Chapter 178
Chapter 178: Personal Choices
Dian Dian listened to Yun Xi’s words, its black, bean-like eyes rolling thoughtfully before it suddenly exclaimed in shock, “Master, you intend to push Wei Yun Qing onto the demonic path—”
Before it could finish, Yun Xi swiftly covered Dian Dian’s mouth with her fingertip, her smile radiant and carefree as she softly interrupted, “Dian Dian, some things are best left unsaid.”
Dian Dian wagged its tail knowingly, signaling it understood, and Yun Xi withdrew her finger.
Still curious, Dian Dian asked again, “But Master, how are you certain she’ll choose as you expect?”
Yun Xi responded lightly, her tone unconcerned, “I’m not certain at all. The choice is entirely hers.”
Dian Dian shook its ears thoughtfully, pondering its master’s words.
Meanwhile, on the other side, Wei Yun Qing had already been helped back into her room by Du Ruo Lan. Only after swallowing a healing pill from her storage bag did her complexion finally recover a little color.
Seeing her daughter open her eyes, Du Ruo Lan asked worriedly, “Qing’er, are you alright?”
“Mother, I’m fine. It was my own recklessness this time,” Wei Yun Qing reassured her mother gently, but the hatred in her eyes could not be hidden.
Du Ruo Lan looked at her daughter helplessly, unsure how best to comfort her. Qing’er had clearly suffered greatly because of Wei Yun Xi again. Still, she offered gently, “Qing’er, your mother might not have much talent in cultivation, but I understand that the path of a righteous cultivator can’t be rushed overnight. Right now, Yun Xi’s cultivation might be higher than yours, but your potential isn’t inferior. Mother believes that you’ll surpass her one day. Just based on your talent alone, you’re already stronger.”
“Who knows if her golden core was refined with pills or formed with the help of her master? Even though you haven’t found a master yet, you’ve already reached mid-Foundation Establishment by your own strength. That alone proves your superiority. Forming your core is just a matter of time, and even reaching Nascent Soul isn’t impossible. There’s no need for you to compete over temporary gains.”
Du Ruo Lan knew her daughter well, and these words directly touched Wei Yun Qing’s heart, soothing her wounded pride and restoring some of her lost confidence.
The entirety of their conversation was transmitted word-for-word into Yun Xi’s ears through the Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly. Yun Xi lightly stroked the black chess piece in her hand, her lips curving into a subtle smile.
From this alone, it was clear Wei Yun Qing was truly favored by fate. At the very least, she had a mother who placed her above all else, who could comfort her at critical moments. Compared to herself, who stood alone, Wei Yun Qing was certainly more fortunate.
Yet, Yun Xi believed such things were only external. In the end, one’s fate was determined solely by one’s own choices.
“Yun Xi,” Wei Ling Tao suddenly said apologetically, seeing her hesitate to place the chess piece, “today’s incident was due to Second Uncle’s poor judgment, causing you unnecessary grievance.”
Only then did Yun Xi place the chess piece onto the board, smiling as she replied, “Second Uncle, you were simply concerned for the younger generation. You’re not wrong, and neither am I. The issue lies with Wei Yun Qing’s extreme thinking—she simply cannot accept that someone with three spiritual roots could surpass her.”
Wei Ling Tao sighed, “Indeed, Yun Qing’s talent is undoubtedly the best among your generation, and the elders have always placed their hopes on her. With time, it’s inevitable she would be affected by such attention. However, your presence proves that talent alone isn’t the only factor determining a cultivator’s path.”
He paused, then added slowly, “In fact, a similar dispute happened in our family before, also due to talent…”
Wei Ling Tao stopped abruptly, clearly reluctant to discuss further, but Yun Xi was intrigued. Smiling, she probed gently, “Does this perhaps involve Ancestor?”
Wei Ling Tao glanced at Yun Xi, impressed by her keen insight, and finally nodded, “Indeed, this matter does involve Ancestor, and another involved party is Chen Yin, who currently cultivates at Law Peak of Grand Righteous Sect.”
Yun Xi wasn’t familiar with the name Chen Yin, but she was aware that a Golden Core elder from the Wei Clan resided in the Grand Righteous Sect’s inner sect. This elder was considered the greatest backing for all Wei Clan disciples.
Intrigued, Yun Xi asked with genuine curiosity, “Second Uncle, can you tell me about this incident?”
Wei Ling Tao placed a white stone onto the board thoughtfully, carefully choosing his words before recounting the grudges of the previous Wei generation.
The current ancestor of the Wei family, Wei Nan Feng, and Wei Chen Yin, who was now an elder at the Law Peak of Grand Righteous Sect, were cousins of the same generation, just as Yun Xi was with Zong Hao and Zong Jin. They had entered the Wei Clan’s cultivation hall together.
At the time, Wei Nan Feng had the best talent of their generation—just like Wei Yun Qing, he had dual spiritual roots—while Wei Chen Yin had lesser aptitude, possessing three spiritual roots like Yun Xi.
Back then, the Wei Clan hadn’t yet gained favor with True Lord Yu Feng, and thus, could not guarantee sect entry for all disciples. To join a sect, one had to pass the Grand Righteous Sect’s entry examination.
Eager to see the outside world, Wei Clan disciples participated together. Wei Nan Feng and Wei Chen Yin both passed and became outer sect disciples, beginning their cultivation journey in Grand Righteous Sect.
Despite being from the same family, Wei Nan Feng had always looked down on Wei Chen Yin, believing her inferior talent meant she would inevitably fall behind. He never accompanied her during cultivation or expeditions, instead preferring to network exclusively with those disciples he believed had promising futures, building powerful alliances and support.
Unexpectedly, after Wei Nan Feng finally reached Foundation Establishment and entered the inner sect, he found Wei Chen Yin already waiting there, having entered first. This shocked and displeased him deeply.
Wei Nan Feng then started frequently seeking out Wei Chen Yin, attempting to uncover how she’d advanced to the inner sect before him.
Wei Chen Yin was no fool; she knew clearly that Wei Nan Feng despised her, and his sudden friendliness was only to uncover her fortuitous secret. But how could a cultivator’s secrets be casually shared, especially with a cousin who had always been distant?
Thus, Wei Chen Yin took a long-term mission and left the sect temporarily. Her departure only convinced Wei Nan Feng further that she possessed a precious secret or method for rapid advancement. In her absence, he “accidentally” leaked this information within the sect.
Upon her return, Wei Chen Yin suddenly found herself the target of numerous scheming disciples. Some even wished to become her cultivation partner, hoping to win her trust and discover her secret.
As Wei Chen Yin became increasingly troubled, Wei Nan Feng conveniently stepped in, offering protection—on the condition she shared her secret method with him. At that moment, Wei Chen Yin finally understood her cousin’s schemes clearly.
Disgusted, she decisively presented her cultivation technique, the Supreme True Essence Conversion Art, directly to the sect. Her only condition: expel Wei Nan Feng from the Grand Righteous Sect.
“What’s special about this technique?” Yun Xi asked curiously.
Wei Ling Tao explained, “This technique isn’t restricted by spiritual root type; anyone with spiritual roots can cultivate it, but it’s especially suited for complementary spiritual roots. Opposing elements like water and fire wouldn’t benefit.”
“I see,” Yun Xi remarked with realization, “so that’s how Elder Chen Yin entered the inner sect first.”
Wei Ling Tao nodded. “Exactly.”
With a hint of mockery, Yun Xi concluded, “Then Ancestor Nan Feng truly tried to catch the moon in the water—ending up with nothing at all.”