"Young Master, why not call Ke'er back?" Lu Jing said the next morning, serving Ye Chen a meticulously prepared breakfast while putting in a good word for Lin Ke'er. "I can't keep up with you alone. When Ke'er visited me a while back, she was crying her eyes out, begging to return to your side."

When the other two maids had been sent away, leaving her alone, Lu Jing had been thrilled to have Ye Chen to herself. But his stamina was overwhelming. She was struggling. That morning, she'd downed several cups of water just to feel normal again, and it was clear Ye Chen hadn't been fully satisfied either.

So, she figured it was best to bring Lin Ke'er and the others back. Sure, Ke'er sometimes pushed her to hurry up or used tricks to cut her turn short, but that didn't matter. As long as Ye Chen was happy, he'd come back more often.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow but nodded. "It's a small matter—handle it as you see fit. Just make sure to cultivate diligently afterward."

Green Cloud Sect's market was small, its business modest. Sending a trusted disciple to manage things was enough. The sect would eventually belong to his master, which meant, indirectly, it was his. No need to worry.

Lu Jing shook her head. "My spirit root is too poor. Reaching Foundation Establishment was already a stroke of luck, all thanks to your favor and the treasures you've given me. I don't dare hope for higher realms. I've taken an appearance-preserving pill, so serving you for three hundred years is enough for me."

Lu Jing knew the value of contentment. Living in a major sect like Green Cloud, with even elders treating her respectfully when she went out, was a life she'd never dared dream of before.

Ye Chen felt a twinge of admiration for her simple satisfaction. She spoke the truth. With a fourth-grade spirit root, breaking through to Foundation Establishment was a fluke. Even with various elixirs, her cultivation speed would never be impressive.

Ye Chen gave a light smile and pulled out an Azure Hill Jade Bamboo Core, handing it to Lu Jing. "Three hundred years isn't enough. Stay by my side always."

Lu Jing held the Azure Hill Jade Bamboo Core, feeling its vibrant life force pulse through it, her eyes wide with confusion. She had no idea what it was.

"This might elevate your spirit root to Earth-grade," Ye Chen explained casually. "Even if it doesn't reach that level, it'll at least become an attribute spirit root."

Lu Jing's eyes widened in shock.

"Go refine it," he added. Lu Jing's unassuming, contented attitude genuinely pleased him. He wasn't stingy.

As Ye Chen drifted away, Lu Jing stared at the Thunderbane Bamboo Core, her heart swelling with one thought: following Young Master was the best decision she'd ever made.

Cultivation was effortless, resources were never lacking, and now, even a legendary treasure that could enhance her spirit root was casually bestowed upon her. Even an attribute spirit root was precious enough to breeze into a sect like Divine Will and possibly become a direct disciple.

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A Golden Core breakthrough wasn't out of reach. Such a priceless treasure, and Young Master had given it to her without a second thought. Staying by his side was, without doubt, the wisest choice of her life.

...

After leaving the courtyard, Ye Chen glanced up. His master was still in seclusion. He flew toward Pill Peak, but mid-air, a graceful figure approached—his Senior Sister.

"Junior Brother, you're back?" Yao Xi's face lit up with joy upon seeing him.

Ye Chen didn't hold back, wrapping an arm around her as they flew to Pill Peak. Yao Xi's courtyard was expansive, filled with blooming flowers and herbs, a breathtaking scene alive with fluttering spiritual bees and butterflies.

"Want some nectar water, Junior Brother?" Yao Xi asked, turning to mix a drink with hundred-flower honey. "It's refreshing and even clears your eyes."

As she bent over, her figure—already as full and radiant as a harvest moon—curved even more enticingly. Ye Chen chuckled. Ever since his Senior Sister had noticed something, she'd taken to doing things with her back to him. Did she think he was that kind of guy?

Pulling her into his arms, he felt no resistance, but Yao Xi shot him a resentful look. "If you're going to be like that again, Junior Brother, don't touch me."

Even her good-natured patience was wearing thin from his antics.

Ye Chen grinned, pulling out a jade box containing an Azure Hill Jade Bamboo Core and handing it to Yao Xi. "Use this, and I won't be like that anymore."

Yao Xi's face flushed. Her Junior Brother was getting worse by the day. Making her use something for that? She wasn't interested in the slightest! She'd heard Divine Will City had shops run by the Heavenly Desire Sect, full of risqué items. Was this something he'd bought there? Blushing, she cautiously opened the box. Her eyes widened in shock—not at some strange garment or odd prop, but at a bamboo core radiating vibrant green life.

"This is an Azure Hill Jade Bamboo Core," Ye Chen explained. "It can enhance your aptitude, potentially up to an Earth Spirit Root, depending on luck. Once your aptitude improves, Senior Sister, you can break through to mid-Foundation Establishment soon, then use the Glazed Purification Water to reach the late stage. I planned to fulfill your 'grudge' after you formed your core, but since you're so eager, I'll take care of it after I come out of seclusion."

Yao Xi huffed, "I'm not eager!" Her heart raced at the Azure Hill Jade Bamboo Core's potential, but his next words startled her. "Junior Brother, you're going into seclusion to form your core already?"

Ye Chen nodded with a smile. "Yes, so hurry and refine this Azure Hill Jade Bamboo Core to catch up to my cultivation."

His words stirred memories in Yao Xi. When they first met, he was only at the seventh layer of Qi Refining. In the blink of an eye, he was on the verge of Golden Core. Her heart swelled with joy and a touch of awe. But she also realized how far behind she'd fallen. This precious treasure was likely his way of helping her close that gap.

"Are you going into seclusion now?" she asked.

Ye Chen nodded. "Yes, it's time."

With his master still in seclusion, he'd proceed with his breakthrough. Yao Xi shifted closer. "Can you wait a bit, Junior Brother, and give me a chance to thank you properly?"

How could Ye Chen refuse such a grateful Senior Sister? He leaned back comfortably in a rocking chair, letting it sway gently.

...

Hours later, Ye Chen left Yao Xi's courtyard, refreshed and invigorated. He returned to his own, where Lu Jing was already in seclusion, refining the Azure Hill Jade Bamboo Core.

After sending a message, he entered his seclusion chamber, set up an array disc, and sat on a jade marrow bed. With great care, he retrieved a jade vial containing the Ancestral Dragon Blood from his storage bracelet. He poured it out, letting the blood, etched with divine patterns, hover in the void before him.

The chamber filled with a terrifying dragon's might, faint roars echoing. Ye Chen closed his eyes calmly and began the process of forming his Golden Core.

...

At the sect's gate, the old sect leader smiled upon hearing of Ye Chen's seclusion. Two Golden Cores in the sect—no, three. The Green Cloud Sect was truly flourishing under his watch!

But glancing at his fishing rod, motionless for days, he frowned. "Not a single bite? I've been chumming the water for days!" Muttering, he tossed another handful of spiritual pills into the pool.

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