Chapter 26: Swift Justice from the Disciplinary Hall, the Outer Sect Grand Selection Begins
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Everyone’s expression turned ugly at the humiliating words, but no one dared to argue with the disciples from the Disciplinary Hall. Even if they were insulted, they had to endure it.
The mining disciples left one by one, gloomy and frustrated. Not only had their cultivation been disrupted, but they had also been cursed out. Many secretly swore that if they ever formed their Foundation, they’d make these three pay dearly.
Yu Xian, naturally among them, wore an angry expression as he returned to his room. Only after entering did he relax and return to his usual calm demeanor. Standing by the door, he watched the three men through the door’s crack with cold eyes.
“Investigate? Let’s see how they do that,” Yu Xian muttered. He wasn’t worried. He didn’t believe these men had any heaven-defying means. If they did, they wouldn’t be wasting time on such a trivial matter.
“Begin the investigation.”
Liang Hucheng gave a cold snort. “But I still think it’s likely the guy was killed by a beast. Probably nothing more will come of this.”
The man beside him, Qian Sheng, shook his head. “The area within 500 miles of the Lieyang Mine was cleared of dangerous beasts years ago. Only some weak ones remain—none of which would threaten a cultivator at the peak of Qi Condensation.”
“What, you questioning me now?” Liang Hucheng narrowed his eyes, his tone icy.
“No, not at all. Just reasoning,” Qian Sheng replied calmly.
“Your reasoning is a joke,” Liang snapped. “You think no new beasts have shown up in seven years? That’s absurd.”
Qian Sheng simply nodded, not arguing further.
With a wave, Liang released a dragonfly-like insect. At first glance, it looked alive, but a closer inspection revealed it was a lifelike magical artifact, likely of the third grade. He tossed Huang Hanxiao’s shattered life token to the dragonfly and ordered, “Track!”
The dragonfly absorbed the token’s energy and took off, glowing faint green. The three men followed swiftly in its wake.
Yu Xian, watching from his room, frowned slightly.
“So the dragonfly leads them to the crime scene?” he mused. But he remained calm. The corpses were already reduced to ash, the cave had collapsed—no evidence remained.
Two incense sticks of time passed.
The dragonfly led the three investigators to the site of Huang Hanxiao’s death. Though the body was gone, traces of battle remained. The ground still bore scorch marks from the Fire Jiao Technique, even after four days.
Qian Sheng examined the burn marks and said, “It’s clearly not a beast attack. The killer used Fire Jiao Technique followed by multiple Fire Serpent Spells. There’s nothing left of the body. The murderer was extremely thorough.”
“No evidence? That is the best evidence,” Liang sneered. “The killer must be from our sect.”
“Why do you say that?” Qian Sheng asked, puzzled.
“Figure it out yourself. You need to learn,” Liang replied arrogantly and walked around, searching.
Eventually, he found faint blood trails.
“Hah! The victim fled this way—this is where the killing blow happened. Let’s find the starting point!”
Following the bloodstains, the investigators were led to the new mine area. Though the cave had collapsed, the scorch marks from the burnt bodies of Liu Xue and Sun Bingcheng were still visible.
After searching for a while, they found no further evidence.
“Who was mining here?” one of the men asked. “They might know something.”
Liang’s eyes lit up. “Yes! Let’s go ask.”
The trio returned to the dorms, summoning the miners again.
“Who was mining at the site 130 li east of here?” Liang barked.
The disciples exchanged confused glances. No one would go that far to mine when plenty of closer caves remained unmined.
Even Yu Xian put on a puzzled face.
Since Liu Xue and Sun Bingcheng had plotted against him, they definitely hadn’t told anyone about the new mine.
As expected, no one answered.
Liang’s face grew dark. “I’m not trying to kill you—just asking questions. If I check the mining records and find out who it was, and you lied, even if you’re innocent, you’ll be punished as guilty!”
Still, no one spoke.
He offered 50 spirit stones as a reward for anyone who came forward. Still, silence.
The other investigator sighed. “Clearly this mine was opened secretly. Only the three dead men knew who was mining there. That’s probably the root of this whole affair.”
Liang’s eyes flashed. “They fought over loot and killed each other?”
“Exactly,” the man named Old Guan nodded. “Let’s just report it that way. The killer covered their tracks well. Without the authority to use the Starwatch Mirror for time-reversal investigation, it’s not worth our time.”
“Right, we can’t delay. The Grand Selection is only three months away.”
Liang laughed coldly. “They died over greed—no need to find a killer. Trash like them only waste resources!”
Qian Sheng was surprised by how hastily the case was closed but said nothing. He also preferred to return to cultivation and prepare for the selection.
Just like that, the three from the Disciplinary Hall left.
Things turned out far less dramatic than Yu Xian had expected. None of the excuses or performances he had prepared were needed.
The next day, a new overseer was appointed—Liu Qinghe, a young man in his late twenties at late-stage Qi Condensation.
Liu Qinghe turned out to be quite easygoing. He made no threats, accepted no bribes, and only asked that everyone fulfill their monthly tribute quotas. Then he went into seclusion.
Everyone sighed in relief.
Yu Xian, after thinking for a bit, went to request a new mine.
At Liu Qinghe’s room, he respectfully asked to be reassigned as his old mine had dried up. Liu Qinghe, without even opening his eyes, casually assigned him to Yi-8 mine.
“Thank you, Overseer!” Yu Xian bowed and left with a smile.
The following three months were peaceful.
Yu Xian mined quietly, careful not to mine too quickly to avoid suspicion, earning over 3,000 spirit stones monthly. He bought pills, practiced alchemy, and continued to master Water Dragon Coil and Fire Jiao Technique.
His cultivation progressed slowly—he remained at mid-stage Qi Condensation, but his Qi Sea expanded to 1 zhang 4 chi (approx. 4.5 meters), and his spiritual pool deepened. His mastery of Fire Jiao Technique improved significantly.
After spending over 2,800 spirit stones on herbs and failing numerous times, he finally mastered the Peiyuan Pill recipe.
It was a fulfilling and peaceful three months.
Then, one day while refining Bloodburst Pills in the Alchemy Hall, a broadcast echoed across the sect:
“Ten days from now, the Grand Outer Sect Selection will begin! Sixty cultivators will be selected to join the Inner Sect! Any Outer Sect disciple confident in their strength and talent may register. The deadline is ten days!”
Yu Xian’s hands slipped, ruining the pill batch.
“What a shame,” he muttered, cleaning the cauldron. Then, as if nothing had happened, he continued refining. He wasn’t qualified to compete anyway—he was only mid-Qi Condensation.
Only late-Qi Condensation or peak cultivators could contend for those 60 spots. Yu Xian had never even considered entering.
But many others had!
Countless outer disciples had been waiting for this for months—refining magical tools, training hard, or desperately seeking breakthroughs.
To step into the Inner Sect was to ascend beyond the mortal world—Foundation Establishment would be within reach!
Twelve hours later, Yu Xian exited the Alchemy Hall with six bottles of freshly made Bloodburst Pills. Though not perfect, they were good enough for self-use.
Outside, the sect’s outer square was buzzing with activity.
Countless disciples flooded in from all directions, registering for the selection.
At the center of the square stood several men and women in various Daoist robes. They appeared calm and plain, like mortals—but the pressure they exuded made no one dare to meet their eyes.
They were Foundation Establishment disciples—members of the Inner Sect!
