"Ye Chen greets the esteemed elders…"

Hua Yunfei introduced each elder present, and Ye Chen bowed respectfully, expressing gratitude for their arrival. Every elder of the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land was exceptionally powerful. Even those at the Deity Transformation stage exuded an aura far surpassing Tian Mingzi's.

When introduced to Lin Qingtan, Ye Chen's eyes flickered with admiration, tinged with a hint of regret. It wasn't her stunning nine-head-tall figure or her striking, jade-smooth legs that seemed cool to the touch that caught his attention. It was her multiplier—a staggering thousandfold, the highest base multiplier he'd encountered among female cultivators, second only to Holy Maiden Dantai Xuan.

Lin Qingtan, with her thousandfold multiplier, was far stronger than Tian Mingzi, despite both being early-stage Deity Transformation cultivators. But the issue was clear: no matter how formidable, she was still only at the early Deity Transformation stage. She wasn't qualified to serve as his Protector.

This tribulation had revealed too much: the Black Yellow Primordial Essence Bell, True Dragon and True Phoenix Treasure Techniques, Immortal Scripture Arts, and even his Heavy Pupils.

Ye Chen understood the principle that a towering tree draws the wind's wrath. With his talent, rival Holy Lands would see him as a threat, a nail to be hammered down at the first opportunity. A Deity Transformation cultivator couldn't protect him in such circumstances—only a Unity-stage powerhouse would suffice.

Thus, Ye Chen wouldn't choose Lin Qingtan as his Protector. But within the same Holy Land, there would be chances to gift her later. He wasn't in a rush. He offered her a smile.

As for Li Feihuang, standing behind Lin Qingtan with a complex gaze, hesitating as if wanting to speak but waiting for him to initiate, Ye Chen merely glanced at her. His eyes didn't linger. He didn't know when she'd joined the Holy Land, but her five-hundredfold multiplier was unremarkable to him. His Soul-Swaying Mountain had already regrown its Soul-Swaying Divine Stone, and An Miaoli would soon ascend to a Heavenly Spirit Root, reaching a five-hundredfold multiplier herself. As a fellow Nascent Soul cultivator, she was a far more convenient gifting target.

Now, on the cusp of entering the Holy Land, where female cultivators with thousandfold or even twofold-thousand multipliers awaited, Li Feihuang, incapable of triggering critical rewards, was even less significant. She didn't warrant his attention.

The elders, though impressed by Ye Chen and awed by his Heavy Pupils, maintained a dignified reserve, merely nodding without saying much. Ye Chen mentally ruled out the Deity Transformation elders—they weren't strong enough. The three Unity-stage elders, however, exuded an otherworldly aura, each radiating a dangerous intensity that felt overwhelmingly formidable. But which of the three should he choose?

When in doubt, ask. Ye Chen transmitted his question to Hua Yunfei.

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Hua Yunfei smiled faintly and replied via transmission, "I suggest Elder Mo."

Ye Chen's curiosity piqued. Elder Mo, the oldest of the three Unity elders, showed clear signs of waning vitality, his qi and blood diminished. He seemed the weakest of the trio. Why would Hua Yunfei recommend him?

Without waiting for Ye Chen to ask, Hua Yunfei explained, "Elder Mo is nearing the end of his lifespan, with perhaps a century left. But in his youth, he was a supreme prodigy, no less talented than you or me. Unfortunately, at the peak of the Unity stage, he was wounded by love, ambushed, and his Immortal Platform was shattered, severing his path forward. His cultivation regressed to early Unity stage. Yet I've always felt Elder Mo is more than he seems. If he unleashes his full power, his combat strength could rival late Unity-stage cultivators. He possesses profound techniques and inheritances that you might gain if he acknowledges you. I can't see through him, so I recommend giving him a try."

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. After the Unity stage, cultivators forged an Immortal Platform in their mind using their essence to ascend to the Mahayana stage. Elder Mo's platform had been destroyed, causing his regression. But what surprised Ye Chen most was Hua Yunfei's final remark: he couldn't see through Elder Mo. Did that mean he could see through the other two Unity elders? His Senior Brother seemed increasingly extraordinary, far beyond a mere divine physique.

Shaking off these thoughts, Ye Chen bowed solemnly to Elder Mo. "Junior Ye Chen faces a treacherous immortal path ahead. I humbly request your aid, Senior, to condescend as my Protector."

At Ye Chen's choice, the other elders showed no disappointment. Elder Mo, slightly surprised, gazed at him with weathered eyes before nodding. "Very well."

As Elder Mo spoke, Ye Chen felt a subtle connection form between them. Elder Mo's brow parted briefly, revealing fragments of a shattered Immortal Platform within. Before it closed, a golden divine light shot out, embedding itself in a strand of Ye Chen's hair.

"I've left my imprint," Elder Mo said. "When you leave the Holy Land, I will know and protect you. However, I will not intervene in your battles with peers of the same realm unless you face imminent defeat or a great powerhouse interferes."

Ye Chen nodded in understanding. A Protector wasn't a bodyguard or a subordinate, nor were they subject to orders. Their sole role was to protect a prodigy's life, intervening only when the prodigy faced dangers beyond their current ability to handle. Otherwise, they remained invisible, even to the prodigy they guarded.

"With that settled, Holy Son, return with us to the Holy Land," Elder Mo said calmly, rising to his feet. The other elders followed suit, and the sky ship was summoned, ready for departure.

As for Tian Mingzi, he was utterly ignored by the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land elders. Had it not been for the extraordinary tribulation, he would have served as a whetstone to test the new Holy Son's strength.

But Ye Chen had suppressed a Kun Peng of the same realm. Using Tian Mingzi as a test now would be an insult to the Holy Son. Only prodigies from rival Holy Lands or heirs of Ancient Immortal Clans were worthy of being Ye Chen's adversaries. Tian Mingzi? He could be swatted away without a second thought.

Ye Chen, however, wasn't ready to leave. He had unfinished matters to attend to. And he hadn't forgotten Tian Mingzi. The man who dared target An Miaoli with such vile intentions had committed a capital offense. Ye Chen's gaze turned to Tian Mingzi, his Heavy Pupil radiating a terrifying aura.

Under that stare, Tian Mingzi shuddered. If a Kun Peng had fallen to those eyes, what chance did he have?

But at that moment, a husky, alluring voice sounded in Ye Chen's ear.

"Holy Son, you've just endured a tribulation and broken through to Nascent Soul, expending much energy. Allow me to act on your behalf and suppress this man."

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