Chapter 054

Chapter 54: Rising Four Levels at Once

Five days later, Yun Xi and Zong Hao agreed to meet up and sell their harvested spirit rice at the marketplace. As they reached the disciple courtyard gates, they unexpectedly encountered Wei Yun Qing.

Today, Wei Yun Qing wore a smile brighter than sunshine, and the look she cast toward Yun Xi brimmed openly with superiority.

Zong Hao masked his annoyance, politely asking, “Junior Sister Yun Qing, has something good happened?”

Wei Yun Qing proudly lifted her chin, replying, “I’ve had a breakthrough. I just came back to inform everyone that I’ll be moving closer to the Inner Sect’s peaks. We might not meet very often from now on.”

Yun Xi gently probed with her divine sense and instantly perceived Wei Yun Qing’s cultivation had jumped to the eighth layer of Qi Refining. However, the aura felt unstable, clearly indicating she had either encountered an extraordinary opportunity or had consumed large quantities of pills.

But Yun Xi wasn’t jealous. Instead, she sweetly praised, “Sister Yun Qing is so impressive! Truly, it must be the result of your hard work paying off. I can’t even see through your cultivation level now—what level are you at exactly?”

“Qi Refining eighth layer!” Wei Yun Qing proudly declared.

Little Fatty Zong Hao was startled by the sudden leap of four layers. Still, he offered his congratulations with a smile, “Junior Sister Yun Qing is indeed amazing. Double spiritual roots really make a difference, far beyond the reach of ordinary cultivators like us.”

Wei Yun Qing, fully flattered, became even more pleased, waving her hand casually as if imparting great wisdom. “Keep cultivating diligently, and you might reach my level someday. Zong Hao, you’ve already done quite well to reach Qi Refining seventh layer within a year despite having triple roots.”

Internally, Zong Hao wished he could curse out loud, but he maintained a polite facade, replying, “Junior Sister Yun Qing is absolutely right.”

“I’m off to say farewell to Yun Ying and then Zong Jin and Zong Yu as well. You two can carry on,” Wei Yun Qing said, clearly dismissing them.

Yun Xi and Zong Hao exchanged a knowing glance and quickly departed.

Once they reached the Outer Sect marketplace, Zong Hao finally voiced his unease, “Junior Sister Yun Xi, does innate talent truly matter that much?”

Knowing Wei Yun Qing’s breakthrough had unsettled him, Yun Xi comforted him with a smile, “Brother Zong Hao, you’re not inferior to her at all, so why trouble yourself with such worries? Besides, her breakthrough was clearly forced, either by a rare opportunity or overdosing on pills. Didn’t you notice her unstable aura?”

Zong Hao reflected a moment, then nodded, “You’re right. At first, I couldn’t sense her cultivation clearly, so I overlooked that.”

“Whatever she relied on, instead of stabilizing her foundation, she rushed over to show off and even bragged about moving to the peaks closer to the Inner Sect. You don’t actually believe that the new peaks are easy, do you?” Yun Xi said casually.

Zong Hao immediately understood, chuckling, “Exactly! Sister Yun Ting and Brother Zong Han moved to the Outer Three Peaks, and now they’re so busy cultivating that we hardly see them anymore. As far as I know, they’re both still only at the late stage of Qi Refining sixth layer, even lower than mine!”

Yun Xi nodded, adding, “Breaking through isn’t just about absorbing spiritual energy. Your mindset and foundations must match. Qi Refining is the base of all future cultivation. If your foundation is weak, even the finest materials will build nothing lasting.”

“You really know a lot, Yun Xi,” Zong Hao praised sincerely.

“I’ve been visiting the Scripture Pavilion often. The jade slips there contain vast knowledge. You’ve just broken through recently, so take your time. Why not spend a few days in the Scripture Pavilion and steady yourself?” Yun Xi suggested.

“Alright, I’ll do as you say. Actually, this recent farming mission inspired me—I want to learn how to grow spirit herbs. Later, when you study alchemy, I can supply you with herbs. Wouldn’t we make an unbeatable team?”

Yun Xi readily agreed. Zong Hao, with fire, wood, and earth roots, indeed had an advantage in cultivation farming. Though he could also become an alchemist, he hadn’t clearly set his path yet. Yun Xi encouraged him, “As long as you’re certain about your path, it’s good. After all, we’re only at the Qi Refining stage, so there’s plenty of time for experimentation.”

“You’re right,” Zong Hao nodded appreciatively.

He greatly admired Yun Xi. Although younger, her advice was always practical. Initially, his bond with her had deepened because of that pill. Now, after a year of interactions, he genuinely respected her insights and was happy to remain close.

After smoothly selling their spirit rice, Yun Xi bought more blank talisman paper and beast blood, then replenished her storage pouch by selling some finished talismans.

Zong Hao, eager to try growing spirit herbs, bought some first-grade herb seeds. After exploring a bit more without new discoveries, the pair returned home.

Upon entering the disciple courtyard, Yun Xi saw a visibly irritated Wei Yun Ying sitting beneath the pear tree at the jade table. Spotting Yun Xi, Yun Ying immediately waved her over.

“What’s wrong, Sister Yun Ying? Who upset you?” Yun Xi asked knowingly.

“Yun Xi, have you seen Yun Qing today?” Yun Ying asked, her tone filled with annoyance.

“Yes, we ran into her when we went to the marketplace. She had a breakthrough and was gleefully showing off, saying she’d move closer to the Inner Sect,” Yun Xi replied.

Realizing Yun Qing had already flaunted herself to others, Yun Ying bitterly asked, “Do you know how she suddenly reached the eighth layer?”

Yun Xi shook her head, sighing softly, “I don’t know. Even though we’re blood sisters, you know my relationship with her isn’t even as close as ours. Back at home, she always flaunted father’s affection, even trying to snatch my mother’s keepsakes. On the surface, we might seem fine, but if she really had some great opportunity, she’d never tell me. She’d love nothing more than to surpass me completely.”

Wei Yun Ying believed every word. After sharing a courtyard for a year, Yun Ying saw clearly how Yun Qing frequently antagonized Yun Xi. Yun Xi, focused solely on cultivation, never responded, leaving Yun Ying deeply sympathetic. She sighed, “Ah, I wish I had such opportunities, too.”

Yun Xi encouraged warmly, “As long as we work hard, our chances will come. Aren’t you already close to Qi Refining fifth layer, Sister Yun Ying?”

“Yes, I planned to go to the cultivation hall today, but Yun Qing’s arrogance ruined my mood. I came to chat with you instead. Tomorrow, I’ll definitely break through,” Yun Ying said, visibly agitated.

Yun Xi admired Yun Qing’s ability to stir jealousy, so she comforted Yun Ying, eyes wide with sincerity, “Don’t be upset, Sister Yun Ying. Brother Zong Hao mentioned her aura was unstable and shallow. Her breakthrough lacks the steadiness of ours. We have no need to envy her.”

Yun Ying felt significantly better hearing that and grumbled a bit more before returning to cultivate.

Soon after Yun Xi broke through to the ninth layer of Qi Refining, she received a message talisman from Hua Xuan Zi, inviting her to join a team for a mission at the sect’s rear mountains.

After brief hesitation, Yun Xi sent back her acceptance, agreeing to meet the next day at the mission hall. As long as the task wasn’t overly challenging, she was eager to accept it.

She realized she desperately lacked real battle experience. Ever since her fight with Chen Feng, she’d spent time deepening her foundations and recognized clearly that cultivating her battle strength was as important as advancing her realm. She wouldn’t settle for being a flower grown in a greenhouse; after all, she aimed to ascend as a great cultivator.

Hearing this, Zong Hao decided to accompany Yun Xi to check out the mission as well.