Uncle still hadn't given up. He had not left, but instead raised the stakes. He increased the offer to five high-grade spirit stones, causing Ye Chen to raise an eyebrow. All the alchemical pills in the Ye family were essentially managed by Ye Tianhai.

  Clearly, Ye Tianhai had been pocketing quite a bit. Yet, five high-grade spirit stones could not sway Ye Chen in the slightest. Not to mention, the value of his building ship alone likely far surpassed that amount.

  Moreover, with the system by his side, if Ye Chen were solely focused on amassing wealth, given a little time, he could even rival the sect leader of the Green Cloud Sect in terms of assets. Thus, without hesitation, Ye Chen shook his head in refusal.

  Ye Tianhai's face fell in disappointment. He had originally hoped that if Ye Chen agreed, he would take the spirit stones in exchange for the sect entry spot, and then immediately run to report it to the Patriarch.

  Ye Chen had already angered the family head, and now, if he sold the sect entry spot, the punishment would be severe. Not only would Ye Chen lose the spirit stones, but he would face even greater repercussions. But to his surprise, even with the offer of five high-grade spirit stones, Ye Chen remained unmoved.

  At that moment, Sun Ruoxin and Sun Ye arrived.

  Sun Ruoxin was dressed in a ceremonial robe, the hem of her skirt just above her knees. Her slender, perfectly proportioned legs were fully revealed, captivating all who beheld her. As she moved, the skirt fluttered like ripples on water, accentuating her grace. Coupled with her peerlessly beautiful face, she was nothing short of breathtaking.

  Upon seeing Ye Chen, Sun Ruoxin's eyes immediately reddened. "Junior Brother, I'm so relieved to see you're fine!"

  Ye Chen stood there coldly. He was curious to see what role Sun Ruoxin was about to play.

  Sun Ruoxin, sensing the coldness in Ye Chen's gaze, felt her tears well up in her eyes, ready to fall.

  "Junior Brother, I know you resent me, but I truly never anticipated such an event happening. It was only after I returned to Green Cloud City that I learned the Silver Moon Market had been struck by a beast tide shortly after I left. I only came back because Elder Kong from the Green Cloud Sect notified me.

  “Since I heard about the disaster in Silver Moon Market, I've been extremely worried about you, unable to sleep a wink every night. I feared that because I had borrowed the flying boat, something might have happened to you. If that were the case, I could never forgive myself for the rest of my life. But fortunately, fate favors the virtuous, and you've returned safely!"

  After speaking, Sun Ruoxin, overcome with emotion, tightly embraced Ye Chen.

  Lu Jing and Lin Ke'er watched her warily. The two women had worked so hard to win Ye Chen's affection. Who would have thought that this wicked woman, Sun Ruoxin, would show up again? Neither of them believed her words. How could things be so coincidental?

  Moreover, after Sun Ruoxin had just left, the second-tier demonic beasts attacked. The two women didn't believe she hadn't noticed. But despite their skepticism, both women couldn't help but feel worried. Would Ye Chen actually believe her and choose to forgive her?

  A typical cultivator would never fall for such a tale. But Ye Chen…. Well, he wasn't exactly typical. Thus, both women kept their eyes fixed on him, fearing he might be deceived.

  This wicked woman had suddenly come knocking. There had to be some ulterior motive behind it.

  Meanwhile, Ye Tianhai, still scheming to swindle Ye Chen's Green Cloud Token, was also stunned by the scene before him. How many female cultivators had Ye Chen charmed at the Silver Moon Market? Had he even given one of them a flying boat? Where had Ye Chen gotten so much money?

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  Ye Chen, tightly embraced by Sun Ruoxin, maintained a neutral expression, though inwardly, he found himself almost wanting to laugh. He had seen through this woman long ago.

  When there was something to gain, "Junior Brother." When there wasn't, "Fellow Daoist Ye." Her face could change faster than flipping a book. How could she possibly lose sleep over his death?

  Most likely, she had forgotten about him the moment she left. Now, she came knocking again, performing this little drama. There was undoubtedly something she wanted from him.

  But hadn't Sun Ruoxin already gone to the Green Cloud Sect? Why was she still wandering around Green Cloud City? As Ye Chen pondered, he couldn't help but take note of Sun Ruoxin's figure as she held him.

  Perfectly proportioned…. Quite pleasing!

  Noticing Ye Chen's silence, Sun Ruoxin let out a bitter smile and reluctantly released him, wiping away her tears.

  "I know you don't believe me, Junior Brother. After all, it's all too coincidental. But it's fine. As long as you're safe, that's enough for me. Junior Brother, I'm leaving Green Cloud City, and I'm not sure if we'll meet again. But as long as you're well, that will be my bright sunny day."

  She was leaving Green Cloud City? Not going to the Green Cloud Sect?

  Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. He understood what she was doing: playing the victim, trying to stir his sympathy, hoping he would ask the right question so she could reveal her difficulties. But if there was indeed a problem with her entering the Green Cloud Sect… wouldn't his Green Cloud Token be the perfect solution?

  Feigning surprise, Ye Chen couldn't help but ask, "Senior Sister… why are you leaving Green Cloud City? Didn't you intend to join the Green Cloud Sect?"

  Upon hearing this, Sun Ruoxin forced a bitter smile.

  "The matter with entering the Sect… didn't go as expected. When Elder Kong called me and my father back, we thought everything was settled, that I'd be joining the Sect. Who would've guessed that they were actually pressuring me to marry his son?

  “My cultivation method requires that I not engage in dual cultivation before reaching the Foundation Establishment stage, or the spirit Qi would be drained by a male cultivator. They wanted to use me as a furnace to help his son break through! There was no way I could agree to that! And besides... I already have someone I care for…."

  At this point, Sun Ruoxin pretended to glance at Ye Chen from the corner of her eye. But she quickly lowered her head again, her voice growing more somber as she continued.

  "The man in question is the son of an elder at the Foundation Establishment stage, with immense power. If I stay in Green Cloud City, I won't be able to resist him. So, I decided to leave with my father and go somewhere far away. Just knowing that you're still alive before I leave, Junior Brother, gives me peace of mind."

  Ye Chen heard this and couldn't help but sneer inwardly. Now it was clear why she had come. Her original route to enter the Green Cloud Sect had been blocked, so she turned to him to request a spot. She was well-informed, indeed! But this worked in his favor. He would naturally play along.

  "So, Senior Sister, you left in such a hurry because of this matter!"

  Sun Ruoxin gave a wry smile and nodded.

  Meanwhile, Sun Ye, observing Ye Chen's reaction, couldn't help but feel a glimmer of hope.

  Now that the misunderstanding had been cleared, Ye Chen's expression softened. No longer cold, he showed a hint of concern as he spoke.

  "Does Senior Sister really have to leave? The situation outside is so chaotic, full of rogue cultivators! Is there really no way to stay?"

  Upon hearing this, Sun Ruoxin shook her head.

  "There's no other way. The other party is an elder of the Green Cloud Sect, and his influence in Green Cloud City is vast. Unless I become a disciple of the Green Cloud Sect and am protected by the sect's rules, he would have to show some restraint.

  “But how could I possibly join the Green Cloud Sect? Don't worry about me, Junior Brother. My father and I will leave soon. Even if he tries to capture me, it won't be that easy. And even if I can't escape, I'll never become a furnace for them. I won't let them get anything from me. It's just a pity that I won't have the chance to repay your kindness. I really hope that, in my next life, I'll be able to meet you again."

  As Sun Ruoxin spoke these words, she tried to smile. But the sentiment was undeniably heartrending, enough to make any listener tear up, sorrow filling their hearts. Too bad, no one was moved by her performance.

  Instead, all eyes widened in realization. Whether it was Lu Jing, Lin Ke'er, or Ye Chen's second uncle, Ye Tianhai, who had come seeking the entry spot. At that moment, they all understood Sun Ruoxin's true intentions. She was after the Green Cloud Sect spot in Ye Chen's hands. This absolutely could not happen!

  Ye Chen, don't believe her. She's a wicked woman, she's deceiving you!

  The three of them were filled with anxious urgency.