"I inherited the legacy of Yixian Gate, and after gaining some insights, I went into seclusion for a while. Fortunately, my cultivation has made some progress."
Sheng Yuhong also noticed that Yun Xi's aura was far stronger than it had been during the Sect Grand Competition. That left a faint bitterness in his chest.
He soon realized a few people were waiting for Yun Xi. On closer look, they were all among the top ten Golden Core disciples from the competition. Sheng Yuhong immediately cupped his fists with courtesy.
The four returned the gesture, but none of them spoke much. Clearly, they were here for Yun Xi, not for him.
Yet Yun Xi had no desire to linger with him either. She said politely, "Junior Brother Sheng, today I'm here to send off a few Senior Brothers and Sisters. I won't take more of your time. If you need anything, you can send me a message talisman."
When Sheng Yuhong heard the words "send off," something seemed to click. He asked, "Senior Sister Wei isn't going to the Baohua Mountain secret realm?"
Yun Xi nodded. "That's right. Since I've already received the legacy of Yixian Gate, there's no need for me to stand out. After sending them off, I'll return to the sect and go into seclusion."
The disappointment on Sheng Yuhong's face was plain to see. He could only bow once more before taking his leave.
Yun Xi led the five into a private room and, with a wave of her hand, boldly ordered the signature spirit banquet of Baiwei Pavilion. She had also been craving its flavors.
Zhang Lingrui grinned so wide his teeth showed. "Junior Sister Wei, are you planning to splurge? Baiwei Pavilion's signature banquet is settled in top-grade spirit stones. The lowest cut of meat here comes from third-rank spirit beasts, and some dishes even use meat from the fifth rank."
Yun Xi laughed. "Most of the time we survive on Bigu Pills. It's rare to come to Baiwei Pavilion, so of course we should treat ourselves properly. Spirit stones can always be earned again. The secret realm is full of treasures just waiting to be taken."
Lin Keyang chuckled. "Junior Sister Wei, your mindset is admirable."
Cao Yi added with a smile, "When we come back safely from the secret realm, let's return the favor and invite Junior Sister Wei instead."
"Good. It's settled then."
The suggestion was unanimously agreed upon. As the banquet dishes were placed on jade tables one after another, the five began to eat with refined elegance.
Just as Zhang Lingrui had said, the third-rank beast meat, once cooked by culinary cultivators, perfectly retained its tenderness and flavor, while also sealing in the spiritual energy within. None of them could put down their chopsticks.
The final dish, "Eight Treasures Perch," was truly made from a fifth-rank fish. The spiritual energy in its flesh forced all five of them into meditation to refine it after eating. That single meal took two and a half hours, and only by nightfall did they walk out of Baiwei Pavilion.
Yun Xi winced at the cost when paying in spirit stones—it was nearly the price of a spirit robe. But after enjoying the food and gaining strength from it, she decided the expense was worth every stone.
The five then boarded a flying boat back to the sect. Afterward, each returned to their own peak. Unless something unexpected happened, Yun Xi would not go to see them again before their departure, to avoid drawing suspicion.
In the days that followed, Yun Xi rarely left Lingxue Peak. She was either painting talismans or refining pills, but did not formally enter closed-door seclusion.
On the eve of the Baohua Mountain expedition, Yun Xi received a message talisman from Yu Lian Zhēnjūn, asking her to come to the Artifact Refining Peak. Yun Xi guessed the treasure to disguise her appearance must be ready.
Not daring to delay, she immediately went. At the foot of the mountain, she saw Xi Murán waiting for her.
"Martial Uncle Wei, please come with me."
Xi Murán spoke respectfully.
Yun Xi gave him a glance and noticed his cultivation was still stuck at late Foundation Establishment. She frowned. "Nephew Xi, why are you still lingering in late Foundation? When will you form your Core?"
Xi Murán nearly stumbled at her words, feeling as though she had stabbed right at his sore spot. With a slightly aggrieved tone, he replied, "Martial Uncle Wei, your nephew can't compare with you. But at my current pace, I should naturally reach Golden Core next year."
"Good. Only when you reach Golden Core will you be able to handle higher-grade refining materials. Work hard. Martial Uncle has high hopes for you."
After a bit of small talk, they arrived at Yu Lian Zhēnjūn's private forging chamber. Xi Murán tactfully excused himself.
Yu Lian Zhēnjūn chuckled. "Martial Nephew Wei, don't tease my disciple. I'm quite satisfied with his progress."
Yun Xi bowed and replied, "Jade must be polished to become a treasure. Martial Uncle Yu Lian, you should be stricter with Nephew Xi."
Yu Lian pointed at her from across the room, half scolding, half amused. "So that's it. You just think the three spirit robes he sold you were too expensive?"
Yun Xi would never admit it. She smiled. "Martial Uncle's craftsmanship is worth the price. It is I who gained the advantage."
Yu Lian laughed heartily, then pushed a wooden box toward her. "This is the disguise treasure the Sect Master ordered me to craft for you. Take a look."
"Many thanks, Martial Uncle Yu Lian."
Yun Xi first offered thanks, then opened the box. Inside lay a glazed mask. She picked it up. It was weightless in her hand yet felt smooth like true glazed jade. Each cut surface joined seamlessly, and from different angles, it revealed shifting expressions.
"This is the Glazed Jade Mask I refined. Once you bind it and wear it, you can change your appearance at will. Each facet of the mask can store a different face.
It can also shield your face in battle, block part of incoming attacks, and resist poisonous miasma. You'll understand its worth once you use it. The only flaw is that it cannot alter your unique spiritual aura. Against tracking beasts, your identity may still be exposed."
Yun Xi caressed the mask with delight. "Martial Uncle, this is already excellent. As long as I can get into the secret realm, it's enough."
With her Flower Ornament Immortal Tool, she could completely mask her aura. Combined with this mask, her disguise would be flawless.
Yu Lian handed her a blank identity jade tablet. "This belongs to Artifact Refining Peak's disciples. Engrave whatever name you want. I trust I don't need to teach you the rest."
He tossed the jade tablet over.
Yun Xi caught it with a smile, thanked him again, and quietly returned to Lingxue Peak.
Her first task was to refine the Glazed Jade Mask. After a blood recognition and branding it with her divine sense, the treasure would recognize only her. Even if stolen, unless someone's divine sense surpassed hers, they couldn't claim it.
She placed the mask over her face. After a moment of thought, she changed her appearance to that of a young male cultivator. To avoid attention, the face was plain, but with sharp features and the bearing of cultivation, it could still be called handsome.
Then she donned the azure elder's robe of Haoran Sect, disguising herself as an elder of Artifact Refining Peak. Her original identity jade tablet was tucked away in her storage bangle and made invisible, while she displayed a storage ring instead.
Most men used storage rings, a small but important detail. Her storage bangle was well-known—if someone recognized it, her cover could be blown. She even fastened the white jade belt Yu Lian Zhēnjūn had gifted her last time, adding height and authority to her appearance.
Finally, Yun Xi picked up the new identity jade tablet, engraved the name "Feng Xiyun," and hung it from her belt. After turning once in front of the mirror, she asked,
"Dian Dian, what do you think?"
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The surname Feng comes from her mother's family/clan. Given name that she choose, Xi Yun is actually her original name Yun Xi spelled backwards.