Chapter 041

Chapter 41: Daily Cultivation

Seen this way, all the pressure fell upon Wei Yun Ying and Wei Yun Qing. The two glanced at each other, then quickly looked away, both vowing in their hearts to break through before the other.

Three days later, Wei Yun Qing was the first to break through to qi refining level two, finally regaining some face. Soon afterward, Wei Zong Jin, Wei Zong Yu, and Wei Yun Ying also stepped into qi refining level two. In the one month since they had entered the sect, every disciple from the Wei family had made progress.

This put great pressure on the other new Outer Sect disciples. With a little over ten months remaining, it was clear the Wei disciples could secure their positions simply by taking pills to reach qi refining level three.

As anxiety spread among the newcomers, they cultivated even harder. Those who usually attended lectures now rushed to the cultivation hall, determined to break through first.

Wei Yun Xi, however, took a different path. Every morning she cultivated for two hours before heading to the lecture hall to listen to lessons from various senior uncles. She attended whichever class happened to be available, learning widely and indiscriminately.

During this period, she listened to lectures on the Four Arts of Cultivation, spell-casting techniques, and cultivation tips. In the end, she chose alchemy and talisman-making as her main studies.

During her daily two-hour cultivation, Wei Yun Xi diligently practiced small spells in her training chamber.

She quickly mastered basic techniques such as the Dust-Cleansing Art and the Spirit-Sensing Technique. Soon after, she focused on daily practice of offensive spells: the Fireball Art, Golden Arrow Art, Wood-Binding Art, Waterball Art, Earth-Spike Art, Lightning Strike Art, Ice Needle Art, and Yu Feng Technique.

Clearly, these were all attack spells she had deliberately chosen. The foundational five-element techniques helped hide her true spiritual roots, while the last three spells matched perfectly with her innate talents, allowing almost instantaneous casting. These would be her hidden weapons.

Each time Wei Yun Xi exhausted the spiritual qi in her dantian practicing spells, she found that her qi would grow slightly when she meditated afterward. Though subtle, she could clearly feel it, discovering yet another method to improve her cultivation.

Before leaving the cultivation chamber each time, she always restored her dantian’s qi completely, never letting herself be defenseless.

After one month of this routine, the qi within her dantian increased again. Every afternoon she faithfully attended her talisman-making lessons.

But strangely, in recent days, Wei Yun Qing began sticking to her closely again, almost inseparable.

Wei Yun Xi could sense that Wei Yun Qing was on the verge of reaching qi refining level three. She wasn’t sure what Wei Yun Qing was plotting by keeping such close watch over her.

“Elder sister, are you joining me again for the talisman-making class today?”

“Yes. I feel I’m close to a breakthrough and want to relax before attempting it. Attending the lectures helps,” Wei Yun Qing replied with a pleasant smile.

Wei Yun Xi sensed that Wei Yun Qing was gradually becoming the calculating woman she’d known from the story. She smiled back and praised, “Elder sister, you’re truly amazing. You’ve only been cultivating for a month and you’re already breaking through again.”

“If you work hard, you’ll soon break through too,” Wei Yun Qing answered absent-mindedly.

After that, they entered the talisman-making class together, sitting side by side without further conversation. Instead, Wei Yun Qing chatted warmly with a shy young lad seated beside her, who responded quietly, clearly flustered.

After class ended, Wei Yun Qing took the initiative, saying, “Yun Xi, I heard from that senior brother beside me there’s a small marketplace organized by Outer Sect disciples. It’s held for three days every mid-month, specifically for disciples to exchange resources. Do you want to check it out? You’ve been attending talisman-making lessons, so you’ll need to buy materials soon. Otherwise, your studies will be wasted. This market seems perfect and safe for beginners like us.”

Wei Yun Xi nodded in agreement, saying, “Your idea sounds good, elder sister. Let’s go after you break through to qi refining level three. With higher cultivation, bargaining might be easier.”

“Then it’s settled. I’ll try my best to break through quickly,” Wei Yun Qing replied happily. Anyone observing them would think the sisters shared a deep bond.

Wei Yun Xi quietly agreed, and together they headed to the dining hall. Wei Yun Qing was so determined to break through that she bought an entire bag of spirit flour buns, stunning everyone who watched them leave.

The dining hall master sighed, “These new disciples are really serious about cultivation. My spirit flour buns have been in high demand lately. I’ll have to steam a few extra batches.”

The next day, Wei Yun Qing didn’t appear at the dining hall, clearly trying to break through to the third level. Wei Yun Xi secretly observed and confirmed she was extremely close to succeeding.

Thus, Wei Yun Xi deliberately adjusted her cultivation to qi refining level three, then emerged from hiding, greeting Wei Yun Qing cheerfully, “Elder sister, who would’ve thought I’d surpass you again this time? Just today, I pushed through to qi refining level three.”

Hearing this, Wei Yun Qing nearly spat blood, furious at being overtaken again. Had she known earlier, she wouldn’t have returned today—this completely disrupted her state of mind.

Wei Yun Qing forced a smile, congratulated her younger sister stiffly, and immediately returned to her room.

Wei Yun Xi smiled faintly, admitting to herself she had purposely provoked Wei Yun Qing.

As expected, Wei Yun Qing skipped the dining hall the next day and rushed directly to the cultivation hall early in the morning.

Feeling the urgency, Wei Yun Ting and Wei Yun Ying quickly followed her example.

Only then did Wei Yun Xi visit the neighboring courtyard to fetch Wei Zong Hao, and together they headed to the small market formed by Outer Sect disciples.

Wei Zong Hao carefully chewed on a piece of dried meat as he asked, “Yun Xi, what are you planning to buy at the market today?”

Wei Yun Xi replied honestly, “I’ve been attending talisman-making lessons lately and want to buy materials to practice myself. At least then I might earn some spirit stones.”

Wei Zong Hao nodded knowingly. “I understand. But good talisman brushes are expensive.”

“I plan to buy a second-hand brush. There’s no need for a brand-new one. I don’t even know if I have talent for it. If I spend too many spirit stones on a good brush and then discover I lack talent, wouldn’t that be a waste?”

“You’re right. Even if you have no talent, you can always sell it back at a low price. That way, you won’t lose out.”

“My thoughts exactly.”

Chatting casually, the two walked toward the crowded area, clearly heading to the small marketplace along with other Outer Sect disciples.

Wei Yun Xi had another hidden motive on this trip: to secure the Heaven Mending Pill that Wei Yun Qing likely coveted. To reduce risk, she deliberately brought Wei Zong Hao along. Even if she couldn’t obtain it herself, she would ensure it stayed out of Wei Yun Qing’s hands.

This pill had come to mind ever since Wei Yun Qing started sticking close to her again. The Heaven Mending Pill was indeed extraordinary, capable of improving one’s spiritual root quality.

It was common knowledge that spiritual roots were bestowed by heaven, and without extraordinary fortune, the quality of one’s roots could never be changed.