disciples in Wanchun Valley were knowledgeable; rare fruits and exotic pills weren’t so easily stumbled upon.

Han Yu gave a slight nod to Pig Third and the two women, then mounted his Plantain Leaf and soared toward the Technique Pavilion.

Upon entering, he placed his Storage Bag down and greeted Deacon He.

Deacon He smiled, recognizing the young disciple who had a knack for spells. “You again? What technique have you come to learn this time? You’ve picked up quite a few already—have you mastered them all?”

“Reporting to Deacon He, I have mastered them all,” Han Yu replied.

“Good. You truly are an unusual talent.” Deacon He nodded approvingly. “From Laborer Disciple to Outer Disciple… truly a matter of time and fate.”

“This time, you have two transmission opportunities. What spells do you plan to choose?”

“Deacon He,” Han Yu asked, “must these opportunities be used for spells? Can I select something else?”

“Something else?” Deacon He looked slightly surprised. “At the Qi Refining realm, spells are plentiful, but cultivation methods cannot be changed, and secret arts are scarce… Do you mean the basics of Talismans, Alchemy, or Artifact Forging?”

“Deacon He, I have already mastered quite a few spells,” Han Yu explained. “Learning more would feel repetitive.”

“In an actual fight, I only have two hands. I would rely on the Sharp Gold Technique, Wind Blade Technique, or Flame Technique. Any additional spells would just be more of the same.”

“I see.” Deacon He nodded slowly. “What takes others a year to master is effortless for you. Learning more spells would indeed be redundant.”

He paused, his expression turning grave. “There is an extremely dangerous secret art, strictly prohibited by the sect, called the Spirit Root Refining Art. Have you heard of it?”

Han Yu blinked, taken aback. “Is Deacon He suggesting I cultivate this art?”

“Of course not,” Deacon He scoffed. “I am merely warning you not to covet secret arts blindly. Yes, they are often more miraculous and powerful than standard spells… but take the Spirit Root Refining Art. Cultivating it burns one’s lifespan and damages vitality. The damage is nearly impossible to repair. It is a path to an early grave.”

“As for what you choose, I shouldn’t interfere too much.”

“After all, you are now an Outer Disciple. You are qualified to enter the Qi Refining technique display area and choose for yourself.”

Hearing this, Han Yu understood. Deacon He was advising him against the dangerous allure of secret arts, but he was also granting permission. As an Outer Disciple, Han Yu had the privilege to browse the shelves himself.

Bowing slightly to Deacon He, Han Yu turned and walked toward the display area for Qi Refining techniques.