Han Yu learned of Zhao Liumen's situation with quiet satisfaction.

Zhao Liumen had always been problematic. Arrogant. Quick to anger if his ambitions were threatened. And in the current climate, that was a dangerous combination.

It did not take long.

A provocation.

A confrontation.

And Zhao Liumen responded as he always did.

With violence.

He killed a fellow disciple.

In any other time, such an act might have been overlooked or quietly resolved with some minor punishment. His connections would have intervened. The matter would have been buried.

But not now.

Not in this environment.

Not when the sect was already searching for faults.

His actions brought immediate consequences.

Punishment.

Severe.

And worse…

Investigation.

His past actions, once hidden or ignored, were brought to light. Every incident. Every abuse of power. Every act that had been quietly dismissed.

Now…

Nothing was protected.

His backers distanced themselves.

One by one.

The cost of supporting him had become too high.

His influence collapsed.

His monopoly over the Blood Flood Pill, once a symbol of his power, began to crumble. The logistics that had supported his operations were dismantled, redistributed, or taken over entirely.

Han Yu watched this from a distance.

Uninvolved.

Unaffected.

He had no need for such things anymore.

His position was secure.

His backing stable.

And his path clear.

Time passed.

A year.

Slowly, the sect returned to a semblance of normalcy.

The mine remained inactive for much of that time, its reconstruction a slow and careful process. The damage had been extensive, and restoring stability required significant effort. Several more collapses happened naturally which made the work frustruating.

But life within the sect continued.

For Han Yu everything had progressed smoothly.

The slaves he had freed were safe.

Under Qing Luan's care, they had recovered. Their seals, modified successfully, remained undetected. To the sect, they were dead. Their absence explained by the bodies recovered from the river, crushed and drowned beyond recognition.

No one questioned it.

No one suspected.

The Great Slave Escape remained a secret.

Han Yu stood at the edge of his courtyard one evening, his gaze calm as he reflected on the past year.

He was twenty six now.

Though the identity he wore…

Ju Fan…

Was far older.

One hundred and twenty three years.

A young cultivator.

Still.

Age, in this world, was a matter of perspective.

What mattered…

Was strength.

And Han Yu had grown.

Significantly.

But now…

Another step awaited.

The calm period had ended.

The Peak Head summoned him once more.

This time, the matter was clear.

"You have delayed long enough," the Peak Head said, his gaze steady.

Han Yu stood before him.

Silent.

"It is time," the Peak Head continued. "You will take the Inner Court advancement test."

Han Yu's eyes sharpened slightly.

"A duel," the Peak Head said. "Against an Inner Court disciple."

The next challenge had arrived.

The time had finally come.

For months, the matter of Ju Fan's promotion had remained unaddressed, pushed aside by the chaos that followed the collapse of the mine and the political turmoil within the sect. The Peak Head had been occupied, the Elder Council entangled in disputes, and the entire structure of the sect had required stabilization before anything else could proceed.

But now things had settled.

Not entirely, but enough.

And with that stability came the return of order.

Han Yu stood within the hall of the Second Kidney Peak, his posture straight, his expression calm as he faced his master. The air carried a quiet weight, one that spoke of importance rather than urgency.

"There's no need to wait anymore," the Peak Head said.

Han Yu nodded slightly.

"I understand."

The Peak Head studied him for a moment before continuing.

"The Inner Court promotion cannot be delayed further. You have more than met the requirements. Your cultivation, your contributions, and your performance… all of it is sufficient."

Han Yu remained silent, waiting.

Then, the Peak Head added something unexpected.

"Your opponent has already been chosen."

Han Yu's eyes flickered slightly.

"Chosen?" he asked.

The Peak Head gave a small nod.

Han Yu considered this for a moment before speaking again.

"Is it not standard for the challenger to select the opponent?"

That was the usual process. A disciple seeking promotion could choose any Inner Court disciple of appropriate standing. The chosen opponent was obligated to accept the challenge. Refusal meant automatic failure. It was a system designed to ensure that positions were defended through strength alone.

The Peak Head did not deny this.

"That is correct," he said. "You could choose, or you could wait for the general promotion test that will be held soon."

He paused.

"But this time… things are different."

Han Yu's gaze sharpened slightly.

"Different… how?"

The Peak Head's expression grew more serious.

"This is not merely a promotion," he said. "The elders wish to make a statement."

Han Yu did not interrupt.

"The return of the Freezing Abyss Glacial Art cannot go unnoticed," the Peak Head continued. "It has been absent for too long. Now that it has reappeared… it must be declared."

Han Yu understood immediately.

This was not just about him.

It was about the sect. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

About influence.

About power.

The Peak Head stepped forward slightly.

"The elders have chosen your opponent."

Han Yu waited.

"The disciple is named Meng Ji."

The name carried weight.

Han Yu had heard it before.

An Inner Court disciple.

High-ranking.

Powerful.

At least… he had been.

"He was involved in the corruption within the mine," the Peak Head said. "One of the key figures."

Han Yu's expression remained unchanged.

"And his punishment?" he asked.

The Peak Head's gaze hardened.

"He was to be turned into a slave."

Han Yu's eyes narrowed slightly.

That was not a light sentence.

For an Inner Court disciple, it was worse than death.

"But…" the Peak Head continued, "he requested another chance."

Han Yu understood.

"And the elders agreed?"

"They did," the Peak Head said. "On one condition."

Silence lingered for a moment.

Then, the Peak Head spoke clearly.

"He must prove his worth with his life."