Gu Yunyun, clad in a red dress, was as breathtakingly beautiful as ever. Her long hair, slightly damp, cascaded down her back. The phrase "a beauty that could topple cities and states" was aptly suited for her. Her allure matched that of An Miaoli, whose 200x boost had no advantage over Gu Yunyun except perhaps in spiritual root and talent.

Ye Chen could sense a certain coolness from his master regarding his return, which made him reflective. Indeed, long separations could diminish affections. He resolved that more frequent visits were essential to foster their bond.

"Master, this is the top-grade Meridian Cleansing Pill I've refined! It can purify all impurities within one's spiritual power, enhancing its purity, which is greatly beneficial for your breakthrough to the Golden Core stage! I just returned today, and I brought it especially for you!"

Ye Chen presented the pill he had prepared in advance.

Gu Yunyun looked at Ye Chen. More than half a year had passed since their last meeting, and Ye Chen himself had undergone many changes. His eyes, in particular, shone brilliantly, increasingly bearing the demeanor of a prodigious figure.

"You are thoughtful. However, the sect's duties are pressing. I've heard the situation in Middle Mountain is intense; you should return there soon."

Gu Yunyun spoke calmly.

Ye Chen nodded, "I've sustained some injuries, and the Sect Leader has allowed me a month to recuperate here in the sect. After that, I will leave."

Gu Yunyun's eyes narrowed slightly—Ye Chen was injured? Who dared to harm her disciple?

She wanted to inquire further. But recalling Ye Chen's sometimes impure filial piety, she ultimately said evenly, "In that case, you should focus on healing properly."

Though the master was unusually aloof, seeing her accept the medicinal pill and receiving positive feedback from the system, Ye Chen couldn't help but smile.

...

After Ye Chen departed, Gu Yunyun watched his retreating figure and sighed softly. Despite her apparent coldness, Ye Chen's happiness at seeing her was undeniable. It had been half a year since they last met, and even though she had sent Yao Xi to him, it had not dampened Ye Chen's inappropriate affections.

Gu Yunyun rose gracefully and departed to inquire about how exactly Ye Chen had been injured. As a master, she felt compelled to seek justice for her disciple.

Soon, Gu Yunyun learned the full story.

"Kong Xiangli was a traitor from the Misty Sect? Collaborating with Black Soul Elder to assassinate Ye Chen, in hopes of luring me out?"

Gu Yunyun's voice was cold and sharp, her eyes filled with frost.

The External Affairs elder sensed Gu Yunyun's anger and quickly interjected, "Kong Xiangli and Black Soul Elder are dead! And the Kong family has been dealt with. Please do not venture out. Your primary task now is to focus on your cultivation and break through to the Golden Core stage. The Misty Sect does not want our Green Cloud Sect to produce another Golden Core. If you leave the mountain, you will surely face an attack. Therefore, the Sect Leader has ordered that you must not leave the mountain until you reach the Golden Core stage."

Regret stirred in Gu Yunyun's heart. So, Ye Chen was injured because of her. And upon learning that the Misty Sect planned to assassinate her, he had hurried back to the sect to report. Even when the Sect Leader wanted to reward him, Ye Chen only requested to stay in the Green Cloud Sect for a month, just to see her more. Yet, she had treated him so coldly...

Even though Ye Chen seemed indifferent to her attitude, it must have hurt him deeply. But... Ye Chen, her disciple, had developed feelings for her that he shouldn't have. What should she do with Ye Chen?

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Gu Yunyun returned to Sword Peak, her mind in turmoil. She thought about seeing Ye Chen but hesitated. Sitting quietly by the pond, her stunningly beautiful face lost in thought, a gentle breeze stirred the peach blossoms from the nearby tree.

They fell upon Gu Yunyun's dark hair. For a moment, it was like a scene from a poem.

...

Unaware of his master's turmoil, Ye Chen returned to his own courtyard, where his long-absent maids immediately flocked to him. Thanks to the top-tier medicinal pills he had left behind, Lin Ke'er, Lu Jing, and the others had all broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refinement.

Lin Ke'er, in particular, was so eager to progress that she was nearing the peak of Qi Refinement. She could attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment phase in another year or so.

Ye Chen, who always rewarded and punished fairly, gave Lin Ke'er the first opportunity to cultivate alongside him. Thus, the following week was spent in earnest cultivation at Sword Peak until he went up the mountain again to present gifts.

This time, Ye Chen noticed a significant improvement in his master's demeanor. She was no longer as cold as before but invited him to sit in the courtyard, watching the spring's flow and smelling the fragrance of peach blossoms, asking about his ordeal.

Ye Chen internally smiled, realizing that his master's previous aloofness was indeed due to his prolonged absence. It seemed necessary to visit more frequently in the future to maintain their bond.

Ye Chen deliberately made his story sound more perilous. He described how he battled Kong Xiangli and Black Soul Elder for three days, fighting and fleeing until he found an opportunity to counter-attack and then immediately returning to the sect to report.

Hearing Ye Chen's tale, Gu Yunyun's beautiful face showed even more complexity.

...

However, happy times are always fleeting. The month flew by quickly, and on the last day, Ye Chen came to offer gifts and say goodbye.

"Master, these are top-grade Essence Clarity Pills. I reckon the ones I gave you last time are nearly used up, so I'm bringing you more," Ye Chen said, clearly reluctant to leave. "I'm off to Middle Mountain again. Here's to hoping for your early breakthrough to the Golden Core."

Even though a non-critical feedback from his master was immensely valuable, the thought of spending a few years by her side could equate his wealth to that of a holy land. Leaving now was, of course, regrettable.

Feeling Ye Chen's emotions, Gu Yunyun sighed internally. She did not refuse Ye Chen's kindness. Instead, she gently raised her hand, and a sword talisman flew towards Ye Chen.

"This talisman contains one of my sword intents, capable of severely injuring someone at the later stages of the Foundation Establishment... Take it with you," Gu Yunyun said, presenting the talisman to Ye Chen.

This was her preparation for him over the month, reflecting her hesitance about sending Ye Chen to Middle Mountain. Despite knowing that being her direct disciple could endanger him, she ultimately resolved that cultivators grow fastest through combat.

Ye Chen had shown considerable growth upon returning from the Boundless Demon Sect's ruins half a year ago. Although rumors suggested Ye Chen was not a third-grade spiritual root but a genius, Gu Yunyun knew his talents best.

Breaking through the Foundation Establishment had been challenging enough; advancing to Golden Core would be even tougher without the right opportunities.

If Ye Chen was fortunate in Middle Mountain, he might find his chance to break through to Golden Core. Thus, sending him away from the Green Cloud Sect was for his own good...

Of course, Gu Yunyun did not want Ye Chen to face another attack. Thus, she spent a full half month imbuing her own sword intent into a talisman to protect Ye Chen.

Gu Yunyun was confident that any cultivator at the late stage of Foundation Establishment would be severely injured by her sword talisman. With this safeguard, Ye Chen would have a significant protective ace up his sleeve, and she could feel somewhat more at ease.

...

Looking at the sword talisman, Ye Chen's eyes sparkled. He treasured it immediately, securing it close to his heart. Indeed, his master was stern on the outside but warm on the inside.

A talisman capable of severely injuring a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator was exceedingly precious. Another gift that potent could potentially threaten even a Golden Core cultivator.

Watching Ye Chen cherish the talisman as if it were a priceless treasure, Gu Yunyun worried that he might hesitate to use it when crucial, simply because it was a gift from her.

She spoke earnestly, "Ye Chen, the path of immortality is ruthless; do not dwell on romantic attachments. For cultivators, aside from eternal life, everything else can be forsaken. So, never fixate on the notion of affection! Do you understand?"

While Gu Yunyun could not be explicit, she hoped to enlighten Ye Chen. She wished for him not to be hopelessly devoted to her any longer.

Hearing this, Ye Chen thought his master was referring to his previous obsessions and nodded with a smile, "Master, rest assured, I am not fixated on affection, my sole focus is on attaining longevity!"

Gu Yunyun sighed internally at Ye Chen's easy response. If only Ye Chen could truly understand what she meant...

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