This Su Yuxuan truly resembled an innocent, pretty, and exceptionally well-developed girl-next-door type—nothing like a demonic cultivator at all. Ye Chen even considered approaching her directly to chat, asking what she liked, or if there was anything she needed to help her cultivation. But recalling the elder's earlier warnings, Ye Chen shook his head and dismissed the idea.

It would be better to wait until they entered the Secret Realm. If he appeared overly enthusiastic now, the elder might genuinely suspect he intended to betray the sect and drag him straight back, which would be troublesome.

Ye Chen would never betray the sect, truly. After all, there was still his hundredfold master waiting back in the sect, whom he hadn't even properly fawned over yet. A mere fiftyfold multiplier would never tempt him into betrayal.

Unable to chat openly with the attractive young lady, Ye Chen could only wait idly for now. Yet he soon noticed several disciples from the Misty Sect staring intently at him. Especially a few disciples at the ninth level of Qi Refining, who regarded him with unmistakably bloodthirsty gazes. Clearly, they recognized who he was.

Of course, just as Green Cloud Sect gathered information on the Misty Sect, the Misty Sect naturally knew about Green Cloud Sect's disciples as well.

Ye Chen wasn't particularly surprised. Still, their aggressive stares made him uncomfortable. It felt as if ferocious beasts were sizing up prey.

You'd best pray you don't run into me inside the Secret Realm. Otherwise, I'll gouge out every last one of your eyes!

…

Finally, as dusk fell upon the mountain peak, the appointed time had arrived. The elders from both sects simultaneously brought forth their formation disks, casting them forward.

Space rippled, and upon the previously empty mountain peak appeared a vast, luminous gateway.

"Enter swiftly. The gateway shall reopen in one month's time. Do not miss it!"

With a wave of their hands, the elders signaled the disciples to proceed inside.

Immediately, the Misty Sect disciples turned their eyes toward Su Yuxuan.

With a sweet smile, Su Yuxuan stepped gracefully away from the tree, her voice clear and melodious, filled with a charming blend of innocence and allure. "Thank you, Senior Brothers and Sisters, for your courtesy. Then, allow me to enter first."

Watching Su Yuxuan step forward and disappear into the light, Ye Chen followed closely behind.

"You damned simp, wait until we get inside—"

"Bang!"

A disciple from the Misty Sect attempted to block Ye Chen's path. Yet Ye Chen didn't even glance at him. With an indifferent gaze, he merely slammed down his palm. Instantly, that disciple was smashed into the ground, spewing blood as all four limbs shattered in a gruesome instant.

Witnessing this brutal scene, the remaining Misty Sect disciples' expressions shifted drastically. They watched Ye Chen's receding figure in fearful silence, no longer daring to speak a single word.

The elder from Green Cloud Sect smiled contentedly, mockingly turning toward his Misty Sect counterpart, "Since they'll inevitably fight inside, there's no harm in starting a bit early, right? Should I perhaps offer you some compensation?"

The Misty Sect elder glared coldly at Ye Chen's departing figure. "So, this is that infamous simp of your Green Cloud Sect? He is indeed somewhat intriguing. But since he'll soon perish anyway, no compensation is necessary."

As he spoke, he retrieved a sinister soul banner, casually scooping up the crippled disciple from the ground and absorbing him into the banner. "Useless fool, crippled even before entering. How shameful!"

The callousness of the Misty Sect elder caused the Green Cloud Sect elder to frown slightly. They truly had overwhelming confidence in Su Yuxuan. But Ye Chen had claimed first place in the Sect Competition even while only at the eighth level of Qi Refining. Now, having broken through to the ninth level, his strength undoubtedly soared even higher. There should be no cause for concern.

…

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With a flash of light, Ye Chen emerged atop a lonely mountain peak. He glanced around, finding himself completely alone. Taking out the map and carefully comparing landmarks, he soon determined his direction and began heading toward the area previously marked by disciples where the spiritual fire had been discovered.

At the same time, he activated his Spirit Treasure Detection Technique. This advanced detection technique was a gift-feedback enhancement. While the original detection skill had only a pitiful range of five meters, Ye Chen's improved ability could detect spiritual treasures within five hundred meters. Since he had already entered the Secret Realm, he intended to make full use of this month-long opportunity.

Beyond securing the spiritual fire, Ye Chen aimed to find other treasures as well. After all, he was nearing the Foundation Establishment stage, and future expenses would only grow greater. Earning a bit extra could never hurt!

"Judging by its glow, this herb is too ordinary—forget it."

"A Hundred-Year Vermilion Fruit? Useful for refining Foundation Establishment Pills. Might as well take it."

"A Spirit Command Herb... Sadly, it's not mature yet. Better to pass."

The Secret Realm was vast. Ye Chen didn't rush, leisurely exploring his way forward. A week later, he arrived near the region indicated on the map as containing the spiritual fire. Even after narrowing it down, the area remained expansive, making it challenging to locate the exact spot.

"Bang! Bang! Bang…"

Hearing the distant commotion, Ye Chen's eyes immediately brightened. Could someone have already discovered the spiritual fire, prompting a fight?

Without hesitation, Ye Chen dashed toward the source of the sound. The spiritual fire had to be his no matter what. After all, he needed it to give to Yao... well, whoever it was intended for wasn't important for now; obtaining it was paramount. Yet, as he approached, he heard a fierce, bestial roar.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow, observing the scene carefully. A Bloodfiend Beast, its body covered with distinctive blue patterns, roared ferociously, launching relentless attacks. And a graceful figure, barefoot and delicate, danced nimbly around the beast's vicious strikes. Her white gown fluttered gently with every movement, lending her the ethereal grace of an immortal fairy.

Su Yuxuan!

A playful smile instantly spread across Ye Chen's lips. Aside from the spiritual fire, Su Yuxuan was undoubtedly his most desired encounter within this Secret Realm. A fiftyfold female cultivator. Aside from his master, this was the highest multiplier Ye Chen had ever encountered. After a full week, fate had finally reunited them.

The Blue-patterned Bloodfiend Beast was an exceedingly rare mutation. Its heart contained blood qi dozens of times denser than typical Bloodfiend Beasts, making it immensely valuable due to its numerous practical uses.

One heart from a late-stage First-tier Blue-patterned Bloodfiend Beast could fetch at least twenty medium-grade spirit stones. Considering Su Yuxuan possessed a Blood Spiritual Root, Such a heart would naturally be even more crucial for her cultivation.

Thus, Ye Chen decisively made his move. He had no choice; if he waited any longer, the Bloodfiend Beast would be dead.

Just as the beast was about to collapse, a powerful hand suddenly descended, swiftly seizing it and hurling it heavily onto the ground in front of Ye Chen. With this violent slam, the beast instantly breathed its last.

Su Yuxuan, who had been fighting for so long and was mere moments from claiming her prize, watched helplessly as the beast was snatched from her hands. Confusion filled those alluring eyes of hers. Someone had stolen her prey? This unexpected turn of events actually amused her.

In the three years she'd cultivated, she'd always been the one stealing from others. This was the first time anyone had dared snatch something from her. How intriguing…

Approaching Ye Chen with an intentionally pitiful expression, Su Yuxuan softly pleaded, "Senior Brother Ye, this Bloodfiend Beast belongs to me. Isn't it rather inappropriate for you to do this?"

Ye Chen remained calmly in place, unsurprised that Su Yuxuan knew him.

Carefully slicing open the beast's chest with his spiritual technique, he replied casually, "According to the rules of the cultivation world, the one who lands the final blow owns the prize. So, this beast belongs to me now."

Su Yuxuan narrowed her eyes slightly, puzzled. Since when had the cultivation world adopted such a bizarre rule?

Still, she wasn't overly concerned. Gazing at Ye Chen with renewed curiosity, she continued softly, her voice full of seductive innocence, "But Senior Brother, I genuinely need its heart. You know, our Misty Sect practices demonic arts. Without the pure blood-qi from this beast's heart, my cultivation technique will violently backfire. My cultivation will regress, and I'll vomit blood daily…

"Moreover, strength is everything in the Misty Sect. If my cultivation declines, elders and direct disciples will surely try to turn me into their cultivation furnace… I'd rather die… Senior Brother Ye, can you truly bear to see me suffer such a fate?"

As she spoke with captivating innocence, her hidden hand quietly filled with a blood-colored aura, ready to strike the very next moment.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen retrieved the beast's massive, basketball-sized heart, inspecting it approvingly. He then looked back at Su Yuxuan, smiling warmly, "How could I ever bear to see Junior Sister turned into a furnace? Since Junior Sister needs it so desperately, I shall give it to you! No need to thank me!"

Ye Chen immediately tossed the heart toward Su Yuxuan.

Su Yuxuan had already prepared herself to attack, intending to torture Ye Chen thoroughly and reduce him to a puddle of blood. Ye Chen's sudden generosity left her momentarily stunned. His absurd words almost made her laugh with disbelief. He snatched something from her, only to give it back immediately, then shamelessly claimed she owed him no thanks? Was this famous Green Cloud Sect's "simp" direct disciple always this devoted to flattering women? With such a mentality, it was truly a pity he wasn't a direct disciple of their Misty Sect instead…

Holding the heart, Su Yuxuan stared thoughtfully at Ye Chen, weighing her options carefully.

Should she kill him now, or perhaps…kill him right now?

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