ISVI Chapter 69-80 (Patreon)

Chapter 69: Don't Worry, I'm Not a Simp!

"You wretched woman! Last time, you knew there was danger, yet you took the flying boat, leaving us to die. How dare you come here and say all this now?"

Lu Jing was the first to fire back, unable to hold her anger. She had already decided that she was backing Ye Chen. The better his future, the more she would benefit by staying close to him. If Ye Chen entered the Green Cloud Sect, the benefits would be endless. How could she let this wicked woman, Sun Ruoxin, steal that from him?

Lin Ke'er quickly joined in, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Heh, when you needed a flying boat to escape, you came straight to Ye Chen, used the boat to flee, and left us behind without a second thought. Now, unable to enter the Green Cloud Sect, you're immediately sniffing around for him again? I've never seen such a shameless female cultivator."

She couldn't stand it either. Otherwise, what was the point of last night's game?

Sun Ruoxin, upon hearing their furious accusations, lowered her head, looking as though she might burst into tears at any moment. She appeared pitiable, as if begging for sympathy.

"I didn't— I didn't mean it like that…" Her voice trembled. "Junior Brother, you know me, I really just wanted to see you before I left, to explain things clearly. I'm not asking you for help. Besides, he's a Foundation Establishment elder. Asking you for help would only harm you. I've already hurt you once by accident. How could I possibly do that again? Junior Brother, goodbye. If I manage to leave safely and one day reach Foundation Establishment, I will give you everything I have, to repay you."

With that, Sun Ruoxin's tears finally fell, and she hurriedly lowered her head, running towards the courtyard gate. Meanwhile, Sun Ye, standing by, let out a sigh, turning to Ye Chen with a regretful look.

"Ye Chen, the last incident really was an accident. Master gave the order, and I had no choice but to follow. We didn't expect things to turn out this way. But explanations are useless now. It seems you won't have any opportunities for lessons in the future, so I suppose I should return the last tuition fee to you. As for Ruoxin…. Haaah, the kindness you showed her before, she has it all in her heart. It's just that, due to the cultivation method and other reasons, she couldn't show it. Fate truly is a fickle thing."

Sun Ye sighed deeply and placed a mid-grade spirit stone into Ye Chen's hand before shaking his head and hastily chasing after his daughter.

Watching this scene, both Lu Jing and Lin Ke'er couldn't help but sneer coldly. Sun Ruoxin should have left long ago.

As for Ye Chen, he was thoroughly entertained by the drama unfolding before him. Not a single word of Sun Ruoxin's lies had registered with him.

And now, Sun Ye was helping her, even hinting that she might have feelings for him. If Ye Chen were truly a simp, he probably would have believed it. He might have even rushed after her, heedless of everything else. But the thing was, Ye Chen was not a simp. Thus, he didn't need to rush after her.

Ye Chen didn't like wasting time, and Sun Ruoxin's performance had precisely the right amount of melodrama. Besides, her words were half-truths; she might genuinely be in trouble. In such a case, handing her the Green Cloud Token could very well trigger a critical reward.

Ye Chen didn't want to wait any longer. He was curious to see what reward the Green Cloud Token would grant. So, with a determined stride, Ye Chen began to head towards the courtyard gate.

As soon as he moved, both Lu Jing and Lin Ke'er were horrified. They quickly reached out, grabbing his arm.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, don't go! This woman is lying to you!"

"Yes, she's just pretending to be pitiful. She's trying to steal the Green Cloud Token!"

At the same time, Ye Chen's second uncle, Ye Tianhai, froze in place.

Could Ye Chen really be taken in by her sweet words so easily? What kind of mind did he have? How could someone with such a mind possess such high alchemy talent and make rapid progress in cultivation?

Ye Tianhai couldn't comprehend it, but his desire for the Green Cloud Token was still burning in his heart.

He quickly spoke up in a cold tone, "Ye Chen, the Green Cloud Sect entry token belongs to the Ye family. It can be transferred among Ye family members, but if you dare give it to an outsider, the family head will not let you off so easily."

Ye Chen chuckled at his second uncle's words. "Am I that foolish? You think I'd fall for her lies so easily? That's the entry token for the Green Cloud Sect, after all. She ran off too quickly and forgot to return the flying boat she borrowed from me last time. I'm going to get it back. You don't actually think I'm a simp, do you?"

Hearing this, Ye Tianhai finally relaxed. Indeed, Ye Chen wasn't foolish enough to fall for it. As long as the Green Cloud Token was still in Ye Chen's possession, he still had a chance.

Lu Jing and Lin Ke'er, too, breathed a sigh of relief. They had feared Ye Chen might be swayed by her sob story. But now that they knew he was just going to reclaim the flying boat, they felt reassured, even a bit smug.

Ye Chen should demand back everything he had given to Sun Ruoxin.

Ye Chen floated away, swiftly making his way out of the courtyard. He had every intention of handing over the Green Cloud Token, just not now. The reason he hadn't done so earlier was simple: Ye Tianhai had been present.

If the second uncle saw the token, he'd certainly cause a scene and might even summon the family head. In that case, the token wouldn't be given away, and it would likely be seized. It would be a lose-lose situation. So, he would wait until no one was around to give it.

What kind of reward would he get this time? Ye Chen thought with growing interest.

...

Meanwhile, Sun Ruoxin, after fleeing the Ye residence, paused in a narrow alley.

Sun Ye soon caught up with her, disappointment evident in his voice. "Ruoxin, did you run too fast? It doesn't seem to have had any effect. Ye Chen didn't even react."

Sun Ruoxin's once tear-streaked face now showed no trace of sorrow. She glanced behind her, relieved to see no one was following, but her expression turned troubled. "The flying boat incident must have really hurt Ye Chen. Gaining his forgiveness won't be easy. If I had known, I should have brought him along last time."

Sun Ye sighed helplessly at her words. There was no such thing as a remedy for regret in this world. He had never imagined that his master would be so unreasonable.

Nor could he have foreseen that Ye Chen would not only survive, but also obtain an entry token to the Green Cloud Sect. What could he do in such a situation?

Both of them stared at the quiet Ye family gate, feeling that this time, things were truly difficult. They could only go back and think of another way. But just as they were about to leave, their hopes deflated, they heard footsteps behind them.

Sun Ruoxin turned around quickly. And there, in a green robe, was Ye Chen, running towards them.

Ye Chen was here!

Sun Ruoxin's heart surged with joy, though her face remained composed. She spoke softly, her voice tinged with sadness: "Junior Brother, are you here to send me off? I appreciate your kindness, but you should return. If the Young Master of the Kong family finds out, he might cause trouble for you."

Ye Chen spoke, his tone carrying an undertone of reluctance and concern: "Has it truly come to this? You really have to leave?"

Sun Ruoxin gave a bittersweet smile and nodded.

Ye Chen clenched his teeth and asked, "Then, what if you enter Green Cloud Sect? Wouldn't everything be alright?"

Sun Ruoxin sighed deeply: "It's not that simple. After all, he is an elder of Green Cloud Sect. If he wants to make things difficult for you, it's not hard. But once I'm a disciple of Green Cloud Sect, he'll have to be cautious. He won't be able to act as recklessly."

"It's a shame," she added, "becoming a disciple of Green Cloud Sect isn't something that happens easily."

Ye Chen took a deep breath and drew a token from his sleeve: "I have a Green Cloud Token. I can help you."

Upon seeing the token in Ye Chen's hand, both Sun Ruoxin and Sun Ye's eyes widened in astonishment. Their hearts raced with excitement.

Chapter 70: Token of the Sword Peak Master

Looking at the Green Cloud Token in Ye Chen's hand, Sun Ruoxin nearly couldn't resist snatching it from him. She wanted it; she wanted it so badly. But she had to stay calm. She couldn't rush it.

Sun Ruoxin forced herself to calm down, her face showing a look of surprise.

"Ye Chen, you actually have a Green Cloud Token!"

After the initial excitement, as if remembering something, she quickly added: "I didn't know you had obtained the entry quota to Green Cloud Sect…. You can't do this. I can't accept it. Besides, after the flying boat incident, I already owe you so much. How could I take your Green Cloud Token now?"

Ye Chen had no patience for such back-and-forth. He simply grabbed Sun Ruoxin's small hand. Her hand was exquisitely pale, delicate, with skin as soft as silk, cool to the touch. It felt better than the hands of any of the famous pianists from his past life. The sensation was exquisite.

Ye Chen shoved the Green Cloud Token into her hand. "Clearly, you need this more. Take it."

Sun Ruoxin's fingers clenched around the token, her palm sweating with excitement. The coveted entry into the sect, something she had dreamed of, had now been handed to her like this. At that moment, she almost felt like crying. She had come here with little expectation.

After all, the Green Cloud Token was something hard to come by. Not to mention the previous issues with the flying boat. In this situation, for Ye Chen to give her the token….

Sun Ruoxin, even with all her schemes, couldn't help but be deeply moved. Ye Chen truly loved her.

"Now that you've taken the Green Cloud Token, how will you explain this to your family? And if I enter Green Cloud Sect, what will happen to you? This... this doesn't seem right."

Sun Ruoxin couldn't help but ask with concern.

Ye Chen merely rolled his eyes. The corner of his lips was almost twitching with the effort to suppress his amusement. What was she acting like? Did she think I couldn't see through her?

Ye Chen nodded, pretending to worry. "You're right. How will I explain this to my family? This...." He turned his gaze back to the Green Cloud Token in Sun Ruoxin's hand.

Hearing Ye Chen's words, Sun Ruoxin's heart tightened. She mentally cursed herself for speaking too soon and hastily tried to cover up.

"You don't need to worry about that. After all, the token was given to you. You have the right to do as you wish with it. Your family shouldn't interfere."

Ye Chen's eyes flicked over to where she gripped the token tightly, a smirk tugging at his lips. The family's assets could be distributed however they liked internally, but giving them to outsiders would surely result in punishment. But this woman? She likely didn't care about the consequences.

Luckily, Ye Chen didn't care either. He nodded, as though coming to an epiphany. "Right, it's mine now. I can give it to whoever I please. Take it, Senior Sister."

Sun Ruoxin nodded vigorously, her face shining with gratitude. "Junior Brother, you are too kind to me. When I break through to Foundation Establishment, I'll do everything I can to repay you."

However, the system prompt echoed in Ye Chen's mind at that moment. He didn't bother to respond to her flowery words, instead urging her to leave. "Hurry and go. If my family sees you, things will get complicated."

Sun Ruoxin, too, felt a bit of unease. If any of the Ye family members caught sight of her, it would be all for nothing. So, with a final word of thanks, she and Sun Ye hurriedly left the vicinity of the Ye family residence.

Sun Ye was overjoyed, his voice full of excitement. "Daughter, now that we have the Green Cloud Token, we don't need to worry about Master anymore. Master, after all, still cares about his face. He might have taken the money without doing anything, but he won't keep targeting us. You've finally entered the Green Cloud Sect. With the possibility of Foundation Establishment in your future, we have hope! Where shall we go next?"

Sun Ruoxin tightened her grip on the Green Cloud Token, without hesitation replying, "We're going straight to the Green Cloud Sect now. If the Ye family finds out, they'll definitely come after the token. The Ye family's patriarch has reached Foundation Establishment. Once they realize what's happening, we won't have a chance to enter the sect. We must go now, before it's too late."

Sun Ye nodded in agreement. Yes, they had to go right away. As for what would happen when the Ye family found out that Ye Chen had given their family's entry token to an outsider, neither of them mentioned it.

Because even if Ye Chen's fate turned out terribly, she would never give the Green Cloud Token back. She had to seize this chance to enter the Green Cloud Sect. Once she became a disciple, she might visit Ye Chen and make amends, but for now, her path was set.

The Green Cloud Sect was located at the edge of Green Cloud City. Or rather, Green Cloud City had only been established because of the Green Cloud Sect's presence.

After leaving the city, Sun Ruoxin immediately summoned her flying boat and, along with Sun Ye, sped toward the sect's entrance. The Green Cloud Sect loomed closer and closer.

As they neared their destination, Sun Ye, while happy for his daughter, couldn't help but ask, "Daughter, about what you said to Ye Chen before.... Did you mean that after reaching Foundation Establishment, you plan to repay him by offering your body?"

Sun Ruoxin immediately shook her head. "I understand Ye Chen's feelings. But our statuses are only going to grow further apart. I'll soon be a disciple of Green Cloud Sect, while he's just a member of a small family. Even if I break through to Foundation Establishment, Ye Chen might not even reach the late stages of Qi Refining.

“The gap between us will be too great. If he were to become my Dao companion, I would only be harming him. Once I reach Foundation Establishment and become an Elder, I will find a way to bring him into the Green Cloud Sect as a disciple. Then, we'll both have repaid each other, and we'll be free of any debts."

Sun Ye paused, taking in her words with a frown.

This…. It didn't sound quite right. Even if she broke through to Foundation Establishment, how old would Ye Chen be by then? By that time, entering the Green Cloud Sect would hardly matter. How could it really be called a mutual repayment?

But Sun Ruoxin was his daughter, and Sun Ye still wanted the best for her. Now that she was about to become a disciple of the Green Cloud Sect, it was clear that Ye Chen, with his background, wasn't suitable for her.

Sun Ye continued to advise his daughter earnestly, "Once you enter the sect, focus on cultivating diligently, and make sure to stand out. If you can earn the favor of one of the elders and become their disciple, your chances of breaking through to Foundation Establishment will increase significantly. Back when I was young, among my group, three people were taken in as disciples by elders. Two of them eventually broke through to Foundation Establishment."

Sun Ruoxin listened attentively, but then asked with some curiosity, "What if I'm taken in as a disciple by a peak master? Wouldn't that be even more promising?"

Upon hearing this, Sun Ye immediately shook his head, a look of caution in his eyes. "The peak masters are all great cultivators in the late stages of Foundation Establishment. They wouldn't look at ordinary disciples. If they take on a disciple, it would have to be a true genius, someone with at least a ninth-grade spiritual root, or even a rare exotic root! Don't waste your time thinking about it."

Sun Ruoxin felt a bit disappointed upon hearing this. It would have been wonderful if she could become a disciple of a peak master. She couldn't help but wonder what the peak master's disciples were like. Surely, they must be the sect's top geniuses, wouldn't they? But she quickly shook off the thought, refocusing on the immediate future.

...

Meanwhile, Ye Chen leisurely made his way back to the Ye residence, a smile on his face. The feedback from the system had far exceeded his expectations.

"Gift-giving successful!"

"Gift: Green Cloud Token."

"Processing feedback…."

"Fifteen-fold feedback in progress…."

"Detected that the gift given by the host is extremely important to the recipient, and exceeds their expectations. This caused a massive fluctuation in their emotional state, triggering a critical hit reward!"

"Reward: Token of the Sword Peak Master."

"The Sword Peak Master, Gu Yunyu, once faced a life-threatening crisis during her growth and was saved by a swordsman. As a result, she gave him a token. When this token is crushed in Green Cloud City, she will sense it and come to repay the favor!"

After reading the system's notification, Ye Chen's joy was palpable. It wasn't just another handful of Green Cloud Tokens or some entry pass that he'd never be able to use. No, it was the token of the Sword Peak Master, Gu Yunyu.

Even though Ye Chen wasn't a disciple of Green Cloud Sect, he knew the structure of the sect well. The elders in the sect were divided into three categories: ordinary elders, peak masters, and the sect leader.

The peak masters were all cultivators in the late stages of Foundation Establishment. Becoming a disciple of such a peak master would grant access to resources and teachings far beyond what an entry-level disciple could ever dream of. Not to mention the various perks and privileges that outsiders couldn't even imagine.

The Green Cloud Token he'd given away? It had been so worth it.

Without hesitation, Ye Chen took out the token. The token was a wooden sword, only about ten centimeters long. He crushed it without a second thought. A strange surge of power rippled outward.

...

At the entrance of Green Cloud Sect, a woman dressed in red, her figure elegant, felt the sudden surge of energy. Her eyebrows arched slightly, and a glint flashed in her eyes. She slowly rose to her feet.

Chapter 71: Servants

Ye Chen returned to the Ye residence, his mood exceptionally good. He was thoroughly satisfied with the feedback gift from the system. If the reward had been a sect entry token from a higher-level sect, simply getting there would have been a hassle.

Not to mention, the disciples of powerful sects were likely rich and resourceful, so things like tokens or ordinary items would hardly be needed. At this point, Ye Chen wouldn't even be able to get much from such a gift.

Green Cloud Sect, on the other hand, was a perfect match for him. As a Foundation Establishment-tier sect, it offered exactly the kind of resources he could utilize. Becoming a disciple of a peak master would be incredibly beneficial. Not only would it give him direct access to unparalleled teachings, but the status of being a direct disciple was priceless.

There was no need to discuss the perks. Even simply the elevation in status would allow him to interact with higher circles, increasing his chances of meeting elite female cultivators. It was akin to the difference between a rich heir and an ordinary man.

The rich heir naturally met more women who were of higher quality. So, becoming a direct disciple would be a huge boost to Ye Chen's future prospects.

As he considered all of this, his thoughts also turned to the mature and graceful Lu Jing and Lin Ke'er. Once they reached Green Cloud Sect, their tenfold potential wouldn't matter. The debts would be settled.

After returning to the courtyard, Ye Chen looked at the two women. "Once I join Green Cloud Sect, I'm allowed to bring two attendants. If you're willing, you may come with me to Green Cloud Sect. If not, you are free to decide your own path."

The two women had vastly different reactions to Ye Chen's offer.

Lu Jing was filled with regret. She couldn't help but curse herself in her heart. If she had known this would be the outcome, she should have thrown herself at Ye Chen when Lin Ke'er first entered the mountain, before any other woman had a chance to compete with her.

If only she had given herself fully to Ye Chen from the start, without playing coy, she might have at least secured a position as a concubine, not just a servant. But now, it was too late for regret.

Lu Jing knew her own worth. Without any backing, living alone in Green Cloud City, she would probably struggle just to pay rent. In the end, she'd be reduced to nothing more than someone's plaything.

Instead of that, it would be better to serve Ye Chen as an attendant. At least he was generous. Sure, his tastes were... unconventional, and he had strange ideas about things. But he never treated her like a mere tool, and when it came to manners and respect, there was a peculiar level of decorum. So, serving as Ye Chen's attendant wasn't the worst fate.

She quickly adjusted her attitude, curtsying gracefully to Ye Chen. "This servant greets the Young Master!"

As for Lin Ke'er, she was torn.There was regret, bitterness, and hesitation all swirling in her heart. If she agreed to be an attendant, wouldn't that make all her efforts feel wasted? All those gifts she'd accepted, the favors she had received, wouldn't it be all for nothing? What if she had accepted Ye Chen's pursuit from the start and not gone into the mountains? Would her fate have turned out differently?

Lin Ke'er was different from Lu Jing. She had confidence in her own abilities and believed she could survive in Green Cloud City on her own. But the problem was, after spending so much time with Ye Chen, this offer became hard to resist. Just a single gift from him could be worth an entire year's worth of income.

She couldn't bring herself to leave him, and yet being an attendant wasn't something she was comfortable with either. The conflict raged inside her, and she stood there, silent, unable to voice her decision.

Ye Chen paid little attention to Lin Ke'er's hesitation. Even if she refused now, he was confident that in time, she would come to him. After all, people who had grown used to a life of not needing to work hard found it difficult to accept the mental gap when their efforts only earned them a meager sum of spirit stones. It was a lot like the mindset of a gambler.

On the gambling table, one win or loss could be equivalent to a month's or even a year's worth of salary. Naturally, there would be no energy left to focus on regular work after experiencing such a high-stakes thrill.

Just as he was mulling over this, a servant came in with a message: "Seventh Young Master, the Patriarch summons you. You are to go at once."

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow at the news. Though he didn't care for the Ye family and felt no sense of attachment to its people, the fact remained that the Patriarch was at the Foundation Establishment stage. Until Ye Chen was strong enough to stand on his own, it was best not to provoke him. He followed the servant and soon arrived at the family hall.

The family members were already gathered, and the Patriarch sat at the head, a smile on his face. In the center of the hall, a young man was surrounded by the adoration of everyone.

"Ye Tian, go to the Green Cloud Sect and train hard. Once you reach Foundation Establishment, our Ye family will have two Foundation Establishment experts and will become a major clan," the Patriarch said with a proud tone.

"Brother Tian, remember us when you're rich and powerful!"

"Ye family will always be yours, but the younger generation is your responsibility. As the leader of our generation, you must set an example."

"May your future be bright, and may you obtain the Foundation Establishment pill. In ten years, you'll break through to Foundation Establishment without a doubt!"

The family members lavished praise on the young man. The young man in question was Ye Tian, the most talented of Ye Chen's generation.

When Ye Tian spotted Ye Chen entering, he immediately gave him a confident smile and assumed an older brother-like tone. "Ah, the seventh brother has arrived! Grandfather will be personally sending us to the Green Cloud Sect later. Although your talent is lacking, since I'm here, I'll be sure to look out for you. Don't worry about being bullied.

“Since you're good at alchemy and can refine top-tier pills, don't waste your talent. Once we arrive at the sect, study alchemy well. Refine pills for me, and when I break through to Foundation Establishment, your status in the sect will rise!"

The other family members chimed in eagerly.

"That's right! Ye Tian is already at the seventh level of Qi Refining. Just stick with him and listen to what he says when you get to the sect!"

"The family will provide resources to Ye Tian, and you, with your alchemy skills, should put them to good use. When Ye Tian advances, you'll benefit from it too!"

"Make sure you assist Ye Tian whenever he needs it. He's the pillar of our Ye family's younger generation."

"But once you get to the sect, don't disturb Ye Tian too much. Don't waste his time, or it'll be a big problem."

Hearing the words of his relatives, Ye Chen looked at Ye Tian, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He inwardly scoffed at the crowd, considering them nothing but fools.

So what if it was a seventh-grade spiritual root? Did they really think they could impress him with that?

The Ye family truly was a shallow pond filled with turtles.

Ye Chen remained silent, which only irked Ye Tian further. Just as he was about to speak, the family head interjected, his voice commanding.

"Since everyone is here, we might as well depart now. I was planning to visit an internal elder. Give me the Green Cloud Token, and with my influence, they'll certainly assign you better positions."

Ye Tian immediately handed over the Green Cloud Token with both hands, expressing his gratitude.

The family head smiled in satisfaction before turning his gaze sharply toward Ye Chen. "Why haven't you handed over your Green Cloud Token?"

Ye Chen, without hesitation, replied, "Thank you, grandfather, but I haven't finished packing yet. I need to take my two maidservants along, so I require a bit more time. Grandfather, please take my elder brother first."

The family head, Ye Hong, was most displeased by Ye Chen's behavior. It was always the same with him; never following orders and always harboring his own ideas. It diminished his sense of authority.

Ye Hong's eyes narrowed, his voice turning cold. "I said we're leaving today. Hand over the Green Cloud Token now!"

Ye Chen sighed, lowering his head in silence. His defiant attitude caused the relatives to exchange glances, their eyes widening in disbelief. Did Ye Chen have such a strong rebellious streak? The family head was obviously angry, yet Ye Chen still refused to comply. Had he really lost his senses? Besides, the family head was personally escorting them, which was an opportunity far more beneficial than harmful.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen's second uncle, observing Ye Chen's reluctance to hand over the Green Cloud Token, couldn't help but recall the woman who had clearly come after the order earlier that morning.

Ye Chen had even chased after her. Could it be that Ye Chen had really given the Green Cloud Token to that woman? Was it no longer a matter of not wanting to give it, but rather that he could no longer produce it?

The mere thought of this possibility sent Ye Chen's second uncle into a fury.

He couldn't hold back any longer. Anger bubbling in his chest, he snapped, "Ye Chen, did you really give the Green Cloud Token to that woman?"

As his words echoed through the hall, a sudden silence fell over everyone.

Ye Chen had given away the Green Cloud Token? Was it true? Impossible! The Green Cloud Sect's spots were far too valuable. Anyone with any sense would recognize how rare and precious they were. Who would be foolish enough to just give it away?

Chapter 72: You Really Believe That?

Although Ye Feng had intentionally spread word within the family about Ye Chen's behavior in the Silver Moon Market, insinuating that Ye Chen was acting like a simp, most of the family did not believe it.

The two female cultivators Ye Chen had brought back were both stunning beauties. How could a man, supposedly acting like a simp, win the hearts of such high-caliber cultivators?

Moreover, Ye Chen had not hesitated to defy the family head's authority, arguing for the Green Cloud Sect's quota. While many in the family thought Ye Chen had angered the family head, deep down, they actually thought highly of Ye Chen's decisions. After all, Ye Chen's father was dead, and from now on, Ye Chen would be marginalized within the family.

For Ye Chen, securing the Green Cloud Token was his only opportunity. Therefore, Ye Chen was undoubtedly a smart person. Such a smart person could never be a simp. How could he possibly give away the opportunity, a hard-won quota he had risked angering the family head to obtain?

If someone had said he'd sold it, they might have believed it, but giving it away to someone else? No, that was too far-fetched. So, the family didn't believe Ye Chen's second uncle's words. Even the family head didn't believe them.

With cold eyes, he turned to Ye Chen. "Hand over the Green Cloud Token. We leave now!"

As the family head, it was his prerogative for everyone to obey his orders. If they didn't, how could he continue to lead the family?

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Ye Chen sighed helplessly. He hadn't expected the family head to insist on taking him to the Green Cloud Sect. Although it was likely just a chance for the family head to build connections, with Ye Chen as an afterthought, the issue was that he genuinely could not present the Green Cloud Token.

Ye Chen glanced in the direction of Green Cloud Sect, wondering when Elder Gu Yunyu of the Sword Peak would arrive. If she didn't come by tomorrow….

Ye Chen feared the family head might strike him down on the spot. But, this situation, he knew, could no longer be hidden.

"Grandfather, I did indeed give away the Green Cloud Token."

The moment Ye Chen spoke, the entire room fell silent. Everyone stared at him with a mixture of disbelief and confusion.

Ye Chen... really gave away the Green Cloud Token? Had he gone mad? That was an entry quota for the Green Cloud Sect! Could it be... that Ye Chen was truly a simp? But who would be such a simp as to give away their future? It couldn't be true. There must be some other reason, some hidden truth behind it.

"Did you give it to the female cultivator from this morning?" Ye Chen's second uncle could no longer hold back his question.

Ye Chen nodded in acknowledgment. Since it could easily be found out, he chose not to hide it.

Second uncle was furious, nearly choking with rage. "I offered you spirit stones to buy it, and you refused! Now, some outsider speaks a few words, and you just give it away? Do you still care about the Ye family? Do you still consider yourself one of us?"

Second uncle was absolutely livid. That should have been his son Ye Feng's quota!

Hearing this, Ye Chen immediately waved his hand dismissively. "Second uncle, you've misunderstood. How could I not consider myself part of the Ye family? But it couldn't be helped. You heard it yourself this morning, if Ruoxin didn't become a disciple of the Green Cloud Sect, her future would be utterly tragic."

“And Sun Ruoxin has already given her heart to me. She said once we reach Foundation Establishment, she will become my Dao partner. Sun Ruoxin's talent surpasses mine. She is far more likely to reach Foundation Establishment than I am. If she becomes my Dao partner in the future, she would, by default, also be part of the Ye family. This would bring far more benefits than harm to our Ye family."

The family members around them were left utterly stunned by Ye Chen's explanation.

Ye Chen's thought process was... somewhat absurd. A woman casually mentions becoming your Dao partner when you reach Foundation Establishment, and you take it seriously?

Just look around all of Green Cloud City. What female cultivator would choose a man weaker than herself to be her Dao partner? If Sun Ruoxin truly reached Foundation Establishment, she would never lower herself to someone like you. In fact, if you dared to even mention this, she'd probably slap you dead on the spot.

As they looked at Ye Chen, their eyes were filled with a clear, almost pitiful stupidity. At that moment, they fully believed the rumors circulating within the family. If Ye Chen could be so easily deceived into giving away the Green Cloud Token... then how could he be anything but a simp?

"Enough…!”

The patriarch's enraged voice echoed through the hall, and the oppressive force of his Foundation Establishment aura immediately descended upon the room, causing everyone present to tremble in fear.

The power of a Foundation Establishment cultivator was indeed terrifying.

The patriarch fixed his gaze on Ye Chen. "Where is she?"

The Green Cloud Sect quota was crucial. The Ye family had only two such quotas over its whole history. How could they allow an outsider to take one so easily? They had to be captured. Anyone who dared deceive the Ye family out of its quota deserved to die!

Ye Chen shook his head and responded, "Ruoxin left for the Green Cloud Sect the moment she received the quota. She had a flying boat, so she's probably already there."

Ye Chen knew Sun Ruoxin all too well. She didn't care a bit about his fate. Once she obtained the quota, she would only worry about delays. Even if it were midnight, she would rush to the Green Cloud Sect to finalize everything and settle the matter.

...

The patriarch's anger intensified upon hearing this, and his gaze darkened with a trace of murderous intent. After glaring at Ye Chen for a moment, he withdrew his gaze. "We will discuss this matter upon my return. Ye Tian, let's go."

The family members could all sense the patriarch's coldness. It was clear that Ye Chen's future would be bleak.

However, Ye Chen's alchemy skills were exceptional, so his cultivation might not be forcibly sealed. Yet, it was likely that he would be imprisoned by the family, spending his life as nothing more than a tool for refining pills. Many of the family members covertly warned their children.

"Did you see that? Make sure you never become a simp when you grow up. Because a simp meets a tragic end."

Ye Chen had already guessed how the family would handle him. After all, he had his alchemy skills as a bargaining chip. The family would never let that go to waste. That's why he had openly admitted to it.

But now, he couldn't help but wonder, when would that Sword Peak Elder arrive? Could she hurry up?!

No one paid Ye Chen any more attention. Having completely enraged the patriarch, Ye Chen's chance was gone.

Ye Tian stood behind the patriarch. The patriarch tossed out a flying boat, preparing to leave with Ye Tian. Before boarding, Ye Tian glanced at Ye Chen and offered a condescending smile. "Don't slack off at home. Make sure to refine some high-quality pills for me. Top-grade Qi-Nourishing Pills would be fine too. If you can make those, they'll help me build connections in the sect."

The patriarch gave Ye Chen a brief look, his gaze devoid of any emotion. "He knows how to do it. Focus on your own cultivation."

The patriarch's attitude spoke volumes.

Ye Chen's fate was sealed.

As the flying boat ascended, Ye Tian stood tall, full of pride.

Ye Chen, however, didn't feel particularly anxious. He just had an urge to shout, "I have bled for the family!"

But before he could voice it, a terrifying aura descended upon the area in an instant.

The patriarch froze for a moment, his face changing drastically.

"May I ask which esteemed fellow Daoist has come to visit?"

The family members, seeing the patriarch's reaction, were equally shocked. The patriarch was at Foundation Establishment, yet he seemed somewhat unsettled?

In the next moment, a red-clad figure stepped into the hall.

"Green Cloud Sect, Gu Yunyun!"

A lazy, slightly husky voice rang out, adding an air of seductive charm.

Gu Yunyun?

Upon hearing that name, the Ye family members couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

Even the Ye family patriarch immediately commanded the flying boat to land and bowed in respect. "Greetings, fellow Daoist Gu! We apologize for the lack of a proper reception. Please, come in and take a seat."

No one in the Ye family knew why Gu Yunyun had come, except for Ye Chen.

As Ye Chen looked at the woman in red, her perfect figure and stunning beauty, his eyes filled with exhilaration. It wasn't that he was lustful. Rather, it was because Ye Chen's system had just sent him a notification….

Chapter 73: Master, My Filial Piety Hasn't Changed!

"System detected a compatible target."

"Gu Yunyun: 100x reward feedback!"

Hearing the system's prompt, Ye Chen stood frozen in place.

What the hell, 100x? Is this for real?

Up until now, the highest multiplier he'd encountered had been 15x with Sun Ruoxin. But now, with the system, he had gained a Master.

At first, he thought it was just a chance to enter the Green Cloud Sect. Who could have imagined there would be such a pleasant surprise?

Ye Chen's eyes gleamed with ecstatic joy. A Master with 100 times the reward?

With this kind of multiplier, Ye Chen swore he would remain devoted to his Master for life.

He would fill her heart with his boundless filial piety.

...

Green Cloud Sect was a Golden Core-level force, with an ancestor in the Golden Core stage. Underneath them were six Peak Masters, each a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Although the Peak Masters and regular elders were all Foundation Establishment experts, their combat abilities were worlds apart.

Ye Chen's family patriarch, Ye Hong, never expected the Sword Peak Master, Gu Yunyun, to personally visit the Ye family.

Gu Yunyun, the Sword Peak Master, was an exceptional prodigy. She had only been cultivating for twenty-seven years. In those mere twenty-seven years, her cultivation had advanced rapidly, breaking through to the late stages of Foundation Establishment. Her combat strength was particularly formidable.

Green Cloud Sect had once clashed with the neighboring Immortal Cloud Sect. During that battle, Gu Yunyun fought against two opponents at once, slaying two late-stage Foundation Establishment elders with her sword, making a name for herself. She could be said to be among the top tier in the Foundation Establishment realm. She was also widely recognized as the most likely candidate in Green Cloud Sect to break through to the Golden Core stage.

For her to personally visit the Ye family? What could possibly be so important for the esteemed Sword Peak Master to come in person? Unless… it was to offer congratulations. Clearly, Gu Yunyun must have some connection with the family, and that was why she had come to celebrate their breakthrough.

Thinking of this, Ye Hong felt a sense of immense pride. Having a Peak Master visit for congratulations was no small thing. It was the kind of prestige that could not be overstated. He smiled broadly, cupping his hands in greeting. "Fairy Gu, to think you've come in person to offer congratulations truly brings great honor to the Ye family. Fairy Gu, please take a seat. Ye Tian, quickly serve tea to the elder!"

Ye Tian, gazing at Gu Yunyun's breathtaking beauty, felt excitement within. If he could form a connection with her, wouldn't that be the ticket to soar? He hurriedly prepared spiritual tea, offering it with both hands.

The Ye family patriarch proudly introduced, "This is my son, Ye Tian, who has recently broken through to the seventh level of Qi Refining. He is about to enter the Green Cloud Sect. At that time, we kindly ask Fairy Gu to look after him."

Ye Tian immediately lowered his head and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, senior."

The members of the Ye family were all filled with eager anticipation. If Gu Yunyun truly had ties to the Ye family, could they ask her to take Ye Tian as her direct disciple?

Green Cloud Sect's hierarchy was clear-cut. A regular disciple's monthly resources were at level one. An elder's disciple received five times that, level five. And a Peak Master's direct disciple received ten times the resources, level ten. In addition, they enjoyed various special privileges.

Ordinary disciples might have to fight tooth and nail to gain such a position, but a Peak Master's disciple could receive it directly. The difference was immense. If Ye Tian truly became her direct disciple, it would be a direct launch into greatness!

Ye Tian himself hadn't anticipated such an opportunity and trembled with excitement. As for Ye Chen, he had already been completely ignored by everyone in the hall.

Gu Yunyun paid no heed to the Ye family patriarch's words. Even as the Ye family patriarch prattled on, Gu Yunyun seemed utterly indifferent, as if she hadn't heard a thing. She cast a brief glance at the Ye family members, before walking directly toward Ye Chen. In the midst of the bewildered and astonished gazes of the Ye family, she soon stood before Ye Chen.

Her slightly husky, mature voice rang out again, "How did you obtain this token?"

At the moment Gu Yunyun spoke, the Ye family members were once more stunned.

Gu Yunyun…. Was she here for Ye Chen?

The Ye family patriarch's face turned red. It seemed that Gu Yunyun didn't even recognize him. It was he who had misjudged the situation.

As Ye Tian, who had been fantasizing about becoming a direct disciple, stood there, his face turned pale. He was filled with confusion.

Why would the Sword Peak Master come looking for Ye Chen? Could it be that she wanted to take him as a disciple? No, this couldn't be possible. What qualifications did Ye Chen have for that? Absolutely impossible.

...

Ye Chen, too, took his first serious look at his future master. Her brows were like distant mountains, her features dignified. Especially her almond-shaped, were so beautiful that they seemed almost unreal.

She wore a loose red gown. But on Gu Yunyun's slender form, the gown clung to her, almost looking like it was tailor-made. The large gown couldn't conceal her figure, which was so full and enticing it defied imagination.

How could someone with such a figure excel as a sword cultivator? It didn't make sense.

But seeing his master's immense presence, Ye Chen couldn't help but feel his once unshakable devotion was beginning to waver, as if his heart were about to be overwhelmed. He hurriedly responded, "It was a senior who gave it to me. He said I could use it in Green Cloud City, to enter the Green Cloud Sect as a direct disciple!"

Gu Yunyun took the token, calmly examining it.

The Ye family members, upon hearing this, widened their eyes in disbelief.

Ye Chen actually had such an opportunity?

Ye Tian's expression twisted instantly.

How could Ye Chen, with his poor talents, ever become a direct disciple of a Peak Master? If anyone should have that honor, it should be him!

Gu Yunyun carefully put away the token, then turned to Ye Chen. "What grade is your spiritual root?"

"Third grade."

Ye Chen's spiritual root was exceptionally weak.

For the first time, Gu Yunyun frowned, speaking bluntly, "Your talent is far too poor! Even if you become a direct disciple, it will be very hard for you to break through to Foundation Establishment. I suggest you don't waste time on cultivation. In the end, it will be like drawing water with a basket. Why not choose another path? For example, live as a wealthy man in Green Cloud City. I can be your support and ensure you live a worry-free life."

Ye Chen's heart ached, as though a hundred knives had pierced it.

This master, though not quite the typical image of a sword cultivator, certainly had the sharp tongue to match one. It was so hurtful. What did she mean by "don't waste time on cultivation"? I refuse!

"Thank you for your advice, Senior, but I still want to give it a try!"

Gu Yunyun's expression remained cool.

Upon hearing Ye Chen's insistence, she simply nodded. "Alright. Then I shall take you as my disciple. Let's leave now."

Ye Chen quickly spoke, "Master, I have two maids who must join the sect with me."

Gu Yunyun nodded.

Without even sparing a glance at the Ye family members, she gestured for Ye Chen to lead the way, floating out of the hall with an air of grace.

Inside the Ye family hall, the members were left utterly stunned, exchanging confused glances…

Just a moment ago, Ye Chen was about to be imprisoned by the patriarch and forced to spend his life refining pills. Now, in the blink of an eye, he had become the direct disciple of the Peak Master? And not just any Peak Master, but the most powerful one! Was this some sort of joke? What kind of unbelievable luck did Ye Chen have? What in the world was going on?

Meanwhile, Ye Tian, once brimming with excitement, now stood with a twisted expression.

Why? Why him?

Ye Tian had been thrilled at the prospect of entering the Green Cloud Sect. But the moment Ye Chen became a direct disciple, everything lost its flavor.

As for the Ye family patriarch, his face was also darkened. Though Gu Yunyun was a genius Peak Master, she didn't even spare a glance for him while in the Ye family. It was as if he didn't even exist. This was an absolute insult.

And while Ye Chen had now become a direct disciple, the patriarch had only moments ago been planning to imprison him and squeeze him dry for the rest of his life. With that, any feelings of kinship between them had disappeared.

Moreover, Ye Chen's father was dead. The distance between Ye Chen and the Ye family was only going to grow. Besides, Ye Chen only had a third-grade spiritual root. The patriarch's only real hope was still Ye Tian.

"Ye Chen clearly only gained the Peak Master's favor due to luck, but it doesn't mean anything. His cultivation is high, but with a third-grade spiritual root, it's practically impossible for him to reach Foundation Establishment. The Peak Master even said it herself. If he can't break through to Foundation Establishment, then what's the point of being a direct disciple?

“Though a direct disciple enjoys abundant resources, Ye Chen is someone who'd give away his Green Cloud Sect spot without a second thought. Who knows what else he might give away? So, your future will still surpass Ye Chen's. You are the true hope of our Ye family."

Upon hearing the patriarch's comforting words, Ye Tian's warped mindset finally relaxed.

Ye Chen was just a simp. Even if he got lucky and became a direct disciple, what good would those resources be if he kept giving them away? A simp like Ye Chen would have nothing in the end.
Chapter 74: Can These Benefits Be Given Away?

On the flying boat heading toward Green Cloud Sect, Lu Jing and Lin Ke'er's faces were flushed with excitement as they looked at Ye Chen, their eyes filled with surprise and joy.

While they had been waiting in the courtyard, they overheard the servants say that Ye Chen had given his Green Cloud Token to an outsider, angering the patriarch. The consequences would undoubtedly be severe. Both women were startled at the time.

Lin Ke'er even considered running away, severing all ties with Ye Chen. But to their surprise, after only a short while, Ye Chen had become the direct disciple of a Peak Master in Green Cloud Sect. What a sudden and unbelievable turn of events.

Although the two women didn't fully understand the value of being a Peak Master's direct disciple, they were clear about how rare it was to have a master in the Foundation Establishment late stage. Thus, Lin Ke'er, who had hesitated earlier, immediately climbed aboard the flying boat without a second thought. She willingly became Ye Chen's maid.

The flying boat soon arrived at Green Cloud Sect. It made a brief stop at the mountain gate, where the gate elder saw the red-robed Gu Yunyun with a cold expression and quickly bowed, "Greetings, Elder Gu!"

Gu Yunyun nodded slightly. "Have someone from the Internal Affairs Hall come to the Sword Peak later to handle the registration. I've taken on a disciple."

Upon hearing this, the gate elder was taken aback. Gu Yunyun was actually accepting a disciple?

Gu Yunyun had always been indifferent to anything outside of swordsmanship. She had never taken in any apprentices, not even those with extraordinary spiritual roots. Now, for her to take in a disciple, how remarkable must this person be?

The gate elder didn't dare delay and quickly agreed.

Gu Yunyun didn't say much more. After the array opened, she steered the flying boat directly into the mountain gates.

Ye Chen, sitting upright on the flying boat, couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. He had heard that when entering the sect, one would have to handle the registration themselves. But after becoming a direct disciple, things had changed. Now, the Internal Affairs Hall came to take care of the procedures for him. The status of a Peak Master's direct disciple was far more esteemed than Ye Chen had imagined.

Within Green Cloud Sect, the air was filled with ethereal energy. The mountains were like swords, and various spirit cranes and magical creatures flew gracefully through the skies, creating the atmosphere of a paradise for immortals. Even the spirit Qi was denser here than outside the sect. This left Ye Chen, Lu Jing, and Lin Ke'er in awe, their eyes wide open at the sight.

Soon, the flying boat landed on one of the mountain peaks.

"Here is Sword Peak. You will be the only disciple of Sword Peak. This is my cave residence. If you encounter any difficulties in your cultivation, you may come here to seek guidance from me. Your talent is poor, but since you insist on cultivating immortality, I will still grant you the status of a direct disciple. Whether you can maintain that status, or even break through to the Foundation Establishment stage, will depend on you."

After storing the flying boat, Gu Yunyun looked at Ye Chen with indifferent eyes. To her, this sudden direct disciple wasn't something to be happy about.

Firstly, she only cared about the sword path; she had no interest in anything else and had never even considered taking on disciples.

Secondly, Ye Chen's talent was abysmal. A third-grade spiritual root. If you grabbed ten random loose cultivators from the roadside, five of them would be stronger than Ye Chen.

Finally, it was the women beside Ye Chen. He was bringing maidservants into Green Cloud Sect. Clearly, he wasn't someone who sought harsh cultivation.

Poor talent combined with a lack of effort, indulging in pleasures instead. It was a recipe for failure. Thus, Gu Yunyun had no expectations for Ye Chen. She simply planned to give him the title of direct disciple and let him fend for himself. She figured it wouldn't be long before Ye Chen left on his own.

As for Ye Chen, he did feel the coldness of his master's attitude. But he didn't care in the slightest. With the simp system, he could make even an iceberg warm up to him, let alone a cold, stunningly beautiful master with a figure like that.

He figured, "Let me see if I can turn you into a puddle of warmth, and then we'll be fine." So Ye Chen didn't feel anxious at all.

Gu Yunyun nodded. "Soon, someone from the Internal Affairs Hall will come to register your identity and introduce you to everything in the sect. I'll leave now."

With that, Gu Yunyun walked off, her movements graceful and composed.

Ye Chen quickly bowed and watched his aloof master leave. As he observed her retreating figure, Ye Chen made another discovery. Her waist was unbelievably slender. From behind, he could clearly see the contours of her figure.

Lu Jing also had a stunning figure, but she couldn't compare to that level. No wonder his master had a hundred times the feedback. Just her figure alone was probably half of that multiplier. But it seemed that his master really didn't care much for him. She just left him here, barely bothering to say more than a few words.

Fortunately, the Internal Affairs Hall arrived quickly. A flying boat descended in front of Ye Chen and the two girls. Dozens of elders from the Internal Affairs Hall stepped off. Among them was even an elderly man with white hair and beard.

"Where is Elder Gu?"

The elderly man looked at Ye Chen and asked.

Ye Chen bowed. "Greetings, Elder. My master has gone to rest and asked me to wait here for the Internal Affairs Hall to handle the formalities."

This was typical of Gu Yunyun's style. The elderly man wasn't surprised. Instead, he looked at Ye Chen with interest. Gu Yunyun was proud and focused solely on the sword path. The Sect Master had mentioned her a few times and even recommended a genius with an unusual spiritual root. But Gu Yunyun had still refused to take him in. Now, she suddenly brought back a disciple. That sparked curiosity. What kind of prodigy was this?

"I am Elder Chen from the Internal Affairs Hall, here to register you. Name?"

"Ye Chen."

"Spiritual root attribute?"

"None, third-grade."

"Hmm... What?"

Elder Chen froze, his expression one of disbelief.

Normal cultivator's spiritual root had no attributes. From first-grade to ninth-grade, they followed this range. But there were also special spiritual roots, such as Fire or Water roots, which were more restrictive. Those with such roots could only cultivate related arts and learn spells tied to that attribute.

However, because they specialized in one path, their cultivation speed was faster. Moreover, their spells were generally stronger. The chance of breaking through to Foundation Establishment was much higher. Anyone with an attribute spiritual root was considered a genius.

But Ye Chen, brought back personally by Gu Yunyun, only had a third-grade root? How could that be?

Elder Chen was skeptical and immediately instructed the disciples to bring out the spiritual root testing array.

Ye Chen placed his hand on it, watching the three beams of light appear.

Both Elder Chen and the other disciples fell silent. It really was third-grade?

To be honest, a seventh-grade root was considered the bottom tier in Green Cloud Sect. To stand out, you needed at least an eighth-grade root. A ninth-grade root was considered a small genius.

But third-grade? In truth, most of the Green Cloud Sect disciples had never seen one before. After all, the sect didn't accept those with weak spiritual roots.

Elder Chen's expression turned complicated as he looked at Ye Chen. "Are you a relative of Elder Gu?"

Ye Chen knew what he was thinking and didn't hide the truth. "An elder with ties to my master helped me, which is why Master agreed to take me in."

Elder Chen immediately understood. So Ye Chen had entered through connections after all. Such things did happen occasionally in Green Cloud Sect. After all, elders were also human, and sometimes, it was hard to refuse a favor.

However, only one disciple could be chosen as a peak master's direct disciple. The rest would remain regular disciples of the elders. The primary difference was simply more resources, but no special privileges. For Gu Yunyun to have granted Ye Chen a direct disciple position, it seemed she owed quite a bit to someone.

With his interest fading, Elder Chen instructed the disciples to record Ye Chen's information and didn't bother to say another word. Once the registration was complete, Ye Chen received his token.

Only then did Elder Chen speak. "There are many privileges that come with being a direct disciple of the peak master. For example, every three years, you are eligible for a cultivation slot in the Five Elements Cavern. There are also opportunities in the sect's secret realms, where direct disciples have a higher chance of being selected.

“Upon reaching the peak of Qi Refining, you will be given a low-grade Foundation Establishment pill. If you win first place in the sect competition, it can be upgraded to a high-grade version. There are many sect facilities that ordinary disciples cannot use freely, but as a direct disciple, there are no such restrictions. And all the medicinal pills provided to you will be of the highest grade. You'll find all the specific details in the booklet we'll provide."

Ye Chen's eyes lit up as he listened. He couldn't help but ask, "Can these slots be given to others?"

Elder Chen paused, stunned by the question.

Give them to others? The Five Elements Cavern could purify and compress one's spiritual power, washing and strengthening the body with invisible forces. Entering it once would lead to significant improvements in both spiritual power and physical condition. The secret realms were filled with numerous opportunities. Who would give such things away?

Unless….

Elder Chen studied Ye Chen and likely guessed the reason for his question. Ye Chen was only at the sixth layer of Qi Refining, with a third-grade spiritual root. He must have been concerned about someone taking the opportunities from him.

Though Ye Chen was a "connection disciple," Elder Chen still responded seriously, "The slots belong to you, so you may give them to anyone you wish. But it must be your choice to give them away. If anyone tries to take them, it will be absolutely impossible.

“Our Green Cloud Sect is a righteous sect. While we encourage competition, it must be fair and square. We do not tolerate underhanded tactics, even from other direct disciples. Anyone caught will face severe consequences, including the possibility of having their cultivation sealed and being expelled from the sect. So, you can rest assured."

Hearing this, Ye Chen smiled with relief. This made Elder Chen shake his head in disbelief. A direct disciple of the peak master, yet one who feared his resources being taken away? It seemed that the weakest direct disciple of Green Cloud Sect had just been born.

Chapter 75: The Day of Gains!

Could a direct disciple's benefits be given away? Now that's a win!

Ye Chen felt a rare sense of joy, a smile spreading across his face.

Seeing this, Elder Chen could only shake his head. To be this happy just because no one could steal his resources?

The weakest direct disciple in history was truly beyond help. However, Ye Chen's status as a direct disciple would likely not last long.

Elder Chen couldn't resist adding, "While the direct disciple title is honorable, it comes with great pressure. If your performance is subpar, it could even be revoked. For example, direct disciples must participate in the sect’s Grand Tournament. If you rank at the bottom for three consecutive years, your status will be revoked.

"Direct disciples enjoy all these sect resources, but they must contribute in return. You'll be assigned the most challenging and dangerous tasks in the sect, ones that no one else dares to take on. At least one task each year. If you fail to meet expectations in two consecutive tasks, you'll be disqualified.

“For tasks that concern the sect's reputation or safety, direct disciples are expected to lead the charge. So, if you feel that your strength isn't enough, it might be better to remain a regular disciple."

Elder Chen continued to explain the pros and cons of being a direct disciple.

Ye Chen understood well. Indeed, the position of a direct disciple was prestigious, with high rewards. But it also came with higher risks.

For geniuses, this wasn't much of an issue. They could quickly convert resources into strength. But for someone like him, who wasn't a genius, it could be dangerous. He could end up dead from a sect task too dangerous to handle.

However, while Ye Chen may not be a natural genius, he had the system. By sending all the benefits of being a direct disciple to the system, he could receive exponential feedback in return. This efficiency would surpass even that of a genius.

Maintaining the position of a direct disciple? That wouldn't be difficult at all. So Ye Chen wasn't worried in the slightest.

"Thank you for your advice, Elder Chen! I won't disappoint Master."

Ye Chen smiled and thanked him, appreciating the elder's well-intentioned words. Elder Chen shook his head with a hint of exasperation, then turned and left, his figure floating away. The attendants, however, remained behind, diligently handling Ye Chen's paperwork and internal matters. They prepared a residence for him, explained all the necessary protocols, and even delivered his monthly allowance, which was the standard one for direct disciples.

Ye Chen received one mid-grade spirit stone and thirty top-grade pills every month. Just this allocation alone was enough to showcase Green Cloud Sect's generosity.

Once the attendants took their leave, Lu Jing and Lin Ke'er entered the residence to begin unpacking. Ye Chen stood before his new dwelling, gazing up at the skies where spirit birds flew, feeling a deep sense of tranquility. He had finally made it into Green Cloud Sect.

Tomorrow, he would explore the sect's halls and see what kind of surprises the senior sisters might bring. Master's hundred-fold feedback was undoubtedly impressive. But his master, a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, required things Ye Chen simply could not provide.

Even if he barely managed to scrape together some spirit stones to buy what he needed, the hundred-fold return would be of little use to him in his current state. So, while he still intended to please his master, that time was not now. He would wait until he reached Foundation Establishment himself.

For now, his greatest need was a senior sister who could provide high feedback within the Qi Refining stage. Even if he couldn't find one right away, at least Sun Ruoxin had also entered Green Cloud Sect. She could provide him with a reliable fifteen-fold return. So, Ye Chen wasn't in a rush. Before tomorrow, he had other, more pressing matters to attend to.

Turning back, Ye Chen caught sight of Lu Jing and Lin Ke'er busily tidying up the residence. After enduring so much for so long, it was finally time to indulge.

Lu Jing, dressed in a long skirt, was bent over arranging the bedding. Her figure, in that moment, reminded Ye Chen of a perfect crescent moon.

Meanwhile, Lin Ke'er was using a cleaning spell to dust off the walls, the wind tousling her long hair. Her face, as she worked, held a cool, innocent beauty, like the face of a first love, breathtaking and ethereal.

Which one should he choose? Any normal man would undoubtedly hesitate at such a moment.

But Ye Chen didn't.

Children make choices. Adults take it all.

Ye Chen strode into his new residence, closing the door behind him with a wave of his hand. A moment later, the startled voices of Lu Jing and Lin Ke'er came from within the room, followed by a shift in tone that soon grew unmistakably intimate.

The tension that had built up from Ye Chen's earlier restraint, from his feelings of frustration and longing, had finally found release. For the two women who had been left in an ambiguous state, this was the moment they had unknowingly awaited.

...

Meanwhile, at the bamboo pavilion atop Sword Peak, Gu Yunyun reclined on a bamboo bed, her stunning, curvaceous form cast in the soft glow of starlight streaming through the window. Beside her, a green flying sword rested, humming faintly in the still night air.

She gazed upward at the sky, where an invisible force of starlight descended, like threads of energy weaving through the vastness above. The moonlight reflected off her elegant silhouette, accentuating the exquisite curves of her figure, now more pronounced due to her reclining posture.

This was a secret technique she had acquired; an ability to draw the power of starlight, using it to nurture both her sword and herself. As she channeled the starry energy, her thoughts wandered, lost in contemplation. Her mind turned to Ye Chen, her newest disciple. Her dissatisfaction with him was undeniable.

The debt of life she had owed was paid off with just a single title: "direct disciple." That alone, in her eyes, was more than enough. Yet the boy's talent was dismal, truly subpar. There was a rule within the sect: A peak master could only take one direct disciple in their lifetime. Any additional disciples would be considered normal disciples and would not receive the privileges of a direct disciple.

This rule made Gu Yunyun's feelings toward Ye Chen conflicted. On one hand, she saw no potential in him, no drive to teach or guide him. On the other, she couldn't entirely ignore him, for his connection to a benefactor meant she had to at least give him a chance.

Unable to suppress her curiosity, Gu Yunyun extended her divine sense toward Ye Chen's residence, hoping to discern if he was diligently cultivating. Perhaps, if he showed effort, she might consider offering some guidance. After all, a little support could lead him to break through to Foundation Establishment.

But as soon as her divine sense reached his dwelling and she heard the peculiar sounds coming from within, her senses immediately recoiled. Her face flushed a deep crimson, and her beautiful features hardened with dismay.

With a light huff, she muttered to herself, "That child cannot be taught."

The very first day in the sect, and instead of focusing on cultivation, planning his future, or nurturing his spirit, he was indulging in such frivolous pursuits. And it wasn’t just the sounds of two people, but three! Her direct disciple was truly hopeless.

Gu Yunyun, once so indifferent and distant, found herself no longer wishing to lend him a helping hand. She had been alone since the start of her cultivation journey, and while she had heard of such things, this was the first time she had actually encountered it. Her emotions were in disarray, and in a moment of weakness, she reached into her storage ring and pulled out a wine gourd.

With a swift motion, she drank deeply, perhaps too hastily. Some of the wine dribbled from her chin, tracing a delicate path down her slender neck, flowing silently into the neckline of her robes, unnoticed.

Time seemed to stretch on indefinitely as Gu Yunyun, unable to resist, once again extended her divine sense. The moment her consciousness touched the distant residence, a wave of crimson bloomed on her fair face.

"An hour has passed...."

"Two hours have passed...."

"How is it still going on?"

"The sky is nearly bright…."

"Is he not going to sleep?"

Gu Yunyun felt a mix of embarrassment and curiosity. Despite his lack of talent, Ye Chen's physical body seemed unexpectedly strong. Her thoughts wandered as the situation unfolded before her. The longer she observed, the more fascinated she became. Eventually, the faintest light appeared on the horizon, and with it, the sounds from Ye Chen's dwelling ceased.

Gu Yunyun, still blushing, awkwardly withdrew her divine sense. There was a mix of discomfort and, to her surprise, a feeling of satisfaction she hadn't anticipated.

Chapter 76: The Dual Cultivation Technique!

After briefly resting his eyes, Ye Chen opened them once more, his senses filled with the delicate touch of the world around him. He dressed quickly, his movements fluid. The two women, however, still lay asleep, their long lashes fluttering slightly, but their eyes remained closed, sinking back into a peaceful slumber.

Though as attendants, this could be seen as lacking in competence, Ye Chen understood the fatigue they bore and harbored no resentment. Without further delay, he left the cave residence.

Turning his gaze towards his master, Gu Yun Yun's bamboo pavilion, Ye Chen considered whether to pay his respects and perhaps earn some goodwill in advance. But as he recalled her cold demeanor from yesterday, he decided against it.

There would be time to flatter her once he reached the Foundation Establishment stage. For now, his priority was the grand square of the Green Cloud Sect. Having received a basic introduction from the sect's steward the previous day, Ye Chen had gained a clearer understanding of the sect's layout.

The grand square was the hub of activity for all disciples, a sprawling area that encompassed the living quarters, the commercial district, the teaching halls, and the administrative zones.

Though called a "square," its expanse was large enough to rival that of a small town. Ye Chen soon arrived at the center of this vast area. At its heart stood the Mission Hall of the Green Cloud Sect, where numerous disciples had already gathered, preparing to take on tasks.

Outside the hall, voices rang out, calling for recruits: "Slay a Qi Refining Sixth Layer beast, one member still needed. The spoils and contributions will be shared equally. Requirements: Qi Refining Sixth Layer, proficiency in ice-based spells…."

"I am at the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining, skilled in the Minor Cloud Rain technique, which I have mastered. I've also started learning the Great Fireball technique, capable of both attack and healing. Any senior brothers or sisters willing to take me in? If I don't take on tasks soon, I'll be expelled from the sect!"

"The Pill Peak is looking for a trial medicine disciple, requirements: Qi Refining Sixth Layer or higher, a strong physique. Thirty low-grade spirit stones per day, with payment made daily. If you endure for five days, the total reward will be raised to two medium-grade spirit stones...."

"Hunting the Ancient Dark Eagle mission, one teammate skilled in enemy tracking needed. High contribution, hurry up and join!"

The lively scene before him stirred in Ye Chen a feeling reminiscent of the online games from his past life. There were indeed some teams that seemed to be short-handed, and they appeared ready to approach him for assistance. However, when they saw the three clouds embroidered on Ye Chen's robes, they froze in surprise.

In Green Cloud Sect, a disciple's robe was marked with one cloud if they were a regular disciple, two clouds if they were an elder's disciple. Only a direct disciple of a peak master wore three clouds. But wasn't there only four direct disciples, one for each peak? How could there be another one all of a sudden?

Immediately, curious glances swept toward Ye Chen. A number of disciples even approached him to pay their respects. Anyone who was chosen as a direct disciple of a peak master was undoubtedly a genius. They naturally had no qualms about establishing good relations.

In the world of cultivation, it wasn't just about fighting and killing; social connections were equally crucial. If one had powerful connections, in times of difficulty, they could always call on others for help.

Ye Chen smiled at the ordinary disciples. He scanned the crowd, but the system barely chimed. The few chimes it did make were for fivefold or tenfold rewards. Such low rates were beneath his notice now.

Ye Chen's perspective had shifted; he no longer found fivefold or tenfold rewards worthy of attention. After strolling around the Mission Hall, Ye Chen made his way toward the teaching area. The teaching area consisted of several open platforms. Elders were often present, teaching their disciples. Some taught fundamental cultivation techniques, while others focused on introductory spells. There were even classes on the six arts of cultivation. And then, there was the advanced section.

As a direct disciple, Ye Chen had access to all of these areas without any obstacles. It was clear that the elders put great effort into their teachings. It was somewhat reminiscent of the university experience from his past life.

After a thorough exploration, Ye Chen began to understand why Green Cloud Sect was so alluring to ordinary cultivators.

Out in the world, finding a mentor and learning various skills was incredibly difficult. But here in Green Cloud Sect, such privileges were available to any disciple. Even if one lacked resources, they could take on missions, earning merit to exchange for resources to enhance their cultivation. It was far superior to the life of a lone cultivator outside.

Although the sect provided few free resources to ordinary disciples, the platform that was Green Cloud Sect offered benefits far beyond what one could imagine.

However, Ye Chen unfortunately didn't find a suitable gifting candidate in the teaching area. He did encounter a potential gift target with a twentyfold reward multiplier. She appeared to be a seventh-layer Qi Refining female disciple. Her beauty was indeed unmatched, radiant like the finest flowers.

Yet, there was a male cultivator sitting beside her, attending the lecture together. The two of them interacted in an extraordinarily intimate manner. Though the system prompt indicated that she was still a virgin, it was clear that the two of them shared mutual affection.

Ye Chen, however, had never been one to undermine someone else's relationship. There were plenty of flowers in the world, why steal another's partner? Thus, he chose to ignore the matter altogether.

After leaving the teaching area, Ye Chen made his way toward the commercial district. This area housed the sect's shops, as well as many disciples who set up stalls to sell items they had acquired while completing missions in the outside world.

Ye Chen wandered the streets aimlessly. Apart from hoping for a stroke of luck in finding a suitable target, he also wanted to see if there was anything he could buy as a gift.

"Freshly harvested Dark Tiger Blood, perfect for beginners studying talisman crafting. One low-grade spirit stone for a small bucket!"

"Processed first-grade demon beast pelts and furs, thirty percent cheaper than store prices. Come quickly!"

"Just out of the furnace, middle-grade pill, best for cultivation!"

As Ye Chen strolled through the crowd, he found nothing that truly caught his eye. To be honest, if any disciples had acquired true treasures, they would surely keep them for themselves. Anything that was being sold at a stall was likely something of little use.

Ye Chen continued his aimless wandering, bored and disinterested. However, as he passed by a stall selling cultivation techniques, his steps suddenly halted, a look of keen interest spreading across his face.

At the stall, there lay a dual cultivation technique. Dual cultivation, as the name suggested, was a method where two cultivators would practice together, their energies intertwined. Since Ye Chen had crossed into this world, he had become quite fascinated by such techniques, eager to find one to critique.

However, the cultivation world today had become rather impatient, focused on quick gains, and as a result, genuine techniques that could simultaneously enhance the cultivation of both parties during practice were few and far between. Most are ones where one party supplemented the other and not the other way around.

Thus, Ye Chen had never come across an authentic one until now. Seeing one for the first time, he couldn't help but feel excitement. A legitimate dual cultivation technique allowed both parties to enhance their cultivation through mutual pleasure.

While the increase in power wasn't significant, it was certainly better than having nothing at all. If the effects of the technique were doubled after gifting it, wouldn't that be a tremendous boost? Double the pleasure?

Ye Chen, with his less-than-impressive talent, was desperate to accelerate his cultivation. Even a small boost would help. Anything was better than nothing.

Thinking this, Ye Chen immediately inquired, "How much for this technique?"

The stall keeper calmly answered, "One high-grade spirit stone."

???

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow at this.

One high-grade spirit stone for a dual cultivation technique? Had the stall keeper lost his mind? The most expensive flying boat Ye Chen had bought previously cost only fifty middle-grade spirit stones. Could it be that disciples of Green Cloud Sect were all obsessed with spirit stones? Were they all like Sun Ye, driven only by wealth?

"Why is it so expensive?" Ye Chen furrowed his brow and asked.

The stall keeper, initially impatient, was about to snap back with a comment about how Ye Chen couldn't afford it and should walk away. But upon seeing the three clouds on Ye Chen's robe, his expression froze in shock.

A Peak Master's direct disciple? Though he had never seen Ye Chen before, in Green Cloud Sect, who would dare to impersonate a direct disciple?

The stall keeper quickly switched to a much more cordial tone, standing up to introduce the technique.

"Senior, this dual cultivation technique is not ordinary. Most dual cultivation techniques, as you know, require one to focus on the technique during practice… And afterward, one must sit in meditation to refine the gains from the process. But that kind of distraction only hinders the pleasure. Plus, immediately sitting down to meditate after finishing is not conducive to building affection between partners. But this technique is different.

“The technique operates passively, requiring no distraction, and there's no need for additional effort to refine the benefits. Both parties receive a feedback of spirit Qi during the process. In other words, you can improve your cultivation without interrupting your real business. Senior, just for this feature alone, one high-grade spirit stone is truly not expensive. If I weren't short on spirit stones, I wouldn't even consider selling it."

Chapter 77: Will This Get Me Beaten?

After hearing the explanation, Ye Chen became even more interested in this dual cultivation technique. It wasn't because of the act itself; Ye Chen wasn't that kind of person. The main reason was that Ye Chen was well aware of his poor talent and knew that in order to speed up his cultivation progress, he needed to seize every opportunity.

Dual cultivation was different from normal training. It wouldn't place an extra burden on his meridians. It could be combined with regular cultivation. Even if the cultivation increase from dual cultivation was only one-tenth of that from normal training, over a long period, it would save quite a bit of time.

Furthermore, Ye Chen realized that the system truly only recognized virgins. For example, after he had been with Lu Jing and Lin Ke'er last night, they no longer appeared on the system's feedback list today. In a certain sense, they had already lost much of their value to him. Keeping them around would only serve the purpose of serving as attendants.

But with the dual cultivation technique, it was different. Even if it wasn't recognized by the system, it could still have its benefits around Ye Chen. It wouldn't be a complete waste. It was perfect.

...

With this thought in mind, Ye Chen picked up the jade slip, and after receiving the vendor's consent, he used his spiritual sense to scan the technique's brief introduction:

"Extreme Joy Technique: Life is short, enjoy dual cultivation to the fullest! The joy is boundless! Once the technique is cultivated, it automatically activates when discussing Dao with a female cultivator, converting energy without requiring distraction. Both parties receive feedback. The higher the female cultivator's cultivation level, the better the effect. Dual cultivation can be practiced for four hours each day. Beyond that, the conversion efficiency greatly decreases. When dual cultivating with a female cultivator of equal cultivation level, the efficiency is one-tenth of normal cultivation."

...

It really was just one-tenth. When calculated, it was equivalent to gaining an additional three days of cultivation every month. But this didn't even account for the increase from pills used in regular cultivation. So those three days were essentially just one day.

If Ye Chen cultivated diligently every month, he'd gain only one extra day of cultivation progress. This efficiency? It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was nearly useless. Moreover, the effective time was only four hours per day. Who are they looking down on with such little time?

Ye Chen felt that this technique wasn't worth it.

"The effect is too ordinary; it's more of a consolation than anything useful. Ten middle-grade spirit stones, and I'll take it."

Ye Chen immediately bargained.

The vendor's lips twitched upon hearing this.

"Senior Brother, you know how difficult it is to increase one's cultivation. Any opportunity to improve, even if it's just a little bit, should be seized. After all, one step slow means many steps slow. Ten middle-grade spirit stones won't work. How about this? I'll consider it a friendly gesture and offer it to you for ninety middle-grade spirit stones."

Ye Chen curled his lips. "Since every little bit counts, why don't you keep it for yourself then?"

The vendor, looking entirely justified, replied, "Because I don't have a Dao partner! Look at me, I’m just a regular disciple. Every month, I have so few resources, how could I possibly find a Dao partner? If your Dao partner is out on a mission and finds it too difficult or is afraid, you'll have to go along with them, right? If your Dao partner runs out of resources to cultivate, and you happen to have some, can you really bear to not share a little?

“And if you have a child... that's even more trouble. If the child has a spiritual root, you'll need to provide resources. Finding a Dao partner only wastes time and resources. Only a fool would do that. I heard from a new disciple yesterday that his cousin is a simp, always thinking about finding a Dao partner. He's sending all his pill resources, even giving away more valuable treasures. Now, that's a real fool."

Ye Chen couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

This guy was quite sharp. But the cousin he mentioned…. Why did Ye Chen feel so familiar with that story? Wasn't that Ye Tian, the guy who couldn't be bothered to properly cultivate in Green Cloud Sect and instead focused on spreading rumors about him? Next time he saw him, he'd give him a good thrashing.

...

This dual cultivation technique certainly had its unique benefits, but it was too minimal in terms of actual cultivation improvement. It was the kind of thing low-level cultivators couldn't afford, and high-level cultivators wouldn't care for.

The vendor had probably been stuck with it for a long time, and on top of that, Ye Chen's identity as a direct disciple likely made him eager to form connections. In the end, they settled on a price of fifty middle-grade spirit stones, and the deal was made.

After the transaction was completed, Ye Chen walked back with a pleasant mood. The technique’s efficiency was indeed a bit lacking, but what about after the system feedback? This might just turn into something useful.

A hundredfold feedback would definitely be the best. But if he dared to give this to his master... he'd probably be cleaning out the sect the next day. What about giving it to the female cultivator he met earlier with the twentyfold feedback?

That seemed to have some potential. The woman already had someone she was interested in. If Ye Chen gifted her a dual cultivation technique, wouldn't that be a perfect match? But giving a dual cultivation technique to a female cultivator felt a bit like harassment. And she had a boyfriend, what if she thought he was flirting with her? Would he get beaten up? Moreover, it didn't seem too good for his reputation.

Just as Ye Chen was hesitating, a familiar voice came from behind: "Senior Sister, you actually managed to refine the top-grade Green Spirit Pill! You're almost ready to break through to the second-grade Alchemist, you're amazing!"

It was Sun Ruoxin's voice.

Hearing this, Ye Chen instinctively turned around. Sure enough, Sun Ruoxin was there. She was wearing the Green Cloud Sect disciple robes, but her long, slender legs still managed to catch the eye, radiating brilliance.

But when the system prompt chimed, Ye Chen was instantly startled! It wasn't because of Sun Ruoxin. It was because of the female cultivator standing beside her.

"System detects an eligible feedback target."

"Yao Xi: Thirtyfold feedback!"

What?!

Ye Chen immediately took a closer look.

There, standing next to Sun Ruoxin, was a tall female cultivator. Her legs were as long as Sun Ruoxin's, but she was even taller, at least 1.75 meters. Her figure was just as exquisite: slim waist, long legs, and a full, graceful form.

But what truly caught Ye Chen's attention was her back. Slightly turning his face, he could clearly see her exaggerated curves. It was as if one could place a glass of wine on her back. Her figure was absolutely perfect. No wonder her feedback rate was thirtyfold.

This female cultivator, named Yao Xi, walked alongside Sun Ruoxin, her beautiful face adorned with a calm smile. Her chin was slightly raised. Clearly, she was a proud woman. Quite interesting….

...

"Your talisman-making skills aren't bad. If you keep practicing, there's no reason you couldn't be taken as a disciple by the Elder in charge of talismans."

Yao Xi lightly complimented her, sounding sincere, yet her tone was indifferent. Her father had ties with Sun Ye, so out of respect for her father, she occasionally showed some favor to Sun Ruoxin in the sect. Despite being a senior sister and having reached the ninth level of Qi Refining, Yao Xi had her own concerns. She didn't have time to deal with Sun Ruoxin much. After exchanging a few words, she was ready to leave.

"Ruoxin?"

Noticing that Sun Ruoxin seemed distracted, Yao Xi furrowed her brows and reminded her.

Sun Ruoxin snapped back to reality, her eyes filled with surprise and disbelief. She quickly apologized to her senior sister Yao Xi: "Sorry, I was just surprised to see an acquaintance."

Yao Xi casually waved her hand. "Since you've seen someone you know, go chat with them. I've got things to do!"

With that, she was about to leave. But as she casually glanced around, wondering who Sun Ruoxin's acquaintance was….

She spotted the three clouds embroidered on Ye Chen's robes.

Sun Ruoxin's acquaintance... was actually a direct disciple of the peak master?!

Yao Xi, who had been about to leave, immediately froze in her tracks.

Chapter 78: The Disgusting Lower-Class Man!

When Sun Ruoxin saw Ye Chen at Green Cloud Sect, she was undoubtedly surprised. Especially when she saw that Ye Chen was also wearing the sect's disciple robes. Had the Ye family granted another spot in the sect to Ye Chen? Was Ye Chen really being treated with such importance?

Sun Ruoxin couldn't understand it, no matter how hard she tried. But the truth was, she had only just arrived at Green Cloud Sect, and she was feeling a little uneasy.

To meet someone who was willing to give everything for her without any complaints, no matter whether she liked him or not, would always bring her a sense of joy and security. And now that Ye Chen had joined Green Cloud Sect, didn't that mean he would be able to send her gifts in the future? That would be wonderful.

"Junior Brother, you've joined Green Cloud Sect as well? That's wonderful! Just yesterday, I was so worried that your family might punish you! But how did you manage to get in?"

Sun Ruoxin asked with genuine delight.

If she really was worried, she wouldn't have rushed off with the Green Cloud Token in hand, looking like you were desperate to get away from Ye Chen.

Ye Chen was too occupied to even glance at Sun Ruoxin at the moment. After all, standing behind her was a beautiful woman with a thirtyfold feedback rate!

Ye Chen casually replied, "It was just a matter of fate. How about introducing your Senior Sister behind you?"

Noticing Ye Chen's gaze, Sun Ruoxin was momentarily taken aback. Then, as she turned around, she saw that her Senior Sister hadn't left yet.

Ye Chen's indifference towards her and his sudden focus on the Senior Sister made Sun Ruoxin feel a little uncomfortable. But she still introduced her politely, "This is Senior Sister Yao Xi, the eldest senior sister of Green Cloud Sect. She has reached the ninth level of Qi Refining and is also a disciple of the Alchemy Peak Elder. This is Ye Chen, my junior brother. He once studied talisman-making with me."

Ye Chen immediately smiled, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Senior Sister Yao."

Yao Xi's stunning face broke into a smile as well. "Junior Brother Ye, did you just join the sect?"

Under Ye Chen's subtle prompting, the conversation quickly shifted to alchemy.

"Not only can you make talismans, but you can also refine pills? You really are a genius," Yao Xi said, somewhat surprised.

Ye Chen shook his head. "I've only just begun. I'm nowhere near your level, Senior Sister Yao. If I get the chance, I hope you'll be generous with your guidance."

Yao Xi, hearing this, spoke warmly, "There's a class on high-grade elixirs every week. I attend regularly. If Junior Brother needs any help, feel free to come to me after the class. I have something to attend to now. We'll meet again soon."

Ye Chen nodded in thanks, watching as Yao Xi turned and walked away, her long legs making every step a spectacle. One couldn't help but be mesmerized by her appearance. Her front was already breathtaking, but her back? Truly, it was on a whole new level.

The shape of her rounded hips was a first for Ye Chen. It was unlike anything he had ever seen. Pairing that with a waist as slender as a willow, it was hard to imagine how mesmerizing she must look when she bent down.

...

"I need to go practice, see you later."

Sun Ruoxin's face had cooled as well.

Earlier, Ye Chen had completely ignored her. His eyes seemed to have no focus other than on Senior Sister Yao. The most frustrating part? Even after Senior Sister Yao left, Ye Chen couldn't seem to stop looking after her.

Though Sun Ruoxin had known from the start that Ye Chen wasn't the type to be a lovesick fool, it still stung to be treated this way in front of her. Was she really inferior to Senior Sister Yao?

Fuming with anger, Sun Ruoxin spoke coldly before turning to leave.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow at her words. She had taken so much from him, run off with the flying boat to escape, and even relied on him to get into Green Cloud Sect. And now, she had the audacity to get upset with him? How laughable.

However, Sun Ruoxin still had some value. The dual cultivation technique wasn't something Ye Chen could give to his Master, nor to Yao Xi, whom he had just met. After all, it would seem too perverse to offer such a thing so soon. It would be detrimental to future relations.

Moreover, Yao Xi might not even need it. If the system didn't recognize it, then it would be a complete waste. But Sun Ruoxin was different. This woman had promised that once she reached Foundation Establishment, she would repay him with her body.

Whether or not she was sincere when she said it didn't matter. Ye Chen had taken her words at face value. With that in mind, it was only fitting that he give her the dual cultivation technique. It made perfect sense. The system would definitely recognize it and reward him.

So Ye Chen smiled and said, "Since I just entered Green Cloud Sect, I'm still unfamiliar with the place. I should be courteous to strangers. And since she's your friend, I couldn't possibly be too rude. I came to the sect square today specifically to find you. I even spent an upper-grade spirit stone to buy you a gift."

His explanation was quite reasonable. Moreover, hearing that Ye Chen had prepared a gift worth a high-grade spirit stone, Sun Ruoxin's anger dissipated almost instantly. Ever since Elder Kong, her father's master, had tricked her, the spirit stones her family had saved up for years had been completely drained. They were now poor. The fact that Ye Chen had prepared a gift for her, worth a high-grade spirit stone made her feel exceptionally happy.

"Hmph, I'll forgive you this time. But you can't do this again in the future!"

With that, Sun Ruoxin stretched out her hand, signaling Ye Chen to present the gift.

Ye Chen sneered inwardly. He placed the recently acquired dual cultivation technique, the "Extreme Joy Technique,"into her palm.

Sun Ruoxin's eyes brightened when she saw the jade slip. Was this a spell? A spell worth a top-grade spirit stone? It had to be something extraordinary.

Her joy increased, and she sent her spirit sense to scan the jade slip's contents. But when she saw the introduction, Sun Ruoxin froze. Her face turned bright red, her eyes widened in disbelief, and she stared at Ye Chen in shock. She never could have imagined that Ye Chen's gift to her would be a dual cultivation technique. Was Ye Chen trying to dual cultivate with her?

Noticing Sun Ruoxin's gaze, Ye Chen put on a puzzled expression. "Didn't you say that once you reached Foundation Establishment, you'd offer your body to me? I thought it would be fine for me to prepare a dual cultivation technique for you in advance? Or… did you never intend to dual cultivate with me? Was everything you said just a lie?"

As soon as Ye Chen spoke, Sun Ruoxin, who had been ready to angrily question him, froze. She had indeed said something similar when trying to get the Green Cloud Token from Ye Chen. But that was just casual talk, nothing serious. How could she possibly look at Ye Chen once she reached Foundation Establishment? And there was no way she would repay him with her body.

Yet Ye Chen had clearly been fixated on this matter the entire time. He had even gone so far as to buy a dual cultivation technique for her. What did this mean?

Ye Chen wasn't genuinely fond of her; he was just lusting after her body. All his previous actions were merely to get her. She had thought Ye Chen was different from other men, but now she felt disgusted.

Ugh, how vile!

But despite the intense inner turmoil, Sun Ruoxin had noticed something since entering Green Cloud Sect: while the sect was great, to stand out, one still needed resources. And now, she was broke. It was exactly the moment when she needed Ye Chen's support. She absolutely couldn't afford to fall out with him.

So, suppressing the anger within her, she forced herself to speak calmly. "How could I ever deceive my junior brother? It's just... this kind of thing, I'm a bit uncomfortable talking about. Thank you for the gift. I will certainly study and practice this technique carefully."

After speaking, she even shot Ye Chen a coquettish glance, one that seemed to hint at something unspoken. But her mind was already made up. She would pass this useless technique to her father and have him sell it.

At this moment, Ye Chen's face broke into a smile. It wasn't because of Sun Ruoxin's somewhat awkward expression management. It was because the system's feedback prompt had just gone off.

Chapter 79: Those Favored Take It for Granted!

"Gift successfully delivered!"

"The gift: Extreme Joy Technique*."

"Processing feedback…."

"Fifteenfold feedback in progress...."

"Reward: Great Joy Zen Method!"

"Great Joy Zen Method: The path of ultimate pleasure, a method of dual cultivation, allows both or multiple cultivators to experience immense joy while simultaneously greatly enhancing their cultivation. Additionally, practitioners can rely on this technique to solidify their foundation, bolster their essence, and grow ever stronger, with no time limit...."

"The reward has been delivered to the host's storage space."

Upon hearing the system's prompt echo in his mind, Ye Chen raised an eyebrow.

Great Joy Zen Method? The name sounded impressive. From the description, it seemed much more powerful than the Extreme Joy Technique. At the very least, it lacked the time restriction.

Moreover, it offered the ability to grow stronger with every battle. As for the "immense improvement" it promised, the true extent of its power would only become clear once he tested it for himself.

Overall, the reward left Ye Chen in high spirits. On the second day after joining the Green Cloud Sect, he had encountered the ideal thirtyfold feedback female cultivator, Yao Xi. And on top of that, he had received a dual cultivation technique that looked promising. It was nothing short of perfect. Indeed, joining the Green Cloud Sect had been the right decision.

...

"Junior Brother, please don't send me things like this again. Recently, I've been planning to break through to the seventh level of Qi Refining, so I'll likely be in seclusion for a while. If you need anything, you can visit me at my residence."

Sun Ruoxin spoke seriously. She was hinting that Ye Chen should choose more useful gifts in the future. And, of course, she would also take the opportunity to show him around.

Ye Chen's lips curled into a smile as he listened. With the thirtyfold Senior Sister, who would bother sending you gifts every day? Was she dreaming?

Ye Chen had already made plans to attend the alchemy class, coincidentally run into Master Sister Yao Xi, and give her a gift.

Sun Ruoxin's importance to him had drastically diminished. But it was still necessary to know where she lived, just in case. If he couldn't find Yao Xi sometimes, Sun Ruoxin could be of use.

The two of them soon left the grand plaza and arrived at the disciples' living quarters. The disciples' area wasn't bad, with small courtyards scattered about. Each one occupied roughly a hundred square meters. The conditions could only be described as neither too good nor too poor.

Standing there, Ye Chen could clearly feel the concentration of spiritual Qi was far lower than what he experienced at the Sword Peak. Living on the main peak and enjoying the richer spiritual Qi was one of the perks of being a direct disciple.

Soon, they arrived at the entrance of Sun Ruoxin's courtyard. Worried that Ye Chen might follow her in and try to take advantage of the situation, Sun Ruoxin hesitated. After all, she still wanted to keep receiving gifts from him. She couldn't be too harsh in rejecting him, or else it would be easy to end up on the losing side.

So, with a slightly embarrassed expression, she spoke, "I was just assigned here yesterday, and it's still a mess inside. I'll have to invite you for tea next time."

Ye Chen chuckled upon hearing this.

But this suited Ye Chen just fine. He was eager to return and test out the dual cultivation technique. Without saying another word, he turned around and left decisively, not a shred of reluctance in his movements.

This attitude caught Sun Ruoxin off guard. A sense of doubt rose within her. Had she been too distant, making Ye Chen angry? She couldn't help but think about what Ye Chen had done for her.

Even just getting a Green Cloud Sect spot was invaluable. Not to mention all the gifts Ye Chen had given her. Yet, she had acted like she wasn't satisfied. She hadn't even invited him in for a cup of tea. Anyone in Ye Chen's place would be upset.

But, even though she knew she might have gone a little too far, Sun Ruoxin had no intention of changing her attitude. After all, Ye Chen was so beneath her. She had only said those things out of gratitude, yet Ye Chen had taken it seriously. He had even bought her a dual cultivation technique.

Ye Chen's gift of the Green Cloud Token was far from sincere. He was clearly after her body. If she showed him even the slightest kindness, Ye Chen would surely take advantage of it. Perhaps he might even attempt to engage in more intimate matters with her. Therefore, she couldn't afford to treat him kindly.

As for whether Ye Chen would get angry, or distance himself from her? Sun Ruoxin wasn't concerned in the slightest. Ye Chen had given her the Green Cloud Token. He had believed the absurd lie about the flying boat without hesitation. This clearly showed how deeply he was infatuated with her.

A man like Ye Chen, so consumed with love, would never truly get angry at her. No matter how coldly she treated him, he would always remain devoted, always willing to support her. There was no need to worry. In any case, when it came to Ye Chen, Sun Ruoxin was utterly fearless.

…

Ye Chen returned to the Sword Peak in a pleasant mood, entering his courtyard. On the entire Sword Peak, aside from his master, there were only a few others. It was a peaceful and quiet place.

Upon entering the courtyard, both Lu Jing and Lin Ke'er had already woken up. At the sight of Ye Chen, their faces flushed.

"Greetings, Young Master…."

After giving themselves completely to Ye Chen the night before, both Lu Jing and Lin Ke'er had no lingering doubts. They had fully accepted their current situation. Now, they were content to serve as his maidservants.

In truth, serving as Ye Chen's maidservants wasn't a bad arrangement. Ye Chen had promised to provide them with the pills they needed for cultivation. Each month, they would also receive a middle-grade spirit stone as a reward.

Such treatment, in the outside world, might make even female cultivators in the late Foundation Establishment stage fall willingly into Ye Chen's embrace. All they had to do was stay by his side, attending to his needs, and they would have access to all the cultivation resources they could ever want. It was, without a doubt, the dream job for most cultivators. So, both women were genuinely willing to serve as maidservants now.

Next, Lu Jing went to prepare the meal, while Lin Ke'er tidied up the room. Meanwhile, Ye Chen retrieved the "Great Joy Zen Method" from his storage ring, a reward from the system. He pressed the jade slip to his forehead.

Instantly, a torrent of information surged into his mind. To his delight, not only did the jade slip contain the method for cultivating the Great Joy Zen, but it also included the 365 dual cultivation positions of the Joyful Zen Sect.

After quickly scanning through all the positions, Ye Chen felt as if his horizons had been dramatically expanded. Cultivators possessed a vast array of spells, so it was only natural that the variations of practices were innumerable.

Upon finishing, Ye Chen was left with a single thought: all those AV directors in his past life had ultimately been too conservative.

Entering the basics of dual cultivation wasn't difficult. By the end of the afternoon, Ye Chen had grasped the fundamentals. It was only natural for someone to feel eager to try out something new once they had learned it.

After dinner, Ye Chen gazed at the starry sky for a moment before calling the two women into the room. Upon hearing his voice, the two women's beautiful faces flushed with a soft pink hue.

They had already completely surrendered to Ye Chen, their bodies now belonging to him. But the thought of the three of them together still felt somewhat awkward. Despite the embarrassment in their hearts, the two women obediently entered the room. When they saw Ye Chen take out the bed made of stalactite jade, their eyes went wide with astonishment.

The Stalactite Jade Spirit Bead Bed was completely translucent, with spiritual Qi swirling around it like a small, portable spiritual gathering array. Practicing on such a bed would undoubtedly yield results far beyond ordinary methods.

What was even more surprising was that the surface of the bed seemed to be as soft as jelly, making a mattress entirely unnecessary. Neither of them had expected Ye Chen to possess such a treasure.

After Ye Chen briefly explained the bed's properties, the two women were even more shocked. This bed could actually accelerate cultivation. How many spirit stones must it be worth? And with such a large size, it was clear that regular storage bags couldn't hold it.

Therefore, Ye Chen's storage bag was much larger than the ones he had given to them. However, this discovery didn't cause any dissatisfaction in the two women. On the contrary, they felt that Ye Chen's foundation was deeper and more profound than they had ever imagined. To follow such a man was undoubtedly their good fortune. But soon, both women no longer had the time or leisure to think about any of that….

Chapter 80: The Direct Disciple is a Simp!

Though Gu Yunyun possessed a figure that was nothing short of breathtaking, her personality was strikingly cold and direct. The contrast was stark. She spent her days immersed in cultivation, while at night, she would lie on her bamboo bed, gazing up at the starry sky, before gradually falling into sleep.

However, over the past few days, sleep had eluded her. The main reason was that Ye Chen's side was far too noisy. The noise from Ye Chen's side wasn't loud enough to reach her bamboo loft, yet for some inexplicable reason, Gu Yunyun found herself unable to resist sending out her spiritual sense to listen in. And as she listened, her curiosity would grow, wondering how long Ye Chen could maintain his activities. Before long, an entire night would pass by.

Tonight, she lay on her side, her body's curves creating a mesmerizing contrast, like the peaks of a mountain range, a sight of unrivaled beauty.

"It's been a whole week…." she mused. "Is Ye Chen's physique truly this powerful? Doesn't he fear draining his essence and harming his foundation? Even if it doesn't harm his foundation, doesn't he have any intention of focusing on cultivation? Then why did he come to Green Cloud Sect to be my direct disciple? With the token, he could have asked for far more valuable things."

Gu Yunyun was filled with curiosity about her disciple. As for why she had been eavesdropping all this time, it had everything to do with her cultivation method.

Gu Yunyun had already reached the peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage. She was preparing to break through to the Golden Core. But due to her smooth journey thus far, her state of mind was still far from complete. The sounds coming from Ye Chen's side had introduced massive fluctuations in her state of mind.

Gu Yunyun had a sense that the day she could remain unaffected by the sounds coming from Ye Chen would be the day she was truly ready to break through to the Golden Core. Though the sounds still caused various distractions in her heart, Gu Yunyun had full confidence in herself. With her willpower, she was certain she would succeed.

But before achieving success, she absolutely could not rush into attempting a breakthrough. The path to the Golden Core required one to face the Heart Tribulation. If any weaknesses existed in one's heart, the breakthrough would inevitably fail. Thus, this was not eavesdropping; it was a part of her cultivation!

Gu Yunyun continued to listen with full focus, yet the faint flush on her face, the beads of fragrant sweat on her forehead, and the occasional sip of spirit wine, each drop flowing like a stream into a valley, revealed that she was not as composed as she appeared.

...

"This Great Joy Zen Method is truly formidable," Ye Chen murmured to himself.

In the early morning, after merely closing his eyes for a moment, he rose and began his cultivation. Beside him, Lin Ke'er and Lu Jing lay covered in silk quilts, sleeping sweetly, each in a different posture.

For an entire week, Ye Chen had been experimenting with the Great Joy Zen Method. After adjusting for two days, the results were nothing short of terrifying, especially with the support of the Stalactite Jade Spirit Bead Bed.

The cultivation efficiency had nearly reached the same level as actual cultivation. Moreover, the Great Joy Zen was a genuine dual cultivation technique. The benefits were not confined to Ye Chen alone. The two women shared in them as well.

Originally, one would cultivate while the other observed, alternating between the two. Their enthusiasm was not particularly high, and they felt a little reserved. But once they experienced the benefits of cultivation, their motivation skyrocketed.

Now, one would cultivate while the other actively assisted, eager to swap places quickly. Both sought to reap the benefits of their spiritual progress. In their desire to win Ye Chen's favor, both women threw themselves into learning all kinds of positions. They even began to compete with one another internally, striving for more time.

In short, with the help of the Great Joy Zen Method, Ye Chen's cultivation speed had practically doubled. Though Ye Chen's aptitude was average, even with the finest elixirs and the aid of the Stalactite Jade Spirit Bead Bed, he would have needed at least six months to break through to the seventh level of Qi Refining.

But now, in just three months at most, he could potentially break through. With some effort, he might even reach the seventh level within this time frame.

...

When Ye Chen finished his cultivation, both women had already quietly risen. One was preparing breakfast, while the other waited, ready to assist Ye Chen with his morning routine.

As Ye Chen opened his eyes, Lin Ke'er, with a face full of youthful innocence, began to carefully attend to him. Enjoying the delicate service of her slender hands, Ye Chen felt particularly content.

However, as Lin Ke'er's hands drifted lower, Ye Chen stopped her. Lin Ke'er was highly motivated and always sought opportunities to improve herself, often trying to learn in secret when Lu Jing was not around.

But today, Ye Chen had matters to attend to. Ignoring the melancholic and plaintive look in Lin Ke'er's eyes, he ate his breakfast and advised both women to focus on their own cultivation before heading to the sect's grand plaza.

The effectiveness of the Great Joy Zen Method in boosting cultivation was closely tied to the cultivator's own level. Both women were at the fourth level of Qi Refining, still a little behind.

However, with the constant supply of resources and the use of the Jade Bed, their cultivation had progressed rapidly. Both were now close to breaking through to the fifth level.

...

"Controlling fire relies on spiritual rhythm. You need to refine your fire control technique to the perfected stage before you can truly master the art of flame manipulation. Only then can you hope to refine high-grade pills."

...

"Spiritual fire? It's rare, but if you can obtain it, your alchemy skills will grow by leaps and bounds. It will also benefit your cultivation."

...

"Alright, today's lesson is over. I have thoroughly explained the technique of fire control. If you still have any doubts, you can visit the Black Sky Pill Shop. I've left my alchemical insights there. I believe after reading them, you will gain a deeper understanding."

On the grand plaza that day, Ye Chen, having finished his advanced cultivation class, felt rather bored. What annoyed him most was that the elder had used the class to promote his own business. It was a bit outrageous….

However, Ye Chen didn't dwell on it for long. His alchemy skills were already at the perfected first rank. He didn't need to attend the elder's lessons.

Ye Chen's reason for coming was, of course, the thirty-fold boost from his senior sister, Yao Xi. Since his master was still out of reach, Yao Xi had become Ye Chen's favorite female cultivator, without exception.

During the class, Yao Xi had always sat in the front row. The classroom was simple, with just mats spread across the ground. Many disciples sat cross-legged, but Yao Xi's figure was so exaggerated that it wasn't suited for cross-legged sitting, so she chose to kneel instead. The sight of her form, compressed into that posture, was truly breathtaking.

The class ended, but Yao Xi seemed to still be lost in thought and had yet to rise. Ye Chen, however, stood up directly and made his way toward her. Disciples scattered in all directions, and upon seeing Ye Chen, their expressions became somewhat strange. It had been a week, and the news of a new direct disciple in the sect had already spread.

The fact that the sect's acknowledged number-one fighter, Peak Master Gu Yunyun, had taken in a disciple naturally piqued the curiosity of the others. They wanted to know what kind of genius this disciple was.

But soon, new gossip emerged. Ye Chen was said to be a "connections disciple," having relied on personal ties to secure his position. It was whispered that his spiritual root was so poor it couldn't even compare to regular disciples.

The rumor was that he would likely lose his status as a direct disciple in less than three years. And there were even rumors that this "connections disciple" was a simp. A useless man without ambition, who poured all his resources into serving female cultivators. These rumors undoubtedly left the disciples of the Green Cloud Sect in utter amazement.

Everyone was so focused on their cultivation that they didn't even care to find a Dao companion. Yet, here was someone who bizarrely chose to be a simp? What was even more absurd was that such a simp had somehow become a direct disciple? It was utterly outrageous!

Thus, when the disciples saw Ye Chen, their expressions were all peculiar. But not a single one dared to mock or ridicule him. After all, no matter how poor Ye Chen's spiritual root was, no matter how low his talent or how much of a simp he appeared to be, he was still a direct disciple, and moreover, a connection of the Peak Master. Who would dare risk offending him?

Still, everyone secretly awaited the day when Ye Chen would lose his direct disciple status and slink back down the mountain in disgrace. At this moment, the disciples watched Ye Chen approach Senior Sister Yao Xi. Their surprise deepened, and those who had previously doubted the rumors no longer had any doubts. It seemed the rumors about this direct disciple were indeed true.