Yun Xi had already concealed the Huadian Immortal Artifact in her forehead, then took a deep breath and asked:
"Was that a Divine Transformation evil cultivator's soul orb just now?"
Although she spoke as a question, her heart was certain. Otherwise, Zhu Sheng's grandfather would not have been so easily devoured.
Luckily, as Yun Chen Fózǐ had said, the enemy was greedy enough to try to devour all three of their souls. Given their strength and talent, they were top-tier in the Wei Yu Realm and exactly the kind of bodies the evil soul coveted.
Han Lian Zhēnjūn nodded: "That is the Divine Transformation evil cultivator controlling this giant bamboo. If not for Yun Chen Fózǐ and your artifact assisting, I too might have been devoured without realizing it."
Han Lian Zhēnjūn shivered slightly at the memory.
"Amitabha! Thankfully, Feng Xiaoyou's lightning-based spells aided me, or I would have been entangled with it even longer." Yun Chen Fózǐ spoke honestly.
"I only did my best. If either of you had been injured, I alone could not have withstood such a powerful evil soul." Yun Xi immediately bowed her humility:
"I only acted to help. If either of you had been harmed, I could not have resisted such a strong evil soul alone."
She did not dare take credit. Yun Chen Fózǐ's Buddhist cultivation method was indeed formidable, suppressing the Divine Transformation evil soul. Otherwise, the outcome could have been very different.
Han Lian Zhēnjūn's lips curved slightly: "Feng Xiyun, I did not expect you to be skilled in lightning techniques."
Yun Xi chuckled: "I have a lightning spiritual root, but its value is low, so I primarily study wind techniques."
The truth had to be kept hidden.
Yun Chen Fózǐ raised a hand, summoning a ball of flame that fell on the decaying Soul-Devouring Bamboo, intending to burn it.
The bamboo caught fire, but it burned slowly and with difficulty, releasing thick black smoke as it smoldered.
Han Lian Zhēnjūn frowned: "We should wait until the bamboo is completely burned before leaving. I fear the bamboo could be exploited by evil cultivators. It is prime material for crafting an evil artifact."
Yun Chen Fózǐ and Yun Xi both nodded in agreement. After all the effort to sever the bamboo, it would be infuriating for an evil cultivator to benefit.
Yun Xi flicked her hand, sending out a flame:
"We should burn it simultaneously to speed up the process. I am worried nearby evil cultivators might be attracted."
"Amitabha! Feng Xiaoyou is correct. There is significant disturbance here. Someone will likely arrive soon."
"Very well, let us burn together!"
Han Lian raised her hand, sending her flame onto the bamboo as well.
With all three attacking, the bamboo burned faster. Yun Xi secretly had Zi Yan masquerade as ordinary fire, contributing to destroying any traces.
As the bamboo was half destroyed, Xiao Xian whispered:
"Master, I have claimed the spirit vein."
"Judging by your pride, it is a high-grade vein?"
"Hehe, almost."
"What do you mean by almost?"
Yun Xi sensed Xiao Xian was hiding something.
"It means the harvest is substantial."
Before Yun Xi could press further, Han Lian Zhēnjūn turned to the distance: "Someone is coming."
Yun Xi spoke tactfully: "Two Senior, we do not know if the newcomers are friend or foe. I will handle the remainder of this task. Please focus on them."
"Good, thank you Feng Xiaoyou."
"You are welcome."
Yun Xi smiled. Han Lian and Yun Chen then turned to face the approaching figures.
Five breaths later, three figures appeared: a woman and two men, all Yuányīng Zhēnjūn.
The lone female cultivator was a Yuányīng Zhēnjūn from Huaxian Gate, stunning in appearance. Her white silk robe made her look like a celestial being, impossible to look away from.
Behind her, one man was a fellow disciple in white robe, elegant and scholarly, yet his calculating eyes irritated Yun Xi.
The other man was a Yuányīng Zhēnjūn from Kunmo Sect, dressed in a black patterned robe with a dark golden mask covering the upper half of his face, marking his sect unmistakably.
Yun Xi subtly assessed the three and instructed Zi Yan to accelerate, allowing Xiao Xian to channel her spiritual energy. If a fight broke out, she could retreat safely.
At that moment, the male cultivator from the opposite side spoke:
"Could your companions refrain from burning it? This bamboo is over a thousand years old, prime material for forging. Burning it is wasteful."
"Amitabha! We do not wish to burn it. The bamboo has been corrupted by evil cultivators. Even if forged, it would become an evil artifact."
The three on the other side were surprised. The Kunmo Sect man asked:
"There are evil cultivators in this secret realm?"
Yun Chen joined his hands: "Amitabha! I never speak falsely."
The Huaxian Gate female Yuányīng Zhēnjūn spoke:
"We naturally believe Yun Chen Fózǐ, but may we know the details so I can alert our disciples?"
Yun Xi was still burning the bamboo, so Yun Chen took the task of explaining while Han Lian Zhēnjūn displayed the evidence.
The ice-sealed Soul-Nourishing Stone was shown to the three before returning to Han Lian. She had initially found two Soul-Nourishing Stones from Zhao Sinan, giving one to Yun Xi's temporary spirit refuge and sealing the other thrice as evidence.
To prevent accidents, the sealed stone was placed in a flawless spirit jade box, ensuring the evil soul could not exploit it.
After understanding the full story, the three on the other side grew serious. They had come for the wood essence in the bamboo forest, only to find it had been set as a trap by evil cultivators targeting Yuányīng Zhēnjūn.
The leading female Nascent Soul's spirit locked onto Yun Xi, asking: "This is a Yuányīng Zhēnjūn's trial ground. Why is there a Golden Core cultivator here?"
Before she could finish, all five focused on Yun Xi, who was forming a Yuányīng.
Zi Yan sensed the surge of spiritual energy, burned the last part of the Soul-Devouring Bamboo to ash, then returned to Yun Xi's dantian.
Yun Xi whispered to Xiao Xian: "Xiao Xian, too sudden. Why form a Yuányīng now? This place is not safe!"
"Master, from entering the secret realm until now, your meridians and dantian have been repeatedly drained and replenished. You are at the critical point for breakthrough. Luckily, I just claimed a top-grade spirit vein. Focus and prepare for Yuányīng formation. Hei Yao will protect you."
Yun Xi had no choice. She released her fourth-tier composite formation plate, deployed the Nine Nether Dragon Umbrella for defense, then closed her eyes to meditate and refine the spiritual energy.
With the influx of pure energy, the Golden Core in Yun Xi's dantian spun faster and faster.