"Bang!"
Yun Leng slammed the table heavily with his palm, his sharp gaze fixed on Mo Yu. "Speak! What exactly happened?"
Though he had his own selfish motives, maintained closer relationships with some within the sect, and secretly had dealings with the Mo Family, what he valued and cared about most was still his identity as the Grand Elder of the Cloud Mist Sect.
If the Mo Family had done anything detrimental to the sect's interests, he would be the first to oppose it and would absolutely not shield them.
"Master, I... I don't know!"
Facing the pressure from a Dou Emperor and the fury of a Dou King, Mo Yu trembled all over, completely lacking his usual calm and composed demeanor.
"There was indeed a Jade Spirit Fruit Tree there, and I did covet the Jade Spirit Fruits, but I truly never intended to claim the Jade Spirit Fruit Tree for myself, and I had no knowledge of the existence of the Essence Crystal Jade Marrow."
"If I dared to monopolize the benefits of that place, how would I dare to report it to the sect!?"
This statement wasn't false. The methods of a Dou Emperor and Dou King were beyond what the Mo Family could imagine.
Theoretically, the Mo Family wouldn't have the audacity to claim a natural treasure for themselves and then proactively report the Spirit Accumulation Ground to seek additional rewards.
But greed could sometimes make people lose their rationality and take desperate risks.
Yun Yun not only suspected the Mo Family but even had doubts about Yun Leng.
After all, with the help of the Essence Crystal Jade Marrow, Yun Leng might have had a chance to glimpse the Dou Emperor realm.
However, she didn't reveal these suspicions. Instead, she restrained her aura and said, "Grand Elder, I entrust this matter to you for a thorough investigation."
"That Spirit Accumulation Ground is located in the first mountain range closest to Cloud Mist Mountain, still within our Cloud Mist Sect's core territory where the grand formation can cover."
"To discover that place and silently take away both the Jade Spirit Fruit Tree and the Essence Crystal Jade Marrow—even a Dou Emperor Expert couldn't accomplish that."
"What this represents, I believe you understand."
Yun Leng certainly understood—this meant there was a traitor within their ranks.
"Sect Master, rest assured. Even if I have to dig three feet into the ground, I will unearth that thief!" Yun Leng's voice carried a hint of killing intent.
That was Essence Crystal Jade Marrow. If the sect had obtained it, he would have had opportunities to use it, increasing his chances of breaking through to the Dou Emperor realm.
Damn thief! This is a grudge that blocks my path!
Yun Yun observed his reaction, unable to tell for a moment whether he was an excellent actor or truly unaware.
After Yun Leng withdrew with Mo Yu, she immediately sent a message to the Punishment Elder, Yun Shang, summoning him to the sect's main hall. She instructed him to lead a covert investigation into this matter.
Additionally, she activated a contingency measure left by her teacher—the Cloud Mist Sect Life and Death Guard responsible for protecting the Gate of Life and Death, a peak Dou King expert.
All internal traitors within the sect must be rooted out.
"Hmm?"
In the hot spring, Gu Han rubbed his nose, feeling somewhat itchy as if he needed to sneeze.
"I wonder who's thinking about me."
Gu Han collected his thoughts and focused his attention on the Black Tortoise Shell to obtain today's opportunity.
[In the third market of the northern district of the imperial capital, a middle-aged man with a scar on his face possesses the complete corpse of a second-rank Purple Wing Cloud Crane. Within this Purple Wing Cloud Crane's abdomen is a fully formed Purple Wing Cloud Crane egg. The father of this egg is a fifth-rank Heavenly Demon Phoenix, giving it rich Heavenly Demon Phoenix bloodline. With proper nurturing, there is a certain probability it can transform into a Heavenly Demon Phoenix.]
On the journey from the imperial capital to Wutan City, one would pass by a branch of the Magical Beast Mountain Range known as Thundercloud Mountain. At the summit of Thundercloud Peak, there was a hot spring. If a magical beast egg with wind and thunder attributes was placed within it, the creature's bloodline would be enhanced upon hatching.
Receiving these two pieces of information, a glint flashed in Gu Han's eyes.
These two opportunities could be considered interconnected—obtaining the first opportunity would naturally lead to the use of the second.
Of course, even if he obtained the first opportunity, he didn't necessarily have to use the second. Moreover, the second opportunity wasn't solely useful for the first.
Magical beast eggs with wind and thunder attributes weren't limited to just the Purple Wing Cloud Crane eggs, which possessed the bloodline of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix.
Holding his breath and focusing his mind, Gu Han rose from the hot spring and headed to a location where he could absorb the violet energy to cultivate.
Time slipped quietly through his fingers.
As the sun rose in the east, breaking through the dawn, Gu Han completed his final breath of violet energy and prepared to return to the sect.
This time, he didn't use his Flight Fighting Skill but instead relied on Serpentine Nine Steps to travel. His speed was still extremely fast.
"Elder, this disciple has come to receive his rank badge."
At the Outer Sect Affairs Hall, Gu Han presented his token and proceeded to have his strength verified using the Testing Magic Stone Tablet.
"Dou Fighter five... five stars!?"
The disciple responsible for the test widened his eyes, his face filled with disbelief.
For a moment, he wondered if there was something wrong with the Testing Magic Stone Tablet or his own eyes.
He knew Gu Han—this disciple had become an outer sect member less than a month ago and was not even fifteen years old. How could he already have reached the five-star Dou Fighter level?
"Whoosh!"
The elder instantly appeared before the Testing Magic Stone Tablet, personally inspecting it.
After confirming the result, he asked in a slightly trembling voice, "Gu Han, have you broken through to the five-star Dou Fighter level?"
"Some time ago, I received the Sect Leader's commendation and encountered some opportunities. I was fortunate enough to break through," Gu Han replied without changing his expression.
Hiss!
A collective intake of cold air echoed through the hall.
"I know this junior brother—he was the champion of the preparatory disciple competition. He became an outer sect disciple just over twenty days ago. Who would have thought he's already reached the five-star Dou Fighter level?"
"At five-star Dou Fighter, he's already among the top ranks of the nearly thousand outer sect disciples. And he's not even fifteen yet. I doubt it'll take more than a few years for him to become an inner sect disciple."
"Do you think he'll participate in the Outer Sect Disciple Competition?"
"Truly terrifying. Do you think Junior Brother Gu Han would consider taking a cultivation partner?"
"Do you ever look in the mirror when you focus on cultivation?"
"..."
The Cloud Mist Sect had nearly a thousand preparatory and outer sect disciples each. Preparatory disciples were weeded out annually, receiving only basic accommodations and monthly cultivation guidance. Outer sect disciples were also dispatched on assignments each year, maintaining a stable number.
However, there were only slightly over a hundred inner sect disciples at the Dou Master level, barely breaking three digits.
As for core disciples at the Dou Grand Master level, there were only a few dozen.
Given Gu Han's age and strength, he could be considered the most talented disciple in the Cloud Mist Sect at present, which naturally drew astonishment from others.
In reality, however, he was already a six-star Dou Fighter, proficient in multiple Mystic Skills and secret techniques, and even possessed a Flight Fighting Skill.
"Excellent, excellent."
The elder wore an extremely warm and amiable smile, swiftly handling the necessary procedures before solemnly presenting Gu Han with a badge symbolizing his status as a five-star Dou Fighter.
Gu Han pinned the badge prominently on his chest and, holding the Sect Leader Token, made his way to the main sect hall. Along the way, many people cast looks at him as if he were a monster.
In the inner hall, Yun Yun sat upright in the main seat, intently studying the map spread out on the table before her.
Nalan Yanran sat quietly beside her, skillfully preparing and serving tea.
Seeing Gu Han enter, Nalan Yanran lifted her chin: "Gu Han, you're rather late. My teacher and I have been waiting for you for quite some time."
As she spoke, Nalan Yanran subtly straightened her budding chest, revealing a badge that indicated she had reached the level of a Four Star Dou Fighter.
Yet in the next moment, her somewhat proud expression froze as she stared at Gu Han's chest in disbelief: "You... you've already broken through to Five Stars!?"
A Five Star Dou Fighter?
Yun Yun looked up, a surprised expression appearing on her face as she said: "Weren't you still at the peak of Four Star Dou Fighter last night?"
"I attempted to break through to Five Stars during my morning cultivation and fortunately succeeded," Gu Han replied with casual ease.
Yun Yun and Nalan Yanran: "..."
What fortunate indeed—we'd like some of that too.
A flicker of suspicion passed through Nalan Yanran's eyes—had her teacher met with Gu Han privately last night?
At that moment, Gu Han walked up to Yun Yun, took out a hairpin, and presented it: "Sect Leader, this disciple happened to find something last night..."
Yun Yun's beautiful eyes brightened slightly—this little fellow was finally referring to himself as "this disciple" in front of her.
But in the next moment, she was left speechless.
"Is this what you left behind during your bath last night?"
Yun Yun: !!!
Nalan Yanran: ???