Ancestor Hua Tong was not surprised by Hao Yi and Ming Jia's visit. Based on the information returned from the various regions in recent times, the two of them had already been secretly visiting the Divine Transformation Ancestors of the leading sects in each region, passing along some kind of message.
As for what that message was, she had yet to uncover it. So, she simply waited. Sure enough, the two finally arrived at Huaxian Gate.
When their figures appeared at the mountain gate, Hua Tong instructed her disciple Xian Yao to escort them to her cave residence.
Although Xian Yao had always been proud of her identity as a disciple of Huaxian Gate, she had long heard of Hao Yi and Ming Jia Zūnzhě. One was an ancestor who had been present since the founding of Haoran Sect. The other was a sword cultivator renowned for his undefeated record. Meeting them both at once was enough to set her heart racing.
Xian Yao composed herself, stepped forward, and bowed respectfully. "This junior, Xian Yao, greets Ming Jia Zūnzhě and Hao Yi Zūnzhě. Please, both seniors, follow me. Master has been waiting for you."
Hao Yi and Ming Jia both nodded kindly, and the three figures vanished from the mountain gate.
By the time Xian Yao led them into her master's cave residence, Hua Tong had already brewed a pot of spiritual tea. She smiled and gestured for them to take a seat, speaking only after they had settled down.
"You two Daoyou have come from afar. What guidance do you bring?" She pushed a cup of tea to each of them as she spoke.
This time, Ming Jia Zūnzhě was the first to speak. "Hua Tong Daoyou, Huaxian Gate is likely already aware of the evil cultivators infiltrating the newly discovered secret realm in Baohua Mountain of the Western Region. However, this matter is far from over. There is more to come."
He waved his sleeve, placing a jade slip on the jade table. Hao Yi did the same, adding another.
Hua Tong split her divine sense in two, quickly probing both jade slips to read their contents.
Only then did Hao Yi lift her cup and take a slow sip of tea.
Huaxian Gate was their final stop. After this, the two would return to guard their sect. They had only just finished rooting out traitors within Haoran Sect and could not allow evil cultivators another chance to infiltrate.
Before this, Hao Yi had traveled alone to the Western Region's Loose Cultivator Alliance to meet with their Divine Transformation Zūnzhě, the "Five Poisons Hermit." She had planned to simply toss him a jade slip and leave, but the Five Poisons Hermit stopped her. "Hao Yi, you left your sect just to throw me a jade slip?"
Xiang Sizi arched her delicate brows, her red lips curling upward in displeasure.
Hao Yi, unruffled, sat down opposite Xiang Sizi and spoke calmly. "Do you think I have time to waste? Read it first, then speak."
Seeing Hao Yi stay, Xiang Sizi finally raised her slender jade-like fingers, painted in a crimson hue, and drew the jade slip into her hand.
Half a quarter of an hour later, the lazy air around Xiang Sizi vanished. Her posture straightened, her eyes narrowed sharply, and her voice dropped a few degrees colder. "Hao Yi, how many 'rats' have you found in Haoran Sect?"
"I personally purged half of the Law Enforcement Hall, killed a 'Hive King' in the process, and barely stabilized the sect's situation. Even so, Zuo Qiu escaped."
Hao Yi and Xiang Sizi were close friends, so she had no qualms about exposing the ugly truth. She spoke plainly, without hesitation.
Xiang Sizi's fine brows furrowed. "You came all this way just to warn me because you believe the evil cultivators will target the Loose Cultivator Alliance next, intending to replace us?"
Hao Yi nodded. "Given their usual methods, your alliance is the perfect hiding spot. They may already have left backup plans within your ranks. After all, your people are a chaotic mix, and the number of cultivators in your alliance is no fewer than any great sect.
And Zuo Qiu, that traitor, after fleeing with his soul, will most likely seize a loose cultivator's body to hide. That's why I came to give you this warning, so you can prepare in advance."
Xiang Sizi's gaze flickered. "Why bother with all this trouble? I could just ascend to the Spirit Realm."
She sounded indifferent, as if it were none of her concern.
Hao Yi sneered "And you think ascending now means safety? You'd die up there without even knowing why."
Xiang Sizi flicked her sleeve. "Tsk, always trying to scare me! I was only speaking casually. It took me centuries to enjoy some peace, and now we're at war with evil cultivators again. Just the thought gives me a headache."
"Enough. I know you well. You're still a while away from ascending, so focus on cleaning your territory first. Reach out to the Loose Cultivator Alliance seniors in the Spirit Realm. See if they have more intel. To be frank, the ascended Loose Cultivator Zūnzhě are quite capable.
Ming Jia and I are visiting the other four regions. The other sects deserve to know this too."
After finishing, Hao Yi stood, ready to leave. This time, Xiang Sizi did not stop her, only saying "Don't worry. I won't let the Loose Cultivator Alliance fall into chaos."
"Good. Here, take this. Don't say I never think of you."
Before leaving, Hao Yi tossed her a vial of potion.
Xiang Sizi caught it, sniffed lightly, and her eyes immediately lit up. She swiftly stored it in her ring, her expression blooming into surprise and delight.
The next instant, Xiang Sizi's enchanting face turned bloodthirsty. Her figure vanished from the cave.
What Hao Yi had gifted the "Five Poisons Hermit" Xiang Sizi was Huayan, a poison refined by Yunxi, long extinct for a thousand years. Hao Yi had once caught Yunxi's weakness precisely because she had seen half of Huayan's formula from Xiang Sizi.
Xiang Sizi had long been obsessed with completing the recipe to elevate her poison arts. This gift struck directly at her heart. For Huayan's formula alone, she would spare no effort to cleanse the Loose Cultivator Alliance.
Hao Yi had full confidence in this close friend's strength. Anyone who chose to walk the Dao of Poison was ruthless by nature. Though Xiang Sizi's cultivation was below hers, her lethality was terrifying and nearly impossible to guard against. With careful planning, she would soon seize control of the situation.
After that, Hao Yi joined Ming Jia once more, and together they visited the Divine Transformation elders of the other four regions, one by one.
Things went smoother than they expected. Every elder they met took the warning seriously and began rooting out "rats" in secret, quietly pulling out every hidden nail embedded in their sects. Once their efforts were complete, they would spread the news across the Wei Yu World, ensuring all sects stayed alert. With that, Hao Yi and Ming Jia would have accomplished their mission.
These thoughts flashed through Hao Yi's mind. By the time she set down her teacup, Hua Tong had finished reading both jade slips. Outwardly calm, she hid the storm raging in her heart.
"Thank you, Daoyou, for coming all this way to deliver this message. The news of a looming crisis in Wei Yu World will be thoroughly investigated by Huaxian Gate. Before that, the sect will conduct its own internal purge."
Ming Jia smoothed his sleeve. "Hua Tong Daoyou, we chose to come to the Central Region last, partly to avoid alerting the enemy, and partly to remind you that the Five Regions Tournament will soon be held here at Huaxian Gate. The evil cultivators won't miss this chance to weaken Wei Yu Realm's strength."