In the end, Yao Xi bit her lip and spoke earnestly, "Junior Brother, we're not suitable for each other."
"I've thought it over carefully, and there's no future for us."
"So, please take back this token."
"You're only at the sixth yer of Qi Refining, and you need this more than I do."
"This year, the spiritual energy in the Five Elements Cave is richer than ever. If you seize this opportunity, you might break through to the ninth level of Qi Refining or even reach Foundation Establishment."
"But even so, if you have any questions about alchemy in the future, feel free to ask me anytime."
With that, Yao Xi pushed back Ye Chen's hand that was holding the token.
The entire pce fell silent.
Countless disciples wished they could accept the Five Elements Cave token on Yao Xi's behalf.
After all, it was the coveted Five Elements Cave for all in the Qi Refining stage!
It could expand one's dantian!
Yet Yao Xi refused it just like that.
It was simply a waste of a precious resource.
However, everyone understood the meaning behind Yao Xi's words.
Yao Xi didn't want to string Ye Chen along or deceive him.
That's why she made it clear and refused Ye Chen's gift.
Just by pretending, she could easily secure a spot in the Five Elements Cave!
Compared to Sun Ruoxin, who was greedy and malicious, Yao Xi's character was worlds apart.
The disciples looked at Yao Xi with newfound respect.
In their hearts, they knew that if they were in Yao Xi's position, they would never have been able to refuse.
As for Ye Chen, after being rejected, he looked at Yao Xi with a hint of surprise.
Had Yao Xi truly had a change of heart and couldn't bear to deceive a lick spirit?
Or had she evolved to a higher level?
Ye Chen, who had been single in his past life, would occasionally go for foot massages.
Despite many visits, he only ever got convinced to buy a membership card once.
Most technicians would say things like, "Big brother, look how attentive I am, how good my service is. Why not get a card to support my performance? You'll get a 20% discount on future services."
Ye Chen would usually ignore such persuasion.
The only time he caved was when he met a high-level technician: "Big brother, don't come anymore. It's so hard to get married these days, with the need to buy a car and a house. Your sary is limited; save it for your future wedding."
"If you really miss me, just come occasionally and order the cheapest package, and I'll give you the full service."
Who could resist such words?
Sincerity is the ultimate weapon.
That's how Ye Chen ended up with his first membership card.
Could it be that Yao Xi had suddenly realized this and was now using the same tactic?
Regardless of the reason, this gift had to be given.
After hearing Yao Xi's words, a typical lick spirit would have been heartbroken, disappointed, or questioning.
But Ye Chen did none of that.
He simply smiled at Yao Xi and said, "Senior Sister, why refuse the token over such a small matter?"
"I know you don't like me and that we'll never be together, but so what?"
Yao Xi was stunned...
The onlooking disciples were stunned.
And Ye Chen hadn't finished speaking: "I like you, what does that have to do with you?"
"As long as I see you happy, I'm happy."
"This spot in the Five Elements Cave, I wanted to try it myself, but it was also prepared for you!"
"If you defeat your opponent and get the spot, I can go in with you. I absorb less spiritual energy, so you'll have more to absorb! It's better than someone else going in and competing with you for it."
"And if you don't get the spot, you can use mine."
"So there's no need for you to be polite or feel pressured."
The entire pce fell even quieter.
Including Yao Xi, all the disciples' minds were echoing with Ye Chen's words.
I like you, what does that have to do with you?
I'll take a spot and go in with you so you can absorb more!
If you don't get a spot, you can use mine.
It turned out...
Ye Chen wanted the spot all for Yao Xi's sake.
This...
Really, I'm crying!
How could there be someone so deeply affectionate in this world?
Many female cultivators were moved to tears.
If they had such a male cultivator thinking of them, they would have thrown caution to the wind long ago.
Yao Xi stood there, her starry eyes filled with complex emotions.
She had, in her heart, bmed Ye Chen.
She thought Ye Chen's cultivation was low and his talent poor, so why compete for a spot?
If Ye Chen hadn't taken the spot, there would have been two spots for the disciples.
Wouldn't she have been a shoo-in?
But unexpectedly, she faced Li Xiaoyao in her first match.
Even with two spots, she had no chance.
Ye Chen's decision to take the spot seemed incredibly wise.
Ye Chen's love for her was truly overwhelming.
Yao Xi didn't know what to say or do.
Should she accept it?
Ye Chen's deep affection left Yao Xi at a loss.
Ye Chen smiled gently, took Yao Xi's hand, and pced the Five Elements token in her palm.
"Junior Brother..."
Yao Xi looked at the token in her hand, her heart even more conflicted.
But Ye Chen turned and left without hesitation: "I don't want the token. If you don't want it, just throw it away!"
With those words, Ye Chen's figure disappeared into the distance.
The disciples, hearing this, all looked at Yao Xi, hoping she would throw away the Five Elements token.
Some even prepared their magic artifacts, eager to snatch the token the moment it was discarded.
But Yao Xi wasn't foolish.
There was no way she would throw it away.
She immediately put it in her bosom and quickly chased after Ye Chen.
Yao Xi felt a deep sense of regret.
If only Ye Chen had better talent and the potential to reach Foundation Establishment.
But with Ye Chen's third-grade spiritual roots, reaching Foundation Establishment was truly difficult.
However, Yao Xi made up her mind.
If she couldn't break through to the Foundation Establishment stage by the age of thirty, she would agree to become Ye Chen's Dao companion.
This wasn't because of the Five Elements token.
It was because of Ye Chen's deep affection.
Living a lifetime with such a man would surely be happy.
But if she reached Foundation Establishment, the two of them clearly wouldn't be suitable together.
Not to mention anything else, just the difference in lifespan between the Qi Refining stage and Foundation Establishment stage made it unsuitable for growing old together.
One would die, while the other would live on for another fifty years—how tragic.
She would help Ye Chen find a suitable Dao companion then.
She would protect Ye Chen and his descendants for life.
To repay Ye Chen's deep affection.
Yao Xi made up her mind, quickly caught up with Ye Chen, and sincerely said, "Thank you, Junior Brother Ye! Yao Xi will never forget this!"
Ye Chen's face lit up with a radiant smile.
Yao Xi also smiled brightly like spring flowers.
In her view, Ye Chen was happy because she accepted the Five Elements token.
And indeed, Yao Xi was right.
...
Meanwhile, in the grand square.
The protagonist had left.
But the onlookers continued to chatter.
As for Li Xiaoyao, still standing on the stage, no one paid him any attention.
Li Xiaoyao watched Yao Xi chase after Ye Chen.
His heart was filled with resentment.
Damn lick spirit, you'd better pray you don't face me at the sect's year-end competition.
But at that moment, Elder Chen spoke, "Li Xiaoyao, why are you still standing there? The second group is coming up!"
Li Xiaoyao twitched his mouth and hurried off the stage.
The competition for the spot, paused because of Ye Chen, finally resumed.
...
Outside the crowd, Sun Ruoxin watched Ye Chen and Yao Xi leave, tears streaming down her face...
She truly regretted it!
CPDD