Fortunately, their dangerous but ultimately successful plan went off without a hitch. They had managed to keep everything under wraps.

"You all understand the importance of learning now, don't you? In this regard, Tianquan has done an excellent job. You should learn from him more in the future."

Chen Tianquan, the subject of praise, couldn't help but show a trace of pride and joy on his face. It seemed his recent efforts had finally borne fruit.

"Still, we must remain cautious. Though the enemy's surveillance appears to have withdrawn, I am certain there are still eyes in the shadows watching our clan’s blood rice. Until this harvest is safely brought in, we must not let our guard down."

"Yes, Clan Leader!"

Voices echoed throughout the ancestral hall, a chorus of affirmation from the gathered clan members. Then, silence returned.

Above them, Ji Yang let out a quiet breath of relief. Compared to when all this began, he had grown significantly stronger, but there were still things beyond his reach. In some matters, he was powerless, and the clan would have to rely on its own strength to survive. This was both a trial and a test. To endure in this world, one tree alone was not enough.

Though the immediate threat seemed to have passed, it was far from over. He had no idea what new crises the clan would face in the future. Still, if they could just be given time, he believed even these hardships would eventually become stepping stones on the clan’s path forward.

In the half-month that followed, the clan gradually returned to its normal rhythm. Yet beneath the calm surface, quiet efforts were underway—efforts invisible to the average eye.

In the fertile fields, defenses seemed relaxed, but in truth they were tighter than ever. More clan members had been secretly stationed there. Even the once-neglected tributaries of the Blood Spring were now tightly monitored and brought under the clan’s control, all to prevent a repeat of the last incident. They had the Divine Tree, yes—but they could not rely on it alone. It was always better to prevent danger than to respond to it.

The blood rice continued growing in peace. The harvest day was fast approaching.

During this time, the clan made an interesting discovery. Though they had removed the rice leaves midway through the growth period, they found that the blood rice actually seemed to grow better without them. The finding was both surprising and exciting. Had they known earlier, perhaps the yields from past harvests could have been much higher.

Now, the clan planned to conduct a proper experiment with the next crop—two mu of land would be used to compare the results of leafless versus normally grown blood rice. Only then could they determine the true extent of the difference.

A sense of prosperity quietly settled over the clan. Every morning, the academy rang with the sounds of chanting as clan members recited scriptures and studied. By afternoon, the plaza echoed with the cries of youths practicing martial arts. Everything was gradually falling into place.

Over the past half month, several clan members broke through bottlenecks in their cultivation. Chen Tianjing and Chen Tianyu were among them. With the aid of the clan’s newly acquired cultivation resources and the nourishing effects of the Qinye Flower, both advanced to the Late Blood Coagulation Realm. Now, they stood just one step away from the Innate Realm.

Both had already glimpsed the threshold of Innate power. A breakthrough was only a matter of time. However, a new problem emerged. The cultivation resources they had previously acquired through trade with the three other great families of Yong’an City had now been completely depleted.

Without a fresh supply, the pace of cultivation throughout the clan slowed significantly. This was especially problematic for martial artists like Chen Tianjing and Chen Tianyu, whose breakthroughs required a tremendous amount of blood energy.

The few remaining stores of blood rice the clan had left were no longer sufficient to meet their needs. Without more resources, their breakthroughs to the Innate Realm would likely be delayed.

Fortunately, the next crop of blood rice was almost ready—just a few more days now.

…

“How is the situation?”

In Yong’an City, Shi Pojing had returned to the Shi Clan. His eyes fell on the clan member who came to report, and he asked calmly.

Half a month earlier, after the departure of the two clan elders, Shi Pojing had remained to observe for two more days before heading back. Even after returning, he continued to dispatch spies to monitor developments. This matter was of great importance, and since the clan leader had entrusted it to him, he had to take it seriously.

“Reporting to Clan Brother. Over the past half month, we’ve continued our surveillance. After the Chen Clan burned their previous crop of blood rice, it appears they’ve already begun planting a new batch. They’ve also been digging holes all around the fertile fields and burying various objects.”

Shi Pojing let out a soft laugh. "Once bitten, twice shy. The Shi Clan’s digging is likely their attempt to cut off the tributaries of the Blood Spring, to prevent another poisoning."

But it didn’t matter. One dose of poison was enough. In the end, that Blood Spring would belong to their clan.

When he heard the Chen Clan was attempting to plant blood rice again, he sneered. "Even if they’re given more time, so what? As long as the Red Lady’s poison remains, no matter how much they plant, it’s all in vain."

"You speak the truth, Clan Brother!"

"That’s enough. Keep investigating."

Seeing there was nothing more to report, Shi Pojing waved the man away. But just as he was about to leave, the clan member behind him suddenly stood upright and blurted out, “Wait—a moment ago, did you say the Chen Clan is planting blood rice again?”

“Yes, Clan Brother,” the man confirmed. “That’s correct. Our people frequently saw Chen Clan members entering and exiting the fertile fields. Even the household servants who used to be responsible for planting the rice have returned to their duties.”

Shi Pojing’s brows knit into a tight frown.

He had poisoned the Blood Spring itself. As long as it remained contaminated, the blood rice should be unable to grow properly. If that were truly the case, then the Chen Clan’s top priority should be searching for an antidote—not wasting time planting crops. He refused to believe there wasn’t a single intelligent person in that entire clan.

He narrowed his eyes. “Have any of the Chen Clan members they sent to Yong’an City or the surrounding areas replied?”

“No, not a single reply. But a few days ago, they dispatched a new group. Several of them are in Yong’an City right now, actively inquiring about antidotes.”

Shi Pojing finally exhaled, a small weight lifted from his chest.

It seemed he had been overthinking things.

The Red Lady’s poison wasn’t something easily cured. Perhaps the natural Blood Spring diluted it slightly, but the toxicity would still linger. As for the constant activity around the fields, perhaps the Chen Clan was still experimenting. That explanation, at least, made sense.

A clan as backward and isolated as the Chen Clan was still woefully ignorant in such matters. Eventually, when they realized all their efforts were in vain, they’d give up on their own.

Besides, both clan elders had personally investigated the matter. It was unlikely anything had been overlooked.

"That’s enough. There’s nothing more. You may go. From now on, submit a report once per day."

"Yes, Clan Brother."

After the messenger departed, Shi Pojing turned and made his way to the main hall. It was time to report to the clan leader.

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