Proceeding Step by Step

Wei Yunxi had her reasons for choosing to give the pill to Wei Zonghao. She needed a reliable ally in both the Wei Family and the Haoran Sect, preferably one with whom she could build tacit understanding from childhood. She knew Zonghao was close to the quiet, inarticulate Zong Yu. That way, when they went out for training in the future, she would have a dependable team to join.

She was also doing this to guard against Wei Yunqing, who was eyeing her like a tiger watching its prey. Zonghao had accompanied her to the Market today. Bringing him along could both dispel Yunqing's suspicions and serve as a backup measure to keep the treasure from falling into Wei Yunqing's hands.

However, the process of securing the opportunity had gone so smoothly that Zonghao had witnessed the entire purchase. She worried that Wei Yunqing would seek Zonghao out afterward to fish for information. If he told her about the empty pill bottle, Wei Yunqing would certainly grow suspicious, then cling to her with even greater intensity.

She did not want to be pestered by someone coveting her opportunity. She only wanted to focus on cultivation, so giving the pill to Zonghao was also a roundabout way of sealing his lips and gaining a promise. This opportunity had become a secret between the two of them, so he certainly would not reveal even half a word to Wei Yunqing.

Even if Wei Yunqing had the Protagonist Halo and could smell the scent of treasures, it would be useless if she could not find them. So this step had not been an impulsive decision, but an early investment made after careful consideration.

To avoid complications arising from delay, she had come directly to find Wei Zonghao, intending to make him her ally after he consumed the pill.

At that moment, Wei Zonghao felt a warm current flow along his Meridians toward his Dantian, then continue downward toward the Spiritual Roots at the bottom of his Dantian.

A moment later, Wei Zonghao felt his Spiritual Roots begin to grow hot as well, the temperature continuing to rise. Sweat from his temples ran down his cheeks, and his face slowly turned red.

Seeing this, Wei Yunxi encouraged him aloud:

"Brother Zonghao, hold on. Don't you dare faint, or the effect will be greatly reduced. Think about the cultivation speed of full Spiritual Roots. Even if you have Three Spiritual Roots, your cultivation speed will not be slower than that of a Single Spiritual Root."

After hearing this, Wei Zonghao gritted his teeth even harder, his hands resting on his knees clenching into fists. He knew very well that he would only ever encounter a pill capable of changing his Spiritual Root Value once in his life. If it failed to achieve the effect he wanted, Yunxi's goodwill would truly have been wasted. So he encouraged himself in his heart as well, forcing himself to endure.

An hour later, Wei Zonghao finally opened his eyes and saw Yunxi standing far away with her nose plugged.

"Sister Yunxi."

Wei Yunxi immediately asked:

"Are you fully awake now?"

"Mm! Ah! What is that smell?"

Wei Zonghao had nearly been knocked unconscious by his own stench and was about to vomit when he saw Yunxi hold her breath and form a hand seal. Then he felt a gentle force brush over him, and in the next instant, the foul odor vanished.

"Hehe! Thank you, Sister Yunxi!"

Wei Zonghao scratched the back of his head as he thanked her, somewhat embarrassed. He had already confirmed that the stench had come from his own body. The pill must have taken effect, causing his body to expel more impurities.

Only then did Wei Yunxi take a deep breath, feeling as though she had finally come back to life. It had not even smelled this bad when she underwent Qi Introduction!

She had overlooked the Body Tempering Pills she had taken and the hot springs she had soaked in while at the Feng Family. Those had already cleansed the impurities in her body quite thoroughly.

Besides, could Feng Jiayun possibly treat her own daughter poorly? When Yunxi had been young, she had no idea how many precious things her mother had fed her to improve her aptitude. The original owner had simply been too young to remember.

"Brother Zonghao, try circulating the Qi Refining Art and feel how your body absorbs and stores Spiritual Qi."

"Alright!"

Wei Zonghao also wanted to see the effects of the pill. After Yunxi's reminder, he sat cross-legged on the ground again, took a deep breath, and began silently reciting the incantation of the Qi Refining Art, guiding the motes of Spiritual Qi into his body.

He possessed fire, wood, and earth Three Spiritual Roots. At that moment, red, green, and brown motes in the air swarmed into his body. All three types of Spiritual Qi entered his Meridians, circulated through his body once, and then settled into his Dantian.

Not wanting to keep Yunxi waiting, Wei Zonghao circulated the Qi Refining Art through only one minor cycle before opening his eyes. Grinning from ear to ear, he said:

"Yunxi, I feel that my Spiritual Root Value must be close to full now. Spiritual Qi of matching attributes that enters my body no longer slips away. Instead, all of it is refined by my body and stored in my Dantian."

Wei Yunxi smiled and nodded.

"It seems the pill's effects are excellent. Luckily, you stayed conscious and endured it. Otherwise, you might not have achieved this result."

Wei Zonghao immediately stood up and bowed to Yunxi once more in thanks. To him, this was practically the same as being reborn.

After accepting his bow, Wei Yunxi instructed him:

"Zonghao, you absolutely must not reveal that your Spiritual Root Value has increased. You cannot tell even your parents, or it will easily attract covetous eyes."

Wei Zonghao pounded his chest with a bang.

"Don't worry, Sister Yunxi. I'll take this secret to my grave. Only a fool would tell outsiders. Over the next few days, I'll use this medicinal power to try breaking through to the Qi Refining third layer. I can't fall too far behind, or I won't be able to team up with you for training outside in the future."

"Alright. Once your cultivation rises, we'll go take a look around the Outer Sect Market together."

"Mm. I'll treat you to a spiritual meal then."

Both of them were in high spirits. After chatting idly for a few moments, Zonghao quietly escorted Yunxi back. He himself then cultivated through the entire night as though he had been pumped full of chicken blood.

While Wei Zonghao was refining the pill, Wei Yunqing was meditating in the cultivation chamber. But because her heart was restless and agitated, something went wrong with the circulation of her Qi Refining Art. She suddenly spat out a mouthful of blood, barely avoiding Qi Deviation.

Wei Yunxi knew nothing of this. Early the next morning, she ate a Milk Fruit as usual, then did a set of yoga in her room to stretch out her body before preparing to head for the Cultivation Hall.

She had eaten one Milk Fruit every day for an entire month. It not only filled her stomach but strengthened her body; even her physical strength had increased. For proof, one only had to look at the finger marks she had pinched into Wei Zonghao's face yesterday.

Fortunately, when the Sky-Mending Pill appeared, Wei Zonghao had been caught between shock and delight, so he had overlooked the finger marks on his face.

She had already begun looking for a Sword Art and an Ice Cultivation Method, but she had not found any leads yet. Still, she was not in a hurry. At worst, she could send Ethereal Immortal a private message and see whether she could trade for a suitable cultivation method.

Wei Yunting, Wei Yunying, and Wei Yunxi gathered at the entrance to the courtyard, but Wei Yunqing did not emerge. Seeing that her Isolation Formation was activated, the three knew she was cultivating. They did not disturb her and instead headed to the Dining Hall together.

After breakfast, the three of them went together to the Cultivation Hall and began the day's cultivation.

After entering the cultivation chamber, Wei Yunxi first practiced all the attack spells she was familiar with, making sure she could cast them instantly. Then she meditated to restore her spiritual power.

Once the Spiritual Qi in her Dantian was fully replenished, she began drawing talismans, starting with the simplest Dust Removal Talisman. It was a relatively practical First Order Talisman, and its talismanic pattern was fairly simple, making it the most suitable choice for learning talisman drawing.