Chapter 68: A Sudden Realization

Han Yi's heart skipped a beat.

He knew without a doubt that Yuan Shun had tracked him down because of his discovery of the Blood God Sect's internal traitor.

"Sect Leader," Han Yi replied solemnly, "this disciple will withhold nothing he knows."

"Good. You were the one who discovered Chu Yi's treachery. Describe the scene in detail," Yuan Shun instructed, his eyes as deep as an abyss.

Han Yi's brow relaxed slightly. Just as I suspected. After organizing his thoughts, he began his account.

"Some time ago, this disciple broke through to the Qi Refining Seventh Layer and earned the favor of Azure Dragon Peak, allowing me to relocate here. On my first day, filled with awe, I took a stroll around the peak and came across a courtyard..."

Han Yi narrated meticulously, leaving no detail unmentioned, striving to recreate the scene vividly.

"..."

"Later, to be cautious, this disciple secretly notified the Three Elders of Red Sun Market's pagoda. I beg your forgiveness for not reporting directly to you, Sect Leader. I await your punishment."

With that, Han Yi bowed his head, clasping his hands in a formal salute.

"So, a phantom figure materialized in that courtyard, and Chu Yi addressed him as Elder Sun."

Yuan Shun wore a thoughtful expression.

"Yes, Sect Leader. I was nearby and heard it clearly," Han Yi affirmed.

"You did well. What crime have you committed?" Yuan Shun gently waved his hand, and Han Yi involuntarily straightened his posture and raised his head.

"Thank you, Sect Leader."

Before this, Yuan Shun had reviewed Han Yi's records and conducted a discreet investigation, finding this disciple remarkably intriguing.

Ten years ago, lacking sufficient points, Han Yi had been assigned to an outpost. A year later, his alchemy technique broke through, allowing him to return to the sect.

Comprehension.

During the Great Immortal-Demon War, when the sect mobilized its forces, this resourceful fellow even bribed the Peak Lord of an Outer Peak to avoid conscription.

Adaptability.

Later, during the conflict with the Blood God Sect, he was once again thrust onto the front lines. After a chaotic night of fierce fighting, he somehow managed to survive.

Luck? Or genuine strength?

In just about a decade, he had advanced from the second layer of Qi Refining to the seventh. His cultivation speed rivaled that of disciples with exceptional innate talent.

Innate Talent.

Comprehension, adaptability, and innate talent—such qualities rarely converged in one individual. This was a promising seedling worth nurturing.

However, this disciple seemed excessively cautious. Yuan Shun didn't disapprove of caution itself, but in Han Yi, he saw a distinct tendency towards excessive self-preservation, a "survivalist cunning" that bordered on playing it safe.

He needed to find a way to apply appropriate pressure to this promising seedling, to push him beyond his comfort zone, Yuan Shun thought to himself.

However, that wasn't his primary reason for being here.

Standing nearby, Han Yi suddenly felt his body covered in goosebumps, as if he were being stalked by some mythical behemoth. He froze, afraid to move.

The sensation passed in an instant, and when he tried to sense it again, it was gone without a trace. He wondered if what he'd felt earlier had been a mere illusion.

After a moment of deliberation, he ventured cautiously, "May this disciple ask, has Chu Yi been apprehended? And besides him, are there any others within the Sect who...?"

Han Yi trailed off, but his meaning was clear.

He had only seized the opportunity to ask in passing, not truly expecting Yuan Shun to answer. The most likely outcome, he figured, was that Yuan Shun would dismiss him due to his low cultivation realm, advising him to focus on training. Once his realm and strength improved, he would naturally learn the answers.

To his surprise, Yuan Shun abandoned all pretense of being a Sect Leader and answered directly:

"Chu Yi has been captured. He was apprehended on the very same day."

Han Yi's eyes lit up. He seized the opportunity, confident that the Sect Leader's Immortal techniques would reveal more details.

"But," Yuan Shun shook his head, "there was a Secret Art seal in his mind. The moment he was captured, it automatically annihilated his soul, leaving only an empty shell."

"Still, following his trail has yielded some gains for us."

As he spoke, divine light flickered in Yuan Shun's eyes, his killing intent carefully concealed.

Han Yi's heart skipped a beat. This kind of seal could only have been placed by the upper echelons of the Blood God Sect. How ruthless!

"Sect Leader," Han Yi ventured hesitantly, "this disciple has another question. How did you discover that I was the one who reported Chu Yi?"

After a moment of hesitation, Han Yi voiced his lingering doubt. With the Sect Leader of the Profound Pill Sect right before him, this was the perfect opportunity to clear his suspicions.

Yuan Shun glanced at Han Yi, his gaze so piercing that Han Yi felt thoroughly scrutinized. A chill ran down his spine.

"Do you truly believe the Sect turns a blind eye to the twenty-one markets across the Inner and Outer Peaks? You underestimate our reach."

"For years, every incident, no matter how trivial, within the Inner and Outer Peak markets has been meticulously recorded and archived—just in case."

"Furthermore, have you ever wondered why Chu Yi didn't choose the Inner and Outer Peak market—where identities could be easily concealed—as his communication point with the outside world? Why did he risk using the Inner Peak instead?"

Han Yi's body stiffened as the realization dawned on him. He had clearly underestimated the Sect. Over the years, the Inner and Outer Peak market had remained remarkably free of serious incidents. Even when Robber Cultivators appeared, they operated outside the market's boundaries, in isolated incidents. This demonstrated the Sect's formidable control over the market.

Otherwise, leaving such a truly anonymous gray area in the heart of the Sect would be like burying a landmine in their own backyard, keeping the Sect's leaders awake at night.

Han Yi suddenly recalled that most Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivators in the market didn't bother with masks. He had previously assumed this was because they knew each other, but now he realized there was a more fundamental reason: these seasoned cultivators, more familiar with the Sect Market, understood that anonymity was an illusion. If the Sect wanted to investigate, they could easily uncover anyone's true identity.

The so-called "concealing one's aura" and "hiding one's identity" were mere formalities for ordinary transactions. But when Sect affairs were involved, no matter who you were, a thorough investigation would expose everything.

It seems I'll need to be more cautious in the future.

Moreover,

Until now, I hadn't considered the question Yuan Shun raised: Why would Chu Yi, a disciple of Vermilion Bird Peak, risk placing that mysterious pearl in an uninhabited courtyard on the Inner Peak?

If it were me, I would have undoubtedly chosen to place it in a shop in the Inner Peak market, using the shop as a cover. That would have been the safest approach.

However,

Why Azure Dragon Peak specifically?

Azure Dragon Peak was the foremost Inner Peak. Why not choose one of the lower-ranked, weaker Inner Peaks? The chances of discovery would have been significantly lower.

As if sensing Han Yi's unspoken question, Yuan Shun added, "As for why they specifically chose Azure Dragon Peak, that involves their unique method of communication, which I am not at liberty to explain."

"Alright, this matter is concluded. Within the entire Profound Pill Sect, only I know you reported this. No one else is aware. I've also erased your traces from the Immortal Surveillance Mirror, ensuring you won't be implicated further. You can rest assured."

Han Yi's face lit up with delight at Yuan Shun's words. Though he didn't know what the Immortal Surveillance Mirror was, he suspected it held the key to uncovering his secret. Regardless, the Sect Leader's assurance put his mind at ease.

"Thank you, Sect Leader," he said.

Yuan Shun nodded, then added with a pointed glance, "However, the Sect is currently facing challenges and needs strong new cultivators to join us. Therefore, greater trials lie ahead. I look forward to seeing how you perform."

Without waiting for Han Yi to ask further questions, Yuan Shun turned and strode away. With a single step, he ascended into the sky, and within moments, he was gliding through the sea of clouds. In less than half a breath, he vanished completely, leaving no trace of his immortal presence.

Han Yi stood before the courtyard, slowly exhaling a sigh of relief.

He gazed in the direction Yuan Shun had departed, his eyes filled with unspeakable envy. "Compared to the Golden Core Stage, the Qi Refining Stage is nothing more than a mortal existence."

The Immortal Path stretches endlessly... When will I finally achieve Immortal Foundation Establishment and soar through the heavens?

A slight frown creased Han Yi's brow. Sect Leader Yuan's final words seemed to carry a deeper meaning. What exactly are these "greater trials"?

Shaking his head, Han Yi decided not to dwell on what he couldn't understand. He pushed open the courtyard gate, stepped inside, and activated the protective formation.

In the meditation chamber, Han Yi replayed Sect Leader Yuan's words from earlier that day, extracting the key information.

He gained a deeper understanding of the Sect Market.

He also gained a profound appreciation for the Blood God Sect's ruthless treatment of its own disciples. The life-or-death struggle between the two sects left no room for carelessness; any misstep could be fatal. He resolved never to interfere, knowing that discovery would lead to certain death.

From now on, he would be even more cautious and bide his time.

As for Sect Leader Yuan's final remark about a "greater challenge," Han Yi remained uncertain of its meaning.

Oh well, he thought, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it. Water flows around earth, and soldiers are countered by generals.

Ever since his transmigration, Han Yi's personality had remained unchanged from his previous life: a natural inclination for summarizing and analyzing information. This innate habit served him well.

Sharpening the blade doesn't delay the woodcutting, he reasoned. After an hour of summarizing and distilling the key points, Han Yi resumed his cultivation.

The long night deepened, accompanied by the Immortal Path. Far from being tedious, his inspiration grew steadily, guiding him deeper into a state of enlightenment.