Bai Bufen was stubbornly holding his neck with a martyr-like expression, yet awkwardly found that no one was paying attention to him after he finished speaking.

The people around didn't even glance at him. Sikong Du was elaborately recounting the events to Gao Feng, while Han Yu was boredly teasing Gao Jue.

The other four guards glanced at him as if looking at an idiot, then turned their heads away.

He felt as if he had been insulted and suddenly spoke loudly.

"Do you just ignore people after capturing them?"

The indifferent attitude of these people made him somewhat at a loss, hoping they'd at least make some noise to reassure him.

"Aren't you going to ask something?"

Sikong Du, seemingly annoyed by the interruptions, turned around and coldly scolded him.

"Who the hell wants to ask you? You can't speak a word of truth. Once you're back at Ascension Tower, someone will make you spill everything you know."

Bai Bufen was stunned for a moment, then his face turned pale, thinking to himself, how could such terrifying people exist?

But looking at the attitudes of this group, it didn't seem fake.

Han Yu, who was teasing Gao Jue, also lifted his head upon hearing that, only he was grinding his teeth in anger; he knew exactly who Sikong Du was talking about.

None other than Elder Feng, who could empathize with anyone.

This bastard spreads false rumors about me everywhere and still lives a carefree life. It seems he's even eating the emperor's grain now.

Thinking about it is just plain ridiculous.

Really want to beat him to death!

Seeing more and more people ignoring him, Bai Bufen angrily looked at Han Yu.

This bastard conned him the most, exchanging a herbal pill for a half-finished magical artifact and then ambushing him with people.

And finally capturing him when he was about to escape with a life.

If not for him, he wouldn't have fallen into this predicament.

With his rapidly changing emotions, no less than ten small flowers suddenly bloomed on his head.

Everyone was amazed at this, and Gao Jue burst into laughter.

Bai Bufen, in shame and anger, plucked all those flowers off fiercely and said maliciously.

"Though I've been captured, Black Robe escaped. You've continuously destroyed our plans, and those above will not let you off."

Turns out there's a force above Zuyou Sect, Han Yu mused, no wonder things felt odd this time, as a sect from the Southern Border dared to come up to the Northern Border to abduct cultivators.

Maybe it isn't Zuyou Sect; perhaps there's a force overruling them, using Zuyou Sect as a scapegoat puppet to do dirty work, and when things go south, they just throw them out to die.

Facing Bai Bufen's threats, Han Yu laughed dismissively.

"Catch me if you can first."

Now, Han Yu had many means to save his life, entering water as water, escaping into the earth, leaping through flames several miles away in a blink. Unless a Transcendent Cultivator arrived personally, no one could catch him if he decided to leave.

"You underestimate us; you'll regret it later."

Bai Bufen sneered, struggling on the ground to sit up; he had witnessed Han Yu's Earth Escape. Others might say they had no means, but Yellow Springs Mansion was unfathomable, beyond ordinary comprehension.

Speaking of regret, Han Yu recalled the pills Bai Bufen gulped down whole two days prior.

Now that the Seven-Seven Four-Turn Pill had fully activated its effects, the accompanying side effects would begin too, like the cultivator's impulse occurring every seven days, not knowing if he could withstand it.

So, when he cheerfully detailed all the pill's effects and side effects, Bai Bufen's face instantly turned pale.

"Bastard, I'll fight you to death."

Bai Bufen gritted his teeth as he struggled to stand and lunged headfirst at Han Yu's chest.

But instead of affecting Han Yu in the slightest, his whole head buzzed non-stop.

Then, he staggered and stumbled back several steps before falling back hard on the ground.

Sikong Du, wiping cold sweat from his brow, thought how close he'd been to eating that pill himself—fortunately, someone else took it.

"Glad I didn't eat it."

"Good pill!"

Gao Feng suddenly spoke from the side, having roughly heard about the pill's effects. Unlike the shallow evaluations by the Inspectorate and Hundred Herbs Bureau, his senior age provided deeper insights into problems.

If this pill was given to someone on the brink of death, wouldn't it revive them?

The so-called impulse every seven days essentially granted twenty-eight days to find a way to survive.

"Giving it to him is a waste."

If a truly needy person were found, they'd trade everything they had for such a pill, perhaps even beg for it.

It seemed the Inspectorate's evaluation of Han Yu was incomplete, Gao Feng thought as he considered having a good talk with Quan Xiaotong after returning. They didn't necessarily need him in the Imperial Court, but maintaining good relations couldn't hurt.

Perhaps in the future, for the Inspectorate… no, for the Fifth Tower, if they encountered another suitable pill, they could at least ask for it.

After this journey, Gao Feng's view of Han Yu changed significantly.

"You guys take him away first! We'll head back to Ascension Tower shortly."

Gao Feng waved at the four guards, indicating that since there was still value in the person, they should return promptly.

Although unsure if the impulse was deadly for cultivators, bringing him back early was a safer bet.

If things went awry, the Hundred Herbs Bureau could assist.

Before exhausting Bai Bufen's potential value, the Inspectorate wouldn't let him die.

The four guards escorted Bai Bufen out of the inner courtyard. Shortly after, Sikong Du, along with Gao Jue, was also driven out.

Yet when Han Yu was about to leave too, Gao Feng called out to him.

"Young friend, let's talk."

Sending these people away, naturally, was to have a chat with Han Yu.

Firstly, Han Yu had shown great kindness to Gao Jue, a tremendous favor, akin to giving new life.

Now, Gao Jue's capabilities have been validated through the Bai Bufen incident, seemingly born to serve in the Inspectorate.

Secondly, Gao Jue has become one of the Inspectorate; having received such immense assistance, the Inspectorate must also show their appreciation.

"Although the Inspectorate is not as well-resourced as the Guardian Mansion, it lacks nothing: Magical Artifacts, Magical Treasures, Wealth, Pills..."

As for Pills, forget it; we can't offer enough, and it seems he doesn't need them either.

"Young friend, is there anything you desire? I can make the decision."

Upon hearing this, Han Yu was taken aback. Were they planning to give him something again?

This trip to Huaizhou Prefecture was truly worthwhile; everyone who received Pills offered gifts in return, such courtesy.

However...

As for Wealth, Han Yu had no use for it, and he was not a materialistic person; most cultivators do not care much for wealth.

The Magical Artifacts and Treasures were coincidentally accepted, but he was not on the path of cultivation, unable to utilize them. Besides, his Divine Techniques were more effective than Magical Treasures.

Should he really ask for something? He couldn't think of anything he needed.

"Maybe, just forget about it! After all, it's just one Pill."

Han Yu simply decided to let it go and laughed as he spoke.

To him, it was merely a single Pill, and Ping produced them daily, so he felt nothing special.

Han Yu's attitude left Gao Feng momentarily surprised, causing him to regard Han Yu more highly.

Calm, modest, and ungreedy, such a mindset surpassed that of most people.

However, although Han Yu could refuse, Gao Feng could not refrain from giving.

After pondering for a while, Gao Feng took out a token from his bosom, something only the Tower Master level could possess, and handed it to Han Yu.

He placed it in Han Yu's hand and patted it.

"Although this token cannot command any member of the Inspectorate, you can use it to seek assistance from any state prefecture guardians who are part of the Imperial Court while you travel."

"In future dealings within state prefectures, the Inspectorate will not interfere."

In other words, this represented the Inspectorate's stance. In the future, wherever Han Yu went, not only would the Fifth Tower cultivators not hinder him, they might even assist him.

This was a friendly signal sent by Gao Feng on behalf of the Fifth Tower, as he had the authority to do so.

It was also based on Han Yu's conduct; throughout his career, the Inspectorate's records showed no misconduct, and incidents often involved cultivators but never harmed civilians.

"I heard Old Ghost Ling advised you not to continue northward?"

Gao Feng recalled an earlier report and spoke up.

Han Yu nodded awkwardly.

"He wasn't targeting you; after heading north, the state prefectures are already under Imperial Court's arrangements. Nothing can be disturbed, and your Pills are unstable factors that can easily cause problems."

This was the first time he'd heard such a thing, suggesting that the Imperial Court might be planning new actions.

Han Yu pondered deeply.

"Secondly, in the future, you can always use this token to request a Magical Treasure from the Inspectorate."

"Thirdly, the Inspectorate has its own Spirit Stone Mine Vein. With the token, you are entitled to a tenth of its yield annually."

Damn!

The token almost slipped from Han Yu's hand. If it were just the first offer, he wouldn't care much, but the subsequent two gifts were significant.

Even if Gao Jue owed him a great favor, this was excessive.

Thus, the token felt hot in his hand.

"Perhaps it's better if I return the token to you!"

Han Yu hurriedly pushed the token back, speaking up.

Receiving such a hefty gift without cause might bring immense trouble later that he'd have to resolve.

"Of course, there are conditions to giving you so much."

Gao Feng chuckled, pushing the token back to Han Yu before speaking.

"Don't worry; it's not a difficult matter. Although the entire Inspectorate cannot fathom why you give away Pills for free, our request is simple."

"In the future, if the Fifth Tower ever needs Pills and you have them, would you provide them to us?"

Han Yu was stunned. Is it that simple?

To give them Pills when needed, if he had them?

"Not for free; we're willing to exchange something for them."

Gao Feng added with a smile.

"Is it really that simple?"

Han Yu found it hard to believe that such a grand gesture came with such a simple condition.

"Yes, it really is that simple."

Gao Feng slowly nodded. The gift was indeed substantial, but it was founded on establishing friendship; what they gave was goodwill.

"Maybe we should forget the third offer!"

A tenth of the Spirit Stones per year, although Han Yu didn't know how much that was, he estimated it to be a frightening amount.

Why would he need so many Spirit Stones!

There was no place to store them, let alone a place to sell them off.

Gao Feng seemed aware of Han Yu's thoughts, leaned in slightly, and spoke quietly.

"The third offer is the real gift; the Imperial Court intends to make Spirit Stones the currency of the Cultivator Realm..."

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