Chapter 17: Mutual Deception

Upon hearing these words, Wei Yunxi immediately put on a conflicted little expression, as if hesitating over whether to share her secret. Wei Yunqing blinked, sensing an opportunity, and continued to coax her warmly, “Sister, you’re coming with me to the Haoran Sect. Won’t you even tell me this little thing?” Wei Yunxi shook her head at once, glanced around, then leaned in to whisper into Wei Yunqing’s ear, “It was my maid Feng Xiu who helped me. Her cultivation is at the late stage of Qi Refinement. She used her spiritual energy to guide mine, so I was able to draw in spiritual energy so quickly.”

Wei Yunxi was making this up entirely—a story she’d picked up from reading xianxia novels. She had no idea if it was true or not, but it was enough to fool Wei Yunqing, who had only recently stepped into the world of cultivation herself. Wei Yunqing’s eyes flashed as if she’d had another thought, then she took Wei Yunxi’s hand, and the two sisters entered the cultivation hall together, all smiles.

Feng Xiu, watching Wei Yunxi spout such nonsense with a straight face, felt the urge to cover her forehead. But now was not the time to expose her young mistress, so she kept her composure, bade her farewell, and returned to Zhuohua Court—she still had to keep an eye on Pearl.

Once the two sisters entered the cultivation hall, the other children soon learned that Wei Yunxi had also succeeded in drawing spiritual energy into her body. They sent her a wave of envious and admiring looks, then applied themselves to their own cultivation with even greater diligence.

The Sixth Elder, after confirming Wei Yunxi’s success, assigned her a new spot—one where the spiritual energy was more concentrated. Currently, this place was occupied by Wei Yunqing and Wei Zongjin; now, with Wei Yunxi joining, the three formed a little group that drew much envy.

After provoking Wei Yunqing a little, Wei Yunxi sat down beside Wei Zongjin, giving him a sweet smile as a greeting. Wei Zongjin, who was five years old this year, lifted his chin at her in a haughty gesture, then sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began cultivating, clearly not wanting to talk much.

Wei Yunxi shrugged indifferently and settled into her own practice, absorbing spiritual energy with determination. In no time, she entered a state akin to soaking in a hot spring, swiftly drawing in the surrounding energy, which seemed to favor her, rushing eagerly into her body.

The Sixth Elder noticed the shift in the hall’s spiritual energy and glanced toward the trio. Seeing all three hard at work, he nodded in satisfaction and continued to supervise those children who had yet to draw spiritual energy into themselves.

After the day’s practice, Feng Xiu came to fetch Wei Yunxi. Once she’d eaten her spiritual meal, Wei Yunxi activated her defensive formation and resumed cultivation. Feng Jiaqing had already taught her that, at the early stage of Qi Refinement, her abilities were only a bit stronger than an ordinary person’s—her senses sharper, her body sturdier, but her offensive power not much different from a mortal’s. At her five-year-old stature, facing an adult, she’d stand little chance without relying on true cultivation techniques.

Feng Jiaqing had once told her, “Before you reach the late stage of Qi Refinement, you’d best not leave the family. Otherwise, you’re likely to meet an untimely end along the way.” Wei Yunxi took her uncle’s words to heart, focusing first on improving her cultivation and using the refined spiritual energy to widen her meridians. Among cultivators of equal rank, the one with greater reserves of spiritual energy would be the ultimate winner.

While Wei Yunxi cultivated steadily and methodically, she had no idea that Du Ruolan was already hatching plans to destroy her spiritual roots. When news of Wei Yunxi’s success reached Du Ruolan, she smashed her cup in frustration. She’d only just used Wei Yunxi’s poor aptitude as an excuse to convince the eldest master not to let her follow Yunqing to Haoran Sect, and then, in the blink of an eye, the girl succeeded, making a fool of her.

“No, I can’t let her go to Haoran Sect.”

“But, madam, what should we do? The Feng family maid is watching Yunxi closely and won’t let me near her,” Pearl said with a troubled frown.

“Just keep an eye on her. I’ll handle the rest,” Du Ruolan replied after a moment’s thought.

“Yes, madam.” After Pearl was dismissed, Du Ruolan began searching through her storage pouch.

Wei Lingyue, upon hearing that Yunxi was the third disciple to succeed in drawing in spiritual energy, felt nothing in particular.

Two months later, Wei Yunqing reached the first level of Qi Refinement, drawing another wave of envy. Wei Yunxi congratulated her with a smile and returned to her own hard work. Yet, it seemed Wei Yunxi’s luck had run out after her initial success—by the time they were to leave for Haoran Sect, Wei Yunqing was already at the peak of the first level, just shy of breaking through to the second, making her one of the family’s most outstanding disciples.

Wei Yunxi, meanwhile, had not broken through the first level, though her diligence in cultivation was evident—even Wei Zongjin had advanced. In the end, Wei Yunxi’s name was not among those going to Haoran Sect, much to Du Ruolan’s secret delight, and she put her plans on hold.

When Wei Yunxi learned the news, she finally breathed a sigh of relief. Still, to keep up appearances, she pretended to be upset and secretly complained to her uncle’s family. As expected, Feng Jiaqing intervened.

No one knew what Feng Jiaqing said to Wei Lingyue, but the final result was that Wei Yunxi moved to the Feng family to study alchemy.

“How wonderful!” Wei Yunxi felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted—she was finally taking her first step away from the fate laid out for her. But two days later, her hopes were dashed.

After the Wei family finalized the five children to be sent to Haoran Sect, they prepared some resources for them. Wei Lingyue volunteered to personally escort the five to the sect.

But on the day of departure, the Nascent Soul Elder of Haoran Sect, Master Yufeng, arrived at the Wei family estate in Kunyu City.

Patriarch Wei Lingtai, accompanied by the family elders, went out to welcome Master Yufeng in person. The city itself was abuzz with excitement at the arrival of such a distinguished master, and the Wei family’s prestige soared.

Wei Lingtai, Wei Lingyue’s younger brother and father of Wei Zongjin, had become the family head due to his superior abilities, while Wei Lingyue was generally addressed as the Eldest Master. Without a fortuitous opportunity, Wei Lingyue’s cultivation would likely stall at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage, but Wei Lingtai, with his better aptitude, had hopes of forming a Golden Core—hence his rise to patriarch.

The brothers, though not openly at odds, were privately competitive, and their children’s talents were the current battleground. This time, Wei Lingyue had eked out a narrow victory.

Since his daughter’s entrance to Haoran Sect was at stake, Wei Lingyue also attended the council hall. After some polite exchanges, Wei Lingtai asked, “Master Yufeng, may I ask the purpose of your special visit to Kunyu City?”

Master Yufeng, his features stern and expression serious, smoothed his robe and replied, “By order of the sect, we are increasing our recruitment this year. On my way to fetch the Wei family’s children, I will also select a group of talented disciples from Kunyu City to bring back to the sect.”

Wei Lingtai and Wei Lingyue exchanged glances, both surprised. Haoran Sect had never recruited in such a remote place before; their family was only able to send children because of ancestral ties.

Unconcerned with the silent exchange between the two, Master Yufeng continued, “I will inform the city lord that I will remain here for one day. After recruiting disciples, I shall return to the sect. I can authorize three additional slots for the Wei family.”