Yun Xi was not the first to arrive at the grand plaza. Several people had come earlier and were chatting leisurely with familiar sect members, the atmosphere light and casual.
She found herself a quiet corner, stood still, and took out a jade slip. Carefully, she began inscribing upon it the knowledge of the Yixian Gate's inheritance.
Since the spatial gate could not be opened and she couldn't access the scripture pavilion, this was the only way to hand the sect a complete record of what she had learned inside the inheritance hall. The rewards were already in her hands, so naturally she had to fulfill her part and contribute the full inheritance to the sect.
While Yun Xi was focused on recording, cultivators continued to trickle into the plaza. Most were Golden Core, while the Yuányīng Zhēnjūn gathered together on the high platform to converse.
She glanced over but saw no familiar faces among the Zhēnjūn. Judging by their presence, these ten or so must be elders nearing the end of their lifespans. They were likely seizing this chance to gamble everything in the newly opened secret realm.
Soon after, Yun Xi spotted Wei Chenyin, Lin Keyang, Zhang Lingrui, and Cao Yi arriving in turn. The four naturally grouped together, showing no intention of looking for Yun Xi.
A little while later, Sheng Yuhong arrived as well, though his expression was cold. Any female Golden Core cultivators who tried to approach him for conversation were all dismissed politely.
Among the crowd, Yun Xi also noticed a familiar figure: Song Ke, who had once overseen the entry examinations. He had only just formed his Golden Core, his cultivation barely stable at the early stage.
Song Ke was sharp-eyed. The moment Yun Xi's gaze brushed past him, he turned and looked toward her. Not recognizing her face but sensing her higher cultivation, he cupped his hands respectfully. Yun Xi inclined her head and returned the gesture before turning her attention back to the jade slip.
An incense stick's time later, Hao Hui Zūnzhě and Hao Qing Zūnzhě arrived together.
The instant the two Zūnzhě appeared, the plaza fell silent. Countless gazes fixed on them with burning anticipation.
Neither said a word. With a sweep of their sleeves, they released a flying vessel. Before the watching crowd, it unfolded into its complete form—a massive warship seven stories tall.
Its surface gleamed with dark brown hues, etched with the flowing cloud insignia of Haoran Sect. Layer upon layer of dense array patterns covered its hull, so intricate it nearly made Yun Xi dizzy to look at them.
Inside, five decks of cabins provided ample space for everyone present. The ship radiated an air of prestige and grandeur. Yun Xi couldn't help but sigh inwardly: "Haoran Sect really is wealthy beyond measure."
On second thought, it made sense. This expedition to the secret realm of Mount Baohua involved not just the sects of the western region but also those of the other four territories. Appearances mattered. A grand display was necessary.
Then Hao Qing's deep, magnetic voice rolled across the plaza:
"Disciples, board the ship."
"Yes, Zūnzhě!"
Voices rang in unison. In flashes of light, the cultivators orderly boarded the colossal vessel.
As Yun Xi's feet touched the deck, she realized it alone spanned fifty meters in width. Even with so many disciples boarding, it somehow felt spacious, almost empty.
Once Hao Hui and Hao Qing confirmed everyone was aboard, they prepared to depart.
Sect Master Yu Geng cupped his hands to them, wishing for success in this secret realm journey. But before departure, a clear female voice cut through the air:
"Sect Master, wait for me!"
Yun Xi looked up, catching sight of Wei Yunqing sprinting toward them. She rolled her eyes inwardly. She had assumed Wei Yunqing would fail to make it in time due to her tribulation. Yet here she was, rushing in at the very last moment.
Sect Master Yu Geng, clearly aware of Wei Yunqing's circumstances, didn't even frown. With a casual wave of his sleeve, he lifted her onto the ship, unwilling to waste even a breath more delaying their departure.
Wei Yunqing staggered onto the deck and clasped her hands. "Forgive me. I just finished enduring the Golden Core lightning tribulation, so I was delayed."
The other Jīndān Zhēnrén merely nodded faintly, showing no particular reaction. Only Sheng Yuhong's brows drew together for a moment before he turned and disappeared into the cabin, pointedly ignoring her.
Wei Yunqing swept her gaze around the deck, clearly searching for someone. When her eyes met Wei Chenyin's, a flicker passed through them. She saluted again. Wei Chenyin responded calmly with a nod before leading his companions inside.
By then, Yun Xi had already entered the ship earlier, choosing an empty cabin. She inserted her identity token into the slot within, activating the room's protective restrictions.
Releasing Dian Dian and Fei Xia from her spirit beast pouch, she shared an unwelcome piece of news.
Dian Dian circled twice atop the table before muttering, "Master, this Wei Yunqing is like a lingering ghost. She even managed to catch up. Why is she everywhere?"
Fei Xia was calmer. "Master, once inside the secret realm, it will be difficult to track her. Do you want me to tail her now?"
Resting her chin in her hand, Yun Xi replied, "No need. The secret realm is an isolated space. It might actually be my best chance to get rid of her. Who obtains fortune inside remains uncertain.
Fei Xia, stay at my side. I'll need you when the time comes."
Her plan was clear. The realm's emergence was tied directly to her. After a thousand years, no one knew what lay within. If she encountered Wei Yunqing inside, she would make an attempt to eliminate this long-standing threat.
But she had no intention of risking her spirit pets. If they showed themselves, Wei Yunqing would immediately know she was present. Yun Xi preferred the current situation—her enemy in the light, herself in the dark.
"Yes, Master."
Both beasts obediently returned to their pouch.
A faint smile touched Yun Xi's lips. She raised her hand, summoning the Nine Nether Dragon Umbrella. Closing her eyes, she began communing with Hei Yao. This time, she intended to use the umbrella as her primary weapon. She had never revealed it before others, so it would not expose her identity.
Moreover, after leaving the secret realm, she planned to remove the disguise of the Mosang Ring on her ice spiritual root. That way, she could more convincingly ask her master for instruction in ice techniques. Claiming that she obtained a mutated ice root during the secret realm's trials would sound perfectly reasonable.
Speaking of the Mosang Ring, she recalled how the artifact spirit of the Hidden Treasures Pavilion had identified it. Otherwise, she would have kept calling it a silver ring. Its own spirit, however, seemed to be in a long slumber, showing no signs of awakening.
Yun Xi infused the Nine Nether Dragon Umbrella with wind spiritual energy, beginning to adapt to its use.
Elsewhere, Wei Yunqing, failing to spot Yun Xi, felt the air grow inexplicably fresher. Her gaze instead followed Sheng Yuhong as he entered his cabin. She bit her lip and quickly trailed after him.
But before she could speak, his cabin's restriction flared to life, shutting her out. Left with no choice, she took the room opposite his.
Inside, she sat cross-legged and began circulating her cultivation method. Passing her tribulation had been possible only thanks to her master's gift of the Mountain-Turning Seal, which had absorbed three bolts of lightning for her. With that aid, she had successfully formed her Golden Core and caught up with the sect's departure.
Her confidence in this secret realm expedition was strong. For now, she focused on stabilizing her new cultivation. Once inside, she would have plenty of chances to partner with Sheng Yuhong.
Almost simultaneously, across the western domain, sect warships were all setting sail toward the Baohua mountain range. Meanwhile, Baohua City had already become overcrowded. Cultivators from the other four regions, unwilling to risk missing the secret realm's opening, had arrived in advance.