"Congratulations."
As Xu Yi stepped off the competition stage, Lu Zaiye was waiting for her nearby.
He had not been injured due to his timely evasion.
"Thanks."
Xu Yi's face was beaming, her heart already soaring towards the casino.
She was impatient to claim her reward.
"Young friend Xu, congratulations."
An elder from the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect smiled kindly at her, his smile holding an unexplainable depth.
"Thank you, Elder."
Xu Yi felt a prickle of unease at his smile.
She always found the Buddha cultivators of the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect to be rather peculiar.
As Xu Yi and Lu Zaiye returned to the Xuanji Gate, they were warmly welcomed by the Xuanji Gate disciples.
Xu Yi and Lu Zaiye had brought great glory to the Xuanji Gate this time, and the disciples felt honored by their success.
"Ancestral Master!"
Pu Tao stepped forward and linked arms with Xu Yi. They exchanged glances and both burst into laughter.
After all the competitions concluded, Xu Yi, along with Elder Qingfeng and others, went to the Ten Thousand Buddha Sect's infirmary to visit the injured Ning Xiuzhu.
With the sword energy dispelled, Ning Xiuzhu's injuries were not severe and he had already recovered significantly.
He was delighted to learn of the grand competition's results. Although he regretted not making it into the top ten, his injury had given him some insight, and he anticipated a small breakthrough upon his return, making the journey worthwhile.
As Xu Yi and Pu Tao emerged, they coincidentally encountered Long Haotian and his group in the infirmary, who were visiting Bei Xinghan.
The Xuanqing Sect disciples saw her and also came forward to offer their congratulations. Xu Yi, somewhat bewildered, followed them to Bei Xinghan's room.
"Greetings, Sect Master Zhenren!"
"Sect Master Qinglian!"
Qinglian Zhenren looked at the crowded group at the doorway and frowned slightly. "You all wait outside. Xu Yi, come in."
Xu Yi was slightly taken aback. She nodded to Pu Tao and entered the room.
After Xu Yi entered, Qinglian Zhenren raised his hand and cast a barrier, then motioned for her to approach.
Xu Yi walked forward two steps, unsure of what was happening, her gaze naturally falling upon Bei Xinghan on the bed. Her eyelids twitched heavily.
"Sect Master Qinglian, Bei Xinghan, he..."
Xu Yi's expression was grave, her words trailing off.
Qinglian Zhenren sighed. "I was just looking for you. You've arrived at a good time; I need your help with something."
Xu Yi's heart was filled with confusion. "You need my help? Given Bei Xinghan's current condition, I believe seeking a medical cultivator would be more appropriate."
Although Bei Xinghan had lost consciousness, his face still showed signs of pain, veins bulging, and his complexion pale and bloodless.
"No," Qinglian Zhenren shook his head decisively. "Only you can help him."
"I am willing to hear your explanation."
Qinglian Zhenren said solemnly, "I want to guide your divine soul into Bei Xinghan's sea of consciousness so that you can help him break through his inner demons."
"What?" Xu Yi almost thought she had misheard. After confirming that Qinglian Zhenren had not spoken incorrectly, she said sternly in opposition, "Absolutely not! This matter is strictly forbidden!"
Xu Yi never expected Qinglian Zhenren to come up with such an idea.
The divine soul was incredibly important to cultivators.
If the physical body was the vessel, then the divine soul was the foundation of cultivation.
Guiding her divine soul into Bei Xinghan's body, even a slight misstep could lead to her divine soul being damaged, hindering her cultivation, or in severe cases, her divine soul dissolving, leading to utter annihilation.
She naturally did not want to take such a risk.
"You need not worry. I will protect your divine soul with the Soul-Fixing Needle, ensuring you suffer no harm whatsoever."
Qinglian Zhenren naturally understood Xu Yi's concerns and immediately explained to her.
Xu Yi still shook her head. "Sect Master Qinglian, I apologize, but I cannot agree."
Xu Yi always had her own principles. In her heart, her own safety was far more important than that of an outsider, especially when that outsider was Bei Xinghan, with whom she had no particular acquaintance.
"Xu Yi, I will not let you take this risk in vain. As long as you are willing to help me with this favor, I can gift you the Soul-Fixing Needle. Once you recognize it as your master, you will understand why I am so confident in ensuring your safety."
Qinglian Zhenren was not angered by Xu Yi's refusal.
On the contrary, he felt fortunate that he had not fallen out with Xu Yi earlier over her concealed identity.
If they had clashed then, he truly wouldn't know how to make this request now.
Xu Yi was somewhat tempted.
Although she didn't know what the Soul-Fixing Needle was, the fact that the Sect Master of Xuanqing Sect treated it with such seriousness suggested it was of extraordinary origin.
However, after a moment of hesitation, she still refused.
Sect Master Qinglian was now genuinely surprised. He believed he had gained some understanding of Xu Yi and thought that presenting a valuable treasure would make her agree.
"You likely do not know what kind of magical artifact the Soul-Fixing Needle is. It is an eighth-level defensive magical artifact. If you recognize it as your master, even a cultivator in the Integration stage would not be able to harm your divine soul in the slightest."
"An eighth-level defensive magical artifact!"
Xu Yi's eyes widened in surprise, her breathing quickening slightly. She never expected Qinglian Zhenren to be willing to part with such a precious treasure; she had thought the Soul-Fixing Needle was at most a seventh-level magical artifact.
If it were an eighth-level defensive magical artifact, it would surely protect her divine soul without fail.
Xu Yi pondered for a long time, then slowly said, "Can Sect Master Qinglian tell me why you chose me, and why you believe I can definitely help Bei Xinghan break through his inner demons?"
Xu Yi found it suspicious.
Good things never came without reason.
If the Soul-Fixing Needle existed, then Qinglian Zhenren could have easily found someone else to help Bei Xinghan. Why was it specifically her?
"Because only you can do it."
Qinglian Zhenren stared at Xu Yi, his eyes filled with certainty.
Then, he began to tell Xu Yi Bei Xinghan's story.
"Do you know of the Unfeeling Sword, True Person Canghai?"
Xu Yi pondered for a moment, recalling information about this Unfeeling Sword cultivator from her memory.
"I do. True Person Canghai of your sect wielded the Unfeeling Swordplay with unparalleled might. A hundred years ago, after entering the ancient secret realm, he lost contact."
These few sentences summarized the life of True Person Canghai.
"The world only knows that True Person Canghai practiced the Unfeeling Swordplay, but they are unaware that he had a child who was also exceptionally talented in the Way of the Sword."
After stating this, Qinglian Zhenren shook his head in amazement, his expression turning complex.
"You mean to say..."
Xu Yi's gaze fell upon Bei Xinghan.
If Qinglian Zhenren was mentioning True Person Canghai at this moment, it must be related to Bei Xinghan.
"Precisely. Bei Xinghan is True Person Canghai's child, but unfortunately, he was not born under True Person Canghai's expectations."
Bei Xinghan's mother came from a declining family. One day, she stumbled upon the heavily injured True Person Canghai and was captivated by his handsome appearance. Later, upon discovering his noble status, she acted out of momentary infatuation. While True Person Canghai was unconscious, she drugged him and engaged in intimacy.
When True Person Canghai awoke, he nearly killed the woman with a single sword strike. However, in the end, he chose to spare her life.
He considered this incident a profound humiliation and never mentioned it to anyone. Therefore, when Bei Xinghan was sent to the Xuanqing Sect, he flew into a rage and even intended to throw the less than one-year-old Bei Xinghan down the mountain. It was only through the strong persuasion of the elders that Bei Xinghan's life was spared.
However, even though Bei Xinghan's life was saved, in Canghai Zhenren's eyes, he was merely an insignificant being.