Yunxi accepted Master Yun Yi's invitation and stayed at Yunmen Temple for a month. She spent her days not cultivating but rather discussing Buddhist teachings with Yun Yi, playing chess, sipping spiritual tea, and teasing the little monk Jie Kong.
Jie Kong always rebuked Yunxi's teasing with a stern, grown-up demeanor, only to later complain to his Ancestor: "Ancestor, when is that senior leaving? She keeps bullying me. I ignored her, but she still whispers in my ear."
His little face scrunched into a pout as he spoke.
Yun Yi chuckled at this and said, "That is because Ran Xi Daoyou likes you. You must not be rude."
Jie Kong pursed his lips and said, "Rest assured, Ancestor. Jie Kong knows she is an honored guest and will never be disrespectful."
The next day, Yunxi released Li Li and Dian Dian, letting the two companions take Jie Kong out to play. But the trio disappeared for three whole days.
When they finally returned, Li Li carried an unconscious Jie Kong on her back. His aura was noticeably stronger than before and he was on the verge of breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage.
"Amitabha! It seems Jie Kong has indeed earned Ran Xi Daoyou's favor. In such a short time, he is already about to reach Foundation Establishment."
Yunxi was baffled. She had not instructed them to do anything like this. Holding Dian Dian in her hand, she asked sternly, "Dian Dian, where did you take Jie Kong to fool around? How is he advancing this quickly?"
Dian Dian, guilty, let his master pinch him and squeaked nervously, refusing to explain.
Li Li, sitting obediently before Yunxi, swished his tail and transmitted his voice: "Dian Dian found a fruit and tricked Jie Kong into eating it. That's why he advanced. Luckily, I was there. Otherwise, he might have exploded from the surge of power. I sealed the remaining spiritual energy in his dantian. It will unlock naturally when he breaks through again."
Then Li Li secretly added, "Zūnzhě, this Jie Kong carries immense karmic merit. His soul radiates golden light of virtue. Consider this an act of forming good karma."
Hearing this, Yunxi arched an eyebrow. She immediately understood why Li Li hadn't refused to take the little monk out. It was to form karmic ties. Naturally, she wouldn't let her spiritual pet's efforts go to waste. Smiling, she turned to Yun Yi and said,
"Master, it was my pet's carelessness that caused Jie Kong's sudden advancement. This is a body-strengthening potion I refined. It will help him fortify his physique and better absorb spiritual energy. Please take it as a token of apology."
She handed over a vial of breakthrough potion.
Yun Yi hesitated but accepted it. The entire Weiyu Realm knew Ran Xi had inherited Yixian Gate's legacy, and her alchemical skill was unparalleled. He couldn't refuse such a gift, so he saluted with clasped hands and said:
"Amitabha! This humble monk accepts shamelessly and will ensure Jie Kong remembers Ran Xi Daoyou's kindness."
A month later, when Jie Kong emerged from seclusion after stabilizing his cultivation, Yunxi had already returned to Haoran Sect.
The boy felt regretful that he hadn't thanked Ran Xi in person. Yun Yi patted his head and said with a smile:
"Ran Xi Daoyou is an ally of Yunmen Temple. If your Ancestor Yun Chen hadn't met her, he would not have advanced to the Out-of-Body stage so smoothly. You've also benefited from her spiritual pets. A karmic bond is already formed. Should Ran Xi Daoyou face difficulties one day, you must help her to the best of your abilities."
Jie Kong nodded seriously. "Rest assured, Ancestor. Jie Kong will remember."
Haoran Sect, Western Region
Upon returning, Yunxi first visited Ancestor Hao Yi and Yu Ling, reporting the matter of erasing the split soul before preparing for another closed-door cultivation.
Neither Hao Yi nor Yu Ling stopped her, though Yu Ling mentioned casually, "The Divine Transformation evil cultivator who ambushed you at Yunxiao Sea has fallen. He wasn't a higher realm cultivator nor a fallen evil cultivator. He claimed he had been controlled by an evil spirit, acting entirely against his will."
To be certain, we searched his soul. His story checked out. The controlling force was a mere wisp of the evil god's aura. At that time, the second seal was in the process of being undone, which gave the evil god an opportunity."
"Master, it seems this evil god is truly formidable. Even a wisp of aura could control a Divine Transformation cultivator. Thankfully, we acted early, or the consequences would have been dire."
Yunxi felt a chill at the thought. The battle had been costly, and it took the combined effort of four cultivators, risking half their lives, to suppress part of the evil god's sealed body. If that creature had fully escaped with the help of the evil cultivators, she could only imagine the devastation that would have consumed the Weiyu Realm. Acting first had indeed been the right choice.
"Ancestor, Master, give me a little more time. I will quickly restore my strength to the Out-of-Body stage. I have already spoken to Xun Kun, Han Lian, and Yun Chen. The four of us will help defend the Weiyu Realm."
Yunxi spent twenty years restoring her cultivation to the Out-of-Body stage. The moment she regained her strength, she felt the plane's rejection pressing down on her. She swiftly donned a black robe inscribed with suppressive runes, dispelled the restriction over Lingxue Peak, and vanished from her cave abode.
Hao Yi was meeting with Yu Ling, Hao Yan, Hao Hui, and Hao Qing at that moment, discussing Yunxiao Sea's renewed tremors. Suddenly, he sensed something, and his gaze turned toward the doorway, just in time to see Ran Xi's graceful figure appear. A smile instantly lit his face.
"Ran Xi, you've come out of seclusion!"
Ran Xi's apricot eyes curved in delight. "Ancestor, I've fully recovered to my peak state."
Joy flashed in the eyes of the four cultivators in the meeting hall. It was like a pillow appearing for a weary head. As soon as Yunxi sat down, Hao Yi went straight to the point. Time was of the essence, and action could no longer be delayed.
"Ran Xi, those late-stage Divine Transformation cultivators who suppressed their cultivation are at their limits. Yunxiao Sea is in turmoil again, likely because the evil god's body is breaking through the Grand Array. The first seal has already been undone. With Yunxiao Sea's upheaval, the evil cultivators are making moves once again, secretly sending sacrificial souls into its depths. They've succeeded once."
Yu Ling added, "The Nascent Soul cultivators guarding Yunxiao Sea were seduced by the evil god, which allowed them to deliver the sacrificial souls to the second seal. But they exposed themselves.
Yun Ze, during one of his patrols, discovered the plot, summoned Divine Transformation cultivators from all five regions, and wiped out those evil cultivators. The crisis has been temporarily resolved."
"But this is only a stopgap measure. The disturbance in Yunxiao Sea is worsening. We fear the Grand Array won't last much longer. We were just discussing strategies when you emerged."
"Everyone, rest assured. Before leaving seclusion, I contacted Xun Kun, Han Lian, and Yun Chen. They've all responded. I was the last to emerge. The ascension plan can officially begin."
Yunxi believed swift action was crucial. Once the entire realm ascended, powerful cultivators from above would naturally step in to resolve the Yunxiao Sea crisis. Their task was to preserve the Weiyu Realm, keep themselves alive, and save as many cultivators as possible.
She also had a strong premonition: the tug-of-war against the evil cultivators was far from over.
"Good! With your words, we are reassured."
"Yu Ling, send word to cultivators across all regions. Three days from now, we ascend together!"