The sun rose and set.
To avoid detection, Han Yi waited in place for an entire night before quietly departing. The night hadn't been entirely fruitless, however; he had reached a firm decision.
As he leaped over the courtyard wall, he paused slightly, sensing the familiar fluctuations of Spirit Qi within. He now had a theory about the Phantom Pearl: if he was right, it was a unique Magic Artifact—a combination of a pearl and a mirror—capable of transmitting images and sounds over great distances.
As for why the Phantom Pearl emitted faint, intermittent pulses of Spirit Qi, Han Yi couldn't fathom the underlying spell principles. After all, he wasn't a true Immortal, and omniscience was beyond his grasp.
Throughout his journey back, Han Yi maintained an expression of perfect composure. Only after returning to the courtyard and activating his Formation Arts did he finally exhale in relief.
He settled into a meditative posture in his Meditation Chamber and began meticulously reevaluating his next steps.
First and foremost, he needed to completely disassociate himself from this affair. He absolutely couldn't get involved. A Qi Refining Seventh Layer cultivator like him would be crushed to dust if caught in the crossfire of a secret conflict between two major sects.
Secondly, he absolutely had to report this. If he hadn't witnessed it, he might have let it slide, but now that he had, failing to act would weigh heavily on his conscience. More importantly, allowing this situation to persist would ultimately jeopardize his own future. If the Profound Pill Sect were to collapse, he would become a rogue cultivator, losing the Sect's protection and stability.
"It's good to seek shade under a big tree," Han Yi had always believed. Therefore, when the survival of the Profound Pill Sect was at stake, he would do everything in his power to help, provided his own safety was assured.
Thirdly, he needed to choose a suitable method of reporting the matter—one that would compel the Sect to act decisively, rather than simply being ignored.
Based on these three considerations, Han Yi devised several potential strategies.
The most direct approach would be to approach the Sect Leader, a Golden Core Stage Supreme Elder, or a Foundation Establishment Stage Elder, such as the Golden Core cultivator stationed in the tower atop Azure Dragon Peak, or Bai Wanqing, Luo Yunzhou's Master, whom he had met the previous day.
However, the Sect Leader was beyond his reach.
Nor dared he risk confiding in a Supreme Elder or Elder he could reach. You can know a person's face, but not their heart, he reminded himself. What if any of them had secretly defected to the Blood God Sect? Approaching them would be like walking straight into death's embrace.
Han Yi meticulously reviewed everyone he had encountered since his transmigration, along with all his interactions within the Sect, searching for the most appropriate course of action based on his experiences.
After a moment, his eyes lit up slightly.
"I've got it," he muttered.
"The most secure places for maintaining anonymity within the entire Profound Pill Sect must be the Inner and Outer Peak markets."
"The eighteen markets on the Outer Peak and the three on the Inner Peak all allow patrons to wear masks and conceal their auras, making them ideal locations for reporting this matter."
"Of course, the Inner Peak markets carry more weight. Crimson Sun, Overturning Sea, and White Tiger... Of these, I frequent Crimson Sun Market most often. That means I only need to make one trip. Once I reach Crimson Sun Market, all I have to do is..."
With a clear plan in mind, Han Yi mentally rehearsed his actions at the market, meticulously considering every detail. Then, he retrieved a piece of basic talisman paper left over from his talisman-making practice and used an ordinary brush to write a detailed account of his discovery about the Blood God Sect's internal traitor.
Having finished writing, he rose, left his residence, descended Azure Dragon Peak, and headed toward Red Sun Peak.
Moments later, Han Yi entered the Red Sun Market. Donning a mask to conceal his identity and suppressing his aura, he began to wander through the bustling marketplace.
Within the market, one could find private establishments like the Nine Dragons Merchant Guild, catering to the elite, as well as sect-affiliated shops such as the Profound Immortal Pill Shop and the Profound Fire Pill Shop. There were also merchant associations formed by groups of Ninth Layer Qi Refining disciples, and private stalls selling Medicinal Pills, Magic Artifacts, Spirit Talismans, Formation Plates, and more.
Following the Inner Peak Great Competition, the atmosphere of private trading within the sect had intensified significantly, and the market's population had at least doubled compared to before the conflict with the Blood God Sect.
This was Han Yi's first time exploring the Red Sun Market in its entirety. Previously, he had always been laser-focused on his objectives, never wasting time on aimless wandering.
After completing a full circuit and thoroughly familiarizing himself with the market's layout, Han Yi headed straight for its central district.
The Profound Pill Sect's Inner and Outer Peak markets were established by cordoning off sections within the respective peaks. As sect-founded markets, they were naturally managed by the sect itself. However, the sect's administration primarily focused on maintaining security and order, leaving the market's day-to-day operations to private merchants.
At the heart of the market stood a towering nine-story pagoda, built by the sect to oversee its safety and security. Han Yi knew that three Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators were stationed there daily.
His destination was precisely this pagoda, or rather, the three Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators within.
As Han Yi approached the pagoda, he swiftly retrieved an ordinary flying knife from his Storage Pouch. A talisman paper was tied to the knife's hilt. With a flick of his wrist, he hurled the blade, which sliced through the main gate with a sharp thwack and plunged inside.
Even a basic talisman paper was remarkably resilient and would never tear from such a simple throw.
The moment the knife left his hand, Han Yi darted away, weaving through the market streets in unpredictable patterns. To further conceal his tracks, he slipped into the Nine Dragons Merchant Guild.
Just as he vanished into the guild, a startled voice rang out behind him: "Who dares provoke the Red Sun Market?"
"Huh?"
The voice vanished, replaced by three terrifying auras of Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators that surged skyward, enveloping the entire market.
Han Yi, having entered the Nine Dragons Merchant Guild, appeared calm on the surface, but his heart raced with anxiety. He didn't want to be discovered, fearing that the Blood God Sect might have planted internal traitors among the Profound Pill Sect's Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators. If he were exposed, he would have no choice but to tell the truth and reveal everything.
Most importantly, he couldn't believe that all three Foundation Establishment Stage cultivators stationed in the market were Blood God Sect members. If even one wasn't, his safety could at least be partially assured. This was why he had chosen the pagoda.
But as it turned out, Han Yi had worried for nothing.
Even if the Blood God Sect had infiltrated the Profound Pill Sect, their success rate was minimal, especially at the Foundation Establishment Stage. These cultivators had all risen through the ranks, gradually progressing from the Outer Peak to the Inner Peak.
In less than three breaths, the three terrifying Foundation Establishment Stage auras receded, and the Red Sun Market returned to its usual calm.
"Huh? Why are the Three Elders out?"
"Could someone be robbing cultivators in the market?"
He Fangwei was slightly taken aback. Since his appointment as shopkeeper of the Nine Dragons Merchant Guild in Red Sun Market, this was the first time he had witnessed all three Foundation Establishment Stage Elders stationed there simultaneously releasing their auras, enveloping the entire market. He couldn't help but feel astonished.
However, within three breaths, the three terrifying auras vanished without a trace.
"Strange... truly strange," He Fangwei muttered, shaking his head. He wouldn't dare speculate on matters involving Foundation Establishment Stage Elders.
"By the way, Fellow Daoist, have you been looking to sell any Medicinal Pills lately?" He Fangwei's eyes lit up slightly as he focused on Han Yi, who had just entered the shop. "Or perhaps Gold-Silver Pills?"
Han Yi's inner tension eased slightly as the three auras outside receded, but he remained vigilant. When He Fangwei inquired, he replied calmly, "No, I'm here primarily to purchase some materials."