Chapter 1107: The Best Ancestor in the Immortal Realm!
Just as Nangong Wan was about to take her leave, Ye Chen looked at her with a trace of confusion. "Why has your cultivation remained stagnant for so long? Every time I have seen you, you have been at the early stage of the True Immortal realm, without the slightest fluctuation of True Immortal laws around you."
Nangong Wan's lips parted slightly. She fell silent. Although everyone in the sect already knew about her condition, having an outsider ask about it still felt like salt being rubbed into an old wound. Still, she knew the kind-hearted Ancestor had not meant any harm, so she prepared to answer honestly.
The female cultivator who had accompanied her was one of Nangong Wan's junior sisters, currently at the mid-stage of the Celestial Immortal realm. She had been deeply worried when she heard Nangong Wan wanted to visit the Ancestor. After all, the rumors about Ye Chen within the sect were far from favorable. That was why she had insisted on coming along to protect her senior sister.
After Nangong Wan explained that Ancestor Ye was a good person who had gifted her a high-grade True Origin Return One Pill to resolve her crisis, her junior sister had been shocked. Yet she had grown even more suspicious. How could anyone give away such a priceless treasure so casually?
Ye Chen must have been lusting after Nangong Wan's long legs and was using the pill as bait. Once Nangong Wan fell into his trap, he would force himself on her and later claim she had offered herself out of gratitude. From then on, her senior sister would be trapped on Transcendence Peak forever.
In that instant, the junior sister had imagined countless terrible scenarios and became even more determined to accompany her. As a fellow, she believed she had nothing to fear from this Ancestor—especially since she was secretly clutching her master's transmission talisman. Her master, a Profound Immortal, could arrive instantly if needed.
But now, standing face to face with Ye Chen and seeing his handsome features and gentle, smiling eyes, the junior sister suddenly felt that the sect rumors might have been exaggerated. The Ancestor did not seem like a bad person at all.
Noticing her senior sister's sadness, she stepped forward and explained on her behalf, "My senior sister's body has developed a problem. Every day, the True Immortal laws she comprehends during cultivation disappear without a trace by the next morning, as if stolen away. No matter how hard she tries, nothing works. For so many years, her cultivation has remained completely stagnant."
She ended with a soft sigh, genuinely feeling sorry for Nangong Wan.
Nangong Wan's expression also dimmed with melancholy.
Ye Chen, however, raised an eyebrow. A cultivator with stagnant progress and a broken engagement—this was the classic profile of a destined daughter of heaven. Such potential could not be wasted. This woman needed to be properly nurtured.
His gaze grew even gentler. "Have you truly tried every possible method with no results?"
Nangong Wan felt touched by the genuine concern in Ye Chen's eyes. She believed he truly was a kind Ancestor. Being cared for like this nearly brought tears to her eyes, but she held them back and shook her head lightly. "I have tried everything. Even Ancestor Yue Yao personally examined me, yet she found nothing unusual."
Ye Chen narrowed his eyes. "Even the True Origin Return One Pill was useless?"
Nangong Wan gave a bitter smile. "I once took one. After refining it, the True Immortal laws lasted longer than a single day, but they still gradually faded until they completely disappeared after a few days. My condition seems incurable."
Ye Chen smiled. "That means the amount of laws being devoured each day is limited. As long as the speed at which you refine new laws exceeds the rate at which they are consumed, your cultivation will naturally improve over time."
Both Nangong Wan and her junior sister looked at him with complicated expressions. Of course, they had noticed this pattern after so many years. In theory, what Ye Chen said was correct. The problem was that the laws she comprehended each day were far from enough to offset what was being devoured. The only solution would be to refine True Origin Return One Pills daily, but that was simply impossible. The pills were far too precious. Only the daughters of Immortal Monarchs or similar figures could afford such a luxury.
"Thank you for your concern, Ancestor, but it is too difficult. This disciple cannot do it."
Nangong Wan gave a bitter smile and bowed once more, preparing to take her leave.
Ye Chen, however, raised his hand leisurely. A golden pill shimmering with flowing light flew out and stopped in front of Nangong Wan.
The moment she saw the pill clearly, Nangong Wan's eyes widened to their limits and her mouth fell open in shock. It was another True Origin Return One Pill, and a top-grade one at that.
Nangong Wan knew these pills extremely well because of her own condition. She recognized its grade instantly. One pill like this could almost directly push a True Immortal to the peak.
Her junior sister, who had only just relaxed her guard, wore an expression of utter disbelief. Their Ancestor was this generous? He simply gave it away? This was too outrageous.
She had originally been worried for Nangong Wan, but now she suddenly felt that being noticed by the Ancestor might not be a bad thing. Moreover, the Ancestor was very young and would make a perfect match with Nangong Wan. Although the Jade Pool Immortal Sect forbade marriage with outsiders, Ye Chen was one of their own Ancestors.
The next moment, Nangong Wan hurriedly waved her hands. "This is far too valuable. This disciple does not deserve it. Ancestor, please take it back."
She was genuinely tempted, but she also felt deeply ashamed. She had already accepted one high-grade True Origin Return One Pill and could not offer anything of equal value in return. How could she possibly accept a top-grade one as well? It would make her seem greedy and shameless.
Ye Chen smiled, but his voice turned serious. "When an elder bestows a gift, one should not refuse. Since it is given to you, accept it. Your talent is excellent. If you can break through this barrier, you will have a bright future ahead. This is also a good thing for the sect."
Hearing these words, Nangong Wan's eyes reddened. This Ancestor was truly too kind to her. She even began to wonder whether he had feelings for her.
But even with a top-grade True Origin Return One Pill, she was not sure she could break through. If she failed, she would owe him even more. After what happened with Nalan Qingxuan, she had grown deeply afraid of owing favors, worried that Ye Chen might suddenly change his attitude and pressure her.
However, Ye Chen did not look at Nangong Wan any longer. He turned instead to her junior sister. "Since this is your first time coming to see me, as the Ancestor, I naturally have to give you a meeting gift as well. Seeing that you are at the mid-stage of the True Immortal realm, you also need a top-grade True Origin Return One Pill. This one is for you."
With a flick of his finger, another golden light shot out.
When the pill stopped in front of her, the junior sister's eyes widened dramatically. She had assumed Ye Chen was only giving precious treasures to Nangong Wan because he was interested in her. She had never expected to receive one herself.
Was this real? Was she dreaming?
It was a top-grade True Origin Return One Pill! The Ancestor had casually given it to her as a simple meeting gift?
No wonder they were both True Immortals. She was merely a disciple, while he was an Ancestor. This was simply the best Ancestor in the entire Immortal Realm!
Chapter 1108: Descending to the Lower Realm to Pick Up People!
The female disciple trembled with excitement. With this top-grade pill, she would save decades of bitter cultivation. Their Ancestor was truly too generous. He was definitely a good person.
Thinking back to how she had believed the rumors and even joined others in speaking ill of such a kind Ancestor, she felt deeply ashamed.
"Thank you, Ancestor. This disciple is overwhelmed with gratitude," the woman said excitedly.
Nangong Wan was shocked to see that her junior sister had also received one. The intense struggle in her heart eased somewhat. She gazed deeply at Ye Chen and spoke softly, "Thank you for your great kindness, Fourth Ancestor. This disciple is endlessly grateful."
Ye Chen smiled faintly. He reached into his inner world and took out a low-grade immortal sword. Having killed so many people, he had obtained countless immortal weapons. His inner world was filled with them.
"You personally refined and gifted this Ancestor a cloak. It shows you are a good child with a grateful heart, and that makes this Ancestor very happy. Naturally, I cannot accept your gift for nothing. Take this low-grade immortal sword."
The moment the purple-green immortal sword appeared, Nangong Wan's eyes widened once again. Even in the cultivation world, immortal weapons were not common goods. She had spent many years stuck at the same realm, carefully saving resources from the sect each month along with support from her family. With her status as an elite inner disciple granting her discounts and conveniences in artifact refining and materials, she had only managed to create one low-grade immortal weapon. For a rogue cultivator, the difficulty would have been dozens of times greater. Its value was undeniable.
Yet Fourth Ancestor had now given her another immortal weapon. This level of care nearly brought tears to her eyes.
"Fourth Ancestor, this really isn't necessary…"
Nangong Wan felt she truly could not accept any more. But Ye Chen frowned and let out a soft hum without saying a word.
Nangong Wan immediately fell silent.
Her junior sister watched with open envy and quickly spoke up. "Senior Sister Nangong is simply too happy!"
Nangong Wan looked at the frowning Ye Chen and did not want to upset this Ancestor who cared for her so much. She made a firm decision in her heart: as long as she could recover, she would do everything in her power to repay him.
She reached out with her delicate hand and accepted the immortal sword. "Thank you for your great kindness, Ancestor. This disciple will remember it in her heart."
Only then did Ye Chen smile with satisfaction. He waved his hand. "If there is nothing else, you may leave. Cultivate well from now on."
The two women immediately took their leave. After exiting the cave residence and flying away from Transcendence Peak, the junior sister circled happily around Nangong Wan in the air.
"Senior Sister, you were right! Ancestor really is a good person! He's incredibly kind! With this, I'll save decades, maybe even a century of cultivation time. How can our Ancestor be so wonderful? And he's so handsome too!
"Senior Sister, do you think Ancestor has feelings for you? He gave me a gift as a proper meeting present, but when he gave yours, it felt different. It seemed like he really wanted you to accept it. He even got unhappy when you tried to refuse. Anyway, our Jade Pool Immortal Sect only forbids marriage with outsiders. Since Ancestor is one of us, if you're interested, I can go speak to him right now…"
Nangong Wan shot her chattering junior sister a helpless glare and covered the girl's mouth with her hand. Yet she could not help recalling how Fourth Ancestor had helped her during the engagement dissolution, the concern and care in his eyes earlier, and the pleasant surprise on his face when he received her gift.
Still, remembering the engagement she had just ended, Nangong Wan suppressed the ripples in her heart.
"Don't speak nonsense. Fourth Ancestor is simply showing care for the younger generation of the sect out of public spirit. Don't damage his reputation with careless words."
The junior sister nodded quickly with her mouth still covered, indicating she understood.
Nangong Wan gave a helpless smile. However, having received the top-grade True Origin Return One Pill filled her with urgency. After returning to Hundred Flowers Peak, she bid her junior sister farewell and hurried back to her cave residence.
She sat cross-legged, placed the pill against her forehead, and began cultivating with full anticipation.
Soon, a look of delight appeared on Nangong Wan's face.
After the two women left, Ye Chen began checking the system notifications in his mind.
"Congratulations, Host, on successfully gifting the treasure."
"Gift: Low-grade immortal sword!"
"One hundred-thousandfold feedback in progress!"
"Detected that the gifted item holds great importance to the recipient…"
"Triggering maximum critical feedback…"
"Triggering perfect hit…"
"Feedback: Top-grade immortal artifacts—Heaven-Covering Wheel and Heaven-Piercing Bridge!"
"Heaven-Covering Wheel and Heaven-Piercing Bridge: Two of the Thirty-Three Heavens Treasures. Their power is boundless, capable of connecting to the forces of creation and far surpassing ordinary treasures…"
"If one can gather all Thirty-Three Heavens Treasures, they can unleash the might of a King-grade immortal weapon…"
Ye Chen smiled as he reviewed the feedback. The previous gift had not triggered a perfect hit, but this time the result was excellent. It seemed Nangong Wan was indeed worth cultivating. The ten-thousandfold multiplier was truly powerful, directly granting him two top-grade immortal artifacts.
Last time, gifting a mid-grade immortal weapon had yielded two of the Thirty-Three Heavens Treasures. This time, he had only given a low-grade one and still received two top-grade artifacts. The multiplier's effectiveness was remarkable.
Top-grade immortal artifacts possessed immense power, and he was steadily completing the set. With four pieces now, once he gathered all Thirty-Three Heavens Treasures, he believed that if he could control them, he might even stand against some Immortal Kings.
In the coming days, Ye Chen planned to clear out all the useless items in his inner world and exchange them for immortal crystals. He also needed to address the issue of Immortal King scriptures.
The Western Empress's Undying True Immortal Chapter in his possession was not suitable to give away, and sect rules restricted such actions. He would need sufficient immortal crystals to trade for appropriate gifts and any fragments of Immortal King scriptures, no matter how incomplete.
Everything was progressing in a positive direction.
Before doing all that, however, Ye Chen decided to return to the lower realm first. He would bring all his female companions to the Jade Pool Immortal Sect. The sect possessed an Immortal King array and was rumored to be protected by the remnant soul of the Western Empress. It should be able to shield them from the Seven Extremes Heavenly Maiden's perception.
Additionally, he had set up many formations on Transcendence Peak during this period. His senior sister, Jade Moon Immortal Monarch, might not seem overwhelmingly strong, but she was certainly not weak. Even if the Seven Extremes Heavenly Maiden's Immortal Monarch incarnation sensed something, she likely would not dare charge straight in. If worst came to worst, he could simply take everyone back to the lower realm and return after growing stronger.
In short, there should be no major issues.
With a wave of his hand, Ye Chen opened his inner world and stepped inside to begin bringing his people over.
…
Meanwhile, in the Supreme Hall, Nalan Qingxuan had finally recovered from his physical injuries inside his cave residence, but the wounds in his heart were not so easily healed. He could not help thinking of that peerlessly beautiful confidante, his gentle and quiet fiancée.
Only Nangong Wan could heal him.
At that thought, Nalan Qingxuan clenched his fists tightly. He would never allow Nangong Wan to escape his grasp!