Chapter 10: An Uncertain Future-With a Dimensional Chat Group in Hand, the Doomed Side Character Soars to Immortality(Ephemeral clouds and fleeting winds, like the tinkling of wind chimes in passing moments.)

This time, the Wei family tested fifty-four children over the age of five for spiritual roots. Among them, only sixteen possessed spiritual roots—less than half—but the Wei family was quite satisfied with this result. At least Wei Yunqing had emerged with both water and wood spiritual roots, which was considered excellent in Kunyu City.

All the children found to have spiritual roots remained at the main branch of the Wei family. The coming year would decide their fate—it was their last chance to grasp at a change in destiny.

Do not think that possessing spiritual roots guarantees success. Only by successfully drawing spiritual energy into the body can one truly begin cultivation. Only after establishing the foundation can one be called a cultivator and have the opportunity to pursue the great Dao.

Thus, this year was crucial. These children of the Wei family needed to cross the threshold of drawing spiritual energy in, then, depending on their cultivation speed and individual strengths, their future paths would be decided.

Yet none of this concerned Wei Yunqing, for Wei Lingyue had already decided to send his eldest daughter to train at the Haoran Sect.

When Du Ruolan heard this news, she was delighted, and the joy could not help but show on her face, which Wei Yunqing noticed.

"Mother, why are you so happy today?" Wei Yunqing asked.

Du Ruolan gently stroked her daughter's hair, smiling sincerely. "Of course I am happy. Your father told me privately that he will send you to Haoran Sect for training. The next three months are crucial—you must quickly draw spiritual energy into your body, and it would be best if you could advance your cultivation to the third level of Qi Refining. That way, you will have a greater chance of entering Haoran Sect, and perhaps even be accepted by a good master.

With a master's guidance, your cultivation will progress rapidly, and with the sect as your backing, my position in the Wei family will be even more secure. Thus, the Wei family will devote all its resources to nurturing you."

Upon hearing her mother's words, Wei Yunqing nodded immediately. "Mother, rest assured, I know what to do."

After a moment’s thought, she added, "Mother, I want to bring Wei Yunxi with me to Haoran Sect."

Du Ruolan was taken aback by her daughter's request, and frowned. "Qing’er, did someone say something to you? Why do you want Yunxi to go with you to Haoran Sect?"

Wei Yunqing was still young and could not articulate her reasoning—she simply felt that having Wei Yunxi by her side would benefit her. It must be said, the protagonist’s instincts to seek benefit and avoid harm were sharp.

But Du Ruolan thought differently. In her eyes, Haoran Sect was the third-ranked sect in the western region, and the Wei family's quota was limited. Why give this opportunity to Wei Yunxi? She had no wish to pave the way for Feng Jiayun's daughter.

The Wei family had obtained these few quotas only because an ancestor had ties with a senior of Haoran Sect in the Nascent Soul stage, who looked after the Wei family out of old friendship. But this only meant an entrance quota; whether one could formally join the sect, and how far one could go, the elder would not interfere.

Wei Yunqing seemed to sense her mother’s hesitation, so she immediately tugged at Du Ruolan’s sleeve and said,

"Mother, I want to bring Wei Yunxi because she has something valuable."

Du Ruolan’s eyes flashed as she immediately thought of the hairpin her daughter had coveted earlier. She patted her daughter’s hand and said, "Don’t be anxious, I understand what you mean. But this matter depends on your father’s decision. Her aptitude is not as good as yours, so your father may not be willing to send her to the sect."

Wei Yunqing grew anxious. "Mother, please think of a way."

"Don’t worry, I’ll speak to your father about this," Du Ruolan soothed her daughter, then sent her trusted attendant to investigate the news from Zhuohua Courtyard.

At that moment, Wei Yunxi was unaware that she had been targeted by Wei Yunqing, who wanted her to continue serving as a bringer of fortune. She was busy organizing her storage pendant, preparing things for the clan academy the next day.

Spring Rain and the other three maids assisted silently, knowing that once their mistress began cultivation, she would no longer need them, and their usefulness to her would diminish.

Just then, the Wei family steward arrived at Zhuohua Courtyard, bringing with him a plain-looking maid. He respectfully addressed Wei Yunxi, "Miss, this is the servant assigned to you by the master. She has reached the third level of Qi Refining. From today, she will attend to you personally, escort you to the cultivation hall each day, and stand guard while you cultivate."

Wei Yunxi frowned slightly, then smiled and nodded. "Steward, please thank my father for me."

She then turned to the woman standing demurely beside the steward and asked sweetly, "Sister, may I know your name?"

The maid replied promptly, "I am called Pearl. I am not worthy of being addressed as ‘sister’ by you."

Wei Yunxi did not know the origins of this maid, and since the woman had reached the third level of Qi Refining, she spoke courteously, "Then I shall call you Pearl from now on. Please settle in at the side courtyard with Spring Rain, and come early tomorrow morning to escort me to the cultivation hall."

"Yes, Miss," Pearl replied.

Pearl was quick-witted, and followed Spring Rain out of the main courtyard.

The steward, having delivered the maid, excused himself and departed—he had much to do, and his personal visit was a clear sign of the master’s regard for his daughter.

Once the steward left, Wei Yunxi turned to her three remaining maids. "That Pearl seems unfamiliar. Have any of you seen her before?"

All three shook their heads in unison. Winter Plum’s face showed a hint of hesitation, which Wei Yunxi noticed immediately.

"Winter Plum, do you know her?" she asked.

Winter Plum shook her head. "Miss, I do not know Pearl, but I saw her speaking with Willow Catkins from Madam Du’s courtyard. I didn’t hear what they were saying—the distance was too great."

Wei Yunxi’s mind sounded an alarm at these words. This was not good. If Pearl belonged to Du Ruolan, then her presence could only mean surveillance.

Summer Jasmine and Autumn Peach looked worriedly at their mistress. Pearl possessed cultivation, unlike them; even if they wanted to help, they had no idea how.

Wei Yunxi reached out her small, chubby hand to touch her equally plump chin, then beckoned Winter Plum over and whispered a few words. Winter Plum’s eyes lit up, and she hurriedly left Zhuohua Courtyard, this time exiting through the back gate of the Wei residence.

Wei Yunxi’s routine continued unchanged. After dinner, she retired early.

When all was quiet, a shadow crept into the main courtyard of Zhuohua and approached Wei Yunxi’s bed. First, it seized the storage pendant by her pillow and examined its contents, then replaced it as it was.

The intruder searched the whole room, but found nothing and left in the darkness.

The next morning, Spring Rain dragged a yawning Wei Yunxi from bed. Her first act was to check her storage pendant by the pillow; finding her belongings intact, she breathed a sigh of relief, though she noticed it had been moved.

"Spring Rain, who kept watch last night?"

"It was Summer Jasmine, Miss."

"Bring her in."