Chapter Ninety-Seven: Journey to the Immortal Realm

“You’ve only succeeded once after all this time. What if you can’t complete the alchemy during the exam? Besides, you’re not allowed to use this alchemy furnace then.”

You Xiyue spoke while calculating in her mind. If it’s a regular alchemy furnace, how many should they buy to be enough for Yan Qingye?

“Why can’t I use this furnace during the exam?” Yan Qingye touched the edge of the furnace with some regret; this furnace wouldn’t explode no matter how it was used.

“That furnace’s original owner was an important figure in the Alchemy Association, and that person has already died. If you use it for the exam, it will cause trouble.”

Seeing You Xiyue still calculating beside him, Jun Yang explained to Yan Qingye.

“Is that so?”

When Jun Yang mentioned that the important figure from the Alchemy Association had died, Yan Qingye once again sensed a brief fluctuation within the powerful energy inside the furnace, which quickly settled, making him think it was just an illusion.

“Then I’ll have to buy a handy furnace.”

“Mm.” You Xiyue nodded. “You do need to buy one. So rest for a day, then tomorrow we’ll climb that Heavenly Staircase. We’ll go to the Immortal World’s Precious Pavilion to see if they have a suitable furnace for you. If not, we can buy several.”

At the mention of the Heavenly Staircase, Yan Qingye’s expression grew serious. “I understand, Little Master. I’ll go home now to bring some spirit stones. I really don’t know the price of these furnaces.”

You Xiyue pointed to the small hill behind the Star Ruochi Pool. “If you’re worried about spirit stones, there are plenty there. Go dig some yourself.”

“...That’s not very appropriate, is it?” Yan Qingye glanced toward the hill, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

“Have you forgotten our master-servant contract? You’re under my responsibility now,” You Xiyue said firmly, leaving no room for refusal.

“Yes, Little Master.” Yan Qingye no longer hesitated and headed toward the hill You Xiyue had indicated. From afar, it looked like a small hill, but up close, it was actually quite high.

The hill was piled with all kinds of spirit stones—immortal grade, sacred grade, and some he couldn’t identify that emitted multicolored light.

Jun Yang walked over and pointed to a stone glowing golden. “This is a Dao-grade spirit stone.”

“So that’s what Dao-grade looks like.” Yan Qingye approached, almost drooling. No wonder You Xiyue was so lavish—there was an entire mountain of spirit stones at home.

“Senior Jun Yang, how much should I dig up?” Yan Qingye tentatively asked.

Jun Yang cleared his throat, glanced around cautiously, and whispered, “Dig more. Otherwise, without the Little Ancestor’s orders, you won’t be able to dig here again.”

Yan Qingye looked at Jun Yang in surprise. “Isn’t this place open for digging at any time?”

“The Little Ancestor can, but we can’t. That old miser of a star here is stingy. If we dig secretly without the Little Ancestor’s notice, he’d gather the whole mountain and island and run away. You wouldn’t be able to catch him.”

“...” Yan Qingye quietly glanced at Jun Yang, thinking that Jun Yang must have chased that mountain many times.

Jun Yang rolled his eyes. “What’s with that look? I only chased it once.”

“Oh...” Yan Qingye replied perfunctorily, clearly not believing him. “Then why does Senior Jun Yang want to dig up spirit stones? Why not tell the Little Master?”

Jun Yang glared at Yan Qingye. “Digging your spirit stones, and you talk so much.”

He definitely wasn’t going to say he wanted to visit the Joyful Pavilion in the Divine Realm.

Yan Qingye dug up a good amount of Dao-grade and Sacred-grade spirit stones. As for the multicolored ones, Jun Yang told him not to dig those, as such stones were inconvenient to appear in the Immortal World.

Looking at the bulging universe pouch, Yan Qingye felt wealthier than ever before.

If his father saw this, he’d surely be stunned.

Yan Qingye chuckled foolishly and returned to the small wooden hut.

Jun Yang, envious, glanced at Yan Qingye’s universe pouch and sat down beside the Star Ruochi Pool to continue cultivating.

Early the next morning, Yan Qingye went alone to the foot of the Heavenly Tribulation Staircase in the Upper Realm, without informing anyone.

When You Xiyue woke up, Yan Qingye was already gone from Star Ruo Island.

Although she didn’t know how long it would take him to climb those hundred steps, You Xiyue decided to wait at the top end of the staircase in the Immortal World.

When You Xiyue was about to leave, Jun Yang wanted to follow but was refused.

“You’d better stay on the island to cultivate properly.”

“...” Jun Yang was reluctant. “Don’t you need me to accompany you?”

“No need.”

You Xiyue didn’t give a reason and left directly.

Even without explanation, Jun Yang understood this matter was related to the Alchemy Association.

Their influence was too vast; You Xiyue didn’t want to involve Jun Yang and attract too much attention from those fanatical alchemists.

Jun Yang lowered his head and looked at his dantian again.

“Sure enough, my cultivation is still too low.”

He smiled bitterly, sat cross-legged, and resumed cultivating.

You Xiyue left Star Ruo Island and landed directly in the Sacred Realm.

What surprised her was the sight of the long-missing Snow Jade.

She happily walked over, picked it up, and gently rubbed its soft white fur.

“Finally, you’ve come back.”

“Meow meow...”

Snow Jade seemed to protest, as if complaining about something.

Of course, You Xiyue didn’t understand, but Xun Yu in the Demon Realm snorted coldly.

“What's the use of complaining?”

Snow Jade soon settled down quietly in You Xiyue’s arms.

You Xiyue brought Snow Jade to the top of the Heavenly Tribulation Staircase in the Immortal World and looked down.

All she saw was an ordinary staircase, even more dilapidated than usual, giving no hint of danger.

Little did she know that Yan Qingye was nearly covered in wounds.

Having run out before dawn, two hours had passed, and he had only climbed ten steps of the Heavenly Staircase.

He was already gasping for breath, every step a struggle.

Each step brought down a different heavenly tribulation, with unpredictable duration.

At first, he felt it was manageable, but before he knew it, the tribulation was over.

The higher he climbed, the harder it became.

At just the tenth step, he already felt as if life were worse than death.

Especially the Devouring Worms Heart Tribulation—he wanted to give up a thousand times in his heart.

This tribulation seemed unrelated to cultivation level, testing only the temperament of the soul.

Those lacking fortitude would have given up long ago.

Yan Qingye gritted his teeth, struggling between giving up and persevering.

After the fiftieth step, each step not only brought a tribulation but also a voice mocking him incessantly.

“Give up. You won’t make it.”

“Give up. You can’t withstand this tribulation.”

Yan Qingye was on the verge of collapse.

Hallucinations appeared before his eyes.

Yan Yaofeng stood before him, tears streaming down. “Qing’er, don’t persist anymore. Let’s go home.”

“Father...”

Yan Qingye reached forward and took another step, nearly falling from the ladder.

Luckily, he reacted quickly and grabbed the ladder in time.

His clothes were tattered, his body drenched in blood and sweat.

The voice still berated him, urging him to give up.

“Get lost!!”

Though spoiled, Yan Qingye had never uttered profanity before, but this time he couldn’t hold back.

“Get lost!!!”

All his frustration poured out with that shout.