"…But the 'Hive' receives an overwhelming number of reports from all regions every day. Each one must be filtered and screened in advance before being submitted to me, so that I can make the most advantageous decisions for the sect.
Now that Hao Ting and Liu Qichong have been exposed, Ancestor believes that among the messages discarded by the Hive, there may be important pieces that the 'Hive King' deliberately ignored."
Wei Yunxi immediately understood and spoke up:
"Ancestor Hao Yi wants to re-examine the messages that were filtered out in the past, to search for anything that might have been intentionally overlooked?"
Sect Master Yu Geng nodded. "You are correct. But the workload is immense. We will need to look back at least five hundred years of records."
Wei Yunxi sucked in a sharp breath. That was an enormous undertaking. Five hundred years ago, she had not even been born. The thought froze her smile—suddenly, she had a sense of why the Sect Master had brought her here.
Sect Master Yu Geng caught the shift in her expression and said with a warm smile: "Yun Xi, you've already guessed why I brought you here, haven't you?"
Wei Yunxi rubbed her fingers together, tempted to feign ignorance, but those half-amused, half-probing eyes left her no choice but to sigh in defeat. "Ancestor wants this junior, an outsider to past events, to help re-examine the discarded messages?"
"Yes. But think of it as a form of protection for you as well."
Wei Yunxi could only purse her lips. Hao Yi Ancestor truly had her best interests at heart.
Seeing the lively play of emotions across her young face, Sect Master Yu Geng chuckled softly. "Yun Xi, your injuries are still in need of careful nurturing. You cannot risk another setback. As for Yu Ling, after reaching Divine Transformation he has been so focused on tending your wounds that he has not even stabilized his own cultivation.
Ancestor Hao Yi's entire arrangement was to divert the evil cultivators' attention and root out the rats hiding within the sect. That is why you and Yu Ling are being placed separately.
Yu Ling will enter the rear mountain to consolidate his cultivation. You, too, will be 'sent' to the rear mountain to recover. No one will know you are here in the Hive, and thus your safety is assured."
"This junior understands."
Wei Yunxi recognized it for what it was—a misdirection tactic, hiding a dagger in plain sight. Still, she hesitated, uneasy. "Although I will follow Ancestor Hao Yi's arrangements, shouldn't such an important re-examination task be entrusted to someone more experienced?"
Yu Geng laughed. "I had the same concern. But Ancestor Hao Yi said precisely because those senior cultivators are too experienced, and many of them lived through the events of five centuries past, they would be inclined to dismiss reports based on their preconceived notions.
You, however, are different. You did not live through those times. Your thoughts are sharp and quick. You may see things that others cannot."
Wei Yunxi's lips twitched. Was that supposed to be praise?
"Yun Xi understands. I will review every message carefully."
Sect Master Yu Geng nodded with satisfaction. Then he added: "Though you will be in the Hive, for safety's sake, it is best you do not appear as yourself."
"I understand. Then who should I disguise myself as?" Wei Yunxi asked.
Anyone in the Hive would surely be scrutinized carefully. Appearing under a completely unfamiliar face would only draw suspicion. These cultivators dealt with tens of thousands of messages daily, their perception honed razor-sharp, and after the recent purge, everyone's nerves were already taut. A stranger's face would only invite questions.
Yu Geng had clearly considered this as well. He smiled. "You will temporarily take on your Master's identity within the Hive."
"…What?"
Wei Yunxi's jaw dropped open. This suggestion was far too bold. How could a half-crippled Nascent Soul cultivator pass as her Divine Transformation Master?
Yu Geng explained patiently, still smiling. "Do not be so shocked. This arrangement was carefully considered by Ancestor Hao Yi.
First, Senior Brother Yu Ling was severely injured in the battle against Liu Qichong. Officially, he has entered the rear mountain to heal. But in truth, no one knows the extent of his injuries. That uncertainty provides room for maneuver—for instance, claiming his wounds caused his cultivation to fall.
Second, Yu Ling's retreat to stabilize his realm means no one will be around to expose your disguise. And since both you and your Master practice the same cultivation art, the resemblance will be even more convincing. Naturally, this has his consent.
And finally, most importantly, Ancestor Hao Yi himself said your divine sense already surpasses your cultivation and has reached the level of Divine Transformation. With that as your foundation, your disguise will not be easily pierced."
Wei Yunxi scratched her cheek and gave a sheepish grin. Another one of her hidden trump cards had been exposed. She resolved to guard the rest more tightly—these veteran Divine Transformation cultivators had sharp eyes indeed.
Sect Master Yu Geng, satisfied, tossed her a storage pouch. "Your Master asked me to pass this to you. Inside are new robes and some of his personal items to help you complete the disguise."
Wei Yunxi swept it with her divine sense. Inside lay two sets of white, patterned men's robes, a simple wooden hairpin her Master used to tie his hair, and a black storage bracelet almost identical to the one he always wore, though its space was slightly smaller.
With these, she could probably fool at least seventy percent of the Hive. She bowed her head."Sect Master, I will change at once."
"Good."
Yu Geng agreed readily. He had already planned to settle her in today, hand over Law Enforcement Hall's matters to his successors, and step away. As Sect Master, his responsibilities were many, and if not for Yun Xi's unique status, he would never have escorted her personally.
A quarter of an hour later, Wei Yunxi emerged from the array in her new guise.
Yu Geng nearly blurted out "Senior Brother" on the spot. The disguise was perfect. Not only were the robes and accessories spot on, even her aura was nearly identical. The aloof, transcendent bearing of Yu Ling was captured completely.
"How is it, Sect Master?"
Her voice was just as cold, the four simple words carrying her Master's essence.
Yu Geng's eyes lit up. He nodded repeatedly. "Excellent! Almost indistinguishable."
Wei Yunxi's lips curved unconsciously into a smile.
"Don't smile," Yu Geng warned quickly. "Your Master rarely smiles. It would give you away."
Startled, Wei Yunxi immediately smoothed her expression back into Yu Ling's frosty reserve, aloof and silent.
Yu Geng finally looked satisfied. "Very good. Come with me."
Two quarters of an hour later, Wei Yunxi wore a golden jade token in the shape of a miniature honeycomb at her waist, granting her authority to view sect intelligence independently and access her own section of the Hive.
News of her arrival spread quickly within. The internal story was this: Yu Ling Zūnzhě had battled the concealed Divine Transformation cultivator Liu Qichong while his cultivation was unstable. He suffered severe wounds that caused his realm to fall.
However, the sect refused to show weakness to outsiders. Publicly, Yu Ling was said to be in seclusion on the rear mountain to recover. Privately, he had been placed within the Hive.