Everyone watched the recorded scene.
From the moment Yun Xi met Ancestor Nan Feng, her demeanor had been respectful and courteous. Their conversation appeared smooth, and although they couldn't hear the details, everyone could clearly sense that Ancestor Nan Feng's mood had brightened.
The two spoke for roughly fifteen minutes. Throughout, Yun Xi made no physical contact with the Ancestor. When she left, Ancestor Nan Feng was still in good spirits. He casually sent out a message talisman, then closed his eyes to begin meditation. After that, the recording ended.
Wei Lingtao had expended a considerable amount of spiritual energy to trace everything that had occurred at Ancestor Nan Feng's secluded cultivation spot over the past three days. His face had turned slightly pale by the end. Retrieving the Recollection Mirror, he silently handed it back to Wei Yunqing.
A flicker of disappointment flashed across Wei Yunqing's face, gone in an instant. If she insisted on tying Ancestor Nan Feng's death to Wei Yunxi now, it would be obvious to everyone that she harbored ulterior motives. Still, she couldn't let it go.
So when she accepted the Recollection Mirror, she asked flatly, "Yun Xi Zhēnrén, may I ask what you said to the Ancestor that pleased him so much?"
Seeing the unwillingness in Wei Yunqing's eyes, Yun Xi replied in a calm tone, "I told the Ancestor that Yu Huo Zhēnjūn is currently refining Longevity Pills. I could acquire one on behalf of Lingxue Peak, which would have bought him more time to break through to the late Golden Core stage. Unfortunately..."
She let out a soft sigh, conveying a sense of regret. Of course, there was no way for Wei Yunqing to verify with Yu Huo Zhēnjūn—she wasn't qualified.
Hatred briefly flashed in Wei Yunqing's eyes, though she quickly lowered her gaze to mask it. But Yun Xi's spiritual sense caught everything.
Chen Zhēnrén gave a faint smile and said, "With that, my task here is complete. I shall take my leave."
Wei Lingtao cupped his hands gratefully. "Thank you for your assistance, Chen Zhēnrén."
The Elder then respectfully escorted Chen Zhēnrén out of the Wei residence, handing him a storage pouch as compensation. Chen Zhēnrén accepted it and departed with grace.
Wei Yunqing also personally escorted Senior Brother Li, though her expression hinted she had more to say but held back. This made Li Qingtong frown slightly before he took the initiative.
"Junior Sister Wei, I used a different investigation method than Chen Zhēnrén, but our conclusions match. Your Ancestor passed because his lifespan had reached its natural end—there were no external causes."
Wei Yunqing quickly reined in her expression and replied with a soft, hesitant tone, "Senior Brother Li, you've misunderstood. I never doubted your ability. It's just that the day before yesterday, the Ancestor messaged me saying he planned to find a master to guide me in cultivation. Then the very next day, he passed away. I simply found the timing too coincidental, which is why I questioned the cause."
Li Qingtong nodded slightly. "It is a bit of a coincidence. But it's also possible he sensed that his time was near and wanted to ensure you had proper guidance before it was too late."
Wei Yunqing said nothing more, just nodded and watched him leave. Then she returned to the discussion hall.
At that moment, Yun Xi was quietly speaking to Wei Lingtao via sound transmission.
"Patriarch, it's obvious that Wei Yunqing is trying to pin Ancestor's death on me. I really underestimated how deep her hostility runs."
"Don't let it get to you, Yun Xi. You've done nothing wrong. She brought in a medical cultivator and used the Recollection Mirror, and still couldn't prove anything. That says it all."
Wei Lingtao was growing increasingly frustrated with this niece of his. She had openly tried to shift blame in front of outsiders, stirring conflict within the family. She lacked both discretion and a sense of the bigger picture.
He shot Wei Lingyue a sharp look, unconsciously lacing it with pressure. Wei Lingyue felt a tightening in his chest as cold sweat beaded on his forehead. He immediately lowered his head.
Ever since Wei Lingtao advanced to the Golden Core stage, he had paid less and less attention to Wei Lingyue. And Yun Xi—she got along well with Wei Lingtao's younger brother, treating him more affectionately than her own father. This left Wei Lingyue with mixed feelings and an urgent desire to reach Golden Core himself.
When he heard that Wei Yunqing had successfully cultivated high-grade spiritual plants, he had Du Ruolan contact her and ask her to return to the clan. But she had always refused, using her pill studies as an excuse.
If Du Ruolan hadn't told her about Ancestor's death, she likely still wouldn't have returned. His dissatisfaction with his eldest daughter had reached a boiling point.
Now that she had finally come back, she brought a medical cultivator, used the Recollection Mirror, and even questioned the Family Head's judgment. The entire situation had become a mess.
Just then, Wei Yunqing returned to the hall. As she stepped inside, all conversation stopped. The stares that greeted her were anything but friendly.
Wei Lingtao looked at her coldly and said, "Yun Qing, if you have grievances with the family, speak them plainly. Don't use these underhanded tactics to stir internal conflict. Do you really think we would harm the Ancestor?"
Wei Yunqing immediately put on a wronged expression. "Patriarch you misunderstand. When I received news of the Ancestor's passing, I was in a daze. Just the day before, he had messaged me. I couldn't believe it. I thought perhaps he had been harmed by someone."
Yun Xi's lips curled in a mocking smile as she asked bluntly, "So your first thought was to frame me for his death?"
Wei Yunqing quickly shook her head. "I never—"
Yun Xi cut her off, "Then I must thank you. By bringing in a medical cultivator and using the Recollection Mirror, you've inadvertently cleared me and the Family Head of suspicion. Without that, it would've been difficult to settle the clan's unrest."
Wei Yunqing ground her molars again, but this time said nothing.
With a cold snort, Yun Xi shot an unfriendly glance at Wei Lingyue before turning back to Wei Lingtao. "Patriarch, I plan to return to the sect and ask Ancestor Chen Yin to come and see Ancestor Nan Feng off one final time."
Wei Lingtao nodded. "Very well. Thank you for handling this. Please speak properly with Ancestor Chen Yin."
"I know what to say."
After bidding farewell to the elders, Yun Xi left the Wei clan and returned to the sect.
Wei Yunqing tried to slip away but was forcibly dragged back to his residence by Wei Lingyue.
Yun Xi left a Flying Mist Butterfly behind to keep watch on Wei Yunqing before returning ahead of schedule to the sect.
Once back, she made her way straight to Law Peak, to the cave dwelling of Wei Chenyin.
After the Wei clan moved to Haoran City, Wei Chenyin had taken Yun Xi's advice and put up a seclusion sign, immersing herself in cultivation to prepare for a breakthrough to late Golden Core.
Yun Xi knocked just as Wei Chen Yin finished a session. Seeing who it was, she lifted the array with a wave.
"Yun Xi, what brings you here?"
Yun Xi offered a small smile. "Senior Sister, Wei Nanfeng has reached the end of his lifespan. He's passed."
Wei Chen Yin was momentarily stunned, then a grin slowly spread across her face. Without a trace of subtlety, she declared, "So he finally got what he deserved. What a relief. Even the heavens couldn't tolerate him and cut short his path to immortality. Now this—this is truly good news."
Yun Xi smiled faintly. It hadn't been the heavens, of course. It had been her handiwork.
Wei Chen Yin pulled Yun Xi into the cave by the wrist and brought out her treasured spirit wine, insisting on a drink together.
Yun Xi could tell her Senior Sister was genuinely pleased. Still, she brought up the trouble Wei Yunqing had caused and recreated the mysterious figure seen in the Recollection Mirror for Wei Chenyin to identify.
"Senior Sister Chen Yin, the Recollection Mirror couldn't reveal this person's face. His cultivation is likely higher than Wei Nanfeng's. Do you recognize him?"
Wei Chen Yin's cheerful mood vanished the moment she saw the blurry silhouette. Her face darkened.