"I may not know how Wei Yunqing managed to get close to Zuo Qiu Zhēnjūn, but I'm certain Wei Nanfeng had a hand in this." Wei Chenyin's words carried absolute certainty.
Yun Xi admired Wei Chenyin's sharpness and, without hiding anything, told her the inside story that Yu Huo Zhēnjūn had shared about how Wei Yunqing became a disciple.
When Wei Chenyin finished listening, she drew in a sharp breath.
"To think that Wei Yunqing's fortune was so outrageous. She even cultivated a Dao Fruit. I really did underestimate her."
Yun Xi, however, looked far from surprised. She had secretly spread rumors before, hoping to destroy Yun Qing's chances. Yet against her expectations, Yun Qing had leveraged the Dao Fruit to secure a future Divine Transformation as her backer.
This was Heaven itself placing a stronger pillar behind Yunqing, all for the sake of pressing Yun Xi down. In her heart, she silently raised her middle finger toward the heavens, then spoke coolly.
"Senior Sister Chen Yin, yes, Wei Yunqing used the Dao Fruit to exchange for the chance to become a disciple under a Yuányīng Zhēnjūn. But Zuo Qiu Zhēnjūn is already in closed-door cultivation, preparing to charge into Divine Transformation. He has no time to guide her.
And Yun Qing has a dual Water-Wood spiritual root. Her strengths lie in alchemy and planting. Yet she chose to join the Spirit Beast Peak. Do you really think Zuo Qiu Zhēnjūn will spend much effort instructing her?"
Wei Chenyin nodded thoughtfully. "You're right. Fate between master and disciple matters. Wei Yunqing only wanted a backer. Zuo Qiu Zhēnjūn only wanted a chance to break through to Divine Transformation. Theirs is nothing more than a transaction, without much sincerity. Where that path will lead… it's hard to say."
"Exactly. After I gave her a warning, she realized that true strength is what matters most. Without her own power, she can't even rely on her new backer to intimidate others. That's why she shut herself away in cultivation."
"That's good. Still, after becoming a disciple, she ran back to the Wei clan to flaunt it. Unfortunately, neither the clan head nor the elders were pleased with her. After embarrassing herself, she even declared she wouldn't help the Wei family in the future."
"Tch. As if she's ever contributed to the clan. The only reason she hasn't drained the family dry is because her strength hasn't reached that level yet. If no one in the clan could suppress her, the entire Wei family might have long since become her stepping stone."
Yun Xi's words dripped with disdain.
Wei Chenyin gave a faint smile. Yun Xi understood her elder sister far too well. Still, she added,"Before I returned to the sect, I instructed Ling Tao to warn the clan head to keep an eye on Wei Yunqing. Her words can't be trusted more than a third. I'll also tell the Wei family about her trading the Dao Fruit for her apprenticeship, so they can be prepared."
Yun Xi approved. "Senior Sister, that's the right approach. The Wei clan doesn't belong solely to Wei Yunqing, nor will it ever become her personal storage pouch to plunder at will."
Having finished with the topic of Wei Yunqing, Yun Xi brought up the matter of the upcoming trip to the Baohua Mountain secret realm. Wei Chenyin's expression grew solemn.
"I sought you out to speak of the same thing. All disciples above Golden Core in the sect have received notice. You've been in seclusion, so Cao Yi and the others couldn't reach you. They sent me a message talisman instead."
Yun Xi nodded. "The Yu Huo Peak Master called me over as well, to warn me about this new secret realm in Baohua Mountain. He said it's extremely dangerous and urged me to prepare carefully. That's also why I came to share some inside information with you."
The two women then sat together and discussed matters regarding the secret realm. They also sent message talismans to Lin Keyang, Zhang Lingrui, and Cao Yi, agreeing to meet tomorrow in Haoran City. Before setting out, they would purchase additional defensive treasures. Life-preserving artifacts were a must.
Once the details were settled, Yun Xi prepared to return to Lingxue Peak. She asked casually,"Senior Sister, how is my uncle's recovery?"
"He's doing well. But forming a Golden Core will still take some time. He'll certainly miss this secret realm trip."
"That's no problem. The secret realm won't open just once. If he goes next time, it'll actually be safer. After all, replenishing depleted essence is no easy matter."
"You're right."
Wei Chenyin accompanied Yun Xi down the mountain path at Fa Peak. Once Yun Xi departed, she stopped there and raised her hand to send a message talisman to Wei Lingtao, detailing everything about Wei Yunqing's apprenticeship.
—
Wei Clan, Haoran City
When Wei Lingtao received the talisman from Ancestor Chen Yin, his expression immediately turned into one of confirmation. As he suspected, Yun Qing's sudden apprenticeship had been a scheme to overshadow Yun Xi. But Zuo Qiu Zhēnjūn clearly had no genuine intent to accept her as a disciple. It was mutual exploitation, nothing more.
He casually passed the talisman to the First Elder. The elder read it, then handed it to the Second and Third Elders. That day, the three of them were assisting him in handling clan affairs.
After reading, all three elders wore difficult expressions. Things were exactly as Ancestor Chen Yin had predicted: just a transaction. Worse, Yun Qing had indirectly offended Yu Huo Zhēnjūn. Fortunately, that Zhēnjūn did not lower himself to quibble with her, and Yun Xi had smoothed things over. Otherwise, the Wei clan might have gained a powerful enemy for no reason.
The First Elder stroked his beard and suggested, "Patriarch, Ancestor Chen Yin's instructions have already been carried out. We've transferred the most important industries in Kunyu City to the Feng family. They were grateful. We should probably inform Yun Xi as well."
Wei Lingtao nodded. "You're right. The Feng family is Yun Xi's maternal kin. Since we've done this, she should be told."
He personally sent a message talisman to Yun Xi.
When Yun Xi returned to Lingxue Peak, she soon received word from the clan head. She learned that the Wei family had practically sold their Kunyu City industries to the Feng family at cabbage prices. A small smile curved her lips.
At least Wei Lingtao knew gratitude. Otherwise, the Feng family's timely aid would have become a joke. With those industries now under Feng control, neither the Sun family nor the Liu family could object. They had stood by and merely watched while the Feng family stepped in. Missing their chance, they could only blame themselves for lacking decisiveness.
After checking the time, Yun Xi reckoned that the task she had posted to the Inner Sect Mission Hall should already be completed. She made her way there.
As expected, when she presented her jade identity token, the late Foundation Establishment disciple in charge of task settlements greeted her respectfully. "Martial Uncle Wei, the task you posted has been completed. We've verified everything. Here are the spirit stones as payment, along with the jade slip brought back by the disciple who carried out the task. Please have a look."
"Well done. Thank you."
Yun Xi accepted the jade slip and vanished from the hall in a flicker, moving so swiftly that the surrounding disciples barely caught a glimpse. As a result, Sheng Yuhong, who had just entered, missed the chance to meet her alone.
Back at her residence, Yun Xi infused a thread of spiritual power into the jade slip, unraveling the seal set by Feng Jiaqing. The contents appeared before her.
According to Feng Jiaqing, Kunyu City had fallen into brief chaos after the Wei family's withdrawal. Soon, the Sun and Liu families approached the Wei retainers left behind, seeking to acquire leftover industries. They indeed bought up a portion.
But a month later, the Wei family themselves approached the Feng family, offering three of their most important businesses at a shockingly low price.
After asking for the reason, Feng Jiaqing accepted. It was their rightful due, especially after learning that Wei Nanfeng's lifespan had ended and Wei Chenyin was now holding the Wei family together. That night, Feng Jiaqing had even poured himself a few extra cups of spirit wine to celebrate.