ISWI Chapter 248-251 Critical hit! (Patreon)

Chapter 248: True Dragon Treasure Technique

The Wind-Thunder Jiao coiled at the bottom of the pool, its massive, pitch-black body spiraling upward like a small mountain. Its serpentine head glared at Ye Chen, its gaze icy and bloodthirsty, as if it might lunge and swallow him whole at any moment.

Staring at such a creature lurking in the shadows was unsettling, to say the least.

Ye Chen figured the Wind-Thunder Jiao hadn't attacked yet because it suspected he was bait. Though Golden Core demon beasts couldn't yet take human form, their intelligence rivaled that of humans. Having been burned once, it was naturally wary.

If you won't come to me, I'll come to you.

Ye Chen began sinking deeper into the pool, but he didn't head straight for the beast. Instead, he veered in another direction, pretending to search for it, occasionally firing off a spell to illuminate small patches of the dark water.

As he descended further, the Wind-Thunder Jiao's blood-red eyes tracked him. Its massive body glided closer, silent despite its size, not stirring a single ripple in the water. It closed the distance until it was just ten meters from Ye Chen.

Ye Chen maintained his oblivious act.

With cold intent, the Wind-Thunder Jiao struck, its claw crackling with boundless lightning, slashing toward him. But in the next moment, its enormous pupils contracted sharply.

Ye Chen's Heavy Pupil saw through everything, even the murky Netherwater.

Sensing the Wind-Thunder Jiao had taken the bait, a grin spread across his face. He had countless cards to play, more than enough ways to deal with the beast. But since breaking through, he hadn't yet tested the True Dragon Treasure Technique inherited from the Ancestral Dragon Blood. This was the perfect chance to try it out.

As the Wind-Thunder Jiao's claw descended, Ye Chen's body erupted in golden light. Even the dark Netherwater couldn't dim its radiance, which blazed like a sun. His aura transformed, surging with overwhelming power and an unassailable majesty, his strength unfathomable.

The beast's claw, capable of shredding any Golden Core cultivator and even daunting to a Nascent Soul, stopped a mere meter from Ye Chen, blocked by an invisible force. It couldn't advance an inch further. The raging lightning couldn't harm him in the slightest.

The Wind-Thunder Jiao trembled, gripped by a primal fear rooted in its bloodline.

What kind of technique was this? What kind of power?

With only a trace of dragon blood, it lacked the capacity to recognize the True Dragon Treasure Technique.

At that moment, Ye Chen turned to face the beast. In his hands, the principles of the Dao and the Law took form. He unleashed one of the True Dragon Treasure Technique's basic techniques, the True Dragon Claw.

Before the True Dragon Claw, the Wind-Thunder Jiao trembled, its instincts screaming to flee. But in the next instant…

A sharp pain tore through its abdomen. The claw nearly ripped its massive body in two, tearing off its underbelly, including both abdominal claws, with raw force. The beast's formidable scales and hide offered no resistance against the True Dragon Claw.

The sheer terror of the technique was evident. And this was merely one of the True Dragon Treasure Technique's introductory moves.

Ye Chen marveled inwardly at the power of the True Dragon Treasure Technique. It wasn't just its devastating force; it amplified his own strength, boosting his combat power exponentially. If he could fully master it in the future, he might even manifest the form of a true dragon, wielding supreme majesty and power.

As the premier attack technique among the Ten Vicious Treasure Techniques, the True Dragon Treasure Technique lived up to its reputation.

Ye Chen pressed on, diving deeper into its mysteries. He threw out several punches, each one a manifestation of another basic technique: the Dragon Fist.

With every punch, a gaping, bloody hole exploded in the Wind-Thunder Jiao's massive body. In mere moments, the beast was riddled with wounds, its tail blasted apart.

Most terrifying of all, with each punch, Ye Chen's aura surged, as if he were gathering momentum, growing ever more formidable.

Not only was the Wind-Thunder Jiao increasingly terrified, but even Ye Chen was struck anew by the True Dragon Treasure Technique's might. The True Dragon Claw and Dragon Fist were just beginner techniques, yet they were already this fearsome. What about the core techniques, like the True Dragon Heaven-Binding Art or the True Dragon Sky-Severing Art? Wouldn't they be capable of shattering heaven and earth?

Lost in awe, Ye Chen continued to channel the True Dragon Treasure Technique, eager to unleash more and deepen his understanding. The dormant Ancestral Dragon Blood within him stirred, amplifying his majestic aura. The Dao and Law emanating from his movements grew ever more terrifying.

But just as he prepared to strike again, he noticed the Wind-Thunder Jiao—battered, broken, and covered in wounds—had gone rigid. Its massive head bowed low. The bloodthirsty glint in its enormous eyes had vanished, replaced by a clear, pleading gaze filled with fear, awe, and desperation.

"Senior, please spare my life!" a strange voice echoed in Ye Chen's ears.

Ye Chen wasn't surprised by the voice. Many Golden Core demon beasts could speak human language. After all, in today's world, humans held sway. Most beasts, however, scorned speaking human tongue, viewing it as beneath them, and refused to do so.

Facing the beast's plea, Ye Chen's face showed no trace of mercy. His hands continued to weave the principles of the Dao and Law, growing ever more adept.

It had attacked him with murderous intent moments ago, and now that it couldn't win, it begged for mercy? No such luck existed in this world.

Seeing Ye Chen unmoved, the Wind-Thunder Jiao, paralyzed by the oppressive aura of his Ancestral Dragon Blood, grew even more terrified. It wanted to live.

In a panic, it pleaded again, "Senior, whatever you want, I'll give it to you! Just spare my life…"

Ye Chen's earlier display of the Dao and Law had already shaken it, making it wary of fighting. Now, the terrifying aura radiating from him, suppressing it through its bloodline, left it not only immobilized but also instinctively yearning to submit. How could it fight?

As Ye Chen honed the True Dragon Treasure Technique with increasing mastery, he casually replied, "I want your wings and your demon core."

It was an offhand remark. Both the wings and the demon core were the Wind-Thunder Jiao's lifeblood, the foundation of its existence. Losing them wouldn't just drop its realm from Golden Core; it would drain its vital essence, slashing its lifespan to a fraction. No demon beast would agree to such terms.

But in the next moment, Ye Chen was stunned, his True Dragon Treasure Technique faltering mid-execution.

Before his eyes, the Wind-Thunder Jiao let out a pained wail. Blood gushed into the Netherwater as it tore its own wings from its body. Then, with a shudder, it opened its mouth and spat out a demon core shimmering with lightning, severing its connection to it.

With a spray of blood, the beast's aura plummeted. In an instant, its strength fell from late Golden Core to the Foundation Establishment level.

…

Ye Chen stared at the wings and demon core floating before him, his mouth twitching.

Was this Wind-Thunder Jiao really this decisive?

His original plan was to kill it and gift its entire corpse, hoping for a critical reward—perhaps even a true dragon corpse to aid his True Dragon Treasure Technique cultivation. But this…

For a moment, Ye Chen was at a loss. Losing its demon core would drastically shorten a demon beast's lifespan, and it could never form another. This was the first time he'd seen a beast willingly surrender its core.

Where's your pride as a demon beast? Don't tell me you have a system too?

After a brief hesitation, Ye Chen refrained from striking again. With a wave of his hand, he stored the demon core in his storage bracelet, then dragged the massive wings toward the surface.

The Wind-Thunder Jiao, seeing Ye Chen spare its life, exhaled in relief. But its body stiffened again as Ye Chen paused halfway up.

Was this human cultivator still unwilling to let it go?

In the next moment, the beast was dumbfounded. Ye Chen, the terrifying cultivator exuding an ancestral aura, ignored it entirely. Instead, he retracted all his power, letting the Nether Toxin seep into his body, allowing it to corrode his flesh.

His skin took on the bluish-black hue of toxin poisoning. He lingered in the water, ensuring his entire body was visibly affected, before finally continuing upward, leaving the Netherwater Pool.

The Wind-Thunder Jiao's eyes brimmed with confusion.

What in the world was this human cultivator doing?

Chapter 249: Senior, You're a Good Person!

An Miaoli stood by the pool's edge, her slender figure rigid, her ethereal eyes clouded with a rare dullness.

She knew in her heart that Ye Chen's plunge into the Netherwater Pool meant almost certain death. Yet she clung to a sliver of hope, refusing to give up.

Why didn't she go in after him? In the pool, she'd be no match for the Wind-Thunder Jiao—entering would be suicide. And if she died, who would avenge Ye Chen?

She had already resolved to return and spare no expense to hire someone to drain the entire Netherwater Pool…

But at that moment, the still, dark water rippled, as if something was emerging.

An Miaoli's expression shifted instantly, her eyes blazing with murderous intent. If the Wind-Thunder Jiao dared surface, she'd ensure it never left alive.

Soon, a black object broke the water's surface. It looked like the Wind-Thunder Jiao's wings.

An Miaoli's eyes narrowed, a trace of confusion flickering across her face. Why would the wings appear first?

In the next moment, two massive wings, each ten meters long, fully emerged. But at their base wasn't the Wind-Thunder Jiao's body, as she'd expected.

It was a human figure.

A man, drenched in Netherwater, his entire body tinged bluish-black from the toxin. He gripped the Wind-Thunder Wings, his aura faint, his once-handsome face now marred by the same sickly hue, slowly floating to the surface.

Despite his wretched state, the man smiled at her. "Senior An, I didn't let you down…"

An Miaoli's jaw clenched.

Ye Chen was alive?

She didn't even glance at the Wind-Thunder Wings. Her gaze locked onto Ye Chen, her luminous eyes shimmering as if on the verge of tears. He was alive. That was all that mattered. How he got the wings, or what happened in the pool—she didn't care.

She opened her mouth to speak, but Ye Chen, having uttered those words, seemed to reach his limit. Unable to muster any more spiritual energy, he began to sink back into the pool, the wings dragging him down.

An Miaoli moved with blinding speed, appearing beneath him in an instant. She carefully caught him, letting the massive Wind-Thunder Wings crash into the Netherwater Pool, sending up a tremendous splash.

"Ye Chen, you…"

An Miaoli held Ye Chen tightly, immediately checking his condition.

But Ye Chen had no time to savor her embrace. Seeing the Wind-Thunder Wings sinking into the pool, he urgently said, "Senior An, quick, grab the Wind-Thunder Wings…"

An Miaoli shook her head, her flawless face etched with seriousness. "Your meridians and flesh are nearly completely corroded by the Nether Toxin. If we don't act now, it'll be even harder to remove. We don't even know if it's reached your Golden Core yet. If it has, your immortal path could be ruined!"

At that moment, she didn't care about the Wind-Thunder Wings. She only cared about Ye Chen.

But Ye Chen cared about the wings. He'd gone through all this trouble, even deliberately letting the Nether Toxin invade his body. Why? Surely not just out of kindness.

"Senior An, forget about me—hurry and retrieve the Wind-Thunder Wings…"

As he spoke, Ye Chen began to struggle, trying to break free from her embrace.

His actions deepened the complexity of An Miaoli's emotions. How could she not understand? Ye Chen's urgency was all for her sake. But to risk his life for a technique she needed—was it truly worth it?

Still, the Wind-Thunder Wings did need to be retrieved. Otherwise, wouldn't his efforts be in vain?

An Miaoli's pale lips tightened as she held him firmly. "Stop moving. I'll get them!"

With a wave of her hand, she conjured a giant spiritual hand that fished the sinking Wind-Thunder Wings from the Netherwater Pool and tossed them onto the nearby shore.

Seeing this, Ye Chen let out a relieved sigh. He closed his eyes, comfortably nestling into An Miaoli's embrace. Despite her slender frame, she was surprisingly soft where it mattered. Resting against her felt genuinely pleasant.

An Miaoli, gazing at the weakened Ye Chen in her arms, was filled with worry. They couldn't delay. The Nether Toxin had to be removed quickly, or it would seep into his Golden Core. Even if he survived, he'd be crippled, his immortal path severed.

She knew all too well how devastating that would be for a genius like Ye Chen—a fate worse than death.

Gently, she laid him on the ground. Then, she retrieved an array disc from her storage ring. A silver glow spread out, enveloping them and shielding them from any external prying.

Ye Chen, watching her actions, was momentarily stunned. What was she doing?

His original plan had been to play the part of a pitiful victim, secure a critical reward, return to the sect, seclude himself for a week, and then claim he'd found a way to dispel the Nether Toxin—a flawless strategy.

But what was happening now?

Ye Chen looked up, catching An Miaoli's cool, composed voice: "Open the restrictions on your spiritual robe…"

Ye Chen: "???"

Open his robe's restrictions? What was Senior An planning? Did she think he was on the verge of death and wanted to give him a sweet memory to ensure he'd die without regrets? Senior An was indeed a considerate person.

Truth be told, Ye Chen wouldn't mind indulging a little. But…

The reward for the Wind-Thunder Wings hadn't triggered yet, likely because An Miaoli hadn't formally accepted them. If he gave in to temptation now, she might not produce a critical hit.

Even with the system's partner multiplier, boosting a two-hundred-fold reward to four hundred, it still wasn't enough. That was barely better than Li Feihuang's base multiplier.

With his master absent, An Yuyi proving unreliable, and Li Feihuang acting like she already ruled the world, An Miaoli was his only stable source of high-multiplier critical rewards. How could he let a moment's pleasure derail his immortal path?

When it came to choosing between his immortal path and a woman, Ye Chen knew his priorities.

Absolutely not.

With a serious expression, he gripped his robe's collar and asked solemnly, "Senior, what are you doing?"

An Miaoli froze. "Huh?"

Ye Chen pressed on, his tone grave. "Senior An, you're a good person, but we can't do this."

Realization dawned on An Miaoli. Even her usual calm faltered, her expression cracking slightly.

Helplessly, she explained, "The Nether Toxin has deeply invaded your body. It must be dealt with immediately! I know a technique to purge foreign spiritual energy, but the toxin is stubborn, and you're heavily poisoned, so I need physical contact to remove it… Don't overthink it!"

Ye Chen: "???"

That's it? Why did he feel a bit embarrassed? No matter—embarrassment was for others, not him.

Nodding as if it all made sense, Ye Chen calmly released his robe's restrictions.

An Miaoli, maintaining her composed facade, extended her jade-like hand, pressing it against his bluish-black skin. She began channeling her secret technique to purge the toxin…

Chapter 250: Another Top-Notch Critical Hit!

After a full hour, the skin on Ye Chen's left hand finally returned to its normal hue.

An Miaoli exhaled in relief, gently releasing his hand. The Nether Toxin in Ye Chen's body wasn't as severe as she'd feared, likely due to his extraordinary physique. This was undoubtedly good news. At this rate, she could fully purge the toxin within three days.

Without a word, An Miaoli's slender, jade-like fingers grasped Ye Chen's wrist, continuing to clear the toxin from it.

As for Ye Chen's earlier refusal, she didn't take it to heart. She understood him. It wasn't that he didn't want to—it was that he chose not to.

How could someone like Ye Chen, who could say, "My love for you has nothing to do with you," ever exploit her gratitude? He was well aware of her inner conflict, her hesitation about their aunt-nephew dynamic. He must have worried that if anything happened, she'd struggle to face An Yuyi.

So, despite his own desires, he'd rejected her without hesitation, unwilling to let her feel the slightest grievance.

But An Miaoli's heart was filled with a wry smile. Ye Chen had risked his life diving into the Netherwater Pool just to help her cultivate a technique. In his critical moment, he'd valued the Wind-Thunder Wings more than his own life, urging her to secure them even as he teetered on the brink of collapse. And even under a misunderstanding, he'd taken the initiative to refuse her.

His love for her was so profound—how could she remain unmoved?

You love me. How could it have nothing to do with me?

An Miaoli gazed at Ye Chen, now unconscious, his face a mix of pain and faint comfort. She sighed softly, increasing her spiritual energy output, hoping to dispel the Nether Toxin quickly and ease his suffering.

The toxin was stubborn, and the secret technique drained her spiritual energy heavily. Soon, beads of sweat glistened on her flawless face.

…

In the blink of an eye, a day and a half passed.

During this time, Ye Chen woke briefly a few times before slipping back into unconsciousness. Though he had survived the Netherwater Pool and secured the Wind-Thunder Wings, the ordeal had clearly taken a toll on his vitality.

His head and face had regained their normal color, bringing a smile to An Miaoli's face. Without hesitation, she continued purging the toxin, moving to his feet and legs.

As time slowly ticked by, another two days elapsed. The Nether Toxin in Ye Chen's body dwindled, now lingering only in his core, where his skin remained bluish-black.

For the first time, An Miaoli hesitated, her expression wavering. But as she looked at the still-unconscious Ye Chen, she bit her lip.

Ye Chen had risked his life in the Netherwater Pool for her. How could she hesitate to help him purge the toxin? Not only did she owe him for his help, but his status alone warranted her aid. He was the male cultivator An Yuyi fancied, and An Miaoli was determined to support their potential future as partners. In that sense, she was his elder.

If she ignored the remaining toxin and let it linger or spread, wouldn't that harm An Yuyi? As an elder, she couldn't stand by and do nothing. For An Yuyi's sake, the toxin had to be fully purged. As for herself, she only needed a clear conscience.

With that resolve, An Miaoli reached out, continuing to channel her secret technique. She closed her eyes, avoiding looking directly. But soon, her pupils contracted, and she couldn't help but steal a glance.

With her disciplined mind, however, she wasn't fazed. She quickly closed her eyes again, her expression neutral, and resumed purging the toxin with steady focus.

…

Half an hour later, Ye Chen stirred awake as the toxin's hold weakened. He let out a contented sigh, then looked at An Miaoli with an embarrassed expression. "Sorry, Senior An, I didn't mean to…"

An Miaoli's face remained calm, the red mark on her brow faintly glowing. "It's fine. You're the male cultivator Yuyi likes, which makes you my junior. It's my duty to save you. These small matters don't affect the bigger picture. Besides, in another half hour, the toxin in your body will be completely purged."

But as she spoke, she sensed a stir under her hand and raised an eyebrow slightly.

Ye Chen, overcome with shame, closed his eyes.

Seeing his reaction, An Miaoli didn't press the issue. She understood it wasn't intentional. With a composed expression, she continued channeling her secret technique to purge the remaining toxin.

…

After more than an hour, Ye Chen's body finally returned to normal.

An Miaoli glanced at her jade-like hand, gently cleansing it with a pulse of spiritual energy. Her aura was noticeably weaker. Even for a late Golden Core cultivator like her, channeling the secret technique for three days to purge the Nether Toxin had pushed her beyond her limits.

Ye Chen, his face full of embarrassment, offered his thanks. "Thank you, Senior An! I've caused you so much trouble and even offended you. I'm truly sorry."

An Miaoli shook her head calmly. "I'm the one who should thank you. The Wind-Thunder Wings are incredibly valuable to me. Once refined, they'll boost my speed by sixty percent. Even after I break through to the Nascent Soul stage, I'll still benefit greatly, far surpassing my peers in speed and gaining a significant advantage. Wind-Thunder Jiaos are extremely rare. If we hadn't caught it this time, it would've fled elsewhere. So, don't overthink it. As for the… mishaps, they're not your fault. I'm your elder and Yuyi's aunt—I couldn't just watch your immortal path be ruined. A clear conscience is enough."

Right, a clear conscience. Ye Chen nodded, liking the sound of that.

As for hunting the demon beast and obtaining the Wind-Thunder Wings, neither felt any burden. It was commonplace in the cultivation world. In ancient times, when humans were weak, they were preyed upon and treated as livestock by myriad races. If not for the rise of human prodigies who fought back generation after generation, humanity would have gone extinct.

Now that humans had risen to dominate this world, should they treat races with whom they had blood feuds with courtesy? Demons ate humans without fault; humans refining demons was equally justified. Survival of the fittest had been the unchanging truth of the cultivation world since time immemorial.

…

The Wind-Thunder Wings were so vital to An Miaoli, and Ye Chen had endured the Nether Toxin to secure them. This made him increasingly eager to see what reward would come.

"The matter's settled, and I'm fully recovered," Ye Chen said. "Senior An, once you've stored the Wind-Thunder Wings, let's head back."

An Miaoli nodded, her expression composed as she raised a hand to store the mountain-like wings in her storage ring.

But her heart was far less calm than her face suggested. After all, Ye Chen had risked his life to bring back those wings. She didn't know what secret technique he'd used to defeat the Wind-Thunder Jiao and tear off its wings underwater, but his sincerity was crystal clear to her.

As An Miaoli stored the wings, a system prompt finally sounded in Ye Chen's mind:

"Congratulations, Host, for successfully gifting the item…"

"Gift: Late Golden Core Wind-Thunder Wings!"

"Processing a two-hundred-fold feedback…"

"Detected significant emotional fluctuation in the recipient…"

"Triggering top-notch critical hit…"

"Reward: Kun Peng Wings!"

A top-notch critical hit? The second one?

Ye Chen's eyes widened. When he saw the reward details, a flash of joy crossed his face. This trip had been more than worth it.

Chapter 251: Kun Peng Wings

"Kun Peng Wings: Wings of the Kun Peng, one of the ancient Vicious Ten, grants unparalleled speed in the world. As cultivation advances, the wielder can freely enter and exit the nine heavens and nine abysses, ignoring all restrictions and barriers… Allows comprehension of Yin-Yang energies and spatial laws from the Kun Peng Wings… With sufficient cultivation, the wielder can even manifest the divine form of the Kunpeng…"

Ye Chen's eyes widened. He had always held high expectations for An Miaoli, but he never imagined that the wings of a Wind-Thunder Jiao, with just a trace of dragon blood, could trigger a reward like the Kun Peng Wings—one of the Vicious Ten. The gap between them was so vast he couldn't even fathom it.

With the Kun Peng Wings, his speed would skyrocket, unstoppable by any array. Even if he stumbled into a deadly forbidden land or faced an overwhelmingly powerful opponent, he could rely on the Kun Peng's unparalleled speed to escape instantly. The myriad other mystical benefits were almost too much to consider.

In short, with the Kun Peng Wings, Ye Chen's survivability had been boosted to a terrifying degree. The value of this maxed-out critical hit was simply phenomenal!

An Miaoli was truly his lucky star. Not to mention the sensation he'd felt when she purged the Nether Toxin from his body—a feeling no less delightful than Su Yuxuan's dainty feet. This trip had been a complete triumph, body and soul.

If there was one slight regret, it was that he'd only received the Kun Peng Wings. If the Kun Peng Treasure Technique had come with it, that would've been perfection. But greed was a bottomless pit. There would be more chances in the future…

An Miaoli noticed Ye Chen's joy and shook her head with a faint smile. He was this happy just from helping her. His devotion was truly profound. As for the incidents during the toxin purging, she didn't dwell on them. Ye Chen was her junior; occasional mistakes were inevitable. As his elder, it was her duty to be understanding.

…

On the spirit boat returning to the sect, An Miaoli showed no trace of discomfort from the earlier events. Her dark hair was elegantly pinned up, fully revealing her jade-like, luminous ears, which drew the eye. The Fairy Tear Earrings still adorned them, their beauty almost otherworldly.

This breathtaking sight was for Ye Chen alone. The events of this mission gave Ye Chen a clearer sense of An Miaoli's feelings. She had undoubtedly developed affection for him but, for various reasons, hid it behind excuses, using An Yuyi as a shield.

This realization emboldened Ye Chen. He decided that, upon returning, he'd personally craft a set of top-grade spiritual artifact silk gloves and socks for Senior An. With her ethereal grace, paired with white spirit silk gloves and socks, she'd be absolutely stunning.

But then he paused. Was he being too conservative? With his perfected third-grade artifact refining skills, he could go further—craft a full-body spirit silk garment, capable of instantly covering her entire form. He could even add a color-changing function for variety. It would need to balance strong defensive capabilities with the ability to tear easily at critical moments for… optimal experience. Plus, it should have self-cleaning and self-repairing features.

This would be a challenging project, no doubt. But the more Ye Chen thought about it, the brighter his eyes shone. If he could pull it off, the possibilities would be endless. His perfected third-grade refiner skills finally had a worthy task.

He resolved to dedicate his spare time to figuring out how to create this ultimate spiritual artifact.

…

Back at the sect, An Miaoli visited the Internal Affairs Hall to complete the mission formalities, then prepared for seclusion.

Before retreating, she stood in a pavilion, her hair pinned up, her white dress fluttering in the breeze. Her graceful figure turned to Ye Chen as she spoke. "I'll be entering seclusion to refine the Wind-Thunder Wings. You don't need to dwell on what happened before—it was all for Yuyi's sake."

Ye Chen nodded. "Rest assured, Senior An, I won't overthink it. I understand you were just looking out for me. How long will your seclusion last? Thanks to the insights you gifted me, I've made progress in artifact refining. I plan to craft a top-grade spiritual artifact for Yuyi, and I may need your help to pass it along…"

An Miaoli was momentarily surprised. In just one year, Ye Chen could already craft top-grade spiritual artifacts? Was that for real?

But with An Yuyi right here at Quiet Wonder Peak, why would he need her to pass along a gift? It was obvious—the gift was meant for her. The first top-grade spiritual artifact Ye Chen crafted was intended for her, a testament to his deep feelings.

Though she no longer had much need for top-grade spiritual artifacts, she couldn't bring herself to reject his sincerity. So, with a serene nod, she said, "I'm glad you understand. As for the gift, I'll make sure to pass it to Yuyi when the time comes."

With that, An Miaoli's graceful, ethereal figure turned to leave.

But Ye Chen spoke again. "Senior, I feel like some of the toxin is still lingering. My spiritual energy flow seems slightly off…"

An Miaoli paused, her phoenix-like eyes narrowing slightly. Did he think she wouldn't know whether the toxin was fully purged?

She gazed at him calmly. "Is there really still Nether Toxin?"

Ye Chen nodded earnestly.

An Miaoli's serene eyes studied him for a long moment before she spoke. "The Nether Toxin is insidious, like a parasite clinging to the bones. It's possible some remnants remain. If not fully cleared, it could spread again, and if it reaches your Golden Core, it'll be troublesome. You're my junior, and you were injured because of me. I can't let the toxin harm you—Yuyi would be heartbroken."

After laying out her reasoned explanation, she calmly led Ye Chen toward her cave abode.

Ye Chen, pushing his luck, added, "Senior, could you wear your top-grade spiritual artifact gloves while purging the toxin? I feel like it might work better…"

An Miaoli frowned slightly. "Without direct contact, the effect is diminished."

Ye Chen grinned. "It's fine. There's only a little left, so wearing them won't hurt."

Hearing this, An Miaoli said no more.

They soon arrived at her cave abode, where she began channeling her secret technique to purge the "remaining" toxin…

Two hours later, An Miaoli shook her hand, and a pulse of spiritual energy cleansed her white spirit silk gloves. Noticing a trace of residue on her face and hair, she used the same method to purify them, then fixed Ye Chen with a calm gaze, issuing a polite dismissal. "It should be fine now. You can go. I'm about to enter seclusion."

Ye Chen, adopting the demeanor of a sage, thanked her earnestly. "Thank you, Senior An. I feel much better. I'm so sorry for offending you again…"

An Miaoli's expression remained unruffled. "No matter. It wasn't intentional, and it was all for Yuyi's sake. Besides, as cultivators, we needn't fuss over minor details. Just treat Yuyi well in the future."

Ye Chen nodded vigorously, offering sincere thanks before leaving. But inwardly, he mused that the Nether Toxin was stubborn—perhaps it wasn't fully cleared yet. He'd have to ask Senior An for help again next time…

Shortly after Ye Chen's departure, An Yuyi bounded into An Miaoli's cave abode, brimming with excitement. "Auntie, Ye Chen just gave me ten top-grade Golden Jade Pills! He can actually refine them—only Elder Guhe in our sect can do that! And he gave them to me right after making them. Auntie, do you think Ye Chen might have feelings for me now?"

An Miaoli, carefully storing her gloves—still faintly carrying a scent, nodded. "Indeed."

An Yuyi's smile widened, her joy bubbling over. But then, eyeing her aunt, she tilted her head. "Auntie, your hair…"

A flicker of panic crossed An Miaoli's eyes. Had she not cleaned thoroughly? Would Yuyi notice something?

Though she had a clear conscience, acting for Yuyi's sake, it would be awkward to explain if discovered.

But An Yuyi continued, "Why did you pin your hair up? You usually wear it down. Oh, and the more I look at those earrings, the prettier they seem. Auntie, I want a pair too!"

An Miaoli exhaled in relief. She hadn't been found out. Smiling, she promised, "Alright, I'll get you a pair later."