Zhao Jinmu's eyes turned red the moment he finished speaking. His bond with Hua Xuánzi had always been different. The two of them had cultivated side by side since they first entered the sect, advancing together from outer disciples to inner disciples. Through countless hardships, they'd built a deep trust—each other's most reliable comrade, someone they could entrust their back to without hesitation. They had once vowed to ascend to the Spirit Realm together. But now, only he remained. How could he not hate the evil cultivators?
Yu Geng noticed the black aura surging once more on Zhao Jinmu's face and immediately barked out,
"Zhao Jinmu, steady your heart!"
With a swift flick of his sleeve, Yu Geng wrapped Zhao Jinmu in spiritual energy and flashed away toward the sect's rear mountains.
Hao Hui Zhēnzūn had been dozing off beside a river, lazily fishing. In the blink of an eye, Yu Geng appeared beside him, startling the golden fish gathered near the hook. They darted away in panic, and even Hao Hui Zhēnzūn was jolted upright.
"Ah—my fish!"
He reeled in his now-empty line with a grumble, then cast a sharp glare at Yu Geng.
Yu Geng ignored the look and with another wave of his sleeve, sent Zhao Jinmu forward, addressing the Divine Transformation expert directly:
"Ancestor, this disciple was attacked by an evil cultivator. The evil aura has already invaded his body. Please, lend your hand to save him. He also brings back important information."
Hao Hui had already noticed the dark aura coiling around Zhao Jinmu. Without so much as a frown, he raised his hand and formed a seal. A beam of searing white light enveloped Zhao Jinmu. After five breaths, the white glow dispersed—and with it, all traces of the evil aura vanished.
Now calm once more, Zhao Jinmu knelt and bowed deeply.
"Many thanks to Ancestor for cleansing the evil aura from my body."
Hao Hui Zūnzhě waved his hand dismissively.
"Why did the evil cultivator target you?"
Zhao Jinmu rose and recounted everything that had happened to him and Hua Xuanzi.
After changing their robes and disguising their appearances, the two of them continued on toward Haoran Sect. No matter what others chose, they were determined to deliver the message. Without it, the four Martial Uncles would be in danger.
They believed they'd shaken off the people tailing them. But halfway through the journey, they were ambushed at night. At first, they didn't know their attacker was an evil cultivator—until the man unleashed a Soul-Devouring Banner. That's when they realized something was terribly wrong.
Their assailant wore a black robe that shrouded his face in shadow. His voice was hoarse and rasped out a chilling command:
"Hand over the treasure map."
Hua Xuanzi gritted her teeth and replied,
"We already gave the treasure map to our sect's Martial Uncles. If you've got the skill, go after them."
The evil cultivator clearly didn't believe them—or perhaps he simply wanted to confirm the map wasn't on them. He prepared to search their souls. Both of them immediately fought back with everything they had.
But the gap in power was too wide.
Knowing the enemy wouldn't relent until he achieved his goal, Hua Xuanzhi slapped the last undirected teleportation talisman onto Zhao Jinmu's body. She threw herself at the evil cultivator to buy him time.
As Zhao Jinmu was flung through space, the final thing he saw was that twisted, merciless hand pressing down on Hua Xuanzhi's head to forcibly extract her soul. He only had time to cry out one word—"No!"—before the talisman took him away.
Perhaps Heaven had not abandoned him. That random talisman actually sent him near Haoran City. Or maybe, because of the evil energy lingering in him, the evil cultivator assumed he'd already been corrupted and no longer bothered chasing. Or perhaps it was simply because they were near Haoran City, and the evil cultivator dared not provoke Haoran Sect. Whatever the reason, he had survived.
Clinging to life, he made his way back to the sect. After explaining the situation to the disciple on duty at the gate, he was finally allowed to see the Sect Master.
Yu Geng frowned.
"Are you certain the treasure map is real, and that the treasure is indeed located in Yuxing City?"
Zhao Jinmu nodded firmly.
"Yes. We were too weak to keep the secret. That's how word of the treasure in Yuxing City leaked. Martial Uncle Wei and the others stepped in to protect us. They took on this hot potato, drawing attention away from us so we could escape. Otherwise, we wouldn't have even made it out of Yuxing City."
"Zhao Jinmu, the sect is now aware of the situation. Go to the Task Hall to collect your reward. Then enter seclusion and recover. Only by becoming stronger will you be able to seek justice for your friend. The sect will not stand by while evil cultivators slaughter our disciples."
"Yes, Sect Master. I will remember your words."
Zhao Jinmu gritted his teeth and answered. This blood debt—he would remember it. One day, he would avenge Hua Xuanzhi.
Seeing that Zhao Jinmu's emotions had stabilized, Yu Geng waved a sleeve and sent him back to the inner sect. Only then did he turn to Hao Hui Zūnzhě and offer a respectful bow.
"Zūnzhě, among those trapped is also Yu Ling's personal disciple."
"Oh? That little girl who reached Golden Core at sixteen?"
"Yes, her."
"Tsk tsk. Looks like Yu Ling picked the right treasure. You'd better keep a close eye on that girl."
"Yes, Zūnzhě. I've already sent Yu Feng to Yuxing City to assess the situation. But now that we know evil cultivators are involved..."
Yu Geng trailed off. It wasn't that he didn't trust Yu Feng, but once evil cultivators were involved, things rarely ended well.
Hao Hui Zūnzhě smiled.
"You want this old man to make a trip myself?"
Yu Geng quickly waved his hands.
"Zūnzhě, how could you be an old man? You are Haoran Sect's youngest Divine Transformation expert, a peerless figure of unmatched grace. The word 'old' has nothing to do with you."
Hao Hui Zūnzhě beamed.
"Tsk tsk, no wonder you made it to Sect Master. I like hearing that. Say more of it in the future."
Yu Geng saw that the Zūnzhě was in good spirits, which meant he'd likely lend his help. He bowed again.
"I speak only the truth."
Hao Hui Zūnzhě waved him off.
"Alright, go handle your matters. I'll make time to take a look at the situation myself."
"Yes."
Only then did Yu Geng leave the Zūnzhě's domain in the rear mountains, finally reassured.
Meanwhile, Yu Feng Zhēnjūn had already arrived in Yuxing City. As a Nascent Soul expert proficient in wind techniques, he moved with incredible speed—rivaling even Divine Transformation cultivators. When he arrived, Yun Xi and the others had not yet entered the underground palace.
Mo Yuwan had mixed feelings about Yu Feng Zhēnjūn's sudden arrival. It was expected, yet unexpected.
Expected, because Haoran Sect would never let such promising disciples be harmed without action.
Unexpected, because of how quickly they'd responded—and by sending a Nascent Soul expert, no less. It showed just how much they valued the four disciples.
Mo Yuwan was the first to break the silence, smiling as she asked,
"Yu Daoyou, it's been a while. What brings you to Yuxing City?"
Yu Feng Zhēnjūn casually leaned back in his chair and got straight to the point.
"I've always been lazy, but since some disciples from my sect ran into trouble here, the Sect Master sent me to check things out. If they've offended the City Lord, I can help smooth things over."
Mo Yuwan gave him a sidelong glance and said with a smile,
"Don't worry, they're doing fine here. They're guests of the City Lord's residence. I'll ensure their safety. However, at the moment, they can't leave Yuxing City."
Yu Feng Zhēnjūn raised an eyebrow.
"Why? They handed over the treasure map. Isn't that enough?"
"It's not that I won't let them leave. It's just that the little girl is the only one who can open the treasure. The jade key has already recognized her as its master. If she leaves Yuxing City now, I doubt even you could keep her safe."
Yu Feng Zhēnjūn paused, caught off guard by this new development.
"I'd like to meet with them," he said at last.
===
In here Divine Transformation stage have title Zūnzhě, not like on Author first novel (True Heir of Chaos: From Villainess to Empress) Zūnzhě is title for Divine Soul cultivator