Yun Xi allowed Dian Dian and Fei Xia to cultivate alongside her for a reason. Both were her contracted beasts, a part of her own strength. If she wanted them to be more than ornaments, their growth had to keep pace with her own. Otherwise, they would remain no better than pampered pets.
Fortunately, both Dian Dian and Fei Xia proved themselves reliable. One worked tirelessly to help her scavenge treasures, afraid she might suffer a loss, while the other acted as her eyes, keeping track of Wei Yunqing's every move and warning her in time so she could avoid repeating the mistakes of her past life.
Clearing her mind of distractions, Yun Xi began to circulate the Wushuang Sword Lightning Art. Spiritual energy surged toward her, wrapping her body like a silkworm cocoon. Even Dian Dian and Fei Xia benefited from the overflow, slipping into deep cultivation alongside her. One human and two spirit beasts sank into stillness, fully isolated from the outside world.
Meanwhile, Wei Yunqing was having a miserable time. More and more disciples lingered outside her courtyard, forcing her to stay inside unless she went to the spirit fields. She dared not wander freely anymore.
One night, as unease gnawed at her, a shadowy figure suddenly appeared in her cultivation room.
Wei Yunqing nearly leapt off her meditation cushion. "Who are you? Why trespass in my cultivation chamber?"
The intruder's voice was calm, almost indifferent. "You are Wei Yunqing?"
She couldn't make out his face, but she forced herself to answer steadily. "Yes. May I ask what guidance Senior has for me?"
"Wei Nanfeng spoke highly of you before me, yet I fail to see what makes you special."
Just that single sentence sent Wei Yunqing's heart soaring. She knew her chance had come. This time, she had to seize it.
Four Months Later
Yun Xi drew the final strand of spiritual energy back into her dantian and slowly opened her eyes. Her cultivation had stabilized at the late Golden Core stage, the very goal she had set for this retreat.
The moment her eyes opened, the white glow from her identity token enveloped her waist. She knew she was about to be transported out. With a flick of her sleeve, she swept up the still-slumbering Dian Dian and Fei Xia, and in the next breath all three vanished from the pool.
As soon as she left, the mist over the Qingye Pool dispersed. If one looked closely, they would notice the pool's water level had dropped by at least four fingers' depth.
The first person she saw upon reappearing was the same refined young man as before. He looked at her with leisurely amusement. "Wei Yunxi, you exceeded the allotted time by one month. You owe either one hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones or ten thousand sect contribution points."
"What? That much?"
Yun Xi clutched her storage bracelet, her chest aching as her little face scrunched in distress.
The man chuckled. "What's this? You enjoy the benefits but balk at the cost?"
Yun Xi waved her hands quickly. "No, Senior, it's just… it hurts a little. It took me so long to save up those spirit stones."
"A personal disciple of Lingxue Peak short on spirit stones? Cry to your master and you'll have more than enough."
Yun Xi grimaced. "Master is in seclusion, attempting to break through to Divine Transformation."
The refined man's tone turned gloating. "Then you'll just have to fend for yourself."
With a flick of his finger, a white light embedded itself into her identity token, clearly recording her debt.
Yun Xi could only sigh, bow respectfully, and leave the mountain of the Clear Liquid Pool.
Dian Dian and Fei Xia were still asleep, so with no one to complain to, Yun Xi could only comfort herself aloud. "It's fine, it's fine. The cost was worth it. At least my foundation is firm and I've advanced to late Golden Core. That means I'll be able to explore far more in the secret realm."
When Yun Xi reached the foot of Lingxue Peak, she unexpectedly ran into Wei Yunqing, who had come looking for her. This time, Wei Yunqing wore the robe of a personal disciple. Her eyes carried pride and provocation as they met Yun Xi's gaze.
Yun Xi's expression remained calm. Her voice was even. "It's been a while. So, you've managed to find a master?"
Wei Yunqing straightened her new robe with satisfaction. "That's right. I'm now a personal disciple too, just like you."
Yun Xi wasn't about to let her bask in triumph. Smiling, she countered, "How could it be the same? Once my master emerges from seclusion, he'll be a Divine Transformation Zūnzhě. You'll still have to call me Martial Uncle."
At last, Wei Yunqing revealed a smile. "But my master is also attempting Divine Transformation. Who can say who will succeed first? If my master advances first, it will be you who calls me Martial Uncle."
Yun Xi's eyes narrowed. She recalled Zhong Hao's words: Yu Huo Zhēnjūn was obsessed with alchemy and unlikely to attempt a breakthrough anytime soon. Still, her tone remained steady."Is that so? Then we'll see once your master succeeds. For now, with your mere mid-Foundation cultivation, you should still address me as Martial Uncle."
With that, she released a wave of late Golden Core pressure. Wei Yunqing collapsed to one knee, her earlier arrogance completely shattered.
Yun Xi gave a cold snort of disdain, then walked past her and ascended Lingxue Peak without another glance.
Wei Yunqing remained on the ground for a long time after Yun Xi left. Rage burned in her eyes. Four months had passed, and yet Yun Xi's cultivation had advanced again. In the end, Wei Yunqing could only grit her teeth and leave Lingxue Peak in humiliation.
Back in her courtyard, Yun Xi finally let her expression darken. She waved her sleeve, awakening the Flying Mist Butterfly. "Fei Xia, find out what happened with Wei Yunqing during my four months in seclusion."
"Yes, Master."
Fei Xia unfurled its translucent, pearl-colored wings and fluttered them lightly. Its antennae touched together, sending a signal to the smaller butterflies it had left behind on Dan Peak.
Yun Xi rubbed the still-sleeping Dian Dian, tucking the little creature against her chest. She didn't rush to question others and simply waited for Fei Xia's reply.
After a moment, Fei Xia sent back a transmission. "Master, the butterfly I left by Wei Yunqing's side has vanished. It must have been discovered and destroyed."
"Wei Yunqing realized she was being watched?"
"I don't know. The butterfly left no information behind."
"Then what happened to her in this time?"
"Master, according to another butterfly on Dan Peak, Wei Yunqing left three months ago to apprentice under another Yuányīng Zhēnjūn."
"Which Zhēnjūn?"
"Zuo Qiu Zhēnjūn of Spirit Beast Peak," Fei Xia replied.
Yun Xi's eyes dimmed at the name. So Wei Nanfeng had indeed paved the way for Wei Yunqing, letting her attach herself to a Nascent Soul cultivator.
But according to what Yun Xi had learned from Wei Chenyin, Zuo Qiu Zhēnjūn was known for never making a move without certain profit and for zealously guarding his reputation. For him to bypass Yu Huo Zhēnjūn and personally accept Wei Yunqing as a disciple meant there was definitely something suspicious.
Especially since Wei Yunqing had just said Zuo Qiu Zhēnjūn was now in seclusion attempting Divine Transformation. The timing of his retreat and her acceptance as a disciple could not be coincidence. Yun Xi resolved to pay Yu Guo Zhēnjūn a visit. Until she understood the truth, she would not rest easy.
Just then, Fei Xia transmitted again. "Master, Wei Yunqing has returned to Spirit Beast Peak for closed-door cultivation."
The next instant, two message talismans flew into Yun Xi's courtyard.