The elders cast a glance at Wei Yunqing's rude interruption, then wordlessly stood and left the discussion hall together. No one answered her question. Her face flushed with anger. Never in her life had she been treated with such blatant disregard.
Fuming, she stormed off to confront Wei Lingyue. From him, she learned that Wei Chenyin had officially returned to the clan, assumed the position left vacant by Ancestor Nan Feng, and was already convening with the elders. Throughout the entire process, Wei Yunxi had accompanied her. The contrast in status between the two sisters within the clan had become crystal clear.
Noticing the dark expression on his eldest daughter's face, Wei Lingyue tried to rehash the past.
"Yun Qing, all this is because I failed to form a Golden Core. You've suffered for it. If I had succeeded, my influence within the clan would be stronger. Just think—"
But Yun Qing didn't even bother to respond. She wasn't stupid. Wei Yunxi was also his daughter, yet she had earned the clan's support because she had successfully formed a Golden Core. Her achievements came from her own strength. If she wanted the same, she'd have to earn it herself. There was no need to take the long way around.
Her mother had even warned her in advance: beware of being used by Wei Lingyue. If she ever got the chance to form a Golden Core, she would hold onto it herself. She wouldn't hand that opportunity to a father who was utterly useless to her cultivation journey.
In the end, both father and daughter were selfish to the core. Wei Yunxi should count herself lucky that she had a mature soul. Otherwise, growing up under such influence would have led her straight into a dead end on her path to immortality.
Now, with Wei Lingyue, Du Ruolan, and Wei Yunqing each harboring their own thoughts, the days of a harmonious family facade were over. There was no more fatherly affection, no more wifely devotion. And it was all by Wei Yunxi's design. Bit by bit, she'd planted seeds of suspicion among the three of them, turning their attention inward so they no longer had time to scheme against her.
At that moment, Wei Yunxi was accompanying Wei Chenyin as they toured the newly renovated courtyard. Wei Lingtao was also with them.
Wei Chenyin was quite satisfied with the redesign. All the useless luxuries had been removed. In their place were tasteful jade ornaments brimming with spiritual energy. Even the simplest decoration was a proper magical tool. A cultivation chamber had been outfitted with a mid-grade spiritual jade bed—the finest item the Wei clan could currently afford.
Once they'd finished their walk-through, the three of them sat down in the main hall. It was then that Wei Lingtao brought up the incident where the two Nascent Soul elders, Yu Feng Zhēnjūn and Yu Huo Zhēnjūn, had come to escort them, only to be ambushed by evil cultivators.
Wei Yunxi frowned. "Second Uncle, why didn't you tell me about this before?"
Wei Lingtao sighed. "It wasn't that I didn't want to. Ancestor Nanfeng forbade me."
Wei Chenyin let out a cold laugh. "Of course he didn't want her to know how cold and selfish he really is. How would he have the face to ask her for an Elixir of Longevity otherwise?"
Her words cut straight to the point. Wei Lingtao nodded silently, then added, "Since the two Nascent Soul elders were present, I figured they might say something to you, so I didn't speak of it myself."
Wei Yunxi shook her head. "Second Uncle, those two elders were simply fulfilling a sect mission. They would never pass judgment on the Wei clan's internal matters, much less badmouth Wei Nanfeng to me, their junior."
Wei Lingtao sighed again, then said, "I've kept the Feng family's assistance in mind. The clan feels the same. Now that Ancestor Chen Yin has returned to oversee the Wei family, I'd like to prepare a formal gift to send to the Fengs in Kunyu City. What do you think, Ancestor?"
Wei Chenyin thought for a moment, then suggested, "Ling Tao, if I remember correctly, the Wei clan still has a few unresolved business interests in Kunyu City. Rather than sell them off cheaply, why not let the Feng family take them over? It's a way to repay their kindness and offer protection without making it too obvious."
Wei Lingtao had no objections. Wei Yunxi added, "Second Uncle, when you send people to handle this, do it discreetly. I'm worried the evil cultivators from before might still have eyes on the Feng family."
"Understood. Don't worry. I'll be careful."
Back when the Wei clan first arrived in Haoran City, Wei Yunxi had already posted a task at the inner sect mission hall, asking a disciple to deliver a letter and some cultivation resources to the Feng family in Kunyu City. That disciple hadn't returned yet, but based on the timing, they should have arrived by now.
Adding in the gift promised by Ancestor Chen Yin, the Feng family wouldn't be lacking for resources anytime soon. What mattered most now was to remind the Feng family head to direct those resources toward the clan's disciples. Strengthening the overall foundation of the clan was the true priority.
After a bit more small talk, Wei Yunxi took her leave. With Wei Chenyin now holding the fort, there wouldn't be any new complications. She needed time to settle down and focus on cultivation.
Wei Chenyin was well aware of how tightly scheduled Wei Yunxi's cultivation plans were. She didn't try to keep her, only urged her to train in peace.
Wei Yunxi bid farewell to the clan head and made her way back to Lingxue Peak—only to be blocked by Wei Yunqing.
Her expression remained calm. "Why are you in my way?"
Wei Yunqing pressed her lips together, gave a polite bow, and asked, "Did you tell Father that I have a high-grade spiritual plant that can help him advance?"
Wei Yunxi gave a faint smile. "I only made a passing comment. Did he actually come asking you for it? He's got some nerve."
Wei Yunqing was caught off guard. "Why would you say something so reckless?"
Wei Yunxi raised a hand. "Stop right there. I said nothing reckless. You became a registered disciple of Yu Huo Zhēnjūn because you cultivated a high-grade spiritual plant, didn't you? That's a known fact among the Dan Peak disciples. Can't even admit that?"
Wei Yunqing blinked, then frowned. "That's not what I meant."
Wei Yunxi widened her almond-shaped eyes. "Then what exactly do you mean? Are you saying you don't have the ability to cultivate high-grade spiritual plants? Or are you denying you possess one that could help our father advance?"
As she spoke, her eyes swept toward a nearby corner. Wei Lingyue was hiding there, eavesdropping.
This time, Wei Yunxi had misjudged him. He hadn't come to spy, but out of concern that his two daughters might start a fight. Yet now he was stuck listening to a confrontation he hadn't expected.
Wei Yunqing furrowed her brow. "All the spiritual plants I cultivated belong to Dan Peak. I don't have the authority to decide how they're used. That applies even to Father."
"Oh? Then just explain that to him. Why are you blocking my way?" Wei Yunxi asked coolly.
Knowing she wouldn't get any useful answers if she kept pushing, Wei Yunqing could only offer a perfunctory bow and walk away.
She had come and gone in a hurry, but Wei Yunxi understood her real motive. Rumors from Dan Peak were starting to circulate. Wei Yunqing was feeling the pressure.
Once she left, Wei Yunxi glanced at the corner where Wei Lingyue had been hiding. Then, in a flash, she vanished from the Wei residence.
Only much later did Wei Lingyue step out. Staring at the empty courtyard gate, he suddenly looked much older. For the first time, he truly felt like a failure.
One daughter had drifted away from him, thanks to years of neglect. He no longer even had the right to ask anything of her. The other daughter, whom he had always cared for, showed no regard for his struggles. She thought only of herself. He had never even crossed her mind.
Returning to his own courtyard, Wei Lingyue immediately declared that he was entering seclusion. He didn't bother explaining anything to Du Ruolan. It seemed he had already made up his mind.
Back at Haoran Sect, Wei Yunxi headed straight for the inner sect disciple hall to claim the reward the sect master had promised her. She exchanged all the points at once. The total was enough to let her cultivate in the Qingye Pool for three months.
She couldn't stop smiling.