Yun Xi's most recent focus had been on cultivating ice-based techniques, though so far, she had only learned the basic ones.
She still hadn't found a suitable ice-element cultivation method. Although Ethereal Grace in the chat group had offered to trade her one, Yun Xi knew she had nothing of value to exchange right now.
Especially considering she had already received a Xianqi hair ornament from Ethereal Grace free of charge. That alone made her feel satisfied. One shouldn't be too greedy, especially after stepping onto the path of cultivation. She understood well that spirit stones didn't just fall from the sky. If a fortunate opportunity wasn't firmly seized, it wasn't truly yours.
Just like the Yun Xi in the novel. She had good luck, yes, but time and again she gave away her own opportunities, paving the path for others while sending herself into a doomed fate. Yun Xi had no intention of repeating that path, nor of becoming someone else's treasure boy.
What Yun Xi didn't know was that at that very moment, Sheng Yuhong was speaking to his master, the Sect Leader, about her. But this time, his words were filled with praise. He even subtly suggested that Yun Xi be accepted as a disciple under the Sect Leader.
Yu Geng Zhēnjūn was surprised as he listened to his eldest disciple.
"Yuhong, this is the first time I've heard you speak so highly of another disciple. You seem to think very highly of her."
Sheng Yuhong replied calmly, neither humble nor arrogant.
"Master, this disciple simply believes she has excellent fortune. Her natural talent may be average, but she cultivates diligently. She even experienced a moment of insight while returning to the sect, advancing directly to the mid Foundation Establishment stage.
At the very least, her comprehension is outstanding. She's well-suited to become your personal disciple. And she's only ten years old. Bringing her into your tutelage early will help her develop a strong sense of belonging to the sect."
Yu Geng Zhēnjūn's eyes lit up. He seemed genuinely interested in the proposal.
"Since you recommend her so strongly, I'll meet her once she's entered the inner sect, and then decide whether to take her in."
Naturally, Yu Geng Zhēnjūn had his own considerations.
"Yes, Master."
Sheng Yuhong didn't know exactly why, but there was a persistent voice inside urging him to bring that little junior sister closer. It felt as though her presence would be of great benefit to him. So he followed that instinct and brought up the idea of making Yun Xi a personal disciple.
Besides, she was indeed impressive. To reach the mid Foundation Establishment stage at just ten years old—even with the help of an epiphany—that was still a sign of strength.
"Ah-choo!"
Yun Xi let out a loud sneeze. She was tending the medicine field when it hit her out of nowhere. Rubbing her now-slimmer chin, she muttered, thinking someone must be talking about her.
"Who's thinking of me?"
Just as she grumbled to herself, she noticed tribulation clouds gathering in the sky. Raising her head, she instinctively looked toward the mountain where the cultivation hall was located. She had a strong feeling the lightning was meant for Wei Zonghao.
Around the sect, many disciples had also noticed the signs. They looked toward the sky, trying to guess who was advancing to the Foundation Establishment stage.
Thunder rumbled above. A bolt of purple lightning struck. The first three bolts came with pauses between them, but the next few struck in quicker succession. The final three bolts fell almost as one, making many onlookers break into a cold sweat.
Worried about Wei Zonghao, Yun Xi activated the protective formation around the medicine field, then disappeared in a flash, heading toward the mountain where the cultivation hall was located.
After the lightning had finished falling, a brief silence followed. Then, spiritual rain began to pour down, helping the one who had endured the tribulation recover from the heavenly tempering.
By the time Yun Xi arrived, a crowd had already gathered around Wei Zonghao, offering congratulations.
Fortunately, Wei Zonghao had changed into a clean robe, so he didn't look too disheveled. He cupped his hands to return the greetings and accepted all the transmission talismans sent his way, though whether he'd actually respond to them was another matter entirely.
The moment he spotted Yun Xi, his eyes lit up. He smiled and said,
"Apologies, my cousin is here to pick me up."
Without waiting, he left the crowd and walked over to join Yun Xi.
Yun Xi grabbed his wrist and, using Thousand Shadows Riding the Wind, vanished with him in a blink.
"Who was that senior sister just now? Her footwork was beautiful. She disappeared right in front of us."
"Didn't you hear Martial Uncle Wei say it himself? That's his cousin."
"With such movement techniques, we really should be calling her Martial Uncle, not junior sister."
"Come to think of it, all the Wei family disciples seem to cultivate pretty quickly after joining the sect."
"True enough."
By now, Yun Xi and Wei Zonghao had already left the outer sect and arrived at the inner sect's disciple hall.
Wei Zonghao looked confused.
"Yun Xi, why the rush?"
Yun Xi laughed.
"I have a feeling someone's still eyeing me. Better to leave the outer sect sooner rather than later."
"What about the medicine field you leased?"
"Once I'm done registering as an inner sect disciple, I'll go deal with it. Then I'll head to the outer peaks to say goodbye to the others and let them know we've moved up."
Wei Zonghao nodded.
"Good idea. It's better to tell them in person."
Since the two of them were still wearing the outer sect's blue robes, they drew a few curious looks as they entered the inner sect's disciple hall.
Both Yun Xi and Wei Zonghao had visible Foundation Establishment stage cultivation. Anyone who noticed could guess they had advanced and were here for the identity update that came with automatic promotion.
They walked up to the disciple handling affairs in the hall and greeted him respectfully.
"Senior Brother, we've both reached Foundation Establishment and have come to update our identity tokens."
The male cultivator, who had been carving on a jade slip, looked up and smiled warmly.
"So it's the two Wei family disciples. Congratulations on entering the inner sect."
The voice sounded familiar. Yun Xi blinked her almond-shaped eyes, then grinned.
"Senior Brother Song, it's you. Long time no see. Your cultivation has improved again."
The man was Song Ke, the one who had overseen their entrance examination years ago.
Song Ke was also a bit surprised. He hadn't expected two more Wei family disciples to reach Foundation Establishment so soon. And upon closer inspection, the young girl's cultivation had already reached mid Foundation Establishment. Just a little behind his own. It made him feel slightly embarrassed.
Having an acquaintance made everything smoother. Yun Xi and Wei Zonghao successfully updated their identity tokens, received their inner sect robes and cultivation resources, and even selected new residences.
Every inner sect disciple had their own personal courtyard. Unlike the outer sect, where four people shared a yard, here even those focused entirely on ascetic cultivation simply opened a cave dwelling for convenience.
Yun Xi knew she wasn't suited for the ascetic path. Like Wei Zonghao, she chose a small private courtyard, and they picked adjacent ones so they could still look out for each other.
Song Ke even gifted them each a free map of the inner sect's nine peaks to help them navigate more easily.
"Senior Brother Song, inner sect disciples also need to complete sect missions. Are there specific requirements?"
Yun Xi cupped her hands as she asked.
Song Ke pulled a jade slip from his storage pouch and handed it to her.
"This has all the basic requirements. Generally, inner sect disciples need to complete one regular and one required task per year.
If the sect issues a mandatory mission, then all inner sect disciples, unless in closed-door cultivation, must participate. Like that beast tide at Baohua Mountain a while back. But such situations are rare."
Yun Xi and Wei Zonghao both expressed their understanding. That left them with more time to focus on cultivation.
Song Ke seemed to pick up on their thoughts and smiled as he added,
"Actually, after reaching Foundation Establishment, most disciples hit a bottleneck. That's usually when they choose to leave the sect for some experience."