Xun Kun felt a little awkward facing his Master Lin Lang's questioning gaze. He cleared his throat and said, "Master, I'll hire a flying boat to head straight to Haoran Sect. I don't think I'll get lost this time."
Lin Lang Zūnzhě chuckled softly. She brushed her hand across her storage bracelet and took out a palm-sized bronze arrowhead, handing it to Xun Kun. "Take this artifact. It will help you find your bearings. Don't go getting yourself lost again."
Xun Kun smiled sheepishly and accepted the treasure. He then bid farewell, though his retreating figure looked a little embarrassed.
Lin Lang Zūnzhě could only smile helplessly. Her disciple had remarkable talent, comprehension, and cultivation speed. The only flaw he had was his terrible sense of direction. Even within Kunmo Sect's grounds, Xun Kun often got lost.
Once, a jealous disciple, envious of Xun Kun's aptitude, deliberately led him into one of Kunmo Sect's forbidden grounds, planning to use the formations there to harm him. Fortunately, she had just come out of seclusion at that time, rescued Xun Kun, and promptly accepted him as her final disciple.
That scheming disciple had his memory sealed and was expelled from the sect. How could she allow her disciple's weakness to become public gossip?
Since then, whenever Xun Kun went out to temper himself, he always traveled in teams. As his cultivation improved and his divine sense strengthened, he gradually learned to mask this flaw.
The last time he went to explore the Baohua Mountain Secret Realm, he volunteered for the mission himself. He reasoned that a secret realm was an independent miniature world where getting lost wasn't a concern, since everyone would be randomly teleported in upon entry. He could simply team up with whoever he met or act alone if necessary. That way, no one would notice his weakness.
This also explained why Xun Kun had initially teamed up with Xian Yao and Xian Xu from Huaxian Gate but later decisively chose to travel with Yun Chen, Han Lian, and Yunxi. Years of experience taught him how to sense who would benefit him most as allies.
And time proved him right. Together, the four of them had slain the evil flower, stopped a massive beast in the secret realm from being corrupted, and indirectly saved every cultivator who had entered the realm. This victory had brought great prestige to Kunmo Sect across the entire Weiyu Realm. So when Wei Yunxi invited him to visit Haoran Sect, Xun Kun took the invitation seriously.
After making his preparations, he left Kunmo Sect the next day and boarded a flying boat bound for Haoran Sect in the Western Region.
Meanwhile, Yunxi, after taking care of Xin Qiujian, hastened her journey back to the sect.
The latter half of the journey passed relatively quietly. No reckless fools dared to attack her again, though she did sense several cultivators shadowing her from afar, seemingly waiting for an opportunity to strike. Their cultivation levels were unremarkable, and Yunxi didn't want to waste time on them. She simply increased her speed and shook them off, returning to Haoran Sect in the shortest possible time.
The very first thing Yunxi did upon her return was seek out her Master, Yu Ling.
Yu Ling was reviewing a fresh batch of jade slips sent by the "Hive" when the jade pendant at his waist vibrated slightly. His divine sense swept over it, and he called out,
"Let Yunxi in."
"Yes."
Moments later, Yunxi stood before her Master.
Yu Ling set down the jade slip in his hand and gave Yunxi a quick glance.
"This trip didn't go too smoothly, did it?"
"Yes, Master. I nearly capsized in a ditch this time."
Yunxi wasn't embarrassed to admit it. She sat in front of Yu Ling Zūnzhě and began recounting everything that had happened during her mission.
Her lively gestures and animated storytelling instantly reminded Yu Ling of the days he spent in seclusion, breaking through to Divine Transformation. Back then, Yunxi would always stand outside the formation, recounting her training experiences and sect gossip before and after each of her expeditions, talking for ages until she felt satisfied.
After listening to her full report, Yu Ling frowned slightly. "The Hive has already received word of Kunyu City's lockdown, but I didn't expect the cause to lie with the Liu family.
I just received another message saying you killed three Yuányīng Zhēnjūn on your way back, including the well-known bounty hunters Bao Jun and Xun Yue, as well as a demon cultivator."
Yunxi almost choked on her own saliva at that. She waved her hands quickly.
"Master, who is spreading such nonsense? I'm not that arrogant. Yes, I encountered those three, but I only fought Xin Qiujian, who claimed to be a Kunmo Sect disciple. The other two ran off after I scared them a bit, and I even took the chance to stir up some discord between them."
Yu Ling trusted his disciple completely and chuckled.
"That rumor came from Wan Bowen, the so-called 'know-it-all' of the Western Region. He's only at the early Golden Core stage and not a strong fighter, but his concealment techniques are superb.
He once leaked information about a Yuányīng Zhēnjūn with a sterling reputation who had kidnapped a cauldron. That Zhēnjūn hunted him down, but Wan Bowen managed to escape with his techniques.
He even delivered the news directly to the kidnapped female cultivator's clan, and the Zhēnjūn suffered heavy retaliation, his cultivation falling to the late Foundation Establishment stage. Wan Bowen then exacted further revenge. He's not one to take a loss lightly, but this also means his information is usually very credible.
Since then, he's survived by selling intelligence and taking information-gathering commissions. Even the Hive has purchased intel from him before. He's a fairly principled cultivator."
Yu Ling's assessment was neutral, without any personal bias.
Yunxi rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
"So the Golden Core cultivator lurking in the shadows was probably Wan Bowen. I didn't expect to cross paths with him like this. I guess his report this time is way off. Bao Jun and Xun Yue are still alive."
"It doesn't matter. Once those two show themselves again, everyone will know the truth.
The bigger issue is Xin Qiujian. He was a Nascent Soul disciple of Kunmo Sect. If his sect learns he was killed by you, they'll definitely send someone to investigate."
"Don't worry, Master. I already messaged Xun Kun Daoyou on my way back and invited him to Haoran Sect. I'll explain everything privately.
Xin Qiujian was already possessed by another soul. I sealed his Yuányīng, so this should help Kunmo Sect uncover some hidden threats within their ranks."
"Good. I'll record this in the Hive's logs. Xun Kun will be your guest to host."
"Yes, Master."
"You've worked hard rushing back. Go and rest. I'll report your mission's results to Ancestor Hao Yi."
"Thank you, Master."
After speaking, Yunxi sighed softly. She had to return to the Wei family in Haoran City. All the Wei disciples stationed in Kunyu City had been slaughtered by evil cultivators. She needed to inform the family head personally, hand over the remaining resources, and fulfill the Third Elder's last wishes.
"Master, I'm heading back to the Wei family. I owe them an explanation for what happened in Kunyu City."
"Go on then."
Yunxi's figure flickered as she exited the sect, narrowly missing Wei Zonghao, who had been searching for her.
Wei Zonghao had already formed his Golden Core. His posture was upright, his face had shed all traces of baby fat, and his features were now sharp and commanding. Years of cultivation had bolstered his aura. He was no longer the chubby little boy Yunxi once teased.
Unable to find Yunxi, Wei Zonghao decided to return home first.