"I'm here to register for the Five Region Grand Tournament."
Sensing the change in Wei Yunqing's tone, Sheng Yuhong answered her question according to courtesy. He had no wish to continue the exchange, so he cupped his fists and took his leave.
Only after Sheng Yuhong and Zhou Lingchuan left did Wei Yunqing curl her lip. She handed her identity jade token to Elder Han and likewise registered for the Five Region Grand Tournament.
Elder Han processed everything swiftly and personally saw Wei Yunqing out of the Disciples' Hall, giving her ample face. Once she was gone, he lifted a hand and sent out a message talisman.
Back on Lingxue Peak, Wei Yunxi was chatting idly with Dian Dian about the latest sect gossip when a message talisman fluttered down before her. After reading its contents, Wei Yunxi smiled without a word.
She had not been present, but she could guess Wei Yunqing's mindset. Wei Yunqing despised that Sheng Yuhong's cultivation was beneath her now and deemed him unworthy. She had put on the airs of a Yuányīng Zhēnjūn, thinking she had hidden it well, yet Elder Han, that old fox, had seen through her at a glance.
Given Wei Yunqing's consistent preference for "upward compatibility," Sheng Yuhong held no more use for her. If Sheng Yuhong were not the Sect Master's disciple, Wei Yunqing's posture would probably have been even loftier.
"Tsk tsk. What a fool. Is she worried she hasn't offended enough people yet?"
Wei Yunxi could not fathom the woman's logic. With a reputation already in tatters, how could Wei Yunqing still strut about? It felt like Wei Yunqing had been suppressed by her for too long and had finally snapped.
"Master, she has come out of seclusion. Should I send Fei Xia to tail her?"
Knowing Wei Yunxi's wariness toward Wei Yunqing, Dian Dian offered at once.
"No need. She is at least a Nascent Soul cultivator now. Fei Xia's cultivation is a bit lacking and might be discovered. We will be setting out for the Central Region soon enough. I will watch her myself then."
Dian Dian's beady eyes turned thoughtfully. It decided to mobilize its mouse lineage and have the little friends on Spirit Beast Peak keep tabs on Wei Yunqing's movements, leaving her no chance to stir up trouble.
Wei Yunxi checked the time and decided not to resume cultivation. She lifted her hand and sent out several message talismans, contacting a few friends within the sect as well as Wei Chenyin, who was holding down the fort for the Wei Clan in Haoran City.
Last, Wei Yunxi took out a messaging jade slip and contacted the Feng Clan of Kunyu City. She wanted to know whether the descendants of the Wu Tribe had adapted to the cultivation world's environment.
The quickest replies came from Lin Keyang and Zhang Lingrui. The two happened to be together celebrating their advancement to Nascent Soul and were discussing whether to join the tournament when two message talismans drifted down before them.
Zhang Lingrui raised a hand to catch one, glanced through it, then looked up. "It's news from Wei Yunxi. She has left seclusion."
Lin Keyang had also finished reading. He looked up. "Mine too. I wonder if her injuries are fully healed."
"Instead of worrying here, why don't we go visit her?"
Zhang Lingrui had always been a man of action. He tugged the hesitating Lin Keyang along and headed for Lingxue Peak.
Wei Clan, Haoran City
After receiving Wei Yunxi's talisman and learning she had left seclusion, Wei Chenyin smiled and made plans to return to the sect. There were matters she wished to discuss with Wei Yunxi.
The last to receive the news was the Feng Clan in Kunyu City. After reading the message, Feng Feng immediately understood what Wei Yunxi cared about. He sent her a brief reply, then ordered that Yong and Qin be brought to him.
Yong and Qin now dressed like natives of the cultivation world. Since they cultivated the body refinement path, they wore short-cut robes for ease of movement.
"Ancestor Feng."
Their common speech and etiquette were already quite adequate. When they saluted Feng Feng, almost no trace of their former selves remained.
Feng Feng motioned for them to sit. "Wei Yunxi has left seclusion and asked after your situation. I gave a brief account. What are your plans from here?"
Yong and Qin exchanged a look. Yong spoke first. "Wei Yunxi is the lifesaver of our entire tribe. We only wish to follow her. We do not know how she plans to arrange us."
Feng Feng nodded, satisfied. Whether out of sincerity or formality, at least they knew gratitude."Wei Yunxi made no specific arrangements for you, but I will send a message asking her and pass along your wishes."
"Thank you, Ancestor Feng."
They cupped their fists in thanks. Soon after, Ancestor Feng took out a messaging jade slip and sent a note to Wei Yunxi.
Lingxue Peak, Haoran Sect
Wei Yunxi did not yet receive Feng Feng's reply, but she did welcome a visit from Lin Keyang and Zhang Lingrui.
The moment the two saw Wei Yunxi, they both looked shocked.
Zhang Lingrui spoke bluntly. "Ran Xi Zhēnjūn, what heavenly treasure did you take? We just shut ourselves away to form our Yuányīng, and you are already at late Nascent Soul. You are leaving us no room to live."
Lin Keyang shot his friend a glare. "If you cannot speak properly, then do not speak. Do you think Wei Yunxi Zhēnjūn is the kind to break through by swallowing treasures?"
Only after scolding his friend did he turn to cup his fists. "Congratulations to Ran Xi Zhēnjūn on your advancement. Divine Transformation is within reach."
Wei Yunxi could tell they spoke from the heart. She smiled, invited them to sit, and gave a rough account of her recent experiences.
Zhang Lingrui clicked his tongue again and again. "You even ran into a Yuányīng self-detonation. Those evil cultivators must hate you to the bone."
Lin Keyang frowned. "Ran Xi, they will not let this go. Be careful when you leave the sect for training or missions. I fear they might invite a Divine Transformation cultivator just to kill you."
This time Zhang Lingrui glared at Lin Keyang. "And you said I cannot talk."
Wei Yunxi remained unbothered. "What must come will come. I cannot stay in the sect forever to avoid evil cultivators. Who wins and who loses is not yet decided."
Zhang Lingrui immediately gave a thumbs-up. "Ran Xi Zhēnjūn, you are right. I am with you. Go head-to-head with the evil cultivators."
Lin Keyang gave Zhang Lingrui a sidelong glance, then asked, "Ran Xi, are you going to the Five Region Grand Tournament?"
"I have already registered. What about you two?"
They traded a look. Lin Keyang answered first. "We only just reached early Nascent Soul. We are worried we are not up to par. We were discussing it when your talisman arrived. Lingrui wants to go and treat it as experience. I am still hesitating."
Seeing they were seeking her opinion, Wei Yunxi thought a moment. "I will spar with the two of you. If you can defeat me together, sign up. If you cannot, it would be best not to participate this time."
"All right!"
"Why?"
Two voices spoke at once with different answers.
"I have received word that evil cultivators will interfere from the shadows at this tournament. I do not yet know what chaos they will cause, but their goal is to kill the elite disciples of the five regions."
"What?"
"Then I have to go!"