Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Thirty-Third Layered Continent

“Huh?” Jun Yang sounded a little displeased. “If they’re fasting, that’s fine, but is there any need for the two of us to do it as well?”

You Xi Yue completely ignored Jun Yang’s complaints. Jun Yang, unwilling to give up, circled around You Xi Yue.

Suddenly, the gatekeeper rushed in from outside, greeted them formally, and said respectfully, “The Yuan family has sent invitations from the Lord of the Illusory Labyrinth.”

With that, he handed the invitations to Feng Qinghe.

Feng Qinghe took them, leafed through, and sure enough, there were enough for everyone.

“Understood. You may go,” Feng Qinghe said.

“Yes, sir,” the gatekeeper replied and withdrew.

After the gatekeeper left, Yan Qingye took one of the invitations, his tone gossipy. “Do you think the Mu family got one?”

“Of course they did. The Yuan family isn’t so petty. Besides, Yuan Yibai already took a blow—things are even between the two families now,” Ming Chenyu analyzed.

Feng Qinghe absentmindedly fiddled with the invitation, lost in thought.

Yan Qingye poked Feng Qinghe. “Elder brother, what are you thinking about?”

Feng Qinghe flushed slightly. “I heard the spiritual beasts in this secret realm are of very high rank. My cultivation is weak—I’m a bit worried.”

“What’s there to be afraid of?” Yan Qingye slung an arm over Feng Qinghe’s shoulders. “Do you think your junior brothers are weaklings? Just relax. I’ve been to that secret realm before—it’s not as terrifying as they say.”

Ming Chenyu only smiled, offering no comment. The spiritual beasts of the Illusory Labyrinth were much trickier than those in the ownerless hellish secret realm on the thirty-seventh layer continent.

Especially the Mirror Turtle—if you didn’t run into it, fine, but if you did…

Ye Lin Yi, for once, disagreed with Yan Qingye. “It’s better to prepare thoroughly.”

“Will Master accompany us to keep watch?” Ming Chenyu looked at You Xi Yue with hope.

“Yes, I will go.”

“If only there were secret realms on the thirty-sixth layer continent,” Yan Qingye sighed. “Master could come stay at my house, which is even grander than the Feng clan.”

Ming Chenyu lowered his gaze in contemplation. The ownerless secret realm on the thirty-seventh layer continent wouldn’t open for another fifty years—he too found that a pity.

Jun Yang couldn’t help retorting, “Is it really grander than my home?”

Yan Qingye was at a loss for words and glanced at Jun Yang in exasperation. How could one compare the upper realm with the divine realm? There was no contest.

At that thought, Yan Qingye asked, a bit nervously, “Senior Jun Yang, what cultivation does one need to climb the Heavenly Tribulation Stair?”

“Immortal King, and with a strong body. After all, that stairway has a hundred steps, and you must endure a hundred strikes of heavenly tribulation.”

“Immortal King? Then Clan Master Ming could do it?” Yan Qingye shifted his gaze to Ming Chenyu.

“Don’t try it lightly,” Jun Yang warned. “Besides, your father isn’t young anymore. There’s really no need for him to attempt it alone.”

“I understand.” Ming Chenyu didn’t want his father to take the risk either—such challenges were better left to the younger generation. He did not intend to tell Ming Chengwu.

Their conversation became sporadic, each feeling a little out of sorts without something to nibble on. In the end, they all retreated to their rooms to cultivate.

The next few days followed the same pattern: meeting at noon in the pavilion, then dispersing to practice individually.

In a blink, the day the Illusory Labyrinth opened arrived.

Feng Yanhua waited at the main gate from early morning, ready to see them off.

Before they left, he reminded Feng Qinghe, “Your eldest sister and second brother will also be entering the secret realm with the sect. Look after them if you can.”

Feng Qinghe nodded. “I understand.”

Feng Yanhua, satisfied, turned to You Xi Yue and bowed respectfully. “We’ll be counting on you, honored elder.”

You Xi Yue gave a gentle nod.

She led the group to the open space before the residence and, with a wave of her hand, conjured a teleportation array to the thirty-third layer continent.

The thirty-third was indeed much larger and livelier than the seventeenth. The streets were packed with outstanding disciples from all the continents above the twentieth.

For Feng Qinghe, it was the first time witnessing such a grand occasion—opportunities like this had never come his way before.

“Will there be nowhere to stay?” Yan Qingye glanced around, noticing that every inn seemed packed to the brim.

None of them had brought attendants, so they had to fend for themselves. Ye Lin Yi went into the nearest inn to inquire—unsurprisingly, there were no rooms.

Yan Qingye tried a few more; all were full without exception.

“We might as well camp outside the secret realm,” Yan Qingye gave up. “After all, we’ll be roughing it inside anyway. Nothing to get used to.”

You Xi Yue was indifferent; she intended to sleep on her Dreamshade Mushroom anyway.

Everyone looked to You Xi Yue, who was about to agree, when she spotted a servant hurrying toward them.

The servant bowed first to Ming Chenyu and the others, then approached You Xi Yue and Jun Yang. “Are you the Honored Elder and Senior Jun Yang?”

You Xi Yue nodded, waiting for him to continue.

The servant breathed a sigh of relief. “At last, I’ve found you. Our young master sent us three days ago to await your arrival. Please, come with us to stay at our manor—the guest rooms are ready.”

“What about us?” Yan Qingye interjected.

“Of course, rooms have been prepared for all of you,” the servant replied with a smile.

“Smart move,” Yan Qingye commented.

The servant turned to You Xi Yue, waiting for her instructions.

Since rooms were available, there was no need to camp outdoors.

You Xi Yue told the servant, “Lead the way, then.”

“Of course, this way please.” The servant gestured toward a celestial-grade spirit carriage not far off. “The carriage is ready. Please board.”

“Heh, Yuan Yibai is really thoughtful,” Yan Qingye couldn’t help but praise.

They boarded the carriage, which slowly made its way toward the Yuan manor.

Along the way, the servant enthusiastically introduced the best food and amusements on the thirty-third layer continent.

In this cheerful atmosphere, Feng Qinghe’s anxiety about the upcoming secret realm eased considerably.

Due to the crowds, the carriage moved slowly. It took a full hour to reach the Yuan manor.

Yan Qingye jumped down and grumbled, “If I’d known it would be so slow, I wouldn’t have bothered with the carriage.”

The servant could only shrug helplessly. “I didn’t expect so many people this year either.”

News of their arrival at the gate quickly reached the Yuan family’s head—Yuan Yibai’s father, Yuan Yaoyang—who rushed out to greet them. After all, three other clan heads had already been sent flying home and had their gates destroyed; he had no wish to be the fourth.

Yuan Yaoyang appeared and immediately spotted You Xi Yue, who had just alighted from the carriage—indeed, as youthful as the rumors claimed.

“You must be the Honored Elder and Senior Jun Yang.”

“Yes. Thank you for your hospitality, Clan Master Yuan,” You Xi Yue replied courteously.

“It’s nothing, nothing at all,” Yuan Yaoyang said gratefully. “The medicine you provided was a great help with Yibai’s injuries. Please, come in, let me show you to your rooms.”

You Xi Yue followed Yuan Yaoyang into the manor.

Yan Qingye looked around curiously. “Why don’t I see Yuan Yibai?”

Yuan Yaoyang smiled. “Yibai has some matters to attend to and isn’t home at the moment.”

“Not home?” Yan Qingye exclaimed. “Isn’t he planning to enter the Illusory Labyrinth?”

Truth be told, Yuan Yaoyang wasn’t sure about his son’s intentions. Especially in the last two centuries, he’d started to feel he hardly recognized Yibai anymore—the boy was always busy with something or another, often absent for long stretches. He’d even backed out of the arranged marriage with the Mu family at the last minute. If not for the fact that Yibai looked so much like him, Yuan Yaoyang wouldn’t have indulged him so much.

“He said he’ll go,” Yuan Yaoyang replied evasively.