Chapter 18: A Sudden Turn of Events-With a Dimensional Chat Group in Hand, the Doomed Side Character Soars to Immortality(Ephemeral clouds and fleeting winds, like the tinkling of wind chimes in passing moments.)

The words of Master Windrider brought a flash of joy to Wei Lingtao and Wei Lingyue’s eyes—this was truly good news. Though there were only three available spots, to the Wei family, it was equivalent to gaining three more promising disciples for the clan. Master Windrider’s promise made it clear: as long as the chosen disciples weren’t of poor character, they would be guaranteed entry into the sect for cultivation, and the sect would offer them some protection, ensuring they wouldn’t be bullied. This was far more lenient than the Haoran Sect’s usual selection process in Kunyu City, which involved a strict initial screening based on spiritual root aptitude, followed by further tests at the sect itself. If one failed those, they’d be sent home—not everyone could join the sect.

Wei Lingtao immediately rose and cupped his hands in gratitude.
“Thank you, Master Windrider, for considering the Wei family. Please, rest here with us for now. Allow me to handle the matter of notifying the City Lord’s residence about the disciple recruitment.”

Master Windrider did not refuse. He knew these people wouldn’t dare make light of his instructions, and given the Wei family’s sensible conduct over the years, he was willing to show them this favor. He nodded and replied,
“Then I’ll trouble you, Family Head Wei.”

“You honor us, Master. It is the Wei family who should be grateful for your care.”

Wei Lingtao dared not accept such praise, and Wei Lingyue quickly echoed his sentiments. The two then escorted Master Windrider to a private courtyard to rest and immediately departed for the City Lord’s residence to deliver the news.

The word that the Haoran Sect would be widely recruiting disciples in Kunyu City quickly spread. Any family with some standing began selecting their best disciples to send for the next day’s selection.

In the Feng family’s council hall, Feng Jiaqing was among the first to receive the news. He gathered the family elders to discuss which disciples they would send for the selection.

The elders, however, were not blinded by this windfall and instead analyzed the situation with clear minds.

“It’s truly a good thing to send our disciples to the Haoran Sect for training, but we shouldn’t send all our elite disciples,” one elder cautioned.

“Exactly. The family must develop as well, and we need to retain enough talent to support us here. Besides, we have little foundation in the Haoran Sect. The Wei family is different—they’ve sent disciples there for generations. Sending ours this time is already owing them a favor. Once our disciples enter the sect, they’ll likely have to band together with the Wei family’s, which has its pros and cons. No one will shelter us for nothing; this could put our children at a disadvantage, forcing them to compromise in some matters. I worry this would be detrimental to their cultivation.”

“The Family Head is right. What’s more, the news of the Haoran Sect’s sudden recruitment came with no prior hint. I can’t help but feel something is amiss,” another elder added, his suspicion evident.

In truth, he did not know that the Haoran Sect’s sudden recruitment in Kunyu City was indeed related to the Feng family, though the root cause lay with Wei Yunxi. Because the Feng family had snatched away the sect’s ‘variable,’ the Haoran Sect’s grand elder decided to cast a wide net in Kunyu City, even sending Master Windrider personally. Of course, this could not be revealed publicly, so Master Windrider used the excuse of escorting the Wei family’s disciples on official business, conveniently recruiting a few more along the way and granting the Wei family some face—a threefold benefit.

Based on their information, the Feng family finally decided to send two elite disciples to the Haoran Sect, while allowing any collateral disciples who wished to go to try their luck. Whether they passed the tests would be up to them.

The Sun and Liu families of Kunyu City made similar decisions—given how sudden this all was, it was the only way to respond. Kunyu City was their foundation, and they could not abandon it.

This, however, brought a new dilemma for Feng Jiaqing: the question of Wei Yunxi’s future. Given how the Haoran Sect favored the Wei family, it was inevitable that they would send more disciples to the sect. Wei Yunxi had failed to enter before only because her talent was inferior to Wei Yunqing’s. Yet, she was still stronger than many in the Wei family who had not yet begun cultivation, making it highly likely she would be sent this time.

Feng Jiaqing had already reached an agreement with Wei Lingyue: since Wei Yunxi’s inability to join the sect was an “unavoidable decision” on Wei Lingyue’s part, Feng Jiaqing would step in for his niece and offer to nurture her.

The Feng family decided to take Wei Yunxi in to study alchemy. Though she had only three spiritual roots, she was well-suited for the art. This was beneficial to the Wei family, so Wei Lingyue had no reason to refuse. In his eyes, Wei Yunxi was still one of their own, and if she learned alchemy, she would become a valuable asset—he could not be happier.

The matter had been settled, but now an unexpected change had occurred, prompting Feng Jiaqing to consult with the family patriarch, Feng Feng.

Feng Feng stroked his beard and sighed.
“Such is fate. It seems our Feng family cannot keep Yunxi with us.”

“You mean...?” asked Feng Jiaqing.

“It depends on the Wei family’s decision. If they choose to send Yunxi to the Haoran Sect, we have no grounds to stop it. But if they insist she remain, then we’ll abide by our agreement and have her study alchemy here.”

“Yes, Patriarch.”

Afterward, Feng Jiaqing sent word to Wei Yunxi through Feng Xiu.

When Wei Yunxi received the message, she felt an odd sense of unease, as if she were searching for shelter before a storm. Though she had tried to outrun the rain, she still could not escape its downpour.

Feng Xiu saw her young mistress’s dejected face and was at a loss for words. To her mind, both paths were excellent—after all, there was always a safety net.

Wei Yunxi rubbed her slightly chubby cheeks and said to Feng Xiu,
“Sister Feng, I understand my uncle’s intentions. I’d like to be alone for a while; please don’t let anyone disturb me.”

“Yes, miss.”

After activating her defensive array, Wei Yunxi climbed onto her bed, sprawled out in the shape of a starfish, her mind in turmoil. She was certain that, given Wei Lingyue’s character, he would surely send her to the Haoran Sect.

She needed guidance, so she once more entered the chat group’s space.

As soon as her consciousness entered, the screen shifted from standby to online mode, and the group system automatically posted a message:

“Ephemeral Mist has come online and is now active.”

Wei Yunxi pondered for a moment and then sent a message to the group.

Ephemeral Mist: “I had a prophetic dream. If I enter the sect to cultivate, something bad will happen. What should I do?”

Tribal Warrior: “How bad?”

Ephemeral Mist: “I’ll become someone else’s stepping stone.”

Star Voyager: “Then don’t go.”

Survival Is Key: “Why not go? Just crush anyone who tries to use you as a stepping stone! You can’t hide forever!”

Ox-Head and Horse-Face: “It sounds like you have a stroke of fortune. Since you had a prophetic dream, you’ll surely avoid some traps—just go.”

Immortal Aura: “The moment you had that prophetic dream, it showed you wouldn’t become anyone’s stepping stone as in the dream. You are the variable. If you’re destined to be a chess piece, then step onto the board yourself—and leave nothing but utter defeat in your wake!”