As soon as the rumor spread, cultivators immediately linked it to a message from a few years back on Dan Peak. It had said that Wei Yunqing and a certain Senior Brother Ye from Dan Peak had jointly cultivated a high grade spirit plant.
With names in hand, it was easy to track people down. All the more since Ye Tianhua and Wei Yunqing had entered the Inner Dan Peak from the Outer Dan Peak together. Busy tongues went straight to Ye Tianhua to ask for details.
Ye Tianhua's expression control was impeccable. He blinked in puzzlement. "That was a long time ago. I got lucky and found the seeds. Back then, Junior Sister Wei Yunqing was talented in plant cultivation. We raised a mutated Enlightenment Fruit Tree together."
"There really was Enlightenment Fruit?"
"Yes. But once word leaked, someone set their sights on our tree. Before the fruit was even mature, people were already trying to snatch it. We were on edge for quite some time, did not dare leave Dan Peak, and guarded that tree day and night.
One day, Wei Yunqing suddenly said she had taken a master. She would give her share of the Enlightenment Fruit as a disciple gift. I had no objection, but…"
His bitter look spoke the rest. He let out a self-mocking laugh and continued, "My share of the Enlightenment Fruit was bought by Wei Yunqing. After that, we never kept in touch."
"Tsk tsk. So all the benefits went to Wei Yunqing. She is Nascent Soul now. Her master Zuo Qiu is a Divine Transformation Zūnzhě. Only you are still stuck at Foundation Establishment."
The gossiping cultivator knew where to strike for pain. For a moment Ye Tianhua almost lost his composure. He shook his head and forced a mild tone.
"Do not speak carelessly. A Divine Transformation Zūnzhě and a Yuányīng Zhēnjūn are not for idle gossip. And Junior Sister Yunqing did not treat me poorly. She paid me a sum of spirit stones, and I advanced smoothly to late Foundation Establishment. I am satisfied."
"Can spirit stones compare with an Enlightenment Fruit? Enlightenment Fruit clarifies the dao heart. They are not equivalent in the least."
This time Ye Tianhua said nothing. He simply wore a bleak look that read, Do you think I do not know, but the arm cannot twist the thigh. He turned and returned to his quarters, hanging a Closed Cultivation sign on the door.
When Wei Yunxi received the news, she laughed out loud. That falling-rock-after-the-well from Ye Tianhua was exquisitely done. He had learned Elder Han's essence. Not one false word, yet he stripped Wei Yunqing's face clean, letting everyone see her hypocritical and selfish nature.
Dian Dian twitched his black ears. "Master, the longer Wei Yunqing stays in the Law Enforcement Hall, the worse her reputation gets. I think the disciples will avoid her like the plague."
Wei Yunxi shook her head. "Her skin is thick. Give it a while and she will be bouncing around again."
From what she knew of Wei Yunqing, the latter would definitely enter the Five Region Grand Tournament. In her eyes it was a perfect stage to make a name. If she won glory for Haoran Sect, the rumors would naturally fade.
Sure enough, three days later Wei Yunqing walked out of the Law Enforcement Hall with a face as ugly as thunder but cleared of suspicion. She returned to Lingbeast Peak.
With Zuo Qiu defecting from the sect, her status as his personal disciple was gone. Even so, she was at least a Yuányīng Zhēnjūn. The sect assigned a side peak beside Lingshuo Peak for her cultivation and residence.
Under the odd looks of the peak guards, she moved into her new peak. When she went to the Disciples Hall to post tasks to renovate it, she learned of the rumor making the rounds.
Wei Yunqing nearly stormed up Dan Peak to confront Ye Tianhua. She had underestimated him. He could endure until now to make his move. She had not even set foot on Dan Peak when Hao Yan Zūnzhě let out a soft chi. Wei Yunqing froze on the spot.
She immediately understood. Though suspicion had been cleared, the sect was still watching her. If she acted out now, she would be staying in the Law Enforcement Hall much longer.
In the end she swallowed the grievance, returned to her peak, and hung up a Closed Cultivation sign. She did not descend from Lingshuo Peak again before the Five Region Grand Tournament.
Wei Yunxi figured Hao Yan Zūnzhě would have preferred to kill Wei Yunqing outright, only refraining for reasons unknown.
Hao Yan Zūnzhě truly had that urge. At that moment she was complaining to Hao Yi Ancestor. "Senior Sister, one look and you can tell Wei Yunqing's mind is crooked. If we let her grow stronger, she may bring calamity to the sect. Why not deal with her directly?"
Hao Yi rolled her eyes. "What are you rushing for. There is one who can check her. Wei Yunqing is a whetstone right now. If you dispose of her, another 'trouble' may pop up, and this time you would not even know who it is or what they will do."
Hao Yan's phoenix eyes narrowed. She understood at once, then changed the topic."Senior Sister, Hao Qing should be back soon."
Hao Yi skimmed the key reports compiled by the Hive and replied,"If things go smoothly, within a day or two."
Indeed, the next day Hao Qing Zūnzhě appeared at Haoran Sect's mountain gate. Traveling with him was the guest Wei Yunxi had been waiting for: Xun Kun Zhēnjūn of the Southern Region's Kunmo Sect.
Xun Kun halted, a bit embarrassed, and bowed. "Many thanks, Zūnzhě, for bringing this junior to Haoran Sect."
Hao Qing's deep, magnetic voice answered, "No need for courtesy. Since you are Wei's guest, you are Haoran Sect's guest. I will have her come meet you."
He vanished from the gate in a blink.
Only then did the gate disciples step forward, salute Xun Kun, and accept the calling card he offered.
At that time, Wei Yunxi was taking Shenmai for Xiao Lei, confirming she had been using the medicine on time and that her meridians had recovered. Wei Yunxi withdrew the thread of spiritual power. "Your meridians have fully healed. You may resume cultivation, but advance step by step."
Xiao Lei rose at once and thanked her. "Many thanks for the medicine, Zhēnjūn."
Wei Yunxi lifted her with a sweep of the sleeve and was about to leave when a message talisman drifted before her. Hao Qing Zūnzhě's low voice came through it. "Yunxi, your guest has arrived."
Wei Yunxi's eyes glinted. It should be Xun Kun. He had taken longer than she expected. Likely something came up en route. Her figure flickered and she vanished on the spot.
Xiao Lei, left behind wanting to ask after her brother's whereabouts, could only sigh and return to the cultivation chamber to meditate.
When Wei Yunxi appeared at the mountain gate, Xun Kun Zhēnjūn visibly relaxed and bowed. "Wei Daoyou, Xun Kun has intruded."
"Xun Kun Daoyou, please, inside."
One behind the other, they entered Lingxue Peak.
Once the two were seated, Xun Kun went straight to the point. "Wei Daoyou invited me here. Is there serious business to discuss?"
"Yes. It concerns a Yuányīng Zhēnjūn of Kunmo Sect. To avoid trouble, I invited you to come in person. In Kunmo Sect, you are the only one I know."
Xun Kun's brows drew tight. Something was wrong. "Which Yuányīng Zhēnjūn?"
"Xin Qiujian."