Wei Yunxi quickly searched her memory for information on the "Misty Snow Domain." This secret realm belonged exclusively to the Northern Region. It earned its name because it did not appear at a fixed location, only opened at fixed times.
No one could predict where its entrance would manifest, hence the name "Misty Snow Domain." One thing was certain. It opened every one hundred and fifty years, though not every session saw cultivators make it in time.
According to records from the Hive, one opening of the Misty Snow Domain appeared amid the Northern Region's Polar Gang Winds. Many cultivators could not pass those winds and could only sigh at the secret realm from afar, missing their chance to enter.
Wei Yunxi herself possessed an ice spiritual root, so Han Lian's mention of this Misty Snow Domain piqued her interest at once. She was the first to respond.
"Han Lian Daoyou, I am very interested."
Han Lian's heroic brows lifted and she smiled. "The last time the Misty Snow Domain opened, your master Yu Lin Zūnzhě entered it."
Hearing that, Wei Yunxi grew even more intrigued. She could ask her master for details about the realm, which would improve her odds once inside. She answered immediately, "Hearing you say that, I am all the more set on going. I only wonder whether the evil cultivators have reached into this secret realm as well."
Han Lian shook her head. With the realm unopened, they knew nothing for now.
Xun Kun cleared his throat. "I have heard of it too. It produces many ice-aspected heavenly materials and earthly treasures. Only Nascent Soul cultivators can enter. Otherwise the extreme cold will leave weaker cultivators unable to move. If the Five Region Grand Tournament proceeds smoothly, I would like to see it for myself."
"Amitabha. Since Han Lian Daoyou invites, I will join the fun," Yun Chen Fózǐ added last.
Han Lian slanted a look at Yun Chen Fózǐ, then made the decision. "In that case we will fix it as such. After the tournament, you can ride Jihan Gate's flying boat to the Northern Region. Safer and simpler."
"Good."
"No problem."
"We will follow Han Lian Daoyou's lead."
The three agreed readily.
Their meeting was for catching up and sharing information. After an hour, the four left the teahouse.
Back at Huaxian Gate, they split into pairs. Wei Yunxi intended to escort Xun Kun back to the guest peak for Southern Region cultivators, but Xun Kun declined tactfully.
Seeing the not-quite-reassured look in Ran Xi's eyes, Xun Kun felt a little awkward. He suspected Ran Xi had realized he had the road-loser trait. On second thought, it was no surprise. Hao Qing Zūnzhě had personally escorted him back to Kunmo Sect, so he had surely noticed.
Xun Kun could only cup his hands and turn toward the Southern Region guest peak. Wei Yunxi watched a moment, then could not help sending a voice transmission, "Xun Kun Daoyou, take the rightmost path and you will reach the Southern Region guest peak."
Xun Kun's steps paused. He adjusted his heading and quickened his pace.
Wei Yunxi pressed her lips into a smile and returned to the Western Region guest peak. Before entering her cave, she looked up in a certain direction in the sky, her gaze sharp and filled with killing intent.
Hiding in midair, Hua Bai Zūnzhě met Wei Yunxi's eyes by accident. He frowned and flashed away from the sky above the peak.
Only when she confirmed the spy had left did Wei Yunxi enter her cave, wave down the warding formation, and scoop the curled-up Cong Shan into her arms. "Cong Shan, any movement from Wei Yunqing or the Shadowscale Serpent?"
"None. They have not left their cave."
"Good."
Wei Yunxi smoothed the spikes on Cong Shan's back, set him onto the cushion, then took out a jade slip to read.
Though her eyes rested on the slip, her mind ran fast. She was certain the peeping aura earlier belonged to a Divine Transformation cultivator. If Huaxian Gate had assigned someone to watch her, such a person should not bristle with so much hostility.
Yet the hostility was plain from far away. Her divine sense was no weaker than his. He just moved quickly, so she had not seen his face.
She sifted through the Huaxian Gate cultivators she knew. Aside from Xian Yao and Xian Xu, there were Hua Yu and Hua Bai, both Zūnzhě. Only Hua Bai had a grudge with her. After all, that junior of his, Yiran, had died indirectly at her hands.
"Tsk. That old man is like dogskin plaster. I more or less avenged his junior for him, and he still refuses to let it go. It is not just about revenge. He has his eye on my Zi Yan."
The more Wei Yunxi thought about it, the more certain she became. She gave up on the jade slip, waved open the ward, and headed to the summit to complain to the seniors.
Hao Qing, Hao Yan, Ming Hong, Ming Xian, Xiang Sizǐ, and several Zūnzhě Wei Yunxi did not know were drinking tea together. She bowed, then moved to Hao Yan Zūnzhě's side and used a voice transmission to describe the Divine Transformation spy and her suspicion.
Hao Yan's phoenix eyes narrowed. She transmitted back, "This matter is known to this Zhēnzhu. You stay quietly in your cave. I would like to see what Hua Bai means to do."
"Yes, Hao Yan Zūnzhě."
Wei Yunxi smiled faintly and returned to her cave at ease. She had reported it. If anything truly happened to her, there would be a direction for the investigation. Feng Fen's warning was carved into her mind.
Wei Yunxi decided to hole up in her cave for the remaining time. She had barely returned when a disciple touched the ward and announced a visitor.
"Is there a visiting card?"
The junior froze a moment, then answered, "The visitor is Xun Kun Zhēnjūn from the Southern Region's Kunmo Sect. He says he is acquainted with you."
Wei Yunxi waved. "Invite him in."
She assumed Xun Kun had discovered something. Once he entered and the pleasantries were done, however, they only stared at each other.
Wei Yunxi could not hold it in. She asked first, "Xun Kun Daoyou, you came for an important matter, I trust. Speak freely."
Xun Kun was truly embarrassed, but after a cough he said, "Someone entered my cave."
The sentence was so contextless that Wei Yunxi did not react at first. She asked on reflex, "And then?"
Xun Kun took a pot of spirit wine from his storage ring and pushed it to Wei Yunxi.
Wei Yunxi uncorked it, inhaled, arched a brow, and poured herself a cup.
Xun Kun quickly stopped her. "Ran Xi Daoyou, there should be a problem with this wine."
"I can smell it."
She took a sip and rolled the taste on her tongue. "The wine is good. What was added would greatly help your cultivation. But…"
"But what?"
"But mixed with the Mandala Fragrance on Jin Can Xiaoyou, it becomes a potent aphrodisiac. Even with your resolve, Xun Kun Daoyou, you would not withstand it."
Wei Yunxi smiled with a hint of mischief.
Xun Kun's teeth ground audibly. He cupped his hands. "Many thanks, Ran Xi Daoyou, for the reminder."
He rose to take his leave.
Wei Yunxi did not stop him. She stroked her chin and muttered to herself, "Tsk tsk. Why be so bent on the wrong path, throwing yourself at a man who does not like you? With that kind of determination, how could the Great Dao be hard to achieve?"