The Mystic Frost Needle was crafted from ten-thousand-year-old cold ice as its primary material. As its owner's cultivation increased, the number of needles she could control would grow accordingly. With powerful divine sense, the needles could be guided to roam freely inside the enemy's body, striking at their most vulnerable spots.
But the Mystic Frost Needle didn't just target the physical body. It could also harm a cultivator's divine soul. During its refinement, Soul-Devouring Iron had been added, which was the key to this dual-layered damage.
With the current strength of Yun Xi's divine sense, she could control at least five thousand needles if she went all out. However, she didn't want to expose herself, so she restrained the number to under five hundred. This made her control appear moderate, a respectable but not alarming display of divine sense.
Dian Dian had nearly been skewered during Yun Xi's training in this ice needle technique. Fortunately, it relied on its strengths and burrowed underground just in time, avoiding the full brunt of the attack. Otherwise, it would have become the first spiritual beast to be turned into a pincushion.
Yun Xi had simply misjudged her strength at the beginning. After that, she didn't make the same mistake again. As compensation, she gifted Dian Dian two mid-grade spirit stones, which did wonders to soothe its fragile little heart.
By the fourth month, Yun Xi completed her secluded cultivation. She had fully internalized her master's teachings, added her own insights, and, with her new ice-element cultivation art, finally felt a shift in her long-stagnant cultivation. It was a promising sign.
After coming out of seclusion, Yun Xi ventured alone into the mountain behind to temper herself. She returned with a decent haul of prey. Then she sent message talismans to the Wei family disciples, inviting them to visit her on Lingxue Peak. This time, she didn't leave out Wei Yunqing.
As it happened, Wei Yunqing received the talisman while she was awkwardly making small talk with Sheng Yuhong.
Since the misunderstanding with Wei Yun Xi, she had noticed a change in Sheng Yuhong's demeanor toward her. He had grown noticeably colder. The realization unsettled her, and deepened her resentment toward Yun Xi.
She still believed that she wasn't meant to be in the shadows. She should have been the center of attention, the one admired by all—not Wei Yunxi. That belief had nearly driven her into a cultivation deviation.
Sheng Yuhong, however, hadn't become the sect leader's chief disciple by being naive. From his interactions with Wei Yunqing, he had already sensed the tension between the two Wei sisters. Their relationship was clearly not harmonious. They acted cordial in public, but underneath, they were walking their own separate paths.
He found himself admiring Wei Yunxi more. Beyond the mysterious sense of connection he couldn't explain, he respected that she had once looked up to him. But now that she had joined the inner sect through her own efforts, that reverence had vanished. She treated him like any ordinary peer. That contrast created a strange emotional gap he couldn't ignore.
If Yun Xi knew what Sheng Yuhong was thinking, she would have scoffed: "You're overthinking. There was never any reverence, it was all an act. I didn't say anything rude back then only because I wasn't strong enough."
That strange emotional shift made Sheng Yuhong want to get closer to Yun Xi. He wasn't going to miss this opportunity, so he said,
"Junior Sister Wei, would it be alright if I joined you for the visit to Lingxue Peak?"
Wei Yunqing nearly dug her fingernails into her palm. Forcing a smile, she replied,
"Of course. I'll meet up with you first, then we can go see Yun Xi together."
"Alright."
With her confirmation, Sheng Yuhong turned and left to prepare a gift.
Wei Yunqing took a deep breath and returned to her quarters. She had to endure for now. Her rival was stronger, and her backing even more formidable.
Zong Hao and the others were delighted upon receiving Yun Xi's message. They each prepared small congratulatory gifts and arrived at Lingxue Peak early the next day.
Yun Xi had already informed the disciples of Lingxue Peak. She personally waited at the foot of the mountain to welcome her Wei family siblings.
Wei Yunting and Wei Yunyin were the first to arrive. Wei Yunting had just broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage. She had intended to greet Yun Xi briefly before going into seclusion, so after handing over her gift, she quickly took her leave.
Wei Yunyin was still at the late stage of Qi Refinement. However, since she now had a Foundation Establishment Pill in hand, she wasn't in a rush. Instead, she focused on refining her cultivation. This visit to Lingxue Peak was her way of strengthening ties with Yun Xi.
She beamed and said, "Yun Xi, congratulations on becoming the disciple of a Yuányīng Zhēnjūn. From now on, I'll have to address you as Martial Uncle within the sect."
Yun Xi smiled back, "We're sisters, no need for such formality in private. Just call me Yun Xi."
Yun Xi didn't reject the title of Martial Uncle. The gap in status had already widened. There was no need to diminish herself.
Wei Yunyin's words had been a test, and although Yun Xi's response was gentle, it still made her uncomfortable. But she was perceptive enough not to dwell on it. Instead, she made light conversation with Yun Xi until Wei Zongyu and Wei Zonghao arrived together.
Wei Zongyu hadn't rushed into Foundation Establishment either. He aspired to the path of the sword and was focused on refining his blade. He was genuinely happy for Yun Xi, and grateful as well.
He had the luxury of taking his time with cultivation because he had a Foundation Establishment Pill to rely on—one that Yun Xi had refined for him. He had never taken that kindness for granted, even though they were both from the Wei family.
"Martial Uncle Wei, congratulations on becoming a disciple of Lingxue Peak. Your path will surely grow ever smoother from here on."
"No need for formality. Just call me Yun Xi in private."
After exchanging a few words, Wei Zongyu said, "Zonghan and Zongjin teamed up to complete a sect mission. They couldn't make it back in time, but they asked me to send their congratulations. They'll visit once the task is done."
"Got it."
Yun Xi figured everyone who could come was already here. She was about to lead them to her residence when a voice called out behind them.
"Yun Xi, sorry we're late."
Without turning, all four of them knew who it was. The voice belonged to none other than Wei Yunqing.
Yun Xi glanced at Wei Yunqing, then at Sheng Yuhong standing beside her. A flicker of understanding flashed through her eyes. So the two had joined forces after all.
Fortunately, she wasn't under the sect leader's direct tutelage, and wouldn't become a stepping stone in Wei Yunqing's pursuit of Sheng Yuhong. What they did together had nothing to do with her.
Sensing the awkward tension, Sheng Yuhong cleared his throat and said, "Junior Sister Yun Xi, please forgive me for coming uninvited. I happened to run into Junior Sister Wei Yunqing and heard about your message, so I thought I'd stop by to offer my congratulations."
Yun Xi, adhering to the rule of not striking a smiling face, gave a calm nod and motioned for them to follow. The group made their way to her courtyard.
Wei Yunqing's eyes turned red with jealousy the moment she saw the patch of third-grade Snowbell Flowers in the courtyard. In the end, she couldn't help herself and said,
"Yun Xi, you fenced off the Snowbell Flowers for your own courtyard? Isn't that a bit excessive?"
Yun Xi gave her a glance and replied coolly, "These Snowbell Flowers grow everywhere on Lingxue Peak. My master said this patch is the most vigorous and would aid my cultivation, so she let me enclose it."
"Is that so? Your master is really good to you."
"Yes, I had many questions to ask, but Master entered seclusion to break through to Divine Transformation. I'll have to wait until he emerges before I can consult him."
Yun Xi was clearly flaunting, and she knew it.
Wei Yunqing felt that one more word would make her cough up blood. She forced a dignified smile, then took a seat at the stone table in the courtyard and made a show of greeting Wei Yunyin.
Finally, Sheng Yuhong found a suitable moment to hand Yun Xi a jade box, explaining that it was his congratulatory gift.