"Alright!"
Mo Yuwan agreed without hesitation. At this point, they were all riding the tiger with no way to get off. There was no choice but to take it one step at a time. Besides, having an additional Nascent Soul cultivator protecting Wei Yunxi could only be a good thing.
Soon after, Yu Feng Zhēnjūn arrived at the guest courtyard and found Yun Xi and the others in the middle of exchanging resources in preparation for entering the Yixian Gate underground palace.
As soon as they saw Yu Feng Zhēnjūn, the four of them immediately rose and bowed.
"Greetings, Yu Feng Zhēnjūn!"
To Yun Xi, Yu Feng Zhēnjūn was an old acquaintance. Ever since she joined the sect, it had always been Yu Feng Zhēnjūn who represented the sect in external matters. Most likely, he was here this time because of the treasure map.
Yu Feng Zhēnjūn waved his hand, signaling them to sit, then asked about the treasure map.
Naturally, the four didn't hide anything. Apart from glossing over the details of how they obtained the jade key after it was scorched by the exotic flame, they told Yu Feng Zhēnjūn everything. In the end, Yun Xi even handed over the Ziji Jade Key that had already recognized her as its master.
Looking at the key, which emitted a faint violet glow, Yu Feng Zhēnjūn felt a sudden urge to press his hand to his forehead. Things were even messier than he had anticipated. This was the collected heritage of an entire sect—a juicy piece of meat that every cultivator in the realm would want a bite of.
Yun Xi, however, remained calm. She was confident that once she entered the underground palace, those who meant her harm wouldn't even be able to get close. As a prospective inheritor, she would be subject to trials. Although she didn't know what the trials involved, as long as she wasn't eliminated, Yixian Gate wouldn't allow her to fall into danger.
So she offered a word of reassurance.
"Martial Uncle Yu Feng, you don't need to worry. At least before we enter the underground palace, we'll be safe. Now that you're here, we feel even more at ease. You should make preparations as well and come with us into the underground palace."
"Tch, bold little girl. Once you inherit Yixian Gate's legacy, Medicine King Valley in the Central Domain will definitely come knocking. I doubt the Sect Leader will let you leave the sect freely after you return—unless your master successfully breaks through to Divine Transformation."
The moment Yun Xi heard that, her face fell. She had planned to seek her own fortunes in the secret realm of the Baohua Mountains. There was no way she was going to let Wei Yunqing reap all the benefits alone.
Yu Feng Zhēnjūn noticed her sudden gloom and sighed.
"I'll inform the Sect Leader. You four are not to leave the City Lord's residence for the next couple of days."
"Yes, Martial Uncle."
All four responded in unison.
Yu Feng Zhēnjūn settled into the guest courtyard and used his identity token to report everything to the Sect Leader.
Sect Leader Yu Geng read the message glowing across his token and silently congratulated himself on his foresight. Inviting Hao Hui Zūnzhě out of seclusion had clearly been the right move. Combined with the report from Yu Feng, his decision seemed more and more sound.
He replied with only one line: Hao Hui Zūnzhě has gone to Yuxing City. Be wary of evil cultivators.
When Yu Feng saw the words displayed on the token, only half the tension in his heart eased. The mention of "evil cultivators" made the other half tighten even more.
He immediately turned back and passed along the message to Yun Xi and the others, reminding them to stay alert—because others coveting Yixian Gate's legacy might not be righteous cultivators at all.
Yun Xi, for her part, felt a sense of clarity settle over her. It also confirmed her previous suspicions. Cao Yi added to that by recounting their encounter in Xiaohe City to Yu Feng Zhēnjūn.
Yu Feng Zhēnjūn hadn't expected that they had already come into indirect conflict with evil cultivators. His brow furrowed deeply as he warned them sternly.
"Five hundred years ago, the major powers of the Weiyu Realm joined forces to destroy the stronghold of the evil cultivators. Since then, they've completely vanished from this realm. But in recent years, they seem to be rising from the ashes. They're even rumored to be receiving support from evil cultivators in the Spirit Realm. Their arrogance is growing. You must not let your guard down."
"Understood, Zhēnjūn. We'll stay vigilant," the four answered together.
It was clear now—they had been marked by evil cultivators.
Seeing that the message had landed, Yu Feng Zhēnjūn stood.
"Get some rest. I'm going to speak with City Lord Mo Yuwan. If evil cultivators intend to meddle in Yixian Gate's treasure, Yuxing City needs to be ready."
"Yes."
The four watched him leave, then regrouped.
Zhang Lingrui crossed his arms and asked, "Junior Sister Wei, do you think the evil cultivators after Yixian Gate's treasure are the same ones from Xiaohe City?"
Yun Xi shook her head. "I'm not sure. But I'd guess they're at least connected somehow. Either way, none of them are any good."
Lin Keyang added, "That just means we'll have to be extra careful in the underground palace—not just with cultivators eyeing the treasure, but with evil cultivators too."
"Right. We'll probably be heading in tomorrow. Everyone, go over your gear one last time. Make sure you're not missing anything important," Cao Yi reminded them dutifully.
The group nodded and returned to their rooms.
In her room, Yun Xi pulled Dian Dian from her chest.
"Dian Dian, you heard what Yu Feng Zhēnjūn said, didn't you?"
Dian Dian twitched his black ears and nodded. "Don't worry, Master. I heard everything. Once we enter the underground palace, I'll be on full alert. If any evil cultivators get close, I'll raise the alarm immediately."
Yun Xi nodded in satisfaction, then brushed her fingers over the Flying Mist Butterfly perched in her hair.
"Fei Xia, I'm not taking you into the underground palace. Your combat ability is too limited. It's better for you to stay in Yuxing City and gather intel. Once the underground palace opens, there will definitely be more cultivators arriving. Keep an eye on anyone suspicious. There may be evil cultivators hidden among them."
"Understood, Master!" Fei Xia was well aware that in a place like that, a Xunzong Mouse was far more useful. Her role was to focus on what she did best.
Elsewhere, Mo Yuwan had also learned from Yu Feng Zhēnjūn that evil cultivators were targeting Yixian Gate's legacy. Her brow furrowed deeply. Things were spiraling toward the worst-case scenario. She made a swift decision and said to Yu Feng Zhēnjūn, "Get ready. We'll take Wei Yunxi into the underground palace tomorrow."
Yu Feng Zhēnjūn raised a brow. "You're not going to prepare?"
Mo Yuwan waved a hand.
"The longer we delay, the more cultivators will gather here. That only puts Wei Yunxi in greater danger. It's better to act first. As the owner of the Ziji Jade Key, she's safer inside than outside."
"Very well. Guest follows the host."
With Hao Hui Zūnzhě as backup, Yu Feng Zhēnjūn agreed without hesitation.
Once they reached a consensus, they went their separate ways to prepare.
The next day, Yu Feng Zhēnjūn used a single gesture—Heaven and Earth Within the Sleeve—to whisk the four cultivators away from the City Lord's residence.
Mo Yuwan transformed into a streak of light and followed beside him. A quarter of an hour later, they landed and revealed themselves in front of a somewhat dilapidated building.
As soon as Mo Yuwan touched down, her expression turned icy.
"A bunch of sneaky rats."
With that, she lifted her leg and delivered a sharp side-kick. A massive phantom of her leg swept forward, demolishing the building in front of them. At the same moment, over a dozen figures burst out from the rubble, trying to flee.
"Hmph. Trying to run?"
Mo Yuwan threw a punch without hesitation. Her fist shadow blasted forward, and in an instant, all of the fleeing figures were reduced to blood mist.
Yu Feng Zhēnjūn, face cold, flicked his sleeve to place the four cultivators down, then turned to Yun Xi.
"Begin."