In the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, the overwhelming thunder tribulation finally came to an end.

Ye Chen drifted gracefully into the high sky. The tribulation clouds dispersed. Senior An's ethereal, immortal-like figure emerged into view. Ever since obtaining the Seven Extremes Immortal Body, her aptitude had soared tremendously.

During this Mahayana tribulation, Ye Chen had personally witnessed humanoid beings flashing within the tribulation clouds, clashing fiercely with her. This only heightened his anticipation for the brilliance Senior An would radiate once he gathered all twelve immortal roots and completed her Seven Extremes Immortal Body.

Ye Chen felt that, in the future, Senior An might even break through the ten-thousand-fold threshold. If that happened, she would become the first female cultivator by his side to surpass ten thousand times.

"Congratulations, Senior An, on breaking through to the Mahayana stage!"

Ye Chen held An Miaoli's jade-like little hand and smiled lightly as he spoke.

An Miaoli smiled upon seeing him as well. She knew better than anyone how she had reached her current cultivation. Without Ye Chen, forget reaching the Mahayana stage—she might have one day been completely replaced by the remnant soul of the Seven Extremes, losing herself forever. Thus, even though many onlookers had gathered due to her tribulation, An Miaoli felt no shyness at all. She asked softly.

"I've been in seclusion for so long. Has your Nether Poison flared up again, fellow Daoist Ye?"

Ye Chen immediately laughed and nodded earnestly.

"The suffering from the Nether Poison has been quite unbearable for me! I must trouble Senior An for aid once more..."

An Miaoli pulled Ye Chen along as they flew toward his cave abode. Without looking back, she said.

"It's no trouble. Fellow Daoist Ye has been tirelessly collecting immortal roots for me—the effort has been immense. It's only right that I help dispel the poison for you. As long as we have clear consciences, that's enough..."

As they spoke, Ye Chen and Senior An entered the Holy Son's residence. But at that very moment, Luo Bingling followed them in.

Seeing her, Ye Chen immediately frowned. Senior An claimed to have a clear conscience, but that was only when it was with her niece. With an outsider present, it might affect Senior An's performance. So Ye Chen prepared to shoo her away at once.

Yet Luo Bingling acted as if she couldn't read his expression and squeezed inside anyway. She was feeling rather anxious. It had been so long since she emerged from seclusion, and not only had her relationship with Ye Chen failed to grow closer. He had even stopped giving her the weekly Dao Charm Pills he used to provide.

This caused Luo Bingling to reflect constantly, wondering what she had done wrong. The Dao Cauldron combined with the Enlightenment Tea Tree was simply far too alluring to her. On top of that, she had already given so much—the gems at her waist had developed a patina, her little feet had grown accustomed to that sticky sensation, and she had even let Ye Chen see everything.

After investing so much, she had only received some Dao Charm Pills in return. How could Luo Bingling possibly accept that? So she resolved to learn and improve herself.

When that Elder Lin—who was covered in demonic patterns and exuded a bewitching aura—had emerged from seclusion earlier, Luo Bingling had observed from the sidelines. She wasn't willing to engage in real combat with them. But those ever-changing demonic patterns had seemed rather intriguing. She had already sent a message to her clan, requesting a technique that could simulate something similar. But it would take some time to arrive.

Stolen story; please report.

As for this An Miaoli, who always presented herself as an ethereal immortal maiden, she clearly still carried traces of primordial yin energy—yet Ye Chen treated her with extreme importance. He had appeared deeply worried during her tribulation. So Luo Bingling wanted to observe their interactions. Perhaps it would give her some inspiration.

Ye Chen glanced at Luo Bingling and spoke to Senior An.

"Senior An, please wait a moment. I'll have a few words with her first and send her on her way."

Luo Bingling was useful, but not that useful. Ye Chen naturally wouldn't hold back. But what Ye Chen hadn't expected was that An Miaoli glanced at Luo Bingling a few times before shaking her head calmly.

"It's fine. I'm only helping dispel the poison—there's nothing improper about it. If she insists on staying, then let her."

As she spoke, An Miaoli gave Luo Bingling a cool nod. It wasn't warm, but it held no trace of hostility either.

In An Miaoli's view, Ye Chen insisted on waiting until he collected all the immortal roots before they could bear children together. Though he often came to her for poison dispelling... This slow, teasing method of dispelling could never compare to the joy of true, unrestrained combat. So if Luo Bingling wanted to watch, let her watch. It might even help satisfy Ye Chen on her behalf.

Luo Bingling hadn't expected this woman—who always pretended to be so ethereal and immortal—to seem quite friendly. Yet her heart remained utterly unmoved. It was all an act. None of the women around Ye Chen was any good—except herself. That one surnamed Su, and the one who had killed her fiancé, had both splashed her full in the face. And that one surnamed Lin wasn't much better either. Fortunately, she had dodged quickly and only gotten her arm damp. This An Miaoli probably wanted to make her look just as pathetic. This time, she absolutely wouldn't let herself get distracted or dirtied.

But soon, Luo Bingling was stunned. After entering the cave abode, An Miaoli barely spared her a glance. She simply sacrificed a pair of white spiritual silk dao artifact gloves and focused entirely on the task at hand. The entire process was gradual, gentle, and devoted. Whenever their eyes met midway, there was no provocation or gloating—just cool detachment. The two of them progressed like that—from showing mercy with hands, to using both hands and feet, to a battle of lips and tongues, to interlocking in perfect harmony.

Only after a full week did An Miaoli finally depart to stabilize her cultivation in her own cave abode. Before leaving, she even nodded politely to Luo Bingling.

Luo Bingling realized the woman truly hadn't intended to splash her at all. Perhaps she wasn't as bad as the others. But she didn't dwell on it. She wasn't actually here to become one of Ye Chen's women—why bother with sisterly bonds? So she ignored An Miaoli's goodwill completely.

Yet through this week of study, she had finally uncovered the secret of why Ye Chen never made the first move with his mouth. She had discovered the pattern. It was always the other person who acted first—and consumed—before he would respond.

This filled Luo Bingling with disdain. Pure male chauvinism. In the War God clan, they had always upheld equality between men and women, with strength as the only measure. For the human race to still cling to such nonsense—it was truly trash!

Understanding was one thing. But now Luo Bingling hesitated deep inside. If Ye Chen were the one to act while she stood aloof and superior, she could accept it without issue. But for her to take the initiative while he stood lofty and superior. And he was merely a human, at that. The very thought made her shudder with revulsion and nausea.

Yet Ye Chen's breakthrough speed was so astonishing. Even the Dao Cauldron alone might not explain it fully. If she could obtain both treasures, she could shore up her weaknesses and harbor real hope of achieving immortality.

Moreover, she had already sacrificed so much. Giving up now would be an even greater loss. Her slender waist and little feet had already paid the price—not to mention an entire bottle of Yellow Spring Water. As long as her pristine virginity remained untouched, as long as she could achieve immortality... everything else was negotiable!

At once, Luo Bingling adopted an expression of grim resolve. She turned her gaze to Ye Chen, who lay there lazily after the poison dispelling, his mind seemingly wandering elsewhere. But just as Luo Bingling steeled herself and prepared to follow An Miaoli's exact steps and take action, the restrictions around the Holy Son's residence stirred. A transmission talisman fluttered inside.

Ye Chen picked it up and scanned it. A smile immediately curved his lips.

"Not only coming to deliver an origin source, but also bringing a fragment of the Stasis Secret? This Holy Prince—he's actually quite a decent guy!"