Yu Ling patted Yu Geng's shoulder in reassurance.
"This has nothing to do with you. I dragged Yun Xi into this. Zuo Qiu has always held a grudge against me, clashing in secret whenever he could. I only underestimated the depth of his shamelessness."
Yu Geng gave a cold snort. "Fortunately, Hao Hui Zūnzhě returned in time. Go check on Yun Xi first."
"Alright."
Right now, Yu Ling cared for nothing except his disciple's injuries.
Meanwhile, Hao Hui summoned Yu Geng and Yu Feng to his side and recounted everything that had happened within the Baohua Mountain secret realm. Both men furrowed their brows as they listened.
As sect master, Yu Geng was the first to react. His voice sank. "If Yun Xi's report is accurate, then the evil cultivators have already begun infiltrating the Five Domains by borrowing others' hands. The sudden emergence of this new secret realm stirred them into action. Not only do they want to replace our sects' most promising disciples with evil souls, they also wish to refine the realm itself for their own use. Such cunning calculation."
Hao Hui nodded grimly. "At the critical moment, Yun Xi fought Li Chang and, with the realm spirit's aid, expelled him from the secret realm. Word of this will spread soon. Add to that the Mystic Thunder Violet Flame on her body, and Hua Bai from Huaxian Gate watching like a tiger in the shadows—she will surely become the primary target of the evil cultivators. Her injuries this time may actually serve as a good excuse for her to fade from the Five Domains' sight. You should prepare accordingly."
"Yes, Yu Geng understands."
Hao Hui continued, his tone sharp. "Also, the Haoran Sect itself must undergo a thorough investigation, starting with Zuo Qiu. Work with the Law Enforcement Hall. Yu Feng, assist him. We cannot relax the sect's defenses for even a moment, lest the evil cultivators find another opening."
Both men bowed. "Yes."
With business settled, Yu Feng finally voiced his worry. "I don't know if Yun Xi girl's injuries can heal. For Yu Ling's sake she fought desperately this time. To have such a disciple, Yu Ling can already be proud."
"Do not worry," Hao Hui replied. "That girl Yun Xi has great fortune. Once she overcomes this hurdle, her path will only grow smoother. Her advancement has been too swift; this is the perfect chance to consolidate her foundation."
Having left his instructions, Hao Hui vanished once more. He still had to return to the Baohua Mountain Range to deal with the secret realm.
Not long after he departed, Yu Huo Zhēnjūn burst in, storming up to block Yu Geng. "I heard Yu Ling survived the Divine Transformation tribulation smoothly, but that Yun Xi girl was badly hurt. Do you need any pills?"
Yu Geng was a little surprised to see his usually stingy younger brother offer generosity. He shook his head. "I'm not yet certain of Nephew Wei's condition. Yu Ling already went to the Qingye Pool to check. You can send her a message talisman in a while. This time we truly owe the girl—without her, Yu Ling would have been gravely injured if not dead."
"Ahh!"
Yu Huo sighed, then flicked a talisman into the air before hurrying back to the Dan Peak.
Yu Geng and Yu Feng exchanged glances. Setting aside their worry for Yun Xi, they threw themselves into the sect's new round of work.
When Yu Ling appeared at the Clear Water Pool, Hao Yan was the one to receive him.
"Greetings, Hao Yan Zūnzhě."
Yu Ling cupped his hands in salute.
Hao Yan waved lightly. "You've already stepped into Divine Transformation; such formality is unnecessary. Still, it's rare to see you so open with your emotions. Clearly, this disciple means much to you."
Yu Ling nodded without hesitation. "Yun Xi is diligent in cultivation, straightforward and generous, never one to complain. Even though I only guided her for three days, she still rushed into my tribulation to help me break my shackles and pour in torrents of spiritual energy."
Hao Yan's eyes softened, and she nodded. "You and she are meant to achieve each other. Since you have taken her as your disciple, are you certain she is that variable spoken of by the Ancestor?"
Yu Ling's voice was firm. "Yes. I was unsure before, but now I am certain. She is the variable in Ancestor's words."
Satisfied, Hao Yan turned toward the pool. "Let's check on her. She cannot be moved right now. And the treasures on her body are already working to mend her wounds."
Yu Ling followed, frowning. "Before my death-closed-door to face the tribulation, I left her enough resources to reach the Nascent Soul stage. They should aid her recovery."
Hao Yan's phoenix eyes glimmered with curiosity. "Oh? The protective immortal artifact on her body, did you gift it to her as well?"
Without breaking stride, Yu Ling nodded. "Yes. I came across it during a training expedition and left it for her self-defense."
Though he hadn't known she carried an immortal artifact, he could only cover for her now.
Hao Yan chuckled. "So the cold block of ice does have a careful side. It seems taking disciples really does have its uses."
Their conversation ended as they reached Yun Xi's pool.
The Huadian Immortal Artifact between Yun Xi's brows glowed, guarding its master. A pale violet flame wrapped her body. Her breathing was shallow but steady.
Yu Ling tried to take her pulse, but Hao Yan stopped him. "Don't get close. Anyone near this girl will be attacked by her strange fire. Earlier, Zuo Qiu struck her. What you see now is all unconscious reaction."
Hearing this, Yu Ling's aura grew cold as frost. He clasped his hands to Hao Yan. "Thank you, Senior Sister Hao Yan, for watching over Yun Xi. The rest I will handle. When she wakes, I will bring her to express her gratitude."
"Good."
Hao Yan nodded and vanished back into the pool.
Yu Ling settled cross-legged on a futon and took out the Xianling Grass from his chest.
Sensing Yun Xi's aura, Xiao Xian shook its leaves and drifted from his palm, returning to its master's side.
The Mystic Thunder Violet Flame did not hinder its return. Xiao Xian, too, was low on spiritual energy, its refinement of thunder force slowing without Yun Xi's support.
It nestled against her chest and released motes of blue-green light into her body, hastening her recovery.
A delicate hand waved before Yun Xi's eyes.
"Team Leader Wei! Yun Xi! You spaced out again!"
The gesture jolted Yun Xi awake. She blinked. "What is it? Sorry, I didn't hear you calling me. I must have drifted off."
"Tch, you didn't notice the Director glaring like he wanted to eat someone alive? You were the only one calm enough to look him in the eye. In the end, he was the one who backed down and left, though not before throwing out a threat. He said the new proposal must be redone by tomorrow."
Yun Xi rolled her eyes. "We've already redone it three times. It's been twisted beyond recognition, and I still don't know what the client actually wants. If we keep revising, I'll vomit."
"So what do we do then?"
"Send them the first draft."
"What? But the Director already rejected the first draft."
"Still, it's the one that matches their requirements best. Just send it. If anything happens, I'll take responsibility."
"Alright, if you say so."
Her coworker was more than happy to oblige, bald from rewriting drafts. With the team leader willing to shoulder the blame, she swiftly located the first version, sent it to the client, packed her bag, and strode out with relief.
Yun Xi also picked up her bag, ready to leave, but the Director intercepted her at the elevator doors.
===
Imagine when Yun Xi finds out the truth about her identity as a "variable." That her master only accepted her because of the Sect Ancestor's divination. That she was cornered and forced into Haoran Sect because of this so-called calculation. Damn… (╯︵╰,)
I know she herself was "fine" with being a variable, but she didn't realize that her very fate as one was also being calculated, pulled into their factions and schemes. Without knowing it, she started developing feelings for the sect, for her master, for the very people who wanted to benefit from her destiny as a variable.
I honestly don't know what Yun Xi will feel once she learns all of this. But me, right now—I feel hurt, betrayed, and devastated. Yes, I know the world often revolves around profit and goals, especially in a xianxia setting. And I know that the people around Yun Xi in Haoran Sect do care for her, just as she cares for them. Yun Xi even thinks Haoran Sect was dragged into this fate just like her. The author also mentioned how her master's tribulation was indirectly tied to Yun Xi's actions. How could she not feel guilty, responsible, and tied down by it all… but in the end??
Imagine this: you work so hard to defy your fate as a stepping stone, to change the end that was originally set for you. You trust and care for the people around you, believing they care for you too, pure and without ulterior motives. But the truth is… they were also the ones forcing you to follow fate, to guard this so-called variable, for their own gain.
Just like Sheng Yuhong's feelings toward her—even though in the end, he "knew" the reason back in that illusion a few chapters earlier. Or even if later they might genuinely care for her as a person, not just as the "variable," the fact remains. And I can't help but feel devastated by it. Maybe I'm too sensitive, or maybe I'm the vengeful, petty type… but that's how it feels for me right now. What can I say? I'm not a good person, and never will be.
If it were me, the moment I found out the truth, the trust and fondness would start to crack. Slowly, I would repay everything the sect and my master gave me. After all, their calculations were real, but so was their care. So I would settle the debt, and then… there would be 2 possible paths.
First scenario: I remain part of the sect and live my life as usual, but with more layers of caution, more guarded than before. Not as open, not as trusting. If they saw me as part of a transaction from the start, then why shouldn't I treat it the same way? (︶︹︺)
Second scenario: Similar to the first, but once I ascend, I would cut off all ties with my master and the sect. A new realm would mean a new chance. A clean slate.
I mean, I still need a backer for myself.