Ming Jia's question was sharp, reflecting a very real possibility and the greatest fear of the high-level cultivators of the Weiyu Realm. Yunxi thought for a moment before replying:
"According to the latest information we received, the Shanhe Scroll has indeed fallen into the hands of the evil cultivators. However, Long Ya is not within it. This means that the evil cultivators lack the means to locate the place where the Evil God's body is sealed. That gives us time to prepare.
At the same time, we must send more people to search for Long Ya. We must find it before they do, or we will face an even worse situation."
Ming Jia let out a sigh. "This is still a hidden danger."
Xiang Sizi rolled her eyes gracefully. "Ming Jia, not everything can be calculated, nor must every hidden danger be resolved before we act. What, if we can't find Long Ya, we stop ascending? If we can't find Long Ya, we don't fight back? They've already brought the fight to our doorstep. We must retaliate. Standing here and taking the hit is not my style."
Hao Yi smiled faintly at her words, agreeing with Xiang Sizi's view. Sometimes plans could never keep up with changes. All they could do was adapt.
"Ming Jia, Xiang Sizi is right. Ran Xi and the others have already bought us time. We need to use that time well and prepare.
If we can ascend the entire Weiyu Realm before the seal on the Evil God's body is broken, high-level cultivators of the Weiling Realm will be able to intervene. I believe they won't allow the Evil God to return completely. That will ease our burden, though it will likely turn the Weiyu Realm into a battlefield once again.
In any case, there's much to be done, and little time to discuss or prepare. We should focus on how to carry out Ran Xi's plan for the realm's ascension."
Xiang Sizi immediately added, "The first step is to ensure we have cultivators at peak Divine Transformation. Besides those seniors in closed-door cultivation who are ready to sacrifice themselves for their sects and families, we may have to take shortcuts with the rest, pushing them to the point of ascension."
As she spoke, she rubbed her fingers together and glanced eagerly at Ran Xi. Everyone present knew exactly what she meant: she had her eyes on Ran Xi's breakthrough potion.
Although the recipe was no longer a secret in the Weiyu Realm, cultivators who could successfully refine it were extremely rare. Of those, Ran Xi's potions were known to be the most effective. However, the spiritual plants required were far too precious. So far, Ran Xi had only refined one batch for her master Yu Ling. Even if others knelt before her, they couldn't produce a full set of the necessary plants.
Yunxi chuckled softly. "This problem is actually easy to solve. Most of you already have a copy of the breakthrough potion recipe and have been collecting spiritual plants based on it. If one person can't gather them all, I don't believe that cultivators across all five regions of the Weiyu Realm can't pool together a complete set.
If we can assemble one, we can assemble a second. I will refine the breakthrough potions for free, but this matter is far too important. When choosing who will ascend, we must be cautious. Not every high-level cultivator deserves a potion I refine, nor is every high-level cultivator capable of ascending. There are plenty of Divine Transformation cultivators like Li Chang, Zuo Qiu, and Hua Bai who are far from suitable."
Xiang Sizi's eyes curved with delight. She winked at Yunxi and said, "Rest assured, Zūnzhě, we know what we're doing. Unscrupulous cultivators won't find their way into this plan."
Yunxi nodded, then her brow twitched slightly. She turned to Yu Ling. "Master, you all can discuss this further. If needed, I'll contact Han Lian and the others. This cannot be spearheaded by just the Western Region alone. The five regions must work together.
If this succeeds, we will resolve the greatest crisis in the Weiyu Realm. If it fails, at least those participating will ascend to the Spirit Realm, leaving us some strength. It won't be complete annihilation."
Yu Ling nodded. "I understand. Go take care of your matters."
Yu Ling was well aware that Ran Xi's soul injuries had not yet healed, so she urged her to leave early.
Yunxi inclined her head and disappeared from the cave unnoticed by the others. Only Hao Yi Zūnzhě caught her movement out of the corner of her eye but chose to remain silent.
When Yunxi reappeared, she was on the Doufa Peak of Haoran Sect. She had come here because Li Li and Dian Dian were surrounded by sect disciples. A Golden Core male cultivator was in the process of contracting Li Li. The strange thing was, he himself seemed confused. He didn't know what had triggered it, but a contract array had formed beneath both his and Li Li's feet.
However, Li Li was never without Dian Dian. The latter had unleashed a Nascent Soul-level pressure to interfere with the contract and sent a telepathic message through their bond, urgently summoning Yunxi because the contract seal couldn't be broken.
Li Li was also resisting fiercely. He clearly didn't want to form a contract with this man. Anger burned in his small form, for this was a master-servant contract array. Even Ran Xi Zūnzhě had never forced such a contract on him. How dare this lowly Golden Core cultivator try? Yet, he couldn't break free.
The surrounding disciples whispered in shock, clearly encountering this for the first time.
"Which peak is this disciple from? He's got guts, daring to forcibly contract Ran Xi Zūnzhě's spirit beast!"
"I think he's Mu Zijun from Spirit Beast Peak. But how could a Golden Core cultivator form a contract with a fourth-rank spirit beast? Isn't that red panda already claimed?"
"Look closer. That red panda has no contract mark. It must just be kept by Ran Xi Zūnzhě for company, and Mu Zijun took a liking to it."
"That doesn't seem right! He looks more shocked than the beast, like he's trying to dispel the array but can't."
"That is strange."
"Hiss! Ran Xi Zūnzhě is here!"
The moment Yunxi appeared, all the disciples recognized her. They instinctively stepped back, as if afraid of being splattered with blood.
Her eyes flashed when she saw the contract array. With a flick of her fingers, she sent out a thunderball. The moment it touched the array, arcs of violet lightning exploded. The array collapsed instantly and disintegrated completely.
Freed, Li Li leapt into Yunxi's arms. He turned his head toward Mu Zijun and gave a sharp cry. Extending his sharp claws, he made a swipe through the air. Mu Zijun groaned, his face pale as he fell to one knee, sweat streaming down his forehead. His entire body trembled, and the surroundings fell into an eerie silence.
Dian Dian darted onto Yunxi's shoulder, squeaking furiously in complaint. Ever since Ran Xi reached the Out-of-Body stage, her spirit beasts had been treated with respect within the sect. Never once had they used that status to bully others. Now Li Li had almost been forced into a master-servant contract. The indignity left them seething.
Yunxi stroked Li Li's head gently, calming his agitation. Only then did she look at Mu Zijun, her voice cold. "Where did you get this contract array?"