Wu Tong Zūnzhě lifted his eyelids and glanced at the calm-voiced Xun Kun, then sighed.
"Xun Kun, Haoran Sect cultivators targeted Kunmo Sect disciples and knocked Jin Can off the stage. You just watched it happen?"
Xun Kun gave Jin Can a brief, indifferent look. "Zūnzhě, I was not focused solely on Kunmo Sect. I observed the battles of all Southern Region disciples. Jin Can was knocked down by a late Foundation Establishment disciple. At the time, she reacted a full three breaths slower than others.
As for Haoran Sect targeting Kunmo Sect, I am not surprised. Before the tournament, it was Kunmo Sect disciples who provoked first and even injured Haoran Sect disciples. Haoran Sect did not complain then."
His meaning was clear: Jin Can lacked skill and should not blame others. She had no self-awareness, yet still came to lodge a complaint.
As for being targeted, Kunmo Sect had started the provocations. The only reason they had not suffered earlier was Haoran Sect's restraint. Now that Haoran Sect was taking back momentum through open duels, what could he say? He could only watch.
Jin Can's heart truly ached. With a soft plop, tears fell from her eyes.
Wu Tong Zūnzhě patted her shoulder in comfort, drew a slow breath, and said, "Xun Kun, no matter what, Jin Can is a disciple of Kunmo Sect. You should protect her more."
"I will protect every Kunmo Sect disciple. Outside the sect, I naturally put sect interests first. However, when facing evil cultivators, the cultivators of the five regions must stand together."
Xun Kun's reply was steady.
Understanding the implication in his words, Jin Can felt even more aggrieved. It was as if her dignity had been crushed beneath his feet. She covered her face and rushed out of Wu Tong Zūnzhě's cave.
As she dashed out, Xun Kun even shifted aside to clear the exit. Wu Tong Zūnzhě could only feel helpless. Just as he was about to say more, a message talisman flew to Xun Kun. Sun Yan's voice came from within. "Xun Kun, something happened!"
Xun Kun swept his sleeve and put the talisman away, then cupped his hands to Wu Tong. "Zūnzhě, I will go take a look."
Wu Tong waved a hand, allowing him to leave, though he also released his spiritual sense to search for Jin Can's whereabouts.
Outside the cave, Xun Kun flashed over to Sun Yan's side and cupped his hands. "Sun Yan, thank you for helping me out of that."
Sun Yan shook his head. "It really is an incident."
Xun Kun's expression turned serious. "What is it?"
"Foundation Establishment disciples eliminated during the three chaotic rounds appear to be poisoned. Huaxian Gate has invited medical cultivators to examine them."
"Is this only happening to our Kunmo Sect disciples, or to eliminated disciples from all five regions?"
Sun Yan's voice sank. "Only Kunmo Sect disciples are affected."
At that, Xun Kun's heart gave a heavy thump. This was targeted.
Elsewhere, Ran Xi received the news almost at the same time. After thinking it over, she felt something was off and flashed to the peak.
Xiang Sizi was already speaking with Hao Yan about Kunmo Sect disciples suspected of poisoning.
Hao Yan's phoenix eyes narrowed, her expression displeased. "Tsk, tsk. This is clearly aimed at our Western Region. They are not even bothering to hide it."
Xiang Sizi's beautiful eyes turned. "Do not rush. Let us see what the other party intends. For Huaxian Gate, the number one sect of the Central Region, detoxification is hardly a challenge."
"I fear someone will stir up trouble in the middle."
Xiang Sizi's red lips curved. "Then those are precisely the people we are waiting for."
When Ran Xi appeared before them, she bowed respectfully. "Honored Zūnzhě, I have just received word that Kunmo Sect disciples have been poisoned."
Hao Yan waved for Ran Xi to sit and smiled. "You rushed over to see us. You were not coming only to say that, were you?"
Ran Xi chose her words carefully. "Honored Zūnzhě, before the tournament there were minor frictions between Kunmo Sect disciples and Haoran Sect disciples. If we look closely, this matter has some connection to me as well."
She then briefly recounted how she had inadvertently done a good deed that spoiled someone's plan. Finally, she said helplessly, "I was angry, yet I could not truly lay hands on Kunmo Sect's Foundation Establishment disciples. So I gathered Haoran Sect's Foundation Establishment disciples, gave them some pointers, and helped treat their injuries.
That is why, during the chaotic fights, most of Kunmo Sect's Foundation Establishment disciples were eliminated by Haoran Sect."
Xiang Sizi arched a willow brow. "So you believe Kunmo Sect will point the blame at you?"
Ran Xi nodded and answered seriously. "Yes. I am the inheritor of Yixian Gate. Medicine and poison are two sides of one coin. Although I have never displayed poison arts publicly, that does not mean I am incapable."
Xiang Sizi glanced at Hao Yan. "Tsk. Seems the person they want to remove has always been Ran Xi."
Hao Yan's phoenix eyes chilled. Her voice was cool. "Fortunately you are here this time. Otherwise that black pot would have been strapped to your head."
"Honored seniors, what should we do next?"
Ran Xi tossed the question to the two powerhouses.
"Watch and wait."
They answered in unison, then waved Ran Xi off to await further news.
Ran Xi was straightforward. She saluted and returned to her cave residence.
"Cong Shan, has that Shadowscale Serpent made any movement these two days?"
Back in her cave, Ran Xi still felt uneasy and asked.
Cong Shan had been curled up asleep on the meditation cushion. Hearing her, it stretched before replying, "The Shadowscale Serpent is still in deep slumber. It will not wake for a while."
It knew exactly how hard it had hit and how serious the serpent's injuries were.
Dian Dian slipped out from Ran Xi's sleeve, worry in its voice. "Master, they were ruthless this time. They even used framing. It is obvious they want to spark conflict between Haoran Sect and Kunmo Sect, between the Southern Region and the Western Region."
Even a little mouse like it could see it.
Ran Xi rubbed Dian Dian's head. "Do not worry. There are no true fools in the cultivation world. Many things are obvious to those involved. How it is handled will depend on what best suits current interests."
Dian Dian twitched its whiskers. "Evil cultivators are vile."
At that moment, someone touched the restriction on her cave. Ran Xi waved her sleeve to open it and saw a Huaxian Gate disciple standing respectfully outside. "Ran Xi Zhēnjūn, a cultivator claiming to be from Medicine King Valley requests an audience."
Hearing the three words Medicine King Valley, she immediately thought of Ye Yirui. "Invite her in."
"Yes."
Not long after the disciple withdrew, a tall male cultivator entered the cave, the scent of medicine heavy about him. He was mid Nascent Soul stage.
Ran Xi frowned slightly. "And you are?"
The man cupped his hands. "I am Ye Chengbi of Medicine King Valley, Ye Yirui's paternal uncle and an elder of the valley."
Ran Xi searched her memory for information on the man, then a meaningful smile touched her lips. She gestured. "Elder Ye, please sit. To what do I owe the visit?"
Ye Chengbi's pale face wore a perfectly measured smile. After he sat, he spoke. "I have come to invite Ran Xi Zhēnjūn as an honored guest of Medicine King Valley. I heard from Yirui that she is acquainted with you, and you are the inheritor of Yixian Gate. Medicine King Valley and Ran Xi Daoyou share the same lineage. I must ask that you do not refuse."
Ran Xi lifted a brow. "Why did the young valley master not come? She said she would pay a personal visit."
Ye Chengbi sighed. "Ye Yuchen's physical body has deteriorated severely. Yirui has not left his side, so she could not come. I ask Ran Xi Daoyou for understanding."