It had been a long time since they had seen each other, and Ye Tianhe seemed especially concerned about his son. For quite some time, he asked about various matters, his tone filled with care. After chatting for a while longer, Ye Tianhe finally decided it was time to leave.


    Ye Tianhe, at the eighth level of Qi Refining, was one of the highest cultivators in the Ye family, second only to the family head. The cultivation world was far from peaceful, so Ye Tianhe was responsible for transporting the family''s resources.


    The Ye family had developed considerably over the years, and their business was thriving. They owned several stores, including seven or eight similar to One Leaf Pill Shop. They even had a shop in Green Cloud City. Thus, Ye Tianhe was kept busy. He had come today to collect the Silver Moon Grass that had been acquired recently.


    "Little Chen, focus on your cultivation and alchemy..." Ye Tianhe said with a sigh. "I''ll work hard too, to contribute more to the family. The family head has a high chance of breaking through to Foundation Establishment, and with his connections from back then, he managed to acquire a Foundation Establishment Pill. If he succeeds, I''ll make sure to secure a spot for you in Green Cloud Sect. Once you''re in, with me supporting you from the outside, it''ll be easier for you to get a Foundation Establishment Pill. If you can break through to Foundation Establishment, I''ll be at ease for the rest of my life."


    Before leaving, Ye Tianhe offered a heartfelt piece of advice.


    Ye Chen, listening, couldn''t help but feel emotional. No matter the world, fathers always thought the same way. They devoted themselves wholeheartedly to their children''s well-being.


    But while feeling touched, Ye Chen also began to ponder the matter of the Green Cloud Sect quota. He wondered if the Green Cloud Sect quota could be given to someone else! If it could be passed on…. what would the tenfold reward entail? Ten spots? Or perhaps even a quota for a more prestigious sect?


    Ye Chen was particularly curious about this. If it were possible, he would certainly try. As for whether he could obtain a spot, Ye Chen was not worried. His own father was the second strongest in the family. And once he showcased his alchemy skills to the outside world, obtaining a place in the Green Cloud Sect would be an easy feat. Who in the family could oppose it?


    Ye Chen was clearly eager to join the Green Cloud Sect. Sun Ye had once been nothing more than an outer disciple. His daughter, Sun Ruoxin, however, had a feedback multiplier of fifteen times. In the Green Cloud Sect, there would certainly be even more female cultivators with high feedback multipliers. Not to mention the many resources that could not be bought even with money in the outside world were monopolized by the sect. Such benefits could only be enjoyed by those who entered the sect.


    Thus, joining a sect was undoubtedly the right path. After all, the higher the platform, the greater the potential for personal growth.


    ...


    After Ye Tianhe had instructed Ye Chen to focus on his cultivation, he cheerfully exchanged a few words with Manager Zhang before hastily leaving. He felt that his son had become more diligent than before. This was a good sign. It strengthened his own motivation to strive even harder. As long as his son entered the Green Cloud Sect, his future would be limitless.


    However, once in the sect, the costs to stand out would be significant. Thus, he needed to accumulate spiritual stones for his son. The magic tool he intended to leave for his son would surely be well-maintained by Ye Chen. With that magic tool, Ye Tianhe could rest assured about his son''s safety.


    ...


    After seeing off Ye Tianhe, Ye Chen returned to his room and picked up the Clear Wind Sword, his mood quite pleasant. A magic tool was a weapon used by those in the Qi Refining stage. It was divided into three ranks: low, middle, and high grade.


    Of course, there were also top-tier magic tools, though they were exceedingly rare. A low-grade magic tool would require thirty to forty low-grade spiritual stones. A middle-grade magic tool would cost about one middle-grade spiritual stone. High-grade magic tools were even more expensive, with prices starting at three middle-grade spiritual stones.


    The reason high-grade magic tools were so costly was that they were crafted with better materials and could support more intricate formations.


    For instance, this Clear Wind Sword. In addition to being incredibly sharp, it was imbued with a wind-type spell that could unleash dozens of wind blades in rapid succession to strike the enemy. Each wind blade possessed the power of a Qi Refining stage cultivator''s spell.


    Moreover, it did not drain any additional spirit qi. Once used, the Clear Wind Sword would automatically absorb the natural spirit qi of the world, recovering fully in three days. In combat, its effectiveness was simply unparalleled.


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    Such a magic tool would undoubtedly be worth four or five middle-grade spiritual stones. His father, in this life, was truly willing to spend for his son.


    While toying with the Clear Wind Sword, Ye Chen had no intention of refining it just yet. A weapon as exceptional as the Clear Wind Sword should, of course, be given to someone as a gift. With a tenfold return rate, who knew what kind of surprise it would bring him?


    Furthermore, the value of this magic tool was so immense. It was bound to trigger a critical hit.


    Perfect!


    Ye Chen could hardly contain his excitement. Lu Jing had a day off each week, and today happened to be that day.


    Ye Chen quickly wrapped the magic tool in cloth and set off for Lu Jing''s house. As for whether it would be inappropriate to gift a magic tool that he had only just received, that was no concern. It was absurd to even question it. If his father knew about the system, he would absolutely insist on him gifting it right away. Who would turn down a tenfold return?


    In the world of cultivation, it was never a myth that when one person achieved success, those around them would rise as well. It was said that a nostalgic rogue cultivator, after lucking into the Golden Core stage, became an elder of a major sect. He brought everyone in his village who had spiritual roots into the sect. He even took the dog that guarded the village. It was said that the dog, nourished by the sect''s rich spirit qi and the occasional elixir from the Golden Core elder, eventually gained intelligence and became a spirit beast.


    With a tenfold return rate, once Ye Chen soared, he could undoubtedly elevate his father as well. At that time, he would have to secure a few Foundation Establishment Pills for his father. If Ye Chen succeeded in the Green Cloud Sect, he could even arrange a position for his father within the sect.


    Wasn''t that far better than staying in the Ye family? Who knew? In the future, he might even become a Golden Core ancestor. Thus, sending the sword his father gave him was not a problem at all. This was not some act of simping. This was a strategic investment!


    ...


    Lin Ke''er finished her cultivation. Her mood was decidedly unpleasant as she stepped out of the house and gazed up at the sky. Upon entering the courtyard, she immediately smelled the savory aroma of braised meat. It was clear that Lu Jing was making it again. Who was it for? That was self-evident. The memory of the humiliation from being rejected that day only soured her mood further. The day she had invited Ye Chen to dinner and was turned away was the greatest insult.


    Lin Ke''er had already made up her mind to give up on Ye Chen. As long as she worked hard, her future achievements would undoubtedly surpass his by far.


    And Ye Chen? Though a member of a Qi Refining family, he was obsessed only with women, giving all his resources to them. He was destined to be a useless, hopeless man.


    Moreover, how long could Ye Chen keep up with this gift-giving? The spells and storage bags he had given were surely nothing more than a show of wealth. One day, when she broke through to Foundation Establishment, she would definitely pay Ye Chen''s family a visit.


    When Ye Chen saw her, he would surely have to bow to her, a Foundation Establishment senior. And at that moment, she would savor the expression of regret on his face.


    Just thinking about it made Lin Ke''er''s mood much better. But at that very moment, the courtyard door was knocked.


    "Fairy Lu, are you there?"


    It was Ye Chen''s voice.


    Lin Ke''er''s expression immediately darkened once more. That idiotic simp was here to fawn over Lu Jing again. The thought of Ye Chen once doting solely on her, but now fawning over someone else right before her eyes, made Lin Ke''er feel a pang of bitterness in her heart.


    Lu Jing, hearing the knock from inside, quickly emerged, seeing Lin Ke''er in the courtyard and smiling warmly at her. She then swayed her graceful hips to the door and opened it for Ye Chen.


    "Fellow Daoist Ye, what a surprise! I was just making braised meat. Knowing that Daoist Ye loves spicy food, I''ve added some fresh chili peppers this time. Chili peppers are a kind of spiritual herb, with a spicy kick yet exceptionally nourishing."


    Upon seeing Ye Chen, Lu Jing spoke enthusiastically. She even took Ye Chen''s arm and led him inside. After all, this much was nothing if she could get close to him.


    Ye Chen, for his part, noticed Lin Ke''er in the courtyard, casting him a cold, scrutinizing gaze.


    ...


    "Fairy Lu, I won''t stay for the meal. I''ve come today to give you something."


    Ye Chen halted his steps and spoke. At these words, a broader smile spread across Lu Jing''s face as she subtly glanced at Lin Ke''er. "Let''s go to my room and talk about it!"


    Ye Chen shook his head. He wanted Lin Ke''er to see this. After all, how else could he tempt Lin Ke''er''s curiosity?


    "I have something to do, so let''s just do it here!"


    With that, Ye Chen set down the bundle that had been slung over his back.


    Lu Jing was curious about today''s gift. What could it be?


    Meanwhile, Lin Ke''er, standing to the side, wore a cold sneer. So Ye Chen gave Lu Jing a storage bag, but didn''t bother to buy one for himself. He had to carry his things wrapped in cloth. Clearly, he was running low on spirit stones.


    Lin Ke''er was eager to see what else Ye Chen could possibly give, aside from pills. But when the cloth bundle was unwrapped, a long sword, jade-green and adorned with cloud patterns, gleamed in the sunlight.


    One glance was enough to make Lin Ke''er''s pupils constrict. Was this a magic tool? She bit her lip tightly.


    Even a low-grade magic tool was worth thirty to forty low-grade spiritual stones. These were things that should have been hers!


    But Lin Ke''er quickly regained her composure, telling herself in her mind.


    So what if it''s a low-grade magic tool? I''ve gone into the mountains twice already and can afford one of my own. I don''t need Ye Chen to give it to me. In the future, I''ll buy even more expensive ones. I''ll buy a middle-grade magic tool.


    She comforted herself in a rather self-deceptive way, trying to stave off the bitter feeling inside. But the next moment, as Ye Chen began to speak and explain, Lin Ke''er''s expression completely shattered.


    "This is a high-grade magic tool, the Clear Wind Sword. It comes with a Wind Blade technique that has the power of a mid-Qi Refining cultivator''s spell. It cuts through the wind effortlessly, extremely light and sharp. Most importantly, after the spell is used, it automatically recharges. I haven''t refined this magic tool yet, Fairy Lu. You can refine it yourself later!"


    A high-grade magic tool? One with its own spell?


    Lin Ke''er''s expression broke completely at that moment.