Chapter 52: Three Problems

"This is the rogue cultivator you were talking about?" Gu Yuan asked, pointing at the young-looking cultivator standing before him with an excited expression.

"Yes. He may only be at the Third Stage of Qi Refinement, but he is quite talented!"

Only at the Third Stage of Qi Refinement?

Gu Yuan couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly as he used his Thread of Providence.

[Threads of Providence]

Name: Fang Lin

Age: 130

Cultivation: Foundation Establishment Realm, Eighth Stage

Spiritual Root: Fire and Wind Root (Second Grade)

Providence: Ordinary

Special Note: Fang Lin, a disciple of the Silent Valley Sect. In order to infiltrate the Black Desolation Sect, he is posing as a rogue cultivator. His purpose is to verify whether the rumors are true; that the Heavenly Twin Stars were gravely injured in battle and remain unseen, or if they have simply withdrawn into seclusion.

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As Gu Yuan read the information, the incompetent label he had given Wang Fu became even more firmly established in his mind.

One spy, one traitor, and one incompetent disciple.

One was smiling triumphantly, one was smiling bitterly, and the other was grinning foolishly.

Gu Yuan gave the three of them a small smile before taking out his flying leaf.

"Then, shall we go?"

"Yes, Senior."

"...Yes, Senior Brother."

With Lu Feng riding his own flying sword and Fang Lin riding with him, Gu Yuan finally departed for the sect.

The journey back was slow since he had to keep up with Lu Feng’s speed, but fortunately, they didn’t encounter any trouble along the way and safely arrived at the Black Desolation Sect.

Gu Yuan didn’t go to the Inner Sect immediately. Instead, he headed to the Mission Hall in the Outer Sect.

"Senior Brother, you need to report the completion of your mission at the Inner Sect division where you accepted it," the disciple on duty told him. "Not here."

Gu Yuan smiled.

"Can you call the deacon stationed here? I have something to report to him first."

The disciple glanced past him at the two men standing behind. Understanding seemed to dawn, and a faint frown appeared on his face. Even so, he did not refuse. He left and soon returned with Deacon Hei.

"Greetings. I’m Gu Yuan, an Inner Sect disciple who went to Redleaf Town to conduct a routine inspection."

"What do you want from me? Speak quickly." Deacon Hei made no effort to hide his impatience.

Gu Yuan nodded. He then took a step to the side and pointed at Lu Feng.

"This is Lu Feng, a disciple of Elder Qiu He. He has been embezzling the sect’s resources by falsifying the records."

Then he pointed at the other man.

"And this is Fang Lin, a disciple of the Silent Valley Sect. He is hiding his cultivation and infiltrated our sect as a spy."

Not only Deacon Hei, but also the disciple who had gone to call him, Fang Lin, Lu Feng, and every other Outer Sect disciple nearby who could hear Gu Yuan’s words fell silent.

For a moment, the entire Mission Hall was deathly quiet.

Everyone stared at Gu Yuan.

Such a ridiculous introduction had left them completely dumbfounded.

The first to make a move was Fang Lin, the spy, who immediately realized that he had been exposed.

How had he been discovered?

There was no time to think about that now. He abruptly turned around and struck out with his palm those around him, before immediately fleeing.

Gu Yuan didn’t stop him. He merely took a few steps back, making no intention of involving himself further.

Deacon Hei seemed to finally understand what was happening. He chased after Fang Lin while shouting, "Catch Lu Feng! I’ll go after that spy!"

Only after being called out did Lu Feng finally make his move.

He released his full cultivation and began struggling desperately.

The disciples surrounding him were only at the Qi Refinement Realm. To Lu Feng, it was like being surrounded by a herd of sheep. Although there were many of them, they were no threat to him.

He could easily injure them. However, whenever he was about to deliver a killing blow, Gu Yuan would intervene just enough to stop him. In this way Lu Feng was gradually trapped in a quagmire, unable to break free.

When the number of disciples surrounding him finally decreased to a certain extent and Lu Feng thought he could see a chance to escape, another deacon arrived.

Gu Yuan watched without interfering any further.

Before long, Lu Feng was captured, while Fang Lin was also brought back by Deacon Hei and another deacon.

"I can go now, right?"

Gu Yuan smiled as he asked.

Deacon Hei clenched his teeth but said nothing. In the end, he could only nod.

-----

Back in the Inner Sect, Gu Yuan went to the Mission Hall again and gave a proper report.

This time, he reported the actual condition of the Redleaf Blood Grass in Redleaf Town, as well as Wang Fu’s inability to properly manage the town. He explained what had happened and provided the necessary evidence, naturally concealing several details, including how he had discovered the spy.

After receiving his mission reward, Gu Yuan finally returned to his residence.

After that exciting trip outside the sect, one year passed quietly in his room.

During that time, he cultivated, studied Array Formation, and practiced his other techniques.

"Maybe it’s time to do something else?"

Gu Yuan muttered to himself as he turned his attention toward the Orb of Creation and the techniques he had set aside inside it to practice later.

Now, which one should he practice this time?

After thinking for a moment, Gu Yuan remembered that his current movement technique was still only at the Profound Grade. It was the movement technique he had received from his master, Luo Yunjin.

Now, it was time to replace it with the one he had received from Ji Yue... his Dao companion.

Heavenly Shadow Traversal: Middle-Heaven Grade.

It was the highest-ranked technique he had practiced so far.

Simply beginning to comprehend it was difficult.

Yes, that was how it should have been if he didn’t possess the special ability, Heart of Comprehension.

But with it, even if it couldn’t miraculously allow him to master the technique completely, it could at least let him cross the initial hurdle of comprehending it far more easily.

Like that, absorbed in his new movement technique, his other techniques, and his cultivation, time quietly passed.