93: Post-war aftermath and "performance evaluation"

The main force of the Blood Fiend Cult completely collapsed following the disintegration of Bloody Fierce. The surviving evil cultivators had long since been scared out of their wits, wishing they had grown an extra pair of legs to scramble back to their lair in Black Wind Mountain in a pathetic state; they would not be able to stir up any trouble for some time.

Within Lijian Valley, it was a scene of survival after a catastrophe.

The wounded were quickly carried away for treatment, while Wang Wu and Senior Brother Li led the Agricultural and Labor Hall Disciples to count the losses and repair the destroyed defensive fortifications. Although everyone was injured and the valley was in shambles, the atmosphere carried a sense of exhilaration. They had won! They had defended their home and taken down a powerful Half-step Foundation Establishment enemy!

Zhao Iron Pillar leaned on his heavy sword, which he had retrieved. Despite his pale face, he grinned, revealing two rows of big white teeth, and patted the War Hall Disciples on the shoulders one by one: "Well done! All of you did well! You didn't embarrass our Mutual Aid Society!"

Senior Brother Zhang led the Research Hall Disciples, checking the "Shockwave Emitters" and "Yuan-Breaking Crossbows" damaged in the battle with a pained expression, muttering to himself: "What a pity, these Materials are not easy to find... Must improve them, next time they need to be sturdier..."

After Wen Youyi had rested slightly to recover a sliver of strength, he forced himself to patrol the valley. Looking at the weary yet bright eyes of his companions, and at this land that had weathered the fires of war and become even more united, he was filled with emotion.

This battle, though brutal, had yielded immense gains. Not only had they averted a catastrophe, but more importantly, the team's cohesion, combat experience, and confidence had all been tempered like never before. After this battle, the Mutual Aid Society could truly be considered a team capable of weathering the storm.

Of course, the public recognition could not be lacking.

Soon, the commendation order from the Qingxuan Sect higher-ups arrived. In view of the Mutual Aid Society's outstanding performance in suppressing the Blood Fiend Cult (though the main credit was preventing their leader's Foundation Establishment and "assisting" the Heavenly Tribulation in striking him down) and guarding the Sect's affiliated territory (Lijian Valley counted, after all), the rewards were as follows:

5,000 Contribution Points!

Several Low-Grade Spirit Stones!

Every participating Disciple, one major merit recorded!

The Mutual Aid Society is permitted to officially take over the management of Lijian Valley and the surrounding fifty miles of forest, with tax exemption for ten years!

Wen Youyi personally is granted the title of "Outer Sect Deacon," enjoying some permissions of an Inner Sect Disciple!

This reward was nothing short of generous! Especially the 5,000 Contribution Points and the official management rights, allowing the Mutual Aid Society to completely shed its awkward status as an "illegal organization" and gain a legitimate Foundation for development!

When the news spread, the entire Outer Sect was shaken once again!

Those who had been waiting to see a joke were now speechless, left only with envy and jealousy. Who could have imagined that a Mutual Aid Society composed of bottom-tier Disciples could achieve such a great feat and receive such heavy rewards from the Sect?

Fire Cloud Child of the Five Elements Courtyard, upon hearing the news, was so angry he smashed his favorite glazed cup, yet he was helpless. After this battle, Wen Youyi and the Mutual Aid Society's reputation was soaring, and it was no longer something he could easily manipulate.

However, unlike the clamor outside and the celebrations inside the valley, deep in Wen Youyi's heart, a string remained taut.

That "Observer," Mu Feng, had not left the Qingxuan Sect after the battle. Instead, he continued to reside in the Guest Hall on the main peak, living in seclusion as if everything had nothing to do with him.

But Wen Youyi knew he must be "observing" and "evaluating."

Sure enough, three days after the commendation order was issued, the envoy Mu Feng "accidentally" passed by Lijian Valley again.

This time, he did not enter the valley, but stood far away on the same hillside as before, calmly overlooking the bustling reconstruction scene in the valley.

Wen Youyi received the news, tidied up his newly received cyan-trimmed Daoist robe representing the Outer Sect Deacon Rank, and proactively went out to meet him.

"Disciple Wen Youyi, pays respects to Envoy Mu Feng." He was still as respectful as ever.

Mu Feng turned around, his gaze landing on Wen Youyi, still with that gentle and indifferent expression: "Deacon Wen, no need for formalities. Congratulations to your society for your great achievement and gaining the appreciation of the Sect."

"It is all thanks to the Sect's cultivation; we Disciples are just doing our duty," Wen Youyi said modestly.

Mu Feng nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the busy figures in the valley, as well as those elusive "ark" nodes disguised as "Spirit Gathering Formation test points," and said slowly: "Remaining calm in the face of danger, winning against the strong with the weak, making good use of the terrain, and cleverly borrowing the power of the heavens... Deacon Wen and your society are truly impressive."

His tone was flat; it was impossible to tell if it was praise or criticism.

Wen Youyi felt a chill in his heart, knowing this was the "performance review" arriving. He weighed his words and replied: "Envoy, you overpraise us. The situation was critical at the time, and we Disciples were just acting on raw courage, relying on luck. If it hadn't been for Bloody Fierce triggering the Heavenly Tribulation at that exact moment, giving us an opportunity, the consequences would have been unimaginable."

He attributed the key to victory to "raw courage" and "luck," as well as the opponent's "mistake."

Mu Feng was noncommittal and instead asked: "I observe that your society's 'Spirit Gathering Formation' seems to have improved again? The energy circulation is much more stable."

Wen Youyi inwardly thought "as expected," but on the surface, he revealed a "grateful" smile: "It is all thanks to the Envoy's guidance that day, bestowing the stability runes, which benefited us greatly, allowing for slight improvements."

He pushed the credit back onto Mu Feng.

Mu Feng looked at Wen Youyi's "sincere" and "slightly proud" expression and remained silent for a moment.

This Wen Youyi was slippery, seemingly frank but actually meticulous, with every step taken just right. His "abnormalities" and "luck" were coincidentally hard to believe, yet there was no concrete evidence to grasp.

"The path of cultivation is long and arduous," Mu Feng finally said indifferently, then turned and left, still with that light and airy demeanor.

Watching his back, Wen Youyi slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air.

Had he managed to muddle through this hurdle? But Mu Feng's last meaningful words made him not dare to relax in the slightest.

He knew that his "risk Rank" in the other party's mind had likely increased by another level. The current calm was just the interlude before the storm arrived.

He had to make good use of this precious breathing time to let the "ark" grow faster!

Returning to the valley, Wen Youyi immediately summoned the core members.

"Everyone, the crisis is temporarily resolved, but we cannot slack off!" His gaze swept across the crowd, "The resources rewarded by the Sect must be converted into our strength as soon as possible! The construction of the 'ark' must be accelerated! The training of 'Internal Test Players' must be expanded! Before the next crisis arrives, we must have enough strength to protect ourselves, and even... strike back!"

His voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable determination.

The crowd's just-relaxed nerves tightened again, but their eyes were filled with determination.

They had already embarked on this Heaven-Defying path, and there was no turning back.

There was only moving forward!

(End of Chapter)