"System detected a compatible target."
"Gu Yunyun: 100x reward feedback!"
Hearing the system's prompt, Ye Chen stood frozen in place.
What the hell, 100x? Is this for real?
Up until now, the highest multiplier he'd encountered had been 15x with Sun Ruoxin. But now, with the system, he had gained a Master.
At first, he thought it was just a chance to enter the Green Cloud Sect. Who could have imagined there would be such a pleasant surprise?
Ye Chen's eyes gleamed with ecstatic joy. A Master with 100 times the reward?
With this kind of multiplier, Ye Chen swore he would remain devoted to his Master for life.
He would fill her heart with his boundless filial piety.
...
Green Cloud Sect was a Golden Core-level force, with an ancestor in the Golden Core stage. Underneath them were six Peak Masters, each a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Although the Peak Masters and regular elders were all Foundation Establishment experts, their combat abilities were worlds apart.
Ye Chen's family patriarch, Ye Hong, never expected the Sword Peak Master, Gu Yunyun, to personally visit the Ye family.
Gu Yunyun, the Sword Peak Master, was an exceptional prodigy. She had only been cultivating for twenty-seven years. In those mere twenty-seven years, her cultivation had advanced rapidly, breaking through to the late stages of Foundation Establishment. Her combat strength was particularly formidable.
Green Cloud Sect had once clashed with the neighboring Immortal Cloud Sect. During that battle, Gu Yunyun fought against two opponents at once, slaying two late-stage Foundation Establishment elders with her sword, making a name for herself. She could be said to be among the top tier in the Foundation Establishment realm. She was also widely recognized as the most likely candidate in Green Cloud Sect to break through to the Golden Core stage.
For her to personally visit the Ye family? What could possibly be so important for the esteemed Sword Peak Master to come in person? Unless… it was to offer congratulations. Clearly, Gu Yunyun must have some connection with the family, and that was why she had come to celebrate their breakthrough.
Thinking of this, Ye Hong felt a sense of immense pride. Having a Peak Master visit for congratulations was no small thing. It was the kind of prestige that could not be overstated. He smiled broadly, cupping his hands in greeting. "Fairy Gu, to think you've come in person to offer congratulations truly brings great honor to the Ye family. Fairy Gu, please take a seat. Ye Tian, quickly serve tea to the elder!"
Ye Tian, gazing at Gu Yunyun's breathtaking beauty, felt excitement within. If he could form a connection with her, wouldn't that be the ticket to soar? He hurriedly prepared spiritual tea, offering it with both hands.
The Ye family patriarch proudly introduced, "This is my son, Ye Tian, who has recently broken through to the seventh level of Qi Refining. He is about to enter the Green Cloud Sect. At that time, we kindly ask Fairy Gu to look after him."
Ye Tian immediately lowered his head and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, senior."
The members of the Ye family were all filled with eager anticipation. If Gu Yunyun truly had ties to the Ye family, could they ask her to take Ye Tian as her direct disciple?
Green Cloud Sect's hierarchy was clear-cut. A regular disciple's monthly resources were at level one. An elder's disciple received five times that, level five. And a Peak Master's direct disciple received ten times the resources, level ten. In addition, they enjoyed various special privileges.
Ordinary disciples might have to fight tooth and nail to gain such a position, but a Peak Master's disciple could receive it directly. The difference was immense. If Ye Tian truly became her direct disciple, it would be a direct launch into greatness!
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Ye Tian himself hadn't anticipated such an opportunity and trembled with excitement. As for Ye Chen, he had already been completely ignored by everyone in the hall.
Gu Yunyun paid no heed to the Ye family patriarch's words. Even as the Ye family patriarch prattled on, Gu Yunyun seemed utterly indifferent, as if she hadn't heard a thing. She cast a brief glance at the Ye family members, before walking directly toward Ye Chen. In the midst of the bewildered and astonished gazes of the Ye family, she soon stood before Ye Chen.
Her slightly husky, mature voice rang out again, "How did you obtain this token?"
At the moment Gu Yunyun spoke, the Ye family members were once more stunned.
Gu Yunyun…. Was she here for Ye Chen?
The Ye family patriarch's face turned red. It seemed that Gu Yunyun didn't even recognize him. It was he who had misjudged the situation.
As Ye Tian, who had been fantasizing about becoming a direct disciple, stood there, his face turned pale. He was filled with confusion.
Why would the Sword Peak Master come looking for Ye Chen? Could it be that she wanted to take him as a disciple? No, this couldn't be possible. What qualifications did Ye Chen have for that? Absolutely impossible.
...
Ye Chen, too, took his first serious look at his future master. Her brows were like distant mountains, her features dignified. Especially her almond-shaped, were so beautiful that they seemed almost unreal.
She wore a loose red gown. But on Gu Yunyun's slender form, the gown clung to her, almost looking like it was tailor-made. The large gown couldn't conceal her figure, which was so full and enticing it defied imagination.
How could someone with such a figure excel as a sword cultivator? It didn't make sense.
But seeing his master's immense presence, Ye Chen couldn't help but feel his once unshakable devotion was beginning to waver, as if his heart were about to be overwhelmed. He hurriedly responded, "It was a senior who gave it to me. He said I could use it in Green Cloud City, to enter the Green Cloud Sect as a direct disciple!"
Gu Yunyun took the token, calmly examining it.
The Ye family members, upon hearing this, widened their eyes in disbelief.
Ye Chen actually had such an opportunity?
Ye Tian's expression twisted instantly.
How could Ye Chen, with his poor talents, ever become a direct disciple of a Peak Master? If anyone should have that honor, it should be him!
Gu Yunyun carefully put away the token, then turned to Ye Chen. "What grade is your spiritual root?"
"Third grade."
Ye Chen's spiritual root was exceptionally weak.
For the first time, Gu Yunyun frowned, speaking bluntly, "Your talent is far too poor! Even if you become a direct disciple, it will be very hard for you to break through to Foundation Establishment. I suggest you don't waste time on cultivation. In the end, it will be like drawing water with a basket. Why not choose another path? For example, live as a wealthy man in Green Cloud City. I can be your support and ensure you live a worry-free life."
Ye Chen's heart ached, as though a hundred knives had pierced it.
This master, though not quite the typical image of a sword cultivator, certainly had the sharp tongue to match one. It was so hurtful. What did she mean by "don't waste time on cultivation"? I refuse!
"Thank you for your advice, Senior, but I still want to give it a try!"
Gu Yunyun's expression remained cool.
Upon hearing Ye Chen's insistence, she simply nodded. "Alright. Then I shall take you as my disciple. Let's leave now."
Ye Chen quickly spoke, "Master, I have two maids who must join the sect with me."
Gu Yunyun nodded.
Without even sparing a glance at the Ye family members, she gestured for Ye Chen to lead the way, floating out of the hall with an air of grace.
Inside the Ye family hall, the members were left utterly stunned, exchanging confused glances…
Just a moment ago, Ye Chen was about to be imprisoned by the patriarch and forced to spend his life refining pills. Now, in the blink of an eye, he had become the direct disciple of the Peak Master? And not just any Peak Master, but the most powerful one! Was this some sort of joke? What kind of unbelievable luck did Ye Chen have? What in the world was going on?
Meanwhile, Ye Tian, once brimming with excitement, now stood with a twisted expression.
Why? Why him?
Ye Tian had been thrilled at the prospect of entering the Green Cloud Sect. But the moment Ye Chen became a direct disciple, everything lost its flavor.
As for the Ye family patriarch, his face was also darkened. Though Gu Yunyun was a genius Peak Master, she didn't even spare a glance for him while in the Ye family. It was as if he didn't even exist. This was an absolute insult.
And while Ye Chen had now become a direct disciple, the patriarch had only moments ago been planning to imprison him and squeeze him dry for the rest of his life. With that, any feelings of kinship between them had disappeared.
Moreover, Ye Chen's father was dead. The distance between Ye Chen and the Ye family was only going to grow. Besides, Ye Chen only had a third-grade spiritual root. The patriarch's only real hope was still Ye Tian.
"Ye Chen clearly only gained the Peak Master's favor due to luck, but it doesn't mean anything. His cultivation is high, but with a third-grade spiritual root, it's practically impossible for him to reach Foundation Establishment. The Peak Master even said it herself. If he can't break through to Foundation Establishment, then what's the point of being a direct disciple?
“Though a direct disciple enjoys abundant resources, Ye Chen is someone who'd give away his Green Cloud Sect spot without a second thought. Who knows what else he might give away? So, your future will still surpass Ye Chen's. You are the true hope of our Ye family."
Upon hearing the patriarch's comforting words, Ye Tian's warped mindset finally relaxed.
Ye Chen was just a simp. Even if he got lucky and became a direct disciple, what good would those resources be if he kept giving them away? A simp like Ye Chen would have nothing in the end.