The Nascent Soul cultivators gathered in the main hall were visibly shaken. Almost as one, their gazes turned toward Yu Lin, the Peak Master of Fa Peak, where Liu Qichong had been cultivating as a guest elder.
Yu Lin himself looked stunned. He quickly stepped forward, clasped his hands, and reported:
"Honored Zūnzhě, ever since Liu Qichong entered Law Peak, he has always kept a low profile. His conduct was steady, neither arrogant nor reckless. He never quarreled with the other cultivators on the peak and completed his sect tasks as required. Though his temperament was rather aloof, he never caused trouble, so he did not draw much attention."
Hao Hui only lifted his hand in dismissal. "If he intended to lurk within our sect, naturally he would not act flamboyant. He would not dare to make a single misstep that might give rise to suspicion. Otherwise, how could he hide under our very noses?
This time Liu Qichong must have learned that Wei Yun Xi awoke and returned from the Qingye Pool to Lingxue Peak. He tried to strike unexpectedly and abduct her. Fortunately, Yu Ling was on guard and stopped him, even managing to wound him.
That gave this Zūnzhě and Hao Qing the chance to destroy him. But Yu Ling was injured, and that girl Yun Xi… her wounds were only worsened, even harming her foundation."
The Nascent Soul cultivators gasped sharply. The one who reacted most fiercely was Yu Huo Zhēnjūn, who immediately spoke up after Hao Hui finished.
"Yun Xi is hurt so gravely? Did she at least take life-preserving pills?"
Yu Ling, who had by now stabilized his breathing, straightened and answered:
"She has already taken a Shengji Pill. Her life is safe, but…"
Yu Huo interrupted anxiously.
"But what?"
Yu Ling's voice dropped like frost.
"Yun Xi's meridians are completely severed. Cracks have even formed in her dantian. To protect herself, her soul has withdrawn into her sea of consciousness. She has fallen into a deep sleep, with no telling when she might awaken."
Yu Geng's brows furrowed. "It seems the evil cultivators will not give up so easily."
Yu Feng added grimly:
"They never believed Yun Xi's hands were truly empty of the Yinxi formula. Even though she hid within our sect, they still reached inside."
Hao Hui's tone turned commanding.
"Yu Ling, take Wei Yun Xi into the back mountain immediately. Let us see what tricks these evil cultivators can still muster. You have been injured as well. Once Yun Xi is secure, you are to enter seclusion for healing. The remaining matters will be handled by Yu Geng."
"Yes!"
Both Yu Ling and Hao Qing answered together. With that, Hao Qing escorted the injured Yu Ling away from Haoran Peak.
Only then did Yu Geng ask, "What happened today was witnessed by many disciples. Should we tell the sect at large?"
The Peak Master of Huo Peak muttered lowly, "This is hardly a glorious affair. Must it be known to all?"
But Hao Hui answered him directly: "It must be done. Only then will they be alert.
Yu Geng, arrange this quickly. Issue a sect-wide announcement. Let all disciples know what transpired. They must understand that evil cultivators are far closer than they imagine."
"Yes."
That very afternoon, the sect announcement appeared across the Inner and Outer Gates—at the task halls, disciple halls, and even through the messaging jade slips carried by disciples. It recounted the incident at Lingxue Peak that morning, explained the situation, and ordered any disciple who had contact with Liu Qichong to report to the Inner Gate hall for questioning. The sect was thrown into uproar.
When Wei Yunting saw that the notice mentioned Yun Xi and declared her as the true target of the evil cultivators, she rushed to find Wei Zonghan and Wei Zongjin. The three hurried together to Lingxue Peak. This time, they were allowed inside and granted audience with Yun Xi's master, Yu Ling.
"Junior Wei Yunting (Wei Zonghan, Wei Zongjin) greets Yu Ling Zūnzhě!"
With a casual wave, Yu Ling let them straighten and said lightly,
"This Zūnzhě knows you have come for Yun Xi. The notice revealed only part of the truth. She has not suffered a second injury. However, it is true that Lingxue Peak is no longer safe for her recovery.
For her protection, I have already sent her into the back mountain to recuperate. You will not be able to see her for the time being, but her safety is assured. You need not worry."
The three sighed in relief. So long as Yun Xi remained unharmed, it was fine. After all, she was the most outstanding disciple of the Wei clan's generation. Nothing could be allowed to happen to her.
After explaining Yun Xi's situation, Yu Ling added,
"Since Yun Xi has entered the back mountain, you may inform the heads of your family. But you must also be vigilant. Do not let the evil cultivators exploit you. You are, after all, her kin.
And when you go out for training in the future, you must learn to disguise yourselves. Do not become the next targets."
The three stiffened at his words and hurriedly promised compliance before taking their leave.
Outside Lingxue Peak, Wei Zongjin frowned.
"It seems the trouble truly stems from the Yixian Gate inheritance. These evil cultivators are like blood-scenting jackals, always ready to bite Yun Xi. Fortunately, her master advanced to Divine Transformation in time, or that traitor might have succeeded."
Wei Yunting lowered her voice.
"If Yun Xi hadn't helped her master ascend, she would never have been so grievously hurt, nor would Liu Qichong have had his chance. It was precisely because Yu Ling Zūnzhě reached Divine Transformation that Yun Xi could still be protected.
But now that the evil cultivators cannot move against Yun Xi, they may well turn their eyes toward us and the Wei family.
Zong Jin, quickly inform the Patriarch. Make everything clear, leave nothing unsaid. The more details they know, the better they can prepare."
Wei Zongjin nodded firmly.
"I was already planning to return. Better to speak to Father face to face, and avoid having our message intercepted."
"Good. Zong Han and I will accompany you. We should avoid traveling alone."
Wei Yunting's cautious words met no objection. This time, Zong Jin agreed. The three turned their course immediately, leaving Haoran Sect and heading straight for the Wei Clan in Haoran City.
Meanwhile, the girl said to have all her meridians shattered and fallen into deep slumber, Wei Yunxi, was at that moment following Sect Master Yu Geng. They stepped in peculiar rhythm, passing into an unknown space.
Here, countless sect cultivators sat at individual desks, swiftly scanning jade slips and recording their findings into other slips. When one was completed, it was tossed into a small teleportation array on the desk.
Behind them rose a towering honeycomb wall. Each cell occasionally flashed with light, producing new jade slips. Once a cell filled, the honeycomb silently rotated, rearranging itself into a fresh, empty lattice.
Yun Xi stared at the massive honeycomb for a long time. Beside her, Sect Master Yu Geng smiled and said,
"This is the sect's intelligence and information-analysis hub. Ancestor Hao Yi named it the 'Hive.'"
Yun Xi murmured, "Very fitting."
Yu Geng continued,
"After Zuo Qiu escaped the sect, the Law Enforcement Hall uncovered nothing. Hao Hui, Hao Qing, and Hao Yan suspected corruption, so they activated 'Umbral Rain,' which forced Ancestor Hao Yi to emerge from seclusion.
Ancestor Hao Yi cleansed the Law Enforcement Hall in secret and discovered that Hao Ting had meddled with the Hive. That was when she sought you out for the Huayan, arranging matters so Hao Ting would approach you willingly. That also led to Liu Qichong being lured out. The rest, you already know.
Though the Hive has been reorganized, Ancestor Hao Yi believes our intelligence network is still compromised. She suspects the Hive Master is concealing key information…"