Han Xiao Zūnzhě listened to Han Lian's words, furrowing her brows slightly before speaking. "You are right. With your current cultivation, it is indeed not suitable for you to train on the same peak as me anymore. Which peak have you chosen?"
"I have chosen Youhan Peak. It is close to Master, so I can easily come and seek guidance." Han Lian answered respectfully.
Han Xiao Zūnzhě waved her hand. "With your cultivation now, there is little I can teach you. The rest will depend on your own comprehension and accumulation of spiritual power."
"A master for a day is a master for life. There is still much this disciple needs to learn." Han Lian replied with polite words.
At that moment, Hao Miaoling knocked on the protective barrier, holding a jade slip in her hand, seemingly seeking guidance.
Han Lian's bold eyebrows furrowed slightly, but she turned to her master with a smile. "Master, you accepted Miaoling as your disciple, but why didn't you hold an initiation ceremony?"
Han Xiao Zūnzhě flicked her sleeve to open the barrier and let Hao Miaoling in before answering. "Of the Nascent Soul cultivators who joined the Five Region Grand Tournament, most have fallen. Only you and Han Xi returned. I did not want to draw attention, so Miaoling has been wronged by the lack of ceremony."
Han Lian's expression remained unchanged. "Master is right. It is better to keep a low profile at this time. However, I prepared a gift for Junior Sister's entry into the sect. Consider it a token of my goodwill."
She took out a storage pouch from her sleeve and sent it to Hao Miaoling with spiritual power.
Hao Miaoling instinctively caught it, then looked at Han Xiao Zūnzhě.
"This is a gift from your senior sister. Accept it."
Hao Miaoling cupped her hands in thanks. "Thank you for your generosity, Senior Sister."
Han Lian smiled. "Miaoling, since you call me Senior Sister, we are family. You must cultivate diligently under Master's guidance and bring honor to her name."
"Yes, I will remember this." Hao Miaoling replied respectfully.
With formalities completed and business concluded, Han Lian took her leave, preparing to relocate to Youhan Peak as soon as possible.
By the time Hao Miaoling learned that Han Lian had taken command of her own peak and moved out, it was already the next day.
Han Lian then took the three others to Youye Pavilion, the largest store in Jihan City, to purchase supplies for their journey into the Misty Snow Domain.
Each of the four now possessed generous compensation in their storage rings, enough to make up for what they lost in the Shanhe Scroll. Yunxi, in particular, was now the wealthiest of the group.
Survivors of the Shanhe Scroll had pooled much of their spirit stones to repay Yunxi for the genetic enhancement potions she had bought them. The spirit stones and pills she had given them before had also been returned in full.
Back then, none of them knew if they would survive the sealed land. All they cared about was killing as many evil spirits as possible, so they had accepted Yunxi's help without hesitation. Now that they had returned alive, it was only right to repay her.
When they entered Youye Pavilion, the shopkeeper personally escorted the four of them to the top floor. He bowed respectfully with a wide smile.
"Honored guests, what items do you wish to purchase?"
Han Lian spoke directly. "We need cold-resistant robes and equipment. Bring us the best you have. We will choose ourselves."
The shopkeeper's smile grew brighter. "Certainly. Please wait a moment. I will fetch them immediately. In the meantime, please enjoy some spirit tea."
With a wave of his hand, attendants served tea. The shopkeeper hurried away to retrieve his best treasures, confident that he would make a major sale.
Meanwhile, Haoran Sect's flying boat had returned to the Western Region, parting ways with Mingjian Gate and the Loose Cultivator Alliance. Xiang Sizhi entrusted Hao Yan with a message for Hao Yi, then left with the remaining disciples of the Loose Cultivator Alliance.
Ming Hong also said he would visit Haoran Sect later. Shi Jun, not having seen Ran Xi, assumed she had returned early to the sect. He planned to repay his debt of spirit stones before visiting.
When Yu Ling and the other two returned to their sect, they took Lin Keyang and Zhang Lingrui to meet Ancestor Hao Yi to recount events in detail. As for Wei Yunqing, she had been deliberately excluded.
Wei Yunqing herself did not want to appear before Ancestor Hao Yi. Having already been terrified by Yu Ling Zūnzhě, the thought of meeting the legendary ancestor made her feel like a transparent figure before them. She decided it was best to stay low-key.
So Wei Yunqing returned to her Spirit Beast Peak and pretended to be in seclusion to consolidate her cultivation, which spared Lin Keyang and Zhang Lingrui much trouble.
After Lin Keyang and Zhang Lingrui reported the events of their ten years in the Shanhe Scroll, Hao Hui took them to receive rewards, update their identity tokens, and choose new peaks.
Hao Yi then turned to Yu Ling. "Ran Xi did not return."
Yu Ling nodded. "Yes. After leaving the Shanhe Scroll, she went to Medicine King Valley, then took Jihan Sect's flying boat to the Northern Region. She said the Misty Snow Domain is opening soon and she wants to temper herself."
Hao Yi shook his head helplessly. "She truly cannot sit still. Were ten years in the sealed land not enough for her? Could she not rest a while before heading off again?"
Yu Ling was unconcerned. "We used to worry that evil cultivators would target Ran Xi, afraid she could not defend herself. Now that she has advanced to Divine Transformation, she can handle their schemes. Consider this a way for her to unwind."
Hao Yi shot Yu Ling a sideways glance. "You are far too calm about this. Still, with her great sacrifice this time, I hope Huaxian Gate's compensation was at least acceptable?"
Yu Ling replied. "They offered a top-grade spiritual vein. Ran Xi refused to take more. They even tried to pass the Shanhe Scroll to her, but she wasn't interested."
"Tch. Huaxian Gate is becoming more and more shameless." Hao Yan narrowed her phoenix eyes.
"Ancestor, do you think Huaxian Gate knows something? Could they still be in contact with the Spirit Realm?"
This was her greatest doubt.
Yu Ling rubbed his fingers thoughtfully.
"According to the latest information from the Hive, Huaxian Gate seems to be deliberately nurturing high-level cultivators. Among the Nascent Soul cultivators they sent to the Five Region Grand Tournament, they had the fewest disciples. It seems they reduced their numbers intentionally."
Hao Yi sneered. "They clearly knew something was wrong with the Shanhe Scroll but still shifted the risk onto other Nascent Soul cultivators. I doubt they expected to be so thoroughly exploited by evil cultivators."
"Shall we investigate further?" Yu Ling asked.
Hao Yi waved a hand. "No. Do not alert them. I will discuss this with Ming Jia."
"Yes, Ancestor."
With that, Yu Ling returned to the Hive to oversee operations. The long delay had left a mountain of jade slips awaiting him.
Sect Master Yu Geng also learned of everything from Sheng Yuhong and could not help but sigh at Ran Xi's unpredictable nature. Against all odds, she had carved out a path of survival.
Though she had destroyed her natal protective artifact, she had still advanced to Divine Transformation. None of the old veterans could match such progress.
As Yu Geng finished his thoughts, he noticed Sheng Yuhong's low spirits. Clearing his throat, he said, "Yuhong, the tournament has just ended. Go into seclusion and settle your mind. You performed well."
"Yes, Master. My cultivation is still too low. Otherwise, I could have brought more glory to the sect."