Wei Zonghao nodded seriously.
"Yun Xi, I understand. That day, when I was taking Master as my teacher, I saw her in the crowd. Just like you said, her eyes were full of resentment, as if she wanted to tear me apart."
He sneered, then added, "She never stops to consider why Master chose me and not her. Instead of reflecting on herself, she blames the world. Honestly, I'm getting more and more fed up with her."
Yun Xi had warned him because they lived on the same peak. She was worried Wei Zonghao might let down his guard and fall into a trap. Now that he was alert, she relaxed. Smiling, she said, "As long as you're aware, that's enough."
Having said what needed to be said, Yun Xi returned to Lingxue Peak. Not long after arriving, she received three message talismans.
Early the next morning, Yun Xi met Lin Keyang, Zhang Lingrui, and Cao Yi at the sect gate. These were the teammates she had invited.
All three had participated in the sect's grand competition and placed in the top ten. While they weren't close, they were at least familiar faces. Thanks to Yun Xi's invitation, they quickly became acquainted.
After a brief explanation of the mission's destination, none of them voiced objections.
Zhang Lingrui, in his usual lazy tone, said, "Honestly, if you hadn't suggested it, Junior Sister Yun Xi, I was planning to invite everyone out on a sect mission anyway. It's a good chance for our squad to build some rapport before heading into any secret realm. Better to sort out teamwork now than trip over each other later."
Lin Keyang nodded in agreement. "True. Senior Brother Zhang brought it up to me before, but you happened to be in seclusion at the time, so we figured we'd wait until you emerged. Didn't expect you'd beat us to it."
Yun Xi chuckled. "Seems like we're on the same wavelength after all."
Cao Yi, being a Grade-Four formation master, was often invited to join small teams on missions. His options were broader than most. Still, Yun Xi's suggestion about team coordination for future secret realm explorations had struck a chord. He happily agreed to join.
Wei Chenyin was the last to arrive. Upon seeing Yun Xi's chosen companions, she felt more confident that this trip to Xiaohe City would go smoothly and that they would retrieve Wei Lingkai safely.
After Yun Xi introduced everyone, Wei Chenyin summoned a flying boat. The five of them leapt aboard and set off in the direction of Xiaohe City.
Xiaohe City, Xiao Manor
Wei Lingkai was locked inside a side room. His wrists were shackled with a spirit-sealing ring, rendering him unable to use his spiritual power. All he could do was sit cross-legged in meditation, trying to estimate whether his cry for help had reached the sect.
With a loud bang, the door was violently shoved open. A gray-robed figure strode in and grabbed Wei Lingkai by the collar.
"You've got some nerve," the man growled, his eyes blazing. "Using my sister like that? You think someone's coming to save you? Keep dreaming. I already intercepted your message."
Wei Lingkai opened his eyes, gaze cold and heavy as it locked onto the man before him. "Xiao He, there's no need for this tantrum. Didn't you also use my trust to trap me here in Xiaohe City? I'm only returning the favor."
His tone turned sharper. "From the way you're storming in here, I'd say my message did go through. You'd be wise to let me go. I'm not some nameless loose cultivator with no sect or clan backing me."
Xiao He grew even more furious. He seized Wei Lingkai's throat and began to tighten his grip, as if intent on ending it all right there.
Just then, a spell light struck Xiao He's wrist, forcing him to release his hold.
Xiao Lei burst into the room and shoved her brother aside. "If you're angry, take it out on me!" she snapped. "I helped Brother Wei on my own. Stop being so obsessed. This plan is doomed. You're losing your mind."
Xiao He's expression turned dark and dangerous. "You don't get to lecture me. No one's allowed to ruin this. Not even you."
Without warning, he flung a spell at her. Xiao Lei collapsed to the floor, unconscious. Xiao He picked up her body and left the room. The door slammed shut behind him. Layers of seals fell into place, isolating Wei Lingkai from the outside world completely.
Wei Lingkai reached up and touched his bruised neck, his expression clouded with mixed emotions. He had once believed Xiao He to be a true friend on his cultivation path. Over the years of traveling outside the sect, he'd been set up, fought for survival, and taken on countless team missions to temper himself.
Five years ago, he and Xiao He had become permanent partners, exploring dangerous realms together. His cultivation had steadily advanced through these trials, rising from mid-stage Foundation Establishment to late-stage Foundation Establishment.
He had planned to return to the sect soon for the upcoming grand competition. But then Xiao He invited him to visit Xiaohe City, promising it wouldn't delay his schedule.
Xiao He had been sincere, so Wei Lingkai accepted.
They spent ten days in the city. The night before he planned to leave, Xiao He brought out some spirit wine and proposed a farewell drink.
That was when everything went wrong.
Wei Lingkai passed out. When he woke up, the spirit-sealing ring was on his wrist, and his storage pouch was gone. Panic struck him. He had thought Xiao He intended to rob him of cultivation resources—but if that were the goal, why not kill him and be done with it?
Instead, he was locked up and given one Fasting Pill a day. Xiao He didn't speak a word. It wasn't until one day, when Xiao Lei secretly followed her brother, that she discovered her brother's guest was still in the house—imprisoned.
Wei Lingkai had met Xiao Lei before at the Xiao residence. She seemed to like him, but he didn't want to cause any misunderstandings, so he had always kept his distance. This was only their second time meeting privately.
"Xiao Daoyou, do you know what Xiao He plans to do with me?" he asked.
Xiao Lei shook her head. "I thought you had already left."
Wei Lingkai scowled. "Your brother has locked me up for ten days with no explanation. If he wants to kill me, then let him do it already. This is nothing but slow humiliation."
Xiao Lei bit her lip. "I truly don't know, Brother Wei. Let me investigate. Once I find something, I'll come back."
A dark hunch was forming in her heart, but she didn't dare voice it yet. She wanted to confirm her suspicions first. Three days later, she returned, but her expression looked even worse than his. Gritting her teeth, she said, "I tried to sneak you out, but my brother found out. Right now, your spiritual power is sealed. You won't be able to leave Xiaohe City on your own. But I can try to get word out. You can have someone from your sect come save you."
That was the best she could offer.
Wei Lingkai hesitated. He wasn't sure if he could trust her, but his situation couldn't get much worse. He decided to gamble.
"I have a jade pendant. I've worn it since birth. Find someone to bring it to the Haoran Sect's Law Peak and hand it to Elder Wei Chenyin. She's my kin. She'll come for me."
He passed the pendant to her.
Xiao Lei examined it: a piece of flawless green jade, engraved with a cloud pattern on one side and the single character Kai on the back. It was clearly a personal item. Her cheeks flushed, but she accepted it and promised to find a way to smuggle it out of the Xiao residence.
Xiao He's outburst earlier proved she had succeeded.
Now, all Wei Lingkai could do was wait.