Wei Yunqing blocked Sheng Yuhong's path, raising the airs of a Martial Uncle as she spoke."Martial Nephew Sheng, I heard your performance in this Grand Tournament was commendable, and you ranked within the top hundred of the Five Region Grand Tournament."
Sheng Yuhong lowered his gaze. "Just a stroke of luck. Martial Uncle Wei overpraises."
Seeing his unwillingness to engage further, Wei Yunqing felt a spark of irritation, but knowing this was not the right place for an outburst, she pressed on with a cold face. "Martial Nephew Sheng, do you know where Ran Xi went?"
Since boarding the flying boat, she hadn't seen Wei Yunxi again. Spotting Sheng Yuhong was a good chance to ask.
Sheng Yuhong remained courteous and calm. "I am not sure. If Martial Uncle Wei wishes to find her, you could send a message talisman. Yu Ling Zunzhě is also aboard this flying boat. You may ask him directly."
The mention of Yu Ling Zunzhě's name made Wei Yunqing instantly give up the idea. She had heard much of Wei Yunxi's master, once even envying her, but ever since learning that her nominal master Zuo Qiu intended to kill Yu Ling, she avoided Yu Ling as much as possible, terrified of being dragged into the feud.
Wei Yunqing understood clearly: she could throw her weight around with Yunxi so long as she didn't cross her sister's bottom line. The worst outcome would be a beating, for blood ties offered her protection. But Yu Ling Zunzhě was different. The man could flick his fingers and end her life in an instant.
So, after Sheng Yuhong spoke, Wei Yunqing dropped the matter entirely, waving him off. Sheng Yuhong, unbothered, offered her a polite cupped-hand salute before turning back to his cabin.
Wei Yunqing was about to return to her own cabin when she turned and saw Zhang Lingrui. The arrogance on her face vanished at once. Her lips twitched as she forced a greeting. "Martial Uncle Zhang, you're out for a stroll too."
Zhang Lingrui sneered, his gaze sweeping over her from head to toe before he spoke. "Wei Yunqing, it's only been a few days, and you're already swaggering again. Do you think that with Ran Xi gone, no one can keep you in check?"
"No, not at all!" Wei Yunqing blurted, terrified that a slow response would anger this killing god.
After spending ten years in the Sealed Land, Wei Yunqing knew well that Yunxi's companions were all dangerous people, but Zhang Lingrui, a sword cultivator, was especially terrifying. During their fiercest battles against Out-of-Body evil souls, he was always at the heart of the formation, his sword radiating a momentum that tore through everything. Even when facing Out-of-Body-level evil souls, he never faltered.
The murderous intent surrounding Zhang Lingrui made her afraid to even approach him. Even from a distance, she felt his killing aura scrape against her skin. Naturally, she shrank before him.
Zhang Lingrui's smile held no warmth. "Ran Xi said your breakthrough to late Nascent Soul was extremely arduous, so we should keep a closer eye on you. She also said your cultivation is unstable and asked me to make sure you return and enter seclusion to consolidate your realm. Stop wandering about."
Wei Yunqing's lips twitched. Of course Wei Yunxi wouldn't let her off easily. So this was the trap she'd laid.
Enjoying the sight of her sullen expression, Zhang Lingrui continued, "What is it? You're asking about Ran Xi's whereabouts—planning to follow her?"
Wei Yunqing waved her hands quickly. "No, I was just worried because I hadn't seen her. She only advanced to Divine Transformation recently."
"Oh? So you're concerned for Ran Xi? Then send her a message talisman. I'm sure she'll be delighted to receive it."
"Mm… Oh! Yes! I'll go send it right away." She spun around and scurried into her cabin.
Lin Keyang appeared at Zhang Lingrui's side and said with a faint smile, "Stop frightening her. Those ten years in the Sealed Land already made her much more obedient."
"Hmph! Who knows if it's just an act? In the Sealed Land, she was at the very bottom—her combat strength and cultivation were laughable. We were risking our lives, while she seemed useless. But now that we're out of the Shanhe Scroll, she's late Nascent Soul and quite intimidating. She's already trying to challenge the Sect Master's disciple under our noses."
He sneered, "Ran Xi was right. A dog can't change its nature. We'd better keep an eye on her so she doesn't throw her weight around in the Sect and cause trouble for the Wei family."
Lin Keyang didn't argue. Before leaving for Medicine King Valley, Ran Xi had deliberately asked both of them to "watch over" Wei Yunqing, lightly mentioning that she feared her sister would be manipulated if she grew too arrogant.
Knowing Ran Xi's temperament, a deliberate reminder carried great weight, so both men naturally took her words seriously.
Zhang Lingrui continued, "This time, Wei Yunqing was lucky to leave the Shanhe Scroll alive, and she even advanced to late Nascent Soul. She's been heavily compensated by Huaxian Gate and lacks nothing now.
In the Sealed Land, our opponents were too strong, which made her look weak. But now that we're back, with her strength, she could easily wipe out a small sect. Ran Xi knows her sister well and fears she'll abuse her power, so she asked us to keep her in check."
Lin Keyang crossed his arms and nodded in agreement. "In that case, once we return to Haoran Sect, let's send her into a closed-door life-and-death retreat for fifty years. That should stabilize her cultivation nicely."
Zhang Lingrui chuckled darkly. "Fifty years is too short. Make it a hundred."
"Alright, I'll go with that." The two quickly reached an agreement.
Meanwhile, back in her cabin, Wei Yunqing muttered curses, wishing Zhang Lingrui would fall into qi deviation, unaware that her next hundred years of cultivation had already been arranged by others.
North Region, Jihan Gate
After Yunxi and Xun Kun boarded the Jihan Gate's flying boat, the sect accelerated its speed. Half a month later, they arrived at the sect's main plaza.
As the flying boat hovered in midair, disciples of the Jihan Gate flew out from their cabins, heading toward the tallest mountain, Jihan Peak.
Han Lian escorted her three companions to the sect's guest peak and apologized. "Friends, please rest here for two days. I must see my master and elders to report on the events in the Shanhe Scroll. It should take no more than three days."
"Amitabha! Han Lian Daoyou, please go ahead. We'll take the time to recover."
"Yes, Han Lian, don't worry about us. No one would dare trouble us now," Yunxi said with a smile.
Xun Kun spoke simply, "Go on. We can manage ourselves."
Han Lian returned the smile, offered a cupped-hand salute, and vanished from the guest peak.
She went straight to her master Han Xiao's cave residence, only to find a young female cultivator inside, tending to her master with great familiarity, brewing tea for her.
The young woman rose upon Han Lian's entrance, bowing respectfully. "Disciple Hao Miaoling greets Han Lian Zūnzhě."
Han Lian waved her sleeve, lifting the girl effortlessly, then turned to her master with a bow."Master, your disciple has returned."
Han Xiao looked at her disciple, now a Divine Transformation cultivator, with satisfaction. A warm smile spread over her face. "Sit. Let us speak."
After Han Lian sat down, Hao Miaoling brought her a cup of spiritual tea but made no move to leave. Han Lian frowned. "You may go. I have matters to discuss with Master."