Yi Qing sat with his legs folded, ready to become an emperor. The moment he closed his eyes, he felt an explosion of immortal Qi. The clouds around him flew upward and a blinding white light shone down from the skies onto his body.

　　The immortal Qi became thicker and thicker until Yi Qing could feel the pressure all over him. He felt himself being pushed back. The immortal guard, who had undoubtedly seen this countless times before, knew exactly what to do. From out of nowhere, an array appeared, protecting himself, Shen Ying and Lonemoon.

　　The immortal Qi on the stage was becoming thicker still. Under the golden light, Yi Qing’s aura seemed to be expanding before their very eyes. Lonemoon recognised the heavenly light as being similar to the one he saw when he ascended into immortality, except this time was more intense. The suppression that came with the light was frightening. They could feel its effect on their chests even from within the array.

　　The immortal guard was right – about the Immortal Ascension Stage being a privilege that was only given to people who made it to the cultivation level. Not only was there no heavenly tribulation, he could increase his cultivation immediately. Only… one had to be quite formidable to be able to endure the suppression of Heaven and Earth. Lonemoon knew that he would not be able to endure it yet.

　　Hmph! This bunch of cheaters!

　　“What’s that?” Shen Ying suddenly looked up at the sky.

　　“What?” Lonemoon followed her gaze. They did not know when a rainbow-coloured cloud appeared in the sky. Within it, something was glowing. “The lightning tribulation?” I thought there wasn’t going to be any?

　　“It’s the Emperor Sealing Lightning!” The immortal guard explained. “It’s nothing. It appears whenever someone ascends to become an emperor. Once the Lightning Seal descends, he would become an emperor officially.”

　　Just as the guard finished speaking, they heard a loud crash. What looked like a flash of lightning struck Yi Qing in the middle of his forehead, who was sitting below the cloud. Yi Qing showed no visible reaction, but a red mark appeared where the lightning struck him. It was just one strip.

　　Shen Ying frowned and looked up at something in the sky.

　　This lightning…

　　“The Emperor Seal is done!” The immortal guard exclaimed.

　　Indeed, the immortal Qi around Yi Qing disappeared immediately. The heavenly light began fading.

　　“Congratulations on becoming an emperor, Young Majesty!” The immortal guard bowed.

　　Lonemoon snorted and said to Yi Qing, who was walking toward them, “I’m letting you get ahead for now, but I will catch up to you soon. Shen Ying, you… Eh? Shen Ying? Shen Ying!” It was only then that Lonemoon realised Shen Ying was still staring at the sky. He nudged her.

　　“Huh?”

　　“What’s the matter? Have you lost your mind? What are you looking at?”

　　“Oh… Nothing.” Shen Ying regained her composure and looked at Yi Qing. “Chef, how are you?”

　　“Master…” Yi Qing’s eyes were twinkling. His Master really cared for him he most. “My wounds are completely healed. And… the immortal Qi in my body feels fuller than ever before.” This was the first time he felt the increase in his cultivation level so palpably.

　　“What about the sword Qi?” Shen Ying suddenly asked.

　　“Sword… Qi?” Yi Qing paused. He suddenly recalled something and quickly surveyed his own sword Qi. He seemed confused when he said, “I think… it’s the same as before.” It did not feel any different.

　　“Oh…” Shen Ying narrowed her eyes but did not question him any further. She turned to Lonemoon and said, “Father Niu, can we go back now? I’m really hungry!”

　　“All you think about all day is eating. Be careful you don’t eat to death!” Lonemoon glared at her. Still, he obligingly turned to the immortal guard to say farewell.

　　“Let’s go, Chef!” Shen Ying rushed Yi Qing to draw his flying sword.

　　“Yes Master, no problem Master!”

　　The three of them made their way back to the sect.

　　————————

　　At Invincible Sect.

　　Shen Ying and her companions walked into the rear hall and bumped into Roasted Chicken Gal and Feng Ying. The two of them had arrived the day earlier. Qi Chengyu’s injuries were almost completely healed, and she was no longer just a spirit. She was already good-looking to begin with, but now, dressed in red-robes, she looked exceptionally beautiful. She made Feng Ying, who was beside her, look like a brute.

　　“Shen Ying!” Once she saw her, Qi Chengyu ran forward and hugged her. She worriedly fired questions at rapid speed, “What took you so long? Did you get into trouble? I was just thinking of going to find you. Did you meet with any difficulties on your way back? Did you get injured? Did anyone bully you? I’ll beat them for you!”

　　Feng Ying: “…”

　　Yi Qing: “…”

　　Both of their expressions darkened. Both of them looked at the girls with murderous intent.

　　Little bastard , both of them thought at the same time.

　　“Er… I’m alright.” Shen Ying struggled to loosen Qi Chengyu’s grip. She didn’t recall Roasted Chicken Gal being this affectionate before.

　　“Tower Master Ying!” Lonemoon’s eyes lit up when he spotted Feng Ying. “You must have had a difficult journey. Did you gain anything from the trip?” Quick, come and exchange information. Let’s see what we can get out of the Heavens beyond Heaven. As Lonemoon spoke, he led Feng Ying to the stone table beside them.

　　“Brother Lonemoon, please call me Feng Ying.” Feng Ying glanced at Qi Chengyu and realised that she was still fussing over Shen Ying. She did not even seem to notice him. Suddenly, he felt bloated with anger. Little Yu no longer loves me, sad…

　　“It’s a good thing that you’re alright,” Qi Chengyu continued to tug at Shen Ying, scanning her from head to toe. She was acting like Shen Ying’s mother. “Are you tired from the journey? Do you want to rest? Yes, why are you always wearing that grey and dull robe? I can cast spells and summon talismans now – I am much better. Do you want me to make a couple of robes for you? I can make inner garments, outer robes, bottoms and even…” She giggled and lowered her voice, “Bras! What colour do you like?”

　　“…” Why did Shen Ying feel like she was being fussed over by a weird auntie?

　　“It’s… it’s alright.” Shen Ying frowned and attempted to change the topic. “Well… I’m really hungry. Let’s cook in the rear hall.”

　　Qi Chengyu perked up and turned around to open the door. “Alright, let’s go in…”

　　Just as she was pushing the door open, a growl sounded from inside.

　　“Be careful!” Yi Qing exclaimed. He had been by Shen Ying’s side the entire time and was now hugging Shen Ying and retreating. “Master, are you alright?”

　　“I’m fine.” Shen Ying looked ahead and saw that a bunch of long and round things covered the floor. Qi Chengyu had no time to react – she was nearly buried under all of it.

　　“Little Yu!” Feng Ying flew to her side and helped Roasted Chicken Gal up. She seemed to have stepped on something and tripped. He, too, lost his footing and fell down with a thud.

　　“What kind of secret weapon is this?” He grimaced as he tried to stand up amidst the rolling things. He picked one of them up. Eh, this looks familiar. Is this… a potato?

　　How can such ordinary things exist in the immortal realm? Is it the potato spirit?

　　The few of them looked up and saw that there were not only potatoes all over the ground. There were red potatoes, radish vegetation spirits, garlic and many different types of vegetables. What’s more, they filled the entire house.

　　Shen Ying had a bad feeling. She turned to face Yi Qing. “Chef, don’t tell me…”you planted these?

　　Yi Qing’s expression darkened. In a flash, he disappeared into the rear hall. Within three seconds, he emerged, looking even angrier. He nodded at her and said, “Yes!” He had planted these vegetables. He was planning to use them to cook dishes for Master when he returned.

　　“How many did you pluck?”

　　“I plucked every last one of them.”

　　“…”

　　Shen Ying glanced at the balcony and saw the three dandelions that were particularly eye-catching. Suddenly, she knew who brought all the vegetables here.