Before long, Elder Chen left with an expression that questioned his understanding of life. He could not fathom that there truly were cultivators who would prefer to remain as maids rather than become elders. After all, reaching the Foundation Establishment stage could enable one to start a clan in a less prominent locale. The situation was utterly absurd.

Thus, Elder Chen suspected that Ye Chen must have used some kind of enslavement charm on the three women, or that he held some leverage over them, to make them act this way.

However, Elder Chen was overthinking it. The Heart Command Talisman only ensured that the three women wouldn't divulge Ye Chen's secrets, betray him, or act against his interests. It had no other coercive effects.

The reasons the three women decisively chose to stay, without a hint of hesitation, varied individually but shared a common core.

Lu Jing had no ambitions for struggle and only desired a peaceful life. Becoming an elder would require her to undertake missions and face dangers, none of which appealed to her as much as staying safely by Ye Chen's side.

Lin Ke'er's reason was even simpler. A brief comparison revealed to her that the annual emoluments and benefits of a Green Cloud Sect elder paled in comparison to the value of the pills Ye Chen had bestowed upon them even when they were only at the Qi Refining stage.

Pills like the Five Elements Pill, top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills, and other superior elixirs were something the Green Cloud Sect could not provide.

Moreover, after their breakthroughs, Ye Chen tailored Earth-grade Foundation Establishment techniques for each of them based on their individual spiritual roots and characteristics, which were even better than what the Green Cloud Sect offered its elders.

For Lin Ke'er, there was absolutely no need to contemplate any other option. And for Sun Ruoxin, the situation was even clearer. Being forgiven by Ye Chen and staying by his side was already more than she could have asked for. How could she possibly consider leaving?

Of course, beyond these reasons, there was one more significant factor for the three maids' decisions—the dual cultivation...

It wasn't just immensely pleasurable, but the benefits were staggeringly great. The rapid advancement of the three maids was undeniably linked to the gains from their cultivation practices. Pleasurable and power-boosting, the setup was too good.

Moreover, in the past two years, Ye Chen's frequent travels meant that the time he spent cultivating with them had significantly decreased, leading to fierce competition among the three maids.

Sometimes they formed secret alliances, and at other times, they sabotaged each other subtly, all in a bid to secure more time with Ye Chen. The lengths they went to could rival the plots of an intricate drama series.

In such a scenario, why would any of them voluntarily give up their position, allowing the other two to gain an advantage?

After declining Elder Chen's offer, the three maids rushed to demonstrate their loyalty to Ye Chen. Ye Chen was not surprised by their decision to stay. However, he didn't plan to keep all three by his side indefinitely.

Understanding their personalities well, Ye Chen had plans for them once he made his mark in Green Cloud City, demonstrating his prowess and establishing a foothold in Divine Will City where he could sustain a storefront.

Considering the high-end goods he was now able to acquire, Green Cloud City's luxury market was too limited. Ye Chen found it easier to sell his high-grade items in Divine Will City, where the demand matched the quality of his goods.

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He planned to set up a branch of Ye Boutique in Divine Will City, sending Sun Ruoxin and Sun Ye there to manage it. Sun Ye was an old hand at business, and with Sun Ruoxin's strength at the Foundation Establishment stage, they would be capable managers.

Lin Ke'er would take over the management of the Ye Boutique in Green Cloud City. As for Lu Jing, her aspirations were modest—content with small wealth and reliant on a man—but she wasn't like those in his previous life who took without giving and still complained about their partners. Instead, she understood the importance of gratitude and the concept of reciprocating what one receives.

Being with a woman who understood these principles was genuinely comforting, so he decided she would continue as his maid.

…

"Master, I will definitely return."

Atop Sword Peak, Ye Chen looked at his master, a smile on his face.

Gu Yunyun, however, wore a resigned expression. But in her heart, she thought, once Ye Chen realizes the value of being a direct disciple of the Divine Will Sect, he might change his mind. After all, no cultivator who has ever ranked first has chosen not to join the Divine Will Sect.

Thus, Gu Yunyun did not persuade him further, merely waving her hand lightly, "Be careful, as the quota for direct disciples at the Divine Will Sect is limited. Many geniuses from various clans will be awaiting the Divine Will Assembly to compete for a spot as a direct disciple. There are many outstanding talents among them. If it's truly impossible, do not force it! For cultivators, as long as you live, there's always an opportunity!"

Ye Chen threw out his flying boat and laughed heartily, "Outstanding talents? Before me, who dares claim to be invincible? Outstanding talents are merely stepping stones at my gateway!"

Ye Chen left nonchalantly. Mainly because he had already distributed his final batch of gifts before leaving. He had nothing to linger for.

Watching the spirited silhouette of Ye Chen, a smile also appeared on Gu Yunyun's face. Behind her, an old voice rang out, "When I was young, if only I could show off like that. It's a pity I only knew how to cultivate..."

It turned out to be the Sect Master, who had arrived unnoticed.

Gu Yunyun turned around, "Greetings, Sect Master."

The Sect Master smiled gently, his eyes filled with nostalgia, perhaps reminiscing inspired by Ye Chen's vigor.

Gu Yunyun was not fond of idle chatter, "Sect Master, I am planning to officially make my breakthrough to the Golden Core stage..."

However, the Sect Master shook his head, looking at Gu Yunyun, "You are not ready yet! Your heart is not yet calm enough!"

Gu Yunyun was stunned, "Please enlighten me!"

The Sect Master did not give further guidance, instead looking towards the sky where Ye Chen had departed, speaking somewhat desolately, "Back when I was still in the Qi Refining stage, there was a senior sister in the sect. She was beautiful, a member of a Foundation Establishment family.

"After I joined the sect, she took good care of me, would ask me when assigning tasks, and occasionally invited me to stroll through Green Cloud City, even showing me her newly bought jewelry and asking if it looked good...

"But at that time, I only found her annoying. I only wanted to become an immortal ancestor, I only desired to roam the realms of immortality, to open the gates of heaven. Who has time to go to Green Cloud City? So I always refused her.

"Later, when she failed to breakthrough Foundation Establishment and had to leave the sect, she cried and asked me to remember to look for her. But where did I have the time? I was busy trying to breakthrough Foundation Establishment, and after that, I was busy trying to breakthrough Golden Core.

"Later, when I was at the peak of Foundation Establishment, but still unable to breakthrough Golden Core, I always felt something was missing. By chance, I saw a female disciple fail her breakthrough and had to leave the sect, bidding farewell to a male disciple, saying she was going home."

"The male disciple only said, 'I know.' It was as if I saw my younger self. But the next day, I heard that the male disciple had chosen to become a steward, and the area he was responsible for was the hometown of that female disciple. That was when I finally understood what I had missed all those years ago.

"But by the time I first visited her family, she had already died, unmarried, always waiting for me to find her. Yet she never saw that day. Later, I can't remember much... ah, never mind, one tends to reminisce about the past in old age."

The Sect Master sighed, his body stooped, as he slowly walked down the mountain. And atop the Sword Peak, a sudden fierce wind arose.

Gu Yunyun, standing there dazed, her hair dancing like silk, wondering about something.

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