Chapter 034

Chapter 34: An Unfriendly Welcome

The newly arrived disciples from Emerald Jade City remained quiet, waiting for someone from the Wei Clan to speak first.

Wei Yun Xi glanced at the disciple blocking their way. She noticed he had already reached the fourth layer of Qi Refining, enough to qualify him to intimidate newcomers.

Wei Yun Ting stepped forward and politely cupped her fists, saying, “We are new disciples from Emerald Jade City. I am Wei Yun Ting from the Wei Clan. May I ask senior brother’s name?”

Hearing Wei Yun Ting introduce herself, the disciple’s eyes flickered briefly before he answered curtly, “Chen Feng. Congratulations on joining the sect.”

The others politely cupped their fists but did not continue the conversation.

Seeing this, Wei Yun Ting spoke again, “If senior brother has no further business, we will return. We must rise early for lectures tomorrow.”

Chen Feng’s expression darkened. He replied with irritation, “Am I, your senior brother, so unwelcome?”

Wei Zong Han, his face indifferent, cupped his fists and asked bluntly, “Does senior brother Chen Feng have something to teach us?”

His tone clearly meant: [What nonsense do you want?]

Chen Feng’s expression turned gloomy, and he said, “In the Outer Sect, you must pay respects to those above you. Don’t think joining the sect means you’ve made it.”

Wei Yun Xi rubbed her chin thoughtfully, whispering softly to Wei Zong Hao at her side, “Brother Zong Hao, is he asking us to acknowledge him as our backer?”

Wei Zong Hao rubbed his chubby hands nervously, replying, “It seems like it.”

“Is he powerful?”

“My cultivation is too low; I can’t tell.”

“Then, he’s just an Outer Sect disciple, right?”

“He should be. His robes look just like ours.”

“Then why don’t we acknowledge Little Uncle instead? He’s an Inner Sect disciple, surely stronger than senior brother Chen.”

“You mean Little Uncle Ling Kai?”

“Yes, but I wonder which peak he’s from?”

“Let’s ask Eldest Sister Yun Ting. She definitely knows.”

After their intentionally loud “whispered” exchange, both turned their eyes toward Wei Yun Ting. Meanwhile, Chen Feng, who had been eavesdropping, was glaring fiercely at the two.

Wei Yun Xi pretended to be frightened, ducking behind Wei Yun Ting and timidly saying, “Eldest sister, he’s glaring at me. Did little sister say something wrong?”

Wei Yun Ting understood their intentions and calmly replied, “You said nothing wrong. It’s just someone trying to bully the newcomers.”

She took out a communication talisman from her storage bag, openly spoke a few words into it in front of Chen Feng, then released it into the air.

After the talisman flew off, Wei Yun Ting said firmly, “Senior Brother Chen Feng, do you have anything else to teach us? We Wei disciples do not cause trouble, but neither are we afraid of it. We came to cultivate and improve ourselves, not to flatter others.”

Chen Feng’s face twisted with anger. “Good! Very good! I, Chen Feng, will remember you!”

He flung his sleeves angrily and stormed off.

After Chen Feng had walked away, Wei Yun Ting turned, frowning slightly, and addressed everyone, “The forest is big, and all kinds of birds dwell in it. You will surely encounter people like Chen Feng again. From now on, try not to go out alone or to secluded places.”

“The Outer Sect is fiercely competitive. He probably wanted our cultivation resources. Don’t underestimate those five low-grade spirit stones and the medicinal pills. For ordinary disciples, those items are precious.”

Wei Yun Xi had already realized Chen Feng’s intentions. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have specifically targeted these new disciples. She immediately chimed in, “Eldest sister, isn’t that robbery without effort? Does the sect not care?”

Wei Yun Qing glanced at Yun Xi disapprovingly, “Didn’t you hear him? He has backing. Who knows who his backer is? He’ll certainly cause us trouble later. We can’t always move together in a big group. You spoke too carelessly!”

Wei Yun Ying immediately retorted, “Our Wei Clan has backing, too, so why shouldn’t we mention it? Should we just hand over our cultivation resources every time someone demands them? If you’re so willing to feed others, don’t drag us along! We’re not spineless.”

Wei Zong Hao and Wei Zong Jin nodded vigorously in agreement.

Wei Zong Yu added, “We should focus on cultivating. Once our strength surpasses his, he won’t dare bully us anymore.”

Wei Yun Ting exchanged a look with Wei Zong Han, feeling satisfied with everyone except Wei Yun Qing, who seemed timid and unwilling to confront trouble.

Wei Zong Han said calmly, “No need to argue further. Yun Ting has already sent a message to Little Uncle. I’m sure he will visit the Outer Sect soon. Those people wouldn’t dare openly trouble us out of respect for him. Zong Yu is right—only strength can protect us. Everyone, please remain vigilant.”

“Yes, Brother Zong Han!” everyone agreed.

The remaining fourteen disciples stayed quiet. This time, they’d benefited from the Wei Clan’s protection, but next time they might not be so lucky. It was better to diligently cultivate and quickly reach the third layer of Qi Refining to secure their positions as Outer Sect disciples.

After this incident, no one felt like strolling around anymore. They had seen enough and preferred to rest and prepare for official training tomorrow.

Wei Yun Qing was ignored once more. Angry and frustrated, she clenched her teeth. She’d meant well—getting into a conflict so soon after joining the sect was unwise—but everyone misunderstood her good intentions, leaving her furious.

When they returned to their courtyard, Wei Yun Qing wanted to explain, but no one listened. They went directly to their rooms, activating isolation arrays, forcing her to stomp her foot in frustration and retreat to her own room.

Upon returning, Wei Yun Xi sat cross-legged on a cushion in the cultivation room, beginning to practice the Qi Refining portion of the Soul Refining Art. Wei Zong Yu was right: only strength mattered. If you were strong enough, no one would dare threaten you.

Meanwhile, at the Sword Peak of the Inner Sect, Wei Ling Kai had just sheathed his sword when a messaging paper crane approached. He lifted a hand to catch it, listened to the message, and a faint smile crossed his usually stern face.

The young ones of his Wei Clan had successfully passed the sect’s assessment. For them to send a message now meant they’d encountered some trouble. He decided he’d visit the Outer Sect area tomorrow.

Elsewhere, after returning to his courtyard, Chen Feng ignored his fellow disciples’ greetings and stormed straight to his room.

“What’s with him?” someone asked.

“Ha! He kicked an iron plate. He wanted to copy those lazy ones who steal resources from new disciples, but he ran into someone protected by an Inner Sect disciple. Now he’s come back with his tail between his legs,” another disciple sneered.

“Chen Feng wasn’t always like this, was he? He used to be bullied himself, so why has he become like those bullies?”

“Probably out of frustration. He wants shortcuts now.”

Another disciple hesitated, then asked, “Do you think it’s because of Junior Sister Tang?”

“Who else? She chose to become a concubine to a Golden Core Daoist Master willingly. With her four-element spirit roots, it’s already fortunate she made it to the Outer Sect. It’s nearly impossible to progress further normally, but a little favor from a Golden Core Master would easily boost her to Foundation Establishment. That was her own choice.”

“But Chen Feng doesn’t see it that way. He feels abandoned. Now, desperate to boost his cultivation, he consumes spirit stones and pills recklessly. The sect resources aren’t enough, so he turned his greed onto new disciples.”

“He’s misguided. Cultivation should be steady and solid, not rushed.”