"Yunxi, by rights since I have bestowed your Dao name, we ought to hold a ceremony and announce it to the sect."
Before Yu Ling Zūnzhě finished, Yunxi waved a hand. Seeing him pause, she said, "Master, the ceremony can be skipped. The sect is already in a troubled season, and the Five Region Grand Tournament draws near. You will only get busier. There is no need to waste time on such things."
She meant every word. In her eyes, ceremonies only squandered effort and supplies.
Yu Ling Zūnzhě smiled slightly. "It seems on this point master and disciple think alike. Your Martial Uncle Yu Geng proposed a Divine Transformation ceremony for me earlier. I declined it."
Yunxi returned the smile. "Martial Uncle Yu Geng meant well. He wanted to boost the disciples' morale and show a bit of Haoran Sect's strength. You simply do not wish to make a show of it."
Yu Ling Zūnzhě nodded. "There are several Divine Transformation cultivators in the Weiyu Realm. We can sense one another. No need to be so high profile."
"Exactly. If Master did not even hold a Divine Transformation ceremony, then a little naming rite for your disciple is even less necessary. I will go register the Dao name and be done."
She made the decision on the spot.
"As you like."
Yu Ling Zūnzhě never cared much for outward forms, so he agreed readily.
Yunxi then shifted the topic. "Master, I want to participate in this Five Region Grand Tournament. How do I obtain an entry slot?"
"You are Lingxue Peak's sole direct successor, and you have already formed a Yuányīng. Just go file your name."
He had long known his disciple would not miss such a lively event, so he told her plainly.
Yunxi's eyes curved in a smile. "Understood. Being the only seedling has benefits. I thought I would have to fight for a quota."
Yu Ling Zūnzhě sipped tea, the corner of his lips tilting. "The upper limit for entrants is Nascent Soul, so there is no need for a qualification melee. Each peak has recommendation slots, which usually go to Nascent Soul cultivators. Golden Core and Foundation Establishment cultivators must pass inner and outer sect selections."
He handed her a jade slip containing rules and past records.
Yunxi accepted it, sent in her divine sense, and quickly absorbed the contents. She now had a general grasp of the tournament.
"Yunxi, there are still ten months. Prepare early. The Hive will feed you information on Nascent Soul participants from each region. Best to know your opponents."
"Yes, Master."
She stowed the jade slip and began asking about Nascent Soul cultivation matters in the Mingyue Frost Condensation Art.
"Master, after forming my Yuányīng I comprehended the Wind and Snow Domain, but maintaining the domain burns through spiritual power too fast."
Yu Ling Zūnzhě raised a brow. He had not expected such heaven-defying talent. She was only mid Nascent Soul and had already grasped a region. He himself had only constructed his own domain after reaching Divine Transformation.
He patiently explained key points on conserving spiritual power when constructing a region, then spoke frankly: "Building a domain involves the laws of space and correlates with one's cultivation. Within it, you are the sole controller. It demands a high level of divine sense. You are not an ice spiritual root by birth, yet you grasped an ice-type domain. Even I must praise you as gifted."
Yunxi chuckled, a bit guilty. "Master, did I forget to mention that my water spiritual root has mutated to an ice spiritual root?"
A flicker of realization passed through Yu Ling Zūnzhě's eyes, though his face did not change."When did you ever tell me that?"
"Hehe. That is on me. In the new secret realm at Baohua Mountain, I found an opportunity and mutated my root. I meant to come back and brag. Then you encountered a snag at Divine Transformation, and afterward I slept for so long, then entered the Hive. I forgot to report it."
Yu Ling Zūnzhě nodded. His disciple had endured plenty of hardship. In her place, he might not have mentioned it either, lest her master feel even more guilty.
Master and disciple then discussed regions and ice techniques in depth. Yunxi asked, Yu Ling Zūnzhě answered. One hour passed before the Hive token at Yu Ling's waist trembled twice. They ended their talk.
"Master, it seems you are busy again. I will not disturb you. I am returning to Lingxue Peak. Send word if you need me."
Yu Ling Zūnzhě nodded and vanished from the jade table.
Back at Lingxue Peak, Yunxi released Dian Dian from her space. Seeing familiar ground, Dian Dian zipped off to find its little friends.
For the next half month, Yunxi did not leave Lingxue Peak. Beyond digesting her master's guidance, she prepared for the tournament. She rotated daily through talisman drawing, alchemy, and potion making, determined to keep her ammunition full.
Each day she also set aside time to sort her miscellaneous gains. Inventorying spoils always kept her mood lifted.
One day, she fished a golden gem from a corner of her storage pouch. She remembered it as a thank-you gift from Qin, a descendant of the Wu tribe. She had tossed it away during the secret realm expedition without a close look.
Now she held the golden gem up to examine it. At that moment, the Seven Stars Soul-Shattering Staff in her dantian began to tremble, the vibration growing stronger, forcing her to summon it out.
The instant the staff appeared, it locked onto the golden gem in her hand, urgently conveying its desire.
Yunxi's apricot eyes widened, but she asked to be sure, "Jue Ming, you want this gem?"
The staff gave a little shake. Her guess was correct.
The corner of Yunxi's mouth twitched. She lifted the golden gem with spiritual power and brought it close. As they neared, the seven-star pattern on the staff flickered once. The Yuheng Star began to flash slowly.
The golden gem near the shaft shone ever brighter. When their pulses synchronized, the gem slid on its own into the position of the Yuheng Star.
Once the gem fully merged, streams of golden light coursed along the staff.
Sensing it in her grip, Yunxi was delighted to find a current of metal power flowing within. That metallic sharpness raised the staff's destructive might another notch.
"Jue Ming, you really surprised me."
She now had a guess about the gem. It had to be metal-attribute, and the energy within was enough to light one star on the Seven Stars Soul-Shattering Staff. It was clearly no common treasure.