Chapter Ninety-Eight: Yan Yaofeng's Greeting

Although the sound did not vanish, Yan Qingye felt much more at ease. He breathed a soft sigh of relief and continued his climb. Even though the Heavenly Tribulation above was becoming increasingly grueling, it was still a far cry from what he had endured on Star-Wish Island. It was no wonder that when they were in the Higher Realms, Jun Yang had remarked that their tribulations felt like nothing more than a tickle to him.

During his first trial on Star-Wish Island, Yan Qingye had nearly failed to hold on. The lightning had made every hair on his body stand on end, and a single strike had been enough to knock him unconscious. Back then, it was Star-Wish who had shielded him from two bolts, allowing him to survive. It was only through several subsequent trials that he had begun to adapt to the intensity of the tribulation on the island. Perhaps it was also because, after absorbing the spiritual energy of the island, his body and spirit had grown much tougher. Since his return to the Higher Realms after the destruction of the Phoenix Clan, he had clearly felt that he was different from the others. It wasn't just his newfound confidence; he felt he could take down Ye Linyi with a single punch.

You Xiyue had not expected that it would take Yan Qingye two days to climb the Heavenly Tribulation Ladder. Seeing him covered in dust, she couldn't help but remark, "So slow."

Yan Qingye scratched his head in embarrassment; even he hadn't anticipated that he would spend two whole days climbing these one hundred steps. "I'll try to be faster next time."

"Mm."

Yan Qingye now possessed the bloodline of the Immortal Clan, but he had not yet reached the level of the Divine Clan, and he was unable to command the Divine Realm Map. Therefore, whether coming to the Immortal Realm or returning to the Higher Realms, he still had to climb the ladder. He felt a newfound lightness, and even the injuries he had sustained while climbing the ladder had completely healed. The sense of power brought by his Immortal bloodline made his blood and spiritual energy surge from his dantian to his heart.

You Xiyue glanced at the aura of the Immortal Clan radiating from him and nodded in satisfaction. "Let’s go. It’s time to buy a pill furnace."

"Right." Yan Qingye hurriedly cast a cleansing spell, changed his clothes, and followed her, only to suddenly notice that Xueyu was in You Xiyue's arms. "Little Master, you found Xueyu?"

You Xiyue looked down at Xueyu, gave a soft "Mm," and continued walking forward.

Walking through the streets of the Immortal Realm, Yan Qingye felt a strange sense of pride. He could clearly sense that the bloodlines of most people passing by were inferior to his own—he wondered if it was just his imagination. Just as he was secretly gloating, the jade slip at his waist began to vibrate violently. He pulled it out in confusion.

"Who is it?"

"It’s your old man!"

"Father??" Yan Qingye stared at the jade slip in bewilderment. He hadn't returned to the Higher Realms lately; what was his father so angry about?

"So you're still alive?" Yan Yaofeng's tone flattened out, though he had clearly been agitated a moment before.

Yan Qingye was even more perplexed. Why did his father sound as if he wished he were dead? "Did you find me a stepmother?"

"I'll find you an ancestor, not a stepmother!" Yan Yaofeng’s composure, only just regained, exploded again.

"Then why are you acting like I’m dead?" Yan Qingye felt a bit aggrieved. Hadn't these past few days been hard enough for him?

"Your name disappeared from the clan register, and your clan lamp went out! Why wouldn't I ask if you were dead?!"

"...How could that happen?" Yan Qingye was shocked, though he muttered under his breath, "If you thought I was dead, why send a message? Can the dead reply to jade slips?"

Yan Yaofeng exhaled a long, heavy breath, too tired to argue with the boy. "What on earth happened?!"

"I don't know. I just climbed the Heavenly Tribulation Ladder."

"You... you climbed the Heavenly Tribulation Ladder??" Yan Yaofeng's heart suddenly skipped a beat. "You... you finished it?"

Yan Qingye nodded, glancing at You Xiyue walking ahead. "I'm in the Immortal Realm with my Little Master."

The other end of the line went silent, remaining quiet for a long time.

"Father??"

"Father???"

Receiving no response after calling out several times, Yan Qingye tapped the jade slip. "It couldn't be broken, could it?"

You Xiyue finally turned her head, watching him struggle on his own. "What's wrong?"

Yan Qingye looked up, anxious. "My father said my name disappeared from the clan register and my clan lamp went out."

"You are of the Immortal Clan now; naturally, you are no longer permitted to be categorized within the bloodlines of the Higher Realms." You Xiyue glanced at the jade slip he was still tapping. "That thing isn't broken."

Yan Qingye stopped and held the slip closer to his ear. "Is that so? But why has my father gone silent?"

You Xiyue pursed her lips. She didn't know whether she should mention it, but she thought she had heard the sound of sobbing. However, assuming Yan Yaofeng wouldn't want his son to hear him cry, she chose to remain silent.

After a while, sound returned from Yan Yaofeng’s end, his voice slightly hoarse. "You brat, you did well."

Yan Qingye, oblivious to his father's emotional state, said proudly, "Of course. I'll be even stronger in the future."

"That's my son!" Yan Yaofeng finally laughed heartily. "Keep working hard alongside the Little Senior."

"I know, Father." Yan Qingye replied cheerfully. After another silence, he added, somewhat reluctantly, "Father... you... take care of yourself."

"I know that, do I need you to worry about me??" Yan Yaofeng abruptly cut the connection.

Yan Qingye put the jade slip away, his attention quickly captured by the various novelties of the Immortal Realm. Back home, Yan Yaofeng spent the entire afternoon staring at the empty space on the clan register, feeling both deeply moved and filled with a sense of loss.

The clerk at the Immortal Treasure Pavilion had a very deep impression of You Xiyue, for she was a veritable gold mine. "You're back? Is there anything you need this time? I can take a look for you in advance."

"Do you have Heaven-Pepper Flowers?" You Xiyue asked.

"..." Yan Qingye froze for a moment. Weren't they here to buy a pill furnace???

The clerk nodded excitedly. "Yes, yes! We have even more this time—ten of them." Ever since You Xiyue had bought the Heaven-Pepper Flowers last time, the shop had made sure to stock up. The price of the flowers had reached an all-time high.

You Xiyue nodded in satisfaction and headed inside. Yan Qingye was even more confused. They really weren't here to buy a pill furnace!?! Seeing her walk further and further away, he couldn't help but stop the clerk. "Do you have any pill furnaces for sale?"

"A pill furnace??" Because Yan Qingye was with You Xiyue, the clerk dared not be negligent and treated him with the same enthusiasm. "Well, there is one that is quite decent, but as you know, the Primary Alchemist Examination is in half a month, so furnaces are in high demand."

"Oh..." Yan Qingye frowned in distress. "Is there only one?"

"..." The clerk’s smile stiffened for a second before returning to normal. "Not exactly, but the others aren't as good as the one I just mentioned."

"Oh... that's good." Yan Qingye felt relieved; one furnace really wasn't enough to blow up.

The clerk led them to a private room on the third floor—the same familiar room, even the same maidservants. One of the maids fell to her knees with a thud, startling Yan Qingye.

"Is such a grand gesture necessary??"

Although You Xiyue didn't care for these customs, she followed the local traditions and sat down. The two maids quickly rose to pour tea and peel fruit.

"Will you be ordering the same dishes as last time?" the clerk asked You Xiyue.

"Mm."

You Xiyue didn't remember what she had eaten last time; it had all been served by Jun Yang.