Chapter 1311: Heaven and Earth Spiritual Root

"Mengmeng is timid, don't scare her," the grandmother warned, then turned, her face softening into a smile.

Lu Yang instinctively straightened up, sitting formally. He felt less like a guest and more like a defendant in a public trial. He had never before witnessed his Senior Sister's tone soften.

While Senior Sister's words still sounded cold compared to others, there was a noticeable difference when compared to her usual demeanor.

"Excuse my rudeness. Mengmeng told me that you took care of her in the outside world, and she often spoke highly of you when she returned."

"Mengmeng is a kind-hearted and timid child with little assertiveness. When she first suggested leaving the secret realm, I was constantly worried about her."

"Fortunately, you were the first person she encountered upon leaving; otherwise, I genuinely feared she would be deceived by villains."

Lu Yang smiled and said, "Sister Mengmeng is innocent and adorable. Who wouldn't be charmed by her? I imagine even scoundrels wouldn't have the heart to deceive her."

Yun Mengmeng giggled as she listened from the side.

"It must not be easy being Junior Brother to Xiao Zhi."

*Pfft!* Lu Yang, who was drinking peach blossom tea, immediately spat it out. Why had the conversation suddenly taken such an unexpected turn?

"What's the matter?" the grandmother asked, a little surprised by his strong reaction.

Lu Yang waved his hands dismissively. "It's nothing, nothing. The tea was hot and I drank it too fast, it burned my throat."

Seeing this, Yun Mengmeng quickly went to grab a handkerchief to wipe Lu Yang's mouth and gently patted his back.

"Xiao Zhi—er, no, Senior Sister usually takes great care of me. She's saved me several times; I can't thank her enough."

Everyone here referred to Senior Sister as "Xiao Zhi," almost leading Lu Yang to make a slip.

Seeing that Lu Yang was alright, the grandmother continued, "Xiao Zhi has been different from others since she was a child. She never played with others; while others threw sandbags or climbed trees, she would be reading. Only Mengmeng truly played with her. Mengmeng would exert herself for ages just to push her up a tree, and even then, Xiao Zhi would simply sit there and continue reading."

"It's not that Xiao Zhi is without emotion; she simply isn't good at expressing herself. She tends to keep things to herself, insisting on handling matters alone rather than burdening others with worry."

"Indeed," Lu Yang nodded in agreement. Senior Sister was excellent in every way, except for her reluctance to speak. She'd keep even something as significant as combining the Dao a secret, insisting on resolving it by herself.

Mid-nod, Lu Yang suddenly felt a dangerous gaze fixed upon him, sending a shiver down his spine.

With only a few people present, and considering the topic of conversation, the source of Lu Yang's discomfort was immediately apparent.

Unaware of Yun Zhi's subtle reaction, the grandmother continued, "With someone as steadfast as you as her Junior Brother, helping to share her burdens, my heart is truly at ease."

"Grandma, perhaps we should eat now," Yun Zhi quietly suggested from the side.

The grandmother slapped her forehead. "Oh, you're right! I've been chattering away for ages and you've only had tea. Come on, let's go eat."

"Yes, Second Boss, let's eat!" Yun Mengmeng exclaimed, cheerfully pulling Lu Yang towards the very center of the Peach Blossom Secret Realm.

Lu Yang was the first guest to visit the Peach Blossom Secret Realm in nearly a thousand years. The grandmother had already instructed her clan members to prepare a meal, and by the time their conversation ended, the food was almost ready.

A colossal peach tree, resembling a cloud canopy, dominated the central region of the Peach Blossom Secret Realm, casting a wide, cool shade.

The Yun clan members moved tables, arranged dishes, and poured fruit juices and wines. The moment Lu Yang approached, he was enveloped by a fragrant aroma, so potent that his cultivation experienced a subtle, almost imperceptible increase.

As a true late-stage Tribulation Transcender, his demand for spiritual energy was astonishing. For his cultivation to increase merely by scenting the air, it was clear how extraordinary this aroma was.

"No wonder everyone here is a cultivator," Lu Yang mused. He had already noticed that all members of the Yun clan were cultivators, and their cultivation levels were far from low.

In such a peculiar place, it would be strange if their cultivation were not high.

Lu Yang followed the scent, which emanated from the most conspicuous peach tree.

Lu Yang had never before seen such a massive peach tree; he would readily believe it to be hundreds of thousands of years old. The only entity comparable in scale was the true form of the Immortal of Time: the Jianmu tree buried beneath the Five Elements Sect.

Large, plump, pink peaches hung heavily from the branches, bending them under their weight. The Yun clan members, like celestial maidens, floated in the air, their robes fluttering.

They used jade Ruyi scepters to gently tap down the peaches, catching them in bamboo baskets before placing them on the banquet table as the day's main course.

The Yun clan members noticed Lu Yang's arrival and, even as they worked, frequently glanced in his direction.

Everyone took their seats. There was no hierarchical seating arrangement; everyone sat casually and shared the same food.

"Try one," the grandmother encouraged. "These peaches are unique to our secret realm; you won't find them anywhere else. I wonder if Xiao Zhi or Mengmeng have ever let you taste them."

Lu Yang's expression was peculiar. Of course he had tasted it. This type of peach was unforgettable once seen. Was it not the fruit of that Heavenly Spiritual Root, capable of drastically extending one's lifespan? During the Battle of Imperial City, this very immortal peach had been used to save Emperor Xia and lure Guan Shanhai out.

He later learned that Emperor Xia had feigned illness and thus didn't require the immortal peach. On their journey back, he and Senior Sister had split the fruit, much to the envy of Immortal Fairy.

The problem was, hadn't Senior Sister claimed she'd obtained this immortal peach by chance, and that the Heavenly Spiritual Root had vanished after she picked just one?

How, then, was this Heavenly Spiritual Root now flourishing perfectly in Senior Sister's hometown?

Lu Yang covertly glanced at Senior Sister, hoping to gauge her reaction. Yun Zhi was chatting with Yun Mengmeng, but she caught his gaze, turned her head, and said, "Junior Brother, why are you staring at me? Eat."

For some reason, Lu Yang felt that Senior Sister was behaving differently today.

It was as if she was deliberately trying to appear normal.

The Yun clan had inhabited the Peach Blossom Secret Realm for 100,000 years, and they had thoroughly mastered various ways of eating peaches. Additionally, Yun Zhi had brought delicacies from a Gourmet Planet, elevating the Peach Blossom Feast to another level. Lu Yang thoroughly enjoyed the meal.

Periodically, Immortal Fairy would possess Lu Yang's body to sample the dishes, praising them endlessly.

Midway through the feast, members of the Yun clan, as beautiful as celestial beings, began to dance, their graceful movements and alluring figures a delight to behold.

It seemed less as if they were dancing for Lu Yang and more that they simply loved to dance.

Yun Mengmeng, feeling an urge to join, stepped up and danced a segment herself, drawing rounds of applause and adding to the festive atmosphere.

"Fairy, aren't you curious why Senior Sister claimed not to know the whereabouts of the Heavenly Spiritual Root?" Lu Yang secretly asked in his mental space.

"Oh, don't overthink it," Immortal Fairy said, waving her hand, appearing unusually understanding at that moment. "That Yun girl must have her difficulties. We should try to understand her."

"Huh?" Lu Yang was puzzled. Wasn't Immortal Fairy usually incredibly curious? What was happening today?

"Fairy, please leave some for me!" Lu Yang exclaimed, noticing Immortal Fairy was in high spirits and nearly devouring all the food on the table.

As the banquet drew to a close, Lu Yang leaned towards the grandmother and voiced a question that had lingered in his mind since he first arrived in the secret realm.

"Grandma," he asked, "why are all the clan members in our secret realm women?"