Chapter 011

Chapter 11: Keeping a Low Profile

When Xia Mo entered, she immediately bowed respectfully to Wei Yun Xi, looking somewhat confused as she asked, “Young Miss, did you summon this maidservant for something?”

“You were on night watch last night. Did you notice anything strange?”

Xia Mo froze for a moment, then quickly dropped to her knees, saying, “Please forgive this maidservant, Young Miss. Last night, during the second half of the watch, this servant fell asleep deeply.”

Upon hearing this, Chun Yu glared angrily at her, snapping sharply, “Xia Mo, how dare you! How could you make such a mistake? Didn’t you get dismissed early yesterday to rest in preparation?”

Face turning pale, Xia Mo stammered helplessly, “This servant… this servant doesn’t know what happened. It’s never occurred before.”

Wei Yun Xi already had a hunch in her heart. She knew Xia Mo wasn’t at fault. After all, Xia Mo was just a mortal and couldn’t resist methods employed by cultivators. Thus, she waved her small hand lightly and said, “It’s fine. I already have an idea of what happened. Chun Yu will keep watch tonight.”

“Yes, Young Miss.”

After breakfast, Zhen Zhu came to escort Wei Yun Xi to the cultivation hall.

With a look full of expectation, Wei Yun Xi left Radiant Flower Courtyard under the watchful eyes of the four maidservants.

After confirming her identity, Wei Yun Xi entered the cultivation hall alone. Zhen Zhu didn’t have permission to enter, so at Wei Yun Xi’s indication, she returned to Radiant Flower Courtyard.

At the door of the hall, Wei Yun Xi encountered Wei Yun Qing.

Wei Yun Qing’s eyes flashed with pride, while Wei Yun Xi sweetly spoke up, “Elder Sister Yun Qing, you’ve arrived? Did your new maidservant bring you here today?”

Wei Yun Qing, somewhat uncomfortable, took a step away before proudly lifting her chin to answer, “Father assigned me a maidservant at Qi Refining sixth layer. What about you?”

Wei Yun Xi immediately displayed a wronged expression, pouting as she complained, “Father is so biased! I’m going to find Father and ask him for a maidservant at the sixth layer of Qi Refining, too!”

Just then, the Sixth Elder, who oversaw the cultivation hall, opened his eyes. He’d heard everything clearly, yet understood Wei Ling Yue’s reasoning, so he simply coughed lightly and announced, “It’s nearly time. Everyone, please quickly take your seats.”

Wei Yun Qing, thinking herself superior, proudly entered first. Wei Yun Xi trailed behind with an aggrieved look and quietly found a corner seat, appearing dazed.

The Sixth Elder said nothing more and began explaining the principles of Qi Induction, “Today, I will teach you the basics of Qi Induction. The first step is sensing the spiritual energy particles. Each person’s perception varies according to their spiritual root…”

Wei Yun Xi pretended to remain in a daze. She’d already learned all this knowledge at the Feng family. Still, she kept an ear open to see if the Wei family’s teachings held any differences. She intended to combine the best teachings of both families.

Another portion of her mind pondered the recent tampering of her storage pendant. She suspected Zhen Zhu had meddled with it last night. The motive wasn’t hard to guess.

If Zhen Zhu was working for Du Ruo Lan, her target would naturally be the things left behind by Feng Jia Yun. After all, Wei Yun Xi’s mother had been a second-grade Alchemist, and the pills she’d left behind were more than enough for Wei Yun Xi to cultivate until Foundation Establishment stage.

For Du Ruo Lan, this was a considerable fortune. Even if she herself didn’t need the pills, she’d find ways to claim those resources for her daughter, whose talent was exceptional.

Since this maidservant couldn’t be trusted, Wei Yun Xi absolutely couldn’t allow Zhen Zhu to protect her during Qi Induction. Who knew if Zhen Zhu might sabotage her cultivation and ruin her foundation? Who could she cry to then?

While Wei Yun Xi considered her next steps, a childish voice suddenly cried out beside her, “Quick, everyone! Look! What’s that beside Elder Sister Yun Qing?”

Everyone’s gaze in the cultivation hall immediately shifted to Wei Yun Qing. Blue and green motes of spiritual energy were gently drifting around her, creating a dreamlike image.

“Silence!” the Sixth Elder sternly reminded. He then smiled kindly at Wei Yun Qing. A dual-element spiritual root was indeed extraordinary. It was only the first day, and she could already sense spiritual particles.

The other children looked toward Wei Yun Qing with envy and jealousy. It was only their first day, yet someone had already begun sensing spiritual energy. It truly was infuriating!

Wei Yun Xi, however, secretly prayed that Wei Yun Qing wouldn’t succeed in Qi Induction.

Perhaps heaven heard Wei Yun Xi’s prayer, or maybe Wei Yun Qing was startled by the sudden silence around her. Regardless, Wei Yun Qing soon opened her eyes, and the shimmering particles around her dispersed immediately.

Frustrated, Wei Yun Qing scratched her head and looked toward the Sixth Elder.

The Sixth Elder gently encouraged her, saying, “Yun Qing girl, don’t fret. Today is only your first day, yet you’ve already sensed spiritual energy. You’ve done excellently. It’ll take some time to draw it into your body, so don’t be discouraged and continue your efforts.”

“Yes, Sixth Elder, Yun Qing understands.”

Wei Yun Qing glanced around and saw everyone’s admiring gazes, instantly washing away her frustrations.

At noon, the Sixth Elder gave everyone half an hour to have lunch before continuing to sense spiritual particles in the afternoon.

When Zhen Zhu came to bring Wei Yun Xi back to Radiant Flower Courtyard, Wei Yun Xi pretended to look disappointed and asked, “Zhen Zhu, how long did it take you to achieve Qi Induction?”

Zhen Zhu respectfully answered, “Replying to Young Miss, this maidservant has four-element spiritual roots. It took three months to achieve Qi Induction.”

“Hiss! That long?”

“Yes. This servant’s talent cannot compare to yours, and my cultivation resources were limited, so it naturally took longer. With Young Miss’s talent, you should achieve Qi Induction within a month at most. Don’t rush; the more impatient you are, the harder it is to succeed.”

“Sigh, I understand.”

After returning and finishing dinner, Wei Yun Xi had Zhen Zhu stand guard outside to protect her as she pretended to sit cross-legged on her bed, seemingly starting Qi Induction.

In reality, the moment she closed her eyes, she could see dazzling, multicolored motes of spiritual energy clearly. She could sense that if she released her intent, the motes would easily be drawn to her, perhaps even enter her body directly.

But she couldn’t do that. With her disguised three-element spiritual root talent, achieving Qi Induction in a single day was impossible. If she did, Wei Ling Yue would grow suspicious, while Du Ruo Lan and Wei Yun Qing would watch her even more closely. She didn’t want her spiritual roots stolen or her golden core ripped out. She could only quietly endure for now.

Zhen Zhu observed Wei Yun Xi from outside. She noticed the little girl barely sat cross-legged for fifteen minutes before becoming restless, as though her bottom was pricked with needles. Soon she opened her eyes, played with her fingers for a bit, then took items from her storage pendant and began fiddling with them on the bed, completely abandoning Qi Induction.

Zhen Zhu smiled faintly. These spirit stones were the easiest she’d ever earned; she didn’t even have to intervene. The little miss distracted herself without prompting. Zhen Zhu wouldn’t remind her either. Her task was merely protection—her cultivation was none of Zhen Zhu’s concern.

For the next three days, Wei Yun Xi continued the same pattern. On the fifth day, news came from the cultivation hall that Wei Yun Qing had successfully achieved Qi Induction.