Although Han Lian did not agree with Yunxi's generosity, she respected the decision. In her view, Yunxi would not do something like this without reason. She accepted the jade slip and went to see her master.
When Han Lian arrived at her master's cave dwelling, Hao Miaoling was already there. Before Han Lian could speak, Hao Miaoling stepped forward and bowed. "Senior Sister Han Lian, this matter was my negligence. I should not have sought you out before understanding the situation, putting you in a difficult position."
Her attitude seemed sincere, her eyes lowered in a properly chastened apology.
Han Lian only glanced at her and said nothing. The deed was done and the damage caused. An apology would not fix it.
Han Xiao Zūnzhě cleared her throat. "Han Lian, Miaoling is at fault, but she was influenced by others. Some disciples spoke half-truths within her hearing, hinting that she should seek you to resolve my dilemma.
Those people have been seized. They admitted they were hired and paid spirit stones. We are still tracing the hand behind them and will root out the mastermind."
Han Lian merely nodded, then presented the jade slip Yunxi had given her. "Master, this is the formula from Ran Xi. On my account, she is willing to let you read it first. If you still wish to proceed with the transaction after seeing it, she will sell the formula to the sect for the price of one mid-grade ice spiritual vein, and promises that aside from Haoran Sect, she will not sell this formula to any other sect or clan."
Han Xiao Zūnzhě accepted the jade slip without hesitation. She had not expected her disciple's face to carry such weight. This clearly let Jihan Gate take advantage. She nodded. "Ran Xi has considered things thoroughly. I guarantee that whether or not the sect purchases this formula, its contents will not leak from me."
This concerned a Divine Transformation Zūnzhě's honor. Han Xiao had no wish to be looked down upon by Ran Xi.
She sank her divine sense into the jade slip. As she read, her brows unconsciously drew tight. The listed ingredients for refining a forced breakthrough potion included one hundred spirit herbs and one hundred demonic herbs. Even leaving aside the sheer number, two of the primary ingredients had long gone extinct in the Weiyu Realm.
Of the ten more important adjuvants, one was the root of the Shengji Tree. Jihan Gate did not have one, and even though Medicine King Valley possessed a Shengji Tree, they would hardly sell its root. Anyone knew that damaging the root system could doom the plant.
"No wonder Ran Xi allowed me to read it first. Even with the full strength of the sect, we would be lucky to gather seventy percent of the materials."
Han Lian had not looked. She also disdained taking such a bargain. She was just about to ask a question when Hao Miaoling suddenly screamed, toppled to the floor, and began vomiting blood. The blood was pitch black.
Han Xiao Zūnzhě flashed to her side and flicked a pill into her mouth to halt the bleeding. Hao Miaoling panted hoarsely. "Master, save me."
Han Lian saw black markings appear on Hao Miaoling's exposed skin, spreading along her meridians across her entire body.
Han Xiao's face went cold. Several threads of ice spiritual power shot out, halting the advance of the black lines. She turned to Han Lian. "Miaoling has been poisoned. Send a message talisman to your Martial Uncle Han Ying."
"Yes."
Han Lian formed an ice blossom with a raised hand and sent it toward Han Ying's cave, then muttered, "How did she get poisoned out of nowhere?"
Though still conscious, Hao Miaoling clutched Han Xiao's sleeve. "Master, it… was Ran Xi Zūnzhě. She… is taking revenge… on me."
Han Lian's face darkened. "Silence. Do not slander a Divine Transformation cultivator."
Han Xiao also frowned. In her view, Ran Xi would not do such a thing within Jihan Gate. Even if displeased, she would not embarrass Han Lian. But Hao Miaoling's condition was urgent. "Han Lian, do not heed Miaoling's nonsense. I will punish her. I recall Ran Xi is the inheritor of Yixian Gate, her medical skill should be strong. Could you invite her to take a look?"
Han Lian was nearly livid, but she kept her reason and nodded. "I will invite her personally."
She left just as Han Ying arrived, the two passing at the threshold.
Seeing Han Lian's grim face, Han Ying raised a brow and stepped inside.
Elsewhere, Yunxi was waiting for Han Lian to come. She, too, was gambling. Would Hao Miaoling be that bold? The bait had been laid. Whether the fish bit or not, Yunxi would lose nothing.
When Han Lian appeared, she could not find the right expression to wear. She stated her purpose succinctly and then added, "Ran Xi, if you do not wish to go, remain on the guest peak. I will handle the rest."
"It is fine. I will take a look. She is your junior sister. As your friend, I cannot simply fold my arms and watch. If I did, would that not sow estrangement between you and Han Xiao Zūnzhě? It is only taking a pulse. It will not take long."
Yunxi spoke generously.
Now certain Hao Miaoling had bitten, she would of course go in person. This was the best chance to get the black token.
"Thank you."
Han Lian could only say those two words, then led Yunxi to Han Xiao's cave dwelling.
By the time they arrived, Han Ying had finished taking the pulse, but she could only shake her head at Han Xiao.
Han Xiao was stunned. "Han Ying, what poison is this? Even a fifth-grade detoxifying pill is useless?"
Han Ying shook her head. "I do not know what poison it is. It affects not only the body but the soul as well. It is a mixed poison. I can see no more than that. This is not my field."
Hao Miaoling could feel the poison still creeping through her body. Only the intervention of a Divine Transformation cultivator had slowed it. When she saw Han Lian and Ran Xi enter, she could only plead, "Senior Sister, Ran Xi Zūnzhě, please save me."
She spat another mouthful of black blood.
Yunxi regarded the wretched figure, then sent a single thread of spiritual power into Hao Miaoling's body, confirming that the poison she had placed was working. She withdrew the thread and said,"Han Xiao Zūnzhě, I can cure your disciple, but she must exchange one thing for the antidote."
Hao Miaoling spoke before her master. She wiped the blood from her lips. "Ran Xi Zūnzhě, what do you want?"
Yunxi smiled faintly. "The black token in your hand."
At that, Hao Miaoling's expression changed. She abandoned her body at once, burning her soul in a bid to flee.
In the next instant, three spells struck in unison, trapping the departing soul within Han Xiao's cave dwelling. Yunxi stepped forward and looked the rapidly blackening soul up and down. Her voice was cold. "Zuo Qiu, long time no see."