Chapter 036

Chapter 36: Secret Plans

Wei Ling Kai escorted the eight disciples all the way to the Lecture Hall, then departed alone for the Disciple Hall to meet Elder Zheng.

News of this event spread like wildfire through the Outer Sect. Wei Ling Kai’s distinctive inner disciple robes, coupled with his flashy departure by flying sword, attracted everyone’s notice. After some quick gossip, people soon learned he was the little uncle of the eight new Wei family disciples.

A disciple sharing the same courtyard with Chen Feng curled his lips and remarked, “See, this time he kicked a steel plate.”

Another disciple shook his head, saying, “Chen Feng brought it upon himself with his twisted schemes. Does he think new disciples can be bullied at will just because they have no backing? We were all new disciples once. Such people are despised—why become one of them?”

A third disciple nodded in agreement, adding, “Exactly. Instead of coveting what’s in other people’s storage pouches, it’s better to accept more missions. Spirit stones and contribution points earned honestly put one’s heart at ease.”

“You’re right,” the first disciple said. “Come, let’s go see if any new missions have been posted.”

With that, the three left together. Each had reached the fourth layer of Qi Refining, and since their year of novice protection had ended, they frequently accepted missions to earn spirit stones and points.

The rumors quickly reached Chen Feng’s ears. Realizing his mistake in choosing the Wei family disciples as targets, he wisely disappeared from their sight for the entire next year. He planned to wait until the gossip died down, then quietly target the weakest among them.

His plan was logical and well-thought-out, assuming some disciples would inevitably fail to reach the third layer and become Menial Disciples. Once separated and alone on sect missions, they would become easy prey. Chen Feng was certain that their powerful little uncle from the Inner Sect couldn’t protect them forever.

Chen Feng’s ambitions were beautiful and reasonable. Yet reality proved cruel, for his very first victim became his last, abruptly ending his life.

Thanks to Wei Ling Kai’s initial appearance, the Wei disciples’ cultivation environment became quite stable. Though they maintained their habit of traveling together, they began choosing their own cultivation paths.

Every morning, the Wei disciples would share breakfast in the dining hall before going their separate ways.

Wei Yun Ting and Wei Zong Han had both reached the third layer of Qi Refining. Together, they headed to the Outer Sect Cultivation Hall, each selecting a quiet chamber filled with dense spiritual qi to break through to the fourth layer. Only then could they learn foundational spells from their jade slips.

Wei Yun Ying, Wei Zong Jin, Wei Zong Yu, and Wei Zong Hao chose to attend lectures, hoping to compare the sect’s teachings to those they’d received at home and gain new insights.

Wei Yun Xi preferred going to the Scripture Pavilion to expand her understanding of the cultivation world. Although she had studied extensively within the Wei and Feng families, much of her knowledge was still derived from fiction and incomplete teachings. Reality often differed from novels, making it essential to fill in the gaps.

Most importantly, she had already reached the fourth layer of Qi Refining. Having just advanced, she needed to consolidate her foundation before progressing further, hence her decision to act independently.

Unexpectedly, Wei Yun Qing decided to tag along. Her reason sounded thoughtful enough: “Eldest Sister said we should stay together. I can’t rest easy knowing you’re alone, so it’s best we accompany each other.”

Wei Yun Xi smiled sweetly and replied, “Elder Sister, you’re right. I just reached the first layer of Qi Refining and want to stabilize before progressing. I’m planning to spend my days in the Scripture Pavilion. Do you want to join me?”

Wei Yun Qing thought briefly before answering, “I’m still worried. Let me stay with you a few days. Once everything seems safe, you can act alone.”

In other words: She was fulfilling her responsibility but didn’t want to waste too much of her own cultivation time. Once things appeared safe, she’d wash her hands of any further involvement.

“Alright.” Wei Yun Xi agreed readily. Though unsure what Wei Yun Qing intended, she figured the Scripture Pavilion was safe enough. It was best to observe patiently and see what developed.

On their first day, the two girls signed in at the entrance before entering the pavilion’s first floor, where books were free for Outer Sect disciples. The second through fourth floors required contribution points or spirit stones. One low-grade spirit stone allowed a disciple a day’s access, but copying any texts would cost extra. The sect certainly wouldn’t lose out.

Wei Yun Xi browsed the shelves, glancing over titles like A Brief History of Lofty Cosmos Realm, Encyclopedia of Spirit Plants, Ranking of Alien Flames, Lost Treasures of Lofty Cosmos Realm, Mountain and Terrain Analysis of Lofty Cosmos Realm, Analysis of Basic Techniques for the Five Elements, Untold Tales of Me and the Grand Righteous Sect’s Founding Ancestor, and Rise of the Grand Righteous Sect.

As she skimmed further, the titles grew less credible, resembling fictional tales by famous authors from her previous world—entertaining, perhaps, but hardly useful.

She quickly picked the first two books, found a corner, sat cross-legged, and began to read swiftly and attentively.

Following her closely, Wei Yun Qing’s eye twitched upon seeing this. She instinctively felt her younger sister wasn’t here simply for reading. However, since it was only the first day, Wei Yun Qing forced herself to pick a random book and sat down as well, though her attention remained on Wei Yun Xi.

Wei Yun Xi felt unbothered. With a Foundation Establishment cultivator guarding the entrance, Wei Yun Qing couldn’t cause trouble with her mere first-layer Qi Refining cultivation. Thus, Wei Yun Xi sincerely immersed herself in her reading.

They stayed there until afternoon, when their stomachs began rumbling loudly. Wei Yun Xi finally broke concentration and realized she’d missed dinner. Popping a fasting pill into her mouth, she placed the books back on the shelf and prepared to leave.

Wei Yun Qing quickly returned her own book and caught up, asking, “Yun Xi, were the books interesting?”

Wei Yun Xi glanced at her lightly, “Quite interesting. I’ve finished reading them—you can pick them tomorrow.”

Without waiting for a reply, she walked out first, bowed politely to the Foundation Establishment cultivator at the entrance, and headed home.

Seeing she’d learned nothing of value, Wei Yun Qing followed silently back to the courtyard. Once inside, they parted ways.

Entering her room, Wei Yun Xi activated the isolation formation. She sat cross-legged, refining and compressing her qi further, circulating it through her meridians and depositing it in her dantian. After completing a cycle, she shifted to cultivating the Soul Refining Art, a technique most effective at night.

She cultivated tirelessly until dawn, inhaling the first ray of purple qi, feeling refreshed and energized. Then she repeated yesterday’s routine.

This time, Wei Yun Xi chose different books, while yesterday’s volumes ended up in Wei Yun Qing’s hands, who studied them carefully.

Wei Yun Xi rubbed her slightly chubby chin thoughtfully. She now understood Wei Yun Qing’s goal—her sister seemed to be searching for something specific, something only Wei Yun Xi herself could discover first. This realization reminded her vividly of her title in the novel: “Little Fortune-Gifting Fairy.”