"Master, you must not give up on yourself," Dian Dian's voice wavered with a sob. "I will definitely help you find more heavenly treasures to restore your dantian. You mustn't curse yourself, and you mustn't cast Dian Dian away."
The little creature's teary plea made Yun Xi's lips curve slightly. She lifted her hand and pinched the soft ball of fur that had been blocking her mouth, kneading it gently. A genuine smile spread wider across her face. "So Dian Dian is that unwilling to part with me? Then I have all the more reason to keep working hard. Don't worry. With my Master and Ancestor helping me search for a way to mend my dantian, it won't come to that."
Tears still welled in Dian Dian's round eyes as his tiny body squirmed under her teasing. But after hearing those words, his eyes began to shine again.
While Yun Xi's courtyard carried a lighthearted air, the great hall of Haoran Peak was far more solemn.
Ancestor Hao Yi sat at the head seat, dignified and imposing. Standing at her side were Yu Geng and Yu Feng, while below her sat three other Zūnzhě: Hao Yan, Hao Hui, and Hao Qing. Yu Ling was the last to enter, bowing respectfully to the gathered elders before taking the seat furthest back. He raised his head toward Ancestor Hao Yi.
Only then did Hao Yi speak. "I summoned you all here to share what I gained tonight."
An incense stick's time later, everyone present had learned of the preparations Hao Yi had made these past six months. Tonight, all of that planning had finally paid off—the deepest-hidden rat within the sect had been unearthed.
Hao Yan's phoenix eyes gleamed with admiration, though her voice carried a sigh. "Who would have thought a seemingly unremarkable Nascent Soul guest elder was actually a Divine Transformation cultivator concealing his strength? If Senior Sister Hao Yi hadn't laid her plans in advance, we might never have drawn out this great fish. What's worse, that old fool Hao Ting dared betray the sect."
Her face darkened at the thought.
Hao Hui's expression remained calm. He waved a hand. "Hao Ting was ensnared because of his own descendants. His weakness was grasped by the evil cultivators, and step by step he was dragged into the mire."
Hao Qing shook his head. "When we first stepped onto the path of cultivation, we knew that attachments would only hinder our progress. For him to have reached Divine Transformation and still display such an obvious weakness was his own folly. Evil cultivators only took advantage of what he himself revealed. In the end, his dao heart was unstable, which left the crack for others to exploit."
Yu Ling listened in silence. The elders here were all veteran Divine Transformation cultivators of Haoran Sect, peers of Hao Ting. Yu Ling had little connection with him and chose not to pass judgment.
Only after the discussion quieted did Ancestor Hao Yi continue. "The fallen loose cultivator who disguised himself as a Nascent Soul guest elder has already been slain by me. Hao Ting's life, however, must be preserved. I intend to turn their scheme to our use, and deliver the formula for the Yinxi Elixir as bait. But regarding Yun Xi's situation, I am undecided."
She turned her gaze to Yu Ling.
Yu Ling understood and rose. "Ancestor, you mean to have Yun Xi use this chance to feign her death and vanish, cutting herself completely from the evil cultivators' sights?"
Ancestor Hao Yi inclined her head. "That is my thought. First, her injuries are not healed, and she cannot yet protect herself. We cannot remain at her side at all times. Second, as the heir of Yixian Gate, she will never know peace so long as the evil cultivators lack a working Yinxi Elixir. For now, stepping out of the spotlight is the best path."
Yu Ling lowered his gaze, considering, then replied, "Ancestor, a feigned death may not deceive the evil cultivators. And if Yun Xi 'dies' within the sect's walls, who would believe it? Haoran Sect is not so weak that it cannot even protect its own direct disciple."
Hao Yan's phoenix eyes blinked, and she added, "Yu Ling speaks rightly. Even if it is only an excuse, it must not be a flimsy one that tarnishes the sect's reputation. Too obvious a ruse, and not only will outsiders sneer, the evil cultivators may press even harder against the girl.
If we cannot make her 'die,' then we must hide her instead. Hide her so thoroughly that no one can find her. Not even Yu Ling."
Ancestor Hao Yi's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. She turned back to Yu Ling. "What do you think of this?"
"Yu Ling obeys Senior Sister's arrangements," he replied. "But I must first speak with Yun Xi. She has her own will."
"Very well. Then let us decide how to have Hao Ting hand over the Yinxi Elixir formula. This is our chance to completely cleanse the rats burrowed within our sect."
"Yes, Ancestor!"
The voices of assent rang together through the hall.
The next morning, a sudden surge of spiritual power burst forth from Lingxue Peak. In the next instant, a sword light of icy blue soared into the sky, followed by a streak of escaping light shooting away from the mountain. Two more streaks of radiance rose from Haoran Sect's rear mountain, diving into Lingxue Peak before three lights departed together and vanished beyond the sect.
The commotion startled nearly every disciple of Haoran Sect. Faces turned toward Lingxue Peak, eyes wide with surprise, confusion, and no small measure of worry. Whispered speculations rippled through the crowds.
"Did something happen at Lingxue Peak?"
"It looks like it. You saw that sword shadow just now, didn't you? That was Yu Ling Zūnzhě's natal sword, Binglan!"
"Of course I saw it! For a Divine Transformation Zūnzhě to draw his natal sword, the opponent can't be ordinary."
"And the rear mountain had two Ancestors emerge as well. This must be serious."
"Could it be related to the evil cultivators?"
"Hard to say…"
At the same time, Yu Geng and Yu Feng hovered in the air, gazing toward Lingxue Peak.
"Sect Master," Yu Feng said, "all the arrangements within the sect are complete. Now it depends on the three Zūnzhě."
Yu Geng smoothed his sleeve calmly. "They will not make mistakes. Were it not for fear of a traitor hiding even deeper, there would be no need for such an elaborate play."
"Umbral Rain never strikes without aim. Since even Ancestor Hao Yi has stepped out, there will be no error."
As their soundless words passed between them, nearly every Nascent Soul Zhēnjūn not in seclusion had gathered at Haoran Peak of their own accord.
"Sect Master, what has happened at Lingxue Peak?" boomed the master of Yu Lian Peak.
Yu Geng's expression turned grave. "The details are not yet clear. We must await the return of the three Zūnzhě. But I have already ordered the mountain gates closed, so none may exploit the chaos. For now, let us all wait in the hall."
The assembled Nascent Soul cultivators entered and muttered among themselves. An incense stick's time later, three figures appeared in the hall. Yu Geng immediately rose to greet them.
At their head was Hao Hui Zūnzhě. Beside him, Hao Qing supported Yu Ling, whose robes were marked with blood, silver hair disheveled, aura clearly unstable.
Gasps swept through the hall. Only another Divine Transformation cultivator could wound Yu Ling to such a degree. At the very least, his foe had been at mid-Transformation stage.
Hao Hui's gentle manner was gone. His gaze swept the hall like a blade as he spoke coldly. "Yu Geng, who brought the inner peak guest elder Liu Qichong into the sect?"
Yu Geng answered respectfully. "Liu Qichong joined of his own will during the sect's last great disciple recruitment, fifty years ago."
Hao Hui's voice rang out like a hammer. "He was no Nascent Soul cultivator. He was a Divine Transformation Zūnzhě."
"What?!"