Chapter 177
Chapter 177: A Fierce Counterattack
Yun Xi suppressed the urge to roll her eyes, inwardly thinking [Only a fool would admit to such a thing]. She gave a cold snort, “What do you have that’s even worth me taking? I’ve already formed my Golden Core and have a master backing me. Do you think I’d stoop to robbing a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator like you?” She deliberately ran her fingers across the storage bracelet on her wrist, making her bragging painfully obvious.
Wei Yun Qing nearly spat blood in anger again. Naturally, she couldn’t expose that she had a hidden spatial space—revealing such a thing would mean death rather than a successful counterattack.
Yun Xi knew Wei Yun Qing would never disclose her secret space, so she pressed further, “You claim I stole from you, but where’s your proof? Exactly what did I steal? What markings or seals identify it as yours? You flap your lips a couple of times and expect to pin a crime on this Daoist Master? Do you really think I owe you any face?”
With that, Yun Xi flicked her sleeve, sending Wei Yun Qing flying backward. She crashed heavily into the door, then fell hard onto the floor.
Du Ruo Lan let out a piercing scream and immediately ran forward, shielding Wei Yun Qing. She begged, “Daoist Master Wei, Yun Qing is still your elder sister! She’s spoken recklessly, so please allow me to apologize on her behalf.”
Wei Ling Tao added gently, “Yun Xi, you’re both sisters of the Wei family. Don’t let a misunderstanding harm your familial bonds. Her spirit sense was injured; she’s not fully herself.”
Wei Yun Qing regained consciousness, realizing her emotions had completely overtaken her earlier. Hearing Wei Yun Xi’s words made her understand, painfully, that the difference in their cultivation was an insurmountable chasm.
Yun Xi ignored Du Ruo Lan and Wei Ling Tao, her gaze quietly fixed on Wei Yun Qing. She was trying to understand what made Wei Yun Qing special enough to be favored by fate. Why was it Wei Yun Qing, and not someone else? Unfortunately, Yun Xi found nothing special about her.
An unsettling silence fell over the courtyard, making the three people increasingly nervous—especially Wei Yun Qing, who feared she might truly die by Wei Yun Xi’s hands.
Wei Ling Tao now regretted bringing Yun Xi back. No one here was strong enough to stop Yun Xi if she truly wished harm upon Wei Yun Qing.
At this tense moment, a green-robed figure appeared suddenly in Haitang Courtyard, positioning himself protectively in front of Wei Yun Qing.
Wei Ling Tao was startled and quickly bowed respectfully, greeting him, “Ling Tao greets Ancestor. Why have you come out of seclusion?”
Wei Nan Feng, the ancestor of the Wei family, said sternly, “If I didn’t, the Wei family would descend into fratricide. Is this how you’ve managed our family?”
Wei Ling Tao bowed his head deeply, accepting blame, “This junior has failed in his duties.”
Yun Xi observed Wei Nan Feng. He was an aged elder with a weary appearance. Though at the mid-stage Golden Core, Yun Xi could see clearly he was nearing the end of his lifespan. His wrinkled face gave away his state completely.
Although Wei Nan Feng seemed to reprimand Wei Ling Tao, his gaze was fixed covertly upon Yun Xi, clearly startled by both her bone age and cultivation base.
Certain that Wei Nan Feng posed no threat, Yun Xi bowed lightly, “Yun Xi greets Ancestor.”
Wei Nan Feng nodded slightly, then said, “Both of you are daughters of the Wei family. Don’t ruin your sisterly bonds over small things.”
Yun Xi sneered inwardly, keeping her face expressionless as she replied calmly, “Ancestor may think this matter small, but to Yun Xi it’s far from minor. Even sisters shouldn’t falsely accuse each other. I don’t recall any Wei family rule that demands accepting blame without fighting back when wrongly accused. I’m not willing, nor should anyone be. Besides, it’s always the strong who set the rules.”
“Insolent! How dare you speak of strength before me—you don’t have the right!” Wei Nan Feng flared up, seemingly provoked by her words. Immediately, he unleashed the pressure of a mid-stage Golden Core, trying to suppress Yun Xi.
Yet Yun Xi didn’t even move. Under his shocked gaze, she activated her spirit sense, calling forth the Cold Frost Mystic Ice Needle. One needle became a hundred, instantly poised at Wei Nan Feng’s vital points. A single thought from her would be enough to end him.
She knew clearly Wei Nan Feng had come to shield Wei Yun Qing. Although Yun Xi couldn’t openly kill Wei Yun Qing, she had no qualms about eliminating this biased old man.
Wei Nan Feng felt chilled, shocked by his loss of control. He’d thought himself able to easily suppress a junior but ended up humiliated, unsure of how to proceed.
Wei Ling Tao was likewise terrified, nervously sending Yun Xi a voice transmission, “Yun Xi, I know you’re angry from being falsely accused. But you absolutely cannot harm the Ancestor. If he falls, other families will circle us like wolves. You surely understand we’re all in this together—please show mercy!”
Yun Xi felt indignant. She had worked hard, cultivating diligently to escape her destined fate as a stepping stone. Yet certain forces constantly nudged her back towards a predetermined path, placing unfair limits upon her. Meanwhile, Wei Yun Qing had countless protectors shielding her. Yun Xi was suffocating under this injustice.
However, she’d never considered destroying the Wei family. Even when she’d first transmigrated, her desire had only been to distance herself from them.
She still had a reasonable heart. With a gentle wave, she withdrew her Cold Frost Mystic Ice Needles. Then, with a smile, she said, “Ancestor, this is the ice technique taught to me by my master, True Lord Yu Ling. What do you think of its strength?”
Wei Nan Feng quickly grabbed this chance to climb down gracefully, responding, “True Lord Yu Ling of Grand Righteous Sect is famed for her extraordinary ice techniques. You are fortunate to have become her disciple.”
Yun Xi smiled coldly as she replied, “Indeed, Ancestor, it’s my great fortune. Otherwise, I’d have no strength to fight back when falsely accused.”
Wei Ling Tao swiftly intervened, “Ancestor, your aura seems unstable. Please return and rest. I’ll handle things here.”
Wei Nan Feng vanished swiftly from Haitang Courtyard.
Du Ruo Lan and Wei Yun Qing stood exposed again, their faces now beyond grim.
Wei Ling Tao coughed softly and spoke, “Yun Qing, earlier you accused Yun Xi of theft. Do you have any proof or witnesses?”
Wei Yun Qing lowered her head, whispering, “No.”
“Since you have no proof, your accusation stands as slander. You must apologize to Yun Xi.”
Wei Yun Qing looked up, studying Yun Xi as if truly seeing her younger sister for the first time. Sadly, she realized they were now worlds apart. She opened her mouth to apologize.
Yun Xi raised a hand, stopping her calmly, “No need. You don’t mean it, and I don’t wish to accept it. In the future, let’s keep our distance and live peacefully. This is the first and last warning. Next time, I promise nobody can save you.”
Yun Xi’s figure flashed, vanishing from Haitang Courtyard.
Wei Yun Qing’s knees trembled, and Du Ruo Lan quickly supported her.
Wei Ling Tao sighed deeply, “Yun Qing, once bonds of affection are broken, they’re gone forever. The cultivation world respects strength above all. Don’t let yourself become the enemy of the entire Wei family. I originally sought Yun Xi’s help only to request a pill to heal your spirit sense. Yet you…”
Leaving his words unfinished, he turned and left Haitang Courtyard, leaving mother and daughter staring numbly.
When Yun Xi returned to Radiant Brilliance Courtyard, Dian Dian peeked out, “Master, you’re provoking Wei Yun Qing.”
“Indeed. I want her to clearly see the vast gap between us. No one can protect her forever.”
Dian Dian asked anxiously, “But what if she rises fiercely and surpasses you?”
“Then we’ll compete fairly and openly,” Yun Xi replied softly. “However, if she tries taking shortcuts…”