Yun Xi was in a semi-closed-door cultivation state on Lingxue Peak. The moment she successfully refined her first batch of Beast Spirit Pills, she received a message talisman from Yu Feng Zhēnjūn—it said that the Wei clan members had arrived in Haoran City.
Yun Xi immediately sent out message talismans to the Wei clan disciples still within the sect, instructing them to gather at the sect gate. They would head out together to greet the family and arrange their accommodations.
This time, Yun Xi brought both Dian Dian and the Flying Mist Butterfly. Since they were meeting the entire clan, it was hard to say if something—or someone—had snuck in that shouldn't have. Letting Dian Dian screen the group was necessary.
After everyone was settled in, she planned to leave two of the Flying Mist Butterflies behind to quietly observe the clan members—just in case anyone brought trouble her way.
Before departing to meet the clan, Yun Xi specially changed into the robes of a personal disciple of the sect. She wore every item that marked her identity with pride, then flashed down from Lingxue Peak.
Zong Hao had arrived at the sect gate earlier than Yun Xi. At the moment, he was being bombarded with questions from Wei Yunying. Off to the side, Zong Yu remained as quiet as ever. The sword aura surrounding him had become noticeably sharper. His cultivation had already broken through to mid-stage Foundation Establishment, showing steady progress.
When they saw Yun Xi, the three of them respectfully cupped their hands and greeted her.
"Yun Xi Zhēnrén."
"We're family—no need for such formality."
Yun Xi waved her hand and stepped closer to the trio, then asked, "Where are Yun Ting, Zong Han, and Zong Jin?"
Wei Yunying immediately replied, "I know. The three of them went to the sect's back mountain for a mission. They probably haven't made it back yet."
Zong Hao asked, "Should we wait for them?"
Yun Xi shook her head. "No need. The clan is already here. Let's go greet them first. Once they're settled, we'll send a message talisman to those three and let them meet the family on their own."
Zong Yu nodded in agreement, and both Zong Hao and Wei Yunying echoed the gesture.
Wei Yunying looked around, then suddenly asked, "Where's Yun Qing? Did she also go out on a mission?"
Yun Xi cleared her throat lightly. It seemed she had forgotten to send Yun Qing a message talisman. She hadn't mentioned the clan's arrival in Haoran City to Yun Qing at all. Rather than hide it, she admitted it outright, "I forgot to send her the message."
Wei Yunying paused mid-step, realizing she might have overstepped. She glanced over at Zong Hao.
Zong Hao looked a bit awkward too. He had also completely forgotten about Wei Yunqing. He quickly sent out a message talisman, but after waiting a quarter of an hour with no sign of Yun Qing, the four of them departed for Haoran City.
On Law Peak, Wei Chenyin had also received Yun Xi's message. However, Yun Xi didn't ask her to come meet the clan—instead, she instructed her to prepare for closed-door cultivation and not to come out until the secret realm in the Baohua Mountains opened. Yun Xi would take care of the rest.
The moment Wei Chenyin thought about seeing that person again, a flash of cold light crossed her eyes. If he dared show up in front of her again, she wouldn't hold back. It didn't matter who tried to shield him this time.
Wei Lingkai had also received a message talisman, but he was currently in seclusion, restoring his vitality. He didn't even know the entire Wei clan had arrived in Haoran City. The talisman still hovered outside the formation of his small courtyard.
When Yun Xi and the others finally met the Wei clan, an hour had already passed. Both sides were clearly emotional, though they held themselves back with restraint.
Yu Feng Zhēnjūn and Yu Huo Zhēnjūn had already returned to Haoran Sect after completing their mission. The Wei clan had obtained new identity jade tokens at the city gate and entered the city. The moment they crossed the threshold, they spotted Yun Xi and the others waiting for them.
Wei Nanfeng remained aloof, holding his posture without stepping forward. Yun Xi didn't mind. In her eyes, this man was already a dead person. Still, she was willing to give him this final bit of respect. She stepped forward and cupped her hands. "Greetings, Ancestor. You've had a long journey."
Wei Nanfeng, satisfied with the courtesy, finally smiled. "This migration of the clan to Haoran City would not have been possible without your efforts."
"Ancestor flatters me. As a disciple of Haoran Sect, it is my duty to resist evil cultivators. That Ancestor understands this is already a blessing for me. The clan is my strongest support."
A few well-placed words from Yun Xi made Wei Nanfeng's smile a bit more genuine. He then followed her lead and brought everyone to the estate she had already prepared for them.
Wei Lingtao began arranging for the clan to settle in. This courtyard was just a temporary residence. If the Wei clan wanted to take root in Haoran City, they would need more than the sect's protection or Yun Xi's backing—they would also have to acquire their own properties. Living off their current resources forever was not an option.
Zong Han, Zong Yu, and Wei Yunying each went off to reunite with their own family members. Only Yun Xi remained, accompanying Ancestor Wei Nanfeng, Wei Lingtao, and Wei Lingyue into the main hall.
Without hesitation, Wei Nanfeng took the host's seat. Yun Xi sat at his right, while Wei Lingtao and Wei Lingyue sat across from her.
Wei Nanfeng was the first to speak. "Why don't I see Ling Kai?"
Yun Xi let out a soft sigh before replying, "Uncle was ambushed by an evil cultivator and nearly lost his life. He's currently in seclusion, healing."
Wei Nanfeng's brow immediately furrowed. The way he looked at Yun Xi carried a hint of reproach, as if Ling Kai's misfortune was somehow her fault.
Yun Xi wasn't about to take the blame. She briefly recounted what had happened, emphasizing that Ling Kai had provoked the evil cultivators before she killed the two Nascent Soul-stage ones.
Wei Nanfeng coughed awkwardly before asking, "And has justice been served for your uncle?"
"The Xiao family has been annihilated. After Xiao He turned to the evil path, he fled. He has yet to be captured."
The words annihilated sent a chill through the others. Their expressions turned grim, and they chose not to press the matter further.
Wei Lingtao asked with concern, "Will Ling Kai recover fully?"
Yun Xi nodded. "Patriarch need not worry. Xiao Yuan Zhēnjūn invited a medical cultivator to nurse him back to health. He also compensated us with spirit stones and pills. With three to five years in closed-door cultivation, Uncle should be able to form his Golden Core."
"That's good to hear."
Upon learning that Ling Kai would be fine, Ancestor Wei Nanfeng shifted the conversation toward Yun Xi's acquisition of the Yixian Gate's legacy.
"I heard the clan was targeted by evil cultivators because of the inheritance you obtained. Can you share some details with us, so we won't be caught off guard again?"
Yun Xi understood his true motive. Still, she gave a general account of how she acquired the legacy, leaving out key details and glossing over the rest. In the end, she added, "Ancestor, the Yixian Gate had a Shouyuan Fruit, but it's a thousand years old. I didn't dare try refining it myself—if I failed, I wouldn't find another. So I've been waiting for Yu Huo Zhēnjūn to return to the sect."
Wei Nanfeng's eyes lit up the moment he heard "thousand-year-old Shouyuan Fruit." Even the wrinkles on his face seemed to smooth out. Wei Lingtao and Wei Lingyue both drew in a sharp breath.
Yun Xi noted their expressions, then continued, "Ancestor, now that Yu Huo Zhēnjūn has returned, I'll ask for his help refining a Longevity Pill after settling you all in. It'll take at least one or two months, so I ask for your patience."
"No matter. Asking a Yuányīng Zhēnjūn to refine a pill is no small task. Now that I'm here in Haoran City, I can wait."
Yun Xi smiled and then flicked her sleeve, placing a small bottle in front of Wei Nanfeng. She spoke as if presenting a treasure. "Ancestor, although the Longevity Pill isn't ready yet, this bottle of 'Rejuvenation Elixir' is my gift to you. It's a secret formula from the Yixian Gate. It can restore youth and preserve vitality!"