"Dad, what exactly happened?"

  Sun Ruoxin was a bit anxious.

  She had painstakingly saved spirit stones for so many years.

  She always thought entering the Qingyun Sect was a sure thing, so why did it fall through?

  Sun Ye, with a bitter expression, began to expin what had happened.

  Sun Ye's master, named Kong Zhili, was the Talisman Crafting Elder of the Qingyun Sect.

  Like Sun Ye, he was extremely greedy.

  Or rather, Sun Ye's current greedy demeanor was learned from his master.

  Back then, Sun Ye hoped his daughter could enter the Qingyun Sect, so he sought out Kong Zhili to open a backdoor.

  Kong Zhili asked for five top-grade spirit stones.

  For a cultivator at the Qi Refining stage, this was an enormous sum.

  Even for someone like Sun Ye at the ninth level of Qi Refining, it was the same.

  But for the sake of his daughter's future, Sun Ye spent over ten years saving up.

  However, when he went to see his master today.

  After receiving the spirit stones, his master had a new demand.

  He hoped Sun Ruoxin could marry his grandson, Kong Xiangbei.

  Once the families were joined by marriage.

  He would naturally bring Sun Ruoxin into the Qingyun Sect.

  Of course, the spirit stones would not be refunded; they would be considered a dowry.

  Hearing her father say this, Sun Ruoxin's expression changed immediately.

  The cultivation technique she practiced was called the "Pure Jade Body Technique," which her father had gone to great lengths to acquire.

  The Pure Jade Body Technique was not known for combat, but the power cultivated was exceptionally pure.

  It was said to be very beneficial for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

  But it also had a restriction: one must not lose their virginity before reaching Foundation Establishment.

  Otherwise, the body would have fws, greatly reducing cultivation efficiency.

  Moreover, one-third of the power cultivated would be lost upon losing virginity, and could not be recovered.

  Trying to reach Foundation Establishment after losing virginity would be almost impossible.

  Once at the Foundation Establishment stage, these restrictions would no longer exist.

  Therefore, as long as Sun Ruoxin wanted to break through, she could not marry someone as a Dao companion now.

  "Why is it like this? How could the descendant of a grand Foundation Establishment cultivator ck a female cultivator? Why would he be interested in me?"

  Sun Ruoxin asked in disbelief.

  Sun Ye gave a bitter smile: "I just asked an old friend. My master's grandson, Kong Xiangbei, is the most promising of his generation, but he's been stuck at the eighth yer of Qi Refining for three years..."

  "He probably has his eyes on the characteristics of the Pure Jade Body Technique, wanting to use your power to break through."

  "When I bought this technique for you, I did it through my master's channels and even gave a commission. It's probably because of this that they have their eyes on you!"

  Sun Ye spoke tactfully.

  But in reality, Kong Xiangbei wanted to use Sun Ruoxin as a furnace to break through.

  At this point, a look of resentment appeared on Sun Ye's face.

  He had paid the price, a full five top-grade spirit stones.

  Yet, not only did the other side not fulfill their promise after taking the money, they even wanted to harm his daughter.

  To use his daughter as a furnace.

  His master was truly heartless and unjust.

  "Daughter, don't worry. I'll go plead with my master again. After so many years of being his disciple, and with all the offerings I give him every year, he can't just ignore all that, right?"

  "It's a pity Ye Chen is dead! If I had known, I shouldn't have brought the alchemist, but should have brought Ye Chen instead."

  "I just heard the news outside. The Ye family patriarch has broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage, and the Qingyun Sect has already granted two tokens for joining the sect."

  "If Ye Chen were here and got a spot, you could ask him for it, and he would definitely give it to you!"

  "After all, he was even willing to give you a flying boat!"

  "Ah, what a pity!"

  Sun Ye suddenly mentioned Ye Chen.

  Upon hearing this, Sun Ruoxin also thought of Ye Chen, her expression turning somewhat gloomy.

  She hadn't realized it before.

  But compared to Kong Xiangbei, who wanted to use her as a furnace.

  Ye Chen, who was wholeheartedly dedicated to her without asking for anything in return, was truly rare.

  If Ye Chen were still alive, she might really have been able to get a spot.

  But unfortunately, Ye Chen was already dead.

  And even if he weren't, Ye Chen would surely resent her.

  After all, she had concealed information back then to take the flying boat.

  For any cultivator, this would be an absolute life-and-death enmity.

  Perhaps everything in Qingyun City was not going as expected!

  Sun Ruoxin was filled with regret and turmoil.

  ...

  Entering Qingyun City required a fee.

  However, Ye Chen was a descendant of the Ye family, considered a local.

  After verifying his identity, he entered the city with the two women.

  As soon as they entered the city, Lu Jing and Lin Ke'er couldn't help but look around.

  Qingyun City was incredibly prosperous.

  The number of cultivators was far greater than at the Silver Moon Market.

  Most cultivators had magic artifacts in hand, and many were wearing magic robes.

  This showed the level of wealth.

  But Ye Chen had no interest in taking the two women shopping. He led them directly to the Ye family, based on his predecessor's memories.

  Along the way, they could hear the idle chatter of surrounding cultivators.

  Many were even discussing the Silver Moon Market.

  Clearly, the events at the Silver Moon Market had already spread here.

  Ye Chen listened patiently, trying to understand what had happened at the Silver Moon Market.

  First, the Silver Moon Market was destroyed by Tier 2 beasts, and the heavy scent of blood even attracted more beasts.

  Almost none of the cultivators at the Silver Moon Market survived.

  Then, the Foundation Establishment family, the Ming family, intervened.

  The Ming family, with two Foundation Establishment members, cleared out the beasts.

  They announced that the Silver Moon Market would be rebuilt within a year.

  Families with original shops could receive a ten-year shop usage period for free.

  Hearing this, Ye Chen clicked his tongue.

  Judging by who benefited the most, they were likely the true culprits behind the scenes.

  The sudden appearance of Tier 2 beasts at the Silver Moon Market was probably orchestrated by the Ming family.

  Although the Silver Moon Market became ruins, this disaster killed so many cultivators, and many shops were destroyed.

  The resources of the entire Silver Moon Market were basically seized by the Ming family.

  And once the Silver Moon Market was rebuilt, businesses would return.

  Rogue cultivators, seeing the benefits, would still go there.

  It might only take a few years for the Silver Moon Market to regain its prosperity and start making money again.

  But these matters had nothing to do with him.

  Ye Chen sighed a few times in his heart and continued leading the two women to the Ye family.

  The Ye family was located in the west of the city, in a mediocre location.

  However, now that the patriarch had broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage, who knew if they would move in the future.

  As he pondered, Ye Chen arrived at the entrance of the Ye family.

  A white mourning banner hung at the entrance of the Ye family.

  This made Ye Chen frown slightly.

  What was going on?

  In the cultivation world, only when a cn member died would a white banner be hung at the entrance.

  Who had died?

  Could it be the patriarch?

  Frowning, Ye Chen stepped toward the gate.

  When the gate opened, a Ye family servant saw Ye Chen and his eyes widened.

  "Seventh Young Master, you've returned from the Silver Moon Market?"

  The servant clearly knew about the Silver Moon Market incident and was quite surprised that Ye Chen had returned.

  He probably thought Ye Chen was most likely dead.

  Ye Chen didn't bother to say much, speaking coldly: "Where's my father?"

  Upon hearing this, the servant lowered his head, hesitated for a long time, and then spoke softly: "The Third Master, he encountered a robber cultivator while delivering goods and has passed away!"

  ???

  Hearing this, Ye Chen's eyes widened, and he couldn't help but look at the white banner at the entrance.

  My father is dead?

  CPDD