Though Gu Yunyun possessed a figure that was nothing short of breathtaking, her personality was strikingly cold and direct. The contrast was stark. She spent her days immersed in cultivation, while at night, she would lie on her bamboo bed, gazing up at the starry sky, before gradually falling into sleep.

  However, over the past few days, sleep had eluded her. The main reason was that Ye Chen's side was far too noisy. The noise from Ye Chen's side wasn't loud enough to reach her bamboo loft, yet for some inexplicable reason, Gu Yunyun found herself unable to resist sending out her spiritual sense to listen in. And as she listened, her curiosity would grow, wondering how long Ye Chen could maintain his activities. Before long, an entire night would pass by.

  Tonight, she lay on her side, her body's curves creating a mesmerizing contrast, like the peaks of a mountain range, a sight of unrivaled beauty.

  "It's been a whole week…." she mused. "Is Ye Chen's physique truly this powerful? Doesn't he fear draining his essence and harming his foundation? Even if it doesn't harm his foundation, doesn't he have any intention of focusing on cultivation? Then why did he come to Green Cloud Sect to be my direct disciple? With the token, he could have asked for far more valuable things."

  Gu Yunyun was filled with curiosity about her disciple. As for why she had been eavesdropping all this time, it had everything to do with her cultivation method.

  Gu Yunyun had already reached the peak of the late Foundation Establishment stage. She was preparing to break through to the Golden Core. But due to her smooth journey thus far, her state of mind was still far from complete. The sounds coming from Ye Chen's side had introduced massive fluctuations in her state of mind.

  Gu Yunyun had a sense that the day she could remain unaffected by the sounds coming from Ye Chen would be the day she was truly ready to break through to the Golden Core. Though the sounds still caused various distractions in her heart, Gu Yunyun had full confidence in herself. With her willpower, she was certain she would succeed.

  But before achieving success, she absolutely could not rush into attempting a breakthrough. The path to the Golden Core required one to face the Heart Tribulation. If any weaknesses existed in one's heart, the breakthrough would inevitably fail. Thus, this was not eavesdropping; it was a part of her cultivation!

  Gu Yunyun continued to listen with full focus, yet the faint flush on her face, the beads of fragrant sweat on her forehead, and the occasional sip of spirit wine, each drop flowing like a stream into a valley, revealed that she was not as composed as she appeared.

  ...

  "This Great Joy Zen Method is truly formidable," Ye Chen murmured to himself.

  In the early morning, after merely closing his eyes for a moment, he rose and began his cultivation. Beside him, Lin Ke'er and Lu Jing lay covered in silk quilts, sleeping sweetly, each in a different posture.

  For an entire week, Ye Chen had been experimenting with the Great Joy Zen Method. After adjusting for two days, the results were nothing short of terrifying, especially with the support of the Stalactite Jade Spirit Bead Bed.

  The cultivation efficiency had nearly reached the same level as actual cultivation. Moreover, the Great Joy Zen was a genuine dual cultivation technique. The benefits were not confined to Ye Chen alone. The two women shared in them as well.

  Originally, one would cultivate while the other observed, alternating between the two. Their enthusiasm was not particularly high, and they felt a little reserved. But once they experienced the benefits of cultivation, their motivation skyrocketed.

  Now, one would cultivate while the other actively assisted, eager to swap places quickly. Both sought to reap the benefits of their spiritual progress. In their desire to win Ye Chen's favor, both women threw themselves into learning all kinds of positions. They even began to compete with one another internally, striving for more time.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  In short, with the help of the Great Joy Zen Method, Ye Chen's cultivation speed had practically doubled. Though Ye Chen's aptitude was average, even with the finest elixirs and the aid of the Stalactite Jade Spirit Bead Bed, he would have needed at least six months to break through to the seventh level of Qi Refining.

  But now, in just three months at most, he could potentially break through. With some effort, he might even reach the seventh level within this time frame.

  ...

  When Ye Chen finished his cultivation, both women had already quietly risen. One was preparing breakfast, while the other waited, ready to assist Ye Chen with his morning routine.

  As Ye Chen opened his eyes, Lin Ke'er, with a face full of youthful innocence, began to carefully attend to him. Enjoying the delicate service of her slender hands, Ye Chen felt particularly content.

  However, as Lin Ke'er's hands drifted lower, Ye Chen stopped her. Lin Ke'er was highly motivated and always sought opportunities to improve herself, often trying to learn in secret when Lu Jing was not around.

  But today, Ye Chen had matters to attend to. Ignoring the melancholic and plaintive look in Lin Ke'er's eyes, he ate his breakfast and advised both women to focus on their own cultivation before heading to the sect's grand plaza.

  The effectiveness of the Great Joy Zen Method in boosting cultivation was closely tied to the cultivator's own level. Both women were at the fourth level of Qi Refining, still a little behind.

  However, with the constant supply of resources and the use of the Jade Bed, their cultivation had progressed rapidly. Both were now close to breaking through to the fifth level.

  ...

  "Controlling fire relies on spiritual rhythm. You need to refine your fire control technique to the perfected stage before you can truly master the art of flame manipulation. Only then can you hope to refine high-grade pills."

  ...

  "Spiritual fire? It's rare, but if you can obtain it, your alchemy skills will grow by leaps and bounds. It will also benefit your cultivation."

  ...

  "Alright, today's lesson is over. I have thoroughly explained the technique of fire control. If you still have any doubts, you can visit the Black Sky Pill Shop. I've left my alchemical insights there. I believe after reading them, you will gain a deeper understanding."

  On the grand plaza that day, Ye Chen, having finished his advanced cultivation class, felt rather bored. What annoyed him most was that the elder had used the class to promote his own business. It was a bit outrageous….

  However, Ye Chen didn't dwell on it for long. His alchemy skills were already at the perfected first rank. He didn't need to attend the elder's lessons.

  Ye Chen's reason for coming was, of course, the thirty-fold boost from his senior sister, Yao Xi. Since his master was still out of reach, Yao Xi had become Ye Chen's favorite female cultivator, without exception.

  During the class, Yao Xi had always sat in the front row. The classroom was simple, with just mats spread across the ground. Many disciples sat cross-legged, but Yao Xi's figure was so exaggerated that it wasn't suited for cross-legged sitting, so she chose to kneel instead. The sight of her form, compressed into that posture, was truly breathtaking.

  The class ended, but Yao Xi seemed to still be lost in thought and had yet to rise. Ye Chen, however, stood up directly and made his way toward her. Disciples scattered in all directions, and upon seeing Ye Chen, their expressions became somewhat strange. It had been a week, and the news of a new direct disciple in the sect had already spread.

  The fact that the sect's acknowledged number-one fighter, Peak Master Gu Yunyun, had taken in a disciple naturally piqued the curiosity of the others. They wanted to know what kind of genius this disciple was.

  But soon, new gossip emerged. Ye Chen was said to be a "connections disciple," having relied on personal ties to secure his position. It was whispered that his spiritual root was so poor it couldn't even compare to regular disciples.

  The rumor was that he would likely lose his status as a direct disciple in less than three years. And there were even rumors that this "connections disciple" was a simp. A useless man without ambition, who poured all his resources into serving female cultivators. These rumors undoubtedly left the disciples of the Green Cloud Sect in utter amazement.

  Everyone was so focused on their cultivation that they didn't even care to find a Dao companion. Yet, here was someone who bizarrely chose to be a simp? What was even more absurd was that such a simp had somehow become a direct disciple? It was utterly outrageous!

  Thus, when the disciples saw Ye Chen, their expressions were all peculiar. But not a single one dared to mock or ridicule him. After all, no matter how poor Ye Chen's spiritual root was, no matter how low his talent or how much of a simp he appeared to be, he was still a direct disciple, and moreover, a connection of the Peak Master. Who would dare risk offending him?

  Still, everyone secretly awaited the day when Ye Chen would lose his direct disciple status and slink back down the mountain in disgrace. At this moment, the disciples watched Ye Chen approach Senior Sister Yao Xi. Their surprise deepened, and those who had previously doubted the rumors no longer had any doubts. It seemed the rumors about this direct disciple were indeed true.