The bloodstains in the Dao Inquiry Pavilion were swiftly cleaned away, and the damaged floor tiles were replaced overnight, as though the sudden attack had never happened. Yet the barely perceptible traces of scorched matter and blood lingering in the air, the visibly reinforced patrols throughout the Headquarters Altar, and the stricter checks on everyone entering and leaving reminded every cultivator that beneath the calm surface, dark currents surged.
Han Li responded with thunderous speed. The public announcement of "an overwhelming victory, with one demonic Nascent Soul cultivator killed and two wounded," accompanied by images of several damaged demonic magical treasures seized in the battle, spread swiftly through channels controlled by the Mystic Division, raising towering waves across the Southern Heaven Cultivation World.
Upon hearing the news, many small and medium-sized factions and independent cultivators who had been watching the Righteous Path Alliance's consolidation from the sidelines, or even doubting Han Li's abilities, began to change their minds-Alliance Leader Han seemed to possess not only personal valor but a decidedly iron hand. Faced with such a perilous assassination attempt, he had not only emerged unscathed but killed and gravely wounded his attackers. The alliance under his command was clearly no brittle shell that would shatter at a touch.
Within the Righteous Path Alliance, hearts quickly settled. Orders for generous rewards were issued promptly. In particular, several low-ranking disciples who had remained composed amid the poisonous smoke and helped their fellow disciples received exceptional promotions and lavish rewards, greatly boosting morale. The Dao Inquiry Pavilion and Scripture Repository remained open as usual, and Han Li's announcement that he would give additional lectures next month filled countless disciples with anticipation. The Alliance Leader's calm composure dispelled their panic and instead strengthened the alliance's cohesion.
Behind all this "light," however, a covert investigation