An Uncertain Future

Of the fifty-four Wei Family children aged five and above tested for Spiritual Roots this time, only sixteen possessed them—not even half. Still, the Wei Family was already very satisfied with this result. At the very least, they had produced Wei Yunqing, who possessed Water-Wood Dual Spiritual Roots. Such aptitude was already considered quite good in Kunyu City.

Afterward, all the children who had tested positive for Spiritual Roots remained at the Wei Family's main residence. The following year would determine their fates, and it would also be their last chance to seize the opportunity to change them.

Do not think that possessing a Spiritual Root meant everything would be smooth sailing. Only after successfully completing Qi Introduction could one truly begin cultivating. Only upon reaching Foundation Establishment could one be called a cultivator and gain the chance to pursue the Great Dao.

Thus, this year was of utmost importance. These Wei Family children had to cross the threshold of Qi Introduction, after which their future paths would be determined according to their cultivation speed and individual strengths.

However, none of this had anything to do with Wei Yunqing, because Wei Lingyue had already decided to send his eldest daughter to cultivate at the Haoran Sect.

When Du Ruolan learned of this news, joy filled her heart and inevitably showed on her face, allowing Wei Yunqing to notice it.

"Mother, why are you so happy today?"

Du Ruolan stroked her daughter's lovely hair and said with a genuine smile:

"Of course Mother is happy. Your father told me in private that he intends to send you to cultivate at the Haoran Sect. The next three months are crucial. You must complete Qi Introduction as soon as possible. It would be best if you could raise your cultivation to the Qi Refining third layer. That would give you a better chance of entering the Haoran Sect, and you might even have hope of taking a fine master as your teacher.

"With a master's guidance, your cultivation will surely advance by leaps and bounds. With the sect as your backing, Mother's position in the Wei Family will become even more secure. Then the Wei Family will be able to devote all its strength to nurturing you."

Upon hearing her mother's words, Wei Yunqing immediately nodded.

"Mother, rest assured. Your daughter knows what she should do."

After speaking, she thought for a moment, then said:

"Mother, I want to bring Wei Yunxi with me to the Haoran Sect."

Hearing her daughter's words, Du Ruolan froze for a moment before frowning.

"Qing'er, did someone say something to you? Why do you want to take Yunxi with you to the Haoran Sect?"

Wei Yunqing was still young and could not explain herself clearly. She simply felt that keeping Wei Yunxi by her side would benefit her. It had to be said that the heroine's instinct for seeking advantage and avoiding harm was remarkably sharp.

But Du Ruolan did not see it that way. In her eyes, the Haoran Sect was the second-ranked sect in the western region, and the Wei Family had only a limited number of places. Why should such an opportunity be given to Wei Yunxi? She had no desire to make a wedding dress for Feng Jiayun's daughter.

The Wei Family had obtained these few precious places only because one of their ancestors had once been acquainted with a Nascent Soul Realm senior from the Haoran Sect. That person had thus shown the Wei Family a measure of favor. But he merely provided them with places to enter the Haoran Sect. Whether they could formally join the sect and how far they could go afterward was none of that senior's concern.

Wei Yunqing seemed to have noticed her mother's hesitation, so she immediately tugged at Du Ruolan's skirt.

"Mother, I want to take Wei Yunxi with me. She has good things on her."

At these words, Du Ruolan's eyes shifted, and she immediately thought of the hairpin her daughter had wanted before. Patting her daughter's hand, she said:

"Do not rush, my daughter. Mother understands what you mean, but this matter still depends on your father's wishes. Her aptitude is inferior to yours, and your father may not be willing to send her into a sect to cultivate."

Wei Yunqing said anxiously:

"Mother, quickly think of something."

"Do not fret, my child. Mother will go speak with your father about this."

After soothing her daughter, Du Ruolan arranged for a trusted confidant to investigate Zhuohua Courtyard.

At this time, Wei Yunxi had no idea that Wei Yunqing had set her sights on her, intending to have her continue serving as a Fortune-Bringing Child. She was currently sorting through her Storage Pendant and preparing the things she would need for Clan School the next day.

Chunyu and the other three maids silently helped at the side. They understood clearly that once their young lady began cultivating, she would become entirely different from them. There would only be less and less they could do to help her.

Just then, the Wei Family's Steward arrived at Zhuohua Courtyard with a plain-looking maidservant and respectfully said to Wei Yunxi:

"Young Lady, this is the personal maid the Eldest Master has assigned to you. She possesses cultivation at the Qi Refining third layer. From today onward, she will be responsible for your close protection. She will escort you to and from the Cultivation Hall each day, and she will also stand guard for you while you cultivate."

Wei Yunxi's little brows furrowed slightly at this, but she smiled and nodded.

"Steward Grandpa, please thank Father for me."

Then she turned to the woman standing beside the Steward with her eyes lowered and sweetly asked:

"How should I address this older sister?"

The woman immediately replied:

"This servant is called Zhenzhu. I dare not accept Young Lady's address of 'older sister.'"

Wei Yunxi did not know this maidservant's background, and the other woman also possessed cultivation at the Qi Refining third layer, so she politely said:

"Then I shall call you Zhenzhu from now on. Go with Chunyu to settle into the side courtyard first. Come fetch me tomorrow morning and take me to the Cultivation Hall."

"Yes, Young Lady."

Zhenzhu was perceptive and followed Chunyu out of the Main Courtyard.

After delivering the person, the Steward cupped his hands in farewell. He had no shortage of matters to attend to, and his personal visit had also demonstrated the Eldest Master's regard for this daughter.

Once the Steward had left, Wei Yunxi asked the remaining three maids:

"That Zhenzhu looked unfamiliar. Have any of you seen her before?"

The three all shook their heads in unison. A flicker of hesitation crossed Dongmei's face, which Wei Yunxi happened to notice. She immediately asked:

"Dongmei, do you know her?"

Dongmei shook her head.

"In reply to Young Lady, this servant does not know Zhenzhu. However, I saw her speaking with Liuxu from Madam Du's courtyard. This servant did not hear what they said, as they were somewhat far away."

The instant Wei Yunxi heard this, alarm bells blared in her mind. This was not a good sign. If Zhenzhu was Du Ruolan's person, then nothing good could come from her staying at Wei Yunxi's side. It was no different from being watched.

Xiamo and Qiutao both looked anxiously at their young lady upon hearing this. Zhenzhu had cultivation and was unlike them. Even if they wanted to help their young lady, they did not know how.

Wei Yunxi stretched out her chubby little hand and rubbed her equally chubby chin. She immediately summoned Dongmei over and whispered a few words into her ear. Dongmei's eyes brightened as she listened, and she hurriedly left Zhuohua Courtyard. This time, she departed Wei Manor through the back gate.

Wei Yunxi continued as usual. After dinner that evening, she went to bed early.

When all sounds had fallen silent, a shadow slipped into the Main Courtyard of Zhuohua Courtyard and came to Wei Yunxi's bedside. It first grabbed the Storage Pendant beside her pillow and inspected the things inside, then returned the Storage Pendant to its original place.

The shadow then searched the entire bedroom, but ultimately found nothing and could only leave the room under cover of darkness.

The next day, Wei Yunxi was pulled from her blankets by Chunyu while yawning. The first thing she did was check the Storage Pendant beside her pillow. Seeing that her things were still there, she sighed in relief. But when she grasped the Storage Pendant in her hand, she discovered that it had been moved.

"Chunyu, who stood watch last night?"

"In reply to Young Lady, it was Xiamo."

"Have her come in."