Chapter 227

Chapter 227: Journey to the Seventh Heavenly Layer

Ming Ye cupped his fist toward Feng Rong’s direction, offering a polite smile. "I am Ming Ye. How should I address the Divine Lord?"

Feng Rong had never liked the Divine Clan, let alone gods, but still answered curtly, "Feng Rong!"

"Phoenix?" Ming Ye’s smile widened. "So you hail from the ancient Phoenix Clan!"

Though clearly intrigued by Feng Rong, Ming Ye didn’t press further when met with indifference. He shifted his attention to You You. "This must be the celestial maiden newly ascended from the lower realm?"

"Ascended?" You You frowned. "I didn’t ascend!"

"Noble Lady Celestial Maiden," Ming Ye declared officiously, "I’ve been ordered by the Seventh Heavenly Emperor Hong Fei to escort you to the Seventh Heavenly Layer. Henceforth, you’ll serve as one of its celestial maidens."

"…" What nonsense? You You glanced at Elder Yuan, who looked equally baffled, and hurriedly explained, "Divine Lord Ming Ye, there’s a misunderstanding. I’m not a newly ascended immortal. I seek an audience with the Seventh Heavenly Emperor to request sacred pond water from Huanzhe Sacred Pond."

"You jest," Ming Ye dismissed, ignoring her explanation. "How else would you reach the Immortal Realm without ascending? The Emperor awaits my report. Unless urgent matters detain you, we depart now!"

"But I don’t wish to join the Seventh Heavenly Layer’s maidens," You You insisted.

"All ascended female immortals must reside there," Ming Ye retorted. "You’re no exception. Delay no further—come!" He reached to grab her arm.

"What are you doing?!" Feng Rong slapped his hand away, shielding You You with a glare.

Ming Ye stiffened, shooting Feng Rong a displeased look before regaining composure.

"Divine Lord Ming Ye," You You pressed, "I came to the upper realm for urgent reasons. Multiple celestial maidens below are afflicted by the Emotional Contract Spell and need the sacred pond water."

Ming Ye glanced at Feng Rong again before replying coolly, "My orders are to escort you. The Emperor mentioned nothing about the pond. If you want its water, you must petition her yourself—even if you refuse to stay."

You You paused. Elder Yuan had clearly requested the water, yet the Seventh Layer mistook her for a new ascendant. Still, meeting the Emperor would serve her purpose.

"Very well," she agreed. "Lead the way."

Ming Ye nodded tersely, summoning a flying tool. As You You and Feng Rong moved to follow, Ming Ye blocked Feng Rong.

"Divine Lord Feng, halt! The Seventh Layer admits only female immortals. Without the Emperor’s decree, even you cannot enter."

"What?!" Feng Rong snarled, gripping You You’s hand. "If she goes, I go!"

"Feng Rong!" You You tugged him back. "Wait here. I’ll handle this."

"Absolutely not!"

She sighed. "Do you really think danger could touch me?"

Feng Rong hesitated, recalling her unfathomable cultivation and past feats against deities. "…Three days," he relented. "If you’re not back by then, I’ll tear through the heavens myself."

You You nodded and followed Ming Ye upward.

—————–

Though only one layer separated the Sixth and Seventh Heavenly Layers, the latter belonged to the upper heavenly realms. After half an hour of flight through endless clouds, You You grew uneasy. Ming Ye had ignored her questions about the Seventh Layer, his earlier politeness toward Feng Rong replaced by aloof disdain.

The two female immortals flanking him stood rigidly, faces blank as statues. Bored by the monotonous scenery, You You tugged the white-robed immortal’s sleeve. "How much longer to the Seventh Layer?"

The immortal turned slowly, stared coldly, and wordlessly faced forward again.

Ming Ye scoffed. "Why the haste? The Seventh Layer’s pure energy makes it incomparable to the middle realms’ filth. Distance is trivial."

You You frowned at the blatant prejudice. Before she could suggest faster travel, the white-robed immortal suddenly gasped, collapsing with blood gushing from her mouth.

"Sister?!" You You knelt, frantic, as the immortal’s celestial energy frayed. "What’s wrong?!"

The other immortal paled, frozen.

"Cease the dramatics," Ming Ye snapped as You You pulled out a mortal pill. "Your trinkets can’t aid an immortal."