Chapter Seven: Seeking Out the Mu Family in the Upper Realm

"All right."

Receiving an answer, Yan Qingye took out a storage pouch and carefully packed the soil together with the mushroom flesh.

Watching Yan Qingye's cautious manner, You Xiyue thought for a moment and said, "I sat at the entrance to the mountain as well."

Yan Qingye glanced at You Xiyue with a complicated expression, then dashed toward the mountain entrance.

You Xiyue saw that Ming Chenyu was still staring blankly at the spot where the Dreamshade Mushroom had been, and asked, "Do you want some too?"

"Hmm?" Ming Chenyu looked over in confusion.

But You Xiyue had already broken off a small piece from a corner of the mushroom. "Here, take it. I haven’t sat anywhere else."

Ming Chenyu, rarely smiling, accepted the Dreamshade Mushroom. "Thanks."

Ye Linyi quietly approached from behind and coughed.

You Xiyue turned to look at him with a blank expression, then turned back, equally impassive.

Ye Linyi almost wanted to cry on the spot. "We’re both from the Upper Realm, both from the five great families—does the difference have to be this stark?"

You Xiyue continued to ignore him.

Ye Linyi gave up and squatted down to pull up weeds.

"Aren’t you going back to your clan for a look?" Yuan Yibai asked Mu Wanrou.

Mu Wanrou bit her lip. "I don’t believe that beast could summon anyone from my family. I’ll just wait for her to be detained by us and see if she begs me for help then."

Yuan Yibai pressed his lips together, saying nothing.

"Is your snake all right?" Ming Chenyu looked down at the little girl beside him.

You Xiyue was engrossed in examining the Yin-Yang Jade of Immortals and Demons. Though this jade was of divine grade, its efficacy was no less than that of a saintly artifact.

The Yin-Yang Jade of Immortals and Demons automatically absorbed a vast amount of spiritual energy from its surroundings and could also purify demonic energy, transforming it into spiritual power.

"It’s still useful," she replied.

Ming Chenyu also gazed at the jade. "After all, no divine artifacts have been born in the world for fifty thousand years."

When Yan Qingye returned, he too glanced at the Yin-Yang Jade, then locked eyes with Ming Chenyu.

None of them returned to their respective clans—they were all waiting to see if the snake would come back.

Each understood the other without a word.

Jun Yang soared into the skies above the Thirty-Fourth Layer Continent, sword in hand. An overwhelming spiritual pressure radiated outward, nearly suffocating those on the ground.

"Where is the Mu family?"

At that moment, those in the Mu family residence felt the suffocating pressure. The clansmen emerged and saw a man of unfathomable cultivation seeking their kin.

The Mu family patriarch was not present on the Thirty-Fourth Layer Continent. Acting as head was Mu Wanrou’s uncle, Mu Hengyuan.

"May I ask what business brings Senior to the Mu family?"

With sword in hand and an air of dominance, Jun Yang demanded, "So you’re of the Mu family?"

"I am Mu Hengyuan."

"Mu Wanrou has offended our young mistress. Before she truly loses her patience, you’d best fetch that reckless girl at once." As he spoke, Jun Yang pressed down with his aura.

Though Mu Hengyuan appeared unaffected, sweat soaked his back. Under that pressure, he felt as if a single lapse in focus would cause his body to explode.

"I…I will fetch her at once, Senior, please do not be angry."

Jun Yang frowned in displeasure. He’d hoped for a fight, but hadn’t expected them to surrender so quickly.

Without mercy, he flew directly to Mu Hengyuan, seized him by the collar, and dragged him toward the Lower Realm.

The speed left even the golden immortal Mu Hengyuan nearly vomiting mid-air.

After thoroughly studying the Yin-Yang Jade, You Xiyue tossed it into her spatial pouch.

"Aren’t you going to let it acknowledge you as its master?" Yan Qingye asked, curious.

You Xiyue pursed her lips, her tone tinged with disdain. "It’s not worthy."

Yan Qingye stared at her, growing increasingly puzzled. He nudged Ming Chenyu and asked, "Is there perhaps another continent above the Thirty-Seventh Layer?"

"Why do you ask?"

Yan Qingye jerked his chin at You Xiyue. "Otherwise, where would such a monster come from? We’re already exceptional, but compared to her, we’re still nothing."

Ming Chenyu fell silent, also looking at You Xiyue.

"The Heavenly Tribulation Stairway," he finally said.

At those three words, Yan Qingye and Ye Linyi both looked sharply at Ming Chenyu.

"Are you insane?" Ye Linyi blurted out.

"Exactly. That’s the Heavenly Tribulation Stairway! Surviving a heavenly tribulation nearly costs half your life, and that stairway…" Yan Qingye dared not continue, just thinking about it was terrifying.

But Ming Chenyu spoke no more, merely pondering. If there truly was another continent above the Thirty-Seventh Layer, perhaps only by ascending the Heavenly Tribulation Stairway could one discover it.

Jun Yang departed swiftly and returned just as quickly.

A thunderous crash shattered the silence.

Truly a family trait—their presence was always marked by commotion.

Another crater had appeared behind Mu Wanrou, from which a middle-aged man now climbed, covered in dust.

"Uncle?" Mu Wanrou’s beautiful expression fell apart as she turned toward the sky.

There stood Jun Yang, sword in one hand, the other resting behind his back, exuding an ethereal aura.

"Young mistress, wasn’t I quick?"

"Hmm," You Xiyue replied perfunctorily.

Yan Qingye couldn’t help but whistle. This was just a contract beast, and yet it had tossed the Mu family’s vice patriarch of the Thirty-Fourth Layer Continent around like a plaything.

Yuan Yibai stepped forward. "Uncle Mu, are you all right?"

Mu Hengyuan performed a cleansing technique, forcing a smile. "I’m fine, Yuan, I see you’re here as well."

He then looked up at Jun Yang with deference, bowing deeply. "Please, Senior, do not be angry. I will take Wanrou back at once."

"Uncle?" Mu Wanrou stared in disbelief. "We’re just leaving like this?"

Mu Hengyuan’s patience was gone. He’d never realized before how lacking in decorum Mu Wanrou was. "If I say we’re leaving, we’re leaving."

"But…" Mu Wanrou looked unwillingly at You Xiyue. "But that artifact…"

"We’ll discuss it at home." With that, he forcibly dragged her back toward the Upper Realm.

Yuan Yibai watched Mu Wanrou depart, then silently turned to the other families.

"Your future bride just left. Aren’t you going after her?" Yan Qingye asked with a teasing smile.

"No."

"No?" Yan Qingye raised a brow. "Not what?"

"There was never any engagement."

"Tch." Yan Qingye shot him a look of disdain, then turned to Ming Chenyu. "Shall we go?"

"Yes." Ming Chenyu turned and bowed to You Xiyue. "Farewell."

"Oh." You Xiyue didn’t even lift her eyes, fiddling with the jade pendant at her waist.

The two vanished together.

Ye Linyi glanced at You Xiyue, then at Yuan Yibai, and called out in the direction the two had disappeared, "Wait for me!"

Jun Yang put away the Ancient Azure Dragon Sword, reverted to his serpent form, and curled up on You Xiyue’s shoulder. "Do you want to sleep a bit more?"

You Xiyue looked up, gazing at the distant glow of lanterns in the night. "It’s nearly dark. Let’s head to town and see what’s going on."

Jun Yang, ever eager for excitement, agreed at once. "Of course!"

Since the town had been built at the foot of Qinglan Sect, it had taken the name Qinglan Town.

In the blink of an eye, the two of them arrived at the city gates.

It was the hour of the greatest bustle; the streets teemed with carriages and pedestrians. Shouts of vendors filled the air, lively and unending.

"Where should we go?" Jun Yang asked from his perch on You Xiyue’s shoulder.

You Xiyue stood on tiptoe to look around, then pointed to the shop with the largest crowd. "There."