The entrances to the hidden tunnels were disguised within natural rock formations, and their internal structure was reinforced just enough to prevent collapse while maintaining a natural appearance.

Over time, these tunnels formed a dense, interconnected network.

One that only Han Yu knew.

Even if a portion of it were discovered, it would not reveal the whole. And to ensure that risk was minimized further, Han Yu embedded self-destructing formations within key points of the network. These formations were subtle, triggered only under specific conditions, and designed to collapse entire sections of tunnel.

To an outsider, such collapses would appear natural.

Another instance of the mine’s inherent instability.

Nothing more.

With the infrastructure secured, Han Yu moved to the next phase of testing.

This time...

With real subjects.

He chose carefully.

The individuals selected were not among those he intended to save. They were slaves, many of whom had been former disciples of the sect who had committed offenses severe enough to warrant their current fate.

Han Yu did not hesitate.

Through one of his puppets, he implanted a small formation beneath the ground where a group of slaves would pass. The formation was compact, shaped like an oval bead, and buried just deep enough to remain undetected.

Its function was simple.

Detection.

And detonation.

When the slaves moved over it, the formation activated.

The explosion was controlled, precise, and localized. It shattered the ground beneath them, creating a sudden collapse that sent them falling into the water below.

Seven individuals.

All of them dropped instantly.

Han Yu tracked them.

Through the current.

Through the tunnels.

Through the impact points.

The results were... harsh.

One of them died.

The others were injured to varying degrees. Some suffered broken bones. Others internal damage. Their bodies were battered by the force of the water, slammed against rock and forced through narrow passages before finally reaching the interception chamber.

The net held.

The formation array functioned.

The system worked.

Han Yu observed everything.

Recorded everything.

And then...

He acted.

He could not allow them to survive.

Not after this.

Their existence would expose the system. Their testimony would reveal inconsistencies. Their survival would raise questions that could not be answered.

Thus, he ended it.

Quickly.

Cleanly.

Without hesitation and let the corpses be washed away by the water.

This served another purpose.

An explanation.

If similar collapses occurred in the future, the sect would attribute them to natural instability. The mine was already known to be volatile. Accidents were expected. Losses, while undesirable, were not unheard of.

And indeed, when reports of the incident reached the sect, there was some concern.

Some investigation.

But no immediate action.

The nature of the mine made such events difficult to prevent. The cost of halting operations to address every instability was too high. The supervisors increased vigilance slightly, but the routine continued.

It even worked in the favor of the puppet peak as the sect emphasized the need for mining puppets so that the slaves would not be wasted like this. Their budget was increased further, which meant Han Yu could use it for the plan freely as long as he kept the excuses reasonable.

It all went just as Han Yu had anticipated.

With the physical aspects of the plan nearing completion, Han Yu turned his attention to coordination.

He began tracking the movements of the slaves.

Their schedules.

Their assignments.

Their rotations.

Every shift was recorded. Every change noted. Over time, patterns emerged. Certain groups worked in specific areas at predictable intervals. Others rotated between sections, but always within a defined range.

Han Yu studied these patterns extensively.

Then, he began to influence them.

Subtly.

Carefully.

Using his identity as Ju Fan, he requested access to different sections of the mine under the pretext of conducting further studies. He asked for specific groups of slaves to assist him, citing the need for varied observation conditions.

The supervisors did not question him.

His authority.

His reputation.

His ongoing work with the mining puppets.

All of it supported his requests. Especially with the sect demanding that the puppets be prepared soon.

Over time, the schedules shifted.

Not dramatically.

But enough.

The slaves he intended to save began to align within a specific region of the mine during certain periods. Once established, these patterns remained. The supervisors saw no reason to adjust them further, as the changes appeared logical and beneficial to ongoing operations.

Han Yu watched.

Waited.

Refined.

Until finally...

Everything aligned.

The location.

The timing.

The people.

More than a year had passed since he first began planning.

Now...

It was ready.

Han Yu stood alone within one of his hidden tunnels, his gaze steady as he reviewed the final details within his jade slip. Every route was accounted for. Every variable considered. Every risk acknowledged.

He reached into his storage and retrieved several pieces of Violet Spirit Quartz.

These were not raw.

They had been refined.

Modified.

Prepared specifically for his purpose.

He would not remove the seals entirely.

Not yet.

That would take more time.

More preparation.

Instead, he would alter them.

Redirect them.

Shift the control from the sect to himself.

This was necessary.

Without control, the slaves would panic. Confusion would spread. Coordination would collapse. The entire plan would fail.

They needed direction.

They needed someone to follow.

And for now...

That someone would be him. He could always remove the seals when the slaves were safe and secured. He didn’t think they would doubt him after learning all that he had done for them. Plus, it would be easier to explain his situation of not being ’Han Yu’ to them when they wouldn’t try to run away or fight him.

After all, Han Yu wasn’t Han Yu right now, he was Ju Fan of the Slaughtered Moon Divine Blood Sect.

While thinking of all this, Han Yu took a slow breath.

Then exhaled.

His thoughts settled into perfect clarity.

He checked everything once more.

The routes.

The formations.

The puppets.

The chamber.

The timing.

No errors.

No gaps.

No hesitation.

Then, finally...

He chose the day.

And began.