Sitting on the flying boat, Xiao Lei still seemed dazed. Even now, she could hardly believe she was about to see her brother.
That day, when she finished her cultivation cycle and stepped out of the practice room, she saw Yunxi Zhēnjūn waiting in the courtyard, which surprised her.
Since Xiao Lei had been placed in this courtyard, this was the first time Yunxi Zhēnjūn had come to see her in person. Normally, anything important was sent by message talisman. She hurried forward and saluted: "Wei Yunxi Zhēnjūn, have you come to see Xiao Lei for something?"
Yunxi swept her divine sense over Xiao Lei and found her condition much improved compared to when she first arrived at Lingxue Peak. Yunxi said: "Pack up. I am taking you to see Xiao He."
Xiao Lei blurted out: "See my brother? Really?"
"Yes."
"I, I, there is nothing to pack. I can leave at any time."
Afraid Yunxi would change her mind, Xiao Lei answered at once.
Yunxi arched a brow, then directly whisked Xiao Lei away from Lingxue Peak. Only after they left the range of Haoran City did she release a flying boat, set its course, and then take Xiao Lei's pulse.
Though Xiao Lei had recuperated for over a month, her meridians were still not fully healed. For now, she was half a crippled cultivator. If they were willing to burn resources, she could recover completely, but that involved other conditions. Yunxi had no intention of telling her that.
Withdrawing her thread of spiritual power, Yunxi said: "Your meridians have not recovered. Do not circulate spiritual power for now, or you will make the injury worse.
Do not be anxious. Meridian damage is among the most common injuries. It can be repaired. It just takes time."
Xiao Lei lowered her eyes. "Thank you for your concern, Zhēnjūn. Xiao Lei understands."
After that, Xiao Lei spent most of her time in meditation. Yunxi read jade slips, teased Dian Dian a little, and skimmed the latest reports sent to her from the Hive.
During this time, Yunxi learned that the rumor of her taking on three Nascent Soul cultivators and killing all three had spread. Feeling a mischievous itch, she sent a message to Xun Yue, asking how Bao Jun reacted upon learning his partner had been killed, and kindly added that Bao Jun had not shown up to cause her trouble.
On the other end, when Xun Yue received the message, her expression was complicated beyond words. She had secretly returned to the pair's former hideout, only to witness Bao Jun clasping the hand of a beautiful Golden Core female cultivator and whispering sweet nothings.
Because of what Wei Yunxi had said earlier, Xun Yue had been mentally prepared. Even so, seeing Yunxi's words become reality pierced her like a knife. She gave a soundless, self-mocking smile. In the end, she had given her trust to the wrong person.
Xun Yue finally replied to Yunxi with only three words: "You win." The answer from the other side came even faster, with one word more than hers: "Cut losses early." After that, there was no further contact.
Xun Yue's eyes flashed. She turned and went to their other hiding place, where backup resources were stashed. There was no longer any need to leave anything for Bao Jun. He was the one who first betrayed his oath.
Smiling with narrowed eyes, Yunxi relayed the breakup of "Bao Jun and Xun Yue" back to the Hive. It was firsthand news and absolutely reliable.
When Xiao Lei finished her cycle, she noticed the smile on Wei Yunxi Zhēnjūn's face looked a little eerie, so she dropped her gaze at once and rehearsed in her heart what to say when she saw her brother, determined not to waste any time.
Five days later, Yunxi put away the flying boat and swept Xiao Lei into Qianling City. This city was under Su family jurisdiction. Yunxi changed her face and disguised herself as a mid Foundation Establishment loose cultivator, then strode openly through the gates.
Once inside, she released her divine sense, confirmed Xiao He's location, then rented a small courtyard next door to him and waited quietly for nightfall.
Xiao He had actually arrived in Qianling City eight days earlier. To mislead the evil cultivators secretly watching him, he carefully investigated everything surrounding the disappearance of the Su family's secret realm. Unfortunately, aside from confirming that the secret realm had vanished for no reason, he could find nothing more. It made him worry whether his sister had truly been rescued.
Moreover, he had already been in the Western Region for so long. Why had no one from Haoran Sect come to see him? Did they not fear he might sell them out, or were they certain he would find nothing?
As Xiao He's mind churned, a figure appeared before him without a sound.
"Who is it?"
Sword in hand, Xiao He asked warily.
Yunxi took a step forward and emerged from the shadows.
When Xiao He saw who it was, he immediately lowered his sword and asked: "How is my sister?"
Yunxi answered coolly: "She is doing well. What important information did you bring?"
Xiao He could tell this Zhēnjūn would not give anything without getting something first. He drew a jade slip from his storage ring and tossed it to Yunxi: "This is the latest mission they gave me. I said I would learn the truth of my sister's 'death' before deciding whether to accept it."
Yunxi lifted her hand, letting the jade slip hover in midair. She sent her divine sense into it, read its contents, and frowned slightly. Then she swept her sleeve and released Xiao Lei, her tone turning cold: "I keep my word. I brought your sister out. Talk as siblings should. I will return to pick her up after one incense stick of time."
With that, she turned and vanished from the room.
Only then did Xiao He grasp his sister's arm and ask anxiously: "Xiao Lei, are you alright?"
Tears swam in Xiao Lei's eyes. She bit her lip and nodded, too choked to speak.
Knowing time was short, Xiao He patted her shoulder to soothe her. "Xiao Lei, tell me everything that happened after we were separated, especially how you were captured into the secret realm and how Wei Yunxi Zhēnjūn saved you."
Wiping her tears, Xiao Lei hoarsely recounted what had happened after she and her brother parted.
Back in the courtyard next door, Yunxi's face had grown grave. The evil cultivators were indeed plotting something big. They intended to use the opportunity of the Five Region Grand Tournament to capture all five regions' elite disciples in one sweep. Ruthless was no longer enough to describe it. It was sheer madness.
They planned to construct a passage to connect the Evil Region and the Weiyu Realm, releasing evil creatures into the Weiyu Realm to slaughter righteous cultivators.
As for when, where, and how this passage would be built, the jade slip did not say. Obviously they were guarding against Xiao He, or perhaps testing him.
After some thought, Yunxi sent this information back to the sect through her Hive jade token. Let the heavyweights of the sect determine its authenticity.
Far away in the Hive, Yu Ling Zūnzhě saw Yunxi's message immediately. He did not dare delay for even a moment and flashed to the back mountain to meet Ancestor Hao Yi.
Judging the time, Yunxi flashed back into Xiao He's room, swept her sleeve to collect Xiao Lei, then looked at Xiao He: "Do you have anything else to say?"
Xiao He drew a deep breath. "I beg Wei Yunxi Zhēnjūn to repair my sister's meridians so she can continue cultivating. I am already stuck in a quagmire. I only hope my sister can ascend smoothly."
"That is not difficult, but this is your second condition."
Yunxi replied evenly.
"Please be at ease, Wei Yunxi Zhēnjūn. When I return to the Central Region, I will obtain more detailed information."
But Yunxi waved her hand. "No need. You do not have to take the initiative to investigate anything."