One month ter.

  Yao Xi had been adjusting her state, preparing for her breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment stage.

  As the number one lick spirit, Ye Chen naturally had to do his utmost to help Yao Xi gather the necessary resources.

  For instance, she needed to consume the Crity Pill, which could clear a cultivator's mind and reduce mistakes.

  Usually, two pills would suffice.

  But Ye Chen said, "Two? How can two be enough! If the other direct disciples see this, they'll think I, Ye Chen, can't afford it..."

  "Ten, it has to be ten, ten for you alone!"

  "And they must be top-grade Crity Pills!"

  "Mingjing Incense, right? I'll go buy it right away!"

  Ye Chen was particurly generous with his gifts.

  Yao Xi felt a bit helpless, but she wasn't embarrassed.

  On the contrary, she accepted them straightforwardly, smiling sweetly.

  After all, the moment she accepted the Foundation Establishment Pill earlier, Yao Xi had already considered herself to belong to Ye Chen.

  It was just that Ye Chen loved her too much to take things further.

  Since she already belonged to Ye Chen, accepting more gifts didn't matter.

  After all, her breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment stage would also benefit Ye Chen.

  In short, with Ye Chen's help, Yao Xi had all the pills and items she needed for her breakthrough to the Foundation Establishment stage.

  "Junior Brother, wait for me to come out!"

  Before the sect's dedicated seclusion cave, Yao Xi hugged Ye Chen tightly.

  Her curvaceous body pressed closely against his.

  Ye Chen smiled, "I wish you success, Senior Sister, in becoming a Foundation Establishment powerhouse."

  For cultivators, breaking through to the Foundation Establishment stage typically required a month of seclusion.

  Of course, the breakthrough itself didn't take that long.

  It included adjusting one's state, finding an opportunity, breaking through, and then stabilizing the realm—all these steps combined took time.

  Although it meant he wouldn't see Yao Xi for over a month to give gifts, Ye Chen wasn't in a hurry.

  At worst, he could find that female disciple with twenty times the potential to give gifts to.

  Though it was ten times less, it was still acceptable.

  As for whether Yao Xi could break through, Ye Chen didn't have strong feelings.

  A breakthrough would naturally be best.

  He pnned to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage by the end of the year.

  If Yao Xi advanced first, it would be convenient for him to give her the items needed for the Foundation Establishment stage.

  The feedback he received would be directly applicable once he broke through.

  And if Yao Xi failed, he would continue to give her Foundation Establishment Pills and other treasures to increase her chances.

  Either way, he wouldn't lose out.

  ...

  After sending Yao Xi into the cave for seclusion, Ye Chen leisurely made his way to the bazaar.

  He pnned to see if there was anything he liked to buy as gifts.

  Disciples passing by would bow in greeting when they saw Ye Chen.

  Previously, everyone thought Ye Chen was just a loafer who might not remain a direct disciple in a few years, so they didn't bother getting close.

  But ever since the sect's grand competition, where Ye Chen defeated the Law Peak's direct disciple, his reputation had changed dramatically.

  Now, he was undoubtedly the number one disciple of the Qingyun Sect.

  In the cultivation world, strength commands respect.

  Everyone who saw Ye Chen had to call him Senior Brother Ye.

  Some even called him Big Senior Brother, catering to his preferences.

  After all, Yao Xi was the Big Senior Sister.

  ...

  "Senior Brother Ye, I have a second-grade Youth Retaining Pill here. Although it might have been stored for a long time, at least half of its efficacy remains. Buy it for the Big Senior Sister; she'll surely like it."

  "Senior Brother Ye, this is a bellyband I sewed with spirit threads. Look here, it has a hollow design and comes with a protective heart formation. Buy it as a gift, and it'll be good for both you and her..."

  "Senior Brother Ye, look at this cloak. It actually has a function to prevent detection. No matter how beautiful a female cultivator is, once she wears it, outsiders can't even tell her gender. It can protect female cultivators from being targeted by robber cultivators when they go out."

  "..."

  Hearing everyone's shouts, Ye Chen's mouth twitched.

  The recommendations were all things suited for female cultivators.

  Seriously, do you all really think I'm a lick spirit?

  Am I that kind of person?

  Ye Chen pouted, not bothering to engage with anyone as he continued to stroll around.

  Soon, he spotted a somewhat ancient-looking rune. Reading the description below, Ye Chen's eyes lit up.

  "A Heart Guarding Rune!"

  "A second-grade talisman."

  "For use on cultivators, it prevents the other party from betraying the user or harming the user's interests!"

  Seeing this, Ye Chen's eyes brightened.

  Interesting!

  He had a need for something like this.

  After all, with a system in his possession, he had too many secrets.

  But you can never truly know someone's heart.

  Ye Chen found it hard to guarantee that those around him would never betray him.

  Having worked in a state-owned enterprise, he had seen too much scheming and backstabbing over the years.

  Betrayals were all too common.

  He maintained a pessimistic view of human nature.

  So he had always been looking for something like this.

  Unexpectedly, he found it today.

  "How much for this rune?" Ye Chen asked.

  The disciple selling it quickly stood up upon seeing Ye Chen. "Senior Brother Ye!"

  Then, gncing at the rune, he hesitated before speaking, "Senior Brother Ye, this rune actually has some drawbacks."

  "First, it only works if the other party willingly accepts it."

  "Forced use is ineffective."

  "Second, the user's cultivation must be higher than the other party's. If the other party's cultivation surpasses the user's, the rune will immediately become ineffective."

  "Third, even if it works, it can't force the other party to do anything. They just can't betray you, but they aren't under your command!"

  "Senior Brother Ye, I've researched it. The Heart Guarding Rune is an ancient talisman."

  "But ever since the Sve Rune came about, the Heart Guarding Rune gradually fell out of use and eventually disappeared."

  "After all, the Sve Rune can directly compel the other party to act. A single thought can punish them, causing immense pain. A powerful thought can even end the sve's life."

  "In comparison, the Heart Guarding Rune's effect is too mild."

  Ye Chen's reputation was well-known.

  The disciple dared not deceive him, so he expined the rune's drawbacks before quoting a price.

  He didn't want Senior Brother Ye to feel cheated and come knocking on his door.

  He'd have nowhere to cry if that happened.

  Hearing this, Ye Chen raised an eyebrow.

  Compared to the Sve Rune, the Heart Guarding Rune was indeed milder.

  But that's exactly what Ye Chen wanted.

  He had considered the Sve Rune before, but honestly, it didn't feel right.

  What proper person would use a Sve Rune on female cultivators following them?

  Besides, it would make the female cultivators uncomfortable.

  A maid was just a title.

  But with a Sve Rune, they would truly become sves.

  The Heart Guarding Rune, however, perfectly suited Ye Chen's needs.

  As long as they didn't betray him or spread his secrets, that was enough.

  Everything else didn't matter!

  "Senior Brother, this is a second-grade rune. Although its effect isn't as good as the Sve Rune, it's a rare find since it's been lost to time."

  "I was pnning to sell it to a disciple or elder from the Talisman Peak. They might have an interest in studying it."

  "So, the price is one top-grade spirit stone!"

  The disciple spoke softly, fearing Ye Chen might think he was being overcharged.

  Ye Chen nodded in response.

  He had studied talisman crafting and was even a first-grade master talisman crafter.

  Though he couldn't craft second-grade Sve Runes, he knew they were difficult to make, with rare materials and high costs.

  They typically required one top-grade spirit stone to purchase.

  While the Heart Guarding Rune's price of one top-grade spirit stone might not seem worth it in terms of effect, it perfectly met his needs!

  Without hesitation, Ye Chen took out a spirit stone, confirmed the rune was genuine, and completed the transaction.

  Holding the Heart Guarding Rune, Ye Chen pondered whom to give it to for maximum benefit.

  After all, one Heart Guarding Rune wouldn't be enough.

  Just for Lu Jing and Lin Ke'er, he needed at least two.

  As Ye Chen contempted this, he walked back to Sword Peak.

  Suddenly, a figure blocked his path.

  Looking at those familiar, sleek, and perfectly proportioned long legs, Ye Chen raised an eyebrow.

  The person standing before him could only be Sun Ruoxin...

  CPDD