In the grouping of Yao Xi and Li Xiaoyao, both at the ninth level of Qi Refining, the disciples were all eager to see the outcome. Who wouldn't want to witness something thrilling right from the start? Moreover, when two strong opponents csh, one is bound to lose, which is more beneficial than harmful for the other competing disciples.

  Only Elder Chen from the Internal Affairs Hall sighed as he watched the two. Both Li Xiaoyao and Yao Xi had great potential and were likely to reach the Foundation Establishment stage. If both could enter the Five Elements Cave, it would be the best outcome for the sect. However, Gu Yunyun unexpectedly took on a direct disciple this year.

  In Elder Chen's view, Ye Chen taking a spot in the Five Elements Cave was a complete waste of sect resources. Not to mention, Elder Chen had heard that this one was a Lick Spirit, constantly neglecting cultivation to chase after female cultivators, which was utterly disgraceful.

  Elder Chen had already made up his mind. When he meets the patriarch at this year's sect competition, he pns to propose that the sect must suppress the trend of accepting direct disciples based on personal retionships, which disregards the sect's interests. As for Ye Chen, he must be expelled from the sect. Even if it offends Gu Yunyun, Elder Chen is determined to do so. Otherwise, if other sects see this and think our Qingyun Sect's direct disciples are such trash, it would be a huge embarrassment.

  Ye Chen, with his actions, had single-handedly lowered the average level of Qingyun Sect's direct disciples. The more Elder Chen thought about it, the more he found Ye Chen an eyesore. If he weren't unable to defeat Gu Yunyun, he might have already gone down to kick Ye Chen a couple of times.

  At this moment, the grouping was complete. The first group was naturally Li Xiaoyao and Yao Xi. The two entered the formation battlefield. Li Xiaoyao wore a confident smile as his magic sword flew into his hand from behind. "Junior Sister, forgive me!"

  Yao Xi's expression was serious as she immediately summoned her magic artifact. After Elder Chen announced the start, the two immediately engaged in battle. In an instant, magic flew and sword energy crisscrossed, making it hard to determine a winner.

  "Senior Brother Li's Qingyun Sword Technique is truly fierce. Even through the formation, I can feel its momentum."

  "Senior Sister Yao seems to have improved a lot since st year. Her spells are perfectly executed, and her light steps almost avoid all attacks."

  "I thought Senior Brother Li would surely win, but now it seems there's some suspense."

  "Senior Brother Li hasn't used his ultimate move yet, especially that sword from st year's competition. I heard from the elders that it had the essence of breaking ten thousand techniques with one strike. Senior Sister Yao can't possibly be his match."

  The disciples were abuzz with discussion, surprised by Yao Xi's performance, but still not too optimistic about her chances. Some disciples gnced at Ye Chen, noticing his serious expression and a hint of worry in his eyes. Clearly...

  Ye Chen was also worried, but not about Yao Xi losing. On the contrary, he was a bit worried about Yao Xi winning. Li Xiaoyao was quite dashing and had his trump cards, but the problem was, Yao Xi also had her trump cards. The Dragon Grasping Hand and the Supreme Magic Artifact hairpin he had given her were still unused.

  In short, the outcome was still uncertain. Ye Chen was inwardly exciming that things were going wrong. Could it be that he had really helped Yao Xi win by being a Lick Spirit? If so, he would be at a great loss. Then, he would have to give the spot to that Senior Sister with twenty times the potential. Although she seemed to have someone already, giving her a big gift wasn't too bad. After all, it would only affect his reputation a little.

  As for giving the spot to Sun Ruoxin? Impossible. The fifteen-times potential Sun Ruoxin was now just a backup among backups in Ye Chen's mind. The precious Five Elements Cave spot could never be wasted on a low-potential female cultivator like Sun Ruoxin.

  ...

  However, speak of the devil. While Ye Chen was watching the battle, a woman's voice full of anger suddenly came from behind him: "Ye Chen, why haven't you come to find me!"

  "I didn't let you into my room before just to test you."

  "But not only did you fail the test, you went to other female cultivators to spite me!"

  "You've really disappointed me!"

  "You don't love me at all. If you truly loved me, how could you bear to see me cry?"

  "Do you know how I've spent these past two weeks?"

  "Do you think you've treated me fairly?"

  The angry and explosive content made the disciples, who were originally focused on the battle, turn their heads involuntarily. A love affair gone wrong? A third party? And it involved their sect's Lick Spirit direct disciple?

  The disciples' interest was immediately piqued. Although the battle between strong opponents was exciting, everyone loved to watch the drama between men and women even more.

  Ye Chen turned around and saw Sun Ruoxin, her face full of anger. Sun Ruoxin wasn't pretending; she was genuinely furious. She had been on a mission for two whole weeks, originally pnning to let Ye Chen stew a bit, hoping he'd get anxious and regretful from not being able to find her. But when she returned today and checked the visitor talisman on her door, she found that Ye Chen hadn't come by even once in the entire two weeks, as if he didn't care about her at all. After asking her neighbors, it was confirmed that no one had come looking for her during that time.

  And that newly promoted direct disciple, who usually didn't show up, was seen shopping with the senior sister whenever he did. She had been completely forgotten by Ye Chen!

  The news that Ye Chen was always around Yao Xi was undoubtedly a source of both shame and anger for Sun Ruoxin. Upon learning that Ye Chen was watching that wretched woman Yao Xi fight at the sect square, she rushed over immediately.

  After a tirade, Sun Ruoxin's anger subsided a bit. She knew that to deal with men, one needed to be firm when necessary, but also soft. A combination of firmness and softness was the way to control them. So, with tears in her eyes, Sun Ruoxin looked at Ye Chen, "Junior Brother!"

  "I know how you feel about me, and I understand you sought out other female cultivators just to spite me."

  "But my cultivation technique has restrictions. I truly can't become Dao companions with you before reaching the Foundation Establishment stage."

  "But I promise, once I reach Foundation Establishment, I won't disappoint you."

  "Look at this ring, it can release three lightning spells. I used all the Spirit Stones I earned from my mission to buy it. Do you like it?"

  "Let me put it on for you, okay?"

  With that, Sun Ruoxin took out a ring and reached out to put it on Ye Chen. This scene stunned everyone. Sun Ruoxin was undoubtedly beautiful, especially her long legs, which seemed like they were carved from white jade. There might not be another pair like them in the entire Qingyun Sect.

  Moreover, everyone had heard that Ye Chen used to be infatuated with Sun Ruoxin. Sun Ruoxin's entry into the sect was thanks to Ye Chen. Now, hearing Sun Ruoxin's words, could it be that Ye Chen didn't actually like Senior Sister Yao Xi? Was Senior Sister Yao Xi just a pawn in Ye Chen's game to make Sun Ruoxin jealous? Was Senior Sister just a part of their py?

  But was this true? People were skeptical. After all, the gifts Ye Chen supposedly gave Senior Sister were not cheap. Who would give such expensive gifts just to spite someone else? So, everyone believed that Ye Chen must have shifted his affections.

  And sure enough, under everyone's gaze, Ye Chen avoided Sun Ruoxin's hand, not even looking at the ring, and said coldly, "Sun Daoist, please have some self-respect..."

  "I'm afraid Senior Sister might misunderstand!"

  The entire pce fell silent at that moment... Sun Ruoxin, who had been confident in controlling Ye Chen, was left dumbfounded.

  CPDD