"Father, what exactly happened?"

  Sun Ruoxin's tone grew anxious. She had spent years painstakingly accumulating spirit stones. She had always believed that entering the Green Cloud Sect was a sure thing, why had it all fallen apart now?

  Sun Ye's face was full of bitterness as he began to explain what had transpired. His master, Kong Zhi-li, was the Sect's Elder in charge of talisman crafting. Much like Sun Ye himself, Kong Zhi-li was deeply greedy.

  In fact, Sun Ye's current avarice was learned directly from his master. Years ago, Sun Ye had hoped to get his daughter into the Green Cloud Sect and had gone to Kong Zhi-li to ask for help in opening a backdoor. Kong Zhi-li had demanded five high-grade spirit stones as payment.

  For a Qi Refining cultivator, this was an astronomical sum. Even for Sun Ye, who was at the ninth layer of Qi Refining, it was no small matter. But in order to secure his daughter's future, Sun Ye had spent over ten years scraping together the spirit stones.

  But today, when he went to meet his master, after taking the spirit stones, Kong Zhi-li had made another request. He wanted Sun Ruoxin to marry his grandson, Kong Xiangbei. Once they were united by marriage, he would naturally admit Sun Ruoxin into the Green Cloud Sect. Of course, the spirit stones would not be refunded, they were to be considered as her dowry.

  As Sun Ye recounted this part, Sun Ruoxin's face immediately darkened. The cultivation technique she practiced the Clear Jade Body Technique, was something her father had worked hard to obtain. This technique wasn't particularly suited for combat, but it cultivated an especially pure form of spiritual energy. It was said to be highly beneficial for breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage.

  However, it came with a major restriction: before reaching Foundation Establishment, she was absolutely forbidden from losing her virginity. If she did, her cultivation efficiency would be drastically reduced, and a third of her accumulated spiritual energy would be lost.

  What was worse, if she broke the restriction before Foundation Establishment, it would essentially ruin any hope of ever advancing to that stage. Once she reached Foundation Establishment, however, the restriction would no longer apply. Thus, if Sun Ruoxin had any hope of advancing, there was no way she could get married or form a Dao partner early.

  "Why would this happen? A Foundation Establishment cultivator's descendant wouldn't lack female cultivators, why would he be interested in me?" Sun Ruoxin asked, confusion written all over her face.

  Sun Ye gave a bitter smile, his voice full of helplessness. "I just inquired with an old acquaintance. Master's grandson, Kong Xiangbei, is the most promising one of this generation. But he's been stuck at the eighth layer of Qi Refining for three years… He's probably eyeing the unique qualities of the Clear Jade Body Technique and wants to use your spiritual power to break through. When I bought this cultivation method for you, I went through Master's connections, paying him a hefty sum. It's probably because of that he's set his sights on you."

  Sun Ye spoke gently, but his words clearly indicated that Kong Xiangbei wanted to use Sun Ruoxin as a furnace to assist in his breakthrough.

  At this point, Sun Ye's face showed a trace of resentment. He had given five high-grade spirit stones, a significant sum for any Qi Refining cultivator. But not only had Kong Zhi-li taken the money and failed to deliver, he now planned to use his daughter for his own gain. To turn his daughter into a tool for someone else's breakthrough. What kind of master was this? So cold-hearted, so devoid of any sense of duty.

  "Don't worry, daughter,"Sun Ye continued, trying to reassure her. "I'll go back and plead with Master again. After so many years of being his disciple, with the gifts I send him every year, surely he won't be so heartless?"

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  He paused, then sighed. "It's a pity that Ye Chen is dead. If he were alive, he would have surely gotten us a slot. You could have asked him, and he would have given it to you! After all, he even gave you the flying boat!"

  Sun Ye's words were filled with regret as he thought of Ye Chen.

  Hearing this, Sun Ruoxin also remembered Ye Chen, her expression growing dim. At one point, she hadn't thought much of him, but compared to Kong Xiangbei, who wanted to use her as a stepping stone, Ye Chen's wholehearted support and selfless efforts for her now felt all the more precious.

  If Ye Chen were still alive, maybe she would have had a chance at a slot in the Green Cloud Sect. But alas, he was dead. And even if he weren't, she knew full well that Ye Chen would harbor resentment toward her. After all, she had concealed the truth about taking the flying boat for herself. For any cultivator, that was a mortal grudge, something unforgivable. Perhaps everything would go awry once they arrived in Green Cloud City.

  Sun Ruoxin's heart was a storm of conflicting emotions, a deep sense of regret welling up within her.

  ...

  Entering Green Cloud City required a fee, but since Ye Chen was from the Ye family, a local, his identity was quickly verified, and he was allowed to pass without issue, bringing the two women into the city. As soon as they entered, Lu Jing and Lin Ke'er couldn't help but look around in awe.

  Green Cloud City was bustling with life. The number of cultivators here was far greater than in Silver Moon Market. Almost every cultivator had a magic tool in hand, and many were dressed in robes, a clear sign of wealth. But Ye Chen had no intention of sightseeing. He simply followed the memories, leading the two women straight to the Ye family.

  As they walked through the city, they overheard conversations from the cultivators around them. Some were even talking about Silver Moon Market. Clearly, the events that had occurred there had already spread to Green Cloud City.

  Ye Chen patiently listened in, piecing together what had happened.

  First, Silver Moon Market had been destroyed by a second-tier demon beast. The place had been drenched in blood, and the stench had attracted even more demon beasts. Almost all of the cultivators in Silver Moon Market had been wiped out.

  Then, the Ming family, a Foundation Establishment-level family, stepped in. With two Foundation Establishment cultivators, they cleared the demon beasts and announced they would rebuild Silver Moon Market within the year. Any family with a shop there could claim ten years' free use of the new shops once they were rebuilt.

  Ye Chen couldn't help but click his tongue. It was clear that the one who would benefit the most was likely the mastermind behind it all. The sudden appearance of second-tier demon beasts in Silver Moon Market was probably orchestrated by the Ming family.

  Though the market was now in ruins, the catastrophe had claimed many lives and destroyed countless shops. The Ming family had likely seized most of the resources. Once the market was rebuilt and the businesses returned, scattered cultivators would surely flock back, eager for profits. In a few years, Silver Moon Market would probably return to its former prosperity, earning fortunes once more.

  But none of that concerned Ye Chen. Ye Chen's heart stirred with emotions for a moment before he continued, leading the two women toward the Ye family residence. The Ye family estate lay in the western district, in an average location.

  However, with the patriarch having broken through to the Foundation Establishment stage, it was uncertain whether they would move in the future. As these thoughts occupied his mind, Ye Chen arrived at the gates of the Ye family.

  There, a white cloth banner hung at the entrance. This caused Ye Chen to furrow his brow. What was going on?

  In the cultivation world, only when a family member had passed away would a white banner be hung at the door.

  Who had died? Could it be the patriarch?

  Frowning deeply, Ye Chen stepped forward toward the gate.

  As the door opened, the Ye family servants, seeing Ye Chen, immediately widened their eyes in shock.

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

  The servant clearly knew of the Silver Moon Market incident, and was surprised to see Ye Chen's return. They must have assumed he was dead.

  Ye Chen couldn't be bothered with pleasantries. His voice was cold and indifferent. "Where is my father?"

  Upon hearing this, the servant lowered their gaze, hesitating for a long while before softly replying, "Third Master... he was attacked by rogue cultivators while delivering goods... he... has passed."

  ???

  Ye Chen's eyes widened in disbelief, his gaze involuntarily shifting to the white banner at the entrance.

  My father... is dead?