After confirming that Yun Xi had left Kunyu City, Wei Yunqing felt unexpectedly relieved. With that burden off her shoulders, she began showing enthusiastic deference to the newly emerged Wei clan ancestor. Once the injuries to the ancestor's divine sense had healed to about seventy percent, Wei Yunqing bid her farewell and departed Kunyu City.
With the sect's grand competition approaching, Wei Yunqing intended to seize this opportunity to make a name for herself and officially become a disciple under Yu Huo Zhēnjūn. To prepare for this, she had to return ahead of time. After a reluctant goodbye with Du Ruolan, she boarded a flying ship and began her journey back to the sect.
Compared to her, Yun Xi's path was far more relaxed. She, too, would participate in the grand competition, but having just broken through to the Golden Core stage, she would be entering the Golden Core division. For her, it was more about gaining practical combat experience than competing for prestige. So she planned to temper herself along the way, as long as she made it back in time to register.
There was another reason behind Yun Xi's decision to travel back slowly. She was waiting for Wei Yunqing. Yun Xi was certain that Wei Yunqing would also be returning for the competition. Since Wei Yunqing had yet to formally take a master, she would no doubt seize this rare chance.
Yun Xi worried that Wei Yunqing might encounter another fortuitous opportunity on the way back. So while she had the Flying Mist Butterfly keep surveillance on her, it could also relay any developments at the first sign of change.
Once she confirmed that Wei Yunqing had boarded the ship, Yun Xi instructed the Flying Mist Butterfly to continue tracking her movements. As for herself, she took her time heading toward the next city.
Though she was born in Kunyu City, Yun Xi had never left her clan's estate until the age of five. After that, she had been sent to cultivate in the Haoran Sect. So she knew little about the surrounding cultivation cities. This trip would also serve as a good opportunity to explore.
A day later, Yun Xi arrived at Wenzhou City. This was a small cultivation city where mortals and cultivators coexisted. Most of the cultivators here practiced the Confucian Path, so the streets were filled with robed scholars cultivating this particular style.
Yun Xi's goal here was to find a new talisman brush. The one she had picked up at the sect's market had long since broken under the strain of her Golden Core-level power. She hadn't found a suitable replacement in Kunyu City either, so she figured she might try her luck in Wenzhou City.
Upon entering the city, a young Qi Refining cultivator stepped forward, offering to act as her guide. Yun Xi casually picked a young female cultivator and asked her to take her to the Wenyuan Pavilion. Despite its refined name, the pavilion was really just a large general store that sold all sorts of cultivation-related goods.
"Senior, there's a private auction being held soon at Wenyuan Pavilion. If you're interested, I can help get you in."
The young girl spoke carefully.
Yun Xi raised an eyebrow with interest and smiled.
"I didn't expect someone like you to have such good connections. You even know about private auctions?"
"Hehe, my father works at Wenyuan Pavilion, so I get a few inside tips now and then," the girl explained.
"Alright then. Let's take a look first. If I see something I like, I'll consider it."
After a brief exchange, the girl led Yun Xi straight to the pavilion. She waved at a man inside who was tidying up some merchandise.
"Father, over here."
The man immediately set his work aside and came over.
The young girl beamed and said, "Father, this senior has just arrived in Wenzhou City and seems interested in the private auction at Wenyuan Pavilion."
The man respectfully gave a formal bow.
"Honored guest, please, come in."
Yun Xi tossed two lower-grade spirit stones to the girl as payment for guiding her, then stepped into the store.
The man took over and explained politely, "Xiao Xi was just trying to earn a few extra spirit stones, so she recommended the auction. Still, our shop has a wide range of goods. May I ask what Senior is looking for?"
"A talisman brush."
"In that case, please head to the third floor."
The man sensed the strength of Yun Xi's aura and escorted her to the VIP room on the third floor.
Not long after Yun Xi sat down, the man returned with three others and placed three talisman brushes before her, then introduced them one by one.
Among the three, one was a true spiritual treasure. Crafted from flawless white jade and the fur of a fifth-rank snow wolf, it could serve her even into the Ascension Realm. Of course, the price matched its value—it cost ten thousand top-grade spirit stones.
"Honored guest, this talisman brush is the treasure of our store. Many talisman masters have taken a liking to it, but had to give it up due to the steep price."
Yun Xi picked up the brush and examined it carefully, then chuckled.
"So you figured I could afford it, and that's why you brought out your best offering first?"
The man laughed as well.
"Since you're participating in the private auction, I assumed spirit stones wouldn't be an issue. Besides, with your cultivation and bearing, only this white jade wolf-hair talisman brush is worthy of you. Also, if you buy this brush, you'll automatically qualify to join tomorrow night's auction."
Yun Xi marveled at how salesmen in the cultivation world could flatter someone with such confidence and logic. It was honestly quite pleasant to hear. She tossed over a storage pouch and said with a grin:
"With all that sweet talk, wouldn't I be losing out if I didn't buy it?"
"You have excellent taste, Honored Guest."
After counting the spirit stones, the man returned the pouch along with an invitation to the private auction.
Yun Xi took the items and left the pavilion. She found an inn nearby, checked in, then began refining the white jade wolf-hair talisman brush. Once refined, she began testing it out, starting with first-grade talismans, then second-grade, and finally third-grade. After confirming that it worked smoothly without any issues, she focused her full attention on drawing third-grade talismans.
The next morning, she reluctantly set the brush aside, then wandered around Wenzhou City a bit more. She bought some blank talisman paper and beast blood before returning to the inn.
That evening, Yun Xi used a rabbit-ear earring to alter her appearance and donned a cloak to hide her figure before heading back to Wenyuan Pavilion.
The guards at the entrance checked her invitation and allowed her to proceed to the fourth floor.
The fourth floor was a large hall, likely expanded using spatial techniques. Including herself, there were fewer than ten people inside, making the place feel a bit empty.
No one paid Yun Xi any mind. Everyone sat in silence, waiting for the auction to begin.
Two more guests arrived over the next fifteen minutes. Then a middle-aged Golden Core cultivator stepped onto the platform with a smile and greeted them all.
"I am Wen Tao, and I'll be hosting tonight's auction. Welcome, honored guests."
He waved his sleeve, and a spirit sword appeared on the platform.
"Our first item tonight is a third-grade flying sword, Ao Xiang."
Wen Tao Zhēnrén began to enthusiastically introduce the sword.
Since Yun Xi had already formed her Golden Core, she was preparing to craft her own natal sword and had no interest in buying. However, someone else seemed taken with the item and began bidding once Wen Tao Zhēnrén announced the starting price.
One item after another was presented, but none of them stirred Yun Xi's heart. Just when she thought she'd walk away empty-handed, Wen Tao Zhēnrén smiled and said:
"The final item tonight is not a magical weapon or treasure, but a piece of information."
He paused for dramatic effect. Once he had everyone's attention, he continued.
"This message concerns the Mystic Thunder Violet Flame, one of the top ten on the list of exotic flames."
Yun Xi's eyes lit up. The Mystic Thunder Violet Flame ranked in the top ten among exotic fires. Her excitement nearly made her drool. This flame was also an excellent match for her spiritual roots.
Just as Yun Xi's thoughts began to drift, a voice cut in from the crowd.
"Wen Tao Zhēnrén, you must be joking. The Mystic Thunder Violet Flame is a spirit ream flame. How could it possibly appear in the Weiyu Realm?"
===
玄雷紫炎 (Xuán Léi Zǐ Yán)
玄 (xuán)
Profound, mysterious, arcane
Also conveys depth, obscurity, or spiritual power
雷 (léi)
Thunder or lightning
When combined with fire, often implies explosive, volatile energy
紫 (zǐ)
Purple
A color often associated with nobility, spiritual power, or divine energy in Chinese cosmology
炎 (yán)
Flame, blaze