Chapter 1076: You Need This Immortal Qi More Than I Do!
Ye Chen gazed at the system feedback, his expression turning slightly complicated.
The description of the Jianmu Tree was far less impressive than that of the Primordial Chaos Myriad Worlds Tree he had received. Even so, the effects of the Jianmu Sapling were exactly what he needed. With it, traveling to the Immortal Realm should no longer be an issue.
Moreover, the sapling's ability to adjust the flow of time was particularly shocking. Once mature, it could accelerate time to ten thousand years in a single day. This was incredibly valuable to him. Every visitor from the Immortal Realm so far had carried an air of urgency, as if the Immortal Realm was on the verge of collapse and anyone who could flee should do so immediately. Clearly, the situation there was precarious. The arrival of the Other Domain would likely come sooner than expected.
Ye Chen had talent, but what he lacked most was time. The appearance of the Jianmu Tree solved this problem perfectly, allowing him to grow stronger at a much faster pace. Whether he ultimately chose to submit or fight when the Other Domain arrived, strength would always come first.
He immersed his mind into his inner world and extracted the rewarded Jianmu Sapling from the system.
In an instant, an enormous plant resembling a giant umbrella appeared, taking root in the earth beside the Suspended Peak. It towered tens of thousands of meters high, blotting out the sky like a colossal canopy.
Ye Chen: ???
Tens of thousands of meters tall, and you call this a sapling? What would its mature form look like?
As expected of the Jianmu Tree that once supported and connected the heavens—it was truly outrageous.
At the top of the Jianmu Tree, immortal light shimmered, and faint portals seemed to emerge.
As the master of both the Jianmu Tree and his inner world, Ye Chen instinctively sensed that countless new exits had appeared in his inner world. Previously, it had only connected to the cultivation world. Now, it had links to many other worlds—mostly lesser worlds similar to the cultivation realm.
There were two entrances to greater worlds. One was solid and clear, ready to open at any moment. The other remained blurry and unstable, almost like a poor signal, unable to fully materialize.
Ye Chen quickly understood. The stable one led to the Immortal Realm. He could now travel there whenever he wished. The blurry one was most likely the Other Domain—the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths. Its faint connection probably stemmed from the sapling still being in its infant stage, or perhaps because the Jianmu Tree belonged to this world and the two realms had not fully merged.
Either way, a smile spread across Ye Chen's face. With this treasure, entering the Immortal Realm was no longer a problem. In the future, he could even return to the cultivation world at will. All its other functions were merely bonuses. He looked forward to seeing the fully mature Jianmu Tree.
…
Withdrawing his consciousness, Ye Chen turned to Yan Ruyu with a warm smile.
If Wang Xuanji's fifty-eight thousand times multiplier had also triggered critical hits and heartfelt strikes, it might have produced a mature World Tree. But that was impossible now. By comparison, Yan Ruyu's thirty thousand times multiplier had performed very well.
Yan Ruyu looked at him with eager eyes and asked somewhat anxiously, "Fellow Daoist Ye, why don't you check the gift I gave you? See if you like it…"
Only then did Ye Chen remember the jade bottle in his hand.
To be honest, at his current level, there were few things left in the cultivation world—and even in the Immortal Realm—that could truly excite him. He was not particularly interested in Yan Ruyu's gift. However, since she had presented it with such sincerity, he did not want to disappoint her.
He gently opened the jade bottle.
Meanwhile, the onlookers watched with helpless expressions. The Heavenly Emperor's heir had just suffered a major loss, yet he had already forgotten the lesson. He had turned around and given away the Jianmu Heart as well.
The Eight-Crown King felt equally exasperated. The Jianmu Heart was extraordinary; it had once connected to the Immortal Realm. If studied properly, it might have revealed a way to enter that realm. Yet Ye Chen had simply given it away. Was he not afraid that Yan Ruyu might use it to ascend alone and abandon him?
The Heavenly Emperor's heir truly had a big heart.
Murmurs of discussion spread through the crowd.
In the next moment, Ye Chen uncorked the jade bottle. As strands of Immortal Qi rose from within, he was stunned.
The Eight-Crown King and the other Quasi-Immortals present also sensed the aura of Immortal Qi instantly. Their eyes widened in shock and disbelief.
A second strand of Immortal Qi had appeared in the cultivation world? How was that possible?
Everyone, including Ye Chen, turned to stare at Yan Ruyu in astonishment. No one had expected her to offer such an extraordinary gift.
In a sense, for the Quasi-Immortals of the current cultivation world, Immortal Qi was even more precious than the Jianmu Heart. No matter how valuable the heart was, it meant nothing if one could not ascend and leave this realm. Becoming an immortal was the ultimate priority.
No one knew where Yan Ruyu had obtained this wisp of Immortal Qi, yet she was willing to give it away.
Ye Chen was the most surprised of all. It was not because of the energy's value—he could now enter the Immortal Realm directly thanks to the Jianmu Tree, making ascension effortless. What shocked him was that Yan Ruyu had chosen to give it to him. This meant she had not rushed over for an ascension slot after all. He had misunderstood her.
A complex mix of emotions rose in Ye Chen's heart, laced with guilt.
Sensing his surprised gaze, Yan Ruyu smiled gently. "I opened an ancestral ruin and found a strand of Immortal Qi sealed by my ancestor using an immortal beast's crystal core. Even after countless years of erosion, it has not dissipated. I originally planned to use it to ascend myself, but now I believe Fellow Daoist Ye needs this Immortal Qi more than I do."
Her words caused an uproar across the entire scene.
The example of the Heavenly Emperor's heir was still fresh. He had handed over the initiative to ascend, only for the other party to change her attitude after succeeding—becoming arrogant and difficult. Yet knowing this, Yan Ruyu had still willingly given away the Immortal Qi.
She was far too generous. Was she not afraid that with so many Dao companions, the Heavenly Emperor's heir might leave her without a slot after he ascended?
Many Quasi-Immortals from the myriad races watched Yan Ruyu, who stood like an untouchable celestial flower at the center of everyone's attention, and sighed inwardly. Their high and proud flower had truly been won over by the Heavenly Emperor's heir. She had even given him Immortal Qi.
The Eight-Crown King and the others wore complicated expressions as well. The Heavenly Emperor's heir had personally sent away one chance to ascend, only for another to arrive right before him. It was simply outrageous.
In the end, those who persisted in their devotion received everything.
Ye Chen looked at Yan Ruyu with a sincere smile that carried far more warmth than before. He understood better than anyone how difficult it was to relinquish control over one's own ascension. He had the system and could casually give away World Trees, but she had none of that. Her sincerity was clear.
Auntie truly was a girl who knew how to repay kindness. Although he no longer needed the Immortal Qi, he would remember this gesture.
"In that case, thank you, Fairy Yan," Ye Chen said. He accepted the gift without refusal.
Seeing him accept it so readily, Yan Ruyu felt relieved. She had only feared he might not take it.
Chapter 1077: You're Giving Me Something Again?
Yan Ruyu smiled radiantly at Ye Chen and continued, "Fellow Daoist Ye, I want to apologize for what I said before. I hope you can forgive me. I wish to become your Dao companion and walk the immortal path together with you."
As soon as her words fell, the entire scene erupted once more.
This was Yan Ruyu, the number one female cultivator of the myriad races. She had given him Immortal Qi, publicly apologized, and was now asking to become his Dao companion while seeking his forgiveness. For a moment, many wondered who the real simp was.
The most complicated expressions belonged to the Quasi-Immortals of the Peacock Race. They had once hoped Yan Ruyu would pair up with the Heavenly Emperor's heir because of his generosity and strength. Yet she had remained aloof and uninterested. Now, with Immortal Qi in her hands and the power to bring her clansmen to the Immortal Realm, she had still rushed over to offer it to him and willingly become his Dao companion. The Peacock Race experts found it almost unbearable.
Regardless of what outsiders thought, Yan Ruyu's eyes remained firm. She had never cared about the opinions of the world. Only those she cared about mattered. Besides, she had long wanted to do this and say these words—to make up for her past indifference in front of everyone and restore the face Ye Chen had once lost.
Ye Chen felt deeply moved. Yan Ruyu had given him Immortal Qi and apologized publicly. This convinced him that her earlier rejection had truly stemmed from not wanting to entangle karma with him, rather than from any desire to take advantage. In contrast, he had underestimated her.
Unable to hold back, he reached out and gently stroked her hair. "I never blamed you, Auntie. So there is no need for forgiveness," he said softly. "As for becoming Dao companions, if you don't mind, I would be more than willing."
Hearing him call her "Auntie" again and feeling the warmth of his large hand, Yan Ruyu's expression turned slightly strange. What a peculiar way to address her. Still, she did not resist his touch. She simply smiled faintly and called him directly by name.
Ye Chen was not entirely satisfied with her calling him by name. She should call him "Chen'er." But he could correct that later when they were alone.
With gentle eyes, he said to her, "Auntie, you should refine the Jianmu Heart now. I will stand guard for you."
Yan Ruyu frowned slightly. She had assumed he would refine the Immortal Qi first.
Understanding her confusion, Ye Chen caught the faint fragrance from her body and explained softly, "I have many matters to handle. If I refine the Immortal Qi now, I'm afraid I won't have enough time."
Yan Ruyu nodded in understanding. It made sense. Apart from anything else, Ye Chen had many Dao companions; he would need to comfort and arrange things for some while deciding on others. Not to mention the Heavenly Emperor Hall, the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, and other forces behind him. He had even been acknowledged as the Holy Son of the Heavenly Intention Holy Land. He indeed had a lot to deal with.
With that thought, she stopped dwelling on it. She sat down cross-legged, closed her eyes, and began to focus. The Jianmu Heart floated before her.
Nine-colored divine light surged from behind her, shining upon her flawless skin and making her appear even more breathtakingly beautiful.
With Ye Chen standing guard in the cultivation world, she felt completely at ease.
Watching Yan Ruyu sit cross-legged and refine the Jianmu Heart while Ye Chen stood guard beside her gave everyone a strong sense of déjà vu.
Fortunately, the Jianmu Heart could not grant ascension. The Immortal Qi still remained in the hands of the Heavenly Emperor's heir, and he would soon ascend as well.
The Eight-Crown King spoke with a somewhat complicated expression, "Fellow Daoist Ye, don't forget my ascension slot."
He had always been carefree, but Ye Chen's previous setback had dragged him down as well, leaving him slightly uneasy. He decided to remind him directly.
Ye Chen smiled and nodded seriously. "Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Qin. I will definitely bring you into the Immortal Realm."
Seeing Ye Chen's sincerity, the Eight-Crown King finally relaxed.
With nothing else to do, the two began discussing the Supreme Art they had recently obtained. Ye Chen did most of the talking while the Eight-Crown King listened with rapt attention, hungry for knowledge.
To the onlookers, the scene was deeply moving. The Heavenly Emperor's heir truly possessed monstrous talent. Even the Eight-Crown King, who had lived for a million years and knew almost everything, appeared like a disciple before him.
Ye Chen shared his insights generously. The Eight-Crown King's own talent was top-tier, and his willpower was even more formidable—he had waited a million years for a greater future, something Ye Chen knew he could not have done. For that reason, Ye Chen was happy to invest in him.
He stayed here to guard Yan Ruyu while she refined the Jianmu Heart mainly to wait for the system's gift cooldown to end. Although Immortal Qi no longer mattered much to him, the current Jianmu Sapling could only open portals and could not draw Immortal Qi down. Moreover, he did not want too many people to learn about the Jianmu Tree in his inner world, especially the Eight-Crown King and the golden-robed elder.
Thus, Ye Chen still planned to give the Immortal Qi away. The feedback from the gift could then be used to help these people ascend and bring others with them. The most suitable recipient was naturally Yan Ruyu before him, as he had discovered that reciprocal gifting triggered the strongest critical hits.
He waited patiently.
…
Ten days passed in the blink of an eye.
Yan Ruyu slowly opened her shimmering eyes and looked at Ye Chen beside her. "Ye Chen, I have finished refining the Jianmu Heart. It brought me many benefits. My understanding of the world has deepened significantly, and I feel much closer to this entire realm. It also greatly enhanced my inner world—in scale, time flow, and more. It had already reached its limit, but after refinement, it advanced further. In the future, when I promote my inner world into a universe, the advantages will be immense. Once I ascend, my inner universe may even connect directly to the lower realms and draw power from them."
She spoke gently of all the benefits, wanting Ye Chen to know she understood the value of his gift.
Even without her explanation, the onlookers could sense the change in her. She appeared even more ethereal, as if she barely belonged to this world—untouched by the mortal realm, graceful and transcendent. Her temperament had risen to another level.
The Eight-Crown King could also feel that her strength had advanced once more. He could not help sighing. Without Ye Chen, all of this would have belonged to him. Yet he quickly smiled in relief. If someone else with Ye Chen's power had appeared instead, he would probably have died long ago. Meeting someone as kind-hearted and reasonable as Ye Chen was already an immense stroke of luck.
Under everyone's watchful eyes, Ye Chen smiled. "I'm glad Auntie is satisfied. Then please accept this and ascend."
With those words, he gently sent the jade bottle containing the Immortal Qi toward Yan Ruyu.