Strongest Scammer: Scamming The World, One Death At A Time-Chapter 141: Erasing Doubts (castle Bonus)

After a brief break and a glass of water, Han Yu began to speak again.

"It wasn’t until seven months had passed that I managed to truly recover some strength. I tried climbing the ravine walls four times. Fell... twice. Thought I would die each time." He touched a faint scar on his arm, one the healers had already noticed earlier.

Of course, it had been made by Han Yu before, which had healed on its own in his journey.

"The fourth time... I made it."

The youngest elder frowned. "Even so, how did you survive the Spirit Beast guarding the area? That Black Claw Giza Lizard was known to haunt that territory."

Han Yu nodded, eyes grim.

"Even after climbing out, I could not move freely. The lizard... it was still there. I hid, buried myself under mud, crawled into crevices, and waited. Every few days, it would roam and hunt. I barely dared to move. It took me another month to find an opening."

He looked up at them now, letting desperation and hope flicker across his expression.

"And then... after nine months, I finally staggered into the Spirit Beast Forest. That’s when Senior Sister Wu Huian found me."

The elders exchanged more serious glances. Elder Nie Jing tapped the table rhythmically, thinking hard.

Parts of Han Yu’s story sounded too perfect.

Yet the signs of physical suffering, the transformation, the genuine terror that clung to Han Yu’s every word and gesture... it was extremely convincing.

More over, Elder Nie Jing could feel an aura around Han Yu. It was something he was familar with having lived for over a thousand years and fought in many battles. It was an aura that one only got after multiple brushes with death.

It wasn’t something that could be faked.

And it wasn’t fake either, except... Han Yu had truly died.

More than that, the world of cultivation was full of strange miracles and inexplicable survivals.

What could not happen under the heavens?

After a long moment, Elder Nie Jing spoke.

"You have suffered greatly, Han Yu. Your perseverance... and luck... are beyond ordinary."

He fixed Han Yu with a piercing look.

"But understand. Now that you have returned, and your cultivation has advanced, you will be monitored for some time. The sect cannot be careless."

Han Yu lowered his head again. "I understand, Elder Nie. I will accept any arrangements the sect deems fit."

The elder’s gaze softened slightly.

"Very well. You will be allowed to resume your status as an Outer Court Disciple for now. A formal reassessment will be held later."

Another elder interjected. "And we must record this event properly. The sect history needs witnesses to miracles."

Han Yu bit back a grin.

He had passed the trial. Possibly with flying colors.

The days following Han Yu’s miraculous return were a whirlwind of attention and scrutiny.

Despite his best efforts to appear humble and docile, the moment he set foot in the sect again, whispers spread like wildfire.

"Did you hear? Han Yu, the one who died, is back!"

"He’s different... He doesn’t look the same. Something’s off about him."

Disciples crowded around him, offering awkward greetings, expressions of disbelief, and more than a few lingering stares. Even the older disciples who had known about him before seemed unsure how to react.

But Han Yu remained silent, keeping his head low, only offering brief responses. His silence worked in his favor; it made him seem distant and mysterious, fueling the rumors that spread like a wild fire.

The Outer Court disciples were particularly wary, especially the ones who had been present when he supposedly died. They saw the change in him—the newfound aura that emanated from his very being.

He had been at the tenth stage of Body Tempering, but now he was at the early stage of Qi Refining.

One of them mustered courage and came up to talk to him.

Han Yu recognized him to be Wu Shuan. The man seemed to be fine now, except for a long scar that went along his arm. Probably having obtained it during the escape.

Han Yu briefly talked with the man, who didn’t pry much just asking how he was. He just gave some customary answers before asking his own. Han Yu asked who had survived, as well as how they were faring now, maintaining his distant demeanour.

He learned that the people were all injured quite a bit, with one of them still recovering in the healing hall. Han Yu simply wished them good health and recovery before leaving.

Wu Shuan was left a bit confused as Han Yu had changed a lot since before.

No one could explain it, and no one dared ask too many questions.

It was the perfect storm of suspicion and fascination.

But Han Yu’s mind was far from those idle conversations. He had already put his plan into motion. He knew that he couldn’t afford to stay idle for long. His new body, his cultivation, and the techniques he had inherited were only the beginning. If he wanted to rise in the sect once more, he had to tread carefully and move in the shadows.

He spent the next few days in his courtyard, carefully observing his surroundings and thinking through his next moves. The transformation in his body, though miraculous, was just the start of what he needed to do. He had gained a new cultivation base, but he still lacked knowledge—knowledge of the sect’s inner workings, the other powerful cultivators, and the resources he would need to truly rise again.

His transformation also came with new challenges. The Undying Life Charm that had saved his life, the technique that was supposed to help him grow stronger, had its own limitations. The Eight Emotions Energy, which he had barely begun to refine into Soul Qi, could not be rushed. It took time and patience to gather the energy and refine it properly.

He couldn’t afford to let anyone know about this secret.

Ever.