Southern Region, Kunmo Sect
Lin Lang Zūnzhě took out her disciple's soul lamp and examined it carefully. Confirming that Xun Kun's soul remained stable, she placed it back into her storage bracelet. Ever since her disciple went missing in the Northern Region along with the Misty Snow Domain, this had become part of her daily routine.
But after receiving Hua Tang's message from the Huaxian Gate two days ago, her mood had worsened again. It felt like ever since her disciple's disappearance, there had been no news worth celebrating.
At that moment, a message talisman flew toward her. Lin Lang Zūnzhě caught it with a wave of her hand, scanned it with her divine sense, and her eyes lit up. Her figure vanished from her cave dwelling.
Soon after, several Divine Transformation cultivators of Kunmo Sect quietly left the sect, heading for the largest mountain range in the Southern Region, the Qinghua Mountains.
A month later, a rumor began circulating across the Weiyu Realm: an immortal treasure had descended upon the Qinghua Mountains of the Southern Region. Witnesses claimed they had seen a streak of golden light fall into the range, only for it to disappear without a trace.
This sparked immense excitement, drawing countless cultivators eager to test their luck. Believing themselves fortunate, they gathered their friends and allies to explore the Qinghua Mountains in search of the legendary treasure.
As the rumors spread, the tales became increasingly exaggerated. Some claimed a divine beast had descended, others said it was a top-tier spiritual treasure gaining sentience, while others believed it heralded the appearance of an ancient cultivator's hidden cave. Regardless of the theory, every story pointed to the Qinghua Mountains, luring wave after wave of cultivators to the region.
Meanwhile, the fourth-rank red fox that had managed to snatch the Shanhe Scroll sensed something was amiss. Realizing the scroll it had picked up was a priceless treasure, fear gnawed at it. Convinced it couldn't protect the item, it took on its human form and attempted to sneak out of the Qinghua Mountains with the scroll.
By this time, disciples of the top sects from all five regions of the Weiyu Realm and numerous evil cultivators had gathered in the Qinghua Mountains, hunting for any sign of the Shanhe Scroll.
Hao Qing Zūnzhě and Hao Hui Zūnzhě had also arrived. The Hive's intelligence confirmed the scroll was indeed within the Qinghua Mountains, though its exact hiding place remained unknown.
The two floated high in the air, observing the influx of cultivators streaming through the mountain's entrance.
This was already the largest mountain range in the Southern Region, and a cultivation city had long been established five miles from the entrance. Due to the rumors, Qinghua City had grown unusually lively.
The happiest people were the merchants running businesses there. Their long-stagnant stock was being sold off quickly, and they welcomed guests from all directions with beaming smiles.
Sweeping his divine sense over the bustling scene, Hao Qing Zūnzhě spotted several familiar faces and turned to Hao Hui Zūnzhě.
"Senior Brother, where do you think these people are getting their information? And who's spreading it?"
Hao Hui Zūnzhě shook his head. "Every sect has its own intelligence network. Our Haoran Sect isn't the only one that's planted spies among the evil cultivators.
But the person spreading the rumors is intriguing. They've hidden the truth about the Shanhe Scroll behind layers of lies, yet managed to draw so many high-level cultivators here. I suspect they have another purpose."
Hao Qing Zūnzhě nodded in agreement. "And it's no coincidence they're attracting so many high-ranking cultivators. This whole situation feels… strange."
Hao Hui Zūnzhě narrowed his eyes, his voice calm. "Come. Let's meet up with Ming Hong and Ming Xian first, then we'll head into the inner ranges of the Qinghua Mountains."
"Alright."
In a flash of light, both figures vanished from the sky.
The red fox carrying the Shanhe Scroll abruptly felt the scroll in its internal storage tremble. Alarmed, it froze and quickly turned back, racing toward its old nest deep in the mountains.
At the same time, Xiao He had already followed the evil cultivators' marks into the Qinghua Mountains. After confirming one of the markings, he erased it and sent a message through his communication jade slip before continuing deeper into the range.
While the entire Weiyu Realm was focused on searching for the Shanhe Scroll, Yunxi and her companions were equally busy, every moment either spent cultivating, laying formations, or traveling to the next site.
Yun Chen calculated the exact location of their next formation and pointed it out on the map of Azure Star. Han Lian glanced at the spot and smiled.
"That's a secret research facility on Azure Star. When I first fell into this world, I was discovered by them and taken there while I was still in a healing slumber."
Yunxi chuckled. "Seems you're fated with that place."
Han Lian waved a hand boldly. "Come on! I'll introduce you to Professor Huang, a timid but brilliant scholar. And I'll wipe all my records from their database while we're at it."
Han Lian piloted the flying boat herself, heading straight for the hidden research base in the heart of the desert.
This facility wasn't marked on Azure Star's maps. The four of them had added it themselves after their divine senses recovered to the Divine Transformation stage.
Over the past five years, they had completed the Five Elements Grand Array and were now laying the remaining four auxiliary formations. Once all nine formations were in place, they would be ready to act.
During this time, the group had pushed themselves to their limits in cultivation. A year ago, Yunxi had exchanged for genetic enhancement serums from "Star Trek" using purified crystals from Azure Star. Each of them took a customized serum, unlocking their potential and accelerating their cultivation progress to an exhilarating pace.
But none of this slowed their mission. Yun Chen's formation calculations sent them into cities, across wilderness, and even to the ocean depths. They never stayed in one place for long, always staying a step ahead of the Azure family's pursuit.
Xun Kun had just finished meditating. He waved his sleeve, storing away the depleted magic stones, and turned to the others. "Yun Chen, how long will it take to complete the remaining auxiliary formations?"
"Amitabha. Compared to the Five Elements Grand Array, the four auxiliary arrays are simpler. About a year should suffice."
Yun Chen's answer was precise.
Xun Kun clenched his fists. "Our cultivation is still too slow. I'll need more time before I can break through to mid- Divine Transformation."
Yunxi waved dismissively. "Don't worry. I feel the Misty Snow Domain will open soon. Once we deal with Azure Star's crisis, I'll send you all into the secret realm for closed-door cultivation."
Since arriving in Azure Star, Yunxi's spatial treasure had been silent, fully integrating with the realm. It had only reawakened a year ago. That was when she used Azure Star's purification crystals to exchange for the genetic serums from "Star Trek," giving her companions reassurance.
However, she only told them the serums were her own creations, never revealing her ultimate trump card: the interdimensional chat group.
Hearing they would soon enter a secret realm for focused cultivation, Xun Kun finally felt some relief. The past five years of constant traveling and cultivation had drained most of their resources, and he feared they wouldn't last until the arrays were activated.