"But what?"
"Recently, there's been a rumor circulating on Dan Peak about Wei Yunqing."
Yun Xi raised an eyebrow. "What kind of rumor?"
"It's about the spirit plant that Wei Yunqing and Ye Shaohua are cultivating. They say it's a fifth-rank spirit plant. Even if it isn't refined into a pill, simply consuming it could help someone break through an entire major realm."
"Oh? Do you believe it?"
Yun Xi asked with a smile.
Wei Zonghao glanced at Yun Xi and replied, "I don't think Wei Yunqing has that kind of ability. But ever since you asked me to bring Dian Dian into the spiritual herb field last time, I've started to wonder. I just don't know how much of the rumor is exaggerated."
Wei Zonghao wasn't stupid. He knew Yun Xi and Wei Yunqing had always been at odds. Last time, Yun Xi had even sent Dian Dian to investigate the plant Wei Yunqing was cultivating. So, he already had some suspicions. Since the rumor hadn't spread widely before, he didn't pay much attention. But now it seemed Yun Xi might have something to do with it.
Yun Xi gave a mischievous chuckle, then transmitted a voice message with just four words: "悟道果树 (Enlightenment Fruit Tree)."
Wei Zonghao's expression immediately froze, as if someone had pressed pause. In the next breath, he stared at her in disbelief. Yun Xi gave a small nod, confirming that it was true.
Wei Zonghao's mouth fell open. He stammered, "How is that possible? Even Yu Huo Zhēnjūn couldn't find a high-grade spirit tree like that. How could she? That kind of thing only grows in areas rich in the power of laws. Could Dan Peak's spirit fields even support it?
Yun Xi, I believe you. But this... this is just too unbelievable."
After venting his disbelief, Wei Zonghao began rubbing his hands, trying to figure out the probability of the tree surviving.
Yun Xi snapped her fingers to bring him back to his senses, then smiled. "It's a mutated sapling. Its requirements aren't so strict. Maybe because Wei Yunqing's wood spiritual root is rather special, she managed to cultivate it successfully."
Wei Zonghao finally came back to himself. Yun Xi's explanation eased his shock a little. He rubbed his face and grumbled, "Yun Xi, you could've just told me everything from the start. I got excited for nothing."
Yun Xi chuckled. "I wanted you to experience the thrill I felt when I discovered Wei Yunqing's little secret. That way, when something shocking happens next time, you won't be so stunned."
Wei Zonghao gave her a helpless look and asked, "You spread the rumor?"
"That's right. I want her efforts to end in vain. Even if that tree isn't as miraculous as the rumors say, it's still enough to help her break through to the Golden Core stage."
Wei Zonghao looked surprised. "Are you afraid she'll come after you once she forms her core?"
"Not exactly. I just don't want her entering the new secret realm in the Baohua Mountain Range."
Yun Xi spoke frankly.
"The one in Baohua Mountain Range? That new secret realm is about to open?"
It was clear Wei Zonghao hadn't been following the news.
"Yes. In five months. The lowest cultivation allowed to enter is the Golden Core stage."
"Even with the help of a spirit tree, she may not succeed in forming her core."
Wei Zonghao still focused on the odds of a successful breakthrough.
"Zong Hao, there are some things you don't know. Her breakthrough is all but guaranteed. That's why I'm setting up some minor roadblocks. I'm telling you this because I suspect Wei Yunqing might ask you to help her refine a pill. To avoid unnecessary trouble, you'd best steer clear of her."
Wei Zonghao nodded. "Understood. Once the clan arrives and I've seen my parents, I'll take an outdoor mission to go out and train. My cultivation has hit a bottleneck. If I want to reach late Foundation Establishment, I need to gain more experience outside."
"Exactly. You can't just stay in the sect refining pills. You need tempering too. Look at me—after this last trip, I gained another small advancement."
Wei Zonghao's eyes widened. "You advanced again?"
"Yes. I'm now at the peak of mid-stage Golden Core. I'm planning to enter seclusion soon and break into the late stage. If I'm lucky, I might even condense my Yuányīng inside the secret realm."
Yun Xi spoke earnestly about her cultivation progress.
Wei Zonghao held his forehead. "Yun Xi, give your brother a break. At this rate, you'll ascend while I'm still stuck in the Golden Core stage."
Yun Xi laughed and waved a hand. "That won't happen. I have complete faith in your strength."
After a few more jokes, Yun Xi persuaded Wei Zonghao to take her to the spiritual herb field, pretending it was just a casual visit, but her real purpose was to "accidentally" run into Wei Yunqing.
Wei Zonghao had a feeling Yun Xi was up to something, but he cooperated anyway. Guided by the little Flying Mist Butterfly, they ran into Wei Yunqing right at the entrance to the herb field.
Wei Yunqing had just finished checking on the Enlightenment Fruit Tree. She was humming happily as she headed back to her residence. Then she saw Wei Yun Xi and Wei Zonghao. Her good mood instantly vanished, and her face fell.
Still, seeing that Wei Yun Xi was clearly blocking her path, she ground her teeth slightly before cupping her hands.
"Martial Uncle Wei, long time no see."
Yun Xi smiled, her dimples showing as she calmly accepted the greeting and replied, "Indeed. It's been a while. But why hasn't your cultivation improved at all? No wonder Martial Uncle Yu Huo didn't accept you as a personal disciple."
Her words struck right at Wei Yunqing's heart. She struggled to keep her face from twisting, and replied with a stiff, fake smile.
"This disciple's abilities are limited and has had no guidance. Naturally, I can't compare to Martial Uncle."
Yun Xi nodded as if considering her words seriously. "You're not wrong. But I think the main problem is your lack of experience. Remember when you traveled back to the clan last time and trained along the way? You reached mid Foundation Establishment, didn't you?
But after returning to the sect, you never left again. Your cultivation also stagnated. Don't bury yourself in spirit plant cultivation all the time. Learn from me. Go out and temper yourself.
I just returned from a trip outside the sect, and my cultivation rose again. I'm now at the peak of mid Golden Core. I plan to enter seclusion soon to push for the late stage."
As she spoke, Yun Xi released a small wave of pressure to prove she wasn't lying.
That little display nearly made Wei Yunqing cough up blood. It was pure showing off—blatant and unapologetic.
But this time, Wei Yunqing didn't let any of her usual emotions show. She knew very well now: the gap was too wide. She didn't even have the qualifications to make sarcastic remarks anymore.
She had thought that once she reached the Golden Core stage, she could be on equal footing with Yun Xi. But without realizing it, Yun Xi had already left her far behind. Even if she formed her core, she still wouldn't be a match.
Wei Yunqing pressed her lips together and bowed. "Thank you for the guidance, Martial Uncle Wei. I will remember it. I plan to go out and train soon."
Yun Xi hadn't expected Wei Yunqing to have learned to control her expressions. Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Good. Then I won't delay your cultivation any longer."
She entered the spiritual herb field with Wei Zonghao.
Wei Yunqing quickly returned to her residence.
After confirming that Wei Yunqing had left, Wei Zonghao turned to Yun Xi. "She was way too calm. Don't you think you went too far?"
Yun Xi narrowed her eyes dangerously. "If silence doesn't lead to an explosion, it leads to death. I'm waiting to see which she chooses."
Wei Zonghao had no idea what to say. This wasn't something he could interfere in. He led Yun Xi around the spiritual herb field to choose seedlings. Yun Xi said she wanted to refine Beast Spirit Pills for Dian Dian, and planned to transplant some commonly used herbs to Lingxue Peak.
Back in her courtyard, Wei Yunqing set up her barriers and finally dropped all pretense. She let out a hysterical scream.
"Why? Why her? I won't accept this!"