On the second day, the demonic qi blanketing Kunmo Sect's station dispersed completely. Kunmo Sect's disciples attended their matches as usual, as if nothing had happened the previous night.
Yet when they reached the arena, disciples from all five regions, friends and strangers alike, crowded in to inquire openly and covertly about what had transpired. Soon several versions of the tale spread, each told as if by an eyewitness. It became the hottest topic since the tournament began.
Thanks to her powerful spiritual sense, Yun Xi had watched the entire affair.
In the latter half of the night, an evil cultivator disguised as a Huaxian Gate disciple crept onto Kunmo Sect's peak. He located the Foundation Establishment disciples who had been poisoned before, intending to stage a scene where the toxin flared and they died miserably. He was discovered immediately by Xun Kun and Sun Yan, who were guarding the residences of the Foundation Establishment disciples, and the two reacted at once.
With a sweep of his sleeve, Sun Yan cast World in the Sleeve and whisked the targeted disciples away. Xun Kun summoned his natal sword and intercepted the intruder, and the two clashed fiercely.
At the crucial moment, Wu Tong Zūnzhě did not falter. Knowing the attacker must not be allowed to escape, he gave a cold snort and swept his sleeve, and demonic qi shrouded Kunmo Sect's entire station, sealing every route of retreat.
After placing the disciples somewhere safe, Sun Yan joined the fight. The Kunmo Sect disciples, roused by the commotion, gathered together and watched their two Yuányīng Zhēnjūn fight two against one.
Xun Kun had been stewing in frustration for two days and finally had an outlet. Demonic qi surged into his twin-bladed sword. He struck again and again, aiming straight at the enemy's dantian and sea of consciousness. His blade-work was so swift the sword itself blurred from sight, drawing cries of admiration from the onlookers.
Jin Can stood among the crowd. Watching the powerful, awe-inspiring Xun Kun Zhēnjūn, she felt her heart fall for him all over again. Other disciples traced the angles of his strikes in silence, eyes filled with pure respect and envy for strength. Only her gaze bubbled pink.
Sensing the tide turning, the false Huaxian disciple tried to flee, but the two Yuányīng Zhēnjūn left him no chance, not even to crush a teleportation talisman. In the end, Xun Kun drove his sword through the man's dantian and the battle was over.
Seeing it finished, Wu Tong Zūnzhě withdrew the demonic qi and restored the shattered peak with a sweep of his sleeve. Moments later, Xian Xu arrived with members of Xianyu Hall. No one knew what was said, but the captured cultivator was taken away by Xian Xu.
The next day, Yun Xi received a message talisman from Xun Kun, thanking her for the warning and sharing an interesting discovery:
"Ran Xi Daoyou, once that evil cultivator was captured, I searched his storage ring and found poison, the same kind that afflicted Kunmo Sect's disciples. Only now its potency is ten times stronger. Once it enters the body, it claims a cultivator's life in the shortest time, leaving no window for detoxification."
Yun Xi's eyes sharpened. This was a blatant attempt to pin Kunmo Sect deaths on her. Even if the detox pills had not been refined by her own hand, she had been involved. If disciples died to the same poison, the evil cultivators could claim her neutralizer had backfired and sped their deaths. She would not be able to argue her way free.
"Hmph. Quick to adapt."
The face of Ye Chengbi flickered through her mind. A cultivator capable of refining Duan Ya and that other toxin in short order was her first suspect.
"I will deal with you when I have a hand free."
With that, Yun Xi went to see Hao Yan Zūnzhě.
For the next ten days, nothing unexpected occurred. The Foundation Establishment bracket cleanly produced its top hundred. Qin Tongshuang and Long Daoyu both made the list. They celebrated briefly together and agreed to go into seclusion to form their Golden Cores once they returned to the sect.
After the Foundation Establishment matches came the Golden Core stage. Foundation Establishment disciples seized the chance to observe and learn, attending almost every day. Those with spirit stones to spare placed a few casual bets for fun.
The Golden Core cultivators fought with notable restraint, pulling back before causing real harm. Watching this, Hao Qing Zūnzhě could only shake his head.
Yun Xi smiled and asked, "Hao Qing Zūnzhě, why the head shake?"
"This year's Five Region Grand Tournament is dull. These Golden Core cultivators seem to have agreed in advance not to go all out. There is nothing to watch. In previous tournaments, there were even breakthroughs mid-match. This time there has not been a single one."
Yun Xi's smile deepened slightly. "Zūnzhě, word of evil cultivators seeking to make trouble has reached everyone. They are fighting cautiously for that reason. The midnight ambush on Kunmo Sect has already spread. Naturally they dare not risk injury.
And ever since that night, things have been too calm. I have the feeling the evil cultivators are brewing a big move."
She was not exaggerating. The feeling only grew stronger.
Hao Yan glanced at Yun Xi and said, "Huaxian Gate learned nothing from that evil cultivator. During the soul search, his sea of consciousness self-detonated. In this period, Huaxian Gate quietly arranged for more Yuányīng Zhēnjūn to watch over the Golden Core stages. Naturally those Golden Core cultivators are fighting with their hands tied."
Yun Xi frowned slightly. "Hao Yan Zūnzhě, and Medicine King Valley…"
"Kunmo Sect does not wish to startle the snake. They will wait until the tournament ends to demand justice. Huaxian Gate has already contacted Medicine King Valley's young valley master Ye Yirui. How that side will respond, we have not yet heard."
Yun Xi rubbed her chin and decided she would travel with Xun Kun when the time came.
The Golden Core bracket concluded smoothly. Then it was time for the Nascent Soul matches, and Wei Yunqing finally stepped out of his temporary cave.
The arena was exceptionally lively. Not only had nearly all of the five regions' competitors come, but Huaxian Gate's own disciples flooded the stands to witness the bearing of Nascent Soul Zhēnjūn from across the regions. Opportunities to see so many at once were rare.
All the Divine Transformation Zūnzhě took their places in the viewing stands as well, both to support their disciples and to guard against accidents.
Once all the Yuányīng Zhēnjūn had assembled, the golden scroll floating in the air unfurled again. The names of every participating Zhēnjūn appeared, then scrambled to form random pairings.
Since there were just over two hundred competitors at the Nascent Soul stage, the bracket was one on one, winner advancing and loser eliminated, until the top ten were decided. As with the Golden Core stage, the final day would host a challenge round. Each participant would have three chances to issue and accept challenges.
Yun Xi fixed her gaze on the golden scroll, curious to see her first opponent. That was when the accident happened.
The shifting names slowly spun into a black vortex. The golden scroll flushed blood-red, and a powerful suction yanked the Yuányīng Zhēnjūn below into the scroll one after another.
Hua Yu Zūnzhě reacted swiftly, casting a spell seal to halt the Shanhe Scroll. The scarlet glow dancing across the scroll rebounded his technique.
"Not good."
"Save them first."