Faced with Yunxi's sharp and direct words, Bing Li smiled as she replied. She didn't seem at all bothered by the bluntness of the questioning, her expression remaining composed as she looked at her companion.
"Ran Xi Daoyou isn't any less impressive. You gathered the power of an entire realm in Weiyu Realm and battled evil cultivators for a hundred years, holding the line when others would have faltered. You even forcibly suppressed your own cultivation for over ninety years to ensure the timing was right. You carried the whole realm through ascension, returned safely to the Spirit Realm, and even sealed the body of the evil god tight in a display of strength that few could match. You're the one who is truly hiding your depth."
Yunxi smiled back when she heard that summary of her life's work. Her eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement, though she didn't confirm or deny the details.
"Bing Li Daoyou really lives up to the name of an information broker. I didn't expect you to dig up all of this Lord's past just from a Dao title. Your network must be far-reaching to find such specific records from a lower realm."
"Ran Xi Daoyou was never an unknown figure in Weiyu Realm. You and your three friends were all extraordinary, becoming legends in your own right. You reversed the fate of an entire realm, kept the Spirit Realm from being attacked on two fronts by stabilizing your territory, and forcibly held back the invasion of evil cultivators with relentless determination. That's why Weiyu Realm's return to the Spirit Realm was so smooth and successful."
"Since that's the case, let's speak plainly. What exactly is Bing Li Daoyou's identity, for evil cultivators to fear you so much that they would rather avoid you altogether? There must be a specific reason they treat you like a plague."
A faint smile flashed across Bing Li's delicate face, the expression fleeting but knowing.
"It's just that the cultivation art I practice is special, possessing a unique property that targets the very essence of those who cultivate dark paths. Any evil cultivator who gets close to this Lord, as long as they don't die outright, ends up becoming a puppet for gathering information. That's the foundation for how I survive in the Spirit Realm.
When evil cultivators first started causing chaos in the Spirit Realm, my Ice Soul Frost Cicadas made great contributions. They accurately sent back intelligence from deep within enemy lines, which let Huaxian Gate avoid total annihilation during the initial surprise attacks."
"Tsk tsk. Hearing that, evil cultivators must hate you to death. With how they operate, with their petty grudges and long memories, they definitely won't let you go easily."
Yunxi was far too familiar with the way evil cultivators acted; she had spent a century watching them strike at anything that threatened their shadow.
"Ran Xi Daoyou, have you ever heard of shedding a cicada's shell?" Bing Li raised a brow, her eyes glinting with a mischievous light.
"Of course. It's a classic technique of evasion. Could it be that Daoyou can escape using that secret art at will?"
"Every time this Lord breaks through a minor or major threshold, I can change my face, my body, even my gender entirely. After being targeted by evil cultivators the first time, I switched identities and avoided their pursuit by becoming someone else entirely. Then I planted Ice Soul Frost Cicadas inside them while they were still looking for my old self, letting them send back a constant stream of information.
After that, every time evil cultivators got close to uncovering who I was, I would break through another level and switch identities again, continuing to trap them in their own paranoia. Thanks to their so-called selfless contributions of spiritual energy, I'm about to break through to the Unity stage. This Young Master Jin Xiu probably sensed something unsettling about my aura, which is why he avoided this Lord in the market.
He almost succeeded in escaping me too. Who would have thought he would run into Ran Xi Daoyou by sheer coincidence? You have tangled with evil cultivators for a long time and your senses are sharp. You spotted the problem the moment you met him. It was only right that he added a bit more to this Lord's cultivation after being caught."
Yunxi felt a wave of emotion after hearing that explanation. She hadn't expected the Spirit Realm to be such a place of hidden talents and bizarre techniques. Bing Li's technique was truly strange, even capable of changing gender to maintain a perfect disguise. No wonder evil cultivators kept getting played again and again by a ghost they couldn't catch. Artifacts that could completely change a cultivator's aura were already rare treasures, let alone an actual cultivation art that could rewrite a person's physical form.
The two exchanged knowing smiles as they sat in the quiet room. They were kindred spirits who specialized in messing with evil cultivators, each having spent years thwarting the plans of dark sects. Yunxi found Bing Li very interesting, her methods both clever and ruthless, and Bing Li was equally intrigued by this legendary female cultivator who had protected a whole world. There was a sense of mutual appreciation between them, and they quickly formed a friendship born of shared enemies and similar temperaments.
When they talked, both kept a good sense of boundaries and didn't pry where they shouldn't into the finer details of their respective techniques. Soon, the topic shifted back to the immediate concern of Dengyun Tower.
"Tomorrow, I will send Jin Xiu back and demand that they swap him for another handsome young master. I spent spirit stones and didn't even break through my current bottleneck. This Lord is very dissatisfied with Dengyun Tower and their lack of results."
Bing Li immediately nodded, her eyes flashing with a cold light. "You're right. This time, pick another special one from their ranks. I will handle it the same way as before."
"Fine. But about the spirit stones needed for the transaction…"
Bing Li smoothly removed her storage bracelet and pushed it across the table in front of Yunxi.
"If it's not enough to cover the fees, I will add more later."
"Alright."
Yunxi accepted it without ceremony, stowing the bracelet away. The two talked a bit more about the layout and rumors surrounding Dengyun Tower, then Bing Li took her leave, disappearing into the shadows of the hallway.
The next day, Yunxi brought Young Master Jin Xiu back to Dengyun Tower with a dark expression, her footsteps heavy and deliberate. Jin Xiu was wrapped from head to toe in a thick, hooded cloak that obscured his identity, obediently following a few steps behind her like a beaten dog.
Yunxi entered Dengyun Tower with a cold face, her gaze sweeping over the lavish decorations with disdain. She spoke directly to the tall, thin man who managed the floor.
"Call your tower master out to see this Lord. I have a grievance that needs addressing."
The tall, thin man glanced at the cloaked Young Master Jin Xiu and spoke respectfully, though his eyes were darting around nervously.
"Esteemed guest, may I ask what matter requires seeing the tower master? If it's about the service, I can handle it."
Yunxi casually glanced at him, a sliver of her true pressure leaking out. The tall, thin man immediately dropped to his knees, his knees hitting the floor with a dull thud. His face turned pale as he hastily backed down from his position.
"Please wait, esteemed guest. I will go invite the tower master at once."
Only then did Yunxi withdraw her gaze and wave him away with a flick of her wrist.
Li Li had already hopped onto a nearby table, her small paws padding across the wood. After the tall, thin man left the room, she whispered into her master's mind. "Master, there's something wrong with that male cultivator too. He hasn't been possessed like the other one, but he has practiced evil arts that rot the foundation. It's just that he hasn't been at it long, so it hasn't fully taken shape in his meridians yet."
"I know," Yunxi replied, her voice low as she watched the door.
Moments later, a man in a green robe stepped into the room. He was smiling as he cupped his hands in a polite greeting.
"Esteemed guest, I'm Han Qingwen, the tower master of Dengyun Tower. May I ask why you're looking for me with such urgency?"
Yunxi swept her gaze over Han Qingwen. His temperament was refined, like that of a scholar, and his speech was calm and orderly. Her expression softened slightly, though she remained stern. She flicked her sleeve and brushed away Jin Xiu's cloak with a gust of wind, revealing his cultivation, which had fallen back to the Foundation Establishment stage.
A trace of displeasure flashed through Han Qingwen's eyes as he looked at the ruined cultivator. He then bowed deeply.
"Esteemed guest, this is…"
Yunxi said with a face full of mockery, her voice ringing out through the room. "This Lord spent a huge amount of spirit stones on this boy, yet he couldn't help me break through the barrier in my heart. When he took the storage ring, he promised he would definitely help me advance to mid Unity. Take a look yourself at this pathetic state. Do I look like I have broken through? He is drained and useless now."
Han Qingwen frowned and asked in a deep voice, his tone shifting to something more serious. "Then what does Daoyou propose we do to settle this matter?"
Yunxi replied coldly, "Swap him out for someone who actually has talent. This Lord doesn't lack spirit stones, as you can see. As long as I can advance to mid Unity, adding more to the pile is fine. But don't try to fool this Lord with this kind of trash again, or there will be consequences."
Han Qingwen pressed his lips together and looked at the silent Jin Xiu. The boy kept his head lowered, staring at the floor, clearly didn't dare to meet the tower master's gaze after his failure.
"Please rest assured, esteemed guest. Dengyun Tower won't break its word to a valued client. Please wait a moment while I make the arrangements."
He left the room quickly. Shortly after, Han Qingwen returned with ten high-level male cultivators. They were all different in appearance, temperament, and attire, ranging from scholarly to rugged.
"Esteemed guest, these are disciples in the Void Refinement stage. Is there anyone you fancy from this group?"
Li Li had already returned to Yunxi's arms, her small body tensed. She openly swept her gaze across all ten men, then transmitted her voice with a hint of disgust.
"Zūnshàng, you have really poked an evil cultivator nest this time. None of these ten are good people. Their souls are so black they could drip ink, swirling with a murky energy that hides a thousand sins."
Yunxi smiled in satisfaction, her eyes glinting with a hidden intent. She directly pointed at the one with the highest cultivation, a mid Void Refinement stage cultivator who stood with a confident air.
"Him."
Han Qingwen smiled, the expression smooth and practiced. "This is my adopted eldest disciple, Zhuge Muyu. He is a wood attribute single spirit root, which is perfect for dual cultivation. He will definitely be able to help you break through your current limits."
Yunxi's smile deepened as she reached into her sleeve. She tossed Han Qingwen a storage bracelet, the silver band spinning through the air.
"Take this first as a deposit. Once this Lord breaks through, there will be more rewards for your tower."
The smile on Han Qingwen's face became much more genuine as he caught the bracelet. He turned to the selected cultivator and gave a firm nod.
"Muyu, you must help the esteemed guest break through at all costs. Once you return having completed this task, you will be able to leave Dengyun Tower and go out to train in the wider world."
Zhuge Muyu immediately showed a delighted expression and nodded to show he understood the importance of the mission.
With a sweep of her hand and a surge of spiritual energy, Yunxi took the newly chosen young master and left Dengyun Tower, her steps light as she exited.
Han Qingwen watched Yunxi leave with a dark gaze, his eyes narrowing as he tracked her departure. Only after she vanished from sight did he turn and walk away.