Chapter 063

Chapter 63: Stirring Up Trouble

“Yun Xi, Zong Hao, wait for me!”

Hearing the call, the two paused their steps and turned back to see Wei Yun Ying rushing toward them.

“Sister Yun Ying, what’s wrong?” Yun Xi asked gently.

Wei Yun Ying reached them, looking frustrated, and said through gritted teeth, “It’s Wei Yun Qing again! Instead of focusing on her cultivation, she spends her days bringing trouble upon us!”

Yun Xi sensed the irritation in her tone and curiously asked, “Didn’t Sister Yun Qing move to the outer peaks to cultivate? What trouble has she stirred now?”

Wei Yun Ying rolled her eyes and explained, “Don’t even mention it. She thought that now she’s at the late stage of Qi Refinement, she deserved to choose a courtyard richer in spiritual energy. But those better courtyards are already occupied by senior disciples—how could they just hand them over? Naturally, conflicts arose. Wei Yun Qing impulsively issued a formal challenge to settle the dispute: a duel of three matches, best two out of three, with the winner claiming priority in choosing courtyards.”

Frustration colored Wei Yun Ying’s face as she continued, “She even shamelessly waved around the Wei family’s name, trying to intimidate the other party. But that senior disciple isn’t someone easy to bully. She’s an experienced late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator herself and immediately demanded a team match—three cultivators from each side at similar cultivation levels.”

“Wei Yun Qing will face that Qi Refining eighth-layer cultivator herself. Sister Yun Ting and Zong Han, who are both at the sixth layer, will also join. They heard Zong Hao reached the seventh layer recently, so they asked me to bring him along.”

Hearing this, Zong Hao nearly cursed aloud. Wei Yun Qing was the one who made the mess, so why did he have to clean it up?

“Hmph! I’m not going!” Zong Hao’s face crinkled like a steamed bun, and he flatly refused. “If she’s bold enough to cause trouble, she should have the courage to resolve it herself. I have no quarrel with those people!”

Yun Xi’s eyes flickered thoughtfully, and she gently tugged Zong Hao’s sleeve, coaxing him softly, “Brother Zong Hao, don’t make things difficult for Sister Yun Ying. It must have been Brother Zong Han who requested your presence. Even if you dislike Wei Yun Qing, she’s still part of our family. We may avoid stirring trouble, but we cannot fear it. Otherwise, every outer disciple will think they can step all over us.”

Wei Yun Ying vigorously nodded in agreement, adding, “Yun Xi’s right. This isn’t just about Wei Yun Qing alone.”

Zong Hao still felt reluctant, but he knew he couldn’t refuse. With a groan, he finally agreed, “Alright, fine. Let’s go see what’s happening.”

“Good! Let’s discuss details on the way.” Wei Yun Ying hurriedly urged them toward the Outer Sect’s battle platform.

While walking, Yun Xi spoke plainly, “Zong Hao, when you step onto the stage, just give it your best and treat it as a friendly spar. Don’t get caught up in winning or losing. If you lose, then you lose.”

Wei Yun Ying shot her a doubtful glance, murmuring, “Is that really alright?”

Yun Xi sighed gently, explaining patiently, “Sister Yun Ying, Wei Yun Qing is my elder sister—I know her better than anyone. When she sets her eyes on something, she’ll resort to any means necessary, never caring about how it impacts others. If we help her this time and let her have her way, she’ll only grow bolder, dragging the Wei family’s name down again and again.”

Her voice hardened as she continued, “Why should we always bear the risks for her greed? If we let her win easily now, what happens next time when she provokes someone from the inner sect at Foundation Establishment? Are we supposed to be her shields then, too?”

Yun Xi intentionally exaggerated her words, hoping to sow discord between Wei Yun Qing and the rest of the Wei disciples. Wei Yun Ying’s face grew darker with every word. She had long held resentment toward Wei Yun Qing, who always flaunted her talent and looked down on them. Wei Yun Ying vividly recalled Wei Yun Qing smugly bragging about reaching the eighth layer recently. Now, ironically, she had to come begging for their help.

“You’re right, Yun Xi. This sort of thing must only happen once—I refuse to be Wei Yun Qing’s scapegoat again.”

As they spoke, the trio soon arrived at the bustling platform. Numerous outer disciples had gathered there, clearly anticipating the showdown. Recognizing Wei Yun Ying, the crowd made way, allowing the three to reach the front quickly.

There they saw Wei Yun Ting and Wei Zong Han, their expressions dark. Both were at the late sixth layer and appeared on the verge of breaking through; evidently, they had been abruptly summoned here.

Two steps away from them stood Wei Yun Qing, her face somewhat awkward but maintaining a facade of confidence, bolstered by her eighth-layer cultivation.

Upon noticing Yun Xi, Wei Yun Qing’s senses swept over her sister, and satisfaction filled her when she confirmed Yun Xi was only at the sixth layer. Then she glanced at Zong Hao, visibly relieved that he indeed was at the seventh layer. At least the Wei family wouldn’t lack proper combatants.

Yun Xi and Zong Hao stepped forward to salute Yun Ting and Zong Han respectfully, visibly easing their tension. After all, neither had caused this fiasco.

“Sister Yun Ting, Brother Zong Han, Sister Yun Ying briefed us on what happened. I’ll participate—not for Wei Yun Qing, but for the Wei family and my own honor,” Zong Hao stated clearly. “I make no guarantees on victory—I only recently reached the seventh layer, and I’ve barely stabilized my cultivation.”

Zong Han nodded reassuringly, “Zong Hao, don’t feel burdened. Just give it your best.”

He shot Wei Yun Qing a pointed glare afterward.

Yun Xi quietly approached Wei Yun Ting, gently repeating her earlier thoughts to Yun Ying. Then she softly emphasized, “Sister Yun Ting, even if we win today, we absolutely must not allow Wei Yun Qing to seize the courtyard from others. If she tastes success here, she’ll only repeat this behavior. If she stubbornly insists on taking the courtyard, we should make it known to all Outer Sect disciples that Wei Yun Qing does not represent our entire Wei family. Otherwise, everyone will target us too.”

Wei Yun Ting absorbed these words carefully. Truthfully, she hadn’t wanted any part of this conflict, but Wei Yun Qing’s talent made it impossible to ignore the situation. Reluctantly, she’d been dragged into this embarrassing affair.

She quietly agreed with Yun Xi’s proposal, secretly hoping Wei Yun Qing herself would lose. The Wei family could then win the next two rounds, preserving their dignity while ensuring Wei Yun Qing learned a harsh lesson. After losing face publicly, Wei Yun Qing might finally humble herself, since the victor could easily challenge her again later, making any further resistance futile.