Chương 156: Chapter 155: Soul Nurturing Stone

"Divine Will Sect's direct disciple has mostly come here either to undertake a mission or to seek some treasure! The requirement for a second-grade alchemist indicates that the mission involves concocting certain pills on-site, which are effective only when freshly prepared.

"Interesting. It seems they have some special means to know what lies within the relics of the Boundless Demon Sect. Having upheld its legacy for five thousand years, the Divine Will Sect evidently knows quite a bit about the Boundless Demon Sect." After a brief contemplation, Ye Chen made his decision. Let's go and see. The treasures that attract a direct disciple of the Divine Will Sect are certainly not ordinary. Perhaps they could be of use to me as well.

If they indeed prove useful, then I shall claim them first, and decide later whether to offer them to An Yuyi or my master. This could be a critical strike. A direct takeoff!... After comforting Yao Xi with a few words, Ye Chen immediately flew towards the abode of the Master of Magic Peak. He soon met the Master of Magic Peak.

"Well, Ye Chen, you've arrived. Fellow Daoist An is here as well, you two can talk..." Upon seeing Ye Chen, a flash of surprise crossed the eyes of the Master of Magic Peak. He spoke with more politeness than usual. Partly because Ye Chen had actually advanced to the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. Such a rate of cultivation was frightening. Advancing a minor realm every two years, what a prodigy! Moreover, it was because Ye Chen was acquainted with the direct disciple of the Divine Will Sect.

The Master of Magic Peak had learned over the past few days, that An Yuyi's aunt was a late-stage Golden Core elder of the Divine Will Sect. A background so formidable it was frightening. Having such connections, Ye Chen compelled the Master of Magic Peak to be courteous. Ye Chen nodded and stepped into the hall. Inside, three people were leisurely drinking tea. Sitting in the center was An Yuyi. An Yuyi's youthful and radiant face still carried a hint of immaturity. Her figure was slender and graceful.

Her assertive traits remained as dominant as ever. Ye Chen had thought that after nearly two years without seeing her, she might have matured a bit. It turned out she hadn't changed at all. It seems she truly was born with a perennially youthful. That won't change. Moreover, An Yuyi's cultivation had also reached the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment. This caused Ye Chen a slight pang of envy.

Ye Chen was certain, even with an aunt at the Golden Core stage, An Yuyi's cultivation resources couldn't compare to his own. Yet, she too had broken through within two years, even earlier than himself. This clearly showed the advantages of having a superior spiritual root. Besides An Yuyi, there were two young male cultivators present, both exuding a vibrant and spirited demeanor. Despite their youth, one was at the late stage and the other at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment.

Clearly, they were prodigies of the Divine Will Sect. Upon Ye Chen's entrance, the trio ceased their conversation. The two male cultivators looked at Ye Chen, appraising him. Ye Chen did not sense any malice. However, he could detect a hint of arrogance in their gaze. Damn, Divine Will Sect thinks they're something special, huh? Thinking they've come to the countryside visiting my Green Cloud Sect? They are treading a path towards their demise!

Upon seeing Ye Chen, An Yuyi's pretty face broke into a smug smile: "Fellow Daoist Ye, we meet again…" This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there. Ye Chen wasn't surprised that she had uncovered his identity and even sought him out. After all, the Divine Will Sect was a higher sect compared to his Green Cloud Sect. He had not hidden his face last time, so it was only natural for his identity to be discovered.

"Miss An, it's been a long time, and you remain as ethereally beautiful as ever. Our last meeting was rather rushed, and I regret not presenting a proper greeting gift at the time. Please, do not decline this token of respect!" With these words, Ye Chen presented his gift, opening a jade box and placing it on the table beside An Yuyi. This was, in fact, Ye Chen's primary reason for visiting. The relics of the Boundless Demon Sect had yielded many treasures.

One of the elders from Green Cloud Sect had found a Soul Nurturing Stone. It could be integrated into the forehead to nourish the spirit sense and used to launch various attacks. This item was extremely rare and highly valuable. The elderly elder didn't have many years left and had focused on nurturing the younger generation of his family. He was inclined to sell it. Ye Chen had exchanged it for twenty lower-grade Five Elements Pills, and one high-grade Foundation Establishment Pill.

He had intentionally refined the pills to be of lower quality, and even aged them with spiritual fire, so their efficacy was only seventy percent that of standard lower-grade pills. Claimed to have been found in the relics of the Boundless Demon Sect. The high-grade Foundation Establishment Pill had been reclaimed from Yao Xi. The value of the twenty Five Elements Pills clearly did not equate to that of the Soul Nurturing Stone. Even adding the high-grade Foundation Establishment Pill was not enough.

But the thing is, Five Elements Pills had become extinct. Their value entirely depended on the other party's interest in nurturing the next generation. Thus, Ye Chen had easily traded for it. After obtaining the Soul Nurturing Stone, Ye Chen had initially planned to ask his master if he needed it. If his master didn't need it, he would then offer it to Yao Xi. But now that he had encountered An Yuyi, he decided to present it as a test… Upon receiving the gift from Ye Chen, An Yuyi's expression turned listless.

The reason she was preoccupied with Ye Chen was mainly because during their last encounter, he hadn't paid her any extra attention. Despite her need for the cultivation technique, he insisted on giving it to her aunt. This had left An Yuyi feeling deeply resentful! Now, seeing Ye Chen shower her with such enthusiasm instead made her feel utterly indifferent. She even regretted wasting these days waiting for Ye Chen to finish his seclusion. Ye Chen's behavior seemed too opportunistic.

The other two direct disciples of the Divine Will Sect couldn't help but smirk. What worthwhile item could a lower sect disciple possibly offer? Perhaps the gift was nothing more than a daily necessity for them! An Yuyi, always impulsive and indifferent to social niceties, was likely to throw the gift back at Ye Chen. The scene was embarrassingly awkward for all, especially on Ye Chen's behalf.... An Yuyi had intended to get straight to the point. Use Ye Chen for her needs and then never see him again.

However, upon glimpsing the green, smooth stone in the jade box, her expression turned to one of surprise. As she picked up the stone and observed the divine patterns on it, her eyes widened in astonishment, turning to Ye Chen, "Is this a Soul Nurturing Stone?" The two watching disciples, ready to laugh at the spectacle, also raised their eyebrows in shock, "A Soul Nurturing Stone?" They all stared at the stone in An Yuyi's hand.

Considering the natural divine patterns covering it, it indeed was a Soul Nurturing Stone. Since when did a lower sect disciple become so affluent? A Soul Nurturing Stone as a greeting gift? Is he the beloved son of the Green Cloud Sect's leader? Both were a bit flabbergasted. Such a spiritual item was worth nearly a hundred high-grade spiritual stones. But that wasn't the main point. The main thing was that Soul Nurturing Stones are naturally occurring and cannot be synthesized.

Thus, purchasing one was not only expensive but also relied on luck. Due to her cultivation technique, An Yuyi had high requirements for her spirit sense, and she had been wanting a Soul Nurturing Stone for the past two years without success. Unexpectedly, Ye Chen had brought one right to her. This truly showed Ye Chen as a man who ingratiates himself with those in power, with a deep and calculating mind. Having only met once before, he had managed to find out even this and prepared it especially for her.

An Yuyi disliked such scheming individuals, but the Soul Nurturing Stone was indeed something she needed. An Yuyi accepted the box and spoke calmly, "Since that's the case, thank you for the greeting gift, Fellow Daoist Ye! Should you have any requests, feel free to speak them..." Upon hearing her words, Ye Chen inwardly scoffed. What could he possibly need from An Yuyi? Her aunt would be a more suitable candidate. Yet, seeing An Yuyi accept the Soul Nurturing Stone, Ye Chen still harbored some hope.

While not exceedingly valuable, the stone's rarity was its true advantage. It could be significantly beneficial for most at the Foundation Establishment stage, potentially a critical hit. However, as Ye Chen observed her reaction, he slightly furrowed his brows... An Yuyi was somewhat disappointing!