Finally, the Green Cloud Sect was in sight. The surviving disciples, having made it through the ordeal, breathed long sighs of relief.

Meanwhile, a sword beam flew across the sky.

Gu Yunyun, her feet atop a flying sword, her red dress fluttering in the wind, clung to her form in a way that was nothing short of breathtaking. She approached the flying boat, and without sparing a glance at the Magic Peak Master, she called out, "Ye Chen, come here, I'll take you back to the Sword Peak!"

The Magic Peak Master glanced at the direction from which Gu Yunyun had flown, cursing inwardly.

Gu Yunyun had definitely never left before. If he had shown even the slightest hint of greed for the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method, he was sure he'd be met with a sword beam.

As for Ye Chen, since he was on the verge of Foundation Establishment, his mood was already great. Seeing his master now made it even better.

Without hesitation, Ye Chen jumped from the edge of the flying boat toward the long sword. But in the next moment, Gu Yunyun's sword beam flashed, and she yanked Ye Chen by the collar, lifting him away.

Ye Chen was buffeted by the wind, feeling particularly aggrieved. His master was being so distant—it was a bit heart-wrenching. He had already said that last time was an accident. Where was the trust between people?

Once he reached Foundation Establishment, he would be much more useful to her. He would work harder and show his master how much filial piety he had. Once he could prove his worth, he was certain his master would open up completely to him.

As Ye Chen was lost in these thoughts, the flying sword sped up, and before he knew it, they had reached a small courtyard.

Gu Yunyun dropped him off and, with a cold expression, spoke, "Ye Chen, I won't mention the spiritual fire or the Foundation Establishment Pills. But if you give away the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method, you will no longer be my disciple. Go find someone else to be your master if you wish!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Chen quickly shook his head. "I will listen to you, master, I absolutely won't give it away! I, Ye Chen, only have one master in this life, and that's you. I only wish to serve by your side, with no other intentions!"

Gu Yunyun's expression remained unchanged as she glanced at him. "With your talent and background, having this opportunity isn't easy. The chance for Foundation Establishment is right before you. If you miss it, you'll waste your whole life. Think carefully about what you do."

With that, she shot off toward the mountaintop. It was clear she was still somewhat unconvinced. But Ye Chen wasn't lying. The Foundation Establishment method he possessed was really meant for himself. After all, the system's feedback couldn't be reused for further rewards.

The Great Five Elements Heaven-Dao Foundation Establishment method, which could awaken two innate divine abilities, was definitely something he had to keep for himself.

After giving Su Yuxuan the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method, Ye Chen didn't rush down the mountain to find Yao Xi, as the system's cooldown period hadn't passed yet.

When the three maidservants saw Ye Chen return, they were all particularly happy. It had been so long since they had all cultivated together. The three women were all unusually proactive. Their enthusiasm caused Ye Chen, whose Dao heart was usually firm, to begin cultivating during the daytime.

Although Ye Chen had already reached the peak of the Qi Refining stage, further cultivation wouldn't improve his cultivation level, it still helped him adjust his state of mind, improve his mood, and prepare for Foundation Establishment.

Thus, Ye Chen immersed himself fully in his practice, diving into the water pool. On the mountaintop, Gu Yunyun, who had just returned, used her spirit sense to check on Ye Chen, wondering if he had gone straight to find Yao Xi after returning. But when the information reached her mind, her mature face flushed slightly.

"Really ridiculous!"

She had just given him the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method, and instead of preparing for Foundation Establishment, he returned and immediately did something like this.

Stolen novel; please report.

This disciple of hers was hopeless…

However, despite her scorn, Gu Yunyun thought for a moment and realized that she hadn't taken the time to cultivate her heart's state in a while. She felt that she had made some progress recently. It was a good opportunity to test it.

With that in mind, the red dress fluttered as Gu Yunyun sat in the spring pool, settling herself into a meditative state to refine her mind. Ever since she had learned that Ye Chen had brought water into the courtyard, Gu Yunyun had somehow preferred to cultivate in the pool.

Not long after, the still waters of the pool began to ripple slightly. Occasionally, droplets of water splashed up, creating small ripples that spread outward.

...

In the blink of an eye, a week had passed.

Ye Chen was just about to go find Yao Xi to chat and deliver some gifts when Elder Chen from the Internal Affairs Hall arrived first. He was holding a delicate pill bottle in his hand.

"Direct Disciple Ye," Elder Chen began, "Your strength is extraordinary, and you've made great contributions to the sect, bringing back seven disciples. The sect has specially granted you permission not to participate in this year's sect competition and has awarded you a high-grade Foundation Establishment Pill. May you break through to Foundation Establishment soon."

Ye Chen couldn't help but smile upon hearing this. He had been waiting for this high-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, intending to send it out and begin his breakthrough right away. He hadn't expected the sect to send it to him directly.

But after a moment of thought, Ye Chen raised an eyebrow and asked, "This isn't because Fa Zhen and the others complained, is it?"

Upon hearing this, Elder Chen's mouth twitched. It was exactly as Ye Chen had guessed. Ye Chen was simply too strong to be contended with. The most concerning thing was that Ye Chen's talent was considered poor, and no one knew when he would actually make his breakthrough to Foundation Establishment.

That wasn't even the worst part—Ye Chen had gone ahead and given the Foundation Establishment Pill to Yao Xi. Clearly, he was intending for Yao Xi to break through first. This made all the other disciples nervous.

Once Yao Xi broke through, Ye Chen would start earning Foundation Establishment Pills for himself, and the other disciples might have to wait ten years before getting their hands on one.

The sect, unfortunately, had no way to stop this. After all, in the two-thousand-year history of the Green Cloud Sect, there had never been a disciple like Ye Chen. So the sect leader had compromised by sending Ye Chen a Foundation Establishment Pill directly, giving the other direct disciples a chance.

At the same time, the sect had added a new rule. A disciple could receive a maximum of two Foundation Establishment Pills through the sect competition, and if they didn't break through by then, they would no longer receive any rewards, even if they participated again.

Upon hearing the new rule, Ye Chen couldn't help but laugh. It was essentially a rule designed just for him. But it didn't matter.

Ye Chen hadn't planned to wait too long in the Qi Refining stage anyway. Receiving the Foundation Establishment Pill earlier, saving two months, was a good thing for him. It just so happened that today, it was delivered.

So, Ye Chen happily accepted the high-grade Foundation Establishment Pill, bade Elder Chen farewell, and leisurely made his way down the mountain.

Elder Chen watched Ye Chen's retreating figure with a heavy sigh. Having lived for over a hundred years, Elder Chen had never seen anyone like Ye Chen—his talent was poor, yet his combat power was monstrous.

But no matter how strong he was in the Qi Refining stage, what difference did it make? Any Foundation Establishment cultivator could suppress him with a wave of their hand. And with his third-grade spiritual root, the road to breakthrough was incredibly difficult.

Elder Chen honestly hoped Ye Chen would give both the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method and the top-grade Foundation Establishment Pill to Yao Xi. At least then, the sect would gain a solid middle-tier combat force.

...

"Junior Brother, I heard the secret realm was truly dangerous. I'm so glad you're back safe!"

When Yao Xi saw Ye Chen, her eyes lit up with surprise. She quickly invited him in. Then, with her back slightly turned to him, she half-squatted to pour him some sugar water.

Ye Chen, gazing at the round moon hanging in the sky, raised an eyebrow. He couldn't shake the feeling that Yao Xi was doing this on purpose. It seemed like, whenever they were alone together, she always deliberately showcased her advantages, often turning her back to him.

After looking at her for a moment, Ye Chen took out the pill bottle.

"Senior Sister, this is the high-grade Foundation Establishment Pill the sect just gave me."

High-grade Foundation Establishment Pill?

Yao Xi was about to say something, but seeing the smile yet firmness on Ye Chen's face, she knew there was no use in declining.

"Since that's the case, thank you, Junior Brother!"

She said this with a smile before sitting down next to him on a lounge chair. But the chair was small, so they ended up sitting close together, almost overlapping.

"How's your spiritual fire refining going, Senior Sister?" Ye Chen asked, his voice less than steady.

The main reason was that Senior Sister kept shifting in the chair. But with the chair being that small, Ye Chen didn't want to say anything—he just had to go along with it.

Yao Xi laughed and replied, "In about half a month, it will be fully refined!"

Ye Chen calculated the time in his head. It would take about two months, right? If a third-grade spiritual fire took this long, then a seventh-grade one would surely take longer. The system had truly been a big help. It had directly saved him a lot of time.

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