Here are some ways to translate the given text:* **Literal Translation:** " []

More than 4,000 disciples went out but less than 3,000 returned.

One quarter of the disciples died in the north.

This was the time in Tiyizong's nearly hundred-year history that suffered the most disciple losses. The news, upon its arrival, shook Tiyizong from top to bottom.

This is still thanks to the efforts of Zuiyu True Monarch and Tinghan True Monarch who spared no effort to save the situation at the crucial moment.

Zui Yu Zhenjun rose to his feet, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "With the Golden Crow's ascension, misfortune seeks to capitalize on the chaos. Who knew that the Fusang Tree had long since become sentient, secretly stirring the pot, hoping to reap the benefits? All the sects that traveled north this time suffered greatly.

To be honest, Tianyi Sect still suffered the fewest losses.

Of course, there's nothing to be proud of.

"Three years later, when the major sects hold their grand competitions, we'll likely see how much each sect has been affected by this war."

On the surface, it's hard to tell how much the Northern Mission impacted things, but the aftereffects are terrifying and could last for three to five years at least.

"I was just about to tell you all this."

All eyes instantly turned to the Sect Master.

The Sect Master calmly said, “The Xuan Tian Sect and the Bi Hai Pavilion have sent letters proposing to postpone the time limit for the Grand Competition of Sects by five years. They also want to increase the total number of participants entering the secret realm and remove the age restriction. What do you think?”

"Zuiyu Zhenjun carefully pondered, 'After this battle, the major factions of Nanzhou have all suffered some losses in vitality. It would be a good idea to wait a few years, cultivate and recuperate, and then participate together again.' "

The sect leader nodded with a smile, "I feel the same way. Then I'll reply later, as a response to this matter."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "What about Qingyun... any news yet?"

Zuiyu Zhenjun's calm face vanished, replaced by a helpless shake of his head. "That day, Qingyun, my junior sister, noticed something amiss with the Fushang tree and risked her life to investigate. She hasn't returned since... I led several searches, but all were in vain."

The ever-silent Listening Frost True Monarch suddenly spoke, "Reporting to the Sect Master, in fact, about this matter... I have some conjectures."

The sect leader looked at the Listening Cold True Monarch, "What guess?"

After the golden crow's failed attempt to cross the tribulation, HoDou seized the opportunity to attack. But before we could come to its aid, they vanished. Even the golden crow guarding nearby couldn't find their hiding place.

Although the north is vast, it can't possibly contain two demonic beasts of nearly demon king level unless someone even more powerful intervenes!

Zui Yu Zhenjun raised an eyebrow. "You mean the disappearance of Jinwu and Hudou was caused by the Fusang tree?!"

"Yes!" Hearing the words, Lord Hán nodded politely. "If the Fǔshāng tree swallowed the Golden Crow and caused chaos, then it wouldn't be surprising if it swallowed people like Qīngyún as well."

The sect leader frowned, "Could it be that inside the Paulownia tree, there's already a space of its own?"

Listening to Han Zhenjun say: “That's not necessarily true, it's also possible that the Fushang tree moved them to another place.”

The Sect Master pondered, "Their fate tokens are all fine, there's nothing amiss. It seems they are still safe…"

Zui Yu Zhenjun proactively stepped forward, "Sect Master, Qing Yun's junior sister was sent by me to investigate the Fuso Tree. I am willing to lead a team to the north to investigate. I will not return until I find Qing Yun's junior sister!"

Even Han Zhenjun, without saying a word, volunteered: "I've known Qingyun for decades and know her best. Let me go look for her near the Fushang tree!"

Zuiyu Zhenjun glanced at him, "Tinghan, junior brother, don't take this the wrong way, but in terms of combat ability, you are still inferior to Qingyun, your junior sister. Even if you find her, you wouldn't be able to save her if she gets into danger."

The Sect Leader nodded, "Qiyun has disappeared. With Longleifeng leaderless and her disciples without guidance, given your relationship with Qiyun, why not stay in the sect to look after Longleifeng?"

Listening to the true monarch of Han, weighing both sides, he finally chose to step back.

The Sect Master sighed, "The only good thing about this trial is that it allowed these disciples to be reborn. Once they drew their swords and saw blood, they were different."

Only now are they worthy of being called "excellent."

She admonished earnestly: "Four years ago, there was a disturbance in the four poles. The spiritual energy of the Cangwu realm surged day by day, not reaching the level of ancient times, but at least reaching the level of a thousand years ago."

This batch of disciples, their talents are unprecedentedly good… Those who survived this battle should all be cultivated well!

"The future of my Tiān Yī Zōng lies with them!"

"Yes!"

Other True Ones nodded and praised.

"Now that the mission in Beidi is complete, it's time to prioritize the sect competition. I have entrusted this matter to Baiyi and Xiuyue. You must also assist them and ensure there are no further incidents!"

……

Lin Qi went up to Zhong Lei Peak and was immediately checked from head to toe by her own senior sister.

After a month in the north, Master Yuan's transformation was quite noticeable.

He/She has grown taller, thinner, and there is a new firmness and steadiness in their eyes and brows, making them even more charming.

As for Lin Qi, besides his cultivation increasing, there were no other changes.

Seeing Lin Qi's deep, visible bone wound on his left hand, Yuan Xi frowned deeply, "Does it hurt?"

Lin Qi felt warm and fuzzy inside being treated this way by her senior sister. She couldn't feel the pain anymore.

She smiled and nodded, "It hurt a little bit at first, but seeing how much my senior sister cared about me, I didn't feel it anymore."

Yuan Xi looked at her with tenderness mingled with helplessness, "These wounds were all inflicted by beasts?"

Lin Qi nodded honestly.

Yuan Xi shijie took out two jade bottles from her bosom. "The red-patterned medicine is for replenishing qi and blood, three pills a day. The silver-patterned one is for healing wounds, one pill a day. Don't forget to take them!"

Lin Qi nodded happily, her eyes clear and bright, looking somewhat naive.

Yuan Xi's eyes became more and more gentle, reaching out to gently rub Lin Qi's small head.

"I heard about what you did in Bi Shui Town, Zhao shimei even sent me a message praising you. Xiao Qi, you did very well."

Lin Qi let out a sigh, "I don't want Shimei Lin to leave with regrets either."

After Lin Xi's death, Lin Qi went to see Zhao, the senior sister who had luckily survived.

Although Master Zhao's lower body is paralyzed, as long as she is alive, she can be cured.

Master Zhao was injured while protecting Bi Shui Town. The sect will give her a stipend.

Lin Qi then used some privilege and added a fourth-rank body sculpting pill to the subsidy.

With this Body Tempering Pill, Senior Sister Zhao had already recovered half of her strength on the way back.

If only Sister Zhao relied on herself, it would probably take three to five years to get a fourth-rank elixir.

After chatting for a while, Lin Qi still couldn't hold back and asked, "Senior Sister, do you have any news about your master? After I arrived in the north, I haven't heard from her again."

When the northern mission ended, Lin Qi's several letters of apology were returned. Only then did she realize that Qing Yun Zhenjun had never received her letters.

Yuan Xi shijie patted Lin Qi's shoulder and comforted her: "About your master's affairs, Han shishishu has already told me a bit."

Lin Qi widened her eyes, full of curiosity and worry.

"Several golden crow-inhabited paulownia trees began to show abnormalities. The master volunteered to replace the Heavenly One Sect and three other sects' nascent soul true monarchs to explore the situation. As a result, he went...and was never heard from again."

(The End)