I gain ten years' worth of cultivation every day, and even geniuses will only see my doorstep!

As the soul core left its body, the Yin Puppet's massive form instantly stiffened, then collapsed completely like a sandcastle that had lost its support, turning into ordinary Yin-cold evil energy and water, returning to the cold pool.

Qin Yuan clenched his fist, imprisoning the violently struggling gray-black soul core in his palm. Within the soul core, besides the violent resentment, there was also a faint but exceptionally stubborn trace of unfamiliar divine consciousness, clearly left by the refiner.

He glanced coldly at the now calm, pitch-black pool, then at the soul core imprisoned in his palm.

Things are indeed not simple. Beneath this Black Wind Ravine lies a secret, and it's very likely connected to a force skilled in soul refining and puppet manipulation. Those dead cultivators probably didn't just stumble upon this environmental anomaly; more likely… they were silenced, or used as materials to refine these Yin puppets.

"Captain... Captain..." Zhao Zheng's voice was hoarse. Watching Qin Yuan dismantle a Nascent Soul level Yin Puppet with his bare hands and effortlessly extract its core soul core, he completely lost any desire to compare himself to Qin Yuan, leaving only deep awe and lingering fear. Had he actually tried to trip up someone like that before? He was simply courting death!

Sun Ying and the others were also filled with excitement, and their gazes toward Qin Yuan were no different from those toward the old monsters in the sect.

Qin Yuan temporarily sealed the soul core into a jade box and put it away. Looking at the cold pool, he pondered, "There's a concealment formation protecting the bottom of the pool, so there must be something down there. But the yin energy here is too heavy, and the underwater situation is unknown. Forcing our way down is too risky. Besides, it might alert them."

He turned to Li Zhen: "Could we set up a monitoring and early warning array by the pool without disturbing the core of the array? To record the fluctuations of spiritual and malevolent energy in this area, especially the characteristics when the array is activated?"

Li Zhen's spirits lifted, and he quickly replied, "Sure! I'm skilled in this! Give me two hours, and I can set up a 'Small Heavenly Circuit Concealment Array' that maintains a safe distance from the array at the bottom of the pool, allowing me to only monitor the outer perimeter and be extremely difficult to detect."

"Alright. Set up the formation immediately. Sun Ying and Wang Shan, guard the surroundings and clear away any traces of our arrival. Su Wan, record the details of this place, including the characteristics and location of the corpses. Zhao Zheng," Qin Yuan looked at the deputy captain, whose face was still somewhat pale, "you cooperate with Li Zhen in setting up the formation and recall if there were any other unusual or suspicious traces when you previously explored this place."

"Yes!" the crowd responded in unison, without the slightest slackening.

Qin Yuan walked to the side, seemingly adjusting his breathing, but in reality, he focused his mind on the system.

"System, analyze the node information of the 'Simulated Taiyi Sha-Breaking Divine Light' that you just deduced. Can it be optimized and integrated into my existing attack system? Also, analyze the divine thought imprint in the obtained soul core and trace its origin."

[Analysis of the "Simulated Taiyi Sha-Breaking Divine Light" node information... It can be optimized into a simplified version, the "Mysterious Origin Sha-Breaking Finger," consisting of three fingers. Its power is slightly reduced, but it activates faster and consumes less energy. Should energy points be consumed for solidification and deduction?]

【分析魂核神念印记……印记微弱且经过特殊加密处理，直接追溯来源成功率低于5%。建议：1.收集更多同类印记进行交叉比对。2.寻找该印记可能关联的特定功法、地域或势力特徵。3.提升系统完整度至95%以上，解锁更深层溯源功能。】

"First, solidify the 'Mysterious Origin Demon-Slaying Finger'. Continue monitoring the Soul Core Imprint and report any unusual activity immediately."

[300 energy points consumed. Solidification deduction complete. 'Mysterious Origin Demon-Slaying Finger' (simplified version) has been integrated into the host's skill library.]

A sudden realization dawned on him, and he understood the method for more efficiently utilizing his own spiritual power to dispel evil spirits and malevolent forces. Qin Yuan opened his eyes, looked at his team members busily setting up the formation, and then gazed deeper into the dark Black Wind Ravine.

A Nascent Soul stage Yin puppet, a hidden formation, a group of low-level cultivators who were silenced… This seemingly ordinary patrol mission has already unearthed undercurrents beneath the surface. Are these undercurrents aimed at the Taiyi Immortal Sect? Or is there another scheme at play?

Whatever it is, since we've encountered it, there's no reason to ignore it. Besides, this might be an opportunity for him to establish himself in the Taiyi Immortal Sect and acquire more resources and authority.

Two hours later, Li Zhen successfully set up the monitoring array, which maintained a delicate balance with the array at the bottom of the pool and operated quietly.

"Captain, the formation is complete. It can be monitored continuously for seven days, and the recorded data will be stored in this sub-array plate." Li Zhen respectfully handed over a palm-sized gray array plate.

Qin Yuan took it and nodded: "Well done. This place is not safe to stay any longer, let's evacuate. After we get back, Su Wan should organize the mission log and the situation here in detail and report it directly to the Enforcement Hall, noting 'Suspected traces of external forces have been discovered, further investigation is required. Li Zhen, you are responsible for following up on the information from the array plate.'"

"yes!"

The group quietly withdrew from the Dark Pool area and quickly retreated from Black Wind Ravine along the way they had come. Unlike the initial probing and tension on the way there, the team was silent yet efficient on the return journey. Everyone had something on their mind, and there was no longer any doubt about the new young captain.

After flying out of the Black Wind Ravine and seeing the light of day again, the group felt that the cold and oppressive feeling in their hearts had dissipated considerably.

Qin Yuan, riding his sword ahead, suddenly spoke, his calm voice reaching everyone's ears: "What you saw and heard in the ravine today must not be revealed to outsiders in the slightest before the sect's official investigation results are released, especially the details regarding the Yin Puppet's core soul imprint and the array at the bottom of the pool. Those who violate this rule will be punished for leaking sect secrets."

Everyone's hearts tightened, and they replied in unison, "Yes, sir!"

They understood that the matter was probably more complicated than they had imagined. The captain was going to investigate secretly.

Zhao Zheng followed behind, watching Qin Yuan's tall and straight back. The last bit of resentment in his heart turned into helplessness and a strange expectation. Following a captain like this, perhaps... the future was uncertain, but it would certainly not be mediocre.

Just as the third squad returned to the Taiyi Immortal Sect.

Deep within the Valley of Spirit Herbs of the Green Wood Sect, in a secluded cottage surrounded by blooming flowers and spiritual trees.

Lin Qing'er sat alone by the window, gazing at the swaying spiritual plants outside, her eyes unfocused. After her argument with Mu Sangzi, she felt a surge of resentment and was deeply worried about Qin Yuan's situation. Although she had received Qin Yuan's message, "I have made another choice, do not worry," she knew that with her brother Qin Yuan's pride, being so rejected by the Qingmu Sect must be painful for him.

"Brother Qin Yuan has entered the Taiyi Immortal Sect... With his abilities, he will surely shine. But... the internal relationships of the Taiyi Immortal Sect are complex and intertwined, and geniuses gather here. As a newcomer, will he be ostracized? Will he be in danger?" The girl was thoughtful and couldn't help but think the worst.

She bit her lip, a determined glint in her eyes: "No, I can't just wait like this. I need to cultivate, I need to become stronger! Strong enough that no one can ignore my opinions anymore! Strong enough... that I can help Brother Qin Yuan in the future, instead of just watching helplessly!"