"Truly worthy of being a Dou Emperor Expert."
"Even after so many days, and with the Mo Family covering their tracks, you could still detect it."
Gu Han was inwardly astonished by the Dou Emperor Expert's power.
Yun Yun keenly noticed his emotional fluctuation and asked, "You know about this?"
"I don't." Gu Han immediately focused his mind to visualize the Black Tortoise Shell, shaking his head with a calm expression. "I always thought I was the first to discover this place. I never expected someone else had beaten me to it."
"I've read the Record of Natural Treasures. Essence Crystal Jade Marrow is a natural treasure that can enhance cultivation even for Dou Kings and Dou Emperors."
"Not only that." Unable to detect anything from Gu Han's expression, Yun Yun didn't dwell on it further and began observing the surroundings. "A Jade Spirit Fruit Tree was once planted here."
"How is that possible?" Gu Han appeared genuinely shocked. "This is within the sect's core controlled territory, not far from Cloud Mist Mountain. Who could have quietly dug up a Jade Spirit Fruit Tree and taken the Essence Crystal Jade Marrow here?"
"Yes, who would possess such capability?" A sharp glint flashed in Yun Yun's eyes.
Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible, meaning there must be traitors within the sect itself.
With spies like Ka Long having remained hidden for years undetected, it seemed almost "normal" that a few betrayers or greed-driven individuals had emerged.
"It appears I need to initiate an internal investigation within the sect," Yun Yun thought to herself.
"Whatever was here before doesn't diminish your contribution."
Yun Yun took the lead, walking toward the narrow path, clearly intending to check where the other entrance was located.
Gu Han followed behind her. The two walked single file and soon emerged from the path.
"Over the years, this place was probably blocked by this large rock, which is why no one discovered it."
After scanning the massive boulder thoughtfully, Yun Yun said to Gu Han, "I have matters to attend to at the sect. Return to the sect on your own, and don't forget you're going to Wutan City with the Nalan family tomorrow."
Without waiting for Gu Han's response, she manifested Dou Qi Wings and soared into the air.
Gu Han: "..."
Brings me here but doesn't take me back. What a... woman.
"But I can fly too." Gu Han strode toward the Third Peak.
It wasn't the right time to fly just yet.
"Whoosh."
Transforming into a streak of cyan light, Yun Yun flew through the sky and soon returned to the cave with the hot spring.
Without Gu Han around, she could peacefully bathe alone and enjoy some leisurely time.
But just as she removed her outer robe, the jade pendant at her waist emitted a glow.
This was the signal that a Dou King Elder in the sect had encountered an urgent matter requiring her return.
"..." Yun Yun could only put her outer robe back on and fly away from the cave, returning to Cloud Mist Mountain.
In her haste, however, she forgot to retrieve the hairpin she had taken off and placed on a nearby rock.
About fifteen minutes later, Gu Han used his Flight Fighting Skill to ascend the cliff and entered the cave.
"Huh?"
Seeing the hairpin, Gu Han was momentarily stunned, then found the situation somewhat amusing.
So Yun Yun had rushed off in such a hurry to come here for a private bath—no wonder she didn't bring him along.
But she probably didn't get to bathe before being summoned back by Yun Leng's message.
"You couldn't enjoy the bath, but I can." Gu Han stored Yun Yun's hairpin in his Storage Ring.
Meanwhile, behind the main hall at Cloud Mist Mountain.
Yun Yun returned to the inner chamber, striding purposefully toward her sect leader's throne.
She wore a brocade robe, exuding an indescribable nobility, with the authoritative presence of a sect leader fully displayed.
Elegant, dignified, and immensely powerful, her jade-like beauty remained stern and unsmiling, making others dare not offend her.
"Great Elder, what matter brings you to seek this sect leader?"
Yun Yun swept her robe behind her with a wave and seated herself grandly on the throne, her gaze falling upon Yun Leng, who occupied the first seat to her left.
"Reporting to the sect leader, this elder's personal disciple unexpectedly discovered a Spirit Accumulation Ground while tempering his Dou Skill in the mountain range behind Cloud Mist Mountain." Yun Leng got straight to the point, gesturing toward Mo Yu seated to his right. "This elder has specifically brought him to report the situation."
Report the situation? Clearly, he was here to seek rewards.
However, as long as a disciple truly contributed to the sect, even if they weren't from her own faction, Yun Yun would still grant rewards where due.
Yet the words "Spirit Accumulation Ground" caused her brows to subconsciously furrow, and her gaze toward Mo Yu carried a hint of pressure. "The Spirit Accumulation Ground you discovered—was it at the end of a small path behind a rock in the first mountain range, inside Deer Heaven Cave?"
Yun Yun's detailed description made it evident she was already aware. Mo Yu felt both astonished and nervous, not daring to lie. "Reporting to the sect leader, it was there."
"That place—this sect leader has already discovered it. I've even dug pits and prepared to transplant some rare spiritual treasures there." Yun Yun raised her hand, resting it on the armrest and lightly tapping.
The sound was faint, yet to Mo Yu, it felt like heavy blows striking his heart, his mood growing immensely heavy. "Since the sect leader has already found it, then it has nothing to do with this disciple."
Yun Leng felt regret for his disciple but said nothing more, clasping his fists. "Sect leader, this elder's report was solely about this information. Had I known the sect was already aware, I would not have troubled you to return."
"No matter." Yun Yun raised her hand to indicate it was fine. "A Spirit Accumulation Ground holds significant value. You acted correctly, Great Elder; it should indeed be reported to this sect leader immediately."
At this point, Yun Yun's tone suddenly shifted as she inquired of Mo Yu, "What do you think about planting a Jade Spirit Fruit Tree there?"
Bang!
Mo Yu trembled, abruptly standing up, his expression drastically changing.
His mind raced—how could Yun Yun even know about this? Could it be that this sect leader was the one who transplanted the Jade Spirit Fruit Tree?
No, if Yun Yun had discovered the place, she could simply assign disciples to guard it. That area originally belonged to Cloud Mist Sect; there was no need to secretly steal the Jade Spirit Fruit Tree.
So, how did she know!?
"Mo Yu, what are you hiding? Confess at once!" Yun Leng, wise with age, took one look at Mo Yu's reaction and knew he had concealed something from his master, yet the sect leader had seen through it. He couldn't help but rebuke him.
"Reporting to the Great Elder and Sect Leader, there was indeed a Jade Spirit Fruit Tree growing in that Spirit Accumulation Ground..." Mo Yu, frightened, knelt to the ground and immediately began explaining.
He omitted the fact that the Spirit Accumulation Ground had been discovered by Mo Cheng many years earlier and that the Jade Spirit Fruit Tree had been transplanted by his Mo Family.
He only stated that he had accidentally discovered the Spirit Accumulation Ground and the Jade Spirit Fruit Tree while searching for magical beasts in the back mountains to temper his Dou Skill.
At the time, he had intended to report it, but considering his younger brother Mo Qing had not yet broken through to Dou Fighter, he wanted to wait until the fruit ripened and pick one first.
However, when he returned after the fruit matured, he found the entire tree had vanished without a trace, dug up by an unknown party.
"How dare you!" Yun Leng slammed the table. "The sect leader has always been fair in rewards and punishments. Had you reported it immediately, the Jade Spirit Fruit would have been generously awarded to you if needed. How could it have reached the point where the Jade Spirit Fruit Tree was stolen!?"
"Your disciple admits his fault!" Mo Yu expressed terror and repentance in every possible way.
Yun Yun watched his performance with an ambiguous smile. "You claim ignorance about how the Jade Spirit Fruit Tree was dug up, but what about the Essence Crystal Jade Marrow?"
Boom!
Both Mo Yu and Yun Leng's expressions changed drastically.
"Essence Crystal Jade Marrow!?"