Chapter 122

Chapter 122: Consumed by Jealousy

“No need to worry. It’s a joyous event, and I want to bask in your good fortune,” Wei Zong Jin replied with a gentle smile.

As he spoke, his eyes subtly swept over Yun Xi. Gone was the arrogance and pride he once carried; after all, reality had shown him that Yun Xi was truly stronger than him.

Zong Hao, sensing the awkward atmosphere, quickly asked, “How long has Zong Yu been in closed-door cultivation?”

“About ten days now. He’s aiming to break through to the eighth layer of Qi Refining,” Wei Zong Jin replied.

Zong Hao nodded appreciatively, sincerely happy for his brother. Among the Wei family boys, he was closest to the quiet and diligent Zong Yu, who had devoted himself entirely to sword cultivation, surpassing even Zong Hao in his dedication.

As they spoke, Wei Zong Han and Wei Yun Ting appeared at the entrance to the small courtyard.

They immediately noticed Zong Hao. They’d already sensed the commotion of the tribulation earlier but hadn’t realized it was their own brother who’d achieved Foundation Establishment. Only after receiving Zong Hao’s message did they rush over.

As Zong Hao turned to greet them, Yun Xi’s figure also entered their view, especially the inner-gate disciple robes she wore. Both siblings were momentarily stunned.

Wei Yun Ting spoke first, astonished, “Yun Xi, you’ve broken through as well?”

A bright smile curved Yun Xi’s lips, dimples appearing on her cheeks. “Yes! On my way back to the sect, I was lucky enough to experience sudden enlightenment, smoothly stepping into Foundation Establishment.”

Beside her, Wei Zong Han wore a complicated expression while offering his congratulations. He vividly recalled entering the sect alongside Yun Xi; back then, their cultivation had been highest among the group. Now, watching his younger siblings surpass him was undeniably uncomfortable.

Yun Xi quietly expanded her spirit sense, noting every subtle shift in their expressions. She clearly saw their discomfort but merely curled her lips, pretending not to notice.

Cultivation was like sailing upstream—if you didn’t move forward, you drifted backward. As you progressed, others did too. Nobody waited for anyone.

Shortly afterward, Wei Yun Ying sent a message talisman, explaining she was away on a sect mission and couldn’t return, urging everyone to celebrate without her.

Wei Yun Qing was the last to arrive. Her cultivation had already reached the ninth layer of Qi Refining. She’d come partly to congratulate Zong Hao, partly to maintain connections with her siblings, and finally to announce she’d acquired a Foundation Establishment Pill. She intended to begin her breakthrough soon after seeing them.

She had always prided herself on having the best aptitude among the eight Wei siblings. Losing to Zong Hao had already frustrated her greatly, and she was determined to claim second place. Sadly, her hopes were doomed.

One moment she was smiling brightly at Zong Hao, but the next, upon noticing Yun Xi’s inner-gate robes, her entire face twisted in disbelief. Her voice cracked as she nearly shouted, “How could you possibly have reached Foundation Establishment?!”

This was exactly the moment Yun Xi had been waiting for. Smiling slightly, she replied, “And why couldn’t I reach Foundation Establishment? Must breakthroughs follow the order of age?”

She unleashed her mid-Foundation Establishment aura directly onto Wei Yun Qing, forcing her instantly to one knee.

Slowly approaching, Yun Xi circled Wei Yun Qing with subtle pride, continuing cheerfully, “Yun Qing, not only have I reached Foundation Establishment, but I’ve already entered the mid-stage. During my travels, one burst of insight was enough to lift me directly to this level. Don’t you think I’m terribly lucky?”

Throughout, Yun Xi didn’t retract her aura. She intended to strike at Wei Yun Qing’s confidence, again and again if necessary, until the arrogant girl broke completely.

Kneeling, Wei Yun Qing struggled fruitlessly to stand. For the first time, she truly felt the enormous gap between Qi Refining and Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Observing Wei Yun Qing’s twisted expression, Yun Xi felt deeply satisfied. Continuing, she calmly said, “Yun Qing, you really must try harder. Cultivation doesn’t depend only on aptitude—it requires insight and diligent practice. Zong Hao and I both have triple-element spiritual roots, yet we still reached Foundation Establishment before you. Doesn’t that speak volumes?

We’re all siblings of the Wei family. No one is truly lesser than another, so don’t always look down your nose at others. The sect has plenty of talented disciples—no one will pamper you forever. You’ve been here so long; haven’t you learned that yet?”

Yun Ting and Zong Han listened silently without intervening. They couldn’t deny Yun Xi’s words made sense. Yun Qing clearly had the best aptitude, yet the siblings she’d looked down on now stood ahead of her as inner-gate disciples.

From this day forward, Yun Ting, Zong Han, and Zong Jin practiced even harder. Yun Xi’s words had rooted deeply within their hearts: Aptitude wasn’t everything. Though they wouldn’t catch Yun Xi’s rapid pace, each of them forged a steady path forward.

Seeing the anger in Wei Yun Qing’s eyes nearly overflow, Yun Xi finally withdrew her aura, strolling back to Zong Hao’s side.

Wei Yun Ting sighed softly, stepping forward to mediate, “We’re all siblings—let’s not become a laughingstock in front of outsiders.”

With the pressure gone, Wei Yun Qing shakily stood up, disdainfully scoffing, “Hmph! Wei Yun Ting, don’t act like such a peacemaker. You’re only flattering her now because she’s an inner-gate disciple. Be careful she actually appreciates it; someday, you’ll all regret this.”

With an angry flourish of her sleeves, Wei Yun Qing stormed out, swearing to herself she wouldn’t face her family again until she’d achieved Foundation Establishment. Jealousy had consumed her completely. Why, of all people, did it have to be Wei Yun Xi? If it had been anyone else, she wouldn’t feel so humiliated.

Wei Yun Ting’s expression darkened at Yun Qing’s harsh rejection of her attempt at peacekeeping.

Yun Xi spoke casually, “Yun Ting, don’t take it personally. Yun Qing has always been like this. Ever since my mother passed away, she’s been after my inheritance in Radiant Brilliance Courtyard, forcing me to live at my uncle’s.

Even after entering the sect, I never dared carry my mother’s keepsakes with me—not just to avoid Yun Qing’s attention, but also to prevent her from using them against me.

You all heard it today. She didn’t even pretend politeness, immediately demanding to know how I could have possibly advanced to Foundation Establishment. Does having inferior aptitude really mean I can’t surpass her? What kind of logic is that?”

Yun Ting exchanged quiet glances with the others, understanding the rift between the two sisters couldn’t be mended. But Yun Xi had spoken truly—lower aptitude didn’t necessarily mean slower cultivation. Yun Xi and Zong Hao were undeniable proof of that.

“Yun Xi, I understand your point. Let’s focus more on our own cultivation from now on.”

Yun Xi’s eyes sparkled as she sweetened the deal, smiling, “Yun Ting, Zong Han, Zong Jin—I’ve been improving my alchemy since entering Foundation Establishment. If you can gather the ingredients for a Foundation Establishment Pill, I’ll refine it for free, guaranteeing at least mid-grade quality. If I fail to produce mid-grade pills, I’ll personally buy you high-grade ones.”

Their eyes brightened. Gathering their own ingredients was much more cost-effective than exchanging through the sect. Gratefully, they all bowed, promising to gather three sets of materials each before requesting her help.

In the cultivation world, providing an alchemist three sets of materials usually guaranteed at least one successful pill. Any less was a stain on the alchemist’s reputation.