Yin Yang Gate
Since the day Du Yanran hid inside the Magnolia Pendant, she had not emerged. Her cave had been sealed by a high-level cultivator of Yin Yang Gate. She dared not rashly attempt to break the seal.
If she acted, it would prove she was still within the sect, prompting an even more meticulous investigation. She could not guarantee that the Magnolia Pendant would escape the divine perception of such a high-level master, leaving her trapped within its confines.
Du Yanran stayed inside the thirty-square-meter space, watching the few remaining spiritual plants in her spiritual field and the small amount of spring water. She dared not cultivate; if the pendant's internal spiritual power was exhausted, it would collapse, leaving her completely exposed.
One day, the seal on her cave was broken. A team of Yin Yang Gate cultivators entered and turned the cave upside down.
"Martial Uncle, since the last sealing, no one has entered. Guards were assigned. We also interrogated the cultivators who had contact with Du Yanran, but there's no useful information," a male cultivator reported grimly.
"Judging from her cave, she left in a hurry. Have her attendants been questioned?"
"All of them. Du Yanran is very cautious. She never lets attendants near her except for managing the cave. She never handled serious matters herself."
"Hmph! It seems she had dealings with evil cultivators long ago, which explains her caution."
The others did not dare comment further. This matter was a shameful scandal for Yin Yang Gate.
No one expected Du Yanran to be so audacious, to invite danger into the sect. Thinking about the blood sac hidden in Yin Yang Mountain, their skin crawled.
"Clear the cave. Seal all items and store them properly. Nothing may be handled without permission."
"Yes."
Once the male cultivator left, the remaining team exhaled in relief.
"Martial Uncle's expression is terrible," a female cultivator whispered to her junior sister while organizing items.
"Of course it is! The sect master personally ordered Du Yanran to be watched, and she still slipped away. Martial Uncle was scolded by the sect master," the junior sister said.
"This Du Yanran is truly malicious, having ties with evil cultivators!"
A hint of anger laced her voice.
"Haha! Du Yanran has always claimed to be a holy fairy since joining the sect, but who knows what dirty deeds she committed in secret? Otherwise, she would not have advanced so quickly. Even her nominal master, Bao Chunlai Jūnshàng, was completely outwitted."
"I've heard of that. Bao Chunlai Jūnshàng wasn't undeserving; he coveted his disciple's resources and failed to share the gains. Naturally, he was plotted against. I wouldn't be happy giving up my own opportunities either," another said.
"One thing is one thing. Du Yanran's plotting against Bao Chunlai is between them. But no grudge justifies placing a blood sac in our Yin Yang Mountains. She even pretended to strike once, but it was only to cover the real blood sac," a cold voice added, clearly disgusted by Du Yanran's actions.
Inside the Magnolia Pendant, Du Yanran realized the truth: the blood sac incident had been exposed.
But this had been handled by a Void Refinement Zūnzhǔ. How could it have been revealed?
"Hmph! The sect has issued a public notice. Du Yanran is completely expelled and marked for execution. Let's wait and see her end," the female cultivator sneered. She picked up the Magnolia Pendant, and as no one noticed, she slipped it into her sleeve while continuing to seal the remaining items.
Du Yanran's eyes lit up. Her chance to escape had come.
A month later, Du Yanran left the sect and reentered Yin Yang Mountains. She had a new appearance, wearing the face of the female cultivator who had intercepted her Magnolia Pendant, moving unnoticed.
At the same time, Hua Lei of the Hua family sensed this. A purple light flashed in his eyes. This Du Yanran was clever, escaping right under Yin Yang Gate's watch.
Hua Lei decided to meet her. The "Hua Mark" needed replanting; her ascension had weakened it. This trip was necessary.
Hua Lei had not yet left the Hua residence when Hua Xi blocked him.
"Little brother, where are you going?"
Hua Xi and Hua Lei had both advanced to mid-Divine Transformation, increasing their family status. The former family head, Hua Kun, planned to pass leadership to one of them.
According to family tradition, leadership involved two roles: the head and the protector. Hua Xi and Hua Lei had yet to agree on who would become family head.
Hua Lei thought his elder sister, Hua Xi, was better suited and he would protect the family in secret. Hua Xi thought Hua Lei's temperament made him more suitable, while she preferred acting independently for the family.
Hua Lei raised an eyebrow, smiling.
"Du Yanran has left Yin Yang Gate. I'm going to meet her and replant the 'Hua Mark.'"
Hua Xi's eyes brightened with interest.
"Du Yanran is tenacious. She's still active. I'll reluctantly go with you," she said, lightly touching her hair adorned with a purple butterfly flower, her symbiotic plant companion.
Hua Lei shook his head but reported to the family head. The two then left the Hua residence for Yin Yang Mountains.
Heavenly Sword Sect
After learning of Du Yanran, Jian Dan did not notify Yu Ze or Yu Shu. Sometimes too much information provokes resentment. For now, it was enough to know where she was. The rest could wait.
Wei Zhengrong finished reporting his errands, then spoke.
"Zūnshàng, I stopped by my family and met my little sister."
Jian Dan immediately pictured a well-behaved, cute face and smiled.
"How is Xue Ru's cultivation progressing?"
"Thanks for asking, Zūnshàng. She has reached the third layer of Qi Refinement."
"Good. She's advancing quickly. Best to stabilize now."
"Understood. I've discussed with my parents and plan to send Xue Ru to Heavenly Sword Sect."
Jian Dan was not surprised.
"You want to send Xue Ru under my guidance?"
Wei Zhengrong, having mentioned it in front of her, clearly sought something. Jian Dan asked plainly.
"Yes, Zūnshàng," Wei Zhengrong answered confidently.
"Xue Ru's talent speaks for itself. But I am not of Wind Spirit Root, so my guidance might be limited," Jian Dan said practically. Talent and affinity mattered in discipleship.
"I have discussed this with my sister. She intends to follow the sword path, so spiritual root isn't critical," he continued.
Wei Zhengrong paused, then added, "I haven't congratulated Zūnshàng on gaining a beloved disciple. Your disciples are all boys, none as attentive as a girl. Xue Ru is obedient and sensible. Having her by your side is ideal."
Jian Dan laughed softly. "You, as a brother, are clever, always trying to get Xue Ru into my lineage."