"Master!" Dai Yuzhu and the others quickly arrived at the main hall where Shui Huanmeng and another elder stood, having heard the sect leader's summons.
"You've all heard by now, haven't you? Something terrible has happened within the sect—something very serious," Shui Huanmeng said as she stepped into the courtyard, preparing to fly toward the rear mountain.
Chen Jinshu and the others followed close behind, activating their flying artifacts as they rushed toward the back mountain of the sect. She had already suspected something serious: the exposure of a fallen disciple—or perhaps even an elder—who had succumbed to demonic cultivation.
When they reached the rear mountain, they realized the situation was even graver than they imagined. Nearly all the sect's disciples had gathered there, except for a few ancestral elders.
"Dang Xiaoshan! I can't believe you've fallen into demonic cultivation! Absolutely disgraceful!" Gu Daoyong stormed in, furious when he saw Dang Xiaoshan bound and restrained at the center, his cultivation sealed.
Back when they had entered the Xuanyin Sect together, Gu Zhenren and Dang Xiaoshan had been close. Dang Xiaoshan's talent had always been slightly better, having reached the late Golden Core stage in just a few hundred years. Gu Zhenren had only just caught up.
He had always regarded Dang Xiaoshan as a friend and comrade in cultivation. Never did he expect to witness such betrayal today. Dang Xiaoshan couldn't speak, but his gaze toward Gu Zhenren was filled with unreadable emotion.
"That's enough, Brother Gu. What's done is done," another elder interjected, calming him down.
"I just never imagined… he would walk this path."
"That's enough! All Golden Core cultivators present must now undergo the Heart-Questioning Trial!"
With that, the Sect Master tossed a golden stone toward the cliff wall. The stone shimmered with white patterns and rapidly expanded into a corridor, about half a zhang wide, glowing white.
"I'll go first! I was closest to Dang Xiaoshan." Gu Zhenren stepped forward without hesitation and walked onto the corridor of the Heart-Questioning Stone.
"Have you had any involvement with demonic cultivators?" the Sect Master asked sternly.
"None," Gu Zhenren replied truthfully. There was no reaction—proof of his honesty.
If someone lied, the stone would turn black—revealing the deception immediately. Following him, Shui Huanmeng and other elders also stepped forward to prove their innocence. Next came the Golden Core cultivators from the other peaks. When it came time for Longxiang Peak, a problem emerged—one of the Golden Core cultivators wasn't present.
"Sixteen cultivators should be here from Longxiang Peak—why are there only fifteen?" the Sect Master asked coldly, eyes narrowing as he scanned the group.
This already exposed two fallen cultivators—evidence of how deeply corrupted the sect had become.
"Zhenren Xie Jie is in seclusion," the peak master of Longxiang Peak replied, face pale.
"Seclusion? At a time like this? Master He Yu, please assist in apprehending him," the Sect Master requested courteously, turning to a Nascent Soul elder in the center.
"Gladly. Xuanyin Sect should've acted sooner! Letting these pests grow has made us a laughingstock to other sects," He Yu Zhenjun said coldly, glancing at the visiting cultivators from the Feng clan before flying off toward Longxiang Peak.
"Next, the Foundation Establishment disciples!"
…
Fifteen minutes later, the Sect Master had already tested disciples from two peaks. These went quickly, as their answers were clean and decisive.
"I've brought Xie Jie!" He Yu Zhenjun returned, holding the weakened Golden Core cultivator like a chicken.
The crowd murmured. Xie Jie had been the youngest Golden Core cultivator on Longxiang Peak, said to have the potential to reach the Nascent Soul stage within a hundred years. No one expected him to fall so far.
"When I arrived, he was still communicating with a demon lord! No need to question him," He Yu Zhenjun said, holding up a small figurine emanating heavy demonic energy.
Chen Jinshu recognized it immediately. It was used to communicate with demon lords—but this one was more lifelike, darker, and still pulsing with sinister energy.
"Continue with the Foundation Establishment disciples from the next peak," the Sect Master said with a sigh.
Half an hour passed. All the Foundation Establishment disciples were questioned, and three veteran disciples were exposed. Upon interrogation, they admitted to contacting demonic cultivators due to long-term stagnation in their cultivation and desire for a shortcut.
Next came the Qi Refining disciples, starting with those from Medicine King Peak. After all, a fallen Golden Core cultivator had already appeared in Medicine King Peak—and the peak was one of the most vital in the entire sect.
Chen Jinshu stepped onto the Heart-Questioning Stone and immediately felt a soothing coolness radiating from it—unexpectedly comforting rather than oppressive.
"Have you had any contact with demonic cultivators?"
"No," she replied casually, with no signs of resistance.
The Sect Master nodded in confirmation, and she stepped down. Du Yi and the others followed. Because the Qi Refining disciples included many outer disciples and servants, this portion took the longest.
Yet surprisingly, only two outer disciples had even considered contacting demon cultivators—and they had not acted yet. After everything, the Sect Master rose into the air, surveying the entire sect with a solemn expression.
"After deliberation with the ancestral elders and various elders, the following rules are now in effect. Everyone, take heed!"
"No matter if you are a disciple or elder, you must pass the Demon-Revealing Mirror when entering or leaving the sect. Additionally, each person must undergo the Heart-Questioning once a year at their peak's main hall. This will be overseen by the peak masters."
"In light of increased demonic activity nearby, all Foundation Establishment disciples must take on at least one demon-hunting mission per year. Teaming is allowed, but rewards must be split evenly."
"Moreover, any disciple who develops techniques, pills, or artifacts that suppress demonic energy or creatures may receive rewards from the Affairs Hall."
…
Once the new regulations were announced, the disciples were dismissed. Chen Jinshu and the others were brought back to Biyi Palace by their master.
"It's late. Go and cultivate. Starting tomorrow, if you have any questions about your practice, come to me at any time. I've informed the Sect Master—I won't be leaving Biyi Palace for the time being," Shui Huanmeng said after landing.
"Yes, Master," Chen Jinshu and the others bowed slightly.
"Senior brothers and sisters, if you take on a demon-hunting mission, may I join you?" Chen Jinshu turned to them hopefully.
"Junior Sister, your cultivation is still low. We've all been stuck in the Foundation Establishment stage for a while. Don't worry. Focus on improving your strength," said her senior brother Zheng Shaosi, shaking his head gently.
He understood her desire to contribute, but the new rules were designed to remind Foundation Establishment cultivators that cultivation is not easy—both mindset and strength must be sharpened.