Leng Ruohan answered respectfully, "Although Yun Xi can be a little unrestrained, she is a rare child with a clear mind and her own boundaries. Her Dao heart is steady. What she needs is time to grow.
It is also my fault for taking her in so hastily. I only taught her for three days before I shut myself away in seclusion. I did not plan things as thoroughly as I should have."
Hao Yi Zūnzhě smiled at these words and said,
"You and your disciple are well-matched. You say you failed in your duty as a teacher, yet the girl Yun Xi regards you as an excellent master. You passed down cultivation methods, resolved her doubts, prepared her resources. You considered everything for her."
For the first time, Leng Ruohan heard his disciple's evaluation of him through another's lips. He allowed himself a faint smile. "Yun Xi is very sensible. Regardless of her reasons for helping me weather my Divine Transformation tribulation, I will never forget her kindness. I also hope to protect her as much as I can."
Hao Yi Zūnzhě naturally understood the note of protectiveness in his words and nodded.
"She truly is worthy. And more importantly, she is the very variable your Senior Brother spoke of. From the moment she entered your tutelage, your death-tribulation began to shift. Your success in Divine Transformation owes much to her."
This was the first time Leng Ruohan had confirmation from a sect Ancestor that Yun Xi was indeed the variable spoken of by their sect's founding Ancestor. Though he had already suspected it, hearing it affirmed made him worry even more.
"Do not worry. Let things flow as they will. Guard her as much as you can now. When she is strong enough to stand on her own, she will better fulfill her destiny."
Leng Ruohan drew in a deep breath and bowed. "Yes, Yu Ling has taken it to heart."
"Yun Xi's injuries this time are severe. She will need a long recovery. During this period you must not enter seclusion again. I will be making some major moves within the sect soon. Protect that girl well."
"Yes, Ruohan obeys."
"Good. Now, let us speak of Zuo Qiu."
Hao Yi and Yu Ling spoke for the time it took a stick of incense to burn before Hao Yi's figure vanished from Lingxue Peak.
Not long after, Sect Master Yu Geng received a flying sword message and immediately began arranging new sect tasks in an orderly manner. Sheng Yuhong was soon caught up in a flurry of activity.
Two days later, when Sheng Yuhong went to the Task Hall to post the latest missions, he "happened" to encounter Wei Yunqing.
This time, Wei Yunqing carried herself with much more restraint. She offered a polite bow. "Junior Brother Sheng, it has been quite some time since the secret realm expedition. Your cultivation seems to have improved again."
Sheng Yuhong returned the courtesy with equal politeness.
"Since returning, I have been busy investigating matters concerning evil cultivators. I imagine Senior Sister Wei has also taken on many sect missions. I have yet to congratulate you. Your gains from the secret realm were significant. Already you have advanced to late Golden Core. Before long, you will surely break through to Nascent Soul."
At the mention of "evil cultivators," Wei Yunqing's eyes flickered. Hidden deep in her sea of consciousness was still a fragment of evil soul. When Hao Hui Zūnzhě and Hao Qing Zūnzhě had jointly examined her spirit after the expedition, she thought they would uncover it. But thanks to the crimson bracelet, the wisp of evil had remained concealed.
Once she returned safely to the sect, she calmly submitted her mission report. With the rare spiritual plants she found, along with golden sandstones, sand scorpions, and giant army ants, she earned a great deal of contribution points. She exchanged those points for several water and wood attribute techniques. Confident that Wei Yunxi was gravely injured and unconscious, she happily prepared to enter seclusion to stabilize her cultivation.
Before closing herself off, she even returned briefly to the Wei Clan in Haoran City, now as a late Golden Core cultivator. Yet the clan's reception was subtle. Their respect was proper but not heartfelt. They gave her no cause for complaint, but their regard lacked genuine admiration.
When Wei Chenyin returned home, she went back to the sect first. Facing Wei Chenyin still left her feeling somewhat cowed. Though they were at the same realm, she knew full well she was not her cousin's match.
Still, the news of Wei Yunxi's heavy injuries soothed her pride.
To avoid detection of the evil soul hidden in her sea of consciousness, she went into seclusion for a while. During that time, Ye Shaohua came looking for her, but she avoided him. He was only a late Foundation Establishment cultivator now, while she had already reached late Golden Core. They no longer stood on the same level. There was no need for further association.
Believing herself qualified to stand beside Sheng Yuhong, Wei Yunqing had been eager for this encounter. At the same time, she intended to glean news of Yun Xi from him.
She noticed Sheng Yuhong was not as distant as before, so she followed his words smoothly.
"Thank you. But yes, the sect has indeed been assigning more missions lately. I was just about to take one and go out to temper myself, gain some real combat experience. By the way, has Junior Brother Sheng heard any news of Yun Xi?"
Sheng Yuhong was a little surprised that she had not come to curry favor with him, but instead to inquire about Wei Yunxi. Remembering his master's warning, he shook his head.
"Since Martial Uncle Wei was gravely wounded and fell unconscious, I did once attempt to visit her on Lingxue Peak. But I was stopped outside the formation. I do not know if Martial Aunt Wei has awakened."
Hearing him call Yun Xi "Martial Uncle" made Wei Yunqing's heart clench. She had consumed two Breaking Barrier Pills just to force her way into late Golden Core, thinking she would finally stand as Yun Xi's equal. Yet upon returning, she learned Yun Xi had already condensed a Nascent Soul.
Worse, Yu Ling Zhēnjūn had also achieved Divine Transformation, pressing her down even further. If not for Yun Xi's grievous injuries and deep coma, she might not have resisted the temptation to join hands with the evil soul in her sea of consciousness, to surge her cultivation and eliminate Yun Xi altogether.
After coming out of seclusion, she had tried to inquire about Yun Xi's situation. But the Wei clan disciples were all busy with their own cultivation. They told her entry into Lingxue Peak was impossible, and none knew Yun Xi's condition. When she asked too often, they began to look at her strangely, forcing her to stop.
Thus she turned to Sheng Yuhong, the sect master's direct disciple. Surely he would know more. Yet even he claimed ignorance.
Looking at Wei Yunqing's faintly disappointed expression, Sheng Yuhong felt something was off. From what he remembered, these two sisters did not get along well.
"Senior Sister Wei, if there is nothing else, let us speak another day. I need to go to the Task Hall to post new assignments."
Wei Yunqing quickly donned her perfect smile. "I was just about to take a mission myself. May I accompany Junior Brother?"
With that said, Sheng Yuhong could not refuse, and so they went together.
Her words were not entirely an excuse. She did truly intend to take a mission and leave the sect. She needed a way to rid herself of the hidden danger lurking in her sea of consciousness.
She had once considered a riskier plan: using a visit to Yun Xi as pretext to transfer the evil soul into her unconscious sister. When Yun Xi was healthy it would have been impossible. But with Yun Xi gravely injured, perhaps it could succeed. Unfortunately, she had no chance even to step foot on Lingxue Peak. That scheme was now impossible.
As the two of them entered the Inner Sect Task Hall together, many disciples witnessed it. Some were envious, others jealous, and still others thought they made a fine pair. For a moment, the two became the center of attention.
Sheng Yuhong was used to being watched as the sect master's disciple, but he had no desire to be entangled with Wei Yunqing. He gave her a polite bow of farewell and turned straight into the back hall.