Chapter 1146: Arrival!
Huo Linglong had indeed come to Ye Chen with important matters.
"Next month marks the Jade Pool Immortal Sect's decennial disciple recruitment. However, strange rumors about our sect have been circulating recently, damaging our reputation."
As she spoke, Huo Linglong shot Ye Chen another sideways glance. Everything stemmed from him. The sudden appearance of a male cultivator as an ancestor in the Jade Pool Immortal Sect had spawned countless bizarre rumors outside.
Huo Linglong had heard all sorts of nonsense—claims of master-disciple dual cultivation, that Ye Chen was Jade Moon Immortal Monarch's secret lover, and that when she could no longer satisfy him, she had opened the entire sect to him. The stories grew more outrageous by the day. It made her want to hit someone.
Hiding Ye Chen away forever was no solution. They needed outsiders to see him and hear a proper explanation. This disciple recruitment drive presented the perfect opportunity. It would show the world that Ye Chen was a legitimate ancestor with no improper relationship with her master, Jade Moon Immortal Monarch. Apart from Nangong Wan, no one else in the Jade Pool Immortal Sect had ever been with him.
Ye Chen listened with a puzzled expression, not understanding what any of this had to do with him.
Huo Linglong continued, "Master is still in seclusion, and recruiting new disciples is a major event. We need the Fourth Ancestor to preside over the ceremony and encourage the new disciples to cultivate diligently…"
Ye Chen immediately understood and nodded. "No problem at all."
Public speaking? He was an expert at it. Besides, he could also look over the new disciples and see if any outstanding talents appeared. If he found any with top-tier aptitude, he could claim them first and bring them back to Transcendence Peak.
His quick agreement pleased Huo Linglong, and she nodded in satisfaction before moving on to the second matter.
"The Great Sun Origin Core has appeared early in the Sunset Divine Mountain of the Boundless Continent. The secret realm will open in half a year! Only cultivators under three hundred years old may enter the secret realm. Our Jade Pool Immortal Sect has one quota. We will soon select a suitable Profound Immortal from the sect to participate. With Master absent, we also need the Fourth Ancestor to supervise the selection and ensure fairness…"
As soon as Huo Linglong finished speaking, Ye Chen's eyes lit up.
He already understood the immense value of a Great Sun Origin Core. To put it bluntly, the Fire Spirit Stone Huo Linglong had given him was not even worthy of carrying the Great Sun Origin Core's shoes. The Heavenly Moon Stone he had just obtained was even more worthless by comparison. A Great Sun Origin Core was essentially the highest-grade treasure in the Immortal Realm for elevating one's inner universe.
If he gifted one, what kind of treasure would the feedback produce?
At that moment, Ye Chen felt especially glad he had not given away the system's Great Sun Origin Core to Nangong Wan. The system's version felt too cold and lacked gifting value. Only something obtained through his own efforts was worth giving.
He spoke seriously at once. "Why limit the selection to disciples? Wouldn't elders or ancestors be eligible as well?"
Huo Linglong frowned slightly. But upon hearing the word "ancestors," she seemed to realize something and looked at Ye Chen in surprise. "Ye Old Fourth Ancestor, you wish to participate?"
Ye Chen ignored her odd way of addressing him and nodded earnestly. "Of course. I have now reached the peak Celestial Immortal realm and need a Great Sun Origin Core as the core to elevate my inner universe. My actual age is not high. By my calculations, I am still under two hundred years old."
Huo Linglong furrowed her brows. "But those competing are almost all Profound Immortal cultivators."
While a peak Celestial Immortal was theoretically the best stage to use it as a core, one could still refine a Great Sun Origin Core into their universe after advancing to Profound Immortal and receive its blessings—just with lesser effect. That was why nearly all competitors were Profound Immortals.
Ye Chen smiled, showing no trace of arrogance. He simply replied calmly, "So what if they are Profound Immortals?"
Huo Linglong immediately recalled Ye Chen's battle record. His main body possessed the same combat strength as his imprint. When he was at the early Celestial Immortal realm, he could instantly kill late-stage Profound Immortals. By that standard, now that he had reached the peak Celestial Immortal realm, defeating peak Profound Immortals should not be difficult.
Yet she still shook her head and said with irritation, "It's not the same. Those qualified to compete for the Great Sun Origin Core are all top geniuses from supreme sects—existences who have reached the pinnacle of their current realm. For example, the Yu Tuo you killed from the Supreme Hall was merely one of their true disciples. The true geniuses of the Supreme Hall are personal disciples of Immortal Monarchs."
"The gap between geniuses can be as vast as the difference between heaven and earth. Trying to suppress such opponents while crossing an entire major realm is nothing but a fool's dream. The secret realm has its own rules, and strong outsiders cannot intervene. People really do die inside."
Although she disliked Ye Chen, Huo Linglong did not want him to throw his life away. As the sect's Fourth Ancestor, he was already a center of attention. If he died in the secret realm, even more ridiculous rumors would spread—perhaps even claims that he had been drained dry. Moreover, she would have a hard time explaining it to her master, who might suspect she was using the secret realm to eliminate him.
Ye Chen waved his hand indifferently. "I want this quota."
Huo Linglong's amber eyes scanned him. She wanted to say a few more words to dissuade him from being so stubborn, but Ye Chen raised a finger.
"I'm not discussing this with you. I'm informing you—the quota belongs to this ancestor. If any disciple in the sect is dissatisfied, they can come to Transcendence Peak and find me."
With a Heavenly Emperor imprint in hand, he could afford to be domineering.
Huo Linglong nearly laughed from sheer anger at the sight of a mere Celestial Immortal acting so arrogantly before her. She said nothing more. Since he refused to listen to good advice, he could go ahead and court death.
Giving the quota directly to Ye Chen was not a big deal anyway. On one hand, it was perfectly normal for an ancestor to enjoy such privileges. On the other, the Jade Pool Immortal Sect had no standout geniuses under three hundred years old. Nangong Wan had the potential, but she had only recently broken through to the mid-Celestial Immortal realm and was not qualified to compete. The sect had no real chance of obtaining the Great Sun Origin Core regardless of who went. In that case, letting Ye Chen take the spot was actually beneficial in more ways than one.
"Since that's your decision, the Jade Pool Immortal Sect's quota is settled. Farewell…"
Having delivered both messages, Huo Linglong no longer wanted to look at Ye Chen. She gave a perfunctory nod, then turned and departed gracefully, the sound of her waist chain gradually fading into the distance.
Her figure was excellent from behind as well, with a charm that rivaled her front view. Ye Chen watched her for a moment before nodding in satisfaction and leaving.
…
Meanwhile, news of the Seven Extremes Heavenly Maiden's incarnation spread like wildfire across the Boundless Continent. She had killed an early-stage Immortal Monarch the moment she arrived, her murderous aura living up to the legends. Many wondered about the purpose of her visit, though most had their suspicions.
After all, the Supreme Hall had once stood at the forefront of the Emperor Pass, and its former Immortal King had even clashed with her. It would be perfectly reasonable for her incarnation to come seeking reckoning with the Supreme Hall.
This was also the general belief within the Supreme Hall itself.
It was amid such speculation that the Seven Extremes Heavenly Maiden arrived outside the Jade Pool Immortal Sect.
Chapter 1147: Shocking Multiplier!
This incarnation of the Seven Extremes Heavenly Maiden was named Long Wu. She possessed peerless talent and beauty. As she gazed at the Jade Pool Immortal Sect from afar, a trace of wariness appeared in her eyes.
She had encountered the Western Empress once in the past. Although they had never fought, that woman had been truly terrifying. Jade Moon Immortal Monarch was insignificant in comparison—Long Wu was confident she could kill her with ease. However, the Jade Pool Immortal Sect housed the remnant soul of the Western Empress. If Long Wu had already recovered to the Immortal King realm, she would have nothing to fear. The problem was that she had not.
Rushing in recklessly would invite far too much trouble. While Long Wu was ruthless in the Immortal Realm, she was not truly without scruples. Sects like the Heaven Immortal Sect, which secretly intended to submit to the Other Domain, would not dare act against her, allowing her to act freely. The Jade Pool Immortal Sect was different. If she forced her way inside, she might actually be trapped.
Yet she had to enter. She could clearly sense that her incarnation had broken through the heavenly tribulation within the Jade Pool Immortal Sect. Long Wu narrowed her eyes and stared coldly.
Soon, she saw groups of young female cultivators climbing the side peaks outside the sect's mountain gate. Their expressions were filled with excitement, anticipation, or nervousness. With a sweep of her divine sense, she took in the entire scene and revealed a cold smile.
The Jade Pool Immortal Sect was currently recruiting and screening new disciples. This presented a rare opportunity. These new disciples had not yet had their soul plaques registered. If she replaced one of them and blended in, she could easily enter the sect. Once she secretly located and fused with her incarnation, she could escape even if discovered.
Long Wu scanned the crowd and quickly locked onto a female cultivator. A smile appeared on her face. Her flawless figure then vanished into the void without a trace.
…
On the side peak of the Jade Pool Immortal Sect, the female cultivators who had passed the aptitude screening and background checks gathered in small groups. They chatted eagerly about their future lives in the sect.
"The Jade Pool Immortal Sect is the best sect for female cultivators. It truly puts us first in every way…"
"But I heard the sect now has a male ancestor. He's supposedly the dao companion of some big shot and can have any disciple he wants. What if he sets his sights on us?"
"That's just a rumor. My father knows a disciple from a major sect, and he said that male ancestor is only there for show. In truth, he has a special physique that lets female cultivators dual cultivate with him to accelerate their progress. It even improves their aptitude. The top figures in the sect have probably already claimed him. There's nothing left for new disciples like us!"
"You're all wrong. That male ancestor is actually the reincarnation of the Western Empress. Once he reaches the Immortal King realm, he'll turn from male to female…"
The girls gossiped animatedly.
One of the screened disciples listened with great interest and nudged the girl beside her with her shoulder. "This is making me so shy. Once we enter the sect, let's go take a look together…"
But she bumped into empty air. Turning her head in confusion, she saw the round-faced, innocent-looking junior sister she had only recently met frown at her.
In that instant, the disciple felt a chill run through her entire body. The round-faced junior sister gave her only a brief glance before calmly walking toward the quiet chamber.
The disciple finally relaxed, but her eyes were full of confusion. That junior sister had seemed so cute and soft-spoken earlier, calling her "big sister" in such a sweet voice. Why did she suddenly seem like a completely different person?
They had not known each other long, so she did not dwell on it. She continued listening to the gossip about the male ancestor, occasionally gasping in surprise. Quite a few bold female disciples were already forming groups in advance, planning to visit the ancestor together later…
"Ancestor Ye, today is the day the new disciples join the sect. Please follow me."
Huo Linglong had not come herself. Instead, she had sent the elder who had previously been assigned to protect Nangong Wan—the same one who had been caught up in the earlier incident.
Ye Chen walked out leisurely. Seeing the familiar face, he smiled and flew with her toward the outer sect's main peak.
Along the way, he chatted casually with the elder, showing no trace of an ancestor's arrogance. The elder responded in kind. However, as the conversation continued, she began to feel something was off. Why was the Fourth Ancestor asking so many questions about the Punishment Elder?
How old was the Punishment Elder? What did she like? What was her physique like? What kind of spiritual root did she have?
The elder's expression changed completely. The ancestor was acting strangely. He already had so many dao companions on Transcendence Peak, plus Nangong Wan. Yet after such a short time, he was already showing interest in the Punishment Elder? She was a Saint Immortal powerhouse! Was his appetite for women truly insatiable? Could those rumors actually be true?
At that thought, a look of delight appeared on the elder's face, and her gaze toward him shifted noticeably. If the ancestor even dared to set his sights on a Saint Immortal, then perhaps she herself had a chance…
…
Ye Chen had no idea why the elder's eyes had suddenly changed. He did not pay it much mind.
When they arrived at the outer sect's main peak, he took his seat amid respectful greetings from the assembled elders. A quick glance around revealed that Huo Linglong was absent, which was somewhat disappointing. On such a grand occasion, she would normally have to attend and pay her respects for the sake of sect rules. He had been looking forward to the sight of snow-capped mountains toppling. What a shame.
Seated in the center, he soon reached the segment where the ancestor was to speak. Ye Chen rose unhurriedly, his gaze noble and dignified. "In that case, I will say a few simple words…"
As he spoke, his eyes continued to scan the more than a thousand new female disciples below. Soon, however, he felt disappointed. Most of them did not even trigger the system's multiplier notification. After looking over the majority, he had not found a single one exceeding fifty thousand times. The Jade Pool Immortal Sect had truly declined. It could no longer attract top-tier female geniuses.
Sigh. In the end, he would still have to rely on himself to restore the sect's former glory and make the Jade Pool great again.
Ye Chen had no idea that many excellent female geniuses still wished to join. The sect's reputation had not completely collapsed. However, the presence of a male ancestor and the strange rumors had scared them away or caused their families to intervene, leading them to choose other sects instead.
For some reason, he also noticed that the new female disciples were looking at him with rather odd expressions. Some appeared afraid, others trembled, some looked eager and ready, while still others showed shy hesitation. It left him somewhat puzzled.
But he soon stopped paying attention to them. His gaze landed on a round-faced, innocent-looking, and exceptionally adorable female disciple. At that moment, the usually stingy system finally sounded in his mind.
"Detected a female cultivator suitable for the Host's gifts…"
"Long Wu: Three hundred thousand times!"
Upon seeing that multiplier, Ye Chen's voice trembled slightly. Was this real? Three hundred thousand times—higher than both Nangong Wan and Jade Moon Immortal Monarch. What kind of physique and spiritual root did she possess?
Although Ye Chen had never been particularly interested in "cute," believing it paled in comparison to sexiness, he suddenly understood the appeal of cuteness in this moment.
He would nurture this woman with all his heart and full power.