ISWI Chapter 140-141 (Patreon)

Chapter 140: The Master is a Bit Nervous!

"You all should focus on your cultivation and strive to break through to Foundation Establishment as soon as possible. Whoever shows the least progress in cultivation, will have to spend fewer nights in my room from now on. Whoever shows the greatest progress, will be rewarded with a top-tier Five Elements Pill next week."

Ye Chen was encouraging his attendants, while also offering them a top-tier Five Elements Pill as motivation. The three women, upon hearing this, all wore eager expressions.

Ye Chen had already begun giving them top-tier Five Elements Pills. He had even shown them the top-tier Foundation Establishment Pills. When they first saw them, the three women were naturally stunned. They hadn't expected that Ye Chen even possessed the long-lost Five Elements Pills.

But after the initial shock, their excitement soared. Even for the disciples of the Green Cloud Sect, earning a Five Elements Pill was far more valuable than obtaining a spot in the Five Elements Cave.

And as for them? As long as they performed well, they could receive top-tier Five Elements Pills. Not to mention the top-tier Foundation Establishment Pills. The disciples of the Green Cloud Sect could only hope for high-grade pills at best.

Once they reached the perfect stage of Qi Refining, they could use the top-tier Foundation Establishment Pills to break through. This made the three women even more grateful for their decision to become Ye Chen's attendants.

Ye Chen was, without a doubt, the best master in the world. Not to mention that Ye Chen was full of energy, able to both enjoy himself and improve his strength at the same time. Since his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment, their own cultivation had advanced even further. This only made them more eager to improve.

As Ye Chen looked at the three women, he shook his head. Lately, he had been feeling a bit disinterested. The women's cultivation was not particularly high to begin with, and now that he had reached Foundation Establishment, the benefits they brought him had grown smaller with each passing day.

Instead, it seemed he was the one helping them cultivate. This had made Ye Chen's enthusiasm wane, and his time spent on cultivation every night had significantly decreased as a result.

However, while the three women's talents weren't exceptional, they were still decent. Combined with the various pills Ye Chen had given them, they were progressing at a rapid pace.

They had already reached the eighth layer of Qi Refining and were nearing the ninth layer. Once they broke through, they would have the top-tier Foundation Establishment Pills to aid them.

At that point, everyone would be able to reach Foundation Establishment. By then, the benefits they would bring him in return would certainly be much higher. After sending the three attendants off to focus on their cultivation, Ye Chen settled into his own practice, briefly glancing at the gift he intended to present to his master the next day.

"Top-tier True Intent Pill!"

This was another kind of enhancement pill for Foundation Establishment cultivators. When taken during cultivation, a True Intent Pill would clear the mind and sharpen the senses, increasing the cultivation speed by an additional five percent.

However, its price was far steeper than that of the typical pills used by Foundation Establishment cultivators. Such an expensive pill only increased the cultivation speed by five percent. The cost-to-benefit ratio was utterly absurd.

If one were to take a pill every day, the expenditure would double, but the gain would only be five percent. Naturally, very few cultivators would be willing to spend so much on such a pill. The top-tier True Intent Pill was even more potent, but its price was even more outrageous.

Yet Ye Chen had still managed to refine it. He planned to present it to his master the very next day. No other reason—just because he could afford it and wanted to indulge himself.

If others could afford such pills, he, Ye Chen, would also indulge. If others couldn't afford them, he, Ye Chen, would still make sure to have them. As long as it was a pill that could provide benefits, Ye Chen wouldn't hesitate to obtain it. Whether it was expensive or not didn't matter to him in the least. After all, a single gift could earn him more than what other Foundation Establishment cultivators made in several years.

In this situation, Ye Chen certainly wasn't going to be stingy with himself. Just as Ye Chen was contemplating whether to continue his cultivation of spells or refine another batch of pills, a guest arrived at the Sword Peak and came to the courtyard.

It was the Elder from the Green Cloud Sect's External Affairs Hall.

"Greetings, Elder Zhang!" Ye Chen greeted politely. The Elder from the External Affairs Hall was a mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, a beautiful woman with stunning looks, though sadly, the system had no reaction.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, you're aware of the situation in Middle Mountain. The inheritance secret realm you entered previously has collapsed, and traces of the Boundless Demon Sect's ruins have already appeared. Our sect has dispatched several Elders, and we've clashed with the Misty Sect several times.

"Among them, Elder Li from the early Foundation Establishment stage was unfortunately surrounded and severely injured. The sect needs someone to replace him. Thus, we've chosen you, Fellow Daoist Ye! We will be counting on you for this mission!" Elder Zhang said politely.

Ye Chen was, after all, Gu Yunyun's disciple. And to dominate the Qi Refining stage with a third-grade spiritual root, then succeed in Foundation Establishment on the first attempt, he was certainly no ordinary person. Being polite was only right.

However, upon hearing this, Ye Chen couldn't help but furrow his brow slightly. This was all happening too suddenly. He had only just started trying to win his master's favor, and things were beginning to take a turn for the better. And now, he was being sent away? What terrible luck.

To be honest, Ye Chen didn't really care about opportunities or such things. After all, his system was the greatest opportunity in the entire cultivation world. There was really no need to go. He'd rather stay on the mountain and continue earning by pleasing his master.

But Ye Chen knew that he couldn't refuse. The Green Cloud Sect never cultivated disciples for nothing. Not to mention, Ye Chen hadn't even chosen to be an Elder. That made it even harder to say no. So, he straightforwardly nodded and agreed, "Alright!"

"Then, I'll have to trouble Fellow Daoist Ye to set off immediately!" Elder Zhang said, her voice polite. "The situation over there is not ideal. Su Yuxuan from the Misty Sect has also broken through to Foundation Establishment. Although it's only a recent breakthrough, her combat prowess is formidable. It's said that she arrived in Middle Mountain just a few days ago."

Ye Chen frowned. So urgent?

"Could I leave tomorrow morning? There are still a few things I need to take care of!"

Tomorrow, the system would trigger again. Ye Chen intended to give his master the top-tier True Intent Pill before he left.

Elder Zhang's face, which had been all business, now showed a hint of hesitation, but she nodded in agreement after a moment: "Alright, then please, Fellow Daoist Ye, depart as early as possible tomorrow!"

Ye Chen smiled and thanked her. After sending off Elder Zhang, Ye Chen lazily stretched. He wasn't really worried about going to Middle Mountain. With his current strength, he could easily defeat early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, handle mid-stage Foundation Establishment without breaking a sweat, and the later stages... he wasn't sure about. But as long as there weren't any Golden Core monsters around, he was certain that his safety wouldn't be a problem.

That night, Ye Chen left a batch of pills for his attendants. Perhaps the benefits they could provide were too minimal. As a result, he only practiced until midnight.

So, Ye Chen decided to rest early. The next morning, he went straight to the peak and arrived outside his master's courtyard.

"Master, your disciple requests an audience..." Ye Chen knocked on the door and spoke.

Inside the courtyard, Gu Yunyun was unusually flustered. When she learned that Ye Chen had insisted on waiting one more day before leaving, Gu Yunyun had already started to worry. Was Ye Chen coming to see her?

Now, hearing Ye Chen outside the door, it seemed to confirm her suspicions.

Had Ye Chen discovered that it was she who had arranged for his departure? Was that why he wanted to speak with her? Or was Ye Chen going to confront her directly? If that was the case, what should she do? Should she refuse outright, or would that affect his mindset? Would it be better to just strike him down? What should she do?

She couldn't just agree to it. That was absolutely out of the question. The renowned Gu Yunyun, who had always been devoted to the Sword Dao, never imagined she would find herself in this situation with her own disciple. No matter how she handled it, it didn't feel right. For a moment, she was at a complete loss.

After a long pause, Gu Yunyun finally made her decision. If Ye Chen truly confronted her, she would refuse him directly. He probably wasn't too set in his ways yet. Perhaps the quickest and most straightforward approach was the best.

Once Gu Yunyun had steeled herself for what was to come, she raised her hand and opened the door. Her expression was complex as she looked at Ye Chen approaching.

Chapter 141: Send Yao Xi as Well!

Gu Yunyun gazed at Ye Chen with a complex expression, her mind quietly shaking its head.

Ye Chen, of course, had no idea what his master was thinking. He smiled, cupped his hands, and spoke, "Master, your disciple will set off today to Middle Mountain. Last night, I had a feeling, so I refined a batch of top-tier True Intent Pills. I thought they might be of some use to you, and I've brought them as a token of my filial piety..."

Upon hearing this, Gu Yunyun understood why Ye Chen had insisted on delaying his departure for a day. It was to deliver pills to her. No wonder Ye Chen had only cultivated until midnight last night before unusually stopping. He had been refining pills for her. Ye Chen truly felt so deeply for her...

If Ye Chen's actions were indeed driven by filial piety, Gu Yunyun would naturally be pleased to have such a grateful disciple. But the question remained—was this really filial piety?

Looking at the pills in Ye Chen's hands, Gu Yunyun was inclined to refuse. But then she remembered that Ye Chen still didn't know she had already discovered the truth.If she were too cold or distant in her rejection, it might make Ye Chen overthink. It could create a more awkward atmosphere.

So, after some consideration, Gu Yunyun finally nodded and said, "You are thoughtful, disciple..."

After presenting the elixir to his master, Ye Chen smiled as he listened to the system's prompt of a hundredfold reward. Alas, he was soon to embark on a mission. Otherwise, continuing at this rate, he would one day become the wealthiest in all the immortal realms.

With a reluctant glance at his master, Ye Chen took his leave, stepping out of the courtyard, casting his flying boat, and soaring beyond the sect's borders.

Gu Yunyun, her graceful neck tilted back, watched as Ye Chen's figure shrank in the distance. She thought of his last look, filled with reluctance, restraint, and resolve, and sighed. Ye Chen was truly too stubborn.

Gu Yunyun even began to wonder, during the year Ye Chen would spend on his mission in Middle Mountain, whether the wayward thoughts in his heart might finally dissipate.

To save Ye Chen from straying further, Gu Yunyun decided to add a layer of insurance. She would visit the External Affairs Hall later, and send Yao Xi to Middle Mountain as well. At any cost, she must correct her disciple's path. Otherwise, their master-disciple relationship would be untenable.

Meanwhile, Gu Yunyun felt an urgent need to advance beyond the Golden Core stage. Previously, she was content with her natural state of mind, but now, she believed that her disciple's inappropriate thoughts might stem from both being at the Foundation Establishment stage. Though there was a small gap in their minor realms, in a sense, they were already on the same level as cultivators.

Therefore, she must break through to Golden Core soon. Only then could she suppress Ye Chen's improper thoughts...

At the end of a day's flight, Ye Chen arrived at Middle Mountain. Compared to his previous visits, the mountain range of Middle Mountain was bustling with activity. The ruins of the ancient sect, the Boundless Demon Sect, had emerged. It had not only attracted the two major sects, but also a wider range of loose cultivators.

After all, for most cultivators, resources and opportunities were incredibly scarce. When such ruins appeared, even the slightest benefit, a mere corner of the treasure, could bring tremendous improvement.

Not to mention, if they were lucky enough to obtain a supreme treasure, it could propel them straight to the top. This level of excitement was entirely normal.

Upon arriving at the Green Cloud Sect's base, Ye Chen saw the elders gathered there, seemingly engaged in some kind of discussion. When they saw Ye Chen, they greeted him courteously.

Among the elders was Kong Xiangli, who, upon spotting Ye Chen, furrowed his brow. However, he still managed to force a smile, albeit a strained one. His expression was a little awkward.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow, smiling as he gave a nod to the man. Ye Chen certainly didn't hold grudges. After all, he hadn't lost anything in the first place. He bore no ill will. If the other party was making an effort to be friendly, Ye Chen couldn't be bothered to hold onto any grudges.

"Master Li, the seal on the entrance of the ruins can only hold for another month, correct?"

After Ye Chen had taken a seat, one of the elders asked.

Elder Li, from the Array Peak, was one of the only two mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators present, along with Kong Xiangli.

He nodded in affirmation. "Indeed. I had always wondered why the ruins of the Boundless Demon Sect had remained hidden for so long. It now appears that when the sect faced its crisis, it used an array to seal itself beneath the Middle Mountain mountain range, awaiting the day it could rise again."

"Such a miraculous array could only have been set up by a fifth-grade array master! But the earlier collapse of the inheritance realm also impacted the array, causing it to slowly weaken, and the entrance of the ruins has now been discovered. At most, within a month, the array at the entrance will completely fail."

Elder Li spoke with certainty.

Upon hearing this, the other elders couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. To enter the ruins as soon as they were discovered would ensure the greatest gains. It was said that the Boundless Demon Sect had a Deity Transformation cultivator in its ranks. Who could even imagine what treasures might lie within the ruins?

Even they, at this moment, felt a fire ignite in their hearts. Perhaps as a precaution, the Boundless Demon Sect had concealed multiple entrances, as four entrances had already been discovered. Green Cloud Sect controlled one, and the Misty Sect controlled another.

Among the wandering cultivators, many in the Foundation Establishment stage had also stationed themselves at one of the entrances, waiting for the ruins to open.

The Green Cloud Sect and the Misty Sect were now vying for the final entrance, which had led to several fierce battles.

After all, each additional entrance meant a greater chance of gaining an opportunity. Naturally, neither side was willing to give up.

"The ruins are about to open, and the Misty Sect's counterattack will undoubtedly intensify. Elder Li will guard the entrance we've already secured. I will lead five early-stage Foundation Establishment elders to contest another entrance. As for Ye Chen... Fellow Daoist Ye, since you've just broken through to the Foundation Establishment, you shall stay at our base for now and protect the disciples there!"

Kong Xiangli was assigning tasks. Upon hearing the specific assignments, the elders raised their eyebrows.

Kong Xiangli's conflict with Ye Chen was well-known. Everyone had thought that upon Ye Chen's arrival, Kong Xiangli might target him.

Unexpectedly, Kong Xiangli gave Ye Chen the easiest task. The sect's base was protected by a second-grade array, and only the Misty Sect, if they were overly bold, would consider attacking it. Thus, guarding the base was indeed the easiest task.

However, no one was surprised. Ye Chen was now a Foundation Establishment cultivator, full of potential. And Ye Chen's master was Gu Yunyun, who was on the verge of reaching the Golden Core stage.

Under these circumstances, it was only natural for Kong Xiangli to seek a rapprochement. Everyone was content with this arrangement. And so was Ye Chen. It was best if Kong Xiangli had come to his senses and they could coexist peacefully. Otherwise, Ye Chen would have to consider taking more drastic actions, which would be troublesome. The only downside of staying at the base was the lack of high-ratio female cultivators.

However, there were many disciples encountering opportunities on their missions here. Among them were a few female disciples, though their ratios might have been lower. But having some was better than none.

Thus, Ye Chen settled down in Middle Mountain, responsible for guarding the base. Elder Li, as a second-grade array master, was best suited for defense.

Meanwhile, Kong Xiangli and several other elders clashed daily with the elders of the Misty Sect, fighting fiercely. Only Ye Chen was somewhat idle.

Aside from cultivating and alchemy, he even took the time to offer a free alchemy class. Any disciples with free time could attend. The primary goal was to cultivate talents for the sect. And, incidentally, to see if there were any exceptionally talented female disciples.

However, five days after his arrival, Ye Chen realized he needn't have looked further. Because Yao Xi had arrived...

Although Ye Chen was unclear why Yao Xi had also come to Middle Mountain, for him, it was undoubtedly a good thing!