Chapter Forty-Five: The Challenge of Feng Tianwu

Feng Yan Hua’s funeral was not grand at all, and almost no one from the other continents attended. After all, he had lost the family crest and had never attended the Council of Elders; how many people would come?

Once Feng Yan Hua had been laid to rest, the elders of the Feng Clan gathered to decide who would succeed as clan leader. The debate was fierce and unending.

Most favored Feng Tian Wu, for her cultivation was the highest. Next came those who supported Feng Qing He; Feng Tian Yang had no intention of competing with his eldest sister. The vote ended with Feng Tian Wu victorious, but the results were never announced—Yan Qing Ye disrupted the proceedings.

Yan Qing Ye strode boldly into the main hall, draping an arm over Feng Qing He’s shoulder, acting the part of a master. “If you support my senior brother, the Feng Clan can return to the Council of Elders, perhaps even ascend above the twentieth layer continent.”

This was a great temptation for the Feng Clan—the spiritual resources above the twentieth layer were worlds apart from those below.

“Is Young Master Yan serious? Can you speak for the Five Great Families?” Third Elder Feng Xiang looked at him with hope.

Yan Qing Ye patted his chest in assurance. “I am the Yan family’s young master, Chen Yu is Ming family’s young master, Ye Lin Yi is the fourth son of the Ye family, and Feng Qing He is our senior brother. We all follow his lead.”

The position of clan leader, nearly decided, was thrown into chaos.

Feng Tian Yang stepped forward angrily. “Hadn’t we already chosen my sister? Are you planning to go back on your decision?”

The elders’ faces turned grim. Joining the upper Council of Elders and ascending to the twentieth layer continent was simply too alluring. Feng Tian Wu clearly could not achieve such a feat.

Feng Qing He, however, did not delight in the elders’ wavering; instead, he felt the Feng Clan was growing increasingly short-sighted. After witnessing the Ming family's attack, he had resolved to venture to the Immortal Realm, perhaps even the Divine Realm. Some in the clan might still remember that the Feng Clan was once the ancient Divine Phoenix Clan.

Feng Tian Wu pulled Feng Tian Yang back to his seat and shook her head. She understood the overwhelming power of such temptation. Having a group of disciples like Feng Qing He’s would certainly benefit the clan’s future.

Yet she was unwilling to relinquish the position. Before dying, Feng Yan Hua had warned them to be wary of someone, though he never gave a name. Feng Tian Wu instinctively felt that person was Feng Qing He—an intuition only women possess.

Thus, she refused to yield without a fight. “Then let’s settle it with a duel,” she said.

“A duel? Are you joking? You’re a whole realm above my senior brother. Why not simply declare yourself clan leader?” Yan Qing Ye retorted, glaring at Feng Tian Wu. “Why don’t I challenge you instead?”

“You’re an outsider. Why meddle in Feng Clan affairs?” Feng Tian Yang snapped at him.

“My senior brother’s business is my business.” Yan Qing Ye sat in the main hall, brash and overbearing, a typical scion of privilege.

Feng Tian Wu ignored him, striding straight to Feng Qing He. “Let’s speak with our strength. Are you brave enough to accept?”

Feng Qing He narrowed his eyes, silently gazing at her. For some reason, Feng Tian Wu’s eyes brimmed with hostility, even murderous intent.

He furrowed his brow, guessing that perhaps Feng Yan Hua had said something to her before. But why was she so unfriendly? It was Feng Yan Hua who killed his father, yet it seemed as if he was the culprit.

With a soft chuckle, Feng Qing He replied, “Alright, I accept.”

“Senior brother!” Yan Qing Ye tried to pull Feng Qing He back, bewildered. How could he accept a challenge whose outcome seemed foregone?

Feng Qing He patted Yan Qing Ye’s shoulder and left the main hall, heading to his own quarters. If Feng Tian Wu was determined to target him, why should he show restraint?

Yan Qing Ye followed for a few steps, worriedly watching Feng Qing He’s retreating figure, then turned to seek out You Xi Yue in the guest courtyard.

“Master! Senior brother accepted Feng Tian Wu’s challenge. What should we do?” Yan Qing Ye barged into You Xi Yue’s room as if at home.

Jun Yang shot him an annoyed look, feeling the young man was increasingly unruly. “Have you forgotten how to knock?”

Yan Qing Ye scratched his head sheepishly. “I’ll remember next time, but senior brother’s cultivation is a whole realm beneath Feng Tian Wu’s. Winning will be hard.”

You Xi Yue said nothing, eyes closed as she rested atop a Dream Mushroom. Jun Yang was even more relaxed, as if unconcerned. “Why should it be difficult?”

Yan Qing Ye was puzzled. How could it not be? If he were to challenge Ming Chen Yu, he would surely lose; even half a realm’s difference was nearly insurmountable.

Jun Yang, seeing Yan Qing Ye’s worried face, rolled his eyes. “Are you underestimating your senior brother?”

Yan Qing Ye wanted to protest, but Feng Qing He’s lower cultivation was indeed a fact.

“Is this your senior brother’s first time fighting above his level?”

Yan Qing Ye tried to recall. Feng Qing He had never challenged anyone before.

“When fighting the Purple Fire Blue Ox, your senior brother had only just reached the Divine Transformation stage.”

Hearing this, Yan Qing Ye suddenly understood. Indeed, when they fought the Purple Fire Blue Ox, they were all True Immortals, far above Feng Qing He’s cultivation. He also remembered their battle on the third layer continent against the demon youth; Feng Qing He never backed down, and though he sometimes needed their help, he was never truly desperate.

Laughing, Yan Qing Ye smacked his forehead. “Why did I only realize now? Whenever we fought, senior brother always faced enemies of the same level as us. Not just one realm higher—could he handle even greater challenges with ease?”

Jun Yang coughed lightly. “Not necessarily.”

“I see now why senior brother accepted so readily. Feng Tian Wu is probably miscalculating.” Yan Qing Ye grinned slyly, relaxed as he poured himself a cup of tea.

After a few sips, he glanced at You Xi Yue. “Little master, have you sensed Xue Yu yet?”

You Xi Yue frowned impatiently, clearly still without results.

“Where could Xue Yu have gone?” Yan Qing Ye tilted his head, pondering. “Could she possibly have fled to the Immortal Realm?”

You Xi Yue suddenly sat up, staring intently at Jun Yang.

Jun Yang was puzzled. “What is it, little ancestor?”

“Let me look at your memories,” You Xi Yue said.

Though confused, Jun Yang did not hesitate. He closed his eyes and leaned closer. You Xi Yue’s delicate fingers gently touched his brow, enveloping him in a sphere of light that surged forth moments later.

Jun Yang’s memories beneath the Heavenly Tribulation Staircase passed through You Xi Yue’s mind in an instant.

When You Xi Yue opened her eyes again, her expression was much brighter.

“What did you see?” Jun Yang asked.

Yan Qing Ye looked on in amazement. Was it really possible to view someone else’s memories so gently? It was nothing like their family’s interrogations—when they examined a criminal’s memories, the poor soul would be left mindless.

“Little master, have you found Xue Yu’s trail?”