Chapter Twenty-Seven: Yan Qingye Seeks a Master

As soon as Ming Chenyu arrived at the entrance to the Phoenix Clan’s mountain, he noticed something odd.

Such a vast Phoenix Perch Mountain, yet there was no protective array guarding it.

No other family would be so careless—no wonder their family crest had been stolen.

Ming Chenyu frowned and shook his head, deeply convinced that the Phoenix Clan’s patriarch was unreliable.

Feng Yanhua, of course, had no idea that he was already being looked down upon by the young master of the Ming family, head of the Five Great Clans.

“Did you sense it?”

Yan Qingye nudged Ye Linyi and asked.

Ye Linyi nodded. “Ming Chenyu has arrived.”

“News travels fast,” Yan Qingye said with a grin. “That fellow Mu should be here soon too, right?”

“Who knows.” Ye Linyi stood up, rubbing his stomach. “I’ll go call him over, and digest a bit while I’m at it.”

“Think you can get back in once you go out?” Yan Qingye raised his eyebrows, and Ye Linyi suddenly remembered they were still inside You Xiyue’s divine-level protection array.

Ye Linyi hesitated.

You Xiyue, sitting atop a Dreamcap Mushroom, rested her chin on her hand and glanced at the two. Seeing how eagerly they roasted chicken—and doing a passable job of it—she decided to help. “Yun Xiling.”

The sash that had been draped limply on You Xiyue’s arm instantly straightened, shot skyward, then turned and flew out of the protective array, heading down the mountain.

“Little Senior… you’re not…” Yan Qingye’s mouth twitched, not daring to finish the thought.

“Hm?” You Xiyue tilted her head and blinked. “What is it?”

“Nothing, just…”

Before he could finish, they all saw something wrapped up like a mummy flying back their way.

As expected…

Yun Xiling spun in place a few times, set the bundled-up Ming Chenyu free, then obediently returned to wrap itself around You Xiyue’s arm.

Ming Chenyu stood with his head lowered for a long while, the world spinning, his head dizzy beyond belief.

Yan Qingye went over and gently patted Ming Chenyu, asking quietly, “Are you… alright?”

Ming Chenyu rubbed his brow and waved a hand, not wanting to speak—he just wanted to throw up…

Jun Yang glanced around and finally realized, “Hey, aren’t all the people who fought for the Duality Jade of Immortals and Demons in the lower realm gathered here again?”

Yan Qingye and Ye Linyi hurriedly waved their hands.

“Of course not!”

“Exactly… we just happened to come by… You know we’re just here with our fathers, right?”

“Oh?” Jun Yang raised an eyebrow.

“Yes, we long since gave up on that Duality Jade,” Yan Qingye swore with three fingers raised.

“Then why are your fathers here?” Jun Yang’s expression darkened.

“Well…” Yan Qingye and Ye Linyi suddenly didn’t know how to answer. The truth was, both their fathers had come to provoke trouble.

“I… couldn’t talk him out of it…” Yan Qingye scratched the back of his head, embarrassed.

Ye Linyi could only force a smile.

Ming Chenyu finally recovered, though his face was still pale. “So, the heads of the Yan and Ming families were thrown back home by Senior Jun Yang?”

“Huh? How did you know?” Ye Linyi asked, curious.

Ming Chenyu replied, “Both your family gates were smashed open by your heads—that kind of commotion, how could my father not know?”

“So… the head of the Ming family went to the Yan family?” Yuan Yibai asked.

Ming Chenyu nodded. “Yes, and then I came here.”

“Then…” Yuan Yibai paused, “Will your father want to pay a visit, too?”

Ming Chenyu glanced at You Xiyue and Jun Yang. “Probably.”

After a moment’s thought, he added, “The heads of all five great families might want to come.”

Yuan Yibai fell silent. It made sense—the two big shots had caused such a stir. The Five Great Clans would surely want to understand their intentions and test the waters.

Jun Yang was clearly displeased. “What for? Do they think we’re some kind of spectacle?”

Yan Qingye, noticing Jun Yang’s irritation, considered for a moment and asked, “Little Senior, I suppose you all aren’t from the upper realm, are you?”

You Xiyue lifted her head and looked at Yan Qingye, but didn’t answer. Still, her silence was confirmation enough.

He tried to guess further. “You must be from beyond the Heavenly Tribulation Staircase, right?”

You Xiyue remained silent.

“Then, could you tell us your purpose here? I trust you’re not here to cause trouble.”

After a few days together, Yan Qingye had developed some trust.

“To take on a disciple,” You Xiyue replied.

Feng Qinghe’s lips curled slightly at this.

Ming Chenyu and Yan Qingye exchanged a glance.

“Just to take a disciple?” Ming Chenyu asked.

Yan Qingye was more direct. “Just for Feng Qinghe? What’s so special about him?”

He circled Feng Qinghe several times, full of confusion. They were all talented—why only Feng Qinghe?

“Only Feng Qinghe,” You Xiyue confirmed.

Ming Chenyu understood and asked no more.

Yan Qingye, however, was dealt a blow. You Xiyue had obviously high cultivation, many treasures, and would make an excellent master.

“Would you consider taking me as well?”

“No,” You Xiyue refused without hesitation.

“Oh!” Yan Qingye sighed. “Little Senior, won’t you reconsider?”

You Xiyue simply turned away, not sparing him another glance.

“So heartless? Wouldn’t it be nice to have another clever, devoted disciple?” Yan Qingye looked aggrieved, then glanced at Ming Chenyu and the others.

Anyone who said they didn’t want such a master was lying. Who here wouldn’t want her? Just by eating a Frosty Azure Melon, you could advance your cultivation by what would otherwise take thousands of years.

“Little Senior, you certainly don’t want to be bothered by our fathers and their old cronies, right? If we each pacify our respective fathers and keep them from disturbing you, would you maybe reconsider?”

Seeing You Xiyue remain unmoved, Yan Qingye persisted, “If the heirs of all five great families were your disciples’ brothers, wouldn’t it be easier for Brother Feng to become the next head of the Phoenix Clan?”

You Xiyue’s eyes brightened—clearly, this suggestion had struck a chord.

Yan Qingye, seeing hope, pressed harder, “I swear I’ll listen to Senior Brother in all things! He says east, I won’t go west!”

Jun Yang pursed his lips, muttering to himself, “Brother, brother—how affectionate.”

You Xiyue finally relented. “I’ll consider it.”

“Really?” Yan Qingye was so excited he nearly lunged forward. “Then… then I’ll go home and calm my father down first!”

You Xiyue gave a nonchalant “Oh.”

Yan Qingye winked at Ming Chenyu, Ye Linyi, and Yuan Yibai. “Well? Shall we go together?”

“Yes,” Ming Chenyu replied.

The other two naturally had no objections.

Together, they descended the mountain, heading for their respective homes.

You Xiyue beckoned to Feng Qinghe.

Feng Qinghe rose immediately, walked over, and knelt on one knee before her, looking up.

“Master?”

“Fire spells. Learn them well.”

With that, You Xiyue lightly touched Feng Qinghe’s brow with her left index finger.

An entire set of fire techniques poured into Feng Qinghe’s mind.

He closed his eyes, watching as the fragments flashed quickly before him.