Chapter Six: The Divine-Grade Immortal Mushroom

"???" Ye Lin Yi was utterly perplexed. Back in the Upper Realm, he had always been pursued by countless admirers—how had he suddenly become the most unsightly one here?

Yan Qingye, who had been silent, suddenly burst out laughing, clutching his stomach as if he’d come back to life.

“Was it you who set up that formation?” Ming Chen Yu asked.

“Yes.”

A subtle curve lifted the corners of Ming Chen Yu’s lips; it seemed he was at least considered passably good-looking.

Yan Qingye only laughed harder. Ye Lin Yi was fuming. “Little girl, am I the only one you don’t fancy?”

You Xiyue simply turned her head away again, refusing to look at Ye Lin Yi.

“You...” Ye Lin Yi’s face flushed bright red with anger.

Yan Qingye, still clutching his belly, gasped, “I can’t take it anymore,” then turned to Yuan Yibai, clapping him on the shoulder. “Old Bai, why don’t you ask her a question too?”

“Boring,” Yuan Yibai muttered, dodging Yan Qingye’s hand with another sidestep.

“Why did you set up a high-level divine formation on Cloud Mist Mountain?” Ming Chen Yu asked again.

“To roast chicken with Heavenly Pepper Flowers.”

“Heavenly Pepper Flower Roast Chicken?” Yan Qingye glanced at the ground in front of You Xiyue and, sure enough, saw gnawed bones. With a flick of his hand, a bone floated up before his eyes. Instantly shocked, he exclaimed, “You... you actually used Heavenly Pepper Flowers to roast chicken?”

“Is there a problem?”

Yan Qingye’s mouth twitched. “Well, I suppose there isn’t.”

Mu Wanru watched this group banter back and forth, none of them making a move for the stone. Her expression darkened. “Little girl, since you don’t want the Celestial-Demon Duality Jade, could you give it to me? You’re alone; I doubt you can protect it.”

You Xiyue’s gaze swept indifferently over Mu Wanru’s face. “Can you catch it?”

She tossed the Celestial-Demon Duality Jade at Mu Wanru. The immense surge of spiritual energy sent Mu Wanru flying into the mountain behind her.

With a thunderous crash, the peak was reduced to a massive crater. Everyone was stunned.

Back at the secret realm’s entrance, Lord Yun Zhaozhen clutched his chest in agony when he heard the commotion. “Of course, these little ancestors have started fighting. I wonder if the Qinglan Sect’s mountain-protecting formation can withstand this.”

Feng Qinghe glanced at him calmly. “The Upper Realm wouldn’t cause trouble here so easily. Besides, wasn’t that mountain chosen because no one was around?”

“I suppose so.” Lord Yun Zhaozhen felt somewhat comforted.

But Feng Qinghe was still worried about You Xiyue and Jun Yang, thinking anxiously, “I hope Master doesn’t run into trouble with these people.”

As the smoke cleared, Mu Wanru rubbed her right wrist and struggled to her feet.

“You actually dared attack me?”

The Celestial-Demon Duality Jade, dazed from the impact, hopped twice and flew back towards You Xiyue.

In a blink, You Xiyue appeared at Mu Wanru’s side, towering over her. She tossed the jade lightly and said expressionlessly, “This stone doesn’t care for you, and neither do I.”

“Who do you think you are? Do you think you can provoke the Five Great Clans without consequence?” Mu Wanru shouted in fury.

You Xiyue blinked twice as if considering, then turned to the other four in the distance. “What about you? Are your clans going to oppose me as well?”

Yuan Yibai remained silent, but Yan Qingye let out a derisive snort. “Mu Wanru, don’t drag me into this. I have no interest.”

Ye Lin Yi, finally finding his presence acknowledged, declared, “If you answer one question for me, I won’t oppose you.”

You Xiyue tilted her head. “Ask.”

Having finally won the chance, Ye Lin Yi furrowed his brow in thought for a long time. “If the Five Great Clans really do hunt you, would you be afraid?”

You Xiyue chuckled softly. “If I don’t want to deal with you, you’d never find me.”

Jun Yang nodded in agreement. If their little ancestor returned to her Life Island, these people could turn the world upside down and still not find her.

“But your bone age is only in your teens. How are you so powerful?” Ye Lin Yi was baffled. They were all among the best of the Upper Realm, each over a thousand years old, yet You Xiyue, scarcely a teenager, seemed far stronger.

The others were equally curious, all eyes on You Xiyue.

“Perhaps I’m just unlucky,” she replied, a hint of melancholy in her tone.

Her answer only deepened their confusion.

Unwilling to say more, You Xiyue looked to Ming Chen Yu.

Ming Chen Yu’s expression was calm. “I will not.”

Satisfied, You Xiyue smiled, revealing two dimples.

“So you don’t speak for the Five Great Clans after all,” she said, turning to Mu Wanru with a slight shrug, feigning regret.

Mu Wanru glared at her, seething. “Don’t get too arrogant, little girl.”

You Xiyue sighed and asked Jun Yang, “Which continent is the Mu family from?”

Jun Yang flicked his tail. “Little Ancestor, that question stumps me.”

“The thirty-fourth,” Yan Qingye piped up, ever the bystander stirring the pot.

You Xiyue shot Jun Yang a look.

Jun Yang was momentarily confused. “Flatten continent thirty-four?”

All eyes turned to the snake in shock.

This snake really dared say anything!

You Xiyue’s mouth twitched. This snake never missed a chance to stir trouble. “Just tell the Mu family to take her home.”

She wasn’t the type to resort to violence over a few words.

“Oh.” Jun Yang seemed a bit dissatisfied, answering half-heartedly, grumbling under his breath, “Little Ancestor, have you become a Buddhist lately? You’re much kinder to outsiders than to me.”

Though reluctant, he transformed into a dashing young man.

With a casual gesture, he snatched an Ancient Azure Dragon Sword from the void. “This will do. I’ll be back soon.”

And with that, he vanished.

Yan Qingye hopped over to You Xiyue, whispering, “That snake... was that really the Ancient Azure Dragon Sword?”

You Xiyue glanced at him, arching a brow. “You have a good eye.”

“...”

“Don’t you think it’s a waste for him to use it?”

“Why?” You Xiyue asked, puzzled.

“Isn’t he your contracted beast?”

“He is.”

“Your contracted beast wields the Ancient Azure Dragon Sword? Then what do you use?”

“The Cloud Brocade Sash,” You Xiyue replied. At her summons, the sash draped over her arm soared into the sky, instantly blotting out the sun as if night had fallen.

“Impressive,” Yan Qingye remarked, craning his neck to see. “But how lethal is it?”

“It could strangle you.”

“...” Yan Qingye gave a nervous laugh.

Yuan Yibai moved to Mu Wanru’s side. “Are you alright?”

Mu Wanru glanced coyly at him and nodded.

“Tsk, so the Yuan and Mu families really are joining by marriage?” Yan Qingye crossed his arms, watching them.

Yuan Yibai remained silent, but Mu Wanru’s cheeks flushed.

You Xiyue noticed Ming Chen Yu standing before her glowing green stone for a long time and flew over.

“Are you interested in my bed?”

The question caught Ming Chen Yu off guard; he coughed. “Is this a Dreamshade Mushroom?”

“Dreamshade Mushroom?” Yan Qingye flew over, bent down, and touched it, looking at You Xiyue in disbelief. “You use this to sleep on?”

“I’ve slept on it for ten years. What of it?”

“This... This is a Saint-Grade celestial herb! It grows in the legendary Netherworld Abyss, and even after a million years, one might not find a single stalk. It’s also a crucial catalyst for Saint- and Dao-Grade life-saving elixirs.” Yan Qingye raised the Dreamshade Mushroom with a pained expression, examining the bruised cap where it touched the ground. “This is such a waste! If my family’s alchemists saw this, they’d probably cough up blood and die from heartbreak.”

With a wave of her right hand, You Xiyue swept the Dreamshade Mushroom into her storage pouch. “Don’t even think about taking my bed.”

Yan Qingye eyed the bits of mushroom still clinging to the ground, hesitated, then finally swallowed his pride and asked, “Could I at least take the parts that touched the ground and you don’t want?”