Sheng Yuhong was still standing nearby when the message talisman finished playing. He had heard every word and clearly picked up on the joy in Yun Xi's tone. However, Wei Yunqing did not interpret it the same way. She believed that Yun Xi was showing off—blatantly and without restraint—and the worst part was, it worked. She was affected.
Unable to maintain her fake smile any longer, Wei Yunqing spoke up for the first time.
"Senior Brother, Yun Xi becoming someone's disciple is good news. I should go discuss what gift to prepare with our clan elders. I'll take my leave first."
"All right, go ahead."
Wei Yunqing smiled as she cupped her hands in farewell, then turned and walked briskly back to her courtyard.
The moment the barrier sealed behind her, the false delight on her face vanished. She slammed her palm down on the wooden table, and it instantly shattered. Gritting her teeth, she muttered bitterly,
"Wei Yunxi! You really are my nemesis. Why do all the good things happen to you?"
The more Wei Yunqing thought about it, the angrier she became. She didn't believe she lacked anything. In terms of talent, she was the most gifted among the eight of them. So why, after nearly ten years in the sect, was she still one step behind Wei Yunxi? And now, Wei Yunxi had become a personal disciple. The gap between them would only widen from here. That was something she absolutely could not accept.
Wei Yunqing's eyes flickered. She was already starting to plan her next move.
Yun Xi had sent that message to Wei Yunqing precisely to show off, to strike at her confidence. A three-root cultivator like her had already become a personal disciple, yet Wei Yunqing, the so-called genius, still hadn't made any progress. The blow was no doubt piercing.
At this moment, Yun Xi didn't know that Wei Yunqing had already become a registered disciple of Yuhuo Zhēnjūn. But even if she did, she wouldn't care. A registered disciple couldn't compare to a personal disciple in any regard.
Wei Zonghao had received Yun Xi's message at nearly the same time as Wei Yunqing. When he heard she had been accepted onto Lingxue Peak, he was genuinely happy for his cousin.
Wei Zonghao's current cultivation was stable at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, and he had made some progress in alchemy. He could already refine first- and second-grade basic pills without issue, maintaining a sixty percent success rate, which earned him the appreciation of Elder Lu Danyang.
Though he and Wei Yunqing lived on the same peak, their residences were far apart. Wei Zonghao had joined Dan Peak earlier and built relationships with a few reliable senior brothers and sisters. After becoming a pill apprentice, he spent most of his time by Danyang Zhēnrén's side. So even if Wei Yunqing had plans, she couldn't get close enough to affect him.
Wei Yunqing's cultivation was lower than his, and she had entered Dan Peak later. On top of that, their social circles barely overlapped, so they rarely ran into each other. Wei Zonghao also had no interest in her, and intentionally kept his distance. Although they lived on the same mountain, they had only met three times.
The first time was when Wei Yunqing advanced to Foundation Establishment and visited Wei Zonghao, clearly to show the other disciples that she had clan support. The second was when she successfully cultivated three third-rank spirit plants and wanted Wei Zonghao to help her sell them to Danyang Zhēnrén. The third was when she became a registered disciple of Yuhuo Zhēnjūn—purely to boast.
Wei Zonghao had a calm mindset. This was a sect, not a clan. Even if Wei Yunqing had schemes, she still needed others to cooperate. His cultivation level was higher, which gave her pause. Most importantly, Wei Zonghao understood clearly that Wei Yunqing had no advantage over him anymore. They were no longer standing at the same starting line, and whatever she did could no longer affect him.
The other disciples of the Wei family received Yun Xi's message as well. Though their feelings varied, most were genuinely happy. At the very least, they now had another pillar of support. It could only help them on the path of cultivation.
Every Wei clan disciple who was not out traveling sent a message back to congratulate Yun Xi, all expressing how pleased they would be to visit her on Lingxue Peak.
After returning the Peak Master token, Yun Xi took to the skies on her sword, circling Lingxue Peak in search of a place to build her new home.
Dian Dian stirred in her arms, poking out a tiny head. Looking out at the snowy landscape, she sent her voice through their shared bond.
"Master, is this going to be our new home?"
"Yes. You've been awake for a full year now. Have you finished absorbing the bloodline inheritance? Can you help me find a good location?"
Dian Dian twitched her nose and replied proudly,
"Of course I can."
After enduring the lightning tribulation, Dian Dian had advanced to a second-rank spirit beast and awakened the bloodline of a treasure-seeking mouse. A single golden strand had grown from the top of her head—a mark of her bloodline. She had told Yun Xi this meant she would be able to sniff out all kinds of treasures from now on.
Since then, Dian Dian had been peacefully cultivating in Yun Xi's courtyard. With help from the Xianling Grass, her strength had risen a little, and she was content.
During Yun Xi's formal apprenticeship, Dian Dian hadn't dared show her face. That Leng Zhēnjūn was truly cold. Dian Dian felt like just one look from him could freeze her into a popsicle.
So she had curled up in Yun Xi's arms and pretended to be asleep, not daring to move until the terrifying aura faded. Only then did she dare communicate again.
Yun Xi laughed and teased her for being such a coward. Dian Dian admitted openly,
"We rodents are supposed to be cautious. One gust of wind or rustling grass, and we bolt. Otherwise, we'd have gone extinct long ago."
Yun Xi grabbed Dian Dian and squeezed her a few times. After satisfying her desire to mess around, she brought up the real issue.
"Dian Dian, I'm thinking of settling somewhere around the mountainside. I'll carry you around. Just let me know if you sense a good spot."
"Yes, Master."
Dian Dian knew it was time to shine. Her beady eyes scanned the mountainside while her little nose twitched constantly. Fifteen minutes later, she suddenly called out.
"Master, over there."
Yun Xi guided her sword downward and landed beside a patch of snow ling flowers. The moment she stepped into the area, she felt the purity of the surrounding ice spiritual energy. Nodding to herself, she acknowledged this was indeed a good place.
"Master, all these snow ling flowers are third-rank spirit plants. They're very rare. They can be used to refine pills or to purify spiritual energy. This is the most suitable place for your cultivation."
Then, Dian Dian secretly added through their bond,
"Actually, the spiritual energy at the peak is even denser and purer. But that's the big boss's territory. I'm sure there's a spiritual vein buried up there, and a high-grade one at that."
Yun Xi chuckled and rubbed Dian Dian's little head.
"You've got a sharp nose, don't you? My Master's cultivation site would never be ordinary. He's about to break through to Divine Transformation. Of course the ice spiritual energy up there is the richest."
"Dian Dian understands now. No wonder your Master is so scary."
After that, Dian Dian retreated back into Yun Xi's arms. It was getting chilly.
At the peak, Leng Ruohan observed their antics from afar. He took a sip of spiritual tea and said with a faint smile,
"She does have a good eye for location."
Once Yun Xi had decided on her future residence, she contacted Han Zhēnrén through a communication jade. After receiving confirmation, she flew to the outskirts of Lingxue Peak to receive the construction team—Inner Sect disciples brought personally by Han Zhēnrén to show proper respect.
An hour later, a beautifully crafted courtyard had been completed beside the snowy flower field. After inspecting the site and feeling satisfied, Yun Xi paid the spirit stones for the construction, personally thanked Han Zhēnrén, and escorted him and his team off the peak.
Han Zhēnrén was a man of tact. He rendered help without making anyone uncomfortable.
After they left, Yun Xi circled the courtyard once. She was already considering how to set up a soundproofing array, when her Master's voice drifted into her ears.
"Yun Xi, come to the peak."