Chapter Twenty-Nine: Returning to the Phoenix Clan Once More

“He only accepted Feng Qing and that boy, I don’t see what’s so special about him. I even asked the young senior if he’d take me as a disciple, but he didn’t even hesitate before refusing. I really wish I had a master like that too, and so many immortal fruits and herbs to eat.” Yan Qingye’s face was full of regret.

Yan Yaofeng swallowed, cleared his throat, and asked, “That heavenly chili blossom roast chicken… is it really that good?”

At the mention of the heavenly chili blossom roast chicken, Yan Qingye’s eyes lit up several degrees. “It’s a taste beyond description.”

As he spoke, he wore an expression of lingering satisfaction.

Yan Yaofeng’s hands itched again as he watched—he wanted to give him a beating!

Naturally, Yan Qingye was oblivious to what his father was thinking and continued to reminisce, “The young senior also treated us to the glacial jade melon.”

“The glacial… jade melon?”

The other three present were all shocked.

“It really exists?” Yan Yaofeng’s eyes widened as he asked.

Yan Qingye curled his lips in a proud grin, looking at the three as though they were country bumpkins.

Yan Yaofeng clenched his fists, tempted to summon the Wind God Whip—how could someone be so punchable?

In the end, he held himself back and said in a low voice, “Out with it, quickly.”

Seeing Yan Yaofeng’s murderous look, Yan Qingye reined himself in a little. “Of course it’s real. How could the young senior have fake immortal fruit? If it weren’t for the white cat by his side helping us, none of us could have eaten it—the chill was that intense.”

Seeing the three listening intently, Yan Qingye went on, “The spiritual energy in that fruit was so concentrated, I only ate a piece the size of a peach, and I almost couldn’t absorb it all.”

He stood up and shook himself, and a dense, powerful aura of spiritual energy spread out from him.

“You… you’re at mid-stage True Immortal?” Ming Chengyu exclaimed in surprise.

“Yes, the moment I finished the melon, I broke through. And that’s just me—Ye Linyi is about to undergo the Heavenly Immortal tribulation.”

Yan Yaofeng stared at his son in shock. At their level of cultivation, even a minor advancement could take a hundred, a thousand, or even more years of foundation before a breakthrough was possible.

“I…” Yan Yaofeng stood up, recalling that he’d almost eaten a snake in front of Junyang, feeling uneasy. He hesitated, “Should I go apologize to Senior Junyang?”

Yan Qingye fell silent and glanced at Ming Chengyu.

Ming Chengyu also stood up and cupped his hands to the two patriarchs. “We returned this time at Senior Junyang’s behest. He and the young senior do not wish to be disturbed.”

Ming Chengwu nodded. “Visiting them in person would indeed be a disturbance.”

Yan Yaofeng sat back down, calmed himself, and looked at his son. “Did they say you couldn’t go?”

“Of course not!” Yan Qingye retorted at once. “While we were with the Phoenix clan, the young senior treated us to delicious food every meal.”

---

Ming Chengwu and Yan Yaofeng exchanged a glance.

“In that case, why not have the younger generation from each family go to the Phoenix clan to pay their respects?” suggested Ming Chengwu.

“Excellent idea,” Yan Yaofeng agreed. After all, just one bite of that melon had raised his son’s cultivation by so much. The Yan family would one day be in Qingye’s hands.

“Qingye, be smart when you’re at the Phoenix clan, and don’t offend the young senior or Senior Junyang.”

“I know, I’m not you.” Yan Qingye muttered.

“You!” Yan Yaofeng strode over and gave him a swift kick.

“Ow!” Yan Qingye rubbed his backside.

Yan Yaofeng, however, felt much better. At last, he’d managed to land a blow.

“Take a day’s rest at home. We’ll go tomorrow,” Ming Chengwu decided after a moment’s thought. “After all, you only just returned today.”

“Yes,” Ming Chengyu and Yan Qingye answered in unison.

Ming Chengwu nodded. “Very well, I’ll return to my residence. Chengyu, you stay and go to the Phoenix clan with Qingye tomorrow.”

“Yes, Father,” Ming Chengyu replied respectfully, bowing.

Ming Chengwu glanced at the collapsed gate of the Yan family’s main hall, then at Yan Yaofeng, before vanishing in a flash.

With the gate in such a state, was he really expected to walk outside before flying away?

Yan Yaofeng could only sigh and hurriedly ordered the steward to get the gate repaired.

---

The next morning, Ming Chengyu, Yan Qingye, and Ye Linyi arrived at the Phoenix residence.

They were all very courteous, bringing gifts for Feng Yanhua.

Feng Yanhua was almost grinning from ear to ear.

“Young masters, you are far too kind. Your presence alone is enough to bring honor to our house, there’s no need for such extravagance.”

“It’s only right. We fear we’ll be troubling you for some time,” Ming Chengyu replied politely.

“You are most welcome to stay. If you need anything, just speak to Feng You,” Feng Yanhua replied with a beaming smile, though a trace of hesitation flickered across his face. “It’s just that…”

“What is it?” Yan Qingye, noticing Feng Yanhua’s manner, sounded a little displeased.

Despite sensing Qingye’s impatience, Feng Yanhua pressed on, “Our Phoenix clan hasn’t attended the Council of Elders in a long time… If you could… perhaps mention this to your patriarchs…”

Yan Qingye looked as though he was about to jump up and argue, but Ming Chengyu held him back.

Ming Chengyu smiled calmly. “You needn’t worry. The Phoenix clan will certainly return to the Council of Elders.”

“Oh, with your word, I’m reassured.” Feng Yanhua rubbed his hands together, unable to contain his excitement. “Let me thank you all in advance.”

Ming Chengyu nodded. “We’ll go to the guest courtyard for now.”

“Yes, yes, please go ahead,” Feng Yanhua gushed, obsequiously seeing them out of the main hall.

Outside, Yan Qingye glanced back and sent a private message to Ming Chengyu, “Why did you promise him that?”

“What did I promise?” Ming Chengyu replied with an entirely straight face.

“Hey… didn’t you just promise the Phoenix clan…”

Ming Chengyu’s lips curled slightly. “Did I say when?”

“Heh… you’re devious.”

“Why are you two making such strange faces? Whispering behind my back?” Ye Linyi, walking beside them, suddenly interjected.

Yan Qingye sighed at him and patted his shoulder, “Later, when I see the young senior, I’ll ask if there are any immortal fruits that boost intelligence—I’ll have him give you one.”

“Sounds good.”

Yu Xiyue’s immortal fruits were always delicious. Ye Linyi swallowed and nodded.

Yan Qingye paused and looked at Ming Chengyu, who just raised an eyebrow and smiled, shaking his head as he strode on ahead.

When they arrived at the guest courtyard, all three knew Yu Xiyue’s habits—none dared to make noise, and so they waited quietly in the pavilion for him to rise.

“Why isn’t that Yuan fellow here?” Yan Qingye whispered.

Ming Chengyu, who had been with Yan Qingye the whole time, had no idea. He shrugged and looked at Ye Linyi.

Ye Linyi grabbed a spiritual peach from the fruit plate on the stone table, took a bite, and only then noticed the other two looking at him.

“Oh… I think I heard the Mu family went to the Yuan family to discuss a marriage,” Ye Linyi said nonchalantly.

“Tsk… no wonder he didn’t come.” Yan Qingye gossiped on. “Yuan Yibai was always hanging around the Phoenix residence before. Maybe he’s hiding out to avoid the marriage talks?”

“I doubt it,” said Ye Linyi after a moment’s thought. “Wasn’t Yuan Yibai always pretty attentive to Mu Wanrou? Back in that Withered Blood Mountain secret realm, he even got badly injured saving her.”