"Wei Lingyue said your mother accidentally stepped onto an incomplete teleportation array and vanished before his eyes.
After that, he tried contacting her, but the message talisman just circled in place. Left with no other choice, he gave up exploring the ancient cultivator's cave and returned to Kunyu City.
Wei Lingyue said he went back to check the soul lamp your mother left at the Wei family. It was still lit, which meant she was alive but had not returned.
Then, a month later, he brought an extinguished soul lamp to the Feng family and claimed your mother had 'perished.'
But in truth, the soul lamp inside the Feng family's Soul Lamp Hall was still burning. Your mother even used a bloodline secret art to tell us that she is currently in the Weiling Realm and that we need not worry."
Upon hearing this, Yun Xi's eyes lit up.
"Uncle, do you mean my mother is in the Spirit Realm right now?"
"Yes. But at the time, your mother's cultivation was only at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. Life in the upper realm must be difficult. After that one message, she never sent word again.
First, because using a cross-realm bloodline secret art consumes too much blood essence. And second, it seems she has no intention of returning to the Weiyu Realm."
Feng Jiaqing stated his speculation calmly.
Yun Xi understood. As a woman with an adult soul, staying beside someone who didn't love her made no sense. If she had the chance to explore the upper realm, why would she come back? Perhaps in the Weiling Realm, her cultivation would progress faster.
Her daughter was probably her only attachment. That must be why she left so many safeguards behind—to ensure her daughter's cultivation journey would be smooth.
Feng Jiaqing spoke at the right moment.
"Yun Xi, don't overthink it. As long as the soul lamp is lit, your mother is alive. You've already reached the Golden Core stage. I believe that one day, you'll ascend to the Weiling Realm. Once you're there, take the soul lamp with you and search for her. Whatever doubts you have, you can ask her face to face."
Yun Xi nodded.
"Uncle, I know my mother must have had her reasons for not returning. I don't blame her. When I ascend to the Spirit Realm, I'll let her know the family is safe, and I'm doing well too."
"Good. In that case, I'll hand your mother's soul lamp over to you."
Yun Xi accepted without hesitation. Her connection with Feng Jiayun ran deep. She believed that once she reached the upper realm, she would surely meet her mother's original body again.
Feng Jiaqing quickly arranged some family matters, then went into seclusion to break through to the Golden Core stage. Yun Xi was a little worried, so she stayed in the Feng family for three more days. After confirming that Feng Jiaqing had successfully passed the lightning tribulation and formed his Golden Core, she quietly left the Feng residence.
On the fourth day, Yun Xi made her return to the Wei family in broad daylight.
When Wei Lingtao saw the young woman who looked remarkably like his sister-in-law, his heart swelled with complicated emotions. When it came to raising children, he had lost to his older brother. How could such an outstanding daughter belong to that unreliable older brother of his?
The thought passed quickly. He smiled and said,
"Yun Xi, congratulations on reaching Golden Core. Your return has brought great strength to the Wei family."
Yun Xi gave a slight smile.
"Mm. I heard the Feng family's patriarch recently advanced to Golden Core. After I visit Father, I plan to pay my respects to Uncle."
"Hehe, of course, of course. Patriarch Feng will definitely be delighted to see you."
Wei Lingtao said this, though he didn't entirely mean it. He had a vague suspicion. The timing of his niece's return seemed a bit too perfect, but he couldn't say anything.
Yun Xi changed the topic with a smile.
"Second Uncle, where's my father?"
"He's in seclusion. He should have already received the news of your return."
As soon as he finished speaking, Wei Lingyue rushed into the main hall.
The moment he saw Yun Xi, his expression stiffened slightly. Then, he quickly forced a smile.
"Yun Xi, you're back? You've really made your father proud. Your cultivation has already surpassed mine."
Yun Xi remained seated, not even rising from her chair. She simply nodded slightly and said,
"Father, I heard you failed to break through to Golden Core and were injured. Are you feeling better now?"
The question struck directly at Wei Lingyue's sore spot. But with the family head present, he had no choice but to respond stiffly.
"It's nothing. Just minor injuries. Seeing you back has already healed half of them. No need to worry."
Yun Xi swept him with her divine sense and instantly saw through his facade. She sighed, voice tinged with mock concern.
"So I worried for nothing. I even prepared top-grade healing pills. Since you're already recovering, I'll keep them for myself."
Wei Lingyue's chest tightened at her words. He regretted speaking too hastily. Forcing a chuckle, he said,
"That's very thoughtful of you. How could I let your kindness go to waste?"
Only then did Yun Xi smile sweetly and rise.
"Patriarch, I'll go with my father now. If anything comes up, feel free to visit me at Zhuohua Courtyard."
Wei Lingtao chuckled.
"You two haven't seen each other in ten years. You should spend some quality time together. Once you're free, your uncle will come by for a chat."
Yun Xi cupped her hands in a formal salute, then followed the awkward-looking Wei Lingyue back to Zhuohua Courtyard.
But Zhuohua Courtyard had changed hands. It was now Du Ruolan's residence.
Yun Xi frowned in displeasure.
"Father, I've only been gone a few years, and the courtyard already has a new mistress? Am I not welcome here anymore?"
Wei Lingyue looked embarrassed.
"Of course that's not it."
Unable to resist the pillow talk at night, he had given the courtyard to Du Ruolan in the second year after Yun Xi left. Still, he explained,
"Du Ruolan is now my wife. There's nothing improper about her living here."
Yun Xi shot him a glance, tossing the issue back to him.
"Father, I was born in Zhuohua Courtyard. I grew up here. I'm deeply attached to it."
Wei Lingyue wiped away nonexistent sweat from his brow.
"Don't worry, Yun Xi. I'll have someone clear it out right away. Just wait a moment."
Yun Xi smiled at last.
"Alright. I'll listen to Father."
She had no intention of playing the villain. It had been Wei Lingyue who acted without propriety.
If he hadn't been so eager to make Du Ruolan his legitimate wife, she wouldn't have done any of this. It was her way of standing up for Feng Jiayun.
Wei Lingyue didn't have to love Feng Jiayun, but he should have shown her basic respect. After all, they shared a daughter—Wei Yunxi.
His actions had not only humiliated Feng Jiayun, but also trampled his daughter's dignity. Now, Yun Xi intended to return all of it, just as it was.
Wei Lingyue had already sent people to empty the courtyard. Moments later, Du Ruolan stormed in, face full of anger.
Unfortunately, before she could speak, Yun Xi cast a glance her way. Du Ruolan immediately fell to her knees at Yun Xi's feet.
Yun Xi's tone was calm.
"Madam Wei, why such a formal greeting? This Zhēnrén truly cannot accept it."
Du Ruolan was seething inside but could not stand up. She knew Yun Xi did it on purpose, just to give her a hard time. In the end, she could only bite her lip and say,
"Du Ruolan pays respect to Wei Zhēnrén."
Yun Xi smiled faintly. Du Ruolan was quite adaptable, able to bow and bend as needed. Waving her sleeve with a chuckle, she said,
"Stand up and speak. If Father sees this, he'll blame me again."
Du Ruolan suddenly felt her body lighten. She was finally able to rise from the floor. Knowing she wouldn't gain the upper hand here, she prepared to leave and take a step back. But just as she turned to go, she heard Yun Xi say,
"Aren't you curious how Yun Qing has been lately?"