Chapter 046

Chapter 46: Individual Progress

When Wei Yun Xi had finally raised her skill in crafting Dust-Repelling Talismans to first-tier superior quality, good news arrived from Wei Zong Hao. He had broken through in one smooth leap to the fourth layer of Qi Refining, astonishing the Wei clan disciples.

Wei Yun Xi thought that Zong Hao’s advancement was partly because he’d fully absorbed the Heaven Mending Pill and partly due to the accumulated spiritual energy from his previous training. Still, it was a cause for celebration. The eight Wei disciples gathered once more.

Wei Yun Ying even teased Zong Hao to share his cultivation secrets. Zong Hao didn’t refuse and explained the method of fully exhausting one’s spiritual energy before cultivating again.

“This method was actually something Yun Xi taught me,” he admitted modestly. “I just followed her advice, and the results were surprisingly good.”

Wei Yun Qing immediately responded with a biting remark: “Yun Xi, younger sister, you’ve been hiding such a useful method from us? And we live in the same courtyard!”

Wei Yun Xi calmly smiled and explained, “This method can only be used when you’re absolutely safe. Otherwise, you’d easily fall prey to others.”

Wei Zong Han nodded in agreement, adding, “Exactly. When traveling or training outside, you must never completely drain your spiritual power. Before Foundation Establishment, once your spiritual energy is gone, you’re as helpless as a mortal child.”

Wei Yun Xi nodded and continued, “That’s why I’m using talisman crafting to exhaust my spiritual power safely. It not only improves my talisman skills but also accelerates my cultivation—a perfect solution.” As she finished speaking, she handed everyone two Dust-Repelling Talismans. Although they were just first-tier inferior grade, they were still useful.

Wei Yun Qing secretly looked down on these low-grade talismans, but seeing everyone else accept them, she reluctantly tossed hers into her storage bag, planning to dispose of them later.

Wei Yun Ting gratefully thanked Yun Xi, then addressed everyone warmly, “Now, five of us have reached Qi Refining level three, securing our positions as Outer Sect disciples. For the remaining three, don’t be discouraged—there are still nine months left. I’m sure you’ll make it.”

“I’m preparing to break into Qi Refining level five soon. After that, I’ll apply to train at a peak closer to the Inner Sect. If you need anything, just send me a message talisman. Even though our progress differs, we’re all from the Wei clan. We should always look out for each other.”

Wei Zong Han chimed in, “I feel the same way. In the future, you should stick together. Don’t wander alone. If someone troubles you, find little uncle.”

“We’ll remember.”

Then Wei Zong Han turned to Wei Yun Qing and said earnestly, “Yun Qing, you have the best talent among us and carry the clan’s highest hopes. You absolutely mustn’t slack off.”

Wei Yun Qing’s expression stiffened, but she quickly nodded and excused herself shortly after, claiming she needed to cultivate.

Only after she left did Wei Yun Ying remark sharply, “Zong Han, why even bother advising her? She won’t appreciate it. Everyone expected her talent to earn her at least the title of Named Disciple after the entrance exam, but nothing came of it. Now, her cultivation speed isn’t even as good as Zong Hao’s with his three-element spiritual root, yet she still has the nerve to pick on Yun Xi. She thinks we should all worship her just because of her good aptitude.”

“That’s enough, Yun Ying,” Yun Ting gently admonished. “What good does it do us if she falters? Cultivation is personal. Yun Xi also has three spiritual roots, yet isn’t her cultivation speed comparable to Yun Qing’s? Yun Qing may have pride because of her talent, but we don’t need to envy her. Focus on yourself, and your efforts will eventually pay off.”

This time, Yun Ying didn’t argue, as she herself was nearing a breakthrough to the third layer of Qi Refining. She felt she wasn’t inferior to Wei Yun Qing in anything other than spiritual roots.

Hearing this, Wei Yun Xi smiled quietly. In the novel, Wei Yun Qing had acted much like Yun Ying was doing now—praising the villainess, Wei Yun Xi, while secretly siphoning resources from her and inciting the other Wei disciples’ jealousy. Eventually, this estranged the villainess from the rest, leaving her isolated and helpless.

But this lifetime, Wei Yun Xi had concealed her true aptitude. Now it was Wei Yun Qing who drew envy, while Yun Xi maintained the image of a hardworking cultivator of modest talent, forming better relations with the Wei disciples.

Afterward, everyone exchanged message talismans and went their separate ways. From then on, Wei Yun Qing rarely joined the group, and gradually everyone got used to it.

A year later, the protection period for new disciples ended, and the eight Wei disciples had greatly diverged in their cultivation progress.

Wei Yun Ting and Wei Zong Han had stabilized their cultivation at Qi Refining level six after using top-grade Spirit Nurturing Pills from their little uncle. They had already moved to a peak designated for mid-stage Qi Refining disciples.

Wei Yun Ying and Wei Yun Qing both reached Qi Refining level four, but they still stayed at their original residence.

Wei Yun Xi had secretly stabilized her cultivation at Qi Refining level eight, though publicly she appeared to be at level four. She spent most of her time either in the Cultivation Hall, studying on the second or third floors of the Scripture Pavilion, or attending lectures. She rarely saw her clan sisters.

Wei Zong Hao, benefiting from his upgraded spiritual root, had stabilized at the late stage of Qi Refining level six and was close to breaking through to level seven. But he chose not to change peaks, preferring instead to stay with Zong Yu and Zong Jin, both level four, at their original residence.

Starting tomorrow, they could no longer focus solely on cultivation. They were required to take on sect missions monthly. Outer Sect disciples who accumulated over twenty incomplete missions would be demoted to Menial Disciples and forced into hard labor.

Wei Yun Xi had long awaited this day. Early in the morning, Wei Zong Hao invited her to go to the Outer Sect Mission Hall with Zong Yu to select their first assignments.

The large mission hall was filled with Outer Sect disciples lined up in four queues, divided according to their cultivation levels, each choosing tasks appropriate for their abilities.

After exploring a bit, Wei Zong Hao returned and said to Yun Xi, “Yun Xi, let’s line up over there. That line has tasks suitable for new disciples like us.”

“Is the difficulty high?” she asked.

“It shouldn’t be,” he assured her. “Our cultivation levels restrict what we can accept anyway.”

“All right, let’s get in line.”

Shortly after they joined the queue, Yun Qing, Yun Ying, and Zong Jin arrived. The remaining six Wei disciples were now clearly divided into two groups.

Although Yun Qing and Yun Ying were together, they merely maintained surface harmony. They still cultivated separately.

“Yun Ying, come line up here,” Wei Yun Xi called out warmly, preserving her image as an obedient younger sister.

Wei Yun Ying immediately came over to inquire, and Yun Xi shared Zong Hao’s information with her. The three then went to join the end of the line.

The queue moved quickly. When it was Wei Yun Xi’s turn, she was greeted by a familiar face—Senior Sister Hua Xuan Zi.

“Senior Sister Hua, it’s been a long time! You’re on duty here now?”