My System, My Wife Feng Aotian [Transmigration] - Chapter 31.2

Following Gu Yuqing, other Lanyang Palace disciples who had heard the commotion began gathering. Excluding Siyi and Xue Mengtao, there were seven in total! Siyi smiled with satisfaction.

Gu Yuqing, who harbored a one-sided grudge against Siyi, frowned at her and the dejected woman standing behind her. The woman wore the palace robes of Qihuang Hall. Gu Yuqing knew that Feng Jue had brought a palace attendant to the Chongshan Secret Realm, but she couldn’t understand why. Seeing the attendant here now, she demanded, “Hey, you! Have you been with Elder Siyi the whole time?”

Xue Mengtao glanced at Gu Yuqing in fear, lowering her head and stammering, “Y-yes, that’s right.”

Gu Yuqing was pleased with Xue Mengtao’s submissive demeanor, subtly raising her chin as she spoke. “I agree. A palace attendant with such low cultivation, like you, must have snuck into the Secret Realm somehow. If you hadn’t stayed constantly by Elder Siyi’s side, you’d likely have been carried off and devoured by spirit beasts, leaving nothing but bones.”

Xue Mengtao trembled, her fingers involuntarily clenching into fists as she recalled her harrowing experiences within the Secret Realm.

Siyi glanced at her but said nothing.

The other disciples of Lanyang Palace exchanged uneasy glances, their eyes betraying their mutual hesitation. None dared to ridicule the Palace Master’s attendant in front of Elder Siyi, as Gu Yuqing had done. As the peak lord’s favored disciple and his last apprentice, Gu Yuqing was known for her reckless and lawless behavior, shielded by Peak Master Yan’s notorious reputation for defending his own. The disciples, unwilling to provoke Peak Master Yan, pretended not to hear Gu Yuqing’s taunts and instead turned their attention to discussing their experiences in the Dungeon.

One disciple recounted, “I was inexplicably teleported into a Dungeon. Before long, I was drawn into an Illusionary Realm. When I emerged, I found myself still trapped in the Dungeon, having been imprisoned for what felt like ages. Then, as I turned around, I was suddenly transported here.”

Hearing this, Siyi’s gaze involuntarily fell upon the disciple, committing his features to memory.

Each peak of Lanyang Palace bore its own Phoenix Plume emblem. This disciple was from Deyang Peak.

“Me too! I was dragged here right after escaping the Illusionary Realm!” another disciple said, utterly bewildered. “What on earth is going on here?”

“You actually escaped the Illusionary Realm? I haven’t even gotten out of mine… So that was an illusion,” a third disciple murmured, looking dazed and disoriented.

Siyi suddenly raised her hand and tapped the center of his forehead.

The disciple felt a jolt in his Spiritual Consciousness, and suddenly everything made sense. Covered in cold sweat, he bowed deeply to Siyi. “Thank you, Elder Siyi.”

Siyi nodded. “Who else was brought here without escaping the Illusionary Realm first?”

Among the seven disciples, three raised their hands, including Gu Yuqing.

The smile faded from Siyi’s face as she cleared their Spiritual Consciousness one by one. Her voice was gentle, but her tone was severe. “From now on, you must cultivate diligently and avoid laziness. Remember the words ‘steadfastness’ and ‘practicality’ at all times during your practice. Do not rely solely on your talent and become arrogant. Stop daydreaming and let your mind wander—how could you be trapped by an Illusionary Realm?!”

The disciplined disciples showed expressions of shame, while others frowned, displeased. “Elder Siyi, what do you mean by this?” one of them asked. “How would you know about my cultivation? I simply haven’t broken through yet. How can you say I’ll never succeed?”

Siyi, with her delicate features and radiant smile, appeared as harmless as a flower. Yet, as the Lanyang Palace’s Chief Elder and its only Foundation Establishment Stage elder, she held a position of great authority. Though her cultivation might not match that of other elders, how could someone who managed the affairs of such a prestigious palace be as easily underestimated as her appearance suggested?

Faced with Gu Yuqing’s challenge, Siyi chuckled softly and replied warmly, “I remember you. You’re the same age as the Palace Master, and now you’re at the Middle Foundation Establishment Stage.”

Gu Yuqing, expecting a comparison with Palace Master Feng Jue’s exceptional talent and cultivation, retorted defensively, “How many in the world could rival the Palace Master’s innate talent? With countless spiritual treasures at her disposal, of course she surpasses me.”

Siyi tucked stray strands of hair behind her ear, her smile gentle as she said softly, “Those dragged into the Dungeon are all exceptionally talented youths. But to escape the Illusionary Realm, one must not only have a solid cultivation but also an unshakable resolve, strong enough to resist its temptations.”

“The firmer one’s resolve, the quicker they can break through the Illusionary Realm.”

“Xue Mengtao,” she called out. “Look up.”

Xue Mengtao, standing behind Siyi, raised her head in confusion and addressed Elder Siyi.

“Do you remember what I just said?” Siyi asked.

Mengtao replied softly, “Mengtao remembers. I’ll abandon distractions and focus on cultivation when I return.”

Though Siyi spoke to Xue Mengtao, her gaze remained fixed on Gu Yuqing. With a faint smile and a gentle voice, she continued, “When you were at Lianshan Sect, you were overwhelmed with trivial matters. It’s understandable that you hadn’t reached Foundation Establishment by the age of twenty. Yet despite your exceptional talent, you remained trapped in the Illusionary Realm for far too long. This reveals how cluttered your mind is with distractions. If you devoted yourself solely to cultivation, how could you have taken an entire day to awaken from the Illusionary Realm? You’ve kept me waiting for quite some time.”

As Siyi spoke, the surrounding disciples were startled, their gazes turning to the flushed Xue Mengtao.

Under the scrutiny of the crowd, Xue Mengtao felt a strange emotion rise within her. In her eyes, these were all heaven’s favored children, yet now they stared at her with astonished and shocked expressions. This made her nervous and uneasy, stirring something deep within her heart.

A hidden feeling stirred deep within her, beyond her control.

She stammered, “Yes, yes.”

Siyi chuckled softly, patting Xue Mengtao on the back to straighten her posture. “Still, you did quite well,” she said with a smile. “At least you managed to wake from the Illusionary Realm.”

Now, not only Xue Mengtao, but all the disciples who failed to wake from the Illusionary Realm flushed crimson, feeling utterly ashamed. But Gu Yuqing only flushed crimson; she felt no shame. How could she not know that Siyi was indirectly criticizing her through this veiled insult?

She considered herself superior. At twenty-five, she had already reached the Middle Foundation Establishment Stage and expected to enter the Late Foundation Establishment Stage before Siyi. Her inner contempt for Siyi grew as the Elder’s mocking smile infuriated her, causing her to abandon even the pretense of respect.

Yet she couldn’t find anything specific to criticize about Siyi. Gu Yuqing glanced around, then sneered, “The Palace Master’s talent is undeniable. Elder Siyi said only those with exceptional talent were chosen. The Palace Master’s talent goes without saying. So why isn’t she here?”

A glint of malice flashed in her eyes as she crossed her arms and sneered, deliberately raising her voice. “Could it be that the Palace Master of Lanyang Palace is so fickle? Despite being at the Golden Core Stage, was she controlled by the Illusionary Realm? Not only failed to escape, but also—”

…died inside?

Though she didn’t voice the last part, her meaning was clear. Yet everyone around her stood healthy and alive, even those who hadn’t yet exited the Secret Realm.

Before anyone could respond, Xue Mengtao, a palace attendant who had benefited from Feng Jue’s kindness, gasped. “How dare you slander the Palace Master?” she exclaimed.

Gu Yuqing glared fiercely at the lowly attendant who dared to defy her, an Inner Sect Disciple. Siyi turned sideways, blocking Gu Yuqing’s gaze. Her smile remained gentle, but her eyes turned icy.

The disciples from other sects fell silent upon hearing Gu Yuqing’s words. If the Palace Master of Lanyang Palace truly died within the Illusionary Realm, it would be a monumental event! They strained their ears, eager to learn the truth.

“Gu Yuqing, should we call you straightforward, or…”

How foolish.

Siyi covered her mouth with a soft chuckle, then suddenly raised her hand and pointed toward the Immortal Palace nestled among the clouds above the forest.

“Do you see that?” she murmured.

The crowd tilted their heads back, gazing at the palace atop the mountain peaks. Recalling their earlier conversation, they were suddenly struck with realization. Since entering the Secret Realm, the Immortal Palace had captivated everyone’s attention. Its vast size alone suggested it must house extraordinary treasures—a belief shared by most, and one that proved true.

Their search for opportunities within the Secret Realm had all led toward this palace.

Among the disciples from various sects, only the Autumn Water Pavilion disciples knew the truth. One of them gulped audibly as the Elder from Lanyang Palace spoke:

“You couldn’t even escape the Illusionary Realm, yet you dare ask about the Palace Master’s whereabouts? Do you realize that if the Palace Master hadn’t personally intervened to disrupt the Dungeon’s formation, none of you who couldn’t escape the Illusionary Realm would be standing here now, spouting—”

Self-righteous nonsense.

Silence fell. Gu Yuqing’s expression turned blank. Her arms slowly lowered from where she had crossed them over her chest. She gasped, “The Palace Master destroyed the formation to save me?”

The other disciples who hadn’t escaped the Illusionary Realm wore identical expressions of astonishment.

“The Palace Master of Lanyang Palace saved us?” A disciple from another sect said, his voice tinged with disbelief, yet he couldn’t deny the evidence.

This was the Illusionary Realm, after all!

Throughout history, who had ever escaped unscathed?

Yet here they were, bouncing around, chattering away. Aside from possibly needing some calming pills upon returning, they hadn’t suffered a single injury!

Immediately, someone approached Siyi and bowed deeply.

Siyi waved her hand, channeling spiritual power that froze the man mid-air, rendering him immobile.

“I didn’t save you,” she said with a soft laugh. “Why are you bowing to me?” She addressed the assembled disciples. “Wait until our Palace Master emerges, and then you may offer your thanks.”

“Yes, yes!”

“I’m the only Qingyun Sect disciple here! I’m the sect’s sole hope! If I’d died in there, our entire sect’s aspirations would have crumbled! Once I leave this Secret Realm, I’ll personally bring my esteemed Master to Lanyang Palace to express our deepest gratitude!”

“And me, from the Honglong Sect!”

Disciples from other sects clustered around Siyi, vying to curry her favor.

While answering, Siyi subtly glanced at Gu Yuqing.

That look… Gu Yuqing shuddered, as if she had glimpsed the haughty gaze of Palace Master Feng, who always looked down upon the masses with disdain. Siyi’s piercing gaze stabbed into Gu Yuqing’s eyes, causing her unbearable pain. Shame and anger surged through her, making her forget her status and her identity as a disciple of Lanyang Palace. She swept her sleeve and retorted, “Even if the Palace Master saved me and those of us who couldn’t escape the Illusionary Realm in time, why are others who did escape still here?”

“Why is the Palace Master the only one who wasn’t teleported out?”

Ah, as expected. Still so foolish.

Siyi raised a hand to cover her mouth, but everyone noticed the smile on her face. Elder Siyi of Lanyang Palace was always smiling, even when infuriated to the point of speechlessness, her demeanor remained gentle.

Siyi sighed softly, casting Gu Yuqing a look one might give an incorrigible child. She chuckled lightly, “Naturally, it’s because there’s only one portion of destiny, and it belongs to those who are fated to receive it. Such a simple truth—how can you not see it?”

Siyi shook her head, her voice tinged with resignation. “Of course, I have no right to criticize you. After all, whether it’s you, me, or—” She pulled Xue Mengtao forward, continuing, “or even the attendants of Lanyang Palace, we’re all just the unchosen, abandoned by fate.”

Gu Yuqing looked as if she’d been punched, her face flushed and splotched with anger. She licked the corner of her mouth, a bitter, jealous acid rising in her throat. “So, the Immortal Palace’s opportunity ultimately fell into the Palace Master’s hands?”

The surrounding gazes felt piercing, but Siyi replied calmly, “I never said that.”

“Besides the Palace Master, others might have been chosen too, but as for who ultimately prevailed…” Siyi paused, her gaze softening as she looked at Gu Yuqing. “I don’t know that either. But I can tell you one thing with absolute certainty, no matter who ultimately secured that opportunity…”

“It definitely wasn’t you.”

“Achoo!”

03 sneezed, mimicking the System’s reaction in a bubble. Drifting upward, it gazed down at the Heavenly Ladder and blurted out, “So tall.”

“It must be cold up there.”

The wind swept the clouds across the sky, fiercer than the breezes at Lanyang Palace. Feng Jue could feel the gusts buffeting the small system, tossing it back and forth.

She glanced upward at it. “Am I having fun?”

Yes, I am.

03 obediently drifted down and perched on Feng Jue’s shoulder. It swept its gaze upward and said, “03 cannot see the end.”

“Hmm,” Feng Jue replied, unfazed. “The Illusionary Realm tests one’s temperament, the Maze tests one’s comprehension, and this Ladder to Immortality must test one’s patience.”

03, ever inquisitive, asked, “Then what about the Shen Maiden?”

The system answered its own question: “Martial prowess!”

Feng Jue shot it an exasperated glare. What nonsense.

03 raised its matchstick and tapped Feng Jue’s shoulder. Finally, it could reach!

“Please, Host, keep going! Once you reach the top, we’ll test your martial prowess again!” 03 declared, settling back onto Feng Jue’s shoulder and pulling out two glow sticks—the gifts sent by the Main System, though it couldn’t fathom why the Main System had sent such things.

Well, since we have them, we might as well use them.

03 circled Feng Jue, waving the glow sticks and emitting a clear, cold voice that echoed through the mist and clouds:

“Keep going, keep going, keep going.”

Feng Jue suddenly stopped and caught 03.

“Mmmf, mmmf.”

The fluorescent stick 03 was holding swayed stubbornly.

“Keep messing around, and I’ll make you fly yourself!” Feng Jue said coldly.

The fluorescent stick slowly, slowly lowered, landing back on Feng Jue’s shoulder. Holding the stick, 03 silently wriggled.

Keep going.

Then it stuffed the fluorescent stick into its mouth.

Let’s keep climbing.

With 03 nestled on her shoulder and Lingshi coiled around her wrist, Feng Jue silently and resolutely climbed the Ladder to Immortality. After catching the mountain breeze for a while, 03 tilted its head, its black-ringed eyes gazing up at the silent Feng Jue. Suddenly, it flew over and landed beside her arm, its long, thin fluorescent stick grasping her finger.

The woman climbing the mountain felt a sudden chill at her fingertip. She paused, then glanced down.

The silver System looked up. Even with a physical form, its face still bore only three black circles—two large ones and a small one—far less expressive than the animated emoticons in its bubble.

In the emoticons, 03 grinned brightly, its stick-like arms and legs moving as its round body danced and twisted, flowers floating above its head.

“Feng Jue, let’s climb the mountain together.”

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