ISWI Chapter 226-227

Chapter 226: I Absolutely Can't Accept It!

"This Thunderbane Bamboo Core is indeed something Yuyi desperately needs," An Miaoli said, her voice firm. "But as her aunt, how could I let Fellow Daoist Ye bear such an expense? Here is the Spirit Infant Grass and 60,000 high-grade spirit stones. Please, Fellow Daoist Ye, take them."

Ye Chen's heartfelt gesture stirred a whirlwind of emotions in An Miaoli, but she couldn't accept it so easily. His intentions were clear—he was doing this for her. If she took the Thunderbane Bamboo Core, would it mean she was reciprocating his feelings?

That was impossible. Setting aside everything else, she could never be with someone her niece admired. And to accept the gift while ignoring his intentions? That wasn't her way either.

More importantly, her cultivation technique was tied to karma. Owing too great a debt without repayment could cloud her heart and hinder her progress, perhaps even preventing a breakthrough. So, without hesitation, she offered the Spirit Infant Grass and 60,000 high-grade spirit stones.

Ye Chen glanced at the items and chuckled. "Senior An, when I give a gift, it's from the heart, and I've never taken one back. If you don't want it, then throw it away." He turned to An Yuyi. "Yuyi, escort me out of your sect."

With that, Ye Chen rose, hovering lightly in the air. An Yuyi hurriedly followed, trailing him through the sea of clouds toward the sect's gates.

An Miaoli stood rooted in place, her white robes fluttering, her misty eyes fixed on Ye Chen's retreating figure, dreamlike and surreal. In the end, she didn't move, only letting out a soft sigh.

At that moment, a system prompt echoed in Ye Chen's mind.

"Gift successful!"

"Gift: Thunderbane Bamboo Core!"

"Two-hundredfold return in progress…"

"Detected significant emotional fluctuations in the recipient, triggering a critical hit reward…"

"Reward: 50 Azure Hill Jade Bamboo Cores!"

"Azure Hill Jade Bamboo Core: A spiritual bamboo unique to the Azure Hill Holy Land, cultivated for ten thousand years to produce a Jade Bamboo Core. It can enhance a cultivator's spiritual root aptitude. Reusable. Maximum potential: upgrading to an Earth Spirit Root!"

Ye Chen's smile widened. The Thunderbane Bamboo Core was only effective for those below an Earth Spirit Root, but the Azure Hill Jade Bamboo Core could elevate a cultivator's aptitude all the way to an Earth Spirit Root.

The difference in value was at least a hundredfold, and with fifty Jade Thunderbane Bamboo Cores rewarded, the return was a staggering five thousand times the initial investment. A two-hundredfold return had ballooned into five thousand. This critical hit was exhilarating.

The extra hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones he'd spent in the bidding war? Absolutely worth it. Without that fierce competition, gifting a Thunderbane Bamboo Core bought for a mere 50,000 or 60,000 might not have triggered the critical hit.

An Miaoli could've afforded it herself, after all. But because he'd played the fool, splashing out 190,000, it had touched her deeply, sparking the massive reward. Five thousand times the value—whether he sold the Jade Thunderbane Bamboo Cores or used them to boost the aptitude of the female cultivators around him, the impact would be immense.

His grin grew brighter at the thought.

An Yuyi, seeing Ye Chen's joy, couldn't help but feel a spark of happiness herself. Look at that—he'd even let her escort him out alone. If she kept at it, surely one day she'd win his heart.

...

"Aunt, I'm back!" An Yuyi returned, practically bouncing with excitement.

An Miaoli, still standing gracefully in place, her presence ethereal, spoke calmly. "What took you so long?"

An Yuyi gave a sheepish smile. "I escorted him a bit far!" If Ye Chen hadn't stopped her, she might've followed him all the way to the Ye Boutique.

An Miaoli glanced at her niece and shook her head, handing over the Thunderbane Bamboo Core. "Go refine it. Once you're done, you can break through to the Golden Core stage."

An Yuyi nodded eagerly, taking the treasure with a delighted grin. In her heart, she made a plan: after refining it, she'd visit Ye Chen again under the guise of gratitude. Next time, she'd go alone, without her aunt. If he refused to see her, well, she'd bring her aunt along then. With that, she hurried off to refine the Thunderbane Bamboo Core.

An Miaoli sat in the pavilion, gazing at the sea of clouds, now ablaze with the fiery hues of sunset. Her thoughts drifted. She had to repay Ye Chen for his gift, but if she treated it like a transaction, he'd never accept it. Only a return gift would do, but what should its value be?

The Thunderbane Bamboo Core was worth 50,000 or 60,000 high-grade spirit stones—something she could afford. The problem was, Ye Chen had spent 190,000. What kind of gift could match that?

Her flawless brow furrowed slightly as she pondered.

Returning to the Ye Boutique, Ye Chen didn't immediately head back to Green Cloud City. He planned to stay another week. In a few days, he'd deliver the incomplete Eternal Cosmos Sutra. Once he received the full Golden Core chapter as a reward, he'd return to Green Cloud Sect to meet his master and senior sister, then begin secluded cultivation.

Three days later, An Yuyi arrived—alone, without An Miaoli. The system's cooldown hadn't ended yet, so Ye Chen wasn't bothered by An Miaoli's absence. As for An Yuyi, he welcomed her warmly. Her role in his recent successful gift-giving had been indispensable.

An Yuyi had come to thank him for the Thunderbane Bamboo Core, which had perfectly balanced her dual spirit roots. She also shared that she was about to enter seclusion to break through to the Golden Core stage, with a strong chance of forming a ninth-grade Golden Core.

Ye Chen smiled, offered his congratulations, and saw her off. His master, Li Feihuang, and now An Yuyi were all entering seclusion. His own time was approaching.

Once the system's cooldown ended, Ye Chen leisurely made his way to the Divine Will Sect for another visit. After sending a transmission talisman, he waited patiently at the sect's gates.

Soon, a figure in flowing white robes appeared, her black hair swaying lightly as she glided forward, as if stepping through mist. An Miaoli's graceful form seemed even more striking in the air, her slender silhouette and subtle curves faintly outlined.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, please follow me," she said, her voice calm and even.

Ye Chen nodded and followed her toward Quiet Wonder Peak.

"Yuyi has entered seclusion to break through to the Golden Core stage," An Miaoli said along the way. "Thanks to your help on multiple occasions, she may achieve a ninth-grade Golden Core."

Ye Chen nodded. "I know."

Silence settled between them. Without An Yuyi's chatter to fill the gaps, their rare one-on-one encounters often felt quiet. It wasn't until they reached Quiet Wonder Peak and An Miaoli brewed tea that she spoke again, as they sat together.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, your gift of the Thunderbane Bamboo Core was a tremendous help. Such a generous gift—I feel unworthy of it. Please, accept this in return."

With a gentle wave of her hand, she retrieved an item from her storage ring and placed it before Ye Chen. His eyes lit up as he saw it—a book, its cover inscribed with Guhe's Alchemy Notes.

Guhe was the Divine Will Sect's only third-grade perfected alchemist, renowned throughout the sect's domain. Calling him the sect's foremost alchemist was no exaggeration. Golden Core cultivators and rogue cultivators alike often sought him out for pill refining, a testament to his lofty status. For An Miaoli to have acquired his personal notes was no small feat.

Seeing Ye Chen's eyes light up, An Miaoli felt a wave of relief. A high-tier alchemist held a status no less prestigious than her own as a grand elder. She'd spent a hefty amount of sect contribution points and called in a personal favor to secure Guhe's notes.

Ye Chen's wealth was undeniable, and for her to buy a gift worth over 100,000 high-grade spirit stones was simply too daunting—unless she sold her Spirit Infant Grass, which she needed for her own Nascent Soul breakthrough. So, the fact that these third-grade alchemist notes pleased him was a stroke of luck.

In terms of raw value, Guhe's notes didn't quite match the Thunderbane Bamboo Core. But as the Divine Will Sect's foremost alchemist, Guhe's reputation carried weight, and third-grade alchemist notes were exceedingly rare, almost impossible to find outside the sect. Their value was substantial.

Seeing Ye Chen's satisfaction, An Miaoli felt she'd repaid some of the karmic debt—at least it wasn't as heavy now. She'd find another chance to return the rest with a gift suited to him.

...

For Ye Chen, Guhe's third-grade alchemist notes were a treasure. Even Sun Ye, his contact, hadn't managed to acquire them after months of searching.

With these notes, Ye Chen could gift them to someone and instantly reach the third-grade perfected level himself—a massive gain. His appreciation for An Miaoli grew. Though her demeanor was neither warm nor cold, she always triggered critical hits and never failed to reciprocate his gifts. She was, without a doubt, a principled person.

Smiling, he thanked her warmly. "Thank you, Senior An! I'm deeply interested in all six cultivation arts, as well as the unorthodox paths beyond them. These alchemist notes are incredibly significant to me."

An Miaoli offered a faint smile in return. "No need for formalities, Fellow Daoist Ye."

With the return gift given and her niece absent, An Miaoli planned to exchange a few more pleasantries before seeing him out. She had no desire to deepen her connection with Ye Chen, but for her niece's sake, she had little choice. She hoped Yuyi would either win his heart or, better yet, move on from him entirely, freeing her from this entanglement. For now, with Yuyi in seclusion, there was no reason to linger with Ye Chen alone.

But just as she was about to make an excuse to bid him farewell, Ye Chen spoke up. "I came today with a gift for you, Senior." He produced a jade slip.

Another gift? An Miaoli's mind reeled. Given Ye Chen's lavish spending, how could she possibly repay him if she accepted more? Besides, Yuyi was in seclusion, breaking through to the Golden Core stage—she didn't need anything right now.

She shook her head firmly. "Yuyi is in seclusion. Perhaps Fellow Daoist Ye could return after she emerges."

But Ye Chen shook his head. "This is for you, Senior An. It might be useful to you."

An Miaoli froze, her expression faltering. All his previous gifts had been for Yuyi's benefit, something she'd grown accustomed to. But this… was for her? Accepting gifts meant for Yuyi was one thing—her niece genuinely needed them, and as her aunt, she couldn't stand by and watch her miss out on a brighter future. As long as she repaid the favor, her conscience was clear. But a gift for herself? That was absolutely out of the question. If she accepted, how could she face Ye Chen afterward?

She shook her head more vigorously. "In three to five years, I'll reach Golden Core perfection and begin preparing for the Nascent Soul stage. I have little need for external treasures. I appreciate your kindness, Fellow Daoist Ye, but I must decline. Thank you." She paused, then added, "I'm afraid I have a sect meeting to attend soon, so I must apologize…"

Her refusal was polite but firm, a clear dismissal.

Chapter 227: What's That Got to Do with Me?

Ye Chen, hearing her refusal, gave a light smile. He gently pushed the jade slip toward her. "I specifically bought this for you, Senior An, at the auction. If you don't take it, it's of no use to me either. So please, accept it."

Another auction item? An Miaoli's eyes widened.

If her memory served, Ye Chen had come straight to the Divine Will Sect's gates after securing the Thunderbane Bamboo Core, which was the third item up for bid. That meant this gift had to be one of the first two.

In the cultivation world, auctions always placed the most valuable items first. The second item, a Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment technique, was useless to her. That left only one possibility: this jade slip contained the incomplete Eternal Cosmos Sutra.

An Miaoli was stunned. The Eternal Cosmos Sutra fragment, sold for a staggering 300,000 high-grade spirit stones, had also been won by Ye Chen? And it was meant for her?

This was beyond shocking.

The Thunderbane Bamboo Core had cost 190,000 high-grade spirit stones. The Eternal Cosmos Sutra fragment, 300,000. Together, nearly half a million high-grade spirit stones—an unimaginable fortune. And Ye Chen had spent it all on her?

For a moment, An Miaoli was speechless.

The Thunderbane Bamboo Core had already shown her how much Ye Chen valued her. Now, presenting the Eternal Cosmos Sutra fragment, he sent her heart reeling with an even greater impact. Spirit stones couldn't measure emotions, but his willingness to spend such a colossal sum spoke volumes about the depth of his feelings for her.

Even An Miaoli, gazing at the immortal scripture fragment on the table and Ye Chen's gentle, unwavering smile, felt her heart thrown into disarray. The Eternal Cosmos Sutra—the Golden Core chapter, hailed as the supreme cultivation method in the entire cultivation world, bar none. Comprehending it would solidify her foundation, ensuring a higher-quality Nascent Soul upon breakthrough and greater strength thereafter. It promised boundless benefits for her future on the immortal path.

But its value was astronomical, even as a fragment. How could she possibly accept it? And if she did, how could she ever repay him? She'd only been willing to interact with Ye Chen for her niece's sake. Accepting this gift—how would she face herself afterward? How would she face Yuyi?

With these thoughts, An Miaoli let out a deep sigh in her heart. If only… If only the man her niece admired wasn't Ye Chen. Then, perhaps, she could…

But the thought was cut short as soon as it arose. It was too dangerous.

An Miaoli stared at the jade slip, took a deep breath, and spoke. "I'm on the verge of breaking through to Nascent Soul, so this item is of no use to me. But you, Fellow Daoist Ye, are nearing the Golden Core stage. If you study this scripture day and night, it will surely elevate the limits of your immortal path. Please, keep it for yourself. I'm deeply grateful for your kindness, but truly, I've received it."

In the end, An Miaoli refused.

Ye Chen wasn't surprised. An Miaoli always seemed to hold back, wary of owing him anything. Gifting her was always a tug-of-war, but with a two-hundredfold return—and the potential for a critical hit—it was worth the effort.

He adopted a serious tone. "Senior An, you're too kind. My comprehension is lacking; using it would be a waste. It's far more valuable in your hands."

An Miaoli looked at him deeply. A Heavenly Spirit Root cultivator claiming poor comprehension? That was likely a first in the entire cultivation world. Ye Chen was going to such lengths to convince her to accept. But the more he insisted, the more she knew she couldn't take it. Accepting would only complicate things further, making it impossible to resolve.

Her niece hoped to grow closer to Ye Chen through her. If An Miaoli betrayed Yuyi by giving in to her own feelings, how heartbroken would her niece be? It would drive a wedge between them, shattering their close bond, perhaps even leading to a permanent rift. Yuyi was her brother's only bloodline, her sole remaining family. How could she, for her own selfish desires, do something so unforgivable?

So, An Miaoli shook her head firmly. "I've always addressed you as Fellow Daoist Ye because, with your Heavenly Spirit Root, reaching the Golden Core stage is effortless, and even the Nascent Soul stage, which is a struggle for me, will be no challenge for you. So, enough talk of poor comprehension. Don't squander your talent. If you can glean the mysteries of this scripture fragment, you'll surely become a top-tier prodigy in the future."

She paused, then continued, "I understand your intentions clearly, Fellow Daoist Ye. But my heart is set on the Great Dao, with no interest in finding a Dao companion. So, I ask that you let this go. From now on, it's best if we no longer meet."

She had always known Ye Chen's feelings but had avoided addressing them due to her concerns. But this Eternal Cosmos Sutra fragment, worth 300,000 high-grade spirit stones, had shaken her resolve. She couldn't let this continue. If it did, she feared she might one day waver, moved by Ye Chen's persistence, and end up estranged from her niece, perhaps forever.

So, taking advantage of Yuyi's seclusion, she laid it all bare. With everything said plainly, Ye Chen would likely stop coming to Divine Will City. When An Yuyi emerged from seclusion and found him gone, she might gradually forget him. This, perhaps, was the best outcome for everyone.

Ye Chen listened to An Miaoli's words, and a sudden realization hit him. Back when he'd asked An Yuyi to speak with her aunt, An Yuyi hadn't been fazed at all. Instead, she'd brought An Miaoli to him. So, all this time, An Miaoli thought he was in love with her?

Seriously? That's absurd!

Gifting didn't mean he liked her! It was just because her returns were high, with a chance for critical hits—did she not get that? If she was like An Yuyi, stingy and never triggering a critical hit, he wouldn't bother with her at all. His plan was to gift the Eternal Cosmos Sutra fragment, receive the full scripture as a reward, and then rush back to Green Cloud Sect to study it with his master, ascending the path to bliss together.

But now, Ye Chen was done with the back-and-forth. His face hardened, a trace of anger in his voice as he spoke. "Who I like is my business, not yours! Whether I give gifts or do anything else, that's my choice—it has nothing to do with you or anyone else! You want to dedicate yourself to the Great Dao, to never seek a Dao companion? That's your business, not mine! So don't mix the two together! I give gifts because I want to. Whether you accept them is up to you. But once I offer something, I never take it back. Do whatever you want with it, Senior An!"

With that, Ye Chen stood, turned, and floated away.

An Miaoli was left standing in place, stunned. His angry words echoed in her mind like thunder. "Who I like is my business! Gifting is my business! You don't like me, you're devoted to the Dao, you don't want a companion—that's your business."

Those brief sentences unleashed a tempest in her heart, which had been calm for decades. Together, they conveyed a single, piercing truth: "I love you, and it has nothing to do with you."

What kind of devotion was this? For Ye Chen—a Heavenly Spirit Root prodigy who could suppress the Divine Will Sect's top disciples, who left Qiao Ciguang and Shi Wanli unable to even step into the grand hall, who defeated Li Feihuang with a single strike—to speak words so humble, so raw.

An Miaoli had never known romantic love, but she understood that to love someone was to hope for their love in return. Yet Ye Chen's feelings ran so deep he didn't even care about reciprocation. If anyone else had said this, she wouldn't have believed it. How could such a person exist in this world?

But Ye Chen's actions over time left An Miaoli no choice but to believe. Yet, his profound devotion only weighed heavier on her heart.

She had hoped Ye Chen might gradually be drawn to her niece, letting go of his feelings for her. Or that her consistent aloofness would make him realize there was no chance and move on.

But now, it was clear that was impossible. How could someone so dedicated to her, so willing to give without expecting anything in return, be discouraged by her cold demeanor? No matter what she did—even if she secluded herself in a deathly retreat, never appearing before him—Ye Chen would likely still keep tabs on her, quietly giving his all.

Reflecting on it, his care for her was meticulous. Knowing how much she cherished her niece, he went out of his way to provide everything Yuyi needed. When faced with formidable enemies, he'd risk his life to protect her niece without hesitation. Even when the bidding for the Thunderbane Bamboo Core drove its price to four times its value—an utterly foolish move—he didn't waver.

His devotion went beyond reckless spending or selfless sacrifice. It was thoughtful, deliberate. Take the Eternal Cosmos Sutra fragment. He'd acquired it last week but only gifted the Thunderbane Bamboo Core then, waiting to present the scripture now. He must have worried that giving both at once would overwhelm her, making her too pressured to accept. So, he split the gifts to ease her into it. His care was almost too perfect.

And if she hadn't confronted him today, he might never have voiced his feelings, content to give silently forever. The more she thought about it, the heavier her heart grew, laced with guilt. Her harsh words must have wounded him deeply. Who wouldn't be hurt by such a cold rejection from the one they loved? Yet, he left the Eternal Cosmos Sutra fragment behind, departing with his sorrow.

In that moment, regret bloomed in An Miaoli's heart. With a swift motion, she grabbed the fragment, worth 300,000 spirit stones, and flew toward the sect gates. She had to find Ye Chen, to sincerely thank him for his devotion and tell him how moved she was. She'd explain clearly why she couldn't accept his feelings—not because he wasn't worthy, or for any trivial reason, but because too many factors made them unsuitable. Then, she'd return the Eternal Cosmos Sutra fragment and wish him well on his immortal path, certain he'd find a better Dao companion.

Her thoughts raced as she flew, reaching the gates in a flash. But when she asked the elder on duty, she learned Ye Chen had already left. She sped up, heading to Divine Will City, bypassing the gates with her grand elder token to break through the city's restrictions and descend directly to the Ye Boutique.

But the words of Ye Chen's maid left her silent. He had already returned to Green Cloud Sect. Her guilt deepened. He must have left so quickly to avoid her returning the Eternal Cosmos Sutra fragment, ensuring she had no chance to give it back.

But more than that, her words had likely wounded him, prompting him to retreat to heal in solitude. Yet, she knew, once his heart mended, he'd return to Divine Will City, ready to continue giving to her quietly.

An Miaoli stood before the store's back courtyard gate, frozen in place for a long time.