The system's feedback echoed in Ye Chen's mind, and a spark of delight flashed in his eyes. Truth be told, he hadn't expected a critical hit. He'd thought that receiving the complete Kun Peng Treasure Technique would already be a massive win.

But to his surprise, it had actually triggered a critical hit—not only did he gain the Kun Peng Treasure Technique, but he also received the combat experience of the Kun Peng from the Vicious Ten at the Nascent Soul stage. The value of this was beyond imagination.

This wasn't just any Kun Peng. It was the legendary Kun Peng that had earned its fearsome reputation among the Vicious Ten. Its combat experience was undoubtedly formidable, far beyond what most could fathom. And for Ye Chen, this was exactly what he needed right now.

As he prepared to enter the Holy Land, Ye Chen was well aware that his future enemies would no longer be small fries like Tian Mingzi or the Champion King. Instead, he'd face true top-tier prodigies—those capable of fighting across realms, just like him. He could crush Tian Mingzi and the Champion King with his overwhelming foundation, but could he do the same to the Eldest Senior Brother or Dantai Xuan? That was far from certain.

When the gap in foundation narrowed, combat experience became critical. The one who could fully unleash their strength would emerge victorious. The Kun Peng's combat experience from the Vicious Ten had come at the perfect moment, ensuring Ye Chen's path as the Holy Son would be far more secure.

This sudden critical hit shifted Ye Chen's perspective on Lin Qingtan. He had known about the Holy Maiden, Dantai Xuan, and her own impressive reputation, so Lin Qingtan's thousandfold multiplier hadn't initially dazzled him. But now, with his very first gift triggering a critical hit—and her evident enthusiasm—it was clear what this meant. Lin Qingtan was undoubtedly a remarkable woman.

It would be a pity only to catch fleeting glimpses of her at other peaks. If he could recruit her to his Holy Son Peak as an elder, that would be ideal. Her combat prowess was formidable, capable of handling dangerous tasks, saving him the trouble of dealing with them personally.

With this in mind, Ye Chen's eyes gleamed brighter. He spoke up, extending an invitation. "Elder Lin, would you be willing to join my Holy Son Peak as an elder once I enter the Holy Land?"

What?

Lin Qingtan had already felt a twinge of unease under Ye Chen's intense gaze. Those fervent eyes, as if beholding some rare treasure, struck her as odd. Surely, the dignified Holy Son wouldn't be so easily swayed by the sight of a female cultivator. Besides, if Ye Chen used his Heavy Pupils to see her true appearance, he'd likely lose any interest.

Since breaking through to the Deity Transformation stage, her Yin Nether Demonic Body had erupted uncontrollably, its effects impossible to suppress. Her face was now marred with indelible Yin Nether demonic patterns.

To Lin Qingtan, her appearance was utterly repulsive. Ever since reaching this stage, she had concealed her face, never revealing her true visage. If the Holy Son saw her, he'd probably steer clear. So, she dismissed his earlier gaze as a misunderstanding.

But Ye Chen's invitation gave her genuine pause. Lin Qingtan was a bona fide Holy Land elder, and with her exceptional talent and combat prowess, her treatment ranked among the highest even among other Deity Transformation elders. Though her cultivation had stalled for years, she hadn't given up, tirelessly experimenting with various methods to mitigate the side effects of her Yin Nether Demonic Body. These attempts required vast amounts of resources and rare treasures.

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Joining the Holy Son Peak, however, would mean losing access to the sect's resource allocations. As a newly appointed Holy Son, Ye Chen's peak would have limited resources, and without a powerful family backing him, the resources she could access would likely dwindle. If the Holy Son Peak underperformed, those resources might shrink further each year, leaving her with even less.

In that case, she'd be forced to pin all her hopes on Ye Chen—a prospect she was reluctant to embrace.

Yet… Lin Qingtan thought of Ye Chen's origins. Rising from a small clan and a minor sect, he now possessed the Black Yellow Primordial Essence Bell, True Dragon and True Phoenix Treasure Techniques, and even what seemed to be an Immortal Scripture. Such fortune was nothing short of astonishing.

If she became an elder of the Holy Son Peak, she'd be in close proximity to Ye Chen, building a bond over time. There might even be missions where they'd venture out together, allowing her to leverage his extraordinary luck to encounter the opportunities she sought.

She had to take the gamble.

What did it matter if her resources dwindled? She'd tried countless methods without success. If she could never resolve her physique's issue, what use were all the resources in the world?

So, in the instant Ye Chen posed the question, Lin Qingtan's mind raced through countless considerations. In the next moment, she replied decisively, "Yes! I'm willing to join the Holy Son Peak."

Her answer was so swift and resolute that Ye Chen was momentarily stunned. He had been ready to inquire about her current treatment, prepared to double or even triple it to secure her. As long as it increased his chances of triggering a critical hit, anything was negotiable. But before he could even broach the subject, Lin Qingtan had agreed?

Ye Chen looked at her, his gaze now tinged with confusion. Just what did this Elder Lin want from him? If she was after some treasure, why not just say it outright?

Ye Chen held back from asking. Since she clearly had something she wanted, she'd speak up when the time was right. Instead, he looked at Lin Qingtan with a slight smile. "Thank you for your trust, Elder Lin. I won't let you down."

Lin Qingtan nodded in response.

The other elders watched the scene with mixed emotions. They all knew the problem Lin Qingtan faced. Her decision to join the Holy Son Peak was clearly a desperate gamble. But the Yin Nether Demonic Body was no simple matter. Even the Holy Land's Supreme Elders had examined it and failed to find a solution, only managing to place a temporary seal to suppress it.

Ye Chen might be a prodigy, but it would take at least a century for him to fully mature. Whether he could resolve her issue even then was uncertain. Lin Qingtan's all-in bet might end up being for nothing.

Still, the elders couldn't help but admire Ye Chen's generosity. He had casually gifted the Kun Peng Imprint, and before that, he'd given away the Northern Emperor War Chariot. Such magnanimity reminded them of the First Holy Son, Hua Yunfei.

...

The massive skyship descended slowly, casting a shadow that blotted out the sun. The elders were preparing to depart, ready to bring Ye Chen back to the Holy Land to announce the arrival of the Fourth Holy Son.

But Ye Chen shook his head and turned to An Miaoli, who wore a complicated expression, offering her a gentle smile. "Please, elders, go on ahead. I still have some matters to attend to. Once they're settled, I'll head to the Holy Land."

Ye Chen couldn't just leave without tying up loose ends. There were An Yuyi and her niece at the Divine Will Sect, as well as his Eldest Senior Sister, Lu Jing, and others at the Green Cloud Sect. They needed to be brought along.

Elder Mo, Ye Chen's chosen protector, spoke in a calm, aged voice. "Very well. Fellow Daoists, you may return first. I'll stay to protect the Holy Son." With a nod to Ye Chen, Elder Mo vanished into the void, his presence completely concealed.

With Elder Mo's protection, the other elders had no concerns. They boarded the skyship one by one. Lin Qingtan gave Ye Chen a nod before gracefully ascending. Halfway up, however, she paused, frowning slightly as she looked back at Li Feihuang, who stood rooted to the spot. "Feihuang, it's time to return to the Holy Land!"

Li Feihuang snapped out of her daze. Her delicate face was etched with complex emotions, her vibrant lips—red as phoenix blood—bearing the faint marks of her teeth. But her gaze lingered on Ye Chen, who didn't spare her a glance. Instead, he was already flying toward An Miaoli.

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