Chapter 35: The Fat Man Who Saw Through the Act

Passing through the shadowed architecture, Dong Guan led Ye Feifan into a grand hall.

The hall was plain and unremarkable, save for a strange mural branded onto the wall. The painting covered the entire wall, depicting a landscape where a verdant, towering pine tree stood as the most prominent feature, overshadowing the waterfalls and other details.

"Junior Brother, why have you brought me here?"

To avoid any misunderstanding, Dong Guan pointed at the mural and explained: "Senior Brother, do not underestimate this. It may look like a mere mural, but inside lies a Sumeru space opened by our founder with immense magical power. It contains a spirit-gathering formation where disciples usually cultivate. Hiding within can mask one's destiny and accelerate the pace of cultivation."

Ye Feifan was surprised and asked, "With such an important place, why is there no one guarding it?"

"Senior Brother, you are unaware—those who are not disciples of our sect cannot approach the mural, and even if they did, they could not enter. There is no need to worry..."

After hearing Dong Guan's explanation, Ye Feifan understood and quickly asked, "How does one enter?"

"Place your hand on the mural and silently recite 'Enter' to go inside. When you wish to leave, hold your hands toward the sky and silently recite 'Exit'."

"I understand."

"There are those inside who will show you around, Senior Brother. I shall return to my post at the gate."

With that, Dong Guan left the hall.

"What a strange sect rule."

Ye Feifan shook his head and pressed his hand against the mural.

"Enter!"

The light seemed to distort. Ye Feifan saw his hand penetrate the wall; on the other side, he felt nothing but air, with no obstruction at all. He leaned his body forward, and his entire person merged into the mural like water.

After Ye Feifan entered, the mural returned to its static state.

Within the mural lay another world. The density of spiritual energy was several times that of the outside, and Ye Feifan could even feel his body greedily absorbing the energy, sensing a faint sign of a breakthrough.

The previous "Midnight Knocking" had reached a nightmare-level difficulty; if he increased his cultivation now, it would only make things harder. Left with no choice, he forcibly suppressed the rhythm of his breakthrough, directing the spiritual energy into his body to temper his flesh and bones.

Before Ye Feifan could examine his surroundings, a chubby boy, half a head shorter than him, walked over from the distance.

"Are you Senior Brother Feifan?"

"It is I... and you are?" Nodding slightly, Ye Feifan looked at the chubby boy, feeling a sense of familiarity.

As the distance closed, the boy stared at Ye Feifan, looking stunned before growing excited.

"Is it really you? Brother Feifan!"

"It is me. You are... Baoyu!" After struggling to recall, faces flashed through his mind until one settled on a chubby figure.

"It really is you!" Baoyu’s face showed excitement, which quickly melted into bitterness and reflection; his range of expressions could rival any great actor.

Baoyu was the heir to the Treasure Pavilion family in Tianzi City. His family's wealth rivaled that of the appraisal auction houses, and with their numerous connections, even the royal family had to tread carefully around them.

In their childhood, Baoyu, Hua Wenliu, Li Xunhua, Xun Yicao, and Ye Feifan had been childhood sweethearts. The leader of the group was Xun Yicao, followed by Ye Feifan. Ye Feifan knew that Baoyu had been fond of Xun Yicao, but alas, the feeling was unrequited. It was all just a part of their childhood.

Without asking about Xun Yicao, the chubby boy instead asked, "How have you been all these years?"

"I have been expelled from the Xun family."

"What happened?" Baoyu was puzzled. Anyone could see that Xun Tianxing had treated Ye Feifan well; why would he cast him out?

Having been playmates since childhood, Ye Feifan realized that the chubby boy hadn't changed a bit. He decided to tell him what happened. He omitted certain details, giving only a rough summary: Zhang Da had gone to the Xun family to propose marriage, and he and Xun Yicao had concocted a plan to elope. He had taken the blame for everything, and the affair between Zhang Da and Xun Yicao had subsequently fallen through...

Baoyu was no fool. He didn't believe everything his friend said. Combining Ye Feifan’s words with his own deductions, he successfully inferred the truth.

"Brother Feifan, stop lying to me. You were manipulated by Yicao, weren't you?" Baoyu said firmly, his gaze complex. He knew that his friend, like himself, was a loser—a mere scapegoat—ruthlessly discarded after losing his utility.

Back in their childhood, the five had spent much time together. Baoyu had matured early and seen through the nature of the other four: Xun Yicao was ambitious and full of ideals, but her hunger for power was immense; Hua Wenliu was somewhat cowardly; and the other two were loyal friends for whom one would give their heart and soul.

Even though Ye Feifan had been playing along with them, he was as mature as Baoyu himself. The only thing he couldn't figure out was why Ye Feifan chose to hide his true self.

Ye Feifan would never have dreamed that the chubby boy had seen through everything; his acting had been transparent before him.

"How did you know?" Baoyu had matured early, and Ye Feifan understood him, but he was still surprised that the other could guess the truth.

"Yicao has always had her own designs. I knew long ago that as long as she joined the Lingtian Sect, she could gain temporary freedom. You know her character as well as I do."

Ye Feifan nodded, his expression unchanging, and quickly changed the subject.

"Why are you at the Wufa Sect?"

"Oh, don't mention it. It’s all my old man's fault for making me join the Lingtian Sect... I overslept and missed the spirit boat, and afraid of being punished upon returning, I could only come to the Wufa Sect to try my luck... I didn't expect to actually make it through." Baoyu looked dejected, but Ye Feifan still saw the fat on his cheeks twitching.

It was a look of smugness...

"How many steps did you pass?"

"Thirty. Is that impressive?" Speaking of the steps, Baoyu was very proud, and kindly asked, "Brother Feifan, how many did you pass?"

Ye Feifan wore a look of regret, implying that he would definitely pass if he took the test again. "Shameful, only a little more than you."

Baoyu’s mouth twitched. Thirty-one steps—his record had just been broken. But thinking of something, his expression turned playful.

"By the way, Brother Feifan, you’d never guess: the crazy girl joined the Wufa Sect before me, and she passed one hundred steps. You’d better watch out."

At the mention of the "crazy girl," Ye Feifan was genuinely stunned.

"Li Xunhua is here too?"

"Indeed. That girl always said she wanted to protect you and was never on good terms with Yicao. Brother Feifan, you’d better choose her instead... Don't get too close to Yicao. When two women start a scene, I fear you won't be able to handle it."

"Handle what, you idiot!" Ye Feifan retorted with mock anger.

"Just giving you a heads-up, don't take it the wrong way," Baoyu said with a sheepish grin, rubbing his hands together.

"Let's skip the small talk. You should be familiar with cultivating in the secret realm; lead the way and show me the training grounds."

"Easy enough. Just follow me."

Guided by Baoyu, Ye Feifan saw the vastness of the secret realm (it could completely rival Tianzi City), and the predecessors of the Wufa Sect had once again silently demonstrated the power of their sect.

After touring for a while without reaching the end, Ye Feifan had gained a basic understanding of the realm, and asked, "By the way, what cultivation technique are you practicing?"

"Me? I'm still practicing the art of breathing and meditation. I'm only at the Fifth Tribulation Realm now."

"Your physique is decent. If you have the chance, go find the Yellow-Rank 'Tengshe Body Refining Technique' and practice that."