Sect Master Yu Geng pondered his senior brother's words, then said, "You are the peak lord of Lingxue Peak. Whoever presides over Lingxue Peak is naturally your decision. But you are in such a hurry to hand the position to Yunxi. Does Ancestor Hao Yi have another arrangement for you?"
Yu Ling nodded, then let out a helpless sigh. "Ancestor Hao Yi wants me to take charge of the Hive."
Yu Geng was not surprised by this explanation. He said solemnly, "It seems Ancestor already had everything arranged. You should know better than I do what happened when Hao Ting betrayed the sect and meddled with the Hive. The previous Hive King was coerced by him and allowed Zuo Qiu to escape from Haoran Sect.
That is why Ancestor wants someone of overwhelming strength to control the Hive. The sect's eyes and ears must never fail."
Yu Ling naturally understood Ancestor Hao Yi's intention. He also knew that from the day Yunxi entered the Hive using his identity, Ancestor's layout was complete. This Hive King could be no one but him. "I understand. That is why I thought to pass the peak lord's seat to Yunxi."
Yu Geng's lips curled slightly. "Have you discussed this with Yunxi?"
"Not yet."
Yu Geng's smile deepened. "From what I know of that girl, she will not want to sit in the peak lord's seat so early."
Yu Ling remained calm. "No matter. I will speak to her."
After finishing with Lingxue Peak's affair, Yu Ling handed the sect master a jade slip and continued, "These are reports the Hive has received about the other five regions purging evil cultivators. Take a look and keep them in mind."
Sect Master Yu Geng accepted the slip and sent his divine sense into it. As he read carefully, his brows knit slightly. Only after he finished did he look up. "Senior Brother, the five regions moved almost simultaneously this time and did catch quite a few vermin. But according to the information sent back, those captured were all small fry. Nothing useful was extracted. The evil cultivators have hidden even deeper."
Yu Ling nodded. "That is exactly my reminder. Since they are avoiding our spearpoint, their aim must be significant. The sect should remain relaxed outwardly but tight within, and never lose vigilance."
"I understand."
"However, the Loose Cultivators' Alliance in the Western Region made the largest and most effective move this time. They truly netted several big fish. The atmosphere over there is tense."
Yu Ling added this almost in passing.
Yu Geng nodded. "I have heard of this as well. The former alliance leader, Xiang Sizi Zūnzhě, personally took action. Any cultivator in the alliance who had entanglements with evil cultivators, regardless of cultivation, was seized by her. Many elders in the Loose Cultivators' Alliance are displeased."
Yu Ling's expression remained even. "Ancestor Hao Yi personally went to the alliance to find Xiang Sizi Zūnzhě earlier. The matter of the evil cultivators was told to this senior by Ancestor herself. It seems Xiang Sizi Zūnzhě realized the severity, hence she acted in person.
Her methods are as decisive as ever, cutting the knot cleanly. The move has touched almost the entire alliance. Those with guilty consciences are spreading ambiguous rumors to smear Senior Xiang Sizi.
I have already sent a list of those rumor-mongers to Xiang Sizi Zūnzhě. Family matters within the alliance are best handled by themselves."
Hearing this, the corner of Yu Geng's mouth twitched. He felt that his senior brother was as black-bellied as ever, best at using another's strength. Once he fixed on prey, it would end maimed at best, dead at worst.
—
Meanwhile, Yunxi was reading a message talisman from her maternal uncle. It detailed how they had ferreted out and dealt with the evil cultivators within their ranks, but it also mentioned that some clan juniors who had been contacted by the body-snatching evil cultivators were not among those who came to Haoran City. He suggested sending people back to Kunyu City to deliver letters.
Yunxi waved her sleeve to put away the talisman and left Lingxue Peak in a flash, intending to see Feng Jiaqing. Halfway there, a message from her Master summoned her to the main hall on Haoran Peak.
When Yunxi's escape light landed before the great hall of the main peak, the gatekeeping disciples saluted respectfully and invited her to enter on her own.
As Yunxi walked into the hall, she saw the sect master and her Master. She smiled, cupped her hands in greeting, then turned her gaze to her Master. "Master, you summoned your disciple. What are your instructions?"
Yu Ling gestured for Yunxi to sit before speaking. "Yunxi, I intend to pass the position of Lingxue Peak's peak lord to you. What do you think?"
Yunxi was taken aback and had the urge to scratch her head. She felt she could not yet shoulder the post, so she said directly, "Master, this disciple fears she cannot bear the responsibility of a peak lord."
Yu Ling seemed to have expected that. "Why do you think so?"
"This disciple is still young and has not been in the peak for long. My cultivation may pass muster, but I lack experience. I am afraid I cannot convince the crowd."
Yunxi racked her brains for reasons. She did not covet the peak lord's seat at all.
Yu Ling merely nodded without comment, then asked, "Then do you want to be the Hive King?"
"Eh?"
Yunxi was stumped. That sounded like a separate matter.
Yu Ling did not hide anything. "Ancestor Hao Yi intends for me to preside over the Hive. So as your teacher, I thought to hand Lingxue Peak to you. In truth, once I reached Divine Transformation, I could have relinquished the seat. But you were injured and in slumber then, and I had no mind to consider such things.
After the secret realm expedition, the evil cultivators fixed their eyes on you. Ancestor Hao Yi had you enter the Hive to avoid disaster. What you have been doing is already equivalent to fulfilling the duties of the Hive King, though you borrowed my identity to do it."
"So…"
"So you may choose one of the two."
As he said this, a faint smile appeared on Yu Ling's lips, like ice and snow melting.
Unfortunately, Yunxi had no leisure to admire her Master's peerless beauty. She felt she had been thoroughly maneuvered. She also realized that Ancestor Hao Yi had long set the board. She and her Master were both pieces on it, slow to notice.
Yunxi made one last attempt. "Master, Sect Master, could the matter of succeeding as peak lord of Lingxue Peak be discussed after the Five Regions Grand Tournament concludes?"
Sect Master Yu Geng chuckled. "Yunxi, are you deciding to inherit Lingxue Peak, then?"
Yunxi said helplessly, "My Master has only me as a disciple. When there is work, a disciple should take it on. I cannot bear to let Master shoulder everything alone. I must share the burden."
Yu Ling nodded. "The Five Regions Grand Tournament is indeed a major event. Once you achieve a fine result, you can return to take the peak lord's seat as a matter of course."
That was agreement to Yunxi's proposal.
Yunxi then explained that she intended to return to Kunyu City for a trip.
Yu Ling had already received the intelligence Yunxi sent back to the Hive and knew that the Wei and Feng clans had been infiltrated by evil cultivators. He said directly, "Since you are going, tidy up Kunyu City as well. That is the foundation of your clan. Do not overlook even the smallest problem."
"Yes, Master. That is exactly Yunxi's plan."
With matters settled, Yunxi did not delay. She first went to Haoran City to meet Feng Jiaqing. After they had coordinated, she left Haoran City that very night.