"Since the area is heavily guarded, there's no need for you to get too close and risk being discovered. I’ll have one of the clan's Elders handle the investigation personally."

"Once you're back, just focus on monitoring the Chen Clan’s external movements."

Shi Pojing spoke calmly.

Since taking over this matter on behalf of the clan, the authority granted to him had increased significantly. The Chen Clan had an Innate Realm martial artist as well as their clan totem, so a close-range investigation would require someone of comparable strength—only an expert of the same level from the Shi Clan could manage it safely.

"I understand."

As the figure before him left, Shi Pojing slowly stood up and stretched. The plan was already halfway to success. If everything proceeded as expected, the results would be clear in another three days.

Though the night was pitch-black, the lights within the Chen estate glowed brightly. However, there were far fewer people moving about. The occasional figure that appeared was in a hurry, as if burdened with urgent matters.

Inside the ancestral hall, all of the Chen Clan’s Blood Coagulation Realm martial artists had gathered.

"Patriarch, if this really was the Shi Clan’s doing, what’s their goal? Could it be that they discovered what we did and are preparing to retaliate?"

"Given their strength, if they already knew we were responsible for the deaths of those two men, why wouldn’t they just attack? Why poison us in secret instead?"

Faced with the clan members’ questions, Chen Xingzhen had clearly considered the matter in advance. He responded steadily, "It’s probably because of the Zhou Clan. By poisoning the Blood Rice, they’re cutting off our gains from this season’s harvest. Without Blood Rice to present as tribute, the Zhou Clan would naturally withdraw their support. And when that happens, it might be the perfect moment for the Shi Clan to strike."

"The Shi Clan is truly despicable! If they want to fight, then fight—why stoop to such cowardly tactics?"

Chen Xingzhen could only smile helplessly.

Struggles between clans were inherently brutal. While underhanded, poison was undeniably effective. Without the divine tree’s power, not even a few more Innate Realm cultivators in their clan would have made a difference.

Besides, the poison wasn’t particularly aggressive. That alone proved the Shi Clan had prepared thoroughly—they likely already had an antidote ready.

In the end, it all came down to the clan’s lack of strength. If they were strong enough, they wouldn’t have to play defense. They could simply charge into the Shi Clan, take the antidote by force, and be done with it.

At that moment, Chen Tianmo stepped forward and reported, "Patriarch, I visited several nearby villages earlier today and made a few discoveries. According to the people of Shilin Village, a farmer has been missing for some time now. The clan sent people to look for him but never found his body. I followed up on the lead, examined the field he had been tending, and noticed something unusual."

"Later, our clansmen investigated further and discovered a thin stream of Blood Spring seeping beneath the field. However, it’s a minor offshoot—too small to cultivate as a proper Blood Rice field."

As he finished speaking, Chen Tianmo unwrapped a white cloth, revealing a sample of soil from that farmland. Normal soil and Blood Rice soil were already visually distinct, but this sample was even more vibrant than the red earth found in the clan’s best fields. Amidst the vivid coloration, there was also a strange odor.

"This must be it. But what kind of poison could have such an effect? It's impossible to guard against something like this!"

"There are many branches of the Blood Spring, and the clan can’t possibly monitor them all. We’ve only been able to collect from the larger ones. It’s inevitable that some gaps would be exploited. We’ll need to be more cautious from now on."

While the group examined the soil, a voice came from outside the ancestral hall.

"Patriarch! A messenger bird just arrived—it's the same one from last time!"

"Bring it in."

Chen Xingzhen took the silk scroll from the clansman and unrolled it. Many of the surrounding clan members wore curious expressions—they hadn’t forgotten the incident with the Two Fiends of Mei Mountain.

After reading the message, Chen Xingzhen passed the scroll around.

"'Red Lady'... is that the name of the poison?"

"This poison was designed specifically to target plant life! According to the message, the antidote is called 'Lan Niangzi.' It's another rare plant, even considered a natural treasure."

Some of the clansmen shook their heads. They had never heard of such a thing—how could they possibly find it?

The messenger bird had only delivered information, not the antidote itself. Clearly, the sender didn’t have it either.

Fortunately, the Blood Rice fields were already showing signs of recovery. There was no longer an urgent need for an antidote.

"Burn it once you’ve all finished reading. This matter must not be spread."

"Also, until this harvest is complete, we must double the guard around the fields. The clansmen stationed there must stay alert. In a few days, send a few more people to Yong'an City to search for the antidote."

"Yes, Patriarch."

After the discussion, several of the martial artists returned to the fields. Fortunately, the temperature issues from before had been resolved. The clan had built walls around the farmland, and guards now kept watch day and night. There was no concern that the Blood Rice recovery would be discovered.

At night, with the help of their deceased ancestors, guarding the fields became even more secure. Clansmen could even sleep briefly while receiving warnings through their dreams.

Despite all these efforts, Chen Xingzhen showed little joy. The fields were vast enough to fool ordinary people, but not cultivators of higher realms.

If word got out that the Blood Rice was recovering, there was no telling what the Shi Clan would try next.

To ensure a successful harvest, this secret had to be kept at all costs.

...

The moon was dark, and the wind was high. The fields lay silent. But on closer inspection, it was clear that many clansmen were scattered throughout, maintaining a tight and vigilant perimeter.

Beyond their awareness, hidden in the night, a black-robed figure stood at a distance, silently observing the scene.

"How unimpressive," the figure sneered coldly after a brief survey.

But just as he was about to move forward to investigate, his body froze. A flicker of shock and suspicion flashed in his eyes. He turned—and found a figure standing silently behind him. He hadn’t even noticed when they had arrived.

Chen Qingyu’s face was calm, but as he sensed the intruder’s cultivation, his gaze turned grave.

Late-stage Innate Realm.

The strongest person he had ever encountered. The man remained cloaked in black, his face obscured. But that didn’t matter. Chen Qingyu didn’t care who he was. His only task was to stop him.

The black-robed man's eyes narrowed slightly when he sensed that Chen Qingyu was only mid-stage Innate Realm. Beneath his hood, his expression turned contemplative.

Very well. This would be the perfect opportunity to see if the Chen Clan truly possessed an Earth-rank martial technique.

If they did, this man likely had it.

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