An Yuyi was indeed perceptive. She quickly figured out the reason behind Ye Chen's change in attitude. It must have been because she hadn't spoken up when Fang Xi and Pei Ling targeted Ye Chen during their journey. But how could he blame her?

On one side was a direct disciple from her own Divine Will Sect, and on the other, Ye Chen, a lower sect cultivator. Who would risk creating a rift with their sect mates for someone like Ye Chen?

Moreover, she had gone through considerable trouble to enter the Bewildering Forest and even saved Ye Chen's life, getting injured in the process. After doing so much, Ye Chen still acted this way. Ye Chen truly did not appreciate her efforts.

However, as a distinguished direct disciple of the Divine Will Sect, with a promising future and potential for Golden Core advancement, it was Ye Chen's loss for being so unwise.

An Yuyi scoffed. Launching her flying boat, she headed towards the Divine Will Sect. She quickly put Ye Chen out of her mind.

In An Yuyi's view, she and Ye Chen were simply from two different worlds. Their meeting had been due to her curiosity alone. They would likely never meet again. She would do better to focus on the matters concerning the Divine Will Pool.

...

Flying high in the sky, Ye Chen felt elated.

Accompanying An Yuyi on this mission had indeed been highly profitable. The value of the Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed was immeasurable.

Gifting this to his master, he would no longer be seen as a third-grade spiritual root failure. If not for the two-day cooling period remaining, Ye Chen would have been eager to fly straight back to his sect.

Upon returning to his base, Ye Chen noticed that many elders and disciples were present—some areas were crowded.

This piqued Ye Chen's curiosity. Considering the abundance of treasures in the ruins, they usually explored the ruins actively. Except for those injured or resting, most elders and disciples didn't stay long at the base. Why were so many here this time?

However, Ye Chen didn't bother to ask and flew directly to the summit Magic Peak Master's residence to pay his respects.

"Fellow Daoist Ye has returned. Did the fellows from the Divine Will Sect not come back with you?"

Magic Peak Master greeted Ye Chen cordially upon seeing him. Not to mention anything else, in terms of cultivation level, they were now only a minor realm apart. Thinking back to four years ago when he watched Ye Chen overpower his own disciple, Magic Peak Master felt somewhat sentimental. Not to mention, Ye Chen had connections with the elders of the Divine Will Sect.

Ye Chen immediately chuckled and shook his head, "They went back directly."

The Magic Peak Master wasn't surprised. People from the Divine Will Sect always considered the outside regions to be backwaters and preferred not to linger.

"Your contributions during this mission to assist our sect will be recognized and rewarded within a month," the Magic Peak Master mentioned.

Then, suddenly remembering something, he asked, "By the way, a Golden Core Earthheart Python suddenly appeared in the ruins these past few days. Do you have any idea about that?"

The sudden emergence of a Golden Core demonic beast wreaking havoc in the ruins had the Magic Peak Master suspecting it was the work of Divine Will Sect's direct disciples.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Ye Chen was taken aback, suddenly realizing why there were so many people at the base all at once. It turns out they were all scared back.

The Magic Peak Master continued, "Fortunately, that Earthheart Python headed towards the exits near the Misty Sect. Our disciples weren't much affected. However, I was leading a few elders at the time, competing with the Misty Sect for a cultivation technique, when we happened to encounter it. If not for good luck, with the Misty Sect's elders closer to the Earthheart Python, I and a few other elders might not have made it back.

"Elder Li even lost an arm and rushed back to the sect to seek healing. Was it those direct disciples from Divine Will Sect who caused this? These upper sect direct disciples never consider the consequences of their actions on lower sect territories... Now with a Golden Core demonic beast in the ruins, how are we supposed to continue operations there?"

By the end, the Magic Peak Master was visibly shaken and quite displeased with the direct disciples of Divine Will Sect.

Ye Chen's mouth twitched.

Without hesitation, he passed the blame: "Yes, it was them who let loose the Earthheart Python."

Ye Chen decided that after he delivered the Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed to his master, he would visit Elder Li. He planned to bring some medicinal pills as compensation. Although he couldn't be blamed for the incident, he felt somewhat responsible.

Ye Chen asked the peak master for leave, stating that he needed to return home for a while. The Magic Peak Master agreed readily. After all, the ruins were now inaccessible. He was already in contact with the sect about whether to withdraw everyone.

Ye Chen bid farewell to Magic Peak Master. Upon returning to the courtyard, he saw Yao Xi. Having not seen her for a full month, Ye Chen's eyes lit up instantly. He swiftly pulled Yao Xi into the room, closed the door and windows, plunging the room into darkness.

"Senior Sister Yao, I have something precious to show you!"

Hearing this, Yao Xi's cheeks flushed immediately. What sort of lewd talk was this? Had Ye Chen finally lost his restraint?

Blushing, she lowered her head, "But it's still daytime..."

"What does daytime have to do with it..." Ye Chen said, puzzled.

"Look at this Soul Nurturing Stone, it's truly top-notch. How pure is that green sheen! And the natural patterns on it are cast in green light on the wall, creating a unique charm. Senior Sister Yao, please take it..."

Yao Xi looked at the green, oily Soul Nurturing Stone thrust into her hands. Her pretty face was full of confusion as she stared at Ye Chen.

You dragged me into your room in broad daylight, shut the doors and windows tight, just to show me this stone? Although the Soul Nurturing Stone was indeed a treasure, didn't you know what I was really hoping for?

Yao Xi rolled her eyes at Ye Chen in a mix of coyness and irritation, "I don't want it, you keep it..."

Although she appeared a bit angry, Yao Xi knew about Ye Chen's deal to exchange for the Soul Nurturing Stone from the elder. Now knowing that Ye Chen had prepared it for her, her heart felt sweet.

Yet, Ye Chen was too much, too grating. His actions made Yao Xi feel sweet, yet simultaneously a bit annoyed.

Ye Chen gave a slight smile and suddenly scooped Yao Xi into his arms, "Then let me show you another one…"

The next morning, Ye Chen stepped out refreshed and invigorated.

Behind him, Yao Xi appeared charming yet resentful.

"Don't be mad, I need to return to the sect for a bit! I'll be back in a week."

Ye Chen kissed Yao Xi's cheek and smiled as he said goodbye.

Yao Xi glanced around, her pretty face blushing. She wasn't really that angry anymore. Though he could be irritating, Most of the time, his company was quite pleasant.

After bidding farewell to Yao Xi, Ye Chen launched his flying boat and swiftly departed. He was heading to the Green Cloud Sect to meet his master.

Carrying the Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed, a treasure capable of enhancing spiritual roots, Ye Chen was eager. He even found the cooldown period too long. He wondered if there was a way to upgrade the system. If it could be triggered once a day, wouldn't he soar to new heights?

...

At the Green Cloud Sect, Gu Yunyun lay in a small pond, gazing at the clouds rolling across the sky. She was slightly distracted. It was she who had sent Ye Chen away, hoping that time would dispel some of his inappropriate thoughts.

Yet, it was she who felt uncomfortable with the adjustment. Each night, she couldn't help but use her spiritual sense to scan Ye Chen's courtyard, longing to hear his voice. She often found herself recalling how Ye Chen, feigning nonchalance, would present her with painstakingly crafted top-grade elixirs.

Having lived alone on Sword Peak since childhood after her master left, she thought she had grown accustomed to solitude. But in just a few years since Ye Chen's arrival, She found herself unaccustomed to being alone again.

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