"Master, are you saying that the female cultivator named Jin Can, the Foundation Establishment cultivator we met before, gave Xun Kun Zhēnjūn an aphrodisiac? Tsk tsk! She's truly bold, daring to use such means on a Yuányīng Zhēnjūn."
Dian Dian crawled out from Yunxi's sleeve hem, speaking with disbelief.
Yunxi shrugged. "Perhaps she is infatuated with Xun Kun Zhēnjūn, or maybe she has other plans."
Yunxi had no intention of meddling in other people's private affairs. The only reason she spoke of this was because Xun Kun had come to her seeking help. Otherwise, she would never have mentioned it.
As for how Xun Kun ultimately dealt with Jin Can's matter, Yunxi did not know. What she did know was that in the following days, disciples of Haoran Sect were frequently challenged by cultivators of Kunmo Sect, and some even ended up injured. This was what finally drew Yunxi's attention.
Frowning, she reported briefly to Hao Yan Zūnzhě, then flashed her figure to Huaxian Gate's dueling arena.
Before she even appeared, Yunxi saw disciples of Kunmo Sect surrounding Qin Tongshuang and Long Daoyu.
Both had been selected through their sect's screening and now stood among the chosen participants for Haoran Sect's competition team.
Qin Tongshuang and Long Daoyu were both at the peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage. It was clear they were aiming for a strong performance in the Foundation Establishment duels. Now faced with the unreasonable harassment of Kunmo Sect disciples, they were visibly annoyed but hadn't lost their tempers enough to accept a challenge outright.
Yunxi raised her hand and sent Xun Kun a message talisman, asking him to come to Huaxian Gate's arena.
Receiving her message, Xun Kun did not delay and quickly appeared at the outer arena, where the liveliest crowd had gathered from all regions. It was impossible to miss this place.
"Ran Xi Daoyou, what urgent matter brings you to summon me here?"
Upon spotting Yunxi, Xun Kun cupped his hands in greeting.
Yunxi did not turn to face him, merely pointing toward the two disciples being surrounded.
"Those two are Haoran Sect's Foundation Establishment disciples. They already fought on stage once today. Per my instructions, they are not allowed to duel again today to maintain their condition. They refused further challenges, yet Kunmo Sect disciples insist on pressing them. Don't you think that is improper?"
Xun Kun's spiritual sense was far from useless. Even by examining the robes of both sides, he could easily guess the situation. Pressing his lips together, he sent a voice transmission to the Kunmo Sect disciple leading the harassment.
The disciple's expression shifted instantly. He glanced around but could not locate Xun Kun Zhēnjūn. Turning to his companions, he said, "Let's go."
He was the first to leave, and seeing their instigator depart, the other Kunmo Sect disciples followed suit.
Qin Tongshuang and Long Daoyu exchanged a look, then also left the arena.
Looking somewhat embarrassed, Xun Kun cupped his hands again. "Ran Xi Daoyou, Kunmo Sect's disciples were indeed out of line."
Yunxi raised her hand, halting his apology. "Xun Kun Daoyou, it is normal for disciples to spar and test each other. However, the Grand Tournament begins in two days. I instructed my disciples to only fight once daily to maintain their best condition.
Yet in the past three days, Haoran Sect disciples have repeatedly been injured, all during sparring with Kunmo Sect disciples. Their apologies were quite polite, claiming they 'got carried away' and accidentally struck too hard.
Xun Kun Daoyou, do you truly believe that excuse?"
Xun Kun felt heat rise in his face. He coughed lightly, intending to explain, but Yunxi gave him no chance. Her voice was direct. "Xun Kun Daoyou, is this because I helped you identify the aphrodisiac, thwarting Jin Can's scheme, and now those behind her have turned their anger toward Haoran Sect?"
That was the only logical explanation she could think of. Her connection with Kunmo Sect was limited to Xun Kun Zhēnjūn. She had slain Xin Qiujian, but it had been proven that his body was possessed by an evil cultivator. By rights, Kunmo Sect still owed Haoran Sect a favor. There was no reason for them to stir trouble like this.
"Ran Xi Daoyou, I mishandled this matter."
Xun Kun could not argue. The issue truly began because of him, though he had never imagined Wu Tong Zūnzhě would resort to such measures to make things difficult for Haoran Sect.
Yunxi waved her hand dismissively, uninterested in digging deeper. "The matter has already occurred. At the very least, I need to know which elder from Kunmo Sect is behind this."
"It is Wu Tong Zūnzhě. He is Jin Can's great-grandfather."
Knowing Yunxi's temperament, Xun Kun realized she would uncover the truth even if he said nothing. Since the trouble had originated with him, he chose to speak plainly.
Yunxi understood immediately. Wu Tong Zūnzhě clearly favored his descendant and wanted her relationship with Xun Kun to progress. Using underhanded tactics was nothing to him.
Unfortunately for him, Xun Kun had no interest in Jin Can, and Yunxi's intervention had ruined her plan, disrupting Wu Tong's scheme. He dared not target Lin Lang Zūnzhě's prized disciple directly, so Haoran Sect became the outlet for his frustration.
Yunxi shook her head. "I understand. See you at the Grand Tournament in two days."
With that, she turned and vanished back to the guest peak of the Western Region.
News of Yunxi and Xun Kun meeting at the arena quickly reached Wu Tong Zūnzhě.
As Kunmo Sect's supervising elder for this event, Wu Tong had initially planned to use the opportunity to help his great-granddaughter grow closer to Xun Kun. Unexpectedly, the girl's impatience after Yunxi's appearance had led to a disastrous misstep.
Once Xun Kun discovered the drugs Jin Can had laced in both the spirit wine and on her own body, his face darkened with humiliation. He rejected Jin Can outright as a disciple and refused any further contact with her.
Wu Tong, infuriated but unable to lash out openly, scolded Jin Can severely, warning her to stay away from Xun Kun. Then, he subtly encouraged Kunmo Sect disciples to challenge those of Haoran Sect, hoping to sow discord between Xun Kun and Yunxi.
From Wu Tong's perspective, even if Xun Kun would not choose his great-granddaughter, he did not want him growing close to Yunxi either. After all, Jin Can was far from his only descendant.
If Xun Kun had known Wu Tong Zūnzhě's true intentions, he would likely have coughed up blood.
Over the next two days, fewer cultivators visited the arena. With the Grand Tournament imminent, everyone was conserving strength and preparing to make a splash during the matches.
Within Huaxian Gate, outward appearances were relaxed, but tension ran high. They scrutinized every suspicious sign, having already received intelligence that evil cultivators might attempt to stir trouble. There was no room for complacency.
Two days later, the Five Region Grand Tournament officially began. As the host of the competition, Huaxian Gate's Hua Yu Zūnzhě gave a brief opening speech, wasting no time before announcing the start of the tournament.
A golden scroll unfurled above Huaxian Gate, listing the rules and rewards of the competition.
Since the Foundation Establishment division had the most participants, the first day featured chaotic group battles. Only those still standing on the stage after a single incense stick's time would advance to the next round. After three rounds of chaotic fights, the competition would transition to one-on-one duels.
The Golden Core division matches were randomized one-on-one duels, with winners advancing until the top ten were decided. The final stage featured challenge rounds, where each Golden Core cultivator had three chances to both challenge others and be challenged, giving them a shot at squeezing into the top hundred with the right strategy.
The Nascent Soul duels, the highlight of the event, were scheduled last. The number of participants was limited, but more importantly, their destructive power required Divine Transformation cultivators to personally oversee the matches.
Yunxi stared at the enormous golden scroll hanging in the air, lost in thought.