Huaxian Gate Tournament Grounds
Hua Tang Zūnzhě's brows were tightly furrowed. After hearing Xianyu Hall's report, a flicker of anger flashed across her face, but she quickly suppressed it and sent a sound transmission to Hua Yu.
Hua Yu was currently appeasing several small sects participating in the Five Region Grand Tournament. The moment he received the message, his body froze. He cupped his hands to those around him, then vanished from sight.
At Yunmen Temple, Master Yun Yi was leading five Divine Transformation cultivators in purifying the evil energy clinging to the Shanhe Scroll. It had been five days since all the participating Nascent Soul cultivators were sucked into the scroll. Their progress in cleansing the evil taint was painfully slow. Everyone was on edge, though none dared show it.
Hao Qing Zūnzhě was also among those purifying the scroll. Hao Yan remained at the dueling peak, closely watching their progress. She had already sent a flying sword message to her sect and expected reinforcements in the next two days.
Nearby, Xiang Sizǐ frowned as she absently flicked her nails. "We knew the evil cultivators would try something during the tournament, but I never thought they'd go this far. The Shanhe Scroll is Huaxian Gate's greatest treasure. For them to tamper with it like this, well..."
She trailed off, but Hao Yan understood her meaning.
Shaking her head, Hao Yan replied, "We don't know the truth yet. Haoran Sect warned Huaxian Gate in advance when we learned the evil cultivators would make a move during the tournament. If they'd taken it seriously enough, none of this would have happened."
Xiang Sizǐ gave a cold laugh. "Sometimes the thing you fear most is the one that happens. And not just anyone can even get close to the Shanhe Scroll. Did you see Hua Yu's expression earlier? I think they've already uncovered something."
Her keen eyes missed nothing.
Hao Yan narrowed her phoenix-like eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them. She still remembered when Ran Xi came to her with a complaint: a Divine Transformation cultivator had been secretly spying on her, and she suspected Hua Bai Zūnzhě. Huaxian Gate had better pray Hua Bai was innocent, or this would not end well.
Just then, space rippled beside them. A white figure appeared, immediately drawing the attention of the other Divine Transformation experts.
A faint smile curved Hao Yan's lips. "Yu Ling, you're here."
Yu Ling, dressed in flowing white robes with silver hair cascading down his back, gave a polite bow to Hao Yan and Xiang Sizǐ. "Ancestor Hao Yi was worried, so I came to take a look."
Hao Yan smirked. "I'd say you're worried about Ran Xi more than anything, which is why you rushed here yourself."
Yu Ling didn't answer, but his expression spoke volumes.
"Senior Sister Hao Yan, how is the situation?"
Instead of immediately examining the scroll, Yu Ling asked for a briefing. When the Hive's message reached him, he'd already suspected that the evil cultivators had finally made their move.
This time, though, their scheme was even more ruthless. Yunxi had been dragged into the scroll as well. Yu Ling couldn't rest easy. He set aside his duties with the Hive and hurried to Huaxian Gate in the Central Region.
Hao Yan handed him a jade slip. "Here. Everything that happened since Haoran Sect arrived is recorded in detail."
Yu Ling took the slip and studied it carefully. Just then, a blade of light erupted from Huaxian Gate's back mountain. The spiritual energy it released was overwhelming, causing every Divine Transformation expert in the tournament grounds to raise their heads.
Hua Tang Zūnzhě calmly activated the dueling peak's defensive barrier and announced, "Do not worry, everyone. The sect is merely cleansing itself. This will not affect you."
At her words, the gathered experts exchanged sound transmissions, clearly curious about the target of this so-called cleansing. In such a critical moment, being purged could only mean one thing: involvement with the corruption of the Shanhe Scroll.
Yu Ling thought the same, especially after finishing the jade slip's record. He sent a message to Hao Yan. "Senior Sister, could it be Hua Bai? He spied on Ran Xi before."
Hao Yan shook her head, uncertain. "Hard to say. Even if he wanted revenge on Ran Xi, why sacrifice so many of his own sect's Nascent Soul cultivators? From what I know, Hua Tang's beloved disciple Xian Yao was also pulled into the scroll."
Yu Ling let out a cold snort. "Then maybe he's like Zuo Qiu, blinded by selfishness and completely played by the evil cultivators."
"Your guess makes sense. But even if Hua Bai is guilty, Huaxian Gate won't admit it openly. This isn't something they'd want anyone to know."
Yu Ling's eyes hardened. "Senior Sister, Ancestor Hao Yi hasn't been able to reach any of the elders who ascended to the Spirit Realm for a long time."
Hao Yan's phoenix eyes widened slightly, and she instinctively sent back a transmission. "The Spirit Realm is in trouble?"
"I don't know. But the evil cultivators' actions are becoming bolder. Though less frequent than before, each strike now drags more cultivators into the fray. Even high-level cultivators are being targeted.
First Li Chang, then Zuo Qiu, and now possibly Hua Bai. There may be other experts involved that we don't even know about. This isn't good news."
Hao Yan rubbed her storage bracelet thoughtfully. After a long pause, she finally replied,"You're right. But each time these plots have been discovered and stopped before causing irreversible damage. And in every one of these incidents, Ran Xi has played a role. That 'variable' is already changing the game."
Yu Ling's expression grew darker. His voice was low. "Ran Xi is gambling with her life every time, doing everything she can to turn the tide. Because she's ruined so many of their plans, the evil cultivators now see her as their biggest threat. This time, by controlling the Shanhe Scroll, they're trying to wipe out all the Nascent Soul cultivators at once—and Ran Xi is their primary target."
"That's only your speculation. We need to trust Ran Xi. That girl has fate on her side. With her willpower, she won't give up her life easily. What we can do now is focus on purifying the Shanhe Scroll and getting them out."
Their conversation ended as Hao Qing appeared beside them. He only had time to nod briefly to Yu Ling before sitting cross-legged to recover his spiritual power.
Hao Yan turned to Yu Ling. "Yu Ling, have Hao Qing return to the temporary peak later. We can't let anything happen to the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core disciples. You'll stay here with me to assist Master Yun Yi."
"Yes, Senior Sister."
With a flash, Hao Yan joined the purification team, leaving Yu Ling behind, carefully hiding his worry.
Inside the Shanhe Scroll
Inside the grand hall, the Nascent Soul cultivators had just survived the fourth wave of battle. They managed to wipe out all the evil spirits within before their spiritual energy completely ran dry.
Wei Yunqing practically crawled back into the Hong Energy Shield. The emptiness of her dantian and meridians left her deeply uncomfortable, but she still forced herself to sit beside Yunxi before swallowing a pill and entering meditation to recover.
Yunxi cast her a look of disdain, preparing to set up her cauldron. Several people had already placed orders, asking her to refine their spiritual herbs into pills.
Just then, spatial ripples filled the hall. More cultivators were teleported in. The next instant, evil spirits swarmed toward the newcomers. The spirits' faces were clearer than before, proof of their increasing strength.