Begin your practice with the crane-shaped stance.

Knowing the urgency of the situation, Zhao Ting and Xia Dong rushed to the Yinling Mine before nightfall. Zhao Ting piloted the flying magical artifact, recklessly expending his magical power, and finally arrived before darkness.

Upon landing and entering the illusion array, Zhao Ting immediately sensed the lingering aura of bloodlust surrounding him. When he clearly saw the three shriveled, gruesome corpses of the Wusheng Sect demons on the ground, even though he had prepared himself mentally, he couldn't help but be startled.

Zhao Ting stepped forward, squatted down, and carefully examined the dried corpse's bones and residual aura. The more he examined it, the deeper the look of surprise and doubt in his eyes became.

"These three guys, their cultivation levels in life were probably no lower than mine, at least mid-stage Qi Refining..." Zhao Ting stood up, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Xia Dong and Qin Wan, thinking, "Brother Xia, Fellow Daoist Qin, did you really 'luckily' defeat them?"

These were three desperate criminals at the mid-stage of Qi Refining; even if two of them were to fight him, they would be crippled or killed. Yet, Xia Dong and Qin Wan showed no signs of serious injury whatsoever.

A series of thoughts instantly flashed through Zhao Ting's mind.

He secretly speculated that this was definitely not a fluke; it was probably because a powerful figure behind Brother Xia had secretly helped him!

Furthermore, that master deliberately used the yin moths in the mine to devour the corpses, disrupting the scene of the battle, making it impossible to recreate the true fighting process at that time.

Thinking this through, Zhao Ting wisely swallowed his doubts and didn't dare to press the matter further.

The more you know, the faster you'll die.

Zhao Ting quickly composed himself and turned to Qin Wan to discuss the details of the battle to be reported to the Eagle Wolf Guard and Qixia Immortal Sect.

The report on this battle quickly set the tone: Xia Dong was only there as a supporting officer; Qin Wan and Zhao Ting, who came to provide reinforcements, were the main force fighting to the death.

During the discussion, Zhao Ting was very shrewd. Instead of taking the lion's share of the credit for killing the demon, he deliberately exaggerated Qin Wan's role in the battle.

It's just a favor!

Soon, a flawless report of military achievements was produced after the three of them worked together to refine it.

To avoid any slip-ups when questioned by higher-ups from both sides later, Zhao Ting, Xia Dong, and Qin Wan carefully reviewed each other's movements and spellcasting details during the battle to ensure that their accounts were completely consistent.

As for the distribution of the spoils, Zhao Ting was very astute and didn't mention it at all.

The three agreed that the illusion array plate that the thieves used to seal the cave entrance should be reported as "damaged in the battle" when the report was submitted. They would then find a way to deliver a few pieces of broken copper and scrap iron to fool the authorities.

As for the three storage bags with special restrictions imposed by the Wusheng Sect, those were of utmost importance.

This item was to be handed over intact to Qin Wan's master, the Lonely Moon Immortal, for personal inspection and to have its seal broken. Zhao Ting, of course, had no intention of taking it.

...

...

After discussing the matter, the three of them went their separate ways in an orderly manner.

Zhao Ting was eager to go to the prefectural city's thousand-household office to present this report of "great victory".

The three corpses of the Wusheng Sect demons, dried up by the Yinming insects, were irrefutable evidence, even in black and white. He had to bring them along to report to his superiors and claim credit.

Qin Wan immediately set off back to Qixia Immortal Sect to report the details of the assassination attempt, including the storage bag containing the Wusheng Sect's restrictions, to her master, Guyue Zhenren.

Xia Dong chose to stay at the Yinling Mine and did not suggest returning to the sect with Qin Wan.

Although he had calculated in his mind that his current "Netherworld Hibernation" talisman seed, combined with the concealment talisman carved from his flesh and blood, could deceive everyone, even if True Person Lonely Moon, a Foundation Establishment stage cultivator, were to investigate him in person, he would most likely only be able to see that he was a mortal martial artist with vigorous blood and energy, and would not be able to detect any fluctuations in his magical power.

But the methods in the cultivation world are unpredictable and mysterious; who can guarantee that everything will be foolproof?

What if True Master Guyue possesses some extraordinary treasure capable of seeing through disguises, or has cultivated some special eye technique? Therefore, it's best to avoid meeting this high-ranking Foundation Establishment Perfection Grand Cultivator if possible.

So Qin Wan carefully put the life-saving talisman away and, carrying the storage bags of the three assassins, hurriedly set off on her way back to the mountain.

Meanwhile, before Zhao Ting set off for the prefectural city with the corpse, he made a big show of publicity at the Yinling Mine.

He summoned all the managers, guards, and miners in the mine and, under the banner of the Eagle Wolf Guard, announced the results in public with great fanfare—the Eagle Wolf Guard, together with the disciples of the Immortal Sect, launched a swift and decisive attack and successfully killed three Wusheng Sect demons who were lurking there.

Zhao Ting, a seasoned veteran, naturally leaves no room for error in his actions.

The Yinling Mine is a mixed bag, and no one can guarantee that there aren't other Wusheng Sect agents or accomplices lurking in the mine besides those three assassins. His high-profile announcement was meant to "make an example of them."

Regardless of whether there are still demons lurking in the mine, once this news is released, it will surely deter the enemy, making them unsure of the true situation here, and they will definitely not dare to make any rash moves in the short term.

This also indirectly safeguards the safety of those who remain at the mine during the summer and winter.

After doing all this, Zhao Ting immediately took the evidence and headed straight for the prefectural city.

...

...

Qin Wan rode on the flying artifact bestowed upon her by her master, relentlessly maximizing her magical power along the way. The artifact transformed into a streak of light, speeding back to the Qixia Immortal Sect.

Without stopping, she went straight to the door of the meditation room where her master, Guyue Peak, was in seclusion and urgently requested an audience.

The stone door to the quiet room slowly opened, and the cold voice of Master Guyue echoed out: "Qin Wan, didn't I punish you by making you reflect on your actions in the Yinling Mine for three years? How dare you return to the mountain without permission?"

Qin Wan dared not delay and quickly entered the quiet room, holding the three storage bags with special restrictions high with both hands, respectfully handing them over. Then, following the story she had discussed with Xia Dong and Zhao Ting, she gave a general account to her master of the events that had occurred at the mine, including the assassination attempt by the Wusheng Sect demons, her desperate fight with the Eagle Wolf Guards, and Xia Dong's assistance.

Upon hearing that Qin Wan had nearly lost her life at the hands of assassins in the mine, a cold glint flashed in Master Guyue's clear eyes. He frowned slightly and said in a cold voice, "Hmph, these people are really bold."

That cold snort seemed to have a hidden meaning.

Immediately, Master Guyue raised her hand slightly and took the three storage bags into her hand from a distance.

She didn't even look closely; her flowing sleeves merely flicked in mid-air. With a few soft cracking sounds, the eerie and vicious blood-red lotus restriction on the storage bag melted away completely, like ice and snow meeting the blazing sun.

Seeing her master break the restriction so easily, Qin Wan's heart skipped a beat. She secretly guessed: Her master's technique is so skillful, it seems this is not the first time he has broken the restriction on the storage bag of the Wusheng Sect.

After breaking the seal, True Person Lonely Moon released her divine sense and carefully scanned the three storage bags. Her eyes flickered slightly, and then she fell into a long period of contemplation.

After a moment, she looked up at Qin Wan, her tone softening slightly: "Wan'er, you've done a great service this time. Tell me, what reward do you want?"

Qin Wan lowered her head respectfully and said earnestly, "This disciple doesn't need anything for the time being. It's just that this time... Xia Dong also helped this disciple a lot. If it weren't for his restraint, this disciple and that Zhao Baihu would probably be in grave danger. If Master has any rewards to bestow, perhaps they should be given to him."

Upon hearing this, Master Guyue said, "This kid has also contributed, so I naturally won't forget him. However, you are you, and he is him. Since you can't think of anything you want right now, then so be it... There are still three months until the sect's 'auction.' At that time, you can bring that kid along. As for what you can buy there, that will depend on your own luck."

Qin Wan was taken aback at first, then surprised and delighted, and quickly bowed, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Master!"

Master Guyue waved his hand: "The contents of these three storage bags are useful to me for now, so I won't return them to you. By the way, you just said that the swarm of Yinming insects in that abandoned mine has sucked the essence and soul of three demons. If they gain power, they will be a hidden danger that you definitely can't handle on your own. How about this, I will personally go with you to the Yinling Mine to resolve this hidden danger first."

Qin Wan was overjoyed: "Yes!"

Master Guyue smiled slightly and parted her lips: "Let's go."

Before she finished speaking, her sleeves fluttered in the wind.

In an instant, a powerful magical force emanated from their bodies, transforming into a clear and bright moonlight that gently enveloped the master and disciple.

Under the flowing moonlight, the Lonely Moon Immortal resembled a goddess banished from the Guanghan Palace in the heavens.

Without relying on any flying sword or magical artifact, she simply stepped on a ray of cool moonlight, rose from the ground, and soared into the night sky, heading directly towards the Yinling Mine.

A vast, long wind blew her skirt, leaving a dazzling, ethereal, and solitary ribbon of light in the night sea.

Ethereal and otherworldly, untouched by the mundane world.

At the same time, the terrifying pressure emanating from her, befitting a Foundation Establishment Perfection Grand Cultivator, spread out in all directions without any concealment.

A chilling killing intent, accompanied by the cold moonlight, illuminated the entire path, instantly alarming countless people both inside and outside the mountain gate.

Soon after, the solitary, lofty beam of light in the night sky gradually disappeared into the horizon.