Han Yu analyzed the Soul Skills immediately.

The Soul Needle…

No.

It was too precise.

Too focused.

It targeted specific points within the body and soul.

Useful for disruption.

For supportive damage.

But not for inducing a full-body state.

It would not work.

But the other…

The Soul Petrifying Glare.

Han Yu's eyes deepened.

That technique did not target a single point.

It enveloped.

Overwhelmed.

Affecting the entire being at once.

Body.

Mind.

Soul.

Everything.

It was not designed to kill.

But it could immobilize.

Stun.

Petrify.

If applied correctly…

If controlled precisely…

It might replicate the very effect the alchemist had described.

A temporary suspension.

A state resembling death.

Han Yu exhaled slowly.

'This… might work.'

But immediately, another thought followed.

There was no guarantee.

The theory had never been tested.

The margin for error was unknown.

Too much force…

And the subject could die.

Too little…

And the seal would not be fooled.

And more importantly…

There was another issue.

Testing.

Han Yu's gaze lowered slightly.

Under normal circumstances, such an experiment would be impossible. No cultivator would willingly subject themselves to such a risk. And finding a suitable test subject…

Would be difficult.

But here…

In this situation…

That limitation did not exist.

The mine.

The slaves.

Han Yu's expression remained unchanged.

Cold.

Steady.

There were many among them.

Not all were innocent.

Some were former disciples who had offended the sect.

Some had committed acts that had led to their downfall.

Testing on them…

Would not trouble him.

Not now.

Not when the alternative was leaving everyone trapped.

Han Yu closed the book.

His decision was made.

He did not delay.

There was nothing more to gain from the library at this moment.

The next step required action.

He left immediately.

Before departing, he met Elder Jurhanzi briefly.

"I will return to the mine," Han Yu said calmly. "More data is needed. The variation in material composition requires further observation."

Jurhanzi nodded without suspicion.

"Good. Pay attention to frequency deviations. We need more refinement."

Han Yu inclined his head.

"I understand."

With that, he left.

The journey back took two days.

Two days of uninterrupted travel.

This time, his mind was not focused on mapping.

Nor on planning escape routes.

It was focused on one thing.

Testing.

Refining.

Proving the theory.

When he finally arrived at the mine, he did not report to Hong Yao.

There was no need.

The man would not care.

And even if he did, it would not matter.

Han Yu entered directly.

The familiar dampness of the tunnels greeted him once more. The sound of controlled mining echoed faintly through the passages. The lifeless movements of the slaves continued as they always had.

Nothing had changed.

And yet…

Everything had.

Han Yu resumed his role.

He moved through the tunnels, observing, analyzing, maintaining his cover. Occasionally, he engaged in casual conversation with the supervising disciples of the Curse Peak.

Nothing suspicious.

Nothing forced.

Just enough to maintain presence.

Then, at an appropriate moment, he asked.

"Are there any slaves here from our own sect?"

The supervising disciple glanced at him, slightly curious.

"Why do you ask?"

Han Yu shrugged lightly.

"I was wondering if any of my… past 'acquaintances' ended up here. A few disappeared after offending elders. I thought perhaps they were sent here after being turned into slaves."

The explanation was casual.

Believable.

The disciple laughed.

"That happens more often than you think."

He gestured vaguely.

"There are a few. Former disciples. You can recognize them easily. They have traitor brands on their backs."

Han Yu nodded. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

"I see."

The disciple pointed out several individuals.

Han Yu observed them briefly.

Then shook his head.

"Not them."

The disciple shrugged.

"You can look around. There are more in other sections."

Han Yu smiled faintly.

"Thank you."

He handed over a few spirit stones.

A small gesture.

But enough.

The disciple accepted them without hesitation.

Han Yu turned and continued deeper into the mine.

His movements remained calm.

Measured.

To anyone watching, he was simply continuing his work.

But within his mind…

Everything had changed.

He was no longer just observing.

Now he was preparing to test.

Han Yu moved through the tunnels with the same calm, measured pace he had always maintained, his presence blending seamlessly into the routine of the mine. The environment had not changed since his last visit.

The damp air lingered, the faint metallic scent persisted, and the steady rhythm of controlled mining echoed through the passages like a distant pulse.

Workers moved in their assigned patterns, supervisors monitored without much engagement, and the entire system functioned with a predictable monotony that had long dulled the vigilance of those overseeing it.

That monotony was precisely what Han Yu relied upon.

He did not rush to act. Instead, he observed first. His spirit sense extended lightly, brushing against the surroundings without drawing attention, while his eyes scanned the movements of the slaves and their supervisors. He waited until he found what he needed.

It did not take long.

In one of the connecting tunnels, a group of slaves was moving together in a loose formation. Their steps were steady, uniform, guided by the residual influence of the curse seals that governed their actions.

This was a shift change. The slaves were returning to their designated quarters, their work cycle completed for the time being. Such movements were routine, repeated thrice a day, and because of that, they were rarely scrutinized closely.

Han Yu slowed slightly as he approached.

He counted them.

Observed their formation.

Tracked their spacing.

At the rear of the group, a supervising disciple followed at a relaxed distance. His posture lacked alertness, his attention clearly divided. A jade slip was held in his hand, faintly glowing as he interacted with it.

Whether he was reporting progress or engaging in idle communication did not matter. What mattered was that his focus was elsewhere.

Han Yu's gaze shifted back to the slaves.

There were several of them.

But only one carried the mark.