The words spoken by Ye Chen left Sun Ruoxin, who had been focusing on manipulating him and extracting more gold coins, stunned in place. She truly did not expect this.

  Ye Chen, who had always addressed her as "Senior Sister" when he presented her with gifts every day, had now, after just a few days, switched to calling her "Fellow Daoist Sun"—as though the old had been replaced by the new.

  What was even more unsettling was his remark about fearing that the eldest senior sister might misunderstand him. Had Yao Xi already become so important in Ye Chen's heart?

  Sun Ruoxin gazed at Ye Chen, whose expression had turned cold and indifferent. She found herself unable to accept it.

  Ye Chen had once loved her so deeply. He had even gifted her a flying boat, never once complaining about it afterward. He had cast aside past grudges and even presented her with the Green Cloud Token. How could it all change so suddenly? How could he no longer love her?

  The only explanation, the only possibility, was that she had truly hurt his heart. She must have disappointed him deeply. Her repeated selfishness, her reckless tantrums, her utter disregard for him—each of these had gradually eroded the love Ye Chen once had for her. And that final time, when she refused to let him enter her door, had been the last straw that drove him away.

  In the end, Sun Ruoxin had always believed that, no matter how she treated Ye Chen, he would love her for a lifetime, unwavering and unchanging. But now, when she discovered that Ye Chen, too, could leave her, she felt a panic she had never known before.

  Now, more than ever, she needed Ye Chen. She, who was now just an ordinary disciple, poor and destitute, had no resources to speak of. While Ye Chen, a direct disciple, was extravagant with his wealth, capable of bringing her vast resources.

  Moreover, because of the Green Cloud Token, her father had been under constant attack from the Ye family. They could hardly stay in Green Cloud City any longer. She needed Ye Chen to help mediate. How could she possibly afford to lose him now?

  At this moment, Sun Ruoxin could think of nothing else. She hurriedly and pitifully spoke, "Junior Brother, please don't be like this. Senior Sister knows she was wrong! Please accept this gift, won't you? I promise I won't act like this again!"

  Sun Ruoxin hoped to earn Ye Chen's forgiveness by playing the victim. However, Ye Chen, with evident impatience, waved his hand, causing the ring to fall to the ground.

  In the face of Sun Ruoxin's stunned gaze, he coldly spoke, "I actually knew long before that the Green Cloud Sect had already sent you a warning about the arrival of the demon beasts at the Silver Moon Market. So you knew the beasts were coming, but you still had no hesitation in deceiving me and taking my flying boat without a word of warning, fleeing for your life without a second thought.

  "Then, you took the Green Cloud Token from me and immediately ran to the Green Cloud Sect, clearly afraid that the Ye family would find out and demand the token back. I gave you the Green Cloud Token, and the family punished me for it. Had my master not arrived in time, I would have been imprisoned by the family for life. Did you care? I once loved you, but that was in the past. You should go now. I don't want the eldest senior sister to misunderstand."

  …

  Ye Chen's words left Sun Ruoxin cold with shock. It turned out, Ye Chen knew everything. Even though he knew the truth, knew she had deceived him, Ye Chen still tried to be kind to her. His first action upon arriving at the sect had been to prepare a surprise, offering her a dual cultivation technique. His love for her seemed to be able to forgive everything. But now, this deeply loving person—She had lost him.

  Ye Chen turned and once again focused his gaze on the stage.

  Sun Ruoxin remained rooted to the spot, her lips trembling, but no words came out. She could only silently lower her head and pick up the ring Ye Chen had knocked to the ground. Without uttering a sound, she gazed at his retreating figure.

  …

  The disciples who had been watching this spectacle were equally shocked. Before, they had merely thought Ye Chen was a fool, a "simp" at best. They believed he was someone who would easily fall in love with anyone. Many female disciples had looked down on him for this.

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  However, after hearing how Sun Ruoxin had treated Ye Chen, all the disdain in their hearts vanished in an instant. To be treated in such a way by the woman he loved—knowing the truth, yet still silently giving everything for her—this kind of man was simply too moving.

  Many of the female disciples looked at Ye Chen with sparkling eyes, thinking how wonderful it would be if they too could meet a man who loved them so deeply. On the other hand, the male disciples grew increasingly contemptuous of Ye Chen. They truly hadn't expected him to be even more spineless than they had imagined.

  This man didn't even value his own life, yet he kept giving, kept making sacrifices, moving himself with his own actions. It was simply ridiculous. Simp—truly, such a person deserved nothing but disdain.

  Ye Chen paid no heed to the opinions of the surrounding disciples. The words he had just spoken were, after all, primarily designed to strengthen his image. He wanted everyone to know that he was willing to sacrifice even his life for a woman.

  In comparison, the gifts and opportunities he provided seemed all the more justified and reasonable, ensuring that no one would dig too deeply into his actions. But as for Sun Ruoxin, she was no longer of any importance to Ye Chen. There were still several female disciples in the sect with a fifteenfold cultivation multiplier. And there were even some with a twentyfold multiplier.

  Even if Yao Xi were to leave the sect one day, he would still have other female disciples from whom he could obtain rewards. Given this, there was no need to continue indulging Sun Ruoxin. She had accepted so many gifts from him, taken advantage of him at every turn, yet now, she had the audacity to come and confront him with such arrogance?

  If someone didn't know better, they might think she was the one giving him gifts. The final straw had been that magic tool ring—how laughable. She thought she could control him with some trinket and make him feel moved. Did she think she was operating some "simp system"?

  ...

  Thus, Sun Ruoxin was swiftly dismissed from Ye Chen's mind. Ye Chen quietly turned his attention back to the stage.

  On the stage, Li Xiaoyao and Yao Xi continued their fierce battle. But unlike the evenly matched struggle at the start, Yao Xi was now clearly at a disadvantage.

  Yao Xi's Dragon Grasp and her magic tool hairpin had already been forced out, yet they failed to deliver any meaningful effect.

  Li Xiaoyao, however, remained in full control of the situation. Yao Xi's signs of defeat were growing more evident by the second.

  Finally, in the face of an unavoidable sword qi, Yao Xi's body was sent flying backward.

  The spectators, who had refocused their attention, could not help but gasp in surprise. The outcome was now clear.

  A barely perceptible smile curled at the corner of Ye Chen's lips. It was settled now.

  "Li Xiaoyao wins and advances to the next round!"

  Elder Chen cast a regretful glance at Yao Xi. He had, of course, noticed the commotion caused by Ye Chen earlier. To be honest, Elder Chen found himself looking down on Ye Chen even more because of it.

  A grown man, strong and proud, yet he was willing to throw away his hope for life just for a woman. He didn't even value his own life. Who could respect such a "simp"?

  Elder Chen couldn't help but think that if Ye Chen's spot in the Five Elements Cave could go to Yao Xi, it would be far more worthwhile. It was such a waste for it to be in the hands of a simp like Ye Chen.

  Elder Chen made up his mind again. This year's Sect Tournament would surely be a disaster for Ye Chen. He would use this opportunity to ask the ancestor to rectify the sect's discipline and have Ye Chen expelled from the sect!

  ...

  On the stage, Li Xiaoyao gracefully sheathed his sword and approached the slightly pale Yao Xi, offering her a respectful salute as he spoke, "I apologize, Junior Sister, but the path of cultivation is like a long river, and our journey like rowing against the current—if we do not advance, we will inevitably fall behind. I hope Junior Sister will understand."

  Li Xiaoyao's words made Elder Chen nod in approval, his face breaking into a smile. This was the true demeanor of a cultivator. How could one give up their opportunity just because of a woman's beauty?

  After battling Li Xiaoyao, Yao Xi had fully realized the difference between their strengths. Li Xiaoyao had even held back. She knew she was no match for him. Though disappointed, there was no resentment in her voice as she replied, "I must thank Senior Brother for showing mercy."

  Li Xiaoyao raised his chin slightly and smiled, "Junior Sister, you were simply distracted by matters unrelated to the path of cultivation. External things are not so important. You needn't waste time on those unimportant matters and people. I hope, moving forward, you will focus solely on the path of cultivation. Once we both reach Foundation Establishment, you will see that those external things are nothing. In the world of cultivation, in the end, strength is everything. Temporary positions and status are but fleeting."

  Li Xiaoyao's voice was loud enough to reach every corner of the arena.

  The disciples, upon hearing this, exchanged odd glances. They couldn't help but look toward Ye Chen. It seemed like Senior Brother Li might have some feelings for the eldest senior sister. The "unimportant people" he mentioned were clearly referring to Ye Chen.

  Ye Chen wasn't stupid—he understood it all too well. So, he wanted to compete for my woman, and now he's mocking me, is he? Just wait for the sect tournament this year—I'll show you how I handle you!