Yu Xiang Zhēnjūn looked at the seemingly ordinary male cultivator in front of him. After a moment, he recognized him as a disciple of Haoran Sect. He remembered the young man had been in the late Golden Core stage, but now he had clearly advanced to Nascent Soul. Still, this was not the time for detailed questioning. He asked:
"Junior Brother, what happened?"
"There is a beast tide. And it is made up of the giant beasts we encountered in the strange forest. These beasts have successfully evolved into demon beasts."
Yun Xi did not waste words and replied directly.
Yu Xiang Zhēnjūn was about to ask, "How do you know?" but his expression hardened. He quickly extended his divine sense, sensing that something was wrong. The fellow disciples around him did the same.
At the same time, more Yuányīng Zhēnjūn were being transported into the area. Even several demon cultivators who had entered the secret realm appeared, including Hu Yingjun. He seemed confused, trying to ask the nearby Zhēnjūn about the situation.
The Nascent Soul cultivators from the five domains had spread out, each trying to quickly assess the surroundings.
Yun Xi felt that this trial was a real trap. She had found few rare materials or treasures and had been constantly struggling against evil cultivators and their lingering schemes. On top of that, the realm spirits had played tricks on her, taking the spiritual plants she had planted across an entire floating island. Luckily, Xiao Xian reacted quickly and secured two spiritual veins for her. Without them, she would have been in tears.
Though she grumbled inwardly, her divine sense remained focused on the path of the giant demon beasts. She then scanned the area and realized that the Yuányīng Zhēnjūn from the five domains had been transported into a narrow valley. The giant demon beasts, seemingly under control, were charging in from all directions, clearly intending to trap and kill them.
The Yuányīng Zhēnjūn immediately realized the danger. Some hovered in midair, attempting to leave the valley. Unfortunately, they could not remain aloft for long and were forced back into the valley, their faces dark.
"There is a restriction here. It prevents us from leaving by flight," one said grimly.
Huan Die Zhēnjūn waved her purple fan, releasing a swarm of violet butterflies that scattered through the valley, searching for a path out.
Yu Xiang Zhēnjūn called Yun Xi to his side, his expression grave.
"Feng Xiyun, how do you know these demon beasts have successfully evolved? They appear to be controlled. Have you encountered them before?"
Yun Xi nodded.
"Yes, Senior Brother. That is correct."
She recounted the events at the fastest speed of her life, including her encounters with Yunmen Temple's Yun Chen Fózǐ, Jihan Gate's Han Lian Zhēnjūn, and her own sect's Yu Su Zhēnjūn discovering that evil cultivators had infiltrated the secret realm.
She mentioned Yu Su Zhēnjūn deliberately, because she was present in the valley, listening quietly to Yun Xi's account.
When Yun Xi finished, Yu Su nodded.
"Junior Brother Feng is correct. This is what happened. After entering the bamboo forest, we separated. I passed through safely with a magical treasure and continued exploring alone. I did not wait for the others, and it seems the three of you were trapped in the forest."
Yu Su showed slight surprise but remained composed. All present were Yuányīng Zhēnjūn, so her behavior was normal. When exploring a secret realm, it was natural to claim valuable items for oneself.
Yu Xiang Zhēnjūn spoke next.
"If your account is accurate, then this beast tide must be the work of evil cultivators, aimed at eliminating the Nascent Soul cultivators in the secret realm."
Yun Xi added carefully.
"Senior Brother, they only intend to kill Nascent Soul cultivators like us. Jīndān Zhēnrén should be able to escape safely. Whether they are the original disciples or ones who have had their cores replaced is uncertain."
She said this deliberately for Yu Su to hear. Yun Su had been replaced by an evil cultivator, but this was not the moment to reveal it. Among so many Yuányīng Zhēnjūn, the first to die would be her if she acted carelessly.
Yu Su Zhēnjūn inwardly burned with the desire to strike the male cultivator before her. But under so many eyes, action was impossible. Once they left the secret realm safely, she would have opportunities—and might even turn him into an ally. So she controlled her expression and nodded in agreement.
"Whether Junior Brother Feng's assumption is correct or not, we must first resolve the immediate problem."
At this moment, Xian Yao Zhēnjūn of Huaxian Gate raised her voice to explain the situation and invited a representative from each domain to discuss strategy. Clearly, everyone knew the beast tide was approaching.
The representative from the western domain was Shi Jun Zhēnjūn of Mingjian Gate. After scanning the group, he beckoned to Yun Xi. She looked at Yu Xiang Zhēnjūn, unsure.
"Junior Brother Feng, report all the information you have to Shi Jun Daoyou. We must cooperate against the enemy, without holding anything back."
"Yes, Senior Brother," Yun Xi replied.
She saluted briefly and flashed to Shi Jun's side. Once assured that he was trustworthy, she recounted everything she knew as quickly as possible.
The more Shi Jun listened, the more his brow furrowed. Together with Yun Xi, he went to the assembly point.
Most of the assembled people were familiar to her: Xian Yao and Xian Xu Zhēnjūn of Huaxian Gate in the central domain, Yunmen Temple's Yunchen Fózǐ in the east, Xun Kun Zhēnjūn of Kunmo Sect in the south, Han Lian Zhēnjūn of Jihan Gate in the north, and among the demon cultivators, the somewhat unreliable Hu Yingjun. Each of them had a deputy from the second-ranked sect or family in their domain.
When Xian Yao saw everyone gathered, she spoke.
"Daoyou, we must work together to face the beast tide. Let us first divide responsibility for the areas each domain will defend and set up defensive formations.
The first defensive line will be placed outside the valley. A second line will extend ten li beyond that. If time permits, we will set a third line farther out. Our goal is to repel the beast tide before it breaks through all three defenses."
No one objected. Time was critical. Fifteen minutes later, the meeting ended. Representatives returned to their teams and began action. The first Yuányīng Zhēnjūn tasked with setting up the defensive formations had already disappeared from the valley.
Yun Xi, as a newly ascended quasi-Nascent Soul cultivator, remained in the valley. She was responsible for relaying the progress of defensive formations to the Haoran Sect cultivators, ensuring synchronization.
She began rifling through her storage ring. Her preparations had been suitable for Golden Core cultivators, but now they were facing giant demon beasts. She had to arm herself fully, and also prepare pills and talismans suitable for Yuányīng Zhēnjūn.
Suddenly, Xiao Xian sent a voice message.
"Master, something to tell you."
"You found a spiritual vein again? Is it top-grade or supreme-grade?" Yun Xi asked while organizing her pill bottles.
"The realm spirit wants to trade with you."
Yun Xi paused.
"Explain."
"The realm spirit says that if Master can eliminate the source that is corrupting the beasts, it will grant you a supreme-grade spiritual vein."
"Ha, it overestimates me. I just became a Nascent Soul. I don't have that ability."
Yun Xi was realistic. Only a Divine Transformation cultivator could counter such corrupted beasts, and she was far from that level.