The news of Ye Chen securing first place in the grand competition quickly spread throughout the sect. Ye Chen's image among the disciples underwent a rapid transformation. Though he was still a simp, he had evolved from a useless simp into a formidable simp.

  "I never thought Ye Chen would be this strong!"

  "To think he could defeat Fa Zhen—it's simply unbelievable."

  After the competition ended, Ye Chen was immediately summoned by his master.

  Yao Xi, along with the other disciples, went her separate way and returned to her courtyard. Her junior sister, walking beside her, still wore an expression of shock.

  Yao Xi, hearing this, couldn't help but smile. To be honest, she was even more stunned than her junior sister. But amidst the shock, there was also joy. After all, who wouldn't want the male cultivator they liked to be powerful? The combat prowess Ye Chen displayed now gave Yao Xi an immense sense of security.

  Her junior sister then spoke up, "But even though Ye Chen is strong, he's still only at the Qi Refining stage with a third-grade spiritual root. His chances of breaking through are almost non-existent. If you ask me, he should just give the Foundation Establishment pill to Senior Sister! That way, it wouldn't go to waste. To stay with Senior Sister, he'd rather waste the pill than give it to her? That's just too selfish. That's not love at all."

  Yao Xi immediately frowned upon hearing this. "Don't say that! The Foundation Establishment Pill belongs to Ye Chen. Just because I have a higher chance of breaking through, should he give it to me? There's no such reasoning in this world. One should be grateful and never take the kindness of others for granted. If he doesn't give it to you, and you hold a grudge, what's that going to solve? Alright, you should head back now. I need to rest."

  Her junior sister realized that her words had upset Yao Xi. She quickly apologized and left.

  Yao Xi sat on a lounge chair in the courtyard, gazing up at the starry sky. To say that she wasn't moved by the Foundation Establishment pill would definitely be a lie. But the fact that Ye Chen had left the pill for his future breakthrough made her happy. If Ye Chen could break through to Foundation Establishment, that would be even better...

  As for herself, not receiving the Foundation Establishment pill meant that her chances for next year were slim. So, it seemed like the right time to choose a day and prepare for her own breakthrough. Because the success rate of Foundation Establishment was so low, once a cultivator failed, and without the protection of a Foundation Establishment pill, they could suffer severe damage to their cultivation or even fall into spiritual decline.

  In worse cases, they could even lose their life entirely. This was why so many cultivators at the Ninth Stage of Qi Refining were too afraid to attempt a breakthrough. They kept waiting, kept preparing, and in the end, they wasted their lives. When they finally gathered the courage to try, it was already too late.

  Yao Xi had made up her mind to quietly enter seclusion in a few days to attempt her breakthrough. She had already done her best, and waiting any longer wouldn't help. She didn't plan to tell Ye Chen about her intention to break through in seclusion, because she feared that if he found out, he would give her the Foundation Establishment pill, which was not what she wanted. She also feared that if Ye Chen knew she was risking the breakthrough and still didn't give her the pill, it would leave her disappointed. So, it was better not to say anything...

  As for the Foundation Establishment stage, Yao Xi both looked forward to it and feared it. She continued adjusting her mindset as she stared at the twinkling stars above.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  ...

  Just past midnight, when the night was at its quietest, Yao Xi's door was suddenly knocked upon.

  "Who is it?"

  Yao Xi frowned, disturbed from her thoughts.

  "It's me, Senior Sister!"

  A familiar voice rang out.

  Yao Xi froze for a moment.

  Wasn't that Ye Chen's voice? But what was Ye Chen doing here at this hour? In the dead of night, a lone man and woman? Could it be that Ye Chen couldn't wait any longer?

  Her face flushed at the thought. But soon, a look of hesitation appeared on Yao Xi's face. It wasn't that she didn't want to see Ye Chen.

  Yao Xi was an open-hearted woman. Once she had made up her mind, she wouldn't hesitate. But the problem was, she was about to attempt her breakthrough. If something happened between them now, it might affect her breakthrough.

  Yet, thinking of Ye Chen's feelings for her, a soft smile appeared on Yao Xi's stunning face.

  Forget it! Since Ye Chen wanted it, she would give it to him. She could postpone her breakthrough for two months. That way, if her breakthrough failed and her luck ran out, at least they would have some memories to leave behind.

  At the thought of this, Yao Xi softly spoke, "Junior Brother, please wait. I'll be right there!"

  With that, she reached into her storage bag to retrieve a long dress. The fabric was soft, form-fitting, and breathable, with minimal material. Because it accentuated her figure so much, Yao Xi only ever wore it when she was alone in her room. But tonight, she actively chose to wear it. With a charming smile, she then gracefully walked to the door, opened it, and invited Ye Chen into the courtyard.

  ...

  "Junior Brother Ye, is there something you need at this late hour? Would you like some sweet soup? I discovered it in a spiritual beehive behind the mountain. It tastes quite good."

  Looking at Yao Xi's attire, her round form was now emphasized, almost as if it was about to shine like the sun. But now, she was offering to make him sweet soup? This didn't seem right.

  Ye Chen had come here in the middle of the night, and it definitely wasn't for this. With a 30-times multiplier, there were only a few female cultivators like Yao Xi. A rare beauty, but she wouldn't derail his cultivation.

  Ye Chen chuckled, "No need for the trouble, Senior Sister. I'll be quick and leave shortly."

  Yao Xi froze for a moment.

  Quickly? Was that really okay? The Pill Peak might have similar pills. Should she help Ye Chen get one?

  Ye Chen, unaware of Yao Xi's thoughts, pulled out a pill bottle from his robe.

  "Senior Sister, please take this."

  Seeing the pill bottle on the table, Yao Xi's eyes widened instantly.

  "What is this...?"

  She lightly bit her lip, suddenly feeling dry in her mouth.

  Ye Chen smiled and nodded, "That's right, it's the Foundation Establishment Pill! There were too many people in the afternoon, and Master was watching, so I couldn't give it to you then. I had to wait until now. Unfortunately, I didn't break through to the Ninth Stage of Qi Refining this year. Otherwise, the sect would reward me with a Foundation Establishment Pill. Winning first place in the grand competition could have earned me an upper-grade Foundation Establishment pill."

  Ye Chen really was giving her the Foundation Establishment Pill. And he had intended to give it to her since the afternoon.

  Yao Xi's eyes shimmered like water, and her eyelids grew slightly red. "So, Junior Brother, you worked hard to win first place to help me get this Foundation Establishment Pill?"

  Ye Chen smiled and nodded, "Of course. I've always said I would do everything I can to help Senior Sister with her Foundation Establishment!"

  Looking at the innocent smile on Ye Chen's face, Yao Xi understood everything.

  Ye Chen didn't defeat her on the arena because he regretted it or didn't want her to reach Foundation Establishment. He wanted her to stay with him. No, Ye Chen knew that Fa Zhen was too powerful, and she wasn't his match. That was why he didn't hesitate to defeat her, even if she misunderstood him. He wanted to secure the Foundation Establishment pill for her. Since there were too many people in the afternoon, he couldn't give it to her. So, he came to her as soon as midnight arrived. Ye Chen's love for her had always been so passionate, from the beginning to the end.

  Looking at the Foundation Establishment pill on the table, it would be a lie to say Yao Xi wasn't moved. But Ye Chen had given her so much. What right did she have to accept it so easily?

  So, shaking her head, her eyes almost brimming with emotion, Yao Xi seriously looked at Ye Chen and said, "Junior Brother, you should keep this Foundation Establishment Pill. I still have a great chance of breaking through to Foundation Establishment on my own. Compared to me, Junior Brother, you need this pill much more."