"Yes, Master."
Yunxi agreed readily, then asked again about Xin Qiujian of Kunmo Sect. "Master, I was careless at the time. I may have sealed the real Xin Qiujian. That gave the evil cultivator the chance to self-detonate his Yuányīng."
Yu Ling Zūnzhě nodded. "Xun Kun sent word. On the day that evil cultivator blew up his Yuányīng, Xin Qiujian's soul lamp in Kunmo Sect went completely out. Things are likely as you guessed. The evil cultivator was determined to kill you, even at such a price."
Yunxi could only give a sheepish laugh. This would probably become a stain on her record. She changed the subject at once. "Did Xun Kun Daoyou run into any trouble on the way back to the Southern Region?"
"Hao Qing Senior Brother escorted him. There was an ambush along the way, but with Hao Qing present, those people did not dare show themselves."
Here Yu Ling Zūnzhě paused, then asked, "Ran Xi, do you know Xun Kun has no sense of direction?"
Yunxi blinked, then shook her head. "I did not. Counting this visit to Haoran Sect, I have only met Xun Kun twice. I never noticed that problem."
She let out an unconscious "oh."
"No wonder he arrived at his sect a few days later than expected. He got lost."
Even she felt a little embarrassed as she said it. A Yuányīng Zhēnjūn getting lost. Who would believe it?
"That is why I asked Hao Qing Senior Brother to send him back. He cannot be allowed to have an accident on Haoran Sect territory, and nothing can be allowed to happen to him because he came at your invitation."
Yunxi cupped her hands. "Master, this was my oversight. I did not know Xun Kun had such a weakness. If I had known, I would not have invited him to Haoran Sect. I would have visited him in the Southern Region instead."
"It is fine. He deliberately concealed it, and there was no way for you to know. Having him come in person was also to prevent any leaks. He understands that. You do not need to dwell on it.
Before you leave, I will give you a detailed dossier on the Nascent Soul stage contestants for the Five Region Grand Tournament. You should know your opponents' strength."
"Thank you, Master."
Yunxi's apricot eyes brightened as she accepted her master's kindness. Leaving the Hive, she went straight to the Disciples' Hall to accept an escort mission.
The hall was as busy as ever. Yunxi's appearance drew immediate attention from the disciples. She walked into the inner hall. Elder Han greeted her with a broad smile and a cupped-fist salute. "Congratulations on leaving seclusion, Ran Xi Zhēnjūn."
Yunxi nodded in return and took the main seat, smiling. "Elder Han, by my master's order I am here to accept the mission to escort the contestants to the Central Region."
She handed over her identity jade token.
"Very well, Zhēnjūn, please sit a moment. I will process it right away."
He turned and stepped out.
Yunxi mentally checked the contents of her storage bag, planning to prepare a few more contingencies before departure.
"Yunxi Zhēnjūn, you are out of seclusion!"
A man's voice carried a hint of surprise. Yunxi did not need to look to know who it was. She nodded politely. "I have just come out. Are you here to take a sect mission as well?"
Sheng Yuhong's initial joy faded at her mild and distant tone. He pressed his lips together. "I am here to register for the Five Region Grand Tournament."
Standing beside Sheng Yuhong, Zhou Lingchuan sensed his senior brother's helplessness. He stepped up to cup his fists. "Ran Xi Zhēnjūn, Senior Brother Sheng will be participating in the tournament. Please keep an eye on him."
It was a tactful way to ask for an opportunity.
Yunxi glanced at Zhou Lingchuan, her expression still calm. "Do not worry. Even if you did not ask, I would look after the sect's disciples. I have accepted the mission to escort the contestants to the Central Region."
The subtext was clear: she would treat every contestant equally. There would be no special treatment, and they should not overthink it.
Zhou Lingchuan understood, which only made it more awkward. He was still wondering how to respond when Yunxi smiled and asked, "Junior Nephew Zhou, you have already reached late Golden Core. Why are you not registering for this tournament?"
"Master has been very busy recently, so he asked me to stay by his side to help with sect affairs. I will miss this tournament."
Zhou Lingchuan actually wanted to go to the Central Region, but Sect Master Yu Geng had his reasons. He had yielded the spot to Sheng Yuhong. Sheng Yuhong's sword intent had reached minor completion and he was more competitive.
Sheng Yuhong wanted to interject, but he had no idea what to say. At that moment, Elder Han returned with Yunxi's jade token. Seeing Sheng Yuhong and Zhou Lingchuan, he greeted them politely, then presented the token with both hands. "Ran Xi Zhēnjūn, your mission has been processed. The departure time is recorded inside."
"Good. Thank you."
Yunxi accepted her token and left the hall.
Sheng Yuhong stared after her for a moment, then had Elder Han register him. He turned to Zhou Lingchuan. "You called Wei Yunxi 'Ran Xi Zhēnjūn.' She has been granted a dao name?"
"Yes. Our master helped her draft several choices. Wei Yunxi picked three she liked, and Yu Ling Zūnzhě finalized the dao name 'Ran Xi.'"
Zhou Lingchuan had received Wei Yunxi personally, so he knew clearly. He glanced at the pensive Sheng Yuhong and added, "The Sect Master intends for Ran Xi to succeed as Peak Lord of Lingxue Peak. Ran Xi Zhēnjūn said the succession ceremony will be held after the Five Region Grand Tournament."
A strange feeling rose in Sheng Yuhong's heart. Things did not seem to be unfolding the way he had imagined.
Zhou Lingchuan sighed and patted Sheng Yuhong's shoulder. "Senior Brother, some things cannot be forced. Do not trap yourself in delusion, or you will breed a heart demon.
Forgive my bluntness. Ran Xi Zhēnjūn feels only the bond of fellow disciples toward you, nothing more."
"I know."
Sheng Yuhong lowered his gaze. From beginning to end, Wei Yunxi had never given him the slightest chance to misunderstand.
Elder Han worked quickly this time as well. He soon returned to the inner hall and handed the identity token back to Sheng Yuhong.
The two finished their business and were about to return to Haoran Peak when they ran into Wei Yunqing coming straight toward them.
Sheng Yuhong felt complicated at the sight of the azure, gold-trimmed robe that only a Yuányīng Zhēnjūn of the sect could wear.
Wei Yunqing was also surprised to meet Sheng Yuhong here. She had holed up on Spirit Beast Peak for more than half a year, waiting for the rumors to die down before appearing again. She did not want to miss the Five Region Grand Tournament.
Seeing the man she had once cherished, Wei Yunqing was naturally pleased. Yet when she looked at his cultivation, stuck at the peak of mid Golden Core, her brows knit on instinct. He did not seem so captivating anymore.
If Yunxi knew she had missed such a show after leaving, she would regret it. Especially since Wei Yunqing had reached Nascent Soul, her mindset had shifted. She already looked down on Sheng Yuhong a little. Yunxi would probably laugh until her stomach hurt.
Sheng Yuhong and Zhou Lingchuan both cupped their fists. Wei Yunqing flicked her sleeve with affected poise. "No need for ceremony. Yuhong, you are here to—"