Yun Xi's words caused a shift in Han Lian Zhēnjūn's gaze. Her ice-like eyes fixed on Yun Xi as she asked, "Feng Xiyun, how did you figure it out?"
She considered her Ice Sealing Technique beyond the comprehension of a Golden Core cultivator.
Yun Xi immediately replied respectfully, "If these Soul Nourishing Stones contain the souls of cultivators from the Five Domains, Zhēnjūn would naturally not have frozen them."
Yun Chen Fózǐ recited a Buddhist chant and asked, "Amitabha! Han Lian Daoyou, did you learn from that disciple the method by which evil cultivators infiltrated the secret realm?"
Yun Chen was not foolish; he already had a different suspicion forming.
Han Lian's expression grew colder. She said sternly, "According to Zhao Sinan's confession, his task was to bring the Soul Nourishing Stones housing the evil cultivators' souls into the secret realm, then scatter the stones when possible. Those evil cultivators naturally have methods to possess other cultivators."
Yun Chen Fózǐ's youthful face darkened with concern. "Zhao Sinan is a late-stage Golden Core cultivator. He was brought here after being captured by Feng Xiaoyou, and this is a training ground for Nascent Soul cultivators. Then I suppose their plan for possession targets Golden Core cultivators?"
Han Lian Zhēnjūn thought for a moment and then looked at Yun Xi. She knew clearly that the male cultivator in front of her had only peak late-stage Golden Core cultivation, not yet a Nascent Soul. How had he entered a Nascent Soul training area?
Yun Xi immediately sensed Han Lian Zhēnjūn's doubt and explained the full sequence of events. She added her speculation: they were now on the third floating island surrounding the Bronze Divine Tree, which must be larger and far more dangerous than the second floating island.
Yun Chen Fózǐ corroborated, "Feng Xiaoyou's combat ability is sufficient for the challenges here, which is why the secret realm transported him here. Previously, he eliminated a disguised fallen evil cultivator, whose strength was at the early Nascent Soul stage."
Hearing this, Yun Xi seemed to realize something and asked, "Master Yun Chen, are you certain Li Chang's cultivation was at the early Nascent Soul stage?"
"Of course. I tangled with him for a long time. His cultivation matched mine, though my techniques restrained him."
Yun Chen Fózǐ replied confidently. After so long a clash, he could not have been mistaken.
Yun Xi frowned. "Master Yun Chen, perhaps what we eliminated this time was another of Li Chang's clones."
Han Lian Zhēnjūn asked coldly, "Oh? Why are you so certain?"
Yun Xi explained, frowning, "When Li Chang was the lord of Shuangshan City, he had already reached late Nascent Soul. How could he suddenly drop to early Nascent Soul?"
Yun Chen Fózǐ said, "You mentioned before that he was once slain in Yuxing City by disciples of Haoran Sect?"
Yun Xi nodded, "Yes. Because it was done by Haoran Sect disciples, I remember it clearly. I could not be mistaken."
She had pierced him with Mystic Frost Needles, ensuring she would not forget.
Yun Chen Fózǐ continued, "Feng Xiaoyou, you have not reached Nascent Soul yet, so you would not know the methods for cultivating Yuányīng clones.
Our Buddhist sect also has techniques to cultivate Dharma-form clones, but at my current early Nascent Soul stage, the strongest clone I can create is at late-stage Golden Core. It cannot fully replicate my cultivation.
Li Chang is at late Nascent Soul. If he uses secret techniques to create an early Nascent Soul clone, it is possible. But once the clone is eliminated, the original will inevitably suffer backlash. A drop in cultivation is normal."
Yun Xi nodded thoughtfully. Though she agreed with Yun Chen Fózǐ's reasoning, she still suspected the target this time was another of Li Chang's clones.
Evil cultivators would not allow such an effective pawn to be eliminated so easily. Yet she accepted that the cultivation drop Yun Chen mentioned was real.
Turning her attention to the present problem, Yun Xi asked, "Two seniors, what should we do now?"
Since they had uncovered the evil cultivators' plot, they could not remain idle. The secret realm contained cultivators from all Five Regions. Some might already have been possessed. They could not allow the evil cultivators to succeed.
Han Lian and Yun Chen exchanged a glance and began sending messages to their respective disciples.
Han Lian Zhēnjūn raised her hand, forming several ice cranes. With a wave, the small birds seemed alive, flapping toward all directions.
Yun Chen Fózǐ took a string of sixteen Vajra Bodhi beads from his sleeve. After silently chanting, he tossed them out, and the golden beads disappeared instantly without a trace.
After these preparations, the two looked at Yun Xi. She said, "I have already notified disciples and familiar friends, though I am unsure if they received my message."
"Amitabha! Feng Xiaoyou, explore the secret realm with us!"
Yun Chen Fózǐ proposed immediately.
Yun Xi glanced first at Han Lian Zhēnjūn. She did not wish to be a third wheel.
Han Lian smiled slightly, "Very well! You may accompany us. Yun Chen Fózǐ rarely praises others. Let me see what abilities you have."
"Thank you both for looking after me. Xi Yun will shamelessly follow the two of you," Yun Xi replied humbly.
She understood her position well. Without Nascent Soul cultivation, she was weaker than the two and needed to remain cautious.
Han Lian Zhēnjūn was satisfied with Yun Xi's prudence. Choosing a direction, she led the way. Yun Chen Fózǐ visibly relaxed, giving Yun Xi a faint smile, letting her walk in the middle while he covered the rear.
Yun Xi found Yun Chen Fózǐ interesting. He seemed afraid of Han Lian Zhēnjūn. She thought Han Lian, though not a conventional beauty, had a strong personality. She wondered if Buddhist cultivators in Weiyu World restrain themselves from lust.
While her mind wandered, she quietly transmitted to Dian Dian, "Dian Dian, any good things nearby?"
"Master, Dian Dian dares not reveal itself, but the spiritual energy here is dense. There must be treasures!"
Dian Dian twisted in Yun Xi's arms, afraid of being discovered by the two Nascent Soul masters.
At this moment, Zi Yan in Yun Xi's dantian trembled, sending a signal: there was a foreign fire nearby it wished to consume.
Yun Xi moved swiftly, releasing her divine sense, but found no trace of flame. She transmitted, puzzled, "Zi Yan, are you sensing incorrectly? There is no heat source nearby."
"Master, Zi Yan never senses wrongly. This foreign fire shares the same origin as me."
Hearing this, Yun Xi transmitted, "Then lead me."
Unable to sense it herself, she let Zi Yan guide the way.
Zi Yan swayed in Yun Xi's dantian, indicating a direction coinciding with the three's path.
Han Lian, walking at the front, frowned. She vanished from sight.
Yun Chen Fózǐ flickered beside Yun Xi, "Stay close. Something is ahead."
As Yun Xi responded, Yun Chen Fózǐ disappeared. She immediately stopped speaking, activated her Fufeng Steps, and vanished herself.