Chapter 28: Fourth Level of Qi Refinement

The little red-maned horse stamped its forehoof, licked its lips, and snorted at Wei Zonghao, yet did not prevent the two from approaching. Seeing this, Wei Yunxi’s face lit up with delight. Sensing an opportunity, she turned to the chubby boy and said,

“It must really love sweets. We can use sugar cubes as payment—go and negotiate with it.”

Wei Zonghao immediately covered his storage pouch with his hand, reluctant to part with his precious stash, which was already running low.

Wei Yunxi, cheeks still round with baby fat, rubbed her face and coaxed, “Brother Zonghao, I’ll pay you back a whole bag later.”

The promise was empty for now—everything could be settled after they passed the assessment.

In the end, Wei Zonghao couldn’t hold on to his sugar cubes and struck a deal with the little red-maned horse. Once the two climbed onto its back, they found the price well worth it. Though the horse was not yet fully grown, its speed was every bit the match of the finest mortal steeds, and its strength was impressive; with both children astride, it raced as swiftly as ever. Clearly familiar with the mountain’s terrain, the little horse bore them swiftly toward the gates of the Vast Virtue Sect.

Whenever the horse slowed, Wei Yunxi would instruct Wei Zonghao to feed it another sugar cube. The delighted horse would then gallop briskly for another stretch, much to the secret amusement of True Lord Windrider, who watched from the shadows, his lips twitching.

As the sun set that day, the two finally arrived at the gates of the Vast Virtue Sect. The entrance stood empty, devoid of any crowd. Once the little red-maned horse halted, Wei Yunxi and Wei Zonghao jumped off, thus completing their transaction. Reluctantly, Wei Zonghao handed over his last sugar cube to the horse, muttering,

“Little horse, you have all the sugar I had in my storage pouch. Thank you for bringing us here ahead of time. Once I become a disciple of the Vast Virtue Sect, I’ll come visit you whenever I can.”

At that moment, a sect disciple descended before them on a flying sword.

Dressed in a robe of blue, Song Ke looked at the two tiny figures who barely reached his thigh and smiled.

“Are you two among the candidates for this round’s assessment?”

“Yes, senior. My name is Wei Yunxi.”

“And I am Wei Zonghao, both of us from the Wei family of Kunyu City,” the chubby boy added.

“Very well. You have both done admirably. I’ve recorded your names and order of arrival. You may rest before the gates. Once the three-day period ends, you’ll proceed to the next round.”

Wei Yunxi and Wei Zonghao cupped their hands in thanks.

Song Ke then approached the little red-maned horse, patting its head. “You were lucky this time, meeting disciples willing to help. I hope you won’t go off exploring alone again.”

The chubby boy quickly stepped forward, saluted, and explained, “Senior, the little horse was trapped by iron brambles. My sister and I heard it calling and rescued it. In gratitude, it carried us here.”

Song Ke smiled. “No harm done. That was your ability, and its good fortune. I’ll take it back to Spirit Beast Peak. You two rest here—it’s very safe.”

“Yes, senior!”

Song Ke led the little red-maned horse onto his flying sword, then became a streak of light and vanished.

Wei Zonghao watched him go with envy. “When will we be able to fly on swords like that?”

Wei Yunxi gazed after Song Ke and replied, “I know—you need to reach at least the Foundation Establishment stage to fly on swords.”

“That’ll take ages!”

“Then let’s work hard from now on. One day, we’ll soar too.” Wei Yunxi clenched her fists in encouragement.

The two found a sheltered spot, sat on the ground without fuss, and began to meditate.

Once Wei Yunxi entered her cultivation state, she immediately felt the spiritual energy around her rushing into her body. The aura here was even denser than in the Wei family’s training hall—truly worthy of being the third-ranked great sect in the Western Region.

Seeing his sister begin her practice, Wei Zonghao also folded his legs and closed his eyes to meditate. They had passed the first trial, but more lay ahead.

Meanwhile, Wei Yunting and her group were struggling through the mountain forest. With mishaps repeatedly triggered by Wei Yunqing, the group finally decided she should do nothing but follow closely, which unexpectedly improved their pace. Yet Wei Yunqing, sensing the group’s exclusion, felt even more disheartened.

On the final day, the scattered teams regrouped. With more people together, they felt safer, though their numbers had slightly dwindled.

Members of the Feng family, not seeing Wei Yunxi, inquired with Wei Zonghan. He could only say his sister had fallen behind, but together with another Wei child. He added,

“They’re both clever—perhaps they’ll arrive ahead of us. We’ll find out soon enough.”

He meant to console himself and placate the Feng family—after all, they cared deeply for their niece. Unexpectedly, his words proved true.

At that moment, Wei Yunxi was attempting to break through to the fourth level of Qi Refinement. The spiritual energy here was so rich she didn’t want to let the opportunity slip by.

With the immortal artifact as her safeguard, she needn’t fear her spiritual root attributes being revealed. The breakthrough from Qi Refinement level three to four required little energy, and for now, she was all but invisible—a time to lay low and grow stronger.

Wei Yunxi spent the entire night cultivating, ceaselessly absorbing spiritual energy and circulating it through her meridians, refining it into her dantian. At sunrise on the third day, borrowing a wisp of purple qi, she finally broke through to the fourth level of Qi Refinement.

Her meridians ached and stretched under the influx of energy, but guided by her powerful spiritual sense, the energy obediently cycled through her body and settled into her dantian, filling a quarter of its space.

The ornamental immortal artifact automatically masked her true cultivation, presenting her at the first level of Qi Refinement, keeping her secret safe.

Wei Zonghao, awakened by the stir of Wei Yunxi’s breakthrough, exclaimed with delight when she opened her eyes, “Yunxi, you broke through?”

“Yes, I’m at the first level of Qi Refinement now.”

“Wow, you’re amazing—your cultivation is just like mine now,” he marveled.

“The spiritual energy here is much richer than at home. If you put in the effort, you should be able to reach the second level soon.”

Wei Zonghao nodded eagerly. “Definitely! I was almost there last night... but I fell asleep.”

He smiled sheepishly.

Wei Yunxi, in good spirits, said, “Brother Zonghao, I’ll keep watch for you. You’re sure to break through today.”

“Yes! But let’s eat something first—I’m starving.” He patted his rumbling stomach.

Wei Yunxi generously took out fasting pills, handing one to the chubby boy and one for herself.

That afternoon, Wei Yunting’s group finally arrived at the square before the sect’s gates. By then, many children had already gathered—neither the first to arrive, nor the last.

“Look over there—who is that?”