Over the years, Ye Chen had grown increasingly adept at understanding the rules of the system. If there was a chance to trigger a critical hit, he would always opt for it. While Yao Xi and Su Yuxuan were separated by a mere twenty-fold difference, Su Yuxuan neither knew how to refine pills nor craft weapons. Moreover, she had no use for them personally. It was very unlikely she would trigger a critical hit.

And Yao Xi? An alchemist could definitely use spiritual fire. Having recently failed a breakthrough, her need for spiritual fire was even greater. Gifting it to Yao Xi would surely trigger a critical hit. The choice was obvious.

Not to mention that Fa Zhen had seen him acquire the spiritual fire. Failing to bring it back to the sect would be difficult to explain. If he were to be treated as a traitor, Ye Chen would be troublesome.

Ye Chen secured the box containing the spiritual fire. He looked Su Yuxuan up and down.

Meeting Ye Chen's gaze, Su Yuxuan smiled coyly, "If Senior Brother decides not to kill me, you might as well let me go! I truly realize my mistake… and I will make up for my previous errors to compensate you!"

As she spoke, she stuck out her pink tongue and lightly licked her lips, making her look even more enticing. One's imagination could easily run wild.

However, Ye Chen remained unmoved. He glanced at the time; the system's cooldown would end tomorrow. With a fifty-fold return in sight, it would be a waste not to use it.

With that thought, Ye Chen took out his recent gains.

"You can choose one item per week, and tomorrow it's time again, so I'll let you choose in advance!"

Su Yuxuan's eyes brimmed with confusion.

You've already captured and bound me like this, and now you're talking about choosing rewards? Are you out of your mind? Just touch me, will you?

Su Yuxuan, beautiful and exceptionally talented, had always been the object of desire within the Misty Sect, with even some elders coveting her, wishing to turn her into a cauldron for their cultivation.

Therefore, Su Yuxuan had cultivated a secret technique that could instantly drain all the spiritual power from someone if they indeed tried anything against her. At that point, she would ensure Ye Chen neither lived in peace nor died in comfort.

Su Yuxuan bit her lip, then smiled coquettishly, "Senior Brother is truly honorable, a real paragon of virtue as expected from a righteous sect, truly keeping his promises! I'll take that spirit turtle then! Senior Brother, the ropes are chafing me terribly; maybe you should check if they've broken the skin?"

Su Yuxuan continued her seductive tactics. However, Ye Chen seemed not to hear her last remark. He picked up the spirit turtle and examined it.

"This Mystical Spirit Turtle, its blood is particularly rich in vital energy. It does suit your spiritual root. But are you planning to refine it directly? It seems the absorption rate wouldn't be very high. I know of a formula for Spirit Turtle Blood Pills. If you take it as a pill after I refine it, the effects will be at least twice as good as direct refining. How about it, shall I refine it into a pill for you?"

Su Yuxuan was dumbfounded. She increasingly felt that Ye Chen was more bizarre than any of the elders back at her sect. What exactly are you doing? Why suddenly decide to make pills? Is this some new form of torment? Are you planning to throw me into the pill furnace?

Seeing no opposition from Su Yuxuan, Ye Chen took out a top-grade pill furnace from his storage ring. He tossed in some spirit stones to power the spiritual fire. He was actually starting to make pills.

Ye Chen was not joking. Giving away the spirit turtle as is was just providing a basic resource. But refining it into a pill and then giving it away could increase its value by at least tenfold. Why sell raw materials when finished products are much more profitable?

Since the gift could only be delivered tomorrow, he figured he might as well make the most of the time and maximize the benefits.

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…

As Su Yuxuan watched Ye Chen ignite the fire, prepare the herbs, and dissect the spirit turtle, her expression was filled with question marks. Was Ye Chen really going to make pills? What on earth was going on?

Even though Su Yuxuan had secretly read books in her sect about the numerous ways male cultivators tormented female cultivators—over a thousand methods described—none matched the experience she was undergoing now.

Su Yuxuan firmly believed that Ye Chen must have designs on her. Even before entering the secret realm, he had looked at her with keen interest. Throughout their time together, he often glanced at her delicate feet and face. Thus, having captured her, he surely wouldn't miss the opportunity to take advantage of her.

But why would he start making pills now? Could it be… a setup?

Suddenly, it dawned on Su Yuxuan. This was a new tactic some male cultivators in her sect had summarized: capturing female cultivators and letting them know what they were in for… But initially keeping their distance... The female cultivators, during the wait, would become fearful or endlessly imagine what was to come…

It had to be this!

At this realization, Su Yuxuan truly began to panic. Such demonic tactics… Was Ye Chen really not an undercover agent sent by her own Misty Sect?

From then on, no matter what Su Yuxuan said, Ye Chen completely ignored her, focusing solely on refining the pills to ensure their quality was the highest possible. This, in turn, would enhance the value of the fifty-fold feedback he anticipated.

Seeing Ye Chen disregard her entirely only heightened her anxiety, the ropes themselves were tied uncomfortably, making her feel uneasy. Her mind couldn't help but wander to when Ye Chen would make his move. How he would make his move? What parts of her he would use?

The more she thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt. The more uncomfortable she felt, the more she couldn't help but think. Having only cultivated for three years, Su Yuxuan's mental fortitude was somewhat lacking. She found herself trapped in a bizarre cycle of apprehension and speculation…

…

The Spirit Turtle Blood Pills were indeed a complex concoction to prepare. As a top-tier first-grade pill, they naturally consumed more time and effort. By the next morning, the fragrant aroma of the pills filled the entire cavern.

Ye Chen gently opened the pill furnace and was immediately delighted as ten high-grade Spirit Turtle Blood Pills landed in his hand. Each pill was suffused with rich blood vitality, perfect for cultivators over the age of thirty. Just one would replenish the deficiencies brought on by age, greatly enhancing the chances of a breakthrough. The only regret was that this was his first attempt, so none of the pills had reached the top grade. Otherwise, the effects would have been even better.

"Su Yuxuan, you..." Ye Chen turned, intending to give her the pills. However, when he looked back, he saw Su Yuxuan lying on the ground, her eyes rolled back, with saliva and sweat dripping from her smooth chin. Her body trembled slightly...

Hmm? He had simply been making pills—what was going on here? If it were anyone else, this would certainly be an unattractive sight. But Su Yuxuan's beauty added an unusual charm to the scene.

Though Ye Chen wasn't the type to indulge in such things. He waved his hand in front of her, "What's going on with you? Are you alright? Still alive? I didn't plan on killing you. Are you activating some secret technique to commit suicide? No need for that, really!"

The system cooldown had ended.

Ye Chen used his Emperor's Qi Viewing Technique to check Su Yuxuan. Her body was fine, though her spirit seemed a little worn down. It was probably due to her genius pride; now that she was a prisoner, she couldn't accept it.

Ye Chen cast a few defensive spells on himself, then nonchalantly waved his hand. The ropes that bound her instantly dissolved.

Su Yuxuan, who had been lost in her thoughts, snapped back to reality and saw that the ropes had disappeared. Though her spiritual power was still sealed, she could break free anytime. However, she didn't. She was hoping Ye Chen would lower his guard so she could make a move.

She looked at him warily. Ye Chen's methods were truly insidious. What was he up to now?

Ye Chen casually tossed the ten freshly made Spirit Turtle Blood Pills into the air toward Su Yuxuan.

"I told you, these are for you! Eat them soon for the best effect! Well, the secret realm time is almost up, I'm leaving now."

With that, Ye Chen turned and started walking away.

Su Yuxuan narrowed her eyes, watching Ye Chen's back. She was sure he was just trying to trick her again and torment her. The two sects were enemies. Ye Chen had coveted her from the start. There was no way he would let her go so easily. But to her surprise, Ye Chen seemed to genuinely be leaving. Within a moment, he was already at one of the exits of the cavern.

Su Yuxuan breathed a sigh of relief. Despite the murderous intent burning inside her, wishing she could turn Ye Chen to ash for tormenting her, his strength and tactics had made even the usually fearless Su Yuxuan feel unsettled. But the next moment, she grew wary again.

Ye Chen stopped, turned around, and said, "Su Yuxuan, I look forward to our next meeting!" And with that, he completely left.

Su Yuxuan bit her lip. At that moment, she understood why Ye Chen had spared her. It was because he wanted her to remain trapped in fear, tormenting herself. And then, when the time was right, he would take everything from her.

So arrogant. So utterly arrogant.

Su Yuxuan clenched her fists, resolved. Next time, she would repay the humiliation Ye Chen had given her a hundredfold. She glanced at the pill bottle on the ground. She thought of kicking it away, but after a moment of hesitation, she picked it up instead. She sniffed it gently, and her eyes instantly lit up!

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