Li Xiang finally understood the situation and, after some deliberation, decided to wait outside for Ye Chen to emerge. He didn''t have any ill intentions, nor did he wish to threaten Ye Chen. The cultivation world is unlike Earth; there isn''t the same order where everyone is protected under the law.


    Threats on Earth might not lead to severe consequences. But in the cultivation world, the order is so fragile that countless cultivators die under abnormal circumstances each day.


    Most cultivators, knowing this, are excessively polite to one another. If you threaten someone, who knows if they will hold a grudge? Would they wish to kill you in retaliation? Could they be plotting your demise every waking moment? Or perhaps, terrified by the threat, they might seek to eliminate you immediately upon their next breakthrough?


    To start a conflict over something trivial and make an enemy of another cultivator would be genuinely foolish.


    Thus, Li Xiang''s waiting for Ye Chen was merely to advise him to stop being overly subservient. Couldn''t he pursue a female cultivator in a normal way? "Do you not mind throwing your cultivation resources away?" he wondered, since everyone else has to consider their resources carefully.


    Who would want to keep up with such wasteful behavior?


    Of course, Li Xiang wouldn''t express his thoughts so bluntly as it could be too offensive. Instead, he diplomatically began, "Fellow Daoist Ye, cultivation is not easy. A single misstep can delay progress indefinitely. If one cannot achieve Foundation Establishment by the age of thirty, the chances diminish significantly. Fellow Daoist Ye, you are from the Ye family, and our Li family is also a minor Qi Refining lineage. Though we may not be among the most powerful, we have more than enough to make countless rogue cultivators envious. The resources we possess should be utilized to their fullest for cultivation. If we can break through to Foundation Establishment one day, the proverbial leap from carp to dragon, then what female cultivator wouldn''t be within reach?


    "For instance, take Elder Li of the Silver Moon Market, a Foundation Establishment cultivator. At sixty, he boasts eighteen consorts, and among them are all types: some plump, some slim. Some consorts don''t even get a second turn. This tells us that strength is everything. Fellow Daoist Ye, you give precious resources to female cultivators, thinking they will be grateful? But in reality, once they advance, they are likely to leave you behind.


    "Just look at the female cultivators in the cultivation world; isn''t each one''s cultivation partner of a higher realm than hers? In our world, strength is fundamental; no female cultivator respects a man weaker than herself. So, Fellow Daoist, keep your resources for yourself. Stop giving them away! If you become stronger, maybe even Lin Ke''er might come back to you.,.. And if one day, you reach Foundation Establishment, Lin Ke''er will probably regret her decisions deeply."


    Li Xiang spoke with sincere concern, not in jest. He was genuinely frustrated by Ye Chen''s lack of competitive spirit. As a fellow man, he even felt embarrassed by Ye Chen''s excessive submissiveness. He genuinely hoped Ye Chen would come to a realization.


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Li Xiang continued, "I admit I have feelings for Lu Jing, but my words are not to dissuade you from pursuing her. Rather, I hope you will restrain yourself and not pursue women by gifting. Such efforts are doomed to be futile."


    Hearing this, Ye Chen finally understood. His so-called romantic rival was not here to threaten him but to earnestly advise him against his submissive behavior.


    It was unexpectedly touching.


    Li Xiang was like those internet folks from Ye Chen''s previous life who passionately rebuked simps, hoping to spur them to a realization. Ye Chen could genuinely sense the goodwill behind Li Xiang''s words.


    Ye Chen knew all too well that being a simp not only harmed himself, leaving him with nothing, but also inflated the market, so to speak. After all, female cultivators often have a competitive spirit.


    If someone else''s partner gifts them valuable presents, they might think, "I''m prettier, why don''t I deserve something similar? If you don''t gift me, you don''t love me." This could foster a culture of comparison that top-gradely harms all male cultivators.


    However, the issue was that Ye Chen wasn''t actually a simp. He was merely completing system tasks and making strategic investments, something he couldn''t easily explain to others.


    As for the accusations of fawning? Well, that was necessary to some extent for his tasks.


    So, to maintain his persona, Ye Chen shook his head firmly and responded, "That''s superficial and banal. What you''re talking about isn''t love. You don''t understand what it means to truly love someone!"


    Li Xiang had thought his straightforward advice might make an impact. But Ye Chen''s retort? Love?


    "You love nothing," Li Xiang thought bitterly. If Ye Chen truly loved, would he switch targets so swiftly after being rejected?


    Li Xiang felt Ye Chen was hopelessly deluded, his thinking thoroughly corrupted.


    Ye Chen continued, his voice resonant with conviction, "You truly do not understand what it means to love someone. True love is about giving one''s all without expecting anything in return. Whether or not I am reciprocated does not matter; merely seeing her happiness is enough for me. In genuine love, there is no place for calculation. Though I have gifted her many things, it is the smile she wears upon receiving them that I consider the true treasure. You deeply disappoint me.


    "You claim to love Lu Jing, yet you are unwilling to enhance her life with better resources. Instead, you come here to persuade me to cease my offerings. What does this tell me? It reveals that you do not truly love her. You merely lust after her body and seek to possess her through manipulative means. If you truly loved her, you would do as I do: shower her with all manner of gifts to afford her the life she desires."


    With that, Ye Chen turned and walked away, his demeanor one of disdain for those who could not comprehend his motives.


    As Ye Chen spoke, many passersby were drawn to his words. Even the streetwalkers paused in their tracks to catch a glimpse of the spectacle. Ye Chen''s declaration undeniably challenged their perspectives. But it also cemented his reputation among them.


    In the cultivation world, a simp is a rare creature, and within Silver Moon Market, Ye Chen stood alone. To encounter him in person was unexpected. The male cultivators could only wonder if something was amiss with his reasoning. How could he utter such preposterous statements?


    Yet, the female cultivators and the streetwalkers looked at Ye Chen with glowing eyes. They yearned for the kind of selfless love he described. To them, Ye Chen epitomized the ideal partner.


    Li Xiang watched Ye Chen''s retreating figure, his mind in disarray. He had come to persuade Ye Chen to stop his simp behavior. Yet in a blink, he found himself schooled by Ye Chen?


    What stunned him most was that, initially, Ye Chen''s words seemed sensible. But then he snapped back to reality.


    Sensible? Hardly.


    Was this one-sided delusion truly love?


    Absolutely not.


    As the realization that he had almost been convinced by Ye Chen''s "simp logic" dawned on him, Li Xiang felt a chill.


    At that moment, all Li Xiang could think to say was, "Simp, truly impressive!"