Ye Chen returned to the Ye residence, his mood exceptionally good. He was thoroughly satisfied with the feedback gift from the system. If the reward had been a sect entry token from a higher-level sect, simply getting there would have been a hassle.

  Not to mention, the disciples of powerful sects were likely rich and resourceful, so things like tokens or ordinary items would hardly be needed. At this point, Ye Chen wouldn't even be able to get much from such a gift.

  Green Cloud Sect, on the other hand, was a perfect match for him. As a Foundation Establishment-tier sect, it offered exactly the kind of resources he could utilize. Becoming a disciple of a peak master would be incredibly beneficial. Not only would it give him direct access to unparalleled teachings, but the status of being a direct disciple was priceless.

  There was no need to discuss the perks. Even simply the elevation in status would allow him to interact with higher circles, increasing his chances of meeting elite female cultivators. It was akin to the difference between a rich heir and an ordinary man.

  The rich heir naturally met more women who were of higher quality. So, becoming a direct disciple would be a huge boost to Ye Chen's future prospects.

  As he considered all of this, his thoughts also turned to the mature and graceful Lu Jing and Lin Ke'er. Once they reached Green Cloud Sect, their tenfold potential wouldn't matter. The debts would be settled.

  After returning to the courtyard, Ye Chen looked at the two women. "Once I join Green Cloud Sect, I'm allowed to bring two attendants. If you're willing, you may come with me to Green Cloud Sect. If not, you are free to decide your own path."

  The two women had vastly different reactions to Ye Chen's offer.

  Lu Jing was filled with regret. She couldn't help but curse herself in her heart. If she had known this would be the outcome, she should have thrown herself at Ye Chen when Lin Ke'er first entered the mountain, before any other woman had a chance to compete with her.

  If only she had given herself fully to Ye Chen from the start, without playing coy, she might have at least secured a position as a concubine, not just a servant. But now, it was too late for regret.

  Lu Jing knew her own worth. Without any backing, living alone in Green Cloud City, she would probably struggle just to pay rent. In the end, she'd be reduced to nothing more than someone's plaything.

  Instead of that, it would be better to serve Ye Chen as an attendant. At least he was generous. Sure, his tastes were... unconventional, and he had strange ideas about things. But he never treated her like a mere tool, and when it came to manners and respect, there was a peculiar level of decorum. So, serving as Ye Chen's attendant wasn't the worst fate.

  She quickly adjusted her attitude, curtsying gracefully to Ye Chen. "This servant greets the Young Master!"

  As for Lin Ke'er, she was torn.There was regret, bitterness, and hesitation all swirling in her heart. If she agreed to be an attendant, wouldn't that make all her efforts feel wasted? All those gifts she'd accepted, the favors she had received, wouldn't it be all for nothing? What if she had accepted Ye Chen's pursuit from the start and not gone into the mountains? Would her fate have turned out differently?

  Lin Ke'er was different from Lu Jing. She had confidence in her own abilities and believed she could survive in Green Cloud City on her own. But the problem was, after spending so much time with Ye Chen, this offer became hard to resist. Just a single gift from him could be worth an entire year's worth of income.

  She couldn't bring herself to leave him, and yet being an attendant wasn't something she was comfortable with either. The conflict raged inside her, and she stood there, silent, unable to voice her decision.

  Ye Chen paid little attention to Lin Ke'er's hesitation. Even if she refused now, he was confident that in time, she would come to him. After all, people who had grown used to a life of not needing to work hard found it difficult to accept the mental gap when their efforts only earned them a meager sum of spirit stones. It was a lot like the mindset of a gambler.

  The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  On the gambling table, one win or loss could be equivalent to a month's or even a year's worth of salary. Naturally, there would be no energy left to focus on regular work after experiencing such a high-stakes thrill.

  Just as he was mulling over this, a servant came in with a message: "Seventh Young Master, the Patriarch summons you. You are to go at once."

  Ye Chen raised an eyebrow at the news. Though he didn't care for the Ye family and felt no sense of attachment to its people, the fact remained that the Patriarch was at the Foundation Establishment stage. Until Ye Chen was strong enough to stand on his own, it was best not to provoke him. He followed the servant and soon arrived at the family hall.

  The family members were already gathered, and the Patriarch sat at the head, a smile on his face. In the center of the hall, a young man was surrounded by the adoration of everyone.

  "Ye Tian, go to the Green Cloud Sect and train hard. Once you reach Foundation Establishment, our Ye family will have two Foundation Establishment experts and will become a major clan," the Patriarch said with a proud tone.

  "Brother Tian, remember us when you're rich and powerful!"

  "Ye family will always be yours, but the younger generation is your responsibility. As the leader of our generation, you must set an example."

  "May your future be bright, and may you obtain the Foundation Establishment pill. In ten years, you'll break through to Foundation Establishment without a doubt!"

  The family members lavished praise on the young man. The young man in question was Ye Tian, the most talented of Ye Chen's generation.

  When Ye Tian spotted Ye Chen entering, he immediately gave him a confident smile and assumed an older brother-like tone. "Ah, the seventh brother has arrived! Grandfather will be personally sending us to the Green Cloud Sect later. Although your talent is lacking, since I'm here, I'll be sure to look out for you. Don't worry about being bullied.

  “Since you're good at alchemy and can refine top-tier pills, don't waste your talent. Once we arrive at the sect, study alchemy well. Refine pills for me, and when I break through to Foundation Establishment, your status in the sect will rise!"

  The other family members chimed in eagerly.

  "That's right! Ye Tian is already at the seventh level of Qi Refining. Just stick with him and listen to what he says when you get to the sect!"

  "The family will provide resources to Ye Tian, and you, with your alchemy skills, should put them to good use. When Ye Tian advances, you'll benefit from it too!"

  "Make sure you assist Ye Tian whenever he needs it. He's the pillar of our Ye family's younger generation."

  "But once you get to the sect, don't disturb Ye Tian too much. Don't waste his time, or it'll be a big problem."

  Hearing the words of his relatives, Ye Chen looked at Ye Tian, a smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. He inwardly scoffed at the crowd, considering them nothing but fools.

  So what if it was a seventh-grade spiritual root? Did they really think they could impress him with that?

  The Ye family truly was a shallow pond filled with turtles.

  Ye Chen remained silent, which only irked Ye Tian further. Just as he was about to speak, the family head interjected, his voice commanding.

  "Since everyone is here, we might as well depart now. I was planning to visit an internal elder. Give me the Green Cloud Token, and with my influence, they'll certainly assign you better positions."

  Ye Tian immediately handed over the Green Cloud Token with both hands, expressing his gratitude.

  The family head smiled in satisfaction before turning his gaze sharply toward Ye Chen. "Why haven't you handed over your Green Cloud Token?"

  Ye Chen, without hesitation, replied, "Thank you, grandfather, but I haven't finished packing yet. I need to take my two maidservants along, so I require a bit more time. Grandfather, please take my elder brother first."

  The family head, Ye Hong, was most displeased by Ye Chen's behavior. It was always the same with him; never following orders and always harboring his own ideas. It diminished his sense of authority.

  Ye Hong's eyes narrowed, his voice turning cold. "I said we're leaving today. Hand over the Green Cloud Token now!"

  Ye Chen sighed, lowering his head in silence. His defiant attitude caused the relatives to exchange glances, their eyes widening in disbelief. Did Ye Chen have such a strong rebellious streak? The family head was obviously angry, yet Ye Chen still refused to comply. Had he really lost his senses? Besides, the family head was personally escorting them, which was an opportunity far more beneficial than harmful.

  Meanwhile, Ye Chen's second uncle, observing Ye Chen's reluctance to hand over the Green Cloud Token, couldn't help but recall the woman who had clearly come after the order earlier that morning.

  Ye Chen had even chased after her. Could it be that Ye Chen had really given the Green Cloud Token to that woman? Was it no longer a matter of not wanting to give it, but rather that he could no longer produce it?

  The mere thought of this possibility sent Ye Chen's second uncle into a fury.

  He couldn't hold back any longer. Anger bubbling in his chest, he snapped, "Ye Chen, did you really give the Green Cloud Token to that woman?"

  As his words echoed through the hall, a sudden silence fell over everyone.

  Ye Chen had given away the Green Cloud Token? Was it true? Impossible! The Green Cloud Sect's spots were far too valuable. Anyone with any sense would recognize how rare and precious they were. Who would be foolish enough to just give it away?