The fundamental quality of a cultivator's spiritual root would not change with their cultivation realm. However, the Heaven-Mending Pill was an exception. It could enhance that root's innate quality. Yet there was only one chance in a lifetime to take it. As for how much it could improve the root, that depended entirely on fate and fortune.
After sensing something strange in Wei Yunqing's behavior, Wei Yunxi quickly sifted through the novel chapters in her memory. It didn't take long to figure out her cousin's motive.
Perhaps Wei Yunqing wasn't aware of the Bu Tian Dan's existence, but like a cat drawn by the scent of fish, she had started circling around, drawn by instinct alone. She even set aside her breakthrough to keep close.
That was why Wei Yunxi had pretended not to notice her probing, playing along and agreeing to visit the outer sect market together. Then, she deliberately adjusted her cultivation to the third layer of Qi Refining ahead of time, subtly provoking Wei Yunqing. Pride would never allow her to fall behind, so she'd be forced to prioritize her breakthrough.
While Wei Yunqing secluded herself in the cultivation hall, unable to leave, Wei Yunxi slipped away with Wei Zonghao to explore the marketplace.
Fortunately, everything went smoothly. Once they arrived, Wei Yunxi led Wei Zonghao around the stalls, seemingly aimless but actually stalling for time. She claimed they were comparing prices to spend as few spirit stones as possible on talisman tools.
Wei Zonghao was more than happy to play along. It was a chance to broaden his horizons. Along the way, he couldn't help but ask how Wei Yunxi had advanced so quickly. After all, both of them were triple-rooted, yet she had outpaced him despite cultivating for a shorter time.
Wei Yunxi generously shared her method.
"I always use up all the spiritual energy in my dantian first, then meditate to replenish it. That way, cultivation progresses a bit faster."
Wei Zonghao immediately asked, "Really? How do you deplete your spiritual energy?"
"By practicing basic five-element spells. Starting today, I'm planning to burn through my energy by drawing talismans. I'm curious how many I can draw at the third layer of Qi Refining. Once I'm emptied out, meditating will be even more effective."
Wei Zonghao nodded thoughtfully and thanked her with a smile.
Just then, they arrived at a stall where a small sign was displayed: "Only Accepting Pills."
Sweeping the items with her divine sense, Wei Yunxi quickly locked onto her target. She stepped forward and clasped her hands in greeting.
"Senior Brother, I'm interested in this purple sandalwood jewelry box. What kind of pill are you looking to trade for?"
The young man sitting cross-legged behind the stall replied, "I'm aiming to break through to late-stage Qi Refinement. I need pills that will help with that."
Wei Yunxi considered for a moment. "I have some Yangling Pills. Will those do?"
"I'd like to see the quality."
Clearly, he had standards.
Wei Yunxi smiled easily. "These were issued to me by the sect after passing an assessment. The quality won't be an issue."
Only then did the youth glance at the two small figures before him. He gave a short nod. "Two pills for one item from the stall."
Wei Zonghao frowned. That was clearly a steep price, and he was about to speak when Wei Yunxi beat him to it.
"Sure. These little trinkets are quite interesting. I'd like to pick out two more while I'm at it."
"Go ahead, pick what you like."
Wei Yunxi first grabbed the sandalwood jewelry box, then picked up a slightly worn talisman brush. Its tip had frayed a bit, but it was perfect for a beginner. After a moment of deliberation, she nodded to herself.
Her gaze then shifted to a pile of empty pill bottles at the corner of the stall. She asked tentatively, "Senior Brother, would these empty bottles count as one item?"
Seeing that they were all empty jade bottles, the stall owner said generously, "Sure. Just one Yangling Pill for all of them."
"Done."
With a wave of her hand, Wei Yunxi swept the bottles and the other two items into her storage pouch. But the bottles were quietly shifted into her wooden plaque's space. She handed over five Nurturing Spirit Pills without hesitation.
Then the two continued toward the stall selling blank talisman papers. Along the way, the chubby boy grumbled in a low voice.
"Yunxi, you overpaid. Those bottles aren't worth a pill. He should've thrown them in as a bonus."
"It's fine. That Senior Brother is on the verge of breaking through. Call it a goodwill offering. Honestly, the real treasure was the talisman brush. The other two were just extras. He knew that too, which is why he dared ask such a price."
"You're not wrong about that."
Zonghao had seen it as well. He just felt they could've gotten away with four pills instead of five.
But for Wei Yunxi, paying that extra pill was a clean transaction. Fair price, fair goods. No lingering debts or karma. Otherwise, it would have been difficult to justify taking the Bu Tian Dan hidden inside one of those bottles.
At that moment, a shout came from behind.
"Wei Yunxi!"
She raised an eyebrow slightly, then turned around calmly. Sure enough, Wei Yunqing was running toward them.
She had just broken through to the third layer of Qi Refining when she was overwhelmed by a sudden sense of unease. Trusting her instincts, she had left the cultivation hall immediately. After slipping a few spirit stones to the guard disciple, she confirmed that Wei Yunxi hadn't gone to the training chambers. So she rushed toward the market.
She remembered the vision from the illusion realm clearly. Wei Yunxi had picked up a pill in the market that could improve one's spiritual root. She had to get it before her sister did.
When she finally caught up to them, she frowned.
"Yunxi, didn't we agree to visit the market together? Why did you leave me behind?"
Wei Yunxi smiled sweetly.
"Elder Sister, you said you needed to focus on breaking through. How could I bother you over something so minor? Since Zonghao was free, we came together instead."
Then she clasped her hands with a bright smile.
"Congratulations on reaching the third layer. But your aura's still a bit unstable. Shouldn't you spend a bit more time consolidating?"
Wei Yunqing felt like she had punched air. She forced a deep breath.
"I was worried about your safety out here, so I rushed to find you. Since we're all here now, let's go around together."
"Sure."
Wei Yunxi agreed easily, then gave Zonghao a meaningful glance. He nodded in silent understanding.
The three of them continued walking. But Wei Yunqing couldn't resist asking, "Yunxi, did you find anything good just now?"
"I picked up a secondhand talisman brush. Traded it for five Yangling Pills. Pretty good deal."
Wei Yunxi grinned and even pulled the brush from her pouch to show her.
As expected, Wei Yunqing took it to inspect.
"Let me see what material it's made of. See if it's worth five pills."
Wei Yunxi didn't stop her, letting her examine it carefully while she headed straight toward the blank talisman paper stall.
Wei Yunqing scanned the entire brush with her divine sense, inside and out. Finding nothing unusual, she frowned and returned it to Wei Yunxi.
Meanwhile, Wei Yunxi was bargaining with the stall owner, ready to buy up all of his first-tier talisman paper.