Because the Baohua Mountain Range was the second-largest range in the western region of Weiyu Realm, countless cultivators came here each year to temper themselves. As a result, all major sects had established strongholds in the area.
First, so they could assist their disciples in times of danger. Second, to ensure those disciples reported their gains to the sect immediately after leaving the mountain range.
Of course, the sects didn't just take those spoils for free. They either paid with spirit stones or converted them into sect contribution points. This was, in essence, a way to protect their disciples. After all, killing others to seize their treasures was all too common in the cultivation world.
Since Yunxi had accepted a mission to search for missing sectmates, she decided to report to the Haoran Sect's stronghold first before choosing whether to partner up with other disciples or venture in alone.
To be honest, this was Yunxi's first time traveling so far from the sect for a training mission. She wasn't entirely confident.
She understood that, given the secrets she carried, it was best to enter the Baohua Mountains alone. But when it came down to it, the idea made her nervous. After some thought, she decided to at least visit the sect's stronghold and assess the situation first.
The Haoran Sect's stronghold operated as a shop. Pills, talismans, tools, and formations were all available for purchase. As long as you were a disciple of Haoran Sect, you could restock here and sell any gains from your expedition. Most importantly, the shop allowed disciples to buy on credit once using their identity jade tokens, which greatly helped those low on funds.
"Martial Uncle, I am Wei Yunxi, a sect disciple. I've accepted a mission and come to join up with others."
After introducing herself, Yunxi handed over her jade identity token to the Foundation Establishment cultivator in charge.
The cultivator took the token, examined it, then returned it with a neutral tone. "What mission did you accept?"
"I accepted the task to enter Baohua Mountain Range and search for missing disciples."
The Foundation Establishment cultivator pulled a jade slip from his storage pouch and scanned it. Then he said, "You're only at the ninth level of Qi Refinement. This mission is beyond your capabilities."
Yunxi blinked, surprised. "Ah? But when I accepted the mission, there was no cultivation restriction. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to take it at all, let alone rush here overnight."
After double-checking, the cultivator explained, "The mission has been upgraded. It's no longer an outer sect task. Only Foundation Establishment disciples can take it now. You must've accepted it before the difficulty changed, so you didn't get the notice."
Yunxi was left speechless. "Then… what should I do now? Did I accept the mission for nothing?"
The cultivator could tell this was her first time taking a mission outside the sect. He waved it off casually. "It's not your fault. Just explain it when you return to the sect.
Since you're out for training anyway, you can take on other tasks from me, like collecting spiritual plants or hunting beasts. That'll still give you practical experience. Though, I suggest you team up with fellow disciples before entering Baohua Mountains."
Yunxi scratched her head and said, "Then I'll follow your advice. I'll prepare today and see if there are any disciples heading into the mountains tomorrow so I can join them."
The cultivator tossed her a jade key and told her to find an empty room in the back to rest, then returned to organizing the spiritual herbs in his hands.
When Yunxi entered the courtyard, she saw other Haoran Sect disciples in sect robes. Some rushed in and out. Others gathered in groups, whispering to each other. A few headed straight to their rooms, the scent of blood clinging to them—clearly, they were injured.
Yunxi scanned the area before walking over to a small group that was chatting. Their conversation was exactly what she wanted to know. The group noticed her approach and stopped talking, turning their attention to her.
"Martial Uncles, I'm an outer sect disciple. I'd like to ask about the missing disciples in Baohua Mountains."
One of the Foundation Establishment female cultivators gave Yunxi a glance and asked, "What do you want to know?"
"I took the search mission earlier, but the difficulty has since increased. My cultivation isn't enough to continue, but one of the missing disciples is a friend of mine. I'm very worried about her."
Yunxi spoke cautiously, testing the waters.
"Which one of them is your friend?"
"Qin Tongshuang."
Upon hearing the name, the female cultivator's expression softened. "So you're a friend of Xiao Shuang. No wonder you accepted the mission.
She entered Baohua Mountains with a team of fellow disciples but went missing near the outer edges of the range. Before they vanished, they managed to send a distress signal to this stronghold. One of the Martial Uncles then contacted disciples already in the mountains to search for them.
But when they arrived, Qin Tongshuang's group was nowhere to be found. Worse, two more disciples who went to investigate also disappeared. Eventually, more went missing, which is why the mission was upgraded."
She paused before adding, "With your level of cultivation, I strongly advise you not to get involved. Otherwise, we'll have one more person to rescue."
Yunxi could only nod and thank her before choosing an empty room to rest.
Despite the warning, she still planned to enter the mountains with this group. And the Martial Sister had mentioned someone—Senior Brother Sheng—that gave Yunxi a bad feeling. She couldn't prove anything yet, so she decided to wait and see who this Sheng was.
Until then, she had to make every moment count drawing talismans. Now that she'd broken through to Foundation Establishment, she could craft second-grade talismans. They were her greatest support, and having enough of them gave her peace of mind.
Fortunately, she had memorized the second-grade symbols thoroughly. She had only been able to draw lower-tier ones before, but now, with her enhanced spiritual power, she could try crafting high-tier ones.
The good thing was that blank talisman paper and beast blood were sold in the sect-run shop. As a disciple, she even got a discount. She stocked up on blank talisman paper and blood from second-rank beasts, then shut herself in to focus on crafting.
Of course, she also kept an eye on the Foundation Establishment disciples' movements.
Five days later, the group finally welcomed the arrival of Senior Brother Sheng. He was none other than the male lead—Sheng Yuhong—though younger than the version Yunxi had seen in the illusion realm. At present, his cultivation was in the late Foundation Establishment stage, marking him as one of Haoran Sect's favored prodigies. As soon as he arrived, the resident disciples surrounded him.
Yunxi, driven by the idea of knowing her enemies, joined the crowd with an admiring look on her face and perked up her ears to listen.
"Senior Brother Sheng, was your journey smooth?"
Sheng Yuhong answered with calm pride, "More or less. I dealt with a demon cultivator on the way, which delayed me a bit. Sorry for keeping everyone waiting."
"You're amazing, Senior Brother. Even while traveling, you still eliminate evil. You're a role model for all of us."
"You flatter me. Upholding justice and eliminating evil is the mission of all Haoran Sect disciples."
Sheng Yuhong responded modestly, though the slight curve of his lips betrayed his good mood.
Yunxi stared at his still-youthful face, recalling how in the illusion realm it had twisted with cruelty. She knew she wasn't his match yet. Best to keep her head down.
At that moment, Sheng Yuhong suddenly sensed a sharp and invasive gaze and turned in its direction.