Chapter 1746: Land of Endless Day

“You do not need to be disappointed, boy. I can assure you that the old man did not skimp on you so to speak.”

Seeing that Ye Qing was silent, the Thousand-headed Demonic Serpent thought that he was unhappy and consoled him instead, “The old fart seriously gave you everything he could give.”

“Besides, why do you think he asked you to pass on the message instead of speaking with me directly? He’s trying to make it so that I owe you one, not him. He did everything he could to pave the road ahead for you.”

“I see! Thank you for explaining, senior,” Ye Qing exclaimed in feigned realization.

In reality, he already guessed why the Earthly Sovereign was doing this. However, just because he guessed something didn’t mean that he had to confess it. Sometimes, playing the fool was a necessary tactic in life.

“Mm. I’m glad you understand what he did for you.”

The Thousand-headed Demonic Serpent walked over and gave Ye Qing a clap on the shoulder. “The old fart may be gone, but I am still here. From now on, I will watch over you.”

Ye Qing clasped his fists together and said gratefully, “This junior will not soon forget your favor. This junior will do his best to free you from this place as soon as possible.”

“Mm. I’m happy to hear that.”

The more the Thousand-headed Demonic Serpent interacted with Ye Qing, the more he grew fond of the boy. He walked toward the exit and said, “Now, follow me. I have a ten-thousand-year-old wine brewed using ancient spiritual objects at my place. I was going to drink it with the old fart, but he went and passed away first. It’s his loss.”

“Today, we’re going to drink until we drop. I guess you can treat it as a parting gift for that old fart.”

“Thank you, senior.”

There was no reason for Ye Qing or Feng Qingyou to turn down the offer, so they followed the Thousand-headed Demonic Serpent out of the house.

A jar of dirty wine could be used to celebrate a reunion. A cup of bitter wine could be used to respect the departed. Joy or sorrow, it was all drowned away in merry and laughter.

......

“Why isn’t big brother Ye and big sister Feng coming up yet? They’re not in trouble, are they?”

At the edge of the Ghastly Abyss of the Lost, Lingyu peeked over the bottomless abyss and voiced her worries.

“I sense neither energy fluctuation or signs of battle. They should be fine,” Old Man Turtle said slowly after carefully perceiving the depths of the abyss.

Lingyu frowned. “If that is true, then why haven’t they come out yet? Are they eating dinner or something?”

“You’re quite imaginative, aren’t you?” Old Man Turtle gave her a pat on the head. For two sworn enemies, just avoiding a fight to the death was already the best outcome. To set aside their differences and enjoy a meal with each other? That just wasn’t possible.

Lingyu blinked. “Do you want to head down and check, Grandpa Turtle?”

Old Man Turtle retorted, “Why me and not you?”

Lingyu replied matter-of-factly, “Because you’re stronger than me, and because you’re friends.”

Her reasoning was perfectly logical.

Old Man Turtle hesitated for a moment before relenting. “You’re right. I’ll go check.”

He was just about to enter the Ghastly Abyss of the Lost when suddenly, a voice reached them, “We appreciate the thought, elder, but there’s no need. We’re back.”

The next moment, Ye Qing and Feng Qingyou appeared in front of Old Man Turtle.

“Wah! You’re still alive, big brother Ye, big sis Feng?” Lingyu immediately pounced toward the duo.

Heavens, it sounds like she wished we were dead.

When the girl got close, Ye Qing landed a devastating finger flick at her forehead and chided her, “If you don’t know how to speak, then at least keep your mouth shut. Otherwise, you’re just going to earn a beating.”

The girl clutched her forehead with a teary and aggrieved expression.

“Are you fine, boy Ye, Qingyou?” It was at this moment Old Man Turtle walked up to them and asked concernedly.

They both clasped their hands in thanks. “Thank you for your concern, elder. We are fine.”

They were better than fine. They had come away with spoils to put it mildly.

Old Man Turtle looked behind them and asked with a puzzled expression, “By the way, where is senior Thousand Head?”

“He’s drunk,” Ye Qing replied. It was the truth. The Thousand-headed Demonic Serpent was drunk. Of course, he couldn’t be drunk if he didn’t want to be, but today, the Stranger wanted to drown himself in his sorrows. So he did.

He and Feng Qingyou left the Ghastly Abyss of the Lost only after he had passed out.

It was worth noting that the Thousand-headed Demonic Serpent wasn’t exaggerating about the taste of ten-thousand-year-old brew. It wasn’t just rich and tasty like few things in the world could compare, it even increased their cultivation. Just that bit of wine had saved them years of cultivation. It was the good stuff for sure.

Alas, the Thousand-headed Demonic Serpent had only brewed one pot. It wasn’t enough at all.

“I told you they were eating dinner, Grandpa Turtle! You should’ve believed me!” Lingyu immediately complained.

“You were drinking?” Old Man Turtle looked very confused. “What happened? How did things turn out this way?”

I thought you were enemies? Sworn enemies no less? How did it turn into a wine-and-dine?

Is this world crazier than I thought?

Ye Qing smiled. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you on the way.”

“Sure.” Old Man Turtle nodded.

And so the group resumed their journey to Dong Ji. On the way, Ye Qing explained the true nature of the Thousand-headed Demonic Serpent’s relationship with the Earthly Sovereign. However, he did not mention the boons and gift they received because he did not want to earn their jealousy.

......

About ten days after they left the Ghastly Abyss of the Lost and traveled east, the group arrived at a massive continent.

The sky above the continent was filled with dazzling light. The mountains spread across the land looked barren and uneven. The earth looked crystalline and glistened brightly under the sun. It looked colorful and mysterious, fantastical and gorgeous.

“Wow! It’s so pretty! Is this the Land of Endless Day?”

Standing on the boat, Lingyu gazed at the distant continent with starry eyes.

“That’s correct. The continent before you is the fabled Land of Endless Day.”

Old Man Turtle said while stroking his beard, “But do not underestimate this place just because it looks beautiful. In fact, it is exceedingly dangerous.”

Ye Qing looked at Old Man Turtle. “Please give us a detailed explanation, elder.”

“There are three main dangers in the Land of Endless Day. One of them is the dazzling light that illuminates the whole place.”

Old Man Turtle pointed at the light. “This light is far brighter and stronger than the light you’re used to. If you remain in the light for a prolonged period of time, then you will go permanently blind. Barring some truly exceptional circumstances, nothing can cure this blindness.”

“Heavens!” Lingyu exclaimed in astonishment. “How... How can we prevent this?”

“Just use your eyes as little as possible,” Old Man Turtle answered. “Next, its high temperature.”

“There exists a valley in the Land of Endless Day called the Soup Valley. It is where the legendary Fusangs grows, and where the sun rises and falls. Therefore, the closer you got to the center of the Land of Endless Day, the higher and deadlier the temperature would become. It is hot enough to melt metal into a puddle and burn a flesh-and-blood creature into ash instantly.”

“Luckily, we do not need to brave the center. We simply need to skirt the edges.”

“Three, the Golden Crows and the Divine Sun General.”

Wow! Golden Crows? Divine Sun General?”

Lingyu’s eyes opened wide. “Do they actually exist?”

Old Man Turtle nodded. “Naturally. The Golden Crow is the son of the sun. Born from its light, it resides within the valley and often perches on top of the Fusangs. When it flies, the sun will burn hot enough to scorch heaven and earth.”

“Even worse, the Golden Crow is extremely violent. It will kill any and all living creatures who enter the Land of Endless Day.”