"Middle Mountain Secret Realm?"

The moment Ye Chen heard the name, it sparked a memory. It was said to be a place from ancient times when immortals still existed in this world. Back then, powerful beings were constantly battling, and the outer universe had shed many fragments of space. These fragments were then used by the cultivation world to create various secret realms.

This was the general origin story of secret realms. Green Cloud Sect had its own secret realm in Middle Mountain, where many spiritual herbs were said to be found. Additionally, the spiritual Qi there was especially abundant, three times as much as in the outside world.

But only Qi Refining disciples were allowed to enter. And the secret realm only opened once every three years. Entering it to gather spiritual herbs could yield great resources, and even just the act of cultivation there was beneficial. So,the disciples were always eager to go.

Occasionally, someone would even find a top-tier spiritual herb and instantly become wealthy. However, Ye Chen wasn't too interested. Entering the secret realm took a month, wasting precious time that could be spent on accumulating rewards and cultivating with his maidservants.

As for the spiritual herbs, to be honest, Ye Chen didn't care much about them. If he needed anything, he could just buy it with spirit stones. In short, Ye Chen felt no real attraction to the secret realm and didn't see any reason to go just for the sake of joining the crowd.

"Can the spot be given to someone else?" Ye Chen asked.

There were only ten spots available for each secret realm entrance. Since Ye Chen didn't want to go, he considered passing the spot to someone else. Perhaps they could find something interesting there.

The steward immediately shook his head. "Apologies, Direct Disciple Ye, the spots cannot be transferred."

Seeing Ye Chen raise an eyebrow, the steward hurriedly explained, "This is a new rule implemented by the Sect Leader after the Sect Competition. It's not a decision made by the Internal Affairs Hall."

The steward had more to say. The reason for the new rule was entirely because of Ye Chen. After learning that Ye Chen had given away a spot for the Five Elements Cave, the Sect Leader felt it was too casual and that it undermined the sect's resources. That was why the rule had been introduced.

Ultimately, everything had stemmed from Ye Chen himself. And now, even though he had no interest in going, he couldn't pass the spot to someone else.

Ye Chen felt increasingly uninterested. But the steward spoke up at this moment: "Three years ago, a disciple in the secret realm found traces of spiritual fire, but they couldn't locate the secret realm before it closed, so they had to leave without success."

Spiritual fire?

Hearing this, Ye Chen's eyes immediately lit up! He certainly knew what spiritual fire was—one of the rarest and most powerful types of spiritual beings in the cultivation world.

Spiritual fire was crucial for alchemists and weapon smiths. It could directly control flames without the need for any formations. Moreover, since spiritual fire was a naturally occurring phenomenon from the heavens, it was far stronger than ordinary earthly fire. It enhanced the effects of pill refining and qi refining, and it could even add a variety of effects related to fire.

But the value of spiritual fire wasn't limited to this. Spiritual fire itself was extremely powerful. Owning spiritual fire was almost equivalent to having the most advanced fire-type magic, and it could also enhance other fire-type spells.

The most important aspect, however, was that spiritual fire could help cultivators refine spirit Qi or medicinal potency, significantly speeding up their cultivation. It could also completely purify any impurities, making a cultivator's spiritual energy even more refined and potent.

Ye Chen had been interested in spiritual fire for a long time. After all, anything that could increase the speed of cultivation was something Ye Chen would love. But it was practically impossible to buy. Now that he had heard news of spiritual fire, Ye Chen's interest was piqued.

"Do you know what grade the spiritual fire is?" Ye Chen asked curiously.

"They say it's third-grade, probably the Green Stone Fire... but the disciples didn't get a clear enough look, so they can't be certain."

Third-grade?

Ye Chen's eyes brightened even more.

Spiritual fire was ranked in nine grades, starting from the first grade and going up to the ninth grade, with the ninth grade being the best. A third-grade spiritual fire was already quite impressive.

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The most important thing, however, was that Ye Chen had the system's feedback. If his master needed it, the fire's power could be multiplied by a hundred times. Though most sword cultivators didn't care much about external things,

Ye Chen's master might not value a third-grade spiritual fire. But even if his master didn't want it, there was still Yao Xi, who had a thirty-fold multiplier waiting for him. With a thirty-fold multiplier plus a critical hit, he could soar to new heights...

"I want a spot!" Ye Chen spoke without hesitation, claiming the spot for himself.

The steward nodded immediately. He then informed Ye Chen that Middle Mountain was over a thousand miles away from Green Cloud Sect, so an elder would be leading the group. The departure would be early in seven days.

Ye Chen felt exceptionally delighted. If he could obtain the spiritual fire, his cultivation would advance at a remarkable pace. His spiritual power would grow purer, more refined. Breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage would then be within easy reach.

Yet, on that very day, unexpected news spread through the sect. Senior Sister Yao Xi had failed her attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage. She had already emerged from her secluded meditation.

When Ye Chen heard this, he could only shake his head. As expected, advancing to Foundation Establishment was no simple matter. Even someone like Yao Xi, with her ninth-grade spiritual root, Foundation Establishment Pill, and the advantage of the Five Elements Cave, had failed to make the breakthrough. He anticipated it would be even harder for himself.

Therefore, this spiritual fire had become something Ye Chen was determined to seize at all costs. Today happened to be the day for delivering gifts.

Initially, Ye Chen had planned to visit the twentyfold female cultivator. Now that Yao Xi had emerged from seclusion, it was naturally unnecessary. Without delay, Ye Chen proceeded to Yao Xi's courtyard.

…

"Senior Sister, don't be sad. You'll definitely succeed next time."

"Senior Sister, there's something I need to tell you."

"On the very night you began secluded meditation, Ye Chen took Sun Ruoxin up to Sword Peak."

"Sun Ruoxin has since left the sect to become Ye Chen's maidservant."

"And there's also a woman from Talisman Peak at the eighth layer of Qi Refining. I heard Ye Chen has been giving her gifts these past weeks, causing her to quarrel several times with her male companions..."

"Senior Sister, as soon as you went into seclusion, Ye Chen immediately sought out other women—and not just one, but two."

"What does this show? It shows Ye Chen simply isn't reliable and isn't someone you can spend your life with. Senior Sister, you'd better avoid seeing Ye Chen again, or you'll definitely end up hurt."

Yao Xi's complexion was slightly pale, her eyes vacant and distracted. Her junior sister stood beside her, comforting and nagging incessantly. However, as Yao Xi listened to news about Ye Chen taking Sun Ruoxin as a maid and sending gifts to the twentyfold female cultivator, she showed not the slightest hint of anger; rather, a faint smile appeared upon her lips.

Her junior sister was stunned. "Senior Sister, aren't you upset?"

Yao Xi smiled, shaking her head softly. "You don't understand. You only see Ye Chen's actions as unfaithfulness, believing he can't survive a single day without female companionship. But I alone understand his true intentions. Ye Chen must have believed I would definitely succeed in reaching Foundation Establishment. And once I succeeded, a gap would have appeared between us.

"For a female Foundation Establishment cultivator to choose a male Qi Refining cultivator as her dao companion would surely attract criticism and cause many inconveniences. And our lifespans would no longer match. Ye Chen didn't wish for me to bear this burden, nor did he want to hinder my path.

"That's precisely why, after I entered seclusion, Ye Chen deliberately approached other women, aiming to hurt me or anger me, so that I would sever all ties with him. But the more Ye Chen acted this way, the clearer I saw his hidden pain, and the more determined I became never to leave him. Unfortunately, I've disappointed Ye Chen—I failed to break through."

At this point, Yao Xi's voice was filled with profound guilt. Ye Chen clearly needed the Foundation Establishment Pill far more than she did. Yet, she had still failed.

The junior sister, who had been striving to stir up trouble, felt her head begin to burn, her mind nearly short-circuiting. She hadn't anticipated that after all her instigations—Yao Xi would still manage to interpret things in her own way. Wasn't this far too absurd?

…

At this very moment, a gentle knock came at the door.

"Senior Sister, I've come to see you!"

Upon hearing this familiar voice, Yao Xi's expression filled with remorse. She opened the door. Welcoming Ye Chen inside, she spoke softly, "Junior Brother, I'm sorry... I've let you down."

After dismissing her junior sister, Yao Xi immediately expressed her guilt. A single Foundation Establishment Pill was extraordinarily precious.

Ye Chen had willingly given it to her, placing all his hopes on her breakthrough. Yet, she had disappointed him. Yao Xi's remorse was indescribable.

Yet, hearing her words, Ye Chen simply embraced her tenderly. Stroking her soft, silken hair, he gently comforted her by whispering close to her ear, "It's all right. Really, it's fine. No one can be certain of success. If you failed, then so be it. The Middle Mountain Secret Realm contains spiritual fire, capable of purifying spiritual energy and increasing the likelihood of a successful breakthrough. I'll fetch it for you myself. Moreover, there's the Sect Competition soon, which will offer another Foundation Establishment pill—this time, a superior grade one. I'll win it for you as well! So, don't worry. Just rest properly and prepare yourself for the next attempt..."

Ye Chen's gentle words further solidified Yao Xi's belief: His actions with other women during her seclusion had been solely to protect her from burdens and inconvenience. Now, after her failure, Ye Chen had immediately come to her side, already preparing rare treasures and organizing everything perfectly.

Whether it was the spiritual fire or a top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill—Which of these wasn't priceless beyond measure? Yet, Ye Chen willingly offered them all to her. The sadness of her failure, combined with Ye Chen's tender devotion, finally overwhelmed Yao Xi. Unable to restrain herself any longer, she clung tightly to Ye Chen and burst into tears...

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