Chapter 025

Chapter 25: Calamity Born Constitution

Wei Yun Ting scanned the disciples seated on the ground and quickly noticed that Yun Xi and Zong Hao were indeed missing. A knot of worry blocked her throat, making it difficult to breathe for a moment. Finally regaining herself, she said, “Stay here; I’ll go back and look for those two.”

Wei Yun Qing’s eyes sparkled cunningly as she immediately spoke up, “Elder Sister Yun Ting, could it be that they’ve already been eliminated? Will going back really help you find them?”

Hearing those words, Wei Yun Ting paused mid-step, genuinely annoyed. In truth, all the Wei family disciples knew that even if they failed this trial, they’d still become menial disciples of the Grand Righteous Sect. Unlike other candidates, they wouldn’t be sent home if they failed.

However, this was something they couldn’t openly discuss. Moreover, Yun Qing and Zong Hao had already succeeded in qi induction, giving them a good chance of passing the trial to become Outer Sect disciples. The difference between Outer Sect and Menial disciples was vast.

Menial disciples were usually cultivators with four or five spiritual roots, and without special opportunities, most would remain stuck at the Qi Refining stage for life. Only those who broke through to the later stages could advance to Outer Sect disciple status.

On the other hand, those with better spiritual roots who passed the entrance trial directly became Outer Sect disciples. Once they broke through to Foundation Establishment, they’d automatically become Inner Sect disciples, finally catching the eyes of the sect elders, significantly increasing their chances of being chosen by powerful masters.

Of course, if one’s spiritual roots were exceptional—such as having a single-element root, a mutated spiritual root, or a spiritual root value above ninety—they might be immediately recognized as a Named disciple, becoming official disciples upon reaching Foundation Establishment.

Wei Yun Xi found the Grand Righteous Sect’s system quite fair; at least openly, everything depended on one’s abilities.

Right now, Wei Yun Ting felt upset precisely because of Wei Yun Qing’s seemingly innocent remark. Her careless words had inadvertently lowered the starting point for the family’s disciples. Such differences would only widen with time, but Wei Yun Ting couldn’t openly rebuke her. All she could do was glare angrily at Wei Yun Qing before sitting down cross-legged to cultivate. This location, closer to the Grand Righteous Sect, had richer spiritual energy compared to Emerald Jade City, so she had to seize every opportunity.

At this moment, Wei Yun Xi had caught up with the group and overheard the conversation between Wei Yun Ting and Wei Yun Qing. Sensing Wei Yun Qing’s barely concealed satisfaction, Yun Xi smiled coldly but didn’t rush forward immediately.

Beside her, the plump Wei Zong Hao anxiously asked, “Can we catch up to Elder Sister Yun Ting and the others?”

Wei Yun Xi’s eyes twinkled as she said, “I overheard Elder Sister Yun Ting. They think we’ve already been eliminated!”

Wei Zong Hao instantly pouted and said defiantly, “Hmph! There’s no way we’d be eliminated! Let’s hurry over and show them we’re perfectly fine!”

Wei Yun Xi, however, quickly stopped him, whispering, “No, let’s follow behind secretly. We’ll surprise them when we’re about to reach the sect.”

Wei Zong Hao hesitated, asking uncertainly, “Is that safe? There’s only two of us…”

Wei Yun Xi figured keeping distance from Yun Qing—the girl who attracted calamities—was safer. Smiling warmly, she reassured him, “Don’t worry, Zong Hao brother. I have a defensive formation plate; it’s perfect for two people. Too many would actually make it harder to protect.”

Ultimately convinced, Wei Zong Hao agreed. After all, having company eased his fear.

That very night, Wei Zong Hao rejoiced at his decision, as Wei Yun Ting’s group was besieged by a pack of first-order Jade-Eyed wolves.

When the first wolf howl pierced the night, Wei Yun Xi opened her eyes immediately, swiftly spreading her spiritual sense. She discovered Jade-Eyed wolves running right beneath their sleeping tree and quickly woke the snoring Wei Zong Hao.

Wei Zong Hao blinked sleepily at first but instantly sobered upon hearing another howl, instinctively lowering his voice, “Junior Sister Yun Xi, what’s happening?”

Wei Yun Xi silently pointed downwards. Wei Zong Hao glanced down, quickly covering his mouth in shock, eyes wide open in disbelief. Only after the wolves passed did he whisper in horror, “Jade-Eyed wolves! What are they doing?”

Wei Yun Xi shook her head to indicate she didn’t know, gently reminding him, “We can’t go down tonight. Let’s wait until morning.”

Wei Zong Hao vigorously nodded. He’d be a fool to descend now. Earlier he complained about the discomfort of sleeping in a tree, but compared to life, comfort meant nothing.

Meanwhile, Wei Yun Xi’s spiritual sense followed the wolves and grew increasingly amused as she realized they’d surrounded Wei Yun Ting’s group and were attacking their defensive barrier. Wei Yun Xi rubbed her chin thoughtfully; clearly, these wolves were again attracted by something Wei Yun Qing had done.

The six trapped inside the barrier were terrified. None expected an attack by Jade-Eyed wolves at night. Even True Lord Yu Feng, hiding secretly nearby, found this odd. The group’s luck seemed remarkably bad—attacked first by spirit weasels during the day and now Jade-Eyed wolves at night.

Inside the barrier, Wei Yun Ting exchanged glances with Wei Zong Han. Both fixed their gazes suspiciously on Wei Yun Qing. Earlier, this younger sister had gone collecting firewood; had she perhaps unknowingly picked up something troublesome again?

Wei Yun Qing immediately protested, “I didn’t take anything strange! Just regular firewood—you can check my storage bag!”

Wei Zong Han swiftly inspected the campfire, quickly pulling out a partially burnt piece of wood. After extinguishing it, he sniffed deeply and exclaimed sharply, “This is Spirit Jade Wood! Burning it calms spirit beasts about to give birth.”

Instantly, everyone turned accusing eyes toward Wei Yun Qing once more.

Wei Yun Qing frantically defended herself, “I really didn’t know…”

Wei Yun Ting sighed deeply, silently forgiving Wei Yun Qing. Even she hadn’t recognized the wood; it was truly a stroke of terrible luck.

Meanwhile, Wei Yun Xi nearly laughed aloud. Witnessing Wei Yun Qing’s trouble lifted her spirits. Interestingly, she noticed that whenever she wasn’t near Wei Yun Qing, bad luck seemed to follow the heroine. Without her shielding presence, calamities directly targeted Yun Qing.

Thinking carefully, Wei Yun Xi began to understand her unique role. In the original novel, her character was a “treasure-delivering girl,” implying she had excellent fortune but couldn’t keep those treasures. Wei Yun Qing would then take advantage, seizing fortunes that weren’t hers, with Yun Xi absorbing some of her misfortunes or trials from heaven.

Now that she wasn’t around Yun Qing, no one shielded her from heaven’s tests. Had Wei Yun Qing bravely taken responsibility now, she’d easily gain the group’s respect. Instead, she’d chosen to appear weak, already losing her first move.

Smiling knowingly, Wei Yun Xi turned to Wei Zong Hao and whispered softly, “Brother Zong Hao, you sleep first. I’ll take the first half of the night.”

“Alright,” Wei Zong Hao agreed immediately.

Meanwhile, the six Wei family disciples remained trapped, helplessly besieged by the relentless Jade-Eyed wolves.