Stealing Luck from the Heavenly Dao's Favorite

Wei Yunting scanned the seated group of Wei clan disciples and immediately noticed that Wei Yunxi and Wei Zonghao were missing. Her chest tightened with panic, and it took her a long moment to recover her composure.

"You all wait here. I'm going back to look for them."

Just then, Wei Yunqing's eyes flickered as she spoke up.

"Big Sister Yunting, if they fell behind, does that mean they've been eliminated? Would you even find them if you went back?"

Hearing that, Wei Yunting froze in her tracks. Anger stirred in her chest.

All the Wei clan disciples knew that even if they were eliminated during this test, they could still stay at Haoran Sect as servant disciples. They wouldn't be like the other failed candidates, who would be sent home empty-handed. But this wasn't something they could advertise openly.

Besides, both Yunxi and Zonghao had already succeeded in drawing spiritual qi into their bodies. They had a real chance of passing the test and becoming outer sect disciples. And the treatment between outer sect disciples and servant disciples was entirely different.

In Haoran Sect, servant disciples were usually cultivators with four or five spiritual roots. Without great luck or opportunities, they could remain stuck in the Qi Refining stage for life. Only those who reached the late stage of Qi Refining could move up into the outer sect.

On the other hand, those with excellent spiritual roots who passed the sect entrance trial would be placed in the outer sect. Once they broke through to the Foundation Establishment stage, they would automatically advance into the inner sect. It was only after entering the inner sect that one would catch the eye of the powerful figures within the sect and gain a chance to formally take a master.

Of course, if one's spiritual root was particularly outstanding—like a single-root, mutated root, or a score above ninety—they might be taken in as a named disciple right from the start. After forming their foundation, they could become an official disciple of one of the sect's elites.

Wei Yunxi had always felt that this system of progression in Haoran Sect was fairly decent. At least on the surface, it was merit-based.

Wei Yunting was furious precisely because of Wei Yunqing's careless actions. Thanks to her, some of the clan's disciples now had a lower starting point, and that gap would only widen over time. Yet Yunting couldn't say too much out loud.

All she could do was glare at Wei Yunqing, the troublemaker, then sit down and close her eyes to cultivate. This place was near Haoran Sect, and the spiritual energy was much denser than in Kunyu City. She had to make the most of every moment to improve her strength.

—

At that moment, Wei Yunxi and Wei Zonghao had already caught up to the larger group. Using her spiritual sense, Wei Yunxi heard everything exchanged between Wei Yunting and Wei Yunqing. When she caught the faint pride in Wei Yunqing's voice, a cold smile curved across her lips. But she didn't rush forward to confront her.

Beside her, the little chubby Wei Zonghao whispered, "Do you think we can catch up to Big Sister Yunting?"

Wei Yunxi's eyes lit up. "I heard them talking. They think we've already been eliminated."

Zonghao pouted, "Hmph! As if. We're doing just fine. Let's go show them!"

But Yunxi raised her hand. "No, let's follow from a distance. Wouldn't it be more fun to surprise them just before we reach the sect?"

Zonghao blinked. "Is that safe? There's only two of us."

Compared to the main character's walking disaster aura, Wei Yunxi would much rather keep her distance. She gave him a sweet smile.

"Brother Zonghao, I have a defensive formation disk with me. It's more than enough for the two of us. Any more and I wouldn't be able to protect everyone."

Zonghao was convinced. As long as someone was with him, he wasn't afraid.

That night, Wei Zonghao would end up very grateful for his decision, because the group led by Wei Yunting was attacked by a pack of first-rank Green-Eyed Wolves.

The moment the first wolf's howl echoed through the trees, Wei Yunxi opened her eyes and sent out her divine sense. She immediately sensed wolves darting beneath the tree where they had set up camp. She slapped the snoring Zonghao awake.

Still groggy, Zonghao blinked. But when he heard the howl, he instantly sobered up and lowered his voice without thinking.

"Little Sister Yunxi, what's happening?"

Wei Yunxi didn't speak. She simply pointed downward.

When Zonghao looked and saw the wolves racing past beneath them, his eyes widened, and he quickly covered his mouth with both hands.

Once the wolves had completely passed, Zonghao whispered, "That was a pack of Green-Eyed Wolves. Where are they going?"

Yunxi shook her head. She didn't know. But she warned him, "We're staying in this tree all night. No climbing down until morning."

Zonghao nodded right away. Only a fool would go down there. He had complained earlier about how uncomfortable it was sleeping in a tree, but now, discomfort didn't matter. Staying alive did.

Wei Yunxi kept her spiritual sense trailing after the wolves, her expression growing stranger the more she saw. The pack had surrounded the six members of Wei Yunting's group and was actively testing the edges of their concealment formation.

She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. The wolves were probably drawn to Wei Yunqing again.

Inside the formation, the six disciples were terrified. None of them had expected an attack during the night, let alone from Green-Eyed Wolves. Even Yufeng Zhēnjūn, who was secretly observing from the shadows, found it odd. This group had terrible luck. First chased by weasels, now attacked by wolves.

Wei Yunting and Wei Zonghan exchanged glances, both turning their gaze toward Wei Yunqing. She had gone off earlier to gather firewood... had she picked up something she shouldn't have again?

Seeing their expressions, Wei Yunqing quickly defended herself.

"I didn't take anything. I just picked up a few twigs for the fire. They're all right here. If you don't believe me, check my storage pouch."

The two looked at each other again. Wei Zonghan stepped toward the fire and swiftly pulled one of the burning twigs from the flames. He sniffed it, then his eyes snapped open in alarm.

"This is Lingjue Wood. When burned, it soothes the mood of spirit beasts giving birth."

Everyone turned to look at Wei Yunqing.

She immediately protested, "I didn't know."

Wei Yunting took a deep breath. There wasn't much she could say. She hadn't recognized it either, so it wasn't entirely Yunqing's fault. They were just... unlucky.

Meanwhile, Wei Yunxi nearly burst out laughing. Seeing the so-called heroine trip over herself felt oddly satisfying. She was starting to suspect that as long as she stayed away from Wei Yunqing, the girl's misfortunes would only multiply. Without her around to serve as a lightning rod, all the bad luck seemed to land squarely on Yunqing instead.

Wei Yunxi absently patted her plump little chin. She might be onto something.

In the novel, her character was originally written as a "treasure boy" sidekick. To earn that title, she had to be extremely lucky—how else could she stumble upon so many treasures? The only downside was that she couldn't keep any of it.

And whenever Wei Yunqing was with her, she always ended up swiping those treasures and opportunities. Wei Yunxi probably absorbed some of Yunqing's misfortune or, more accurately, diverted some of the Heavenly Dao's trials meant for the protagonist.

Now that she wasn't by Wei Yunqing's side, those trials had no one else to target.

In truth, this would have been the perfect moment for Wei Yunqing to take responsibility. If she had stepped up instead of playing the victim, she might have gained the respect of her cousins. But instead, she chose to act pitiful—an obvious mistake.

Wei Yunxi glanced at Wei Zonghao and whispered, "Brother Zonghao, go ahead and get some sleep. I'll take the first watch. Wake me for the second half."

"Alright."

Meanwhile, the six-member team of the Wei clan was still surrounded by a pack of wolves.