Chương 131: Chapter 130: The Cold-Exterior, Warm-Hearted Master

After thanking Elder Chen for his reminder, Ye Chen suddenly remembered something.

"Elder Chen, do you know how I can obtain a Green Cloud Token?" he asked. Elder Chen slightly furrowed his brows. He didn't particularly like the idea of bypassing rules or pushing people through the back door. But he still inquired, "Fellow Daoist Ye, what do you need the Green Cloud Token for?"

"I once took the Green Cloud Token from the Ye family. It's time to return it," Ye Chen replied. Ye Chen harbored no affection for the Ye family. Initially, he had resented the family head for his bias. Later, when he learned that his father might not even be the biological parent of the family head, he let go of his resentment. Now that he had broken through to Foundation Establishment, it was time to visit the Ye family, ask about his father's situation, and resolve his past karma.

Hearing this, Elder Chen smiled.

"It's only right. I will have someone send the Green Cloud Token to you shortly." Ye Chen's breakthrough to Foundation Establishment had made him much stronger. Now, severing ties with his family was a good thing for Green Cloud Sect. Ye Chen smiled and nodded in gratitude. After giving some instructions to the maidservants in the courtyard, Ye Chen climbed to the mountaintop to visit his master.

"Master, your disciple has something to discuss!" Ye Chen called out. The courtyard door opened, and Ye Chen entered his master's domain for the first time. His curious gaze swept around the area. When he saw the spring water bubbling from the ground and the small pond behind it, he raised an eyebrow. He had always wondered where the source of the water came from. Could it be from his master's domain? No wonder sometimes the water carried a faint fragrance—could it be his master's body scent?

Was his master soaking in the bath at that moment? As Ye Chen thought about this, a sense of excitement washed over him. However, when Gu Yunyun noticed his gaze, she seemed to have guessed what he was thinking. Her phoenix eyes narrowed slightly. She had been pleased with Ye Chen's breakthrough, but now, seeing his distracted look, she coldly spoke, "What is it that you need?"

Ye Chen quickly explained that he had decided to remain a disciple and also shared his plans to visit Divine Will City to experience the outside world. Upon hearing this, Gu Yunyun nodded noncommittally. Divine Will City was far away, but now that Ye Chen had reached Foundation Establishment, there was little concern. While Gu Yunyun would protect her disciples, she could not be everywhere at once. If Ye Chen were to go to Divine Will City and never return, she would simply chalk it up to fate.

Despite his master's cold attitude, Ye Chen wasn't bothered. After all, he had long sensed that his master was the epitome of a cold exterior with a warm heart. After bidding his master farewell, Ye Chen made his way to Green Cloud Sect. He first visited his shop, which was named Ye Boutique. The shop was essentially a general store, with almost everything available for sale. After all, the items Ye Chen didn't need from the system feedback all ended up here.

Because the shop offered quality goods, business was thriving. Ye Chen entered the store, where he saw Sun Ye chatting with a customer. Upon seeing Ye Chen, Sun Ye's eyes widened in shock, and he froze for a moment before quickly rushing over.

"Ye.. Senior Ye, you're here!" Feeling the pressure emanating from Ye Chen, a pressure only a Foundation Establishment cultivator could emit, Sun Ye's mood became complicated. The rumors were true. The direct disciple of Green Cloud Sect's Sword Peak had truly broken through to Foundation Establishment. Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon. Just two years ago, Ye Chen had called him "Senior." Now, in the blink of an eye, Ye Chen was the one who had reached that level.

This realization filled Sun Ye with mixed emotions—regret, mostly. He couldn't help but think, if only he had known back then what Ye Chen was truly capable of. If only his daughter had agreed to Ye Chen back then. Even though Ye Chen had reached Foundation Establishment, he would have to address Sun Ye as "Father-in-Law." Ye Chen smiled and patted Sun Ye's shoulder.

"No need for formalities, just call me the shopkeeper!" Sun Ye, though a bit greedy, was reliable when it came to getting things done. He would be useful in the future. Upon hearing this, the awkward expression on Sun Ye's face faded significantly.

"What brings the shopkeeper here today?" Ye Chen spoke calmly.

"Give me the spiritual stones from the shop. These goods can stay in the store for sale." Ye Chen then handed over the feedback items he had no use for during this time. However, he didn't give Sun Ye any of the equipment he had previously acquired, mainly because the consumption power in Green Cloud City was too low. Many valuable items wouldn't sell for much. It would be better to take them to Divine Will City. Once everything was settled, Ye Chen left the store, floating away gracefully.

Sun Ye stood at the door, bowing deeply.

"Take care, shopkeeper!" In the past, Sun Ye had worked hard to ensure his daughter would have a better position in Ye Chen's world. Now, however, he genuinely wished to align himself with Ye Chen. A Foundation Establishment cultivator was enough to found a family. Not to mention that Ye Chen was the direct disciple of Green Cloud Sect's Sword Peak and the future sect master's disciple.

If his daughter could bear him a son or daughter, Sun Ye's descendants would no longer be wandering cultivators but part of a powerful family. The future was bright.... At the Ye family, Ye Chen was greeted with the highest honors as soon as he arrived. The Foundation Establishment family head, Ye Hong, personally came to meet him. As for the uncles who had previously been somewhat arrogant in front of Ye Chen, they now wore expressions of deep respect.

"Little Chen, your breakthrough is truly a blessing for the Ye family!"

"To have two Foundation Establishment cultivators in one family—this is rare even within Green Cloud Sect. I've always believed in you, Ye Chen. I knew you'd amount to something."

"The spiritual root doesn't dictate everything. The Ye family is going to rise! Like father, like son!" The others were full of praise, their faces blooming with smiles. Ye Chen now truly understood the words of a famous celebrity from his past life: "After you become famous, everyone around you will be your friend." When he returned from Silver Moon Market last time, few people in the family had treated him seriously. Now? Everywhere he looked, he saw smiling faces.

Indeed, no matter what world you were in, strength was the key to everything. Ye Hong, the family head, motioned for Ye Chen to sit beside him with a warm smile.

"Little Chen, now that you've reached Foundation Establishment, I'm sure you'll need a lot of resources. The family has already started preparing them for you." Hearing this, Ye Chen smiled and shook his head.

"Thank you, Fellow Daoist Ye, for your kindness, but I'm not lacking in resources." The mention of "Fellow Daoist Ye" made the previously lively hall suddenly fall silent. Ye Hong narrowed his eyes. I've treated you like my grandson, and you address me as Fellow Daoist? However, Ye Chen, with his Foundation Establishment cultivation, now carried more weight than anyone in the room.

At only over twenty years old, with plenty of time to live, Ye Chen was highly likely to break through to the mid or late stages of Foundation Establishment in the future. His potential was limitless. Ye Hong realized that Ye Chen's future was beyond what he himself could ever reach. The Ye family needed Ye Chen.

"Little Chen, are you still upset about what happened before? The truth is, I only intended to discipline you a little. We're family after all, and there's no need to hold grudges," Ye Hong said gently. Ye Chen smiled. If his master hadn't intervened back then, Ye Chen might have ended up spending his life in the Ye family, a mere automatic pill-refining machine. But Ye Chen was not here to reopen old wounds. He placed two Green Cloud Tokens on the table.

"These are the Green Cloud Tokens from before. They're now being returned to their rightful owner." Elder Chen from the Internal Affairs Hall had given him two orders to ensure Ye Chen's severance from the Ye family went smoothly. Ye Hong's expression changed. Was Ye Chen completely cutting ties with the Ye family? But how could this be? Ye Chen's master was the next sect master. The Ye family could certainly rise with Green Cloud Sect and even integrate into it.

The value of this was far beyond a few Green Cloud Tokens. Ye Hong opened his mouth to say something but Ye Chen continued, "I came not only to return the Green Cloud Tokens but also to ask about my father. My father is likely not Fellow Daoist Ye's biological son! Could Fellow Daoist Ye reveal the true origins of my father?" Ye Hong's face immediately darkened. Ye Chen knew this… How? Who told him? He turned to glare at his eldest and second sons. Only these two knew about the matter.

Both men trembled and quickly shook their heads. Ye Chen smiled and explained, "Don't be angry, Fellow Daoist Ye. It was Ye Tian who, in exchange for some spiritual stones, told me the truth. It seems like he was tricked in the sect." Upon hearing this, Ye Hong's fist clenched!