On harvest day, so rejoiced while others despaired.
Han Yu, having ostensibly broken through to the first level of Qi Refining and displaying decent spellcasting talent, received fifty-one catties of Green Sprout Spirit Rice from Steward Wang following protocol—an unexpected windfall.
In contrast, Old Taoist Li fared far worse. Knowing his advanced age held no promise and he posed no threat, both Steward Wang and Wei Kunyi openly bullied him while he appeared powerless to resist.
As night fell, Han Yu absorbed the dicinal effects of today's Mystic Heart Fruit. Sensing sothing odd, he pondered—the fruit remained unchanged, yet its effects seed diminished compared to initial consumption.
Was this illusion?
Or did repeated consumption of the sa spiritual fruit cause this? If so, he'd need alternative fruits soon.
Han Yu realized his lack of cultivation knowledge. He couldn't risk asking fellow disciples lest they suspect his possession of spiritual treasures—inviting covetous intentions.
After cultivation, he cycled the Blood Refinent Technique, using essence blood to repair damage from practicing the Spirit Refining Technique.
Completing a cycle, the blood rune at his Danzhong acupoint trembled faintly as he ceased. Wei Kunyi's voice pierced the quiet, knocking on Old Taoist Li's door:
"Junior Brother Li, back yet? I've brought the Green Sprout Spirit Rice you wanted..."
Han Yu's expression darkened with a silent sigh.
Old Taoist Li practiced the Blood Refinent Technique and had allied with Demon Blood Sect mbers at Green Sprout Market—blood nourishnt mattered most to him, spirit rice being secondary.
Yet witnessing this oppression weighed on Han Yu's conscience.
But Old Taoist Li had embraced the Demon Blood Sect's path, deliberately severing ties with Han Yu...
The creak of Old Taoist Li's door announced Wei Kunyi's triumphant entry, her grating laughter fading as the door shut.
Han Yu dismissed it, finishing his cultivation. When the crows arrived, he smoothed their iron feathers affectionately before they departed, then prepared to rest.
Lying on his stone bed, unease prickled his mind—sothing felt off, though he couldn't pinpoint what.
Suddenly, he bolted upright.
Wrong!
Why hadn't Wei Kunyi erged? No sound had co from Old Taoist Li's dwelling since her entry—which could only an...
Han Yu's heartbeat accelerated.
Old Taoist Li had been a vengeance-driven martial artist in his youth, later gaining fa as one of the Three Friends of Quanlin in Southern Li Kingdom. While he'd tolerate oppression powerless, now ard with the Demon Blood Sect's lethal Blood Droplet technique—far surpassing Wangu Valley disciples' spells—Wei Kunyi's nightti provocation might prove fatal.
This couldn't be concealed. Unless foolish, Old Taoist Li wouldn't await investigation at Wangu Valley's Spirit Fields. Senior stewards' involvent would an suicide.
Han Yu needed contingency plans. Old Taoist Li could flee to his demonic allies at the market, but Han Yu wouldn't follow that path.
Old Taoist Li's stone hut stood eerily silent in the darkness.
After exhaustive deliberation, Han Yu prepared his defense—if Foundation Establishnt cultivators investigated, checking for Blood Refinent practice, he'd resort to extre asures:
First, destroy the Danzhong acupoint's blood rune to abandon the technique, then forcibly cycle the Spirit Refining Technique to assimilate excess essence blood.
A last resort only.
With Breath-Concealing Art's aid, outer sect disciples shouldn't detect anomalies—Han Yu's Blood Refinent practice differed drastically from Old Taoist Li's, leaving no traces.
At dawn, Han Yu worked undisturbed, removing Green Sprout Spirit Rice stalks—only the grain heads held value; stalks barely served as fertilizer.
Old Taoist Li's dwelling remained quiet.
Half an acre cleared, Steward Wang arrived, belly protruding, hands clasped behind his back.
After cursory greetings, he inquired: "Junior Brother Han, seen Wei Kunyi today?"
Han Yu shook his head slightly: "Haven't."
That whore—where'd she go? Promised to visit last night but never ca.
Steward Wang frowned, heading to Wei Kunyi's quarters.
Four male disciples loitered outside her door, sparking his irritation—likely more of her bedmates. He barked: "Idling here instead of tending fields? Explain yourselves!"
Two imdiately apologized and scurried off.
One bold soul whispered: "Senior Sister Wei summoned us as escorts for market errands this morning. But it's past Chen hour, and she's not answering."
Hmm?
Steward Wang's eyes narrowed. Had that slut forgotten him for so disciple's bed?
Furious, he kicked her door open, scanning the interior—then froze.
Empty.
Rifling through her belongings, he noted a faintly glowing iron chest beneath her bed—likely containing spirit stones.
Turning to the lingering disciple, he demanded: "She confird Chen hour departure?"
"Yes, Steward Wang."
"Unusual for her?"
"Extrely. Senior Sister Wei never breaks appointnts."
Steward Wang's face hardened, teeth clenched.
Damn—another incident.
Spirit stones untouched, last night's duties neglected, today's plans abandoned—Wei Kunyi was likely dead.
Another Spirit Fields catastrophe so soon!
Steward Lu would skin him alive upon discovery.
He couldn't report this yet—needed answers first.
"Assemble all Spirit Fields disciples!"
"Summon Junior Brothers Ji and Hua too!"
Chaos erupted as disciples gathered, Han Yu joining Sun Kang and Liu Lan among the crowd.
Steward Wang conducted roll call.
"Li Quan, Lu Yun, Wei Kunyi and four others absent!" reported outer sect disciple Hua before inquiring, "Senior Brother Wang, what's happened?"
Steward Wang declared coldly: "Wei Kunyi may have been murdered. Search the dwellings of Li Quan, Lu Yun and the other five for clues. If nothing surfaces, inspect every disciple's quarters and the fields!"
"Alive or dead, we must find her!"
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