ISWI Chapter 168-169 (Patreon)

Chapter 168: Master Seems Unhappy

"Did they really part ways in life and death like that?" Gu Yunyun asked as Ye Chen narrated his friend's story, looking up at the sky with a trace of sadness. The fate of master and disciple should indeed never cross certain lines, even after enduring so much together, they still ended up parting in life and death.

Ye Chen smiled slightly, "The story isn't over yet!"

"160 years later, after waiting in vain for his master and learning of her definitive demise, he decided to end his own life by leaping into a terrifying abyss," Ye Chen continued.

"Contrary to his expectations, he fell into a hidden paradise where his master was also trapped! With the treasures in this paradise, they both gained numerous benefits and even healed her fundamental injuries. They had been separated for 160 years, but upon reuniting, their joy was boundless...

"During these 160 years, the master had also come to a realization about her own feelings. Concerns about propriety, societal expectations, none of it mattered anymore. Being with the one you truly love is the only path.

"After understanding this, all the dilemmas that had troubled the master were resolved, and she advanced to the Mahayana phase. Their spiritual and physical union elevated them further...

"Eventually, they emerged from the paradise together and opened the gates of heaven. With the entire cultivation world watching in awe, they ascended through the heavenly gate."

Ye Chen finished the story with a smile, curious to see his master's reaction. He didn't have any other intentions with the story; he just wanted to share it.

However, to his disappointment, Gu Yunyun remained expressionless after listening to the story, only to suddenly ask, "They entered the heavenly gate, but what about his Condor companion?"

Ye Chen's smile twitched. He had told this story to emphasize following one's heart despite external judgments, and here she was, concerned about the condor.

He made up the story; how would he know?

Still, Ye Chen responded, "It ascended with them at the last moment."

Gu Yunyun nodded in satisfaction, then asked, "And what about that Quanzhen Sect that caused them so much trouble and nearly killed his master, leading to their separation for 160 years? Did they just leave without taking revenge?"

Ye Chen thought to himself, "Master sure has a strong sense of vengeance…"

"Yes, they were destroyed!" he replied quickly, maintaining the narrative thread of his fabricated tale.

Gu Yunyun continued, "And what about that woman who used the Chaotic Demon Sword to sever her disciple's arm, was she not killed?"

Ye Chen quickly replied, "Killed, killed..." wary of his master dwelling on irrelevant details.

Eager to steer the conversation back to the main point, Ye Chen interjected, "Master, these details aren't important. The core of the story is about the master and disciple coming to understand their true feelings and accepting themselves. Everything else is just minor details!"

Gu Yunyun slowly stood up as a breeze began to blow across Sword Peak, stirring her flowing hair and red gown, her stunning beauty accentuated by the wind.

She shook her head, "This story seems a bit far-fetched, I don't like it! But there is one aspect I do like. That the disciple, despite being loved by many female cultivators, could at the end forsake everything without hesitation... Affections like these are better when they are wholehearted."

With those words, Gu Yunyun gracefully departed.

Returning to the peak of Sword Peak, Gu Yunyun reclined in a pool, the water shimmering with reflected light. She then revealed a look of confusion.

So, there were such master-disciple relationships in the world, tangled by concerns, resulting in countless trials and tribulations. If only they had followed their hearts from the beginning, perhaps the outcome could have been different.

Yet, perhaps it was these very hardships that allowed both to see their true feelings more clearly, no longer oblivious. Ye Chen's intentions were clear to Gu Yunyun. But her own feelings were not as transparent.

Could she really accept being with her disciple, disregarding the scrutiny of the outside world? And if together, could she truly accept Ye Chen's deep yet indiscriminate affections?

Gu Yunyun was astute in understanding. She saw through many things. Like Sun Ruoxin, whom Ye Chen seemed to have only taken as a maid, but in reality, it was because she was threatened to become a furnace that Ye Chen intervened.

Clearly, Ye Chen hadn't let go. Not to mention Yao Xi. And then there was Su Yuxuan from the Misty Sect, who undoubtedly had intricate ties with her disciple. And that sole surviving female direct disciple of the Divine Will Sect... Her survival surely wasn't just a matter of luck.

As these thoughts overwhelmed her, Gu Yunyun felt disarrayed.

...

Over the next six months, Ye Chen remained at the Green Cloud Sect. Each day was spent either cultivating or attending to his master.

Meanwhile, the Divine Will Sect dispatched an early Golden Core elder to the Boundless Demon Sect ruins in Middle Mountain, who managed to eliminate the Earthheart Python lurking there.

Consequently, the Middle Mountain secret realm was reopened. This elder even visited the Green Cloud Sect to inquire about some matters concerning Ye Chen. The interrogation was brief and Ye Chen passed easily.

Normally, an issue involving the life and death of a sect's direct disciple would be scrutinized more rigorously. However, it was said that the actions of the two direct disciples, who abandoned An Yuyi in a critical moment, displeased An Miaoli.

As An Miaoli was a senior elder of the Divine Will Sect, those within the sect who might have wanted to investigate further were reluctant to offend her and thus, decided to let the matter slide.

Inexplicably, everything went smoothly. However, one matter did not go as Ye Chen had hoped. He had returned to the Green Cloud Sect and had intended to transfer his senior sister, Yao Xi, back as well. When he approached the External Affairs Hall, they did not accommodate his request, citing the urgent need for alchemists in Middle Mountain and that Yao Xi could not be spared at the moment.

Ye Chen sought his master's help, but she refused to intervene in the affairs of other elders. For the next half-month, his master even used seclusion as an excuse to avoid meeting him, forcing Ye Chen to settle for a lesser elder with only a twentyfold multiplier, gaining him a paltry reward.

Aside from some occasional moodiness from his master, everything else proceeded smoothly overall.

However, there was another matter that astonished the entire Green Cloud Sect. Within just six months, all three of Ye Chen's maids had successively broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage. It was truly inconceivable for maids to achieve Foundation Establishment, especially when Ye Chen himself was only at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, yet he had three maids at the initial stage.

Such treatment was perhaps only possible for the scions of the top families in the cultivation world. This development drew the attention of Elder Chen from the Internal Affairs Hall, for whom the Foundation Establishment stage was crucial to the sect.

Elder Chen hoped that the three women would become elders and came to consult Ye Chen about this possibility. Ye Chen did not object, indicating that the decision should be left to the women's own will. This response delighted Elder Chen; the choice between being an elder and remaining a maid was obvious to anyone.

Since Ye Chen had agreed, it seemed certain that the Green Cloud Sect would gain three more Foundation Establishment elders.

However, when Elder Chen presented his proposal to Lin Ke'er, Lu Jing, and Sun Ruoxin, all three women immediately and without hesitation refused. They each declared their loyalty to Ye Chen in front of him, expressing their wish to serve as his maids for life.

Elder Chen was dumbfounded, suspecting that the women did not understand the benefits associated with being an elder, so he hurriedly explained them in detail. Yet, after hearing the explanation, the determination in the women's refusals only solidified.

Chapter 169: Who Dares Claim To Be Invincible?

Before long, Elder Chen left with an expression that questioned his understanding of life. He could not fathom that there truly were cultivators who would prefer to remain as maids rather than become elders. After all, reaching the Foundation Establishment stage could enable one to start a clan in a less prominent locale. The situation was utterly absurd.

Thus, Elder Chen suspected that Ye Chen must have used some kind of enslavement charm on the three women, or that he held some leverage over them, to make them act this way.

However, Elder Chen was overthinking it. The Heart Command Talisman only ensured that the three women wouldn't divulge Ye Chen's secrets, betray him, or act against his interests. It had no other coercive effects.

The reasons the three women decisively chose to stay, without a hint of hesitation, varied individually but shared a common core.

Lu Jing had no ambitions for struggle and only desired a peaceful life. Becoming an elder would require her to undertake missions and face dangers, none of which appealed to her as much as staying safely by Ye Chen's side.

Lin Ke'er's reason was even simpler. A brief comparison revealed to her that the annual emoluments and benefits of a Green Cloud Sect elder paled in comparison to the value of the pills Ye Chen had bestowed upon them even when they were only at the Qi Refining stage.

Pills like the Five Elements Pill, top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, and other superior elixirs were something the Green Cloud Sect could not provide.

Moreover, after their breakthroughs, Ye Chen tailored Earth-grade Foundation Establishment techniques for each of them based on their individual spiritual roots and characteristics, which were even better than what the Green Cloud Sect offered its elders.

For Lin Ke'er, there was absolutely no need to contemplate any other option. And for Sun Ruoxin, the situation was even clearer. Being forgiven by Ye Chen and staying by his side was already more than she could have asked for. How could she possibly consider leaving?

Of course, beyond these reasons, there was one more significant factor for the three maids' decisions—the dual cultivation...

It wasn't just immensely pleasurable, but the benefits were staggeringly great. The rapid advancement of the three maids was undeniably linked to the gains from their cultivation practices. Pleasurable and power-boosting, the setup was too good.

Moreover, in the past two years, Ye Chen's frequent travels meant that the time he spent cultivating with them had significantly decreased, leading to fierce competition among the three maids.

Sometimes they formed secret alliances, and at other times, they sabotaged each other subtly, all in a bid to secure more time with Ye Chen. The lengths they went to could rival the plots of an intricate drama series.

In such a scenario, why would any of them voluntarily give up their position, allowing the other two to gain an advantage?

After declining Elder Chen's offer, the three maids rushed to demonstrate their loyalty to Ye Chen. Ye Chen was not surprised by their decision to stay. However, he didn't plan to keep all three by his side indefinitely.

Understanding their personalities well, Ye Chen had plans for them once he made his mark in Green Cloud City, demonstrating his prowess and establishing a foothold in Divine Will City where he could sustain a storefront.

Considering the high-end goods he was now able to acquire, Green Cloud City's luxury market was too limited. Ye Chen found it easier to sell his high-grade items in Divine Will City, where the demand matched the quality of his goods.

He planned to set up a branch of Ye Boutique in Divine Will City, sending Sun Ruoxin and Sun Ye there to manage it. Sun Ye was an old hand at business, and with Sun Ruoxin's strength at the Foundation Establishment stage, they would be capable managers.

Lin Ke'er would take over the management of the Ye Boutique in Green Cloud City. As for Lu Jing, her aspirations were modest—content with small wealth and reliant on a man—but she wasn't like those in his previous life who took without giving and still complained about their partners. Instead, she understood the importance of gratitude and the concept of reciprocating what one receives.

Being with a woman who understood these principles was genuinely comforting, so he decided she would continue as his maid.

…

"Master, I will definitely return."

Atop Sword Peak, Ye Chen looked at his master, a smile on his face.

Gu Yunyun, however, wore a resigned expression. But in her heart, she thought, once Ye Chen realizes the value of being a direct disciple of the Divine Will Sect, he might change his mind. After all, no cultivator who has ever ranked first has chosen not to join the Divine Will Sect.

Thus, Gu Yunyun did not persuade him further, merely waving her hand lightly, "Be careful, as the quota for direct disciples at the Divine Will Sect is limited. Many geniuses from various clans will be awaiting the Divine Will Assembly to compete for a spot as a direct disciple. There are many outstanding talents among them. If it's truly impossible, do not force it! For cultivators, as long as you live, there's always an opportunity!"

Ye Chen threw out his flying boat and laughed heartily, "Outstanding talents? Before me, who dares claim to be invincible? Outstanding talents are merely stepping stones at my gateway!"

Ye Chen left nonchalantly. Mainly because he had already distributed his final batch of gifts before leaving. He had nothing to linger for.

Watching the spirited silhouette of Ye Chen, a smile also appeared on Gu Yunyun's face. Behind her, an old voice rang out, "When I was young, if only I could show off like that. It's a pity I only knew how to cultivate..."

It turned out to be the Sect Master, who had arrived unnoticed.

Gu Yunyun turned around, "Greetings, Sect Master."

The Sect Master smiled gently, his eyes filled with nostalgia, perhaps reminiscing inspired by Ye Chen's vigor.

Gu Yunyun was not fond of idle chatter, "Sect Master, I am planning to officially make my breakthrough to the Golden Core stage..."

However, the Sect Master shook his head, looking at Gu Yunyun, "You are not ready yet! Your heart is not yet calm enough!"

Gu Yunyun was stunned, "Please enlighten me!"

The Sect Master did not give further guidance, instead looking towards the sky where Ye Chen had departed, speaking somewhat desolately, "Back when I was still in the Qi Refining stage, there was a senior sister in the sect. She was beautiful, a member of a Foundation Establishment family.

"After I joined the sect, she took good care of me, would ask me when assigning tasks, and occasionally invited me to stroll through Green Cloud City, even showing me her newly bought jewelry and asking if it looked good...

"But at that time, I only found her annoying. I only wanted to become an immortal ancestor, I only desired to roam the realms of immortality, to open the gates of heaven. Who has time to go to Green Cloud City? So I always refused her.

"Later, when she failed to breakthrough Foundation Establishment and had to leave the sect, she cried and asked me to remember to look for her. But where did I have the time? I was busy trying to breakthrough Foundation Establishment, and after that, I was busy trying to breakthrough Golden Core.

"Later, when I was at the peak of Foundation Establishment, but still unable to breakthrough Golden Core, I always felt something was missing. By chance, I saw a female disciple fail her breakthrough and had to leave the sect, bidding farewell to a male disciple, saying she was going home."

"The male disciple only said, 'I know.' It was as if I saw my younger self. But the next day, I heard that the male disciple had chosen to become a steward, and the area he was responsible for was the hometown of that female disciple. That was when I finally understood what I had missed all those years ago.

"But by the time I first visited her family, she had already died, unmarried, always waiting for me to find her. Yet she never saw that day. Later, I can't remember much... ah, never mind, one tends to reminisce about the past in old age."

The Sect Master sighed, his body stooped, as he slowly walked down the mountain. And atop the Sword Peak, a sudden fierce wind arose.

Gu Yunyun, standing there dazed, her hair dancing like silk, wondering about something.