Han Lian lifted her gaze and said, "Ran Xi, do you want the cultivators of the Northern Region to test the potion?"
Yunxi nodded, then shook her head, and explained, "I can give you one vial. Whether you use it is up to you, because I cannot guarantee its effects. I will also give one vial each to the other three regions. The Eastern Region cultivates Buddhism, the Southern Region cultivates demonic paths. I cannot be sure this potion will work for them."
Understanding what lay between the lines, Han Lian grew solemn. "Ran Xi, you want to use the potion to force the emergence of more pseudo–Divine Transformation cultivators?"
"Yes. We have to gamble. I refuse to perish together with these evil souls. They are not worth the loss of my entire cultivation."
Yunxi voiced her unwillingness as if in passing.
Han Lian touched the jade pendant at her waist and continued, "If your potion works, there are over a hundred Nascent Soul cultivators here. Can you supply enough?"
Yunxi replied with a nod, "Since I brought it up, I can refine it. But a potential-stimulating potion has flaws."
"What flaws?"
"Once potential is stimulated, there is indeed a chance to reach Divine Transformation early, but in the future one may also halt at that stage. Besides, once we leave, the Divine Transformation tribulation will be the first gate. Whether they get through depends on themselves."
Yunxi did not sugarcoat what a gene-enhancement potion could do. The harsh truth had to be said first. She knew not everyone present would dare to take the risk.
"Ran Xi Zūnzhě, our situation cannot get any worse. At least after Divine Transformation we will have the strength to fight. If we survive and walk out of the Shanhe Scroll, we will still be Divine Transformation cultivators. Even if we stop there, we are top-tier in the Weiuu realm. I am willing to try your potion."
A loose cultivator from the Northern Region spoke up first. He had a resolute face, a loose topknot, and a jade gourd of wine in hand. His robe was the plainest gray, the very image of an unrestrained cultivator.
Hearing him, Yunxi flicked her sleeve and sent over a vial of gene potion. Since someone had taken the lead, she had no reason to refuse.
The male cultivator received it and cupped his hands. "Yan Xiguang thanks Ran Xi Zūnzhě for the gift."
He then dropped an isolation barrier, downed the potion without hesitation, sat cross-legged, and began refining the medicinal power.
Every cultivator under the Hong energy barrier turned their gaze to Yan Xiguang, eager to see if he could break through smoothly.
Yan Xiguang was currently at peak mid-stage Nascent Soul. Since entering this place he had fought without pause, leaving him just a step from a breakthrough. If Ran Xi's potion worked, he might indeed ascend to Divine Transformation in one move.
Just then, ghostly wails and howls echoed through the great hall again. Evil souls condensed into corporeal forms, weapons in hand, and charged the protective barrier.
Han Lian sighed soundlessly and turned her head. "Ran Xi, I am going out."
"Be careful of the evil soul holding the Longya blade. Do not let that blade wound you," Yunxi reminded.
"I understand."
Han Lian nodded and flashed out of the barrier. Several late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators of Jihan Gate followed her out. Cultivators of the other regions also flashed out in succession.
Again, a Divine Transformation evil soul led the assault, Longya in its hand. The rest were late-stage Nascent Soul evil souls. They had already surrounded the barrier on all sides.
As cultivators exited the barrier one after another, the two sides clashed at once.
Yunxi was about to look for Xian Feng, but Xian Feng arrived first.
"Ran Xi Daoyou, could you provide some potion to the cultivators of the Central Region? I want those at peak late-stage Nascent Soul to take it first," Xian Feng said directly.
"Do you understand the potion's drawbacks?" Ran Xi asked.
Xian Feng nodded. "Of course. As that Northern Region cultivator said, even if we stop at Divine Transformation, we will still be top-tier in the Weiyu realm. What matters most is surviving and leaving this place."
Yunxi nodded in silence. Xian Feng saw the matter clearly, so she flicked her sleeve and passed over ten vials.
Xian Feng cupped his hands. "Many thanks, Ran Xi Daoyou. The cost of refining these potions can only be repaid after we leave, or they will owe you a favor. We will not take Ran Xi Daoyou's breakthrough potions for free."
"Well said."
Yunxi returned the salute, accepting his thanks. Offering a set for trial was her courtesy and bearing, but she would not give away everything for nothing.
The cultivators of the Southern Region were getting restless. With Xun Kun still forcing a breakthrough, Xun Yan stepped forward on behalf of the South to request potions from Yunxi.
"Ran Xi Zūnzhě, can demon cultivators of the Southern Region take this potion?"
"There is no spirit herb in the formula that conflicts with demonic qi. It should be usable. If you are uneasy, choose someone to test first."
Yunxi generously handed Xun Yan one vial of the gene-enhancement potion.
"Thank you, Ran Xi Zūnzhě."
Xun Yan returned to the Southern Region's group and gave the potion to a female demon cultivator. Trusting Xun Yan, she sat and took the potion at once, with Xun Yan personally guarding her.
Naturally, Yunxi did not play favorites. She also sent one vial of gene-enhancement potion to the Buddhist cultivators of Yumen Temple, then returned to the Western Region's side.
Wei Yunqing was the first to crowd over. "Ran Xi, I am willing to try the potion."
Yunxi resisted the urge to roll her eyes. This guy never missed a chance for advantage. She tossed him a vial and said, "Wei Yunqing, do not say I am setting you up. You may be stuck at Divine Transformation afterward. Then you will just have to watch as I ascend to the Spirit Realm."
Wei Yunqing's grip tightened around the vial. She ground out, "If I cannot ascend, then so be it. At least after Divine Transformation I can keep my life."
As if afraid she would regret it, she threw back her head and swallowed the potion, then sat to absorb the medicinal power.
Zhang Lingrui and Lin Keyang both looked at Ran Xi. Clearly, they had the same idea as Wei Yunqing, to survive first and talk later.
Yunxi flicked her sleeve and gave both of them gene-enhancement potions. They took them without hesitation and settled in to refine the medicine.
Shi Jun plopped down beside Yunxi. "Ran Xi Zūnzhě, Mingjian Gate wants to buy five vials on credit."
Mingjian Gate had ten participants registered for the tournament this time, and four had already fallen in earlier battles. Shi Jun wanted to safeguard the remaining sect brothers.
"Alright."
Yunxi sent the vials to Shi Jun. Mingjian Gate had one peak late-stage Nascent Soul sword cultivator attempting a breakthrough on his own. Shi Jun was requesting for the rest.
Huan Die twirled the round fan in her hand and came to stand beside Yunxi, followed by Qing Zhu and Jiu Yue. They had fought shoulder-to-shoulder with Yunxi, so naturally she did not stint. She handed each of them a potion and explained the drawbacks. Their thoughts were the same as Yan Xiguang's in the Northern Region. Survive first, discuss the rest later.
The Nascent Soul cultivators who received potions took them in tacit agreement and began attempting breakthroughs, while outside the barrier Han Lian was locked in a fierce duel with the Divine Transformation evil soul.
The Longya blade was exceedingly cunning, its angles of attack wicked and precise. It sought to heavily wound Han Lian, and because Han Lian's ice spiritual root exerted only limited suppression on evil souls, the fight was stifling. For now, however, she could just barely hold the line.