Chapter 008

Chapter 8: Preparing for the Storm

Every morning, Wei Yun Xi attended the family school together with the young companions of the Feng Clan. There, they learned foundational knowledge about the cultivation world. Some lessons had already been taught to her by Feng Jia Yun, but the original Wei Yun Xi had not understood or clearly remembered them. Now, the transmigrated Wei Yun Xi absorbed all the information thoroughly, making her days in the Feng Clan both fruitful and satisfying.

The afternoon lessons, however, were far more exciting for the children. Cultivators of the Feng Clan taught from texts such as the Encyclopedia of Demon Beasts and the Compendium of Spirit Plants.

In the words of their teachers, “If a demon beast attacks, you must recognize what type it is and know its weakness. And if you stumble upon a spirit plant, you should at least understand its worth. Otherwise, you’ll regret losing a rare treasure.”

Since the Feng Clan had risen through alchemy, identifying and classifying spirit plants was mandatory for every disciple. To advance to the next level of study, one must score excellently. Thus, these past few days Wei Yun Xi had buried herself deep within the thick pages of the Compendium of Spirit Plants, diligently memorizing its contents.

Each evening upon returning home, Wei Yun Xi would swallow a Body Tempering Pill before stepping into the hot spring bath, allowing the medicine to fully absorb into her body.

The first time she took the pill, she had felt only slight tingling all over her body, without any pain.

According to the Feng Clan Master, children her age usually cried and rolled on the floor in pain the first time they took a Body Tempering Pill, gradually adapting afterward.

From this, Wei Yun Xi guessed Feng Jia Yun had secretly fed her daughter these pills before, carefully protecting her from discomfort.

Wei Yun Xi sighed softly in her heart. Feng Jia Yun truly was a good mother. But perhaps even she hadn’t expected that one day she would suddenly part from her daughter, leaving her in the hands of that hypocrite, Wei Ling Yue.

Though secluded within the Feng Clan, Wei Yun Xi still heard news from outside. Du Ruo Lan had officially become Madam Wei, and Wei Yun Qing was now the legitimate daughter of the Wei Clan. Mother and daughter must be feeling very proud of themselves now.

Soon after, Wei Ling Yue sent someone to pick up his daughter from the Feng Clan, saying Yun Xi’s fifth birthday was approaching. After the birthday, she would undergo the spiritual root test and begin cultivation. The Wei Clan had other plans for Yun Xi’s future.

This time, even the Feng Clan Master couldn’t object. He explained the situation clearly to Wei Yun Xi and prepared a small beginner’s storage bag filled with useful items for early-stage Qi Refining, instructing her to keep it by her side.

After careful thought, Wei Yun Xi handed over the storage pendant that she usually wore to Feng Jia Qing, earnestly saying, “Maternal uncle, please hold onto these items left by my mother. Once I have the ability to protect them myself, you can return them to me.”

The Feng Clan Master was surprised. He hadn’t expected the little one to trust him so deeply, entrusting him with everything his younger sister had left for her daughter. Smiling, he asked, “Yun Xi, do you really trust maternal uncle that much? Why not keep it yourself?”

Wei Yun Xi pretended to wrinkle her brows thoughtfully before replying, “Wei Yun Qing always snatches my things. After testing spiritual roots, if she has better talent than me, she’ll definitely use her mother’s new position as Madam Wei to bully me and take my belongings. I refuse to hand my precious things over to her.”

Upon hearing this, the Feng Clan Master immediately understood. The little girl still remembered Wei Yun Qing snatching her mother’s hairpin. But he also knew this decision was wise. Though their motives differed, both wished to protect the items left by Feng Jia Yun.

Since the Feng Clan had already concealed Wei Yun Xi’s spiritual root, when Wei Ling Yue learned of her mediocre talent, he certainly wouldn’t devote many resources to cultivate her, nor would he give much attention to this daughter.

Perhaps Wei Ling Yue might even stoop lower and coax Yun Xi into handing over her mother’s belongings, just as he had done before. Therefore, the Feng Clan Master wholeheartedly approved of Yun Xi’s decision.

Today was Wei Yun Xi’s fifth birthday. The Feng Clan Master gifted her a first-grade defensive bracelet. It activated passively, automatically protecting its owner from fatal injuries—even without cultivation.

Wei Yun Xi instantly recognized the bracelet as a treasure. She immediately dripped blood on it to establish ownership and happily slid it onto her wrist. Then, accompanied by four maidservants, she was escorted back to the Wei household by the Feng Clan Master himself.

Wei Ling Yue personally welcomed her, exchanging polite pleasantries with the Feng Clan Master before parting ways.

Wei Yun Xi had thought she’d be relocated to a distant courtyard. To her surprise, she returned smoothly to her original home, Radiant Brilliance Courtyard—another change differing from the novel’s plot.

Back in Radiant Brilliance Courtyard, Wei Yun Xi first bathed and changed into fresh clothes, then was carried by her maidservant to greet her shameless father and meet Wei family’s newly promoted concubine.

“Yun Xi pays respects to Father. May Father be forever blessed,” Wei Yun Xi spoke sweetly, completely ignoring Du Ruo Lan sitting to the side.

Du Ruo Lan didn’t seem to mind, gazing at Wei Yun Xi with a face full of maternal affection. With an overly sweet smile, she remarked, “It appears the Feng Clan took excellent care of Yun Xi. Your little face has gotten rounder.”

Wei Yun Xi refused to respond. Such a fake smile clearly meant trouble, just like a fox greeting a hen. Instead, she simply opened her wide eyes and stared directly at Wei Ling Yue.

Feeling awkward under his daughter’s stare, Wei Ling Yue coughed lightly, then spoke, “Yun Xi, from now on Concubine Du is Madam Wei. You must show her respect.”

Since her shameless father had spoken, Wei Yun Xi didn’t defy him. Turning slightly, she bowed courteously toward Du Ruo Lan and said, “Yun Xi greets Madam Wei.”

The corner of Du Ruo Lan’s mouth twitched slightly, but she nodded gently, saying tactfully, “Father and daughter must have many things to discuss after being apart for so long. I won’t linger here. You two talk, I’ll check on Yun Qing.” With that, she gracefully swayed out of the hall.

Once Du Ruo Lan left, Wei Ling Yue wore the expression of a caring father, asking Wei Yun Xi about her time at the Feng Clan, whether she’d been treated well or faced any troubles.

Wei Yun Xi wasn’t foolish. She only shared harmless things, describing how the Feng Clan children had accompanied her in play, how delicious the food had been, and how various elders had gifted her small presents.

As she finished speaking, Wei Yun Xi proudly patted the beginner’s storage bag hanging at her waist and boasted a little, “Father, maternal uncle gave this bag to daughter. He said once daughter tests her spiritual root, everything inside can be used for cultivation.”

Wei Ling Yue’s eyes flashed. Sending a strand of his spiritual sense into the bag, he found it was only three square meters, holding merely a mysterious iron sword, a few bottles of first-grade pills, and a defensive hairpin suitable for beginners—nothing else.

Secretly cursing the Feng Clan for stinginess, Wei Ling Yue said aloud, “Yun Xi, did you properly thank your maternal uncle?”

“Rest assured, Father, Yun Xi expressed deep gratitude,” she assured sweetly.

“Good. Rest early tonight. Tomorrow, the family will test spiritual roots for all children turning five.”

“Yes, Father,” Wei Yun Xi responded obediently yet remained standing, shifting slightly but not leaving.

Wei Ling Yue frowned slightly. “Yun Xi, is there anything else?”

Wei Yun Xi gazed up with hopeful eyes and asked, “Father, today is daughter’s birthday. Did Father prepare a gift for daughter?”