Leaving the Family

When Wei Lingyue saw the happy expression on his daughter's face, he finally put away his stern look. After offering a few more soothing words and giving her a gift as compensation, he left Zhuohua Courtyard.

Wei Yunxi carried the little box into the cultivation room. She wanted to see just how much Wei Lingyue had splurged this time.

When she opened the box, she saw a pair of Ruby Earrings resting on brocade. They were exquisitely crafted and gave off a faint trace of Spiritual Qi. One look was enough to tell they were good things.

"They're good, but they aren't suitable for me to wear right now."

Wei Yunxi felt they looked a little too mature, but she still held the earrings up against her ears.

Feng Xiu praised her from the side:

"Young Miss, this is a First-Rank Defensive Artifact. It should be able to withstand a single strike from the Foundation Establishment Realm. You only need to refine it before leaving for the Haoran Sect."

Wei Yunxi muttered:

"Mhm, but the style needs changing."

Everyone loved beauty, and she was no exception. Besides, it was jewelry that could protect her—there was no way she would give it up.

Feng Xiu immediately said:

"Young Miss, if you trust me, you can give me these earrings. I'll find an Artifact Refiner to alter them. If they're changed into stud earrings, they'll suit you better."

"Alright, I'll leave it to you."

Wei Yunxi placed the earrings back into the box and handed it to Feng Xiu.

After putting the box into her Storage Pouch, Feng Xiu looked at Wei Yunxi, who seemed to be hesitating, and asked:

"Young Miss, is there anything else you wish to instruct me?"

Wei Yunxi nodded.

"You said Zhenzhu gave me a Spirit Melting Pill that would destroy my Spiritual Root, but Father said it was only medicine meant to make me sick. Is he protecting Zhenzhu?"

The moment Feng Xiu heard this, she knew that her young miss had chosen to believe her rather than her own father. She immediately replied:

"Young Miss, Master Wei does not want to protect Zhenzhu. Since he said Zhenzhu was dealt with, she must have been silenced forever. The one he wishes to protect is the person who ordered Zhenzhu to do this."

"You mean Concubine Du?"

Before those she trusted, she had never acknowledged Du Ruolan's status as the Wei Family's madam.

"Yes."

"Then why won't she be punished for doing something wrong?"

After thinking for a moment, Feng Xiu tried to explain it in words Yunxi could understand.

"Master Wei is not entirely doing this to shield Du Ruolan. He merely wishes to calm the waters and avoid making you bear a grudge against Du Ruolan and her daughter. After you sisters enter the Haoran Sect, you will still need to support one another."

Wei Yunxi shook her head and said in a deliberately profound tone:

"Yunqing and I can never support each other. It'll already be good enough if she doesn't trip me up. Isn't she just a little more talented than I am? Look at how smug she is!"

The corners of Feng Xiu's lips curled up. Her young miss was quite sharp indeed. She knew very well who treated her kindly and who wished her harm.

The day after the matter was settled, the Wei family gathered together the disciples chosen from the clan to enter the sect. Wei Lingtao delivered a mobilization speech before their departure.

The Wei Family had eight slots this time. Besides the five people selected earlier, the three added this time were Wei Yunxi, Wei Yunting, and Wei Zonghao.

Wei Yunting was Wei Lingtao's eldest daughter. She was already ten years old this year, and her cultivation had reached the Qi Refining third layer. She possessed water, wood, fire, and earth Four Spiritual Roots. She had not entered the Haoran Sect to cultivate before, firstly because the Haoran Sect had not accepted disciples when she was five, and secondly because her aptitude was average. She had cultivated for five years, yet had only reached the Qi Refining third layer.

However, the Haoran Sect had given three additional slots this time. Wei Yunxi took one, and Wei Lingtao added his eldest daughter to the list as well.

Wei Zonghao was a boy from a collateral branch of the Wei Family. He possessed fire, wood, and earth Three Spiritual Roots, with a Spiritual Root Value of seventy-five. His aptitude was fairly good. He had cultivated for one year and was at the first layer of Qi Refining. He was a sturdy little chubby boy.

Wei Yunxi swept her gaze over her future companions, then withdrew it and looked toward Wei Lingtao, who was delivering his impassioned speech.

A quarter of an hour later, the Wei Family Head finally finished speaking. His central message was simple: cultivate well after entering the sect and do not disgrace the Wei Family. If they came across suitable resources, they could send word to the family, and the family would offer appropriate rewards.

Then the Wei Family Head gave each family disciple a First-Rank Storage Pouch as the family's support for them.

Like the others, Wei Yunxi dripped blood on it to acknowledge it as her master on the spot, then checked its contents.

The Storage Pouch contained one hundred spirit pearls, ten low-grade spirit stones, a bottle of Qi Refining pills, a bottle of Bigu pills, and a bottle of Healing Pills. All three bottles contained First-Rank pills, suitable for new disciples like them.

Wei Yunxi felt that the Wei Family's preparations were quite practical. Though there was not much, it suited their status. Having too many things would not necessarily be good; it would be all too easy for others to set their eyes on them.

Afterward, under Wei Lingyue's lead, the eight of them went to gather at the gates of Kunyu City. True Lord Yufeng had said they would depart today, and he would not delay even for a moment.

By then, many people had gathered outside the city gates, all there to see off the chosen children.

Yesterday had been the liveliest day Kunyu City had seen. Every family that received word had brought their children for the Spiritual Root test. Because time was short, those who came were children from within Kunyu City, as well as five-year-olds from several nearby villages who had rushed there overnight.

For mortals, this was a rare opportunity. If they were chosen, they could completely change their family's fate. Thus, they had all hurried to Kunyu City overnight with the mindset of giving it a try. Some got their wish, while others returned home disappointed.

True Lord Yufeng was quite satisfied with this recruitment. After the tests, a total of seventy-eight children from Kunyu City had been selected, not including the eight already designated by the Wei Family. It was truly a full harvest.

True Lord Yufeng swept his divine sense over the crowd and said:

"Everyone, this Lord is about to depart and return to the sect. I will give you one quarter of an hour to say your farewells. Once the time passes, no waiting."

True Lord Yufeng's voice entered everyone's ears with perfect clarity, and the crowd hastened their farewells.

At that moment, Feng Jiaqing was holding Wei Yunxi's hand and speaking to her.

"Yunxi, once you enter the sect to cultivate, you must remain cautious. Do not force yourself into the spotlight. You are still young, so do not act alone. Stay together with disciples from the Wei Family, the Feng Family, and Kunyu City whenever possible.

"The competition within the sect is fierce as well, and bullying newcomers is perfectly normal. Do not seek trouble, but do not fear it either. The Wei Family has some connection with True Lord Yufeng, after all. When necessary, you can borrow the fox's might from the tiger. Do you understand?"

Wei Yunxi immediately nodded in agreement.

"Yunxi, Uncle will keep the things your mother left you safe for now. Once you reach Foundation Establishment, you will be able to leave the sect for training. When that time comes, return to Kunyu City, and Uncle will give them to you.

"You are still young, and your cultivation is low. Having too many treasures in your hands will only bring you harm. You should understand the saying that possessing jade is itself a crime."

What could Wei Yunxi say? She could only nod again and again.

Seeing that he had said everything that needed to be said, Feng Jiaqing told Wei Yunxi to return to the Wei Family's group.

However, Wei Yunxi took out a small porcelain bottle and handed it to Feng Jiaqing, whispering:

"Uncle, this is prepared for the Soul Lamp. Keep it safe."

Feng Jiaqing immediately understood what his niece meant, and his heart grew even warmer. It was good that the child had plans of her own. With a wave of his hand, he put the jade bottle into his Storage Pouch and said with a smile:

"Yunxi, go gather with them!"

See you tomorrow, darlings~