Chapter 156: Penglai Immortal Island — Young Master Bai Li, You’ve Changed

High above, Shen Minglu held a burning talisman in his hand as he led a group of people flying toward them.

He came to a halt, swept his gaze over the surroundings, and asked, “Where are Shang Liu and Murong?”

A Venerable Elder from the Crimson Sky Sect replied, “They had a disagreement and left.”

Shen Minglu pondered for a moment, then looked down at the gathered crowd. Mei Chengyu had just finished sparring with Lian Mu—he had missed the match.

“These two really…” Shen Minglu sighed helplessly. “It must’ve been Cheng Yu stirring things up again. She’s still as headstrong as ever, and now she’s turned my Biyun Platform into a mess. This isn’t the Crimson Sky Sect, you know.”

With a flick of his finger, he drew a talisman in midair and sent it into the Biyun Platform. The ground below gradually began to repair itself.

The moment Shen Minglu activated his spiritual power, everyone below noticed and looked up.

“Sect Master Shen!”

With his robes billowing, Shen Minglu descended slowly. Seeing him arrive, Lian Mu immediately jumped down from the platform and returned to the Returning Immortal Sect’s group.

She felt as though Shen Minglu glanced at her, but when she turned her head, he had already looked away.

Her footing was a little unsteady—the aftereffects of the wine were kicking in. She had been holding it together during the match, but now that she was relaxed, a wave of dizziness hit her.

Lian Mu returned to her place. Since many high-ranking figures were present, the disciples of the Returning Immortal Sect didn’t dare make a fuss, but they cast her subtle looks of concern.

“I’m fine,” Lian Mu whispered.

Just as she said that, she caught a faint scent of magnolia. Turning slightly, she realized Ying You was standing beside her.

The Returning Immortal Sect and Azure Profound Sect teams were positioned next to each other. Ying You, who should’ve been standing in the center as Team Leader, had somehow drifted to the edge.

Lian Mu was already the most eye-catching among the disciples, and Ying You, with his extraordinary talent and unique status, attracted attention wherever he went.

The two of them standing together drew many curious glances. To outsiders, the scene felt oddly out of place.

Lian Mu noticed the strange looks and glanced down at herself, puzzled. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary.

Just as she was about to speak, someone brushed against her arm.

She turned and froze. “You…”

Ying You handed her a small porcelain bottle. “Sobriety Pill.”

Lian Mu lowered her voice. “What’s this supposed to mean?”

“A gift,” Ying You said simply.

“I’m not drunk. I don’t need it.”

Ying You pressed it into her hand. “Mei Venerable Elder’s wine is no ordinary brew. It causes hallucinations and takes hours to wear off. You’ll be flying again soon—like this, it’s not safe.”

Lian Mu understood now. No wonder she kept seeing strange illusions—it was the wine.

So… after she passed the Shadow Trial, Mei Venerable Elder used hallucinogenic wine to confuse her and make the next trial even harder?

Lian Mu was silent for a moment, then opened the bottle and swallowed the Sobriety Pill without hesitation. “Thanks.”

Seeing how straightforward she was, Ying You looked a little surprised. “If you’re worried, you can have your Chief Alchemist test it.”

“I trust you wouldn’t harm me,” Lian Mu replied.

After all, with so many people watching, if he dared to personally deliver the pill, it must be safe.

Still, Lian Mu was a bit curious. “Ying You, are you giving me this just because you like my sword?”

As soon as she said it, she realized the phrasing was off—it sounded ambiguous. She quickly corrected herself, “I mean, why are you being so attentive to me?”

That didn’t sound quite right either.

Unable to find the right words, Lian Mu gestured vaguely with her hands. “…You get what I mean, right?”

“Isn’t it normal for friends to help each other?” Ying You asked, puzzled.

“When did we become friends?”

“When did you two become friends?”

Five voices rang out in unison—Lian Mu’s, and the rest from the nosy Chief team who’d clearly been eavesdropping.

Lian Mu and Ying You turned around to find Xu Xianxing and the others had somehow sidled up behind them.

Lian Mu: “…”

Do they have to butt into everything?

Xu Xianxing gave them a deep, meaningful look. “You two… really?”

Ji Mingyue chimed in, “You knew each other before? Why didn’t you say so?”

Wen Yun teased, “Lian Mu, making new friends again?”

Bai Li Que silently pulled the others back, giving each one a light kick to shut them up.

Lian Mu gave Bai Li Que an approving look and nodded—he at least knew when to keep quiet.

Ying You said softly, “Sorry, I always thought… we counted as friends.”

“It’s fine. I just didn’t think you’d want to be friends with someone from the Returning Immortal Sect,” Lian Mu said, a little surprised. Given the current tension between their sects, it was bold of him to even talk to her.

“To be friends with someone like Team Leader Ying, I’d be honored,” she added politely. “But if you’re trying to win over the Returning Immortal Sect, flattering me alone won’t be enough.”

Ying You was silent for a long moment, then turned and walked back to the Azure Profound Sect’s Team Leader spot.

Lian Mu: “?”

As soon as he left, the Chief team crowded around again—even Bai Li Que perked up to listen.

“Did you just make him leave in a huff?” Xu Xianxing asked.

Ji Mingyue said, “Didn’t look like he was mad. Maybe he just had to go back.”

“What you said was pretty harsh, though. Classic Lian Mu—sharp as ever,” Wen Yun said, patting her shoulder. He was always quick to hype her up.

Bai Li Que mused, “Is it possible… he genuinely wants to be friends with Lian Mu?”

Even though the other three major sects didn’t particularly like Lian Mu, deep down, they all secretly wished she belonged to their own.

Lian Mu thought for a moment. “Isn’t he just trying to win over the Returning Immortal Sect?”

Before the Immortal Sect Grand Competition, she had never even met Ying You. The only explanation she could think of was this.

“That’s impossible. The Azure Profound Sect has always preferred to keep to themselves. Unless it’s under special circumstances, they rarely try to win over other sects,” Xu Xianxing said. “But… just now Yuan Huai asked about your sword. Could it be that Azure Profound Sect has its eye on your sword? If they really wanted to rope in the Returning Immortal Sect, they should be going after Senior Brother Guan instead.”

A roaming-grade weapon, a seventh-rank upgraded to fourth-rank, a first-rank demonic beast crystal core perfectly integrated despite the rank disparity…

Xu Xianxing took a deep breath. Why was it that Lian Mu could always do things others couldn’t?

She had only returned to the sect for a few days, yet her progress rivaled years of cultivation for others.

Lian Mu said, “It’s not impossible. But at least he gave me a gift. Let’s wait and see how it plays out.”

On stage, the Venerable Elders had finished speaking, but none of them had been paying attention. By the time they snapped out of it, it was already Sect Master Shen’s turn to speak.

“The next Illusion Realm trial is about to begin. All of you will depart tomorrow.”

“Why tomorrow? Wasn’t it said that the Northern Desert is currently facing a Beast Tide and it’s not safe to go?”

Shen Minglu replied, “There was indeed a Beast Tide in the Northern Desert, but your Venerable Elder Mei took care of it on the way here. It’s safe now.”

His words came so suddenly that some disciples didn’t even have time to react.

“Anyone who’s seen recordings from past Immortal Sect Grand Competitions should know that the Illusion Realm on Penglai Immortal Island is a fixed part of the trials. It’s the only one that never changes. Only those who pass this Illusion Realm trial are qualified to continue,” Shen Minglu said. “Prepare yourselves well. The future of the Immortal Sects rests on your shoulders. I hope you all make it through.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Lian Mu noticed a shift in the expressions of those around her. Ji Mingyue noticed too, and their eyes met.

Ji Mingyue nudged her lightly, looking puzzled. “What’s with them?”

Lian Mu shook her head. “No idea. Maybe the Illusion Realm trial is really hard?”

Ji Mingyue asked, “Have you seen recordings from past Immortal Sect Grand Competitions?”

“No,” Lian Mu replied. “Did you?”

“I haven’t either.”

Neither of them could figure out why everyone suddenly looked so grim, as if they were about to face something monumental.

After Sect Master Shen finished his instructions, he dismissed the gathering so the disciples could prepare.

As soon as the Venerable Elders left, Xu Xianxing couldn’t hold it in anymore. “We’re doomed. I thought we’d get at least another half month to slack off, but now we’re heading to Azure Dragon East already.”

For once, Wen Yun didn’t mock his weakness. He just said flatly, “It’s not like the trial starts the moment we arrive. We’ll probably stay at Crimson Sky Sect for a few days first.”

“The Venerable Elders are going to watch the Illusion Realm recordings. If they see me… My lifelong reputation will be ruined on Penglai Immortal Island,” Xu Xianxing said, utterly despondent.

Bai Li Que said, “No way… The Venerable Elders must’ve seen worse. But if I saw it, I’d definitely laugh at you.”

Xu Xianxing kicked him. “You! You better hide your own screw-ups. Don’t let me catch you slipping.”

Bai Li Que dodged to the side, smiling faintly with a clear note of provocation.

“You’ve changed, Young Master Bai Li,” Xu Xianxing muttered.

Ji Mingyue didn’t understand what they were whining about and said quietly, “If you don’t take your medicine soon, you really will limp your way into the Illusion Realm.”

Lian Mu said, “Penglai Immortal Island—sounds like a nice place. Why are you all so scared? I haven’t seen any of the past recordings.”

The entire Returning Immortal Sect group turned to look at her with sympathetic eyes. “You’ll understand once you’ve been there.”

“…Then I’ll look forward to it,” Lian Mu replied.

Xu Xianxing suddenly remembered, “Wait, Lian Mu, what about the wheelchair you promised to make me? My leg’s still busted!”

“I told you to take your medicine. I’m giving you three more days. If you still won’t take it, I’ll have Wen Yun tie you down and force it down your throat,” Ji Mingyue said. “What kind of Chief Artifact Refiner hobbles around like you? If you stay crippled, it makes me look bad as the Chief Alchemist.”

“I’ll take it in three days, I swear. I heard Crimson Sky Sect is by the sea and has great food. Let me go cleanse my palate first. I’ve been starving in White Tiger West and lost a ton of weight. I haven’t even sat in the wheelchair Lian Mu’s making me.”

“It’s not even started yet,” Lian Mu said, thinking for a moment before a flash of inspiration struck her. “Come to my place tonight. We’ll work on it together—make something special.”

Bai Li Que had already guessed what she was planning. “I’m in.”

“Count me in,” Wen Yun immediately chimed in.

“I’m coming too,” Ji Mingyue added.

“Alright, all of you can come,” Lian Mu said. “And bring Guan Shize too. I heard he got wrecked in yesterday’s trial. We’ll make one for him as well. We’re heading out tomorrow anyway—may as well have some fun while we can.”