Melvin stepped toward the edge of the barrier, his golden pupils calm and analytical. "Demonic sound waves rely on brute acoustic vibration, which dissolves completely before pure celestial frost. Their synchronized charge is merely an acoustic marionette dance controlled by the bell's rhythmic pulse, so once the governing frequency is severed, these one hundred monsters will collapse like hollow clay dolls."Activating his Astral Sight to its absolute maximum limit, Melvin dissected the rapid physical vibration of the Blood Soul Bell in mid-air. Golden rays of diagnostic perception pierced the surrounding red miasma, mapping the molecular density of the ancient bronze artifact and identifying a microscopic structural hairline fracture running along its inner acoustic rim.Melvin pointed his finger toward the vibrating bronze rim, speaking with chilling medical precision. "The bronze bell absorbed too much volatile corpse-energy during previous massacres, creating an irreparable fract

Melvin presented the crystal vial containing the blackened needle. "Twelve pipes fed corpse-oil beneath your dragon root, and the twelfth pipe connects directly to your own Alchemy Hall!"Sect Master Shen gripped the crystal vial, his eyes flashing with righteous Heavenly fury. "A treasonous snake poisons our foundation from within our own alchemy chambers! We shall uncover this traitor, Supreme Elder Melvin, so please accompany me to the Grand Sanctuary to plan our retribution!"Melvin stepped onto the cloud carriage alongside the Sect Master. "A physician eradicates internal rot before addressing external wounds, so let us cleanse your sect completely."The cloud carriage soared five thousand feet into the heavens, docking before the obsidian gates of the Grand Sanctuary.Taking his seat upon the dragon throne, Sect Master Shen addressed the gathered assembly of grand elders. "The decennial Nine Cauldron Summit convenes in two days, gathering all four mountain sects to compete for t

Stepping through the towering bronze double doors of the Grand Elders Hall, Melvin observed nine colossal jade stone chairs arranged in an authoritative semi-circle. Only six of the carved jade chairs held seated grand elders, their expressions solemn and heavily guarded under the floating spirit lamps.The three leftmost chairs remained completely unoccupied, covered in thick layers of undisturbed grey dust that testified to years of continuous vacancy. Ethereal incense smoke coiled around the vaulted ceiling, carrying the crisp scent of burning cedar and ancient parchment.Chief Elder Mo advanced toward the central floor, bowing respectfully before the seated tribunal. Melvin took his place beside the central stone table, his golden pupils calmly assessing the judicial assembly.Standing up from the premier seat among the elders, Grand Alchemist Yun unfolded a heavy parchment scroll stamped with crimson ink.Grand Alchemist Yun glared down at Melvin with sharp hostility, his voice r

Four grand elders raised their hands in favor of Melvin's proposal, while two elders kept their arms lowered in hesitation. The voting balance hung suspended in agonizing tension.Raising his trembling right arm from the floor, the fifth-chair elder cast his decisive vote with a raspy voice. "I cast my vote for Doctor Melvin, for his celestial needles preserved my life while Yun's pills filled my lungs with shadow beasts! Open the northern cave this instant, and let the truth be revealed!"Chief Elder Mo declared the official verdict with resounding authority. "The majority has spoken with five votes in favor, so we march to the northern seclusion peak immediately! Any elder who obstructs this lawful delegation shall be placed under immediate arrest!"Grand Alchemist Yun dropped his hands in defeat, his face ashen as he was forced to join the procession under the watchful eyes of the law enforcers. The heavy atmosphere of impending discovery gripped every member of the tribunal.The a

Melvin dusted the residue into the open jade box, his golden pupils glowing with keen diagnostic insight. "This rapid chemical degradation proves the swapping was done in stages, avoiding a single haul, carried out by someone who had routine access to the warehouse."Chief Elder Mo clenched his fists, his voice shaking with righteous fury. "The vault guardians record daily entry logs, so only an authorized member of the upper logistical hierarchy could bypass the inspection arrays on a recurring schedule!"Chief Elder Mo turned toward Kaelen with blazing eyes. "Someone inside our inner administration was quietly replacing one jade box every ninety days to ensure the artificial scent remained fresh during quarterly inspections!"Kaelen examined the fake grass with mounting anger. "The vault guards smelled the artificial perfume and assumed the ancestral reserves remained intact, staying blind to the systematic theft of our sacred herbs!"Melvin analyzed the chemical curing mechanics of