Soaring the Heavens

A golden resplendence rose over the horizon, shining across the vast ocean. And while the surface of the water at the bottom of the towering cliffs was still wrapped in gloom, the Western Constellations Palace was already bathing in the yellow sunlight. As always, darkness eventually gave way to light.

The giant rock that had always weighed down on Miao Yi’s heart was finally gone, and his whole body suddenly relaxed. As it turned out, his little sister did try to look for him, but the machinations of fate had kept them apart this whole time. He thought about the look on Yue Yao’s face when she reunited with Ba Jie. Clearly, she hadn’t forgotten about her Eldest Bro either.

Miao Yi’s mood gradually lightened up, and he felt as though the air was flowing in comfortably through all the pores on his skin. His face a glimmering golden from the rays of the sun, he curled his lips into a gentle smile, and narrowed his eyes at the radiant star in the distance.

His heart was still made of flesh after all. In order to support the family from a young age, he was forced to endure all kinds of suffering. For his little brother and sister, he had already made too many sacrifices to count. And while he didn’t think it was essential to get anything in return, he was terribly afraid of the possibility that his sacrifices could have been in vain. That same feeling of dread had caused him to run away from Yan Beihong, back when the latter had found out about his little sister. At the time, Miao Yi was too scared to even speak about the matter to Yan Beihong. But now, the seeds of doubt that had caused him so much suffering were all gone.

He felt like his heart was now strong enough to face anything life could throw his way.

"I believe you already understand why I’m telling you this!" Fairy Hong Chen said.

"I understand. You’re hoping that I don’t tell her who I am." Miao Yi nodded.

Seeing that he understood, Fairy Hong Chen flipped her hand and took out the storage bangle that Yue Yao had given her. She handed it over to Miao Yi and said, "Take this."

Back then, Yue Yao insisted on giving this to her, and as Hong Chen thought it would be impolite to keep on rejecting her, she eventually accepted the gift. But now Hong Chen figured it would be better to hand this over to Yue Yao’s big brother instead. At the very least, it could be a token of Yue Yao’s appreciation.

’What’s this?’ Miao Yi wondered. As he took the storage bangle and examined it with his transcendence energy, he was immediately shocked to find it full of cultivation resources. Oddly enough, they slightly resembled the things he had stolen during the Subjugation Crusade. Creasing his brows, he lifted his head to look at Hong Chen and asked, "What is this supposed to mean?"

Hong Chen said, "Not telling Yue Yao who you are is good for your sake, as well as hers. You should understand now from what I just told you. Even though Yue Yao is in the Realm Beyond Heaven, she is in no position to take care of you, so you should take this as compensation instead! But don’t worry—we’re not casting you aside. If you ever find yourself in serious trouble that you can’t handle on your own, you can take this to the capital city of the Fifth Earthly Branch and show it to Lan Hou of the Martial Manor and ask for his help."

She then prepared a jade archive on the spot and handed it over to Miao Yi.

’Who do you think I am?’ Miao Yi glared at Hong Chen furiously and laughed in exasperation. He grabbed the jade archive, then tightened his grip— ’crack!’ —turning the jade archive into dust.

As Hong Chen frowned, Miao Yi suddenly grabbed her wrist. Hong Chen’s eyes glimmered with fury, but before she could even respond, Miao Yi slapped the storage bangle back into her hand and pushed it back to her. He scoffed, "Do I look like a damned beggar to you? My life was fine even without the protection of your Realm Beyond Heaven, and I survived the Sea of Constellations Subjugation Crusade all the same. Take this back with you, and help me take care of Ol’ Third. If I ever find out that she’s being bullied in the Realm Beyond Heaven, then I don’t care who that person is—even if it’s Mu Fanjun herself—I won’t forgive them! When that happens, don’t blame me for turning the entire Realm Beyond Heaven upside down!"

"Insolent!" Hong Chen yelled. Miao Yi’s words were utterly blasphemous to her. How could he be brazen enough to disregard her Master as well?

"Insolent?" Miao Yi was absolutely boiling with rage from Hong Chen’s act of charity just so he wouldn’t tell his sister the truth. He scoffed, "Hong Chen, let me make this clear. I will eventually tell Ol’ Third who I really am. Nobody can get in the way of this. The day I overturn the heavens shall be the day Miao Yi and his little sister officially reunite!"

If he weren’t related to Yue Yao, Hong Chen probably wouldn’t still be so polite to him. She continued to offer the storage bangle, saying, "A praiseworthy ambition! I’m very eager to see that day arrive. But with your feeble cultivation, staying alive should be your top priority. It’s always important to face reality, so you should really take this! At least it will be of some use to you."

Even though she was being polite about it, she was clearly telling Miao Yi that his ambitions were unrealistic. After all, anyone could talk about their grand, lofty ideals, but how many could actually attain greatness?

Looking at how she was still trying to brush him off with charity, Miao Yi became absolutely furious. Pointing a finger at her nose, he said solemnly, "Hong Chen, your meager forces don’t scare me. If there truly exists an everlasting beauty, then she only waits for the day when the one to ravage her will come along. Someday, I will overturn the heavens, and on that day I will definitely make you my woman. I want you to see who can stop me then!"

’How rude can he get?!’ Hong Chen was already raising her hand out of anger, wanting to kill Miao Yi off with a single slap. However, in the end, she just waved it aside, saying, "Out of respect for Yue Yao, I won’t argue with you! Since you’re being this obstinate, then do as you please! However, I still ask that you remember what you just said. For Yue Yao’s sake, don’t get in her way if you don’t have the strength. As long as you have what it takes, I will accept your demand. If such a day does come, then Hong Chen becoming your woman is but a trifling matter!"

She was speaking purely out of anger and clearly didn’t believe that Miao Yi would ever have this so-called day of overturning the heavens. In her rage, she actually responded to his demand of making her his woman. At the same time, she intended to taunt Miao Yi into keeping his promise of not burdening Yue Yao. There was no helping it. His words were simply too infuriating.

Miao Yi was rather agitated as well. Clenching his teeth, he snapped, "You’d better sit tight then!"

There was a hint of rage in Hong Chen’s face as she huffed and tucked away the storage bangle. Her attitude was clear— ’Since you don’t want it, then forget it. Don’t tell me you want me to beg you to take it?’

Hong Chen then flew away furiously, her red dress fluttering around her.

As he stood in place, Miao Yi still felt quite peeved. Even as a cultivator, there weren’t many things that he could protect to begin with. His relationship with his siblings was the most important thing in his heart, and yet it was actually being used as a bargaining chip. If he didn’t already know that he was no match for Hong Chen, he would have definitely gotten physical and dealt with the vile woman himself. So what if she’s pretty?

However, as his emotions began to settle down, Miao Yi somewhat regretted his actions. After all, Fairy Hong Chen didn’t mean any harm, and it seemed like she was quite close to Ol’ Third as well. Did he go a little too far, saying such rude things to her in his anger?

The more he thought about it, the more regretful he was, feeling that his words were indeed a little too much. He was practically slandering her. How was he any different from Second Bro if he used vulgarities like that?

He couldn’t help laughing bitterly as he thought about Ba Jie. So many years had passed, and Second Bro was still the same as before. Even though he was dressed like a monk now, it seemed that in the end, there was no teaching an old dog new tricks!

Suddenly, a brushing noise could be heard coming from between the trees nearby, snapping Miao Yi out of his thoughts. He then noticed an old man sweeping away the dead leaves of the forest with a giant broom.

Surprised, Miao Yi swept a glance around the quiet forest. ’When did this old man appear? I hope he didn’t happen to overhear my conversation with Hong Chen just now.’

Miao Yi couldn’t help furrowing his brows as he stared at the old man who was gradually sweeping his way towards him. The old man had a head of blue hair tied up in a topknot, a pair of bushy eyebrows, and a short mustache, all of which were blue in color as well. He had an abnormally muscled physique and bronze-colored skin, and his face seemed calm and tranquil. His sleeves and pants were rolled up high, revealing a set of bronze-colored limbs. He also wore a pair of canvas shoes. The impression he gave Miao Yi was that of an everyday farmer.

At this moment, the forest was already dyed golden by the radiance of the sun. The old man eventually swept his way towards Miao Yi, and seeing that the latter showed no signs of moving, he raised his head to look at him and said, "Youngster, can’t you see that I’m sweeping here? Move aside!"

Miao Yi immediately made way for the other party. Standing to the side, he asked, "Senior, did you hear anything just now?"

As he swept the ground, the old man said, "What did you want me to hear?"

Miao Yi was speechless, feeling as though his earlier question had been in vain. He then asked again, "By any chance, did you hear someone talking just now?"

But contrary to his expectations, the old man was unexpectedly honest.

"It’s your fault for not being careful and making such a big ruckus this early in the morning. Even if an old man like me is hard of hearing, I couldn’t help but overhear your conversation. But first, let me make things clear, I wasn’t intentionally eavesdropping. I’m always sweeping around these parts, and I just happened to see you two by coincidence... Why are you looking around so sneakily anyway?" The old man stopped his sweeping and propped up the broom, and said, "You’re not thinking of silencing me, are you? Let me give you a fair warning: you’re no match for me. Don’t be deceived just because you see me as an old man sweeping the ground. My cultivation is higher than the Blue Lotus realm. You’d best reconsider your decision!"

This old man was quite an honest character indeed. He practically revealed all there was to know. What else was there for Miao Yi to reconsider? Being higher than the Blue Lotus realm meant that this old man was at least a Red Lotus cultivator.

As he scanned their surroundings, Miao Yi couldn’t help revealing an expression of dismay when he heard what the old man said. He did have that intention in mind—his transcendence energy was already infusing into his storage bangle, ready to attack the other party with the Mystic Yin Mirror. However, the old man’s warning left him with no choice but to give up that idea.

Miao Yi quickly pretended like the thought never crossed his mind and said, "Senior, you must be joking. Who would dare try to harm others in this Western Constellations Palace?"

"Why the false modesty? You were just thinking about making that beautiful lady your woman. Nothing more. Admit it with pride. Why do you have to be so scared? Love is nothing to be ashamed about! When it comes to women, incapable men will settle for whoever they can get, while capable men will take their pick from the pretty ones. This is nothing to be shy about!" The old man shook his head, as though puzzled. He went back to sweeping the ground, and continued, "I know you youngsters are full of pride. Don’t worry. I’m the perfect example of someone who was bullied so much I could no longer lift my head up, becoming an old man who can do nothing but quietly sweep this place. I won’t tell anyone what just happened. There’s nothing in it for me anyway, so what’s the point of blabbering?"

Miao Yi couldn’t help agreeing with what he said. No matter how esteemed the Western Constellations Palace was, anyone who was forced to do menial chores was surely not very welcomed by others. Seeing that there weren’t any grievances between them, Miao Yi figured the old man had no reason to make life difficult for him and quickly loosened up.

Miao Yi followed behind the other party, asking, "Has Senior been sweeping around the Western Constellations Palace for long?"

"Yeah! I’ve been sweeping around this place for many years already. Since I lack strength, the most I can do is stay here and make do with this place."

"May I have the privilege of knowing your name?"

"We only met by chance. I’ll go on with my sweeping, while you chase after your future. To what purpose do you need to know so much about me then? It’s questionable whether you’ll even get a second chance to come back to this place after you leave. Therefore, there’s no point trying to acquaint yourself with me! Don’t tell me you wish to find out about my background so that you can consider whether or not you should take my life afterward?"

"Senior, you’re exaggerating. Even if we’ve only met by chance, to be able to cross paths is surely destiny..."

"Stop wasting your breath. I say, how can a youngster like you be this oblivious? Youthful as you are, how can you stand idly by with your hands behind your back after seeing an old man like me sweeping the ground? And you still want to talk to me about destiny? How about you try to be a little more sincere instead of just buttering me up with shallow courtesy?"