Western Region, Haoran Sect
Inside the Hive, Yu Ling immediately received word from the Northern Region. The jade slip reported an anomaly in the Polar Extreme Wind Zone, a notorious danger zone in the north. All cultivators who entered to train or search for the entrance to the Misty Snow Domain had vanished without a trace.
After reading the detailed report, Yu Ling sighed softly. He had expected trouble the moment Ran Xi set foot in the Northern Region.
Xiao He, whose news had gone silent for a long time, was also in the north. He had given Ran Xi crucial information that allowed her to confirm Hao Miaoling's identity as an evil cultivator. That trail had also brought the mysterious black token back into the light.
Ran Xi had first exposed Hao Miaoling, the seemingly innocent Junior Sister of Jihan Gate, as an evil cultivator. To make matters worse, Hao Miaoling's body had been seized by Zuo Qiu, a fugitive who had infiltrated Jihan Gate for over ten years.
If Zuo Qiu had not coveted the breakthrough potion in Ran Xi's possession, he might never have revealed himself. In the end, Ran Xi thoroughly eliminated him, effectively cleansing Jihan Gate and doing Haoran Sect a favor.
When Yu Ling received this news, he was unsure how to feel. Perhaps because Ran Xi was a "variable," she seemed like a magnet, constantly attracting unusual individuals and events.
Following the trail left by Zuo Qiu, Ran Xi had helped Jihan Gate purge infiltrators and discovered that the evil cultivators' true target in the north was the Misty Snow Domain.
Yu Ling speculated that the anomaly in the Polar Extreme Wind Zone marked the Misty Snow Domain's opening. Ran Xi and her companions were likely drawn inside. But with the domain now vanished without a trace, their safety remained unknown.
Still, Yu Ling ordered the Hive's agents to keep a close watch on the Polar Extreme Wind Zone.
Ancestor Hao Yi also received the report. She turned to Hao Yan and remarked: "Ran Xi has become far bolder since stepping into the Divine Transformation stage. She dared to enter the Polar Extreme Wind Zone. Who knows where she's ended up this time?"
Hao Yan narrowed her phoenix eyes, her tone calm and unconcerned: "Ancestor, you need not worry. When Ran Xi returns, she might have advanced even further."
Ancestor Hao Yi shook her head. "I am not concerned for Ran Xi's safety. She has her own destiny. But Weiyu Realm grows increasingly unstable. I wonder when Hao Hui will return from Mingjian Gate."
At that very moment, Hao Hui was deep in conversation with Ming Hong in the back mountains of Mingjian Gate. The air between them was heavy.
Hao Hui, usually carefree, frowned deeply. "Ming Hong, is this matter true beyond doubt?"
Ming Hong nodded gravely. "Such matters are not ones Mingjian Gate would jest about."
It wasn't that Hao Hui doubted him, but he wanted further confirmation. "Ming Hong, it's not that I don't trust you, but Haoran Sect has been cut off from the Upper Realm for some time. How did Mingjian Gate receive this news?"
Ming Hong understood his doubts. He replied in a low voice:
"One of our Ascended Ancestors sent his natal sword down. No, to be precise, the heavily damaged sword broke through realms of its own accord to deliver word of his fall. The sword spirit dissipated shortly thereafter."
Hao Hui's heart sank with a heavy thud. He instantly realized the gravity of the situation. "Has the Upper Realm's situation grown so dire?"
"Yes. The righteous and demonic factions are already at war. Before his fall, our Ancestor sent his natal sword to warn us that we must not allow the evil cultivators to wreak havoc in Weiyu Realm. He stressed that Weiyu Realm must not be lost."
Hao Hui rubbed his fingers together, pondering aloud. "What in Weiyu Realm could be drawing such interest from the evil cultivators? Could it be the demonic artifact, Long Ya?"
Ming Hong shook his head. "I do not know. But after the battle over the Shanhe Scroll, Long Ya was sealed once more by Huaxian Gate. It poses no immediate threat to Weiyu Realm."
Hao Hui tapped his finger against the jade table. "Then should we send someone to ascend and gather intelligence?"
Ming Hong didn't object. "I already brought this up with Senior Brother Ming Jia. He said he must first find someone before deciding whether to push Ming Xian to ascend. This opportunity is critical."
Hao Hui nodded in understanding. Clearly, Ming Jia Zūnzhě already had a plan. "Do you know who he's seeking?"
"The 'mad old man' Feng Fen of Tianyun Gate."
The man they spoke of, Feng Fen, was now residing permanently in Qianling City. He had taken refuge with his disciple, Su Qingzhuo, and become a guest elder of the Su family.
After encountering Yunxi in the Central Region, Feng Fen had wasted no time watching the excitement of the Five Region Grand Tournament. He boarded a flying boat that very day, heading straight to Qianling City.
By the time the Shanhe Scroll incident erupted, he had already reunited with Su Qingzhuo, the sole inheritor of Tianyun Gate. Their reunion was heartfelt, and they spent much time reminiscing.
Through their conversation, Feng Fen pieced together how Ran Xi had helped his disciple escape a deadly calamity.
"Master, thanks to Ran Xi Zhēnjūn's warning, I began investigating the disappearance of our family's secret realm upon returning home. Coincidentally, the family head was also investigating. This matter involved an evil cultivator, Xiao He.
When the family head learned I was looking into it, he summoned me. Given the gravity of the Su family's safety, I dared not conceal anything and relayed Daoyou Ran Xi's words to him. The family head took it seriously, deploying our elites to uncover the truth behind the realm's disappearance.
In the end, we discovered that a branch family of the Su clan was colluding with evil cultivators. They 'lent' the secret realm to them. The realm's disappearance wasn't due to exhausted resources but because a fierce battle within destabilized it, causing it to slip into the void."
Feng Fen's eyes flashed with insight. "Could the one who fought those evil cultivators in the realm have been Ran Xi Daoyou?"
Su Qingzhuo froze. "That's… impossible, isn't it? How would she even get inside?"
His voice trailed off. Given the betrayal of the Su family's branch, evil cultivators had come and gone freely. With Ran Xi Zhēnjūn's abilities, slipping inside wouldn't have been difficult.
Feng Fen continued, "If it was her, she could certainly manage it.
Think about it. She indirectly saved the Su family. If word had gotten out that we were harboring evil cultivators in a sealed realm, do you think the Su family would have survived?
And if the Su family had fallen, what fate awaited you? You are my only disciple. Could I stand by and watch you perish?
This entire affair was a calculated plot by the evil cultivators. Every step was meant to destroy the Su family and sever Tianyun Gate's legacy."
Su Qingzhuo's jaw dropped. Only now did he understand the full weight of the divination his master had cast. The "benefactor" he had stumbled upon was truly his savior.
Meanwhile, Ming Jia's presence had already reached Qianling City. Instead of visiting the Su family directly, he sent Feng Fen a message talisman and waited quietly in a secluded tavern.
Misty Snow Domain
Yunxi stirred her divine sense, commanding the Golden Armor to vanish once again. She circulated Zi Yan through her meridians, purging the lingering cold. From her storage bracelet, she took out the white cloak she'd purchased earlier and wrapped herself in it. Once warmth seeped back into her body, she turned to Xun Kun. "We need to regroup with Yun Chen and Han Lian as soon as possible."