Han Yuan's Response

"Have me go personally? I understand. Chang Chun, don't worry. Since you work for me, I'll definitely protect you," Han Yuan said calmly.

"Chang Chun understands!" Chang Chun nodded heavily. Then he bid Han Yuan farewell and continued searching for a list of treasures that could grant permanent effects on Han Yuan's behalf. He had yet to finish this task; the documents in the Scripture Repository alone were far too numerous.

Liu Sisi stepped forward, wanting to speak.

Han Yuan smiled. "Don't rush yet."

He looked at Qin Feng. "It's rare for you to come looking for me. Tell me first, what happened?"

Qin Feng hurriedly set down his broom and ran over.

"Estate Master, do you remember Hu Yifan? Among the outer sect circles, he's secretly spreading bad news about you." Qin Feng paused slightly.

Han Yuan signaled for him to continue.

"He says you aren't qualified to become a True Disciple at all. He says you used underhanded means, spread rumors to mislead the Peak Lord and elders about you, and in the end tricked them into giving you the status of a True Disciple! He's even using his identity as your neighbor to prove what your cultivation has been like these past two years, saying you cultivated slower than he did. He's secretly inciting people to join forces and oppose you becoming a True Disciple, trying to drive you from your position."

Qin Feng's face was full of panic. "Estate Master, what should we do?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Sisi's face also showed shock and worry.

Yet Han Yuan said calmly, "Have you ever heard of a True Disciple being stripped of that status?"

Qin Feng shook his head. "I don't know."

Liu Sisi, however, spoke up. "I once looked through some history books. In the Earth God Sect's thousand-year history, I've never heard of anyone becoming a True Disciple and then being driven down from that position. Even if they lost all their cultivation due to an accident, there was no precedent for abolishing their status. The only reasons True Disciple positions were vacated were death in battle, death from old age, or a breakthrough."

Han Yuan said calmly, "Doesn't that settle it? No matter what means I used to become a True Disciple, once I'm sitting in that position, I don't need to fear being driven down. If I really were driven down, then after the first time, there would be a second. Other True Disciples, or those who wish to become True Disciples, would never agree to that. The Peak Lord couldn't afford to lose that face either."

Liu Sisi fell into thought.

Qin Feng nodded in sudden realization, visibly letting out a breath of relief.

"Still, this Hu Yifan really doesn't know when to advance and when to retreat." Han Yuan narrowed his eyes. "Is he carrying out someone's orders?"

His gaze drifted, seemingly by chance, toward Liu Sisi, who had lowered her head.

Liu Sisi also felt a little uneasy, secretly muttering, Liu Xinghe isn't still stirring up trouble, is he?

Qin Feng said, "I think he's just jealous that you became a Personal Disciple, so he's seeing red! I heard quite a few people have been ostracizing him. Maybe he couldn't stand being pushed aside anymore? He often talks behind my back too. Heh, a fool who only knows how to wag his tongue!"

Han Yuan understood and did not pay much attention to Hu Yifan.

Just now, he had been thinking about the Spirit Script Peak Welfare Hall's reaction, then about the changes in the Mission Hall. He chuckled inwardly. It seemed someone was dissatisfied with him. But so what if they were dissatisfied? He was still a Secret Legacy Disciple.

Still, he really did need to give them a response. Otherwise, these people would surely press their luck and demand more.

Suddenly, he thought of what Qin Feng had just said about Hu Yifan and narrowed his eyes.

He suddenly asked, "Junior Sister Liu, what punishment is there for breaking someone's limbs?"

Liu Sisi froze. "Limbs..."

"What?"

"The punishment probably isn't too severe? It seems three months in confinement would be enough. Injuries to the limbs are still very easy to recover from," Liu Sisi said after thinking it over.

"Then what if someone accidentally crippled an Outer Sect Disciple's Dantian?" Han Yuan asked softly.

He deliberately emphasized the identity of an Outer Sect Disciple.

Qin Feng understood something and could not help sucking in a sharp breath.

"Th-this is a very serious matter. The punishment would be twenty or thirty years of confinement. The spiritual energy there is extremely thin too. If one is locked up for that long, there's basically no chance of reaching Foundation Establishment!" Liu Sisi said solemnly.

Han Yuan muttered, "Throw one punch to keep a hundred punches from coming."

"Estate Master, don't do it yourself!" Qin Feng hurriedly said.

Han Yuan rolled his eyes. "What are you thinking? How could I possibly do it myself?"

"Huh?" Qin Feng stared blankly.

Han Yuan said, "I remember Hu Yifan has a friend named Wu Chao, right? Go ask him whether he'd be willing to spar with Hu Yifan. If he accidentally injures Hu Yifan, then once he gets out, he can come work here at Cangming Cave Mansion. And I'll guarantee that he reaches Peak of Ninth Level Qi Refining before the age of sixty, and give him one chance at Foundation Establishment!"

"Th-this..." Qin Feng's eyes widened.

He suddenly felt the urge to do it himself. If he cultivated on his own, he truly might not reach Peak of Ninth Level Qi Refining before sixty, much less obtain a Foundation Establishment Pill to attempt a breakthrough.

Han Yuan thought of something and turned to Liu Sisi. "If one performs well, the term of confinement can be reduced, right?"

"There should be a way," Liu Sisi said hesitantly. She thought of her family's influence. Though the sect was relatively safe, factions stood everywhere within it. When interests were touched, blood could still be spilled.

"Then fine. When the time comes, I can think of a way to fish him out early. Of course, the premise is that he's willing to do it."

Han Yuan looked at Qin Feng. "Understand?"

"Oh! Oh! Understood." A sheen of cold sweat appeared on Qin Feng's forehead.

"If he isn't willing, find Hu Yifan's other 'friends.' There will always be someone who wants it. Also, after he gets caught, you can send this to him in there, so he'll have an easier time inside."

Han Yuan tossed him a bottle of Qi Condensing Pills.

"Yes!" Qin Feng caught it and wiped the sweat from his forehead again.

"Mhm. Keep it clean. Don't leave any evidence behind. But afterward, you still need to spread some rumors, such as Han Yuan being a sinister, cunning petty man who bears grudges over every slight. Or how Hu Yifan offended True Disciple Han in the past and has now ended up in such-and-such a state. Things like that."

Qin Feng was deeply shaken. It could be done like this?

Liu Sisi also looked as if she were getting to know Han Yuan all over again, her expression becoming somewhat restrained.

Han Yuan looked at their expressions speechlessly. Why were they looking at him like that? Others had targeted him again and again; even a clay figurine had three parts anger. Was he not allowed to resist a little? He did not stir up trouble, but he was not afraid of it either.

Qin Feng left with heavy steps.

Liu Sisi stood beside Han Yuan, no longer as carefree as usual, a trace of complexity in her eyes.

"Is there something you need?" Han Yuan asked with a gentle smile.

Liu Sisi gathered her thoughts before speaking. "Senior Brother, I've already investigated Di Qing's identity."

"Tell me."

"Di Qing is indeed a member of the Di Family, a Cultivation Family, and one of its Direct Descendants. Their family mainly operates in the cultivation of spirit plants and the trade of Spirit Medicine. Many of their clansmen have joined Planting Peak, and they even have several elders there. Their connections are extensive, and they have cooperative ties with many alchemists and alchemy families. They can be considered a Golden Core Clan of some standing," Liu Sisi explained everything in full, without concealing anything.

Han Yuan looked somewhat surprised. "A disciple I happened to run into could actually be from a Golden Core Clan?"

"Uh, Estate Master, you've actually underestimated yourself." Liu Sisi explained, "You were able to independently grow a season of Blood Spirit Rice before even joining Planting Peak. Your talent for planting isn't poor, so it's normal that you drew some attention. If you hadn't soared to the heavens in a single leap, he might have investigated your circumstances and invited you to join Planting Peak."

Han Yuan nodded in sudden understanding. So that was it. In his previous life, he had farmed when he was young and had mastered some techniques for growing rice. Coupled with his Wood Spiritual Root, he truly had some experience in farming. Unfortunately, the world was ever-changing and fortunes were as fickle as clouds. If the Golden Finger had not appeared, perhaps he would have walked the proper path of a Spirit Planter.

Liu Sisi secretly studied Han Yuan's thoughtful expression, then still gritted her teeth and said, "Actually, I'm also from a Golden Core Clan, though only from a collateral branch. The sect's relationship with the great families runs very deep. Basically, many disciples have family backgrounds."

"Does Hu Yifan?" Han Yuan suddenly asked.

Liu Sisi was slightly stunned. She had not expected Han Yuan to ask that so suddenly; she had even been worried that he would grow disgusted with her.

She hurriedly shook her head. "No, he's just an ordinary disciple. He has no connections and seems to have no background either."

Just now, she had secretly sent a message to Liu Xinghe and confirmed that it was not his doing.

Han Yuan nodded. The waters of the sect ran deep indeed. Normally, Hu Yifan could dislike him, grumble about him, curse him, loathe him, and slander him all he wanted, and Han Yuan would not care. But at this critical juncture, if he did not show some attitude, it would seem as though anyone could bully him. Hu Yifan had simply run headfirst into the muzzle of the gun, at exactly the right time.

"Fine, continue. I'm guessing your family gave you some task as well?" Han Yuan smiled slightly.

"Uh, yes." Liu Sisi admitted it openly. She lightly gathered the loose strands of hair that had fallen over her forehead and tucked them behind her ear, her pretty face flushing slightly. "M-my family also wants to cooperate with you. For example, selling some mature Spirit Beasts, ferocious beasts, Spirit Rice, Spirit Medicine, and so on. Also, True Disciples have the qualifications to occupy or manage certain industries outside the sect. We can cooperate on those too."

Han Yuan asked doubtfully, "Doesn't your family raise Spirit Beasts and things like that? You need Spirit Rice and spirit herbs too?"

Liu Sisi hurriedly said, "Naturally, a family's operations are diverse; it's just that there are areas of focus. We also have distribution channels for Spirit Rice, as well as alchemists and so on."

"Oh, I see." Han Yuan revealed a contemplative expression.

"As for this matter, I'll give you an answer tomorrow. But don't worry, your Liu Family will definitely get a share," Han Yuan said.

Liu Sisi let out a breath of relief, and a smile appeared on her face.