A Turn for the Better

True Lord Yufeng's words brought a flash of delight to both Wei Lingtao's and Wei Lingyue's eyes. This was good news indeed.

Though there were only three slots, to the Wei Family, that meant three more family disciples with the potential to become accomplished.

True Lord Yufeng's promise meant that as long as the disciples selected by the Wei Family did not have terribly poor character, they would certainly be admitted into the sect to cultivate. The sect would even look after them to some extent, ensuring they would not be bullied.

This was far more lenient than Haoran Sect's recruitment of new disciples in Kunyu City. When recruiting outsiders, the first round of screening examined one's Spiritual Root aptitude. Even after reaching Haoran Sect, they still had to undergo tests. Those who failed would be sent back, with no guarantee of joining the sect.

Wei Lingtao immediately rose and cupped his hands in thanks.

"Many thanks to True Lord Yufeng for considering the Wei Family. Please rest at the Wei Family today, True Lord. Leave the task of notifying the City Lord's Mansion about the disciple recruitment to me!"

True Lord Yufeng did not refuse. In any case, these people would not dare deceive him. Considering that the Wei Family had been fairly sensible over the years, he was willing to grant them this favor. He nodded and said,

"Then I'll have to trouble the Wei Family Head."

"You overpraise us, True Lord. It is the Wei Family that should thank you for your care."

Wei Lingtao did not dare accept those words of thanks. Wei Lingyue at his side immediately echoed him. The two then escorted True Lord Yufeng to a separate courtyard to rest before promptly setting out for the City Lord's Mansion to deliver the news.

News that Haoran Sect would be broadly recruiting disciples in Kunyu City soon spread throughout the city. Every family with even a little influence began picking through their outstanding clan disciples, preparing to send them for the next day's selection.

Feng Family Meeting Hall

Feng Jiaqing received the news at once. He gathered the clan elders together to discuss which family disciples they should send to the selection.

The clan elders were not dazzled senseless by this pie falling from the sky. Instead, they soberly weighed the pros and cons.

"It is certainly a good thing to send family disciples to cultivate at Haoran Sect this time, but we cannot send all the clan's Elite Disciples there."

"Exactly. The clan must develop as well, so we have to retain enough Elite Disciples to support the family. Besides, we have no foundation in Haoran Sect.

"The Wei Family is different. After all, they have sent several generations of disciples to Haoran Sect. If we send disciples there this time, we will have to owe the Wei Family a favor.

"Once our clan disciples enter the sect, they will likely have to band together with the Wei Family's disciples. There are advantages and disadvantages to that. No one will protect you for no reason. It will put our children a head lower than theirs, and they will have to make compromises in certain matters. I think that would instead be detrimental to their cultivation."

"The Family Head is right. Moreover, Haoran Sect's increased recruitment this time was not preceded by the slightest hint of news. I can't help feeling that something is suspicious."

This elder was rather suspicious by nature.

What he did not know was that Haoran Sect's sudden recruitment of additional disciples in Kunyu City really did have something to do with the Feng Family. Yet the source of it lay with Wei Yunxi. Because the Feng Family had intercepted Haoran Sect's "variable," Haoran Sect's Old Ancestor had made the decision to cast a wide net in Kunyu City, even dispatching True Lord Yufeng.

Naturally, this reason could not be revealed to outsiders. Thus, True Lord Yufeng used the excuse that he was passing through on business to pick up Wei Family disciples, then conveniently recruited several more disciples and gave the Wei Family some face in the process—a single move that achieved three things.

Based on the information they possessed, the Feng Family also analyzed the matter. In the end, they unanimously decided to send two Elite Disciples to cultivate at Haoran Sect. The remaining branch-family disciples would not be restricted; anyone who wished to go could do so. As for whether they could pass the tests, that would depend on their own abilities.

Kunyu City's Sun family and Liu family reached the same decision as the Feng Family. With the matter arising so suddenly, this was the only way they could respond. Kunyu City was their foundation, and they could not abandon it.

This raised another new problem before Feng Jiaqing: whether Wei Yunxi would stay or leave. Given Haoran Sect's favor toward the Wei Family, it was inevitable that they would take several more disciples to Haoran Sect.

Wei Yunxi had been passed over because her aptitude was inferior to Wei Yunqing's. Yet although she was not as gifted as Wei Yunqing, she was still superior to those Wei Family disciples who had failed to achieve Qi Introduction. This time, there was a strong possibility that the Wei Family would send her to cultivate at Haoran Sect.

Feng Jiaqing had already discussed the matter with Wei Lingyue. Since Wei Yunxi's inability to enter the sect for cultivation had been Wei Lingyue's "helpless decision," Feng Jiaqing had stepped forward on behalf of his niece, expressing his willingness to nurture her.

The Feng Family had decided to bring Wei Yunxi over to study Alchemy. Though Wei Yunxi possessed only Three Spiritual Roots, she was quite suited to learning Alchemy.

This decision benefited the Wei Family, so Wei Lingyue naturally would not refuse. In his eyes, Wei Yunxi was still a Wei family member no matter what. Once she learned Alchemy, she would become an asset to the family in the future. He was delighted beyond measure—how could he oppose it?

The matter had previously been considered settled, but now a variable had emerged. Thus, he went to discuss it with Old Ancestor Feng Feng.

Feng Feng stroked his beard and sighed.

"It is Heaven's will. It seems our Feng Family cannot keep Yunxi here."

"Old Ancestor means...?"

"Let us see how the Wei Family decides. If they are willing to send Yunxi into Haoran Sect, then we have no reason to stop them. But if the Wei Family insists on keeping Yunxi in the family to cultivate, then we will proceed as agreed before and bring her to the Feng Family to study Alchemy."

"Yes, Old Ancestor."

Afterward, Feng Jiaqing had Feng Xiu deliver the news to Wei Yunxi.

When Wei Yunxi received the message, she felt strangely unsettled. It was as if she had wanted to find shelter before the rain fell. Though she had run as fast as she could, she still had not escaped the downpour.

Feng Xiu looked at her young lady's somewhat dejected little face and did not know what to say. In her view, both paths were excellent choices. Either way, someone would catch her if she fell.

Wei Yunxi rubbed her slightly baby-fat cheeks and said to Feng Xiu,

"Sister Feng, I understand Uncle's intentions. I want to be alone for a while. Don't let anyone disturb me."

"Yes, Miss."

After activating the Defensive Formation, Wei Yunxi climbed onto the bed and sprawled herself into the shape of a "big" character. Her thoughts were in turmoil. Given Wei Lingyue's character, she felt certain he would send her to Haoran Sect.

She needed some guidance, so she once again sent her consciousness into the Chat Group space.

The moment her consciousness entered the space, the light screen shifted from its dim standby state to online status and automatically sent a message to the Chat Group.

Fleeting Smoke has come online. Current status: online.

Wei Yunxi thought for a moment, then sent a message to the group.

Fleeting Smoke: "I had a prophetic dream. If I enter a sect to cultivate, something bad will happen. What should I do?"

Tribal Warrior: "How bad?"

Fleeting Smoke: "I'll become someone else's stepping stone."

Star Trek: "Then don't go."

Survival is the Hardest Truth: "Why not go? Just crush those people who want to use you as a stepping stone! You can't hide for your whole life!"

Ox-Head and Horse-Face: "Then it seems your opportunity is quite good. Since you had a prophetic dream, you can certainly avoid some traps. Just go."

Ethereal Immortal: "The moment you had a prophetic dream, it meant you would not become anyone's stepping stone as you did in the dream. You yourself are a variable.

"Since you are destined to be a chess piece, then enter the game in person and slaughter them until not a scrap of armor remains!"