Stealing Luck from the Heavenly Dao's Favorite

Upon hearing the question, Wei Yunxi immediately put on a conflicted little expression, as though torn over whether to share the truth.

Wei Yunqing blinked, sensing an opportunity, and gently pressed, "Little Sister, you're going to Haoran Sect with me, aren't you? How can you keep something so small from me?"

Wei Yunxi quickly shook her head, then glanced around to make sure no one was watching before leaning in and whispering into Wei Yunqing's ear.

"It was my maid, Feng Xiu, who helped me. Her cultivation is at the late stage of Qi Refining. She used her spiritual energy to assist me, so I was able to succeed in Qi Gathering so quickly."

She was talking complete nonsense. Wei Yunxi had read about things like this in xianxia novels, but had no idea if it was real. Still, it was more than enough to fool Wei Yunqing, who had only just stepped into the world of cultivation herself.

Wei Yunqing's gaze flickered, clearly contemplating something. She took Wei Yunxi's hand with a smile, and the two sisters walked into the training hall together, seemingly close as ever.

Watching Wei Yunxi lie so seriously, Feng Xiu had the urge to facepalm. Still, now wasn't the time to expose her young miss. She bid them farewell with a composed expression and returned to Zhuohua Courtyard to keep an eye on Zhenzu.

Once the sisters entered the hall, the other children quickly caught wind that Wei Yunxi had successfully entered Qi Gathering. A wave of envy and jealousy followed—but they also pushed themselves harder in their own training.

Upon confirming her breakthrough, the Sixth Elder gave Wei Yunxi a new training spot where the spiritual energy was denser.

That area was already occupied by Wei Yunqing and Wei Zongjin. Now with Wei Yunxi joining them, the trio stood out, earning admiration from the rest.

After properly irritating Wei Yunqing, Wei Yunxi took her place beside Wei Zongjin, offering him a sweet smile as a greeting.

Wei Zongjin, also five years old, gave a prideful little chin tilt in return, then closed his eyes and began meditating. He clearly didn't want to engage further.

Wei Yunxi just shrugged and sat down cross-legged, focusing on absorbing spiritual energy.

Moments later, she slipped into a state that felt like soaking in a warm spring. The energy around her poured into her body eagerly, seemingly more enthusiastic toward her than others.

The Sixth Elder noticed the subtle shift in the hall's spiritual flow. Glancing toward the trio, he saw them diligently cultivating and nodded in satisfaction before turning his attention to the children who had yet to reach Qi Gathering.

After that day's training session, Feng Xiu took Wei Yunxi home. After dinner, she activated the defensive array and resumed cultivation.

Thanks to Feng Jiaqing's earlier explanations, Wei Yunxi understood that early-stage Qi Refining wasn't all that impressive—just a slight edge over mortals. Her senses would become sharper, her body sturdier, but in terms of combat strength, she was still not much better than an ordinary person.

Especially considering she was only five years old. Without proper cultivation tools or techniques, going up against an adult—even a mortal—would be a losing battle.

Feng Jiaqing had warned her:

"Until you reach the late stage of Qi Refining, it's best not to leave the clan. Otherwise, your life might end before your journey even begins."

Wei Yunxi had taken those words to heart. She focused on raising her cultivation steadily and used the purified spiritual energy to widen her meridians. Among cultivators of equal stage, the one with greater spiritual reserves would always have the upper hand.

So while Wei Yunxi was training diligently, completely unaware, Du Ruolan was already scheming how to destroy her spiritual root.

When news of Wei Yunxi's breakthrough reached Du Ruolan, she smashed the cup in her hand. She had just used Wei Yunxi's "lack of talent" to convince the family not to send her to Haoran Sect. But the girl had now succeeded—publicly slapping her in the face.

"This won't do. I cannot let her go to Haoran Sect."

"What should we do, Madam?" Zhenzhu frowned. "Feng Xiu is watching her closely. I haven't been able to get near."

"Just keep an eye on her," Du Ruolan said. "Leave the rest to me."

"Yes, Madam."

Once Zhenzhu left, Du Ruolan began rummaging through her storage pouch.

—

As for Wei Lingyue, he didn't think much of it when he heard that Wei Yunxi had become the third child in the family to reach Qi Gathering.

Two months later, Wei Yunqing advanced to Qi Refining Stage One, drawing a fresh wave of envy and praise. Wei Yunxi congratulated her with a cheerful smile and returned to cultivating.

On the surface, it looked like all of Wei Yunxi's good fortune had been used up during Qi Gathering. Before the Haoran Sect selection, Wei Yunqing reached the peak of Qi Refining Stage One, just a step away from Stage Two, making her one of the most outstanding disciples in the family.

Wei Yunxi, however, remained stuck at Stage One. Despite this, her dedication was obvious—even Wei Zongjin had broken through to Stage One.

In the end, Wei Yunxi's name was not included in the list of those traveling to Haoran Sect. Du Ruolan, secretly thrilled, put her plans on hold.

When Wei Yunxi heard the news, she finally relaxed. Still, she committed to the act—feigning dissatisfaction, she secretly reported the injustice to her mother's family. Just as planned, Feng Jiaqing soon appeared.

No one knew what was said between Feng Jiaqing and Wei Lingyue. But the final result was clear: Wei Yunxi moved to the Feng household to study alchemy.

"Perfect!"

Wei Yunxi felt like the dust had finally settled. She had taken her first real step toward breaking free from fate.

Then, two days later, fate slapped her in the face again.

After confirming the five disciples who would go to Haoran Sect, the Wei family prepared resources for the children. Wei Lingyue even volunteered to escort them to the sect.

But on the day of departure, a Nascent Soul elder from Haoran Sect—Yufeng Zhēnjūn—personally arrived at the Wei family's estate in Kunyu City.

Family head Wei Lingtáo, along with several elders, welcomed Yufeng Zhēnjūn in person.

The entire city stirred with excitement. A Nascent Soul cultivator had come to Kunyu. The Wei family basked in sudden glory.

Wei Lingtáo, younger brother of Wei Lingyue and father of Wei Zongjin, held the position of family head due to his superior abilities. He was seen as the more promising of the two brothers, with the potential to reach Golden Core, unlike Wei Lingyue who had likely reached the end of his path at the peak of Foundation Establishment. That talent gap had earned Lingtáo the leadership role.

Though they never fought openly, the two brothers competed in private—especially when it came to their children. This time, it seemed Wei Lingyue had scored a narrow victory.

Since this involved his daughter's future, Wei Lingyue appeared at the meeting hall as well.

After some polite greetings, Wei Lingtáo asked cordially, "Yufeng Zhēnjūn, may I ask what brings you to Kunyu City in person?"

Yufeng Zhēnjūn had a stern face and composed manner. He smoothed his robes and said plainly:

"The sect has issued new orders. We are expanding recruitment. I came to escort the Wei family's disciples, but I'll also be selecting promising disciples from all over Kunyu City to bring back to the sect."

Wei Lingtáo and Wei Lingyue exchanged glances, both slightly surprised. In the past, Haoran Sect never bothered to recruit in such remote regions. The only reason their family had connections was due to ancestral ties.

But Yufeng Zhēnjūn ignored their silent calculations and continued:

"I will inform the city lord of Kunyu that I'll remain here for one day. After that, I will depart with the new recruits.

"As for the Wei family—by my authority, I grant you three additional slots to enter the sect."