Chapter 038

Chapter 38: Missing Out on the Technique

Wei Yun Xi carefully read through the cultivation chant she had deciphered. Once she was certain she had committed every word to memory, she destroyed the paper and placed the brush and inkstone back into her space. Then, settling down, she resumed her cross-legged meditation.

She couldn’t hold back a delighted smile—this was surely the mysterious technique Wei Yun Qing had been longing for! Unexpectedly, it had ended up in her hands instead. Of course, she wasn’t so foolish as to offer it to someone else.

The technique perfectly matched cultivators with a wind-element spirit root. At the Great Ascension stage, one could even conjure thousands of illusory figures in an instant, bewildering enemies or employing them as true doubles. The wind was shapeless and formless, quick and slow as one desired, thus giving the method its name: Thousand Shadows Riding the Wind.

Wei Yun Xi decided that this technique was ideal for her wind spirit root cultivation; it would surely become a powerful asset. Though wood-element cultivators could practice it as well, their progress and results would never compare to a true wind-element cultivator.

Taking a deep breath, Wei Yun Xi felt that everything was heading in the right direction. At the very least, she wouldn’t hand over this valuable cultivation method to Wei Yun Qing.

Meanwhile, Wei Yun Qing, who was meditating in her own room, found it impossible to quiet her mind. A persistent voice within kept urging her to go and find Wei Yun Xi. Eventually, unable to resist any longer, she knocked on Wei Yun Xi’s isolation barrier, hoping to call her out.

Wei Yun Xi sensed someone disturbing her barrier, and after sweeping her divine sense outward, saw Wei Yun Qing standing impatiently outside. She quickly withdrew her divine sense and simply ignored her. After all, the technique was securely etched into her memory; no one could possibly steal that away.

Wei Yun Qing waited outside for a long while. Seeing Wei Yun Xi had no intention of opening the door, she finally stormed back to her room, her heart filled with frustration.

Early the next morning, Wei Yun Qing immediately blocked Wei Yun Xi’s path, demanding answers: “Why didn’t you open the door for me yesterday?”

Wei Yun Xi looked at her as if she were foolish and replied, “When did I refuse to open the door? What door?”

“Last night—”

“I was cultivating last night and didn’t hear anyone knocking. Besides, what did you want so late? Whatever it is, just ask me now.”

Wei Yun Xi’s bluntness left Wei Yun Qing momentarily speechless. What could she say? That she’d been overcome by anxiety and had desperately needed to see her?

At that moment, Wei Yun Ting and Wei Yun Ying stepped out as well. Seeing the unpleasant expressions on both sisters’ faces, they approached with concern.

Wei Yun Ting, as the eldest sister, spoke first: “What happened?”

Before Wei Yun Qing could explain, Wei Yun Xi swiftly recounted the earlier conversation, then turned back to Wei Yun Qing, asking pointedly, “Elder sister, what exactly did you want from me?”

Wei Yun Qing took a deep breath before responding, “I just wanted to ask if you were still going to the Scripture Pavilion.”

“Is that all? You could’ve asked me now. There was no need to disturb my cultivation so late,” Wei Yun Xi retorted, turning the blame back onto her. Then, pretending to be magnanimous, she waved her hand dismissively, adding, “Forget it. I won’t hold it against you. Starting today, I’m not going to the Scripture Pavilion anymore. Accessing the second floor costs spirit stones or contribution points, and I have very few spirit stones and no contribution points at all. From now on, I’ll just cultivate in the Cultivation Hall with you.”

Wei Yun Qing choked slightly, then quickly covered her embarrassment by saying, “I was just worried you’d run into trouble at the Scripture Pavilion with no one around to help. But now that you’re joining us, we can all cultivate together.”

Wei Yun Xi inwardly rolled her eyes. Wei Yun Qing always had an answer. Without bothering to respond further, she simply followed Wei Yun Ting and Wei Yun Ying to the Cultivation Hall. This would be her first time cultivating there.

On the way, Wei Yun Ting offered some guidance, “The Cultivation Hall provides individual cultivation rooms. You can choose whichever you prefer. Each cultivation session lasts two hours; before the time is up, the doors won’t open. You’ll only be notified to leave once the time has elapsed.”

She continued, “Also, as new disciples, we have one year of free access. From the second year onward, apart from the daily two hours, you’ll need to pay spirit stones or contribution points if you want additional cultivation time. Cherish this chance; don’t waste it.”

“Don’t worry, eldest sister, I’ll keep that in mind,” Wei Yun Xi promptly reassured her.

“The Cultivation Hall is built above a low-grade spirit vein. Its spiritual energy is denser than where we live. If possible, spend your time cultivating there,” Wei Yun Ting advised further, giving a pointed look toward Wei Yun Qing. She was anxious for her younger sister, who had double spirit roots, the best aptitude among their batch, yet had not even reached the second layer of Qi Refining.

Wei Yun Qing appeared embarrassed, realizing she had been neglecting her cultivation in pursuit of illusions and uncertain opportunities. She quickly promised, “Eldest sister, please don’t worry. I’ve already started breaking through to the second layer of Qi Refining—I can feel the threshold clearly now.”

“That’s good,” Wei Yun Ting replied, nodding approvingly.

The four sisters chatted casually as they reached the Cultivation Hall’s entrance. After the gatekeeping disciple verified their identity plaques and recorded their details, each received a numbered token and entered their respective cultivation rooms.

Once inside, Wei Yun Xi immediately activated the isolation array. With a sigh of relief, she flopped ungracefully onto the meditation mat, finally free from Wei Yun Qing’s constant harassment.

Although she had recently been handling Wei Yun Qing with ease, it had still consumed some of her attention. Who knew what trouble Wei Yun Qing might stir up next? If not for needing to bolster her knowledge of the cultivation world, she wouldn’t have spent so much time at the Scripture Pavilion, letting Wei Yun Qing cling to her like a troublesome plaster.

But her efforts hadn’t been wasted; her understanding of cultivation basics was now solid, and she’d even discovered a powerful high-tier wind technique. This reward greatly comforted her, assuring her that she truly existed in a living world, not merely the pages of a novel.

Feeling completely relaxed and joyful, Wei Yun Xi soon found herself lulled into a peaceful sleep. Unbeknownst to her, spiritual energy in the cultivation room began gently swirling around her, creating a subtle vortex that flowed smoothly into her meridians, settling in her dantian.

When Wei Yun Xi awoke, refreshed and full of energy, she noticed her outwardly shown cultivation had now risen to the second layer of Qi Refining. Checking internally with her divine sense, she was shocked to discover her actual cultivation had climbed yet again, reaching the fifth layer of Qi Refining.

“Wait…sleeping can improve cultivation?” Wei Yun Xi exclaimed in delight, astonished by the pleasant surprise.

Her increased cultivation also strengthened her divine sense, allowing her to re-enter her wooden plaque space after a long absence.

Inside, everything was exactly as she’d left it. A glowing screen announced, “Passing Clouds is online.”

Tribe Warrior quickly greeted her: “Little Cloud, you’re finally back online?”

Passing Clouds replied cheerfully, “Yes. I’ve been busy with the sect’s entrance tests and cultivation, so I haven’t had much chance to come online.”

Drifting with Immortal Grace also spoke up: “The group has been quiet lately. How’s your cultivation progressing?”

Passing Clouds laughed sheepishly, “Hehe, I’m still just a small fry. But luckily, yesterday I got a wind-element cultivation method that suits me perfectly.”

Survival is Truth eagerly jumped in, “Congratulations! I have dual powers in wind and space. If this technique is as amazing as you say, I’d like to trade with you.”

Wei Yun Xi hesitated slightly before cautiously asking, “What would you offer in exchange?”