Chapter 017

Chapter 17: Tricking Each Other

Wei Yun Xi immediately put on a troubled expression after hearing those words, seeming to hesitate whether she should tell or not. Wei Yun Qing blinked her eyes, sensing an opening, and continued warmly, “Little sister, you’re going to Grand Righteous Sect with me; surely you wouldn’t hide such a small thing from your elder sister?”

Wei Yun Xi quickly shook her head, looked around cautiously, then leaned close to whisper softly into Wei Yun Qing’s ear, “It was my maid Feng Xiu who helped me. Her cultivation is already at the late stage of qi refining. She used spiritual qi to directly pour cultivation into me, allowing me to succeed in qi induction so quickly.”

Wei Yun Xi was spouting nonsense; she’d learned this trick from reading cultivation novels, and though she had no idea whether it was true, it was more than enough to fool Wei Yun Qing, who was equally new to cultivation.

After hearing this, Wei Yun Qing’s eyes flashed, seemingly forming other plans. She quickly took Wei Yun Xi’s hand, and the two sisters walked hand-in-hand, smiling sweetly, into the cultivation hall.

Feng Xiu, observing Wei Yun Xi’s earnest nonsense, felt an urge to cover her face with her hand, but she knew it wasn’t the right time to expose her young miss. Maintaining a composed expression, she bade them farewell and returned to Radiant Brilliance Courtyard to keep an eye on Zhen Zhu.

As soon as the two sisters entered the cultivation hall, the other children heard Wei Yun Xi had succeeded in qi induction and sent another wave of envious and jealous looks her way before redoubling their cultivation efforts.

The Sixth Elder confirmed Wei Yun Xi’s successful qi induction and moved her to a better cultivation spot where spiritual qi was denser. Currently, Wei Yun Qing and Wei Zong Jin occupied that spot, and now, adding Wei Yun Xi, the trio formed a circle that drew everyone’s envy.

After provoking Wei Yun Qing a bit, Wei Yun Xi sat down next to Wei Zong Jin and greeted him with a sweet smile. Wei Zong Jin, also five years old, tilted his chin proudly toward Wei Yun Xi, crossed his legs, and closed his eyes to cultivate without further interaction.

Wei Yun Xi just shrugged nonchalantly, crossed her legs, and started cultivating diligently herself. Soon, she felt as though she were immersed in a warm spring, rapidly absorbing the surrounding spiritual qi. The qi seemed particularly fond of her, eagerly entering her body.

The Sixth Elder sensed the change in the spiritual qi flow in the hall. Glancing toward the three, he saw them deeply focused on cultivation and nodded with satisfaction before continuing to oversee the children who hadn’t yet reached qi induction.

After the day’s cultivation ended, Feng Xiu came to bring Wei Yun Xi back home. After enjoying a spiritual meal, Wei Yun Xi activated her protective array and resumed cultivating.

Feng Jia Qing had explained clearly to Wei Yun Xi that cultivation at the early qi refining stage made her only slightly stronger than mortals. Her senses would become sharper, her body sturdier, but her attacking power wouldn’t be significantly better than an ordinary person’s.

Given her tiny five-year-old frame, if she fought an adult mortal without using cultivation methods, she’d stand no chance at all.

Feng Jia Qing had seriously warned Wei Yun Xi, “Until you reach the late qi refining stage, don’t leave the family. Otherwise, you’re likely to die prematurely on the road.”

Wei Yun Xi kept her maternal uncle’s advice firmly in mind. Her priority now was to raise her cultivation steadily and use refined spiritual qi to widen her meridians. Among cultivators at the same stage, the one with greater spiritual qi reserves would always win in the end.

While Wei Yun Xi cultivated diligently step by step, she had no idea Du Ruo Lan was already planning how to destroy her spiritual roots.

When news of Wei Yun Xi’s qi induction reached Du Ruo Lan, she smashed the cup in her hand. She had just convinced Old Master Wei Ling Yue not to allow Wei Yun Xi to follow Wei Yun Qing to the Grand Righteous Sect, using Wei Yun Xi’s poor talent as an excuse. Now Wei Yun Xi had succeeded in qi induction, a direct slap to Du Ruo Lan’s face.

“No, she cannot be allowed to go to Grand Righteous Sect,” she said coldly.

“But, Madam,” Zhen Zhu frowned, “that Feng maid watches Yun Xi very closely and won’t let any of our servants approach.”

Du Ruo Lan thought for a moment before saying, “Just watch her carefully; I’ll handle the rest.”

“Yes, Madam.” Zhen Zhu was dismissed, and Du Ruo Lan immediately began searching through her storage pouch.

When Wei Ling Yue learned that Yun Xi was the third child in the family to reach qi induction, he felt indifferent.

Two months later, Wei Yun Qing reached the first layer of qi refining, again becoming the envy of all. Wei Yun Xi still smiled brightly, congratulating her sister before returning to diligent cultivation.

However, it seemed all of Wei Yun Xi’s luck had been used up at qi induction. Before leaving for the Grand Righteous Sect, Wei Yun Qing reached the peak of the first layer of qi refining, nearly breaking through to the second layer—among the top disciples in the family. Meanwhile, Wei Yun Xi never broke through the first layer, though she worked very hard. Even Wei Zong Jin had already reached qi refining stage one.

Eventually, Wei Yun Xi was excluded from the final list going to Grand Righteous Sect. Du Ruo Lan rejoiced secretly, temporarily halting her plan.

When Wei Yun Xi heard the news, she felt truly relieved, though she knew she had to play her role convincingly. Pretending to feel wronged, she quietly complained to her uncle’s family. Feng Jia Qing appeared on cue.

Wei Yun Xi didn’t know what Feng Jia Qing said to Wei Ling Yue, but in the end, she was allowed to move to Feng’s home to study alchemy.

“That’s great!” Wei Yun Xi finally felt a sense of relief, thinking she’d taken her first real step toward escaping her predetermined fate—but two days later, she was slapped in the face by reality.

After confirming the five children headed to Grand Righteous Sect, the Wei family prepared resources for them. Wei Ling Yue personally volunteered to escort the young ones there.

On the day of departure, however, a Nascent Soul Elder from Grand Righteous Sect, True Lord Yu Feng, arrived at Emerald Jade City and visited the Wei family.

Patriarch Wei Ling Tao, along with the family elders, personally greeted True Lord Yu Feng, making the entire Emerald Jade City lively with excitement due to a Nascent Soul elder’s arrival. The Wei family instantly became the center of attention.

Wei Ling Tao was Wei Ling Yue’s younger brother and Wei Zong Jin’s father. With greater talent, Wei Ling Tao became the family patriarch. Wei Ling Yue was thus referred to as “Old Master.”

Wei Ling Yue would likely remain stuck at the peak of the late foundation establishment stage, but Wei Ling Tao, with superior talent, had hopes of reaching Golden Core. Though they appeared friendly in public, the brothers privately competed, especially regarding their children’s talent. This round, Wei Ling Yue narrowly won.

Since it concerned his daughter entering Grand Righteous Sect, Wei Ling Yue also attended the family’s discussion hall.

After exchanging formal greetings, Wei Ling Tao politely asked, “True Lord Yu Feng, may I ask why you’ve come specially to Emerald Jade City?”

Yu Feng had a stern face, solemnly smoothing his robes as he replied, “By the sect’s command, we are increasing the recruitment of Chief Disciples. On my way to pick up the Wei disciples, I’ll also select other talented candidates from Emerald Jade City.”

Wei Ling Tao and Wei Ling Yue exchanged surprised glances. Previously, Grand Righteous Sect never recruited disciples from such a remote place. Their own disciples had entered the sect only through ancestral connections.

Ignoring the brothers’ silent exchange, Yu Feng continued, “I will inform the City Lord of Emerald Jade City. I’ll remain here tomorrow to select disciples, and then we will leave for the sect. As a favor, I’ll grant the Wei family three additional spots for admission.”