Yun Xi cupped her hands politely. "Exactly as the words mean. You want the Mystic Thunder Violet Flame? Then this junior will give it to you."
With that, she spread open her palm and pushed Zi Yan toward Hua Bai.
Her action made Hua Bai frown, and even the other cultivators felt their brows twitch. This little girl had dared to resist a Divine Transformation cultivator just moments ago. There was no reason she should yield so easily. For a time, no one understood what Yun Xi was planning.
Hao Hui and Hao Qing's expressions turned cold at once. "Huaxian Gate truly has no shame. When the Mystic Thunder Violet Flame first appeared, you rushed in to seize it, forcing it to split in two. You claimed the larger portion, and we cultivators of the Western Domain did not chase after you. If you could snatch it, that was your ability. We admitted our skills were inferior and accepted it.
But now? The flame has changed hands, and you want to snatch it back from a junior? The face of Huaxian Gate is truly vast. Do you think our Haoran Sect has no one left to stand against you?"
At the side, Ming Hong Zūnzhě's expression also hardened. Sword cultivators were never afraid of battle. He had already locked onto Hua Yu Zūnzhě as his opponent.
A trace of unease flickered across Hua Yu's face. He thought Hua Bai was being too rash. This matter could easily have been settled privately.
The other cultivators from the three outer domains also felt the Central Domain's Huaxian Gate was too overbearing. They had already seized the flame when it first appeared in the Western Domain, and no one had pursued the matter. If the Western cultivators had truly pressed the issue, Hua Bai might not have carried it away so easily.
Now Hua Bai's junior had proven weaker, losing both his life and the flame. Yet Hua Bai still came to snatch it back, and from a junior no less. It was difficult not to despise him for it.
But in this world, strength ruled. If Hua Bai could seize it, so be it. The problem was, from that brief three-breath exchange earlier, this Haoran Sect junior was not simple at all. She had withstood Hua Bai's spiritual pressure and even offered up the flame herself. Everyone was watching to see how Hua Bai would handle this.
Lin Lang Zūnzhě fingered the Soul Controlling Bell at her waist and sent a sound transmission to Master Yun Yi beside her. "This little girl from Haoran Sect has some skill. To challenge Li Chang with only Nascent Soul cultivation proves she is not a mere ornament. Her divine sense is at least a full stage stronger than her realm. No wonder Hua Bai failed to succeed."
Master Yun Yi nodded, intoned a Buddha's name, and said aloud, "Amitabha. Hua Bai Daoyou, do not be rash."
But Hua Bai no longer cared for anyone's persuasion. He fixed a cold stare on Yun Xi. "What truth are you speaking of? Do not think that just because you hand over the flame, this sovereign will let you go."
Yun Xi spoke lightly, her tone utterly unconcerned. "Respected Zūnzhě, you came seeking trouble with me under the excuse of avenging your junior, but in truth it was for revenge and to reclaim the flame. Now this junior offers it back, yet you do not dare to take it. What is it you fear? That the truth of your junior's death will come to light?"
With a cold snort, Hua Bai summoned the flame into his hand. This time, there was no resistance. But he knew well that Yun Xi's divine sense was branded into it. Without erasing that mark, he could never truly possess the Mystic Thunder Violet Flame.
He dismissed such tricks with disdain and thrust his divine sense into the flame's core, intending to replace Yun Xi's mark with his own. Yet the next instant, part of his mind was dragged into the flame's memories.
Yun Xi exhaled softly and moved to stand beside the two Haoran Sect Zūnzhě.
Hao Hui asked immediately, "Girl, can he really take the flame away?"
Yun Xi shrugged, feigning indifference. "If Hua Bai Zūnzhě has the ability, let him. At worst, this junior loses some fortune to avert disaster."
Hao Qing tilted his head, curious. "So his junior wasn't killed by you?"
"No. It was someone hidden within the Mystic Thunder Violet Flame."
Yun Xi's reply was calm.
"What do you mean? Speak in detail," Hao Hui pressed.
Since the matter of the flame was now out in the open, Yun Xi no longer hid anything. She explained how she had gained her half of the flame.
"The half I obtained had already birthed consciousness. It knew why it descended from the Upper Realm into the Weiyu Realm, and it knew the tricks its former master had laid upon it. In order to free itself, it split apart and fled on its own.
I seized the chance during its flight and subdued it. Later, when I encountered Yi Ran Zhēnjūn in the secret realm, the flame warned me that his body contained its other half.
Yi Ran Zhēnjūn attacked first, turning my body into a battlefield for the flame. Since the two halves were once one, each sought to devour the other.
In the end, I endured. The two flames merged, and then turned on Yi Ran. He was devoured, and only then did Hua Bai Zūnzhě appear."
"So you are saying," Hao Hui Zūnzhě said carefully, "that the flame Yi Ran acquired carried a wisp of divine soul, and during his refinement that soul replaced him."
Though Hao Hui phrased it tactfully, everyone understood. Yi Ran had been possessed by a soul hidden within the flame. That explained why Yun Xi claimed she had not killed him.
"If that's the case," Hao Qing added dryly, "Hua Bai should thank you. You avenged his junior on his behalf."
The two spoke in tandem, making Hua Yu's face lose all composure.
As Yun Xi finished her account, Hua Bai finally withdrew his divine sense. The Mystic Thunder Violet Flame immediately vanished back into Yun Xi's dantian, completely hidden from view.
Hua Bai clenched his fists. So it was true—Yi Ran had long ceased to be himself, replaced gradually by that soul fragment. That fragment had once belonged to a Unity-stage cultivator, three realms above Hua Bai himself. How could Yi Ran have noticed? Even Hua Bai might not have discovered it in time.
Yet Hua Bai's unwillingness remained. He glared at Yun Xi. "You could have told me directly. I would have separated that soul myself—"
But the words stuck in his throat. In truth, Yi Ran had been the one to attack first. Yun Xi had merely defended herself. This ending had been inevitable.
Hao Hui waved impatiently. "Hua Bai, admit when your skills fall short. If you still want to fight for the flame, we are ready anytime. Bring all you have.
But what concerns us now are the other cultivators who entered the secret realm. The evil cultivators have infiltrated as well. They are not only trying to seize the realm's control, they want to replace others and infiltrate the great sects. Their ambitions are enormous.
This is no longer a matter of the Western Domain. It concerns the entire Weiyu Realm."
At last, Hua Yu pulled Hua Bai aside, whispering something to soothe his fury for the moment.
But Hua Bai's gaze still flickered toward Yun Xi from time to time, clearly harboring other schemes.
Yun Xi's face remained calm, but inside her wariness grew. Once she returned to the sect, she would shut herself away in seclusion for a long retreat. Next time she ventured out, she would change her identity. She would bide her time until she reached Divine Transformation. When that day came, she would fight Hua Bai openly, and she did not believe she would lose.
As her thoughts drifted, a flying sword messenger arrived before Hao Hui. He swept it with his divine sense, read the message within, and then turned his gaze toward Yun Xi.