When Daoist Yuqing saw that everyone had arrived, he unleashed a torrent of abuse upon them. "What exactly are you all pondering all day long? You spend every waking moment thinking of nonsensical ways to increase your cultivation, but have any of you reached the Nascent Soul stage? Tell me, out of all you Core Formation cultivators here, who is on the verge of a breakthrough? With all this constant scheming and infighting, do you even resemble cultivators anymore? If you want to scramble for power and profit, you might as well return to the secular world. In this lifetime, you can forget about ever forming a Nascent Soul!"
The crowd reacted in various ways: some were utterly bewildered, some fell into deep thought, and others seemed to reach a sudden realization.
Daoist Yuqing continued, "Did it never occur to you that Li Yuhong’s blood descendant is not someone you can just plot against? Setting aside the fact that the old man is fiercely protective of his own, the contributions his family has made to the Yunjin Sect alone make them beyond your reach."
At this, the realization dawned on many. The recipe for the Realm-Stabilizing Pill had been contributed in Li Ran’s name. He had not only benefited the Yunjin Sect but the entire cultivation world of Mount Mangyun. Who would be so bold as to plot against his descendant?
"If that old man starts shouting everywhere that our Yun family wants to use the Heavenly Spirit Root of East Sun Peak as a cauldron, do you think the people of East Sun Peak won't come here to settle the score with their lives?" Daoist Yuqing said sharply. Now, everyone understood what had happened. The Yun family had produced an Earth Spirit Root disciple whom everyone was eager to nurture, and indeed, some had harbored such thoughts.
"From this moment forward, no one is permitted to harbor designs on him. Anyone who violates this will be severely punished according to the family rules!" Daoist Yuqing concluded, casting a final, stern glare at Perfected Jingyuan.
The crowd respectfully voiced their assent. The Yunjin Sect had plenty of Heavenly Spirit Roots; there was no need to risk punishment for the sake of a single Fire Spirit Root. Everyone readily agreed.
Perfected Jingyuan returned to Phoenix Cry Residence with a dark expression. As soon as he entered the main hall, he saw Yun Wenxing, Yun Wenhao, and Yiyi gathered there. Seeing his foul mood, the three stopped talking and waited quietly.
"Yiyi, have you been to East Sun Peak in the last two days?" Perfected Jingyuan asked solemnly.
"Yes, I went to see Li Xue this morning," Yiyi replied.
"It really was you. What did you go there for?" he asked coldly.
"Well..." Yiyi felt a bit strange; Jingyuan had never spoken to her in such a tone before. She answered, "Nothing much, just a casual chat."
"Hmph, a casual chat? Would a casual chat lead to talk of Earth and Fire Spirit Roots?" Perfected Jingyuan barked. He realized that this woman had changed at some point, gradually developing her own little schemes. To cultivators who had lived for centuries or even a millennium, those schemes appeared incredibly naive. She had even begun to meddle in sect affairs; though they were minor matters in his eyes, it was not a good sign.
Yiyi felt deeply wronged. Perfected Jingyuan had never treated her with such severity. She whispered, "Our Yun family’s Xiao Li is an Earth Spirit Root, and Li Lin happens to be a Fire Spirit Root. If the two of them were to practice dual cultivation, it would be very beneficial for Xiao Li. I only wanted to facilitate the match."
The expressions of everyone in the hall shifted instantly. Yun Wenhao looked at Yiyi in disbelief. "Yiyi, how could you have such a thought? Isn't Li Lin your friend?"
"Yes, but what’s wrong with that? Dual cultivation is helpful for one's progress!" Yiyi did not understand what was wrong.
"Then have you considered Li Lin’s thoughts? Does he even like Xiao Li?" Yun Wenhao pressed.
"He is so filial to Li Xue. If Li Xue or Uncle Yuhong agreed, Li Lin wouldn't refuse a request from his elders, would he?" Yiyi said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
The three men in the hall were shocked. How could this woman be so incredibly naive?
"Why would they agree? What benefit would it bring them?" Perfected Jingyuan asked coldly.
"They... benefit?" Yiyi was dazed, not quite following. "Dual cultivation is beneficial to both parties!"
"Then why wouldn't they find a Wood Spirit Root for him to cultivate with? That would be far more beneficial for Li Lin’s Fire Spirit Root!" Perfected Jingyuan countered.
Only then did Yiyi understand. She had been so focused on the benefits for the Yun family’s Xiao Li that she had forgotten everything else. She began to feel a sense of panic.
"You understand now? It’s too late. Uncle Yuhong is convinced the Yun family intends to treat Li Lin as a cauldron, and he has already taken the matter to Ancestor Yuqing!" Perfected Jingyuan added gloomily, "Why did you not ask me before doing this? Why did you take it upon yourself to decide? You are the Sect Leader’s wife; every action you take represents the Yun family. Do you not know that Li Lin is Li Ran’s descendant? Li Ran has contributed to the Yunjin Sect and the entire cultivation world. Is his son someone you can just scheme against?"
Yiyi was both panicked and aggrieved. She had only wanted to help the Yun family secure this match to gain more status. How could it have become so serious?
"Stop thinking about those useless things. Is the title of the Sect Leader’s wife not enough for you? What more do you want?" Perfected Jingyuan said in a low voice.
He then turned to Yun Wenxing and Yun Wenhao, his voice cold. "From now on, do not spoil her. You have indulged her until she can no longer distinguish right from wrong!"
Yun Wenxing and Yun Wenhao both nodded in agreement, looking at Yiyi with complex emotions. Finally, Perfected Jingyuan said to Yiyi, "You will enter secluded cultivation starting now. You are already at the late stage of Foundation Establishment; strive to reach Great Perfection as soon as possible."
Yiyi knew she had caused a disaster and could only nod her head in obedience.
