Ye Yirui frowned slightly, clearly displeased by the reminder.
Aunt Ran grew anxious. No longer caring that there were others present, she lowered her eyes and continued earnestly,
"Young Valley Master, you have been away from Medicine King Valley for far too long. To ease the elders' worries, I explained that your purpose this time was the new secret realm in the Baohua Mountains. Even if you do not care for yourself, you must think of Young Master Yu Chen."
Ye Yirui waved her hand in irritation. "I know. Leave me for now."
"Young Valley Master—"
"I said go!"
Aunt Ran finally withdrew from the private room, leaving behind a rare silence.
Yun Xi offered no comment. This was Medicine King Valley's family affair, nothing to do with her.
Only after sipping her tea did Ye Yirui finally speak again.
"The secret realm of the Baohua Mountains will soon open. Does Wei Daoyou intend to enter for training?"
Yun Xi smiled faintly.
"This time, I do not plan to enter. The Yixian Gate inheritance has already placed me in the eye of the storm. I would rather not add to the commotion."
Ye Yirui had not expected Yun Xi to refuse the Baohua secret realm. She had originally planned to offer her protection within, in exchange for a favor. Now, that plan had crumbled.
For a while, the atmosphere turned heavy. Yun Xi felt that this Ye Zhēnjūn did not excel at social matters. Her aim unmet, she neither dismissed Yun Xi nor made any effort to lighten the mood, merely lowering her gaze and sinking into thought.
Yun Xi coughed lightly, forcing conversation. "Ye Zhēnjūn, have you considered that your brother's injury while saving you may only be the surface? Perhaps their true target all along was your brother?"
A cold glint flashed in Ye Yirui's eyes. She gave a bitter laugh. "Even a young girl like you can see this clearly, yet I wasted so long before realizing it. Truly pathetic of me."
Hearing that, Yun Xi hurried to smooth things over. "Ye Zhēnjūn was simply lost in the moment. I am but an outsider, easier to see clearly. When those dearest to us suffer such tribulation, it is natural for one's heart to falter. No one could remain unaffected."
In Yun Xi's eyes, this was a familiar pattern. A congenital Dao Body was a rare and coveted constitution. Even the great powers might not resist the temptation of seizing such a vessel.
She suspected someone had used Ye Yirui to coerce Ye Yuchen, forcing him to surrender his body. Not wanting his sister harmed, Ye Yuchen might have deliberately taken the blow himself, allowing his own body to be damaged. Yet the result had exceeded everyone's expectations.
Those who threatened him failed in their plan and instead destroyed his dantian. Even if they seized his body now, it would be worthless.
Ye Yuchen himself had not foreseen that their intent was truly to kill his sister. In trying to save her, he ruined his own immortal path.
In the end, it was Ye Yirui who survived, shielded by her brother. Yet because of her, he was left crippled. No wonder the clan must have directed countless accusations her way. That likely explained her aloof temperament, so cold that even her attendant dared to challenge her decisions.
Yun Xi spun her own web of conjecture, unaware that her guesses were closer to the truth than she realized. What she did not know was that the one pulling strings was Ye Yirui's own uncle—a different thread of betrayal and resentment altogether.
Once she steadied her mood, Ye Yirui said,
"Though I would like to invite you to Medicine King Valley immediately, I must enter the Baohua secret realm. Perhaps within I can find a means to repair the dantian, or rare treasures of heaven and earth. After the realm closes, I will come to Haoran Sect to invite you."
Yun Xi nodded. "Very well. I shall await your good news, Ye Zhēnjūn."
Ye Yirui brushed her storage ring, producing a jade token carved with the words Medicine King Valley. She pushed it across the table toward Yun Xi.
"If you should ever travel to the Central Domain, bring this token to Medicine King Valley. You will be received with full honors."
Yun Xi accepted it without protest, slipping the jade into her bracelet before bowing her thanks. Whether she ever used it or not was uncertain, but the gesture eased Ye Yirui's mood considerably.
"I will have Aunt Ran leave this private room for you."
Lifting her white jade teacup, she signaled the conversation's end. Yun Xi understood and rose with a bow.
"In that case, I shall not trouble Ye Zhēnjūn further. Farewell."
She left the room, passing the woman waiting at the door without sparing her a glance, and descended the stairs to rejoin Wei Chenyin and the others.
"Junior Sister Wei, did anything happen?"
Zhang Lingrui was the first to ask.
Yun Xi shook her head. "No. Ye Zhēnjūn merely exchanged a few words with me, then offered us her private room. We can now wander freely."
Wei Chenyin said nothing, but her eyes lingered on Yun Xi. Yun Xi gave a small nod to show there was no issue, and Wei Chenyin dropped the matter.
Together, they headed straight for Haoran City's bustling marketplace, where almost anything could be purchased.
Yun Xi herself lacked nothing in terms of cultivation resources, and her storage brimmed with treasures. She strolled casually, buying only what caught her eye.
Their first stop was the Dan Pavilion, where they spent a large sum on high-grade life-saving pills. From there, they visited the Qiwu Pavilion, which specialized in magical tools. Wei Chenyin and the others wanted disposable treasures for breaking out of danger or stalling enemies.
Because their cultivation was all at late Golden Core, the shop attendants promptly led them to a private room on the third floor, where a Foundation Establishment cultivator served them personally.
Wei Chenyin asked with care, "Yun Xi, have you prepared everything you need for traveling? Do you require anything else?"
Yun Xi shook her head. "Before entering seclusion, my Master prepared much for me. Along the journey, I also traded with you all. It is more than enough."
Seeing her genuine assurance, the four relaxed and turned back to their shopping. They summoned the attendant, listed their needs, and soon had their goods.
With purchases made, they set out for the Bawei Restaurant.
On the way, they crossed paths with several disciples of Haoran Sect. Greetings were exchanged, but no one lingered to chat.
As the five entered Bawei Restaurant, the same attendant from before hurried forward. "Honored guests, please, the private room on the third floor has been prepared."
But just as they reached the stairs, a voice called out.
"Senior Sister Wei, please wait."
At the sound, Yun Xi's brows tightened ever so slightly. Turning, she spoke evenly, "So it is you, Junior Brother Sheng. You have come out of seclusion."
Sheng Yuhong stood there, dressed in pale violet robes that highlighted his noble bearing. Yet before Yun Xi, his usual pride softened. He bowed politely.
"I formed my Golden Core and emerged some time ago. I went to pay my respects at your residence, Senior Sister, but you were in seclusion, and I could not see you."