Yun Xi could tell that Wei Chenyin wasn't blaming her. She was simply worried that Yun Xi's rapid advancement might have left her foundation unstable. After all, cultivation was a gradual process. So Yun Xi smiled and explained, "Senior Sister, you don't need to worry. I advanced this time because of the Yixian Gate's legacy. It was a solid step forward, not a rushed breakthrough. My cultivation is stable."
Once Wei Chenyin was sure Yun Xi wasn't just brushing her off, she nodded. "So long as it was your own opportunity and you grasped it, that's all that matters. I did hear some rumors about the old site of the Yixian Sect appearing in Yuxing City, but I was focused on escorting Ling Kai back to the sect, so I didn't look into it."
Yun Xi smiled. "It really was a twist of fate. After sending you and Little Uncle away from Xiaohe City, the four of us continued on together. On the way, we ran into sect disciples being hunted down by a Golden Core cultivator…"
She didn't hide anything. The matter would be known soon enough throughout the entire Western Region. Rather than letting Wei Chenyin hear about it from others, it was better she said it herself.
Wei Chenyin hadn't expected Yun Xi's group to go through so much after they parted. Fortunately, it had ended without disaster. With great risk came great reward. All their efforts had been worth it.
After Yun Xi finished recounting everything, Wei Chenyin offered a serious reminder. "Yun Xi, you gained a lot in the Yixian Sect's underground palace. I'm sure Wei Nanfeng will send people trying to exploit you. You need to stay alert. And this matter is tied to the evil cultivators too. If they decide to threaten you through your family to force you to hand over the inheritance, you need to be prepared."
Yun Xi had been focused on asking the sect for help in handling the risks, and had forgotten that the Wei family still stood behind her. More importantly, she had never thought of herself as Wei Lingyue's daughter. In her mind, her surname "Wei" was not the same as theirs.
But Wei Chenyin's words made her realize something. She might see Wei Lingyue as a scumbag unworthy of being called her father, but the rest of the Wei family had done nothing to wrong her. At the very least, Wei Lingtao, the Patriarch had acted responsibly. Zong Hao, Zong Yu, Zong Han, Yun Ting, and Yun Ying still had their loved ones in Kunyu City. She couldn't leave them exposed.
"Senior Sister, I'm glad you reminded me. I'll bring this to the Sect Master right away."
"Good. Go handle it. If you need anything, send me a message."
After cupping her hands in farewell, Yun Xi went to visit Zhao Jinmu in the inner sect.
Zhao Jinmu wasn't cultivating. Although the evil aura had been purged from his body by the Ancestor, his mindset wasn't yet steady, so he hadn't forced himself to train. He wasn't surprised to see Yun Xi and greeted her with a bow. "Wei Zhēnrén."
Yun Xi waved it off. "No need for formalities. Sit and let's talk."
After they both sat down, Yun Xi sighed. "I heard about Hua Xuanzi. I'm sorry for your loss."
Zhao Jinmu's hands, resting on his knees, clenched slightly. He took a deep breath. "She died to save me. I couldn't protect her. It was my failure."
Yun Xi knew he was falling into a downward spiral, so she gently encouraged him. "Zhao Jinmu, this wasn't your fault. The evil cultivators were the ones who caused it. They coveted the treasure map you found and acted out of greed. If you want to place blame, blame them.
What you need to do now is steady your heart and train harder. Carry Hua Xuanzi's will with you. Grow strong enough that no evil cultivator dares to lay a finger on you. Take vengeance with your own hands."
Yun Xi didn't believe in wallowing in grief. Self-pity only wasted time. Better to turn pain into motivation and push forward.
Zhao Jinmu clearly took her words to heart. He gave a bitter smile. "Thank you, Wei Zhēnrén. I'm really ashamed. You even had to come console me."
But Yun Xi shook her head. "It's only natural to be shaken after losing someone close. You've held yourself together well already. Just don't let the sorrow linger too long. The immortal path ahead is full of thorns, and it's still waiting for you. Take Hua Xuanzi's share too, and see the sights along the way for both of you."
Zhao Jinmu bowed. "Yes. I understand. From today onward, I'll focus on cultivation. I won't let her sacrifice be in vain."
Seeing that Zhao Jinmu's mood had improved, Yun Xi went on. "The treasure map you found led to the Yixian Sect's legacy in the Yuxing City underground palace. I passed the trial and obtained the inheritance. I came to ask if you want to learn it as well. The Yixian Sect's legacy includes medical arts, pill refinement, and poison techniques. Which one would you be interested in?"
Zhao Jinmu understood immediately why Yun Xi had sought him out. The map had come from him, and though he had offered it of his own accord, Yun Xi still felt indebted. This was her way of repaying that kindness.
He didn't put on airs. After a moment of thought, he replied, "Wei Zhēnrén, I focus on swordsmanship. I have no interest in medicine or alchemy. The Yixian Sect's legacy doesn't suit me."
Yun Xi had worked with him before, so she knew he practiced sword techniques. She nodded."In that case, I'll refine your Golden Core Pill for you. I can also help gather materials for your natal sword. Take these pills and spirit stones. Heal up first, then go to the cultivation hall and raise your realm to mid-Foundation Establishment."
She handed Zhao Jinmu a storage pouch.
Zhao Jinmu paused briefly, but accepted it. He knew this was Yun Xi's way of making things right. Still, he cupped his hands once more. "Thank you, Wei Zhēnrén. I will cultivate diligently and become strong."
Yun Xi nodded. Before leaving, she exchanged spiritual signatures with Zhao Jinmu through their message jades, letting him know he could come to her if he encountered any problems he couldn't solve.
After she left, Zhao Jinmu returned to his small courtyard and hung a "Closed Cultivation" sign on the door. He swallowed a healing pill and began circulating his techniques. He had to pull himself together.
The chance to advance had been placed right in front of him. He had to seize it. Just like the Sect Master and Wei Zhēnrén had said, only by becoming strong himself could he take revenge for Hua Xuanzi. Hoping others would do it was nothing but an escape.
Yun Xi left the inner sect residences and made her way straight to Haoran Peak. She had to speak with the Sect Master about the Wei family. She wasn't greedy. She was willing to give up part of her sect reward in exchange for her family's safety.
When the disciple reported that Yun Xi was asking for an audience, Yugeng had her brought to the side hall where he handled sect affairs.
"Yun Xi greets Martial Uncle Yu Geng."
Sect Master Yugeng put down the jade slip he had been reading and asked, "What brings you here, Yun Xi?"
Yun Xi bowed and said, "Martial Uncle, this concerns the Wei family. I've acquired the Yixian Sect's legacy. The cultivators who covet it can be dealt with. After all, I have the sect behind me. But evil cultivators don't play by the rules. If they threaten the lives of the Wei family to force me to hand over the inheritance, what should I do then?"
Sect Master Yu Geng had already considered this. He had discussed it with Yu Feng. Together, they had decided to send Yu Feng and Yuhuo to Kunyu City to bring the Wei family to Haoran City. No matter how bold the evil cultivators were, they wouldn't dare snatch people right under the Haoran Sect's nose.
So Yu Geng smiled and shared the sect's decision. Yun Xi immediately bowed in gratitude. In truth, she was also worried about the Feng family, but now wasn't the time to bring that up. Once the Wei family arrived, she would find a way to bring the Feng family over as well.
Sect Master Yu Geng had made the right call. The evil cultivators had suffered repeated setbacks with Yun Xi and were starting to seek revenge. They had already sent a group to the Wei family's estate, arriving in Kunyu City almost at the same time as Yu Feng Zhēnjūn and Yu Huo Zhēnjūn.