Zhu Sheng returned to Yun Xi's hand, transforming into his true form. His voice carried a weary tone as he transmitted: "Master, I have protected the souls of the two human cultivators and brought them out, along with the soul of another female cultivator accompanying you. However, she currently has no body to inhabit."
Yun Xi took a deep breath and said: "No matter, I will find a way."
It seemed that Yu Su Zhēnjūn had been unlucky. Barely inside the bamboo, she had been possessed and willingly offered her body. If her body had not been destroyed, it would now be occupied by an evil cultivator. Just thinking about it made Yun Xi's head ache. Fortunately, Zhu Sheng had brought the soul back, leaving her some room to operate.
Yun Xi then asked:
"Your grandfather—"
Zhu Sheng was silent for a long moment before replying:
"Master, grandfather is truly gone. That wicked thing has taken his place. It used grandfather's body to trap many souls, not just those of human cultivators but all living beings in the bamboo forest."
Yun Xi understood without him saying more. Now she knew why she had felt uneasy entering the bamboo. Aside from the rustling of bamboo leaves, there were no insects or birds, which was highly abnormal.
Though the Soul-Devouring Bamboo feeds on souls, even it does not harm those nearby for no reason. It would not render an entire bamboo forest devoid of life merely to attract prey.
Moreover, extraordinary bamboo produces exceptional shoots. Zhu Sheng was not Soul-Devouring Bamboo; he was Tear-Stain Bamboo, a rare high-grade spirit bamboo. If cultivated to the fifth stage and surviving the Form-Transforming Thunder Tribulation, it becomes a Wood Spirit Body, capable of ascending to the Spirit Realm.
It seemed the evil cultivators had anticipated the Soul-Devouring Bamboo's abilities. They acted immediately upon entering the secret realm. But how did they even know the secret realm contained Soul-Devouring Bamboo?
Considering its cultivation, the bamboo could be forced to release its younger generations. The infiltrators' cultivation must have been at least Divine Transformation. Those entering the secret realm at that stage were limited, and among them, one was undoubtedly in league with the evil cultivators.
Yun Xi's head spun as she realized the likelihood that these evil cultivators had Spirit Realm origins.
Long ago, Lei Hongxuan and his group had come to Wei Yu Realm to claim fragments of this small world. Because of internal conflict, none returned; the fragments were sealed within Wei Yu Realm.
She suspected that someone from their families knew about this. Deploying forces after the secret realm opened would be normal. She was certain that these families cooperated with evil cultivators. She never believed in coincidences—every "coincidence" in the cultivation world had a purpose.
These thoughts flashed through Yun Xi's mind as she touched Zhu Sheng's true form and transmitted:
"Zhu Sheng, to prevent the evil cultivators from using your grandfather's body for further harm, I must destroy your grandfather's true form."
"Master, can we not destroy grandfather's body? He worked so hard to reach this stage."
Zhu Sheng still hoped to save his grandfather.
Yun Xi placed Zhu Sheng onto her hair crown and replied:
"Zhu Sheng, you have entered the Bamboo King's true form. Do you think it can be saved?"
This earned Zhu Sheng a long silence. He saw that grandfather's body had begun to rot from the inside, and the decay was accelerating. Even if Master did nothing, the bamboo would soon be completely ruined.
Grandfather had poured all the bamboo sap from his body into Zhu Sheng when sending him out. It was his life's essence, condensed through cultivation. Without it, the body decayed so rapidly.
Yun Xi received no reply and only said the four words: "Destroy to rebuild."
Finally, the little one responded:
"Zhu Sheng understands."
Yun Xi then looked at Han Lian Zhēnjūn and Yun Chen Fózǐ, noticing an odd atmosphere between them, as if something had happened inside the Soul-Devouring Bamboo that she did not know.
Clearing her throat to break the awkwardness, she cupped her hands:
"Han Lian Zhēnjūn, Uncle Master Yu Su was absorbed into the Soul-Devouring Bamboo. Her body cannot be located. Could you lend the Soul Nurturing Stone you discovered to temporarily preserve Uncle Master Yu Su's soul?"
Han Lian's embarrassment vanished. She took an ice-sealed Soul Nurturing Stone from her sleeve. Her icy, glass-like eyes shifted sharply as she scanned it.
She performed a hand seal, melting the ice, and then searched the stone twice with her spirit, finally asking:
"And the evil spirits inside?"
Her gaze turned wary toward Yun Xi.
Yun Chen Fózǐ, standing nearby, had returned to his usual composure. His gaze at Yun Xi was serious but not wary.
Yun Xi explained helplessly:
"After Han Lian Zhēnjūn's soul separated from her body, the evil cultivators saw an opportunity. While my attention was divided, they broke the seal you had set and attempted to occupy your bodies. I crushed them."
She immediately made a Heavenly Dao oath, affirming the truth of her words. The evil spirits were not released by her.
Han Lian Zhēnjūn's expression eased. She handed the now-empty Soul Nurturing Stone to Yun Xi:
"The Soul Nurturing Stone is empty. You may use it temporarily."
"Thank you, Zhēnjūn."
Yun Xi bowed and sent her spirit inside the stone to scan it. She had Dian Dian secretly check for any lingering evil spirits. Only then did she release Yu Su Zhēnjūn's soul orb from Zhu Sheng.
Yu Su Zhēnjūn's soul had fallen into a deep sleep, unaware of her surroundings. Yun Xi guided it into the Soul Nurturing Stone for recovery, which was then placed into a storage ring.
After completing these steps, Yun Xi continued:
"Two Zhēnjūn, your energy is greatly depleted inside the Soul-Devouring Bamboo. Please leave this bamboo forest first. I will destroy the Soul-Devouring Bamboo."
Yun Chen Fózǐ recited a Buddhist chant:
"Amitabha! We should act together. This bamboo must be destroyed. We cannot let the evil cultivators' plot succeed."
Han Lian, though still pale, nodded in agreement. She did not wish to flee at the critical moment.
Yun Xi had intended to send them away, then release Zi Yan to burn the bamboo completely with her exotic fire. But since they insisted on staying, she could not reveal Zi Yan.
"Very well. Once you two have recovered, we will act together."
Yun Xi agreed smoothly. Refusal would have seemed ungrateful.
She replaced the high-grade spirit stone in the array again, sat cross-legged, and waited for them to recover.
After a short incense stick, Yun Chen Fózǐ opened his eyes first. Yun Xi, prompted by Dian Dian, opened hers as well. Curiosity flashed in her gaze as she moved close to Yun Chen Fózǐ and whispered:
"Yun Chen Senior, how did you help Han Lian Zhēnjūn escape?"
Yun Chen Fózǐ hastily twirled his prayer beads, appearing somewhat awkward. After a moment, he said:
"I followed your instructions. Han Lian Daoyou's desire was fulfilled, which removed the obsession in her heart. However, because the promise was too eager, she grew suspicious. Then, under the aid of the Purifying Heart Mantra, she regained consciousness. With the support of your treasure, we left the Soul-Devouring Bamboo.
As we departed, we noticed Yu Su Daoyou attempting to break through the bamboo as well, so we brought her out together."