Xie Zhaolin had just returned to her residence when the communication jade at her waist vibrated slightly. Scanning it with her divine sense, she saw a message from Liu Feng.
"Master, Wei Qingwu is furious and rushed to Alchemy Peak. Looks like she's planning to complain to her uncle, Elder Wei," the message read.
A faint smile curved Xie Zhaolin's lips. This was exactly the outcome she wanted.
She casually replied, "Keep watching, let's see what waves she stirs up."
In an exquisite courtyard at Alchemy Peak, Wei Qingwu knelt before a middle-aged man, tears glistening in her eyes.
"Uncle, you have to stand up for me!" she choked out, all her usual arrogance gone. "That Xie Zhaolin, relying on Elder Mo's backing, keeps going against me at every turn!"
Elder Wei furrowed his brows, taking a small sip of tea. "Qingwu, tell me, how exactly did she oppose you?"
Wei Qingwu immediately exaggerated today's events, finishing by dabbing at her eyes. "She deliberately placed those blood-soaked wolf corpses in front of my door, clearly to humiliate me!"
Elder Wei's eyes flickered with thought. "You're saying she, a Qi Refining stage six disciple, single-handedly killed the Silver Moon Wolf King?"
"She must've cheated with Elder Mo's help!" Wei Qingwu fumed. "Uncle, you have to get me justice!"
Elder Wei set down his teacup and shook his head slowly. "Qingwu, you're too impulsive." His tone hardened. "Mo Xun may just be an outer sect elder, but he's still a Golden Core cultivator. Targeting his disciple so blatantly shows a serious lack of respect."
Wei Qingwu stiffened. "But, Uncle…"
"No buts," Elder Wei cut her off. "This ends here. If you keep causing trouble, don't blame me for not going easy on you."
Wei Qingwu stared at her uncle in disbelief, tears finally streaming down. "Uncle! How can you—"
"That's enough!" he snapped. "Do you think I don't know about the tricks you pulled at the task office? If it weren't for the fact that you're my niece, I'd have handed you over to the Law Enforcement Hall already!"
The scolding shook her to the core. Her face went pale, her usual arrogance vanished, and tears flowed freely. Seeing this, Elder Wei frowned, a trace of pity in his eyes. He sighed, softening his tone. "Qingwu, come here."
She lowered her head and shuffled over, tears falling in streams.
"Silly girl," he murmured, patting her head. "It's not that I won't help you, it's just not the right time."
He pulled a silk handkerchief from his sleeve and handed it to her. "Wipe your tears. Remember, you're the niece of a Alchemy Peak elder. You can't lose face in front of outsiders."
Wei Qingwu took the handkerchief, sniffling as she wiped her cheeks. "But Uncle, that Xie Zhaolin—she…"
"I know," Elder Wei interrupted. "But you have to understand, the fact that she could kill the Silver Moon Wolf King, with or without Mo Xun's help, shows she's not simple."
A flash of resentment crossed Wei Qingwu's eyes. "So we just let it go?"
"Of course not," he said meaningfully, smiling. "Right now, your priority is breaking through to Qi Refining stage seven and entering the inner sect. Once you're an inner sect disciple, your status rises naturally."
He patted her shoulder. "Then, you'll be surrounded by inner sect elites. Dealing with an outer sect disciple will be easy."
Wei Qingwu's eyes lit up. "You mean…"
"Mo Xun often goes out gathering herbs for months at a time," Elder Wei said, implying more. "When he's away from the sect, whatever you want to do will be your choice."
Wei Qingwu finally smiled through her tears. "Uncle is right! I was just too impatient."
"That's my good girl," Elder Wei nodded with satisfaction. "Remember, those who achieve greatness must learn patience."
He pulled a jade vial from his storage pouch. "This is a newly refined Qi Gathering Pill. It'll help you breakthrough quickly. I'll send you one every month."
Wei Qingwu took the vial, eyes shining with gratitude. "Thank you, Uncle! I won't disappoint you!"
"Go now," he waved her off. "Train properly and don't let these trivial matters disturb your mind."
Wei Qingwu saluted respectfully and left the courtyard, her pride restored. Clutching the jade vial, her eyes glinted with determination. "Xie Zhaolin, enjoy your triumph while it lasts. When Mo Xun is away, I'll show you what happens!"
Meanwhile, Xie Zhaolin had already received Liu Feng's report.
"Master, Wei Qingwu left Alchemy Peak looking quite pleased. Seems she got some kind of promise."
Xie Zhaolin's lips curved into a smile. "Interesting. Looks like our Senior Sister Wei plans to play the long game."
Since Wei Qingwu was temporarily holding back, there was no need to rush. Those with existing grudges against Alchemy Peak would come to her eventually.
Sure enough, on the third morning, Xie Zhaolin ran into an inner sect disciple while walking out of her residence. As soon as the disciple learned she was Mo Xun's direct disciple, he eagerly offered his contact info, saying he owed Elder Mo a favor and to reach out if she needed anything.
After he left, a small black dot appeared on Xie Zhaolin's sleeve. She flicked it with her finger, inspecting it closely.
—It was a specially-made eavesdropping artifact from the Artifact Peak.
If they wanted to play these petty games, she didn't mind playing along.
One month later, at Mo Yan's residence.
"I'm heading out to gather herbs," Mo Yan said, "I won't be back for three to five months. Focus on your training and don't cause trouble." He produced a jade slip from his sleeve. "These are my training notes, keep them safe."
"Yes, disciple will follow your orders," she replied.
Every word of their conversation was recorded by the hidden eavesdropping artifact.
The next morning, just as Xie Zhaolin expected, the news reached Wei Qingwu.
"Really?" Wei Qingwu sprang from her mat, excitement lighting her eyes. "Mo Xun really left the sect?"
The maid reporting nodded repeatedly. "Absolutely! We've stationed someone outside Elder Mo's cave, no one's seen him."
A surge of joy flashed across Wei Qingwu's eyes, but she quickly remembered her uncle's warning and forced herself to stay calm. A whole month had passed, yet Wei Qingwu had the patience Xie Zhaolin hadn't expected.
"Cautious than I imagined," she said with a light laugh.
By dusk, after repeatedly confirming Mo Xun had left the sect, she finally couldn't restrain herself and made her move against Xie Zhaolin.