Yunxi sighed softly. "I can never let go of my mother's death, but he was my father. I hope Patriarch can understand."
What could Wei Lingtao say? Of course, he understood. The man was already gone, and digging into the matter further served no purpose. As the patriarch, he also knew well who supported the Wei family and who gave them their confidence.
With that, the matter was put to rest. Wei Lingtao didn't ask where Yunxi had sent Wei Yunqing. As long as she caused no more trouble for the Wei family, it was fine.
After personally sending Wei Yunqing away, Yunxi sent a message to Xun Kun of the Southern Region, asking him to keep an eye on her whereabouts. She subtly hinted that Wei Yunqing might unexpectedly lead them to something valuable.
Yunxi then vanished from the Wei family estate. Only Wei Lingtao knew of her visit; no one else in the Wei family was alerted.
When Yunxi returned to Lingxue Peak, Dian Dian hopped onto her lap with a pout. "Master, why didn't you take Dian Dian with you when you left the sect? Dian Dian could have found some heavenly treasures to present to you."
Yunxi rubbed Dian Dian's forehead, her eyes catching the faint golden tuft of fur hidden there, and smiled. "This Lord only made a short trip to the Wei family, not a long journey. That's why I didn't bring you. Besides, with my current cultivation, if I take more treasures, I might not be able to suppress my breakthrough and will ascend too soon."
Dian Dian had built up strength over time. After leaving the spatial realm, he had advanced twice in succession, breaking through to become a fourth-rank Xunzong Mouse, further awakening his treasure-hunting bloodline. However, enduring two successive thunder tribulations had almost fried him to bits. Thankfully, Yunxi had stepped in, sharing part of the tribulation's force, and even procured two thunder-resistant arrays from Ran Yi to help him succeed in his breakthrough.
After the tribulation, Dian Dian recuperated in the spatial realm for a year before returning to Yunxi's side. Together with Li Li, he roamed Lingxue Peak. However, Li Li was often borrowed by the Hive to help determine whether disciples of the sect had been possessed by evil spirits, and Dian Dian tagged along a few times.
The two were the perfect team—one with a keen nose that could detect the unique scent of evil cultivators, and the other with sharp eyes capable of seeing through divine souls. Together, they made it nearly impossible for any infiltrator to hide in Haoran Sect, drastically reducing the risk of infiltration.
Because of this, they were given free rein to enter and leave Lingxue Peak. The sect's disciples all knew Dian Dian and Li Li were Ran Xi Zūnzhě's spiritual beasts, so they would often try to curry favor when they met. But the two, having seen countless treasures in the spatial realm, were unimpressed by small gifts.
As Dian Dian himself put it, their master was one of the top powerhouses of the Weiyu Realm. They had seen more heavenly treasures than most could imagine. How could they disgrace her by coveting trinkets? Because of this, they were regarded as aloof legends within Haoran Sect.
They occasionally visited the Spirit Beast Peak to socialize with new spirit beasts, living carefree and comfortable lives.
Li Li had long noticed the wisp of soul lightning entwined around Yunxi's divine soul. Worried she might ignore it, he had warned her to refine it as soon as possible.
Yunxi had taken that advice seriously. During her twenty years seclusion in the sect, aside from studying the maps of the Weiyu Realm in search of possible locations sealing the Evil God's body, she focused on refining that strand of soul lightning.
Fortunately, her efforts bore fruit. By the time she had nearly depleted all her soul stones, the soul lightning in her body had shrunk to the size of a baby's fingernail. A little more time and it would be completely refined.
Unfortunately, that was when Wei Yunqing emerged from seclusion and stirred up trouble in the Wei family, forcing Yunxi to leave the sect temporarily to resolve the matter.
Dian Dian rubbed against Yunxi's palm, acknowledging her reasoning, and asked, "Master, is the matter with Wei Yunqing resolved?"
"I sent her to where she should be. Now, we just have to wait for Fei Xia's reports." Yunxi made no attempt to hide her actions, openly explaining her decision.
"Master, why didn't you just eliminate this threat? What if she rises again one day?" Dian Dian had never understood why his master, despite being strong enough to crush Wei Yunqing, continued to let her live.
Yunxi chuckled softly. She also wished she could eliminate her for good, but there was something protecting Wei Yunqing, forcing her to keep observing instead. Looking up at the sky, she murmured, "The time is almost here. She won't be able to avoid her own destruction for long."
Her confidence was unwavering.
Just then, Li Li's voice sounded through a voice transmission. "Zūnzhě, Yu Ling Zūnzhě is about to break through! You should come to the Hive immediately!"
A spark of light flashed in Yunxi's eyes. She swept Dian Dian into her arms and vanished from Lingxue Peak.
When she arrived at the Hive, Li Li was sitting on the ground outside, his tail curled tightly around him. Streams of icy spiritual energy surged toward the Hive's core, and the familiar Divine Transformation pressure was steadily rising within.
Yunxi raised her hand, arranging over a hundred pieces of ten-thousand-year-old ice around the Hive, allowing more concentrated icy spiritual energy to flow inside.
An hour later, a strong fluctuation of spiritual power burst from within the Hive, then quickly stabilized. Yu Ling had succeeded in his breakthrough.
Only then did Yunxi wave her sleeve, collecting the ten-thousand-year-old ice, and waited outside. Moments later, Yu Ling stepped out of the Hive, his aura still not fully restrained.
"Congratulations, Master, on breaking through!"
Yunxi approached with a bright smile, offering her congratulations.
For once, a faint smile softened Yu Ling's typically cold expression. He nodded. "This breakthrough was thanks to the elixir you refined for me. Ran Xi, you've worked hard."
Yunxi walked up to her master's side, replying warmly, "As long as I can help Master, it's worth it. You'll need time to consolidate your cultivation. I can take over the Hive's affairs temporarily."
It was all familiar work to her; a simple handover would suffice.
Yu Ling considered it for a moment and nodded. "Alright. I'll report this breakthrough to Hao Yi Ancestor."
"I'll accompany Master. I also have matters to discuss with Ancestor."
The two then headed together to the restricted grounds in the back mountain. Unfortunately, Hao Yi was entertaining guests.
Ming Jia of Mingjian Sect and Xiang Sizi of the Loose Cultivator Alliance were deep in discussion, their conversation seemingly heated.
Upon seeing Ran Xi and Yu Ling arrive together, Hao Yi waved a hand, lifting the barrier to let them in.
Everyone already knew one another, so there was no need for introductions. Hao Yi gestured for Ran Xi and Yu Ling to sit.
Yu Ling spoke first. "Ancestor, I've advanced to Divine Transformation today and will spend some time consolidating my cultivation. I plan to hand over my duties to Ran Xi temporarily, so I've come to report."
"Very well. Just make sure everything is properly handed over," Hao Yi replied casually. He had no reason to worry—Ran Xi was no novice.
Ming Jia suddenly turned to Yunxi. "Ran Xi Zūnzhě, we were just discussing sending cultivators who can no longer suppress their cultivation to ascend to the Spirit Realm. They could scout the current situation up there. What do you think?"
Ming Jia had already waited twenty years. That was the limit. In that time, no message had descended from the upper realms. It felt like complete isolation, and Ming Jia couldn't shake the unease. That was why he came to Hao Yi for counsel.