Outside, countless onlookers had assumed the Little Peacock King was next. The myriad races were about to lose three top geniuses today—a devastating blow.

Yet in the end, Ye Chen never struck. He let the Little Peacock King go. This abnormal scene didn't confuse the crowd for long. When they connected Ye Chen's reputation with the peacock's famous aunt…everything clicked.

The Little Peacock King had clearly—like Yao Yuekong—sold his aunt for his life. This only reinforced everyone's belief: If your family had a high-potential, stunning beauty, provoking the Heir of the Heavenly Emperor came with an extra life. But thinking this far, many couldn't help feeling a twinge of pity for the late Prince Lu Ya.

"Princess Golden Crow's looks and figure are top-tier too. I saw her once—she was incredibly seductive. And the Golden Crow matriarch was the number-one beauty of the myriad races several generations ago. What a shame Lu Ya died too fast and never got to speak. Otherwise… he might've had a chance too…"

Although the Little Peacock King couldn't beat Ye Chen, among ordinary geniuses, he still carried considerable prestige. So while the onlookers guessed what had happened, no one dared speak aloud. They only discussed it through private transmissions.

Yao Yuekong saw the Little Peacock King walk out alive. A sincere smile instantly bloomed on his face. Before, having sold his sister (and aunt) to survive, he really couldn't hold his head up when the Little Peacock King mocked him. He hadn't even dared retort. But now the peacock had sold his aunt too. No need to guess whose aunt it was. Now they were even.

Yao Yuekong's smile was extraordinarily genuine. The Little Peacock King, who believed no one could possibly know the truth, suddenly noticed that smile. His face instantly darkened.

… 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Inside the battlefield, after releasing his "good nephew," Ye Chen stretched luxuriously, utterly refreshed. Still, a bit of annoyance lingered. All because of that idiot Lu Ya—he had wasted three days of Oscar-worthy acting. But Ye Chen wasn't one to dwell. Lu Ya was dead. The matter was closed. Now he had more important things to do.

Ye Chen first turned to Luo Bingling. "Many thanks for your timely assistance, Fairy Luo!"

Luo Bingling shook her head. Ye Chen was too monstrous. Even besieged by Lu Ya and the Little Peacock King, he probably wouldn't have needed more than a few extra punches. Her help or lack thereof wouldn't have changed the outcome. So she had already stopped hoping for any favor. She took it as simple politeness.

Yet Ye Chen smiled. "Fairy Luo need not overthink. To step in without hesitation at the critical moment—I truly felt your sincerity. It warmed my heart."

At those words, Luo Bingling's eyes instantly lit up. Ye Chen really was grateful! She felt his heart had moved closer to her. And she herself was one step closer to the Dao Cauldron.

Luo Bingling's joy was unmistakable.

Ye Chen smiled faintly, then shifted his gaze to Yao Yuezhi and nodded in greeting. "My thanks also to this fairy for her righteous aid. You must be Fellow Daoist Yao Yuekong's younger sister?"

Yao Yuezhi shyly lowered her head and shook it gently, her voice soft as a breeze. "There's no need for thanks. Brother Ye once spared my elder brother's life. He has doted on me since childhood and would give me anything. Our sibling bond is deep. So I have always been immensely grateful to Brother Ye. Besides, Brother Ye is so shockingly powerful—even without my help, the outcome would have been the same."

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Ye Chen's face was full of warm smiles. "Help is help, regardless of anything else! Moreover, between your brother and me, there was never any talk of 'sparing lives.' The first time I saw Fellow Daoist Yao Yuekong, we clicked instantly. You could say we only became friends after a good fight. You helped me, and you are his beloved little sister. Please, you must accept this. It is my heartfelt token!"

As he spoke, Ye Chen took out the broken stele bearing the Stasis Secret, still warm from his recent acquisition. A five-thousand-times multiplier, and Yao Yuezhi, though clearly a seasoned green-tea connoisseur, seemed even purer than Little Demoness. She knew how to play the game and was extremely clever. She might just give him a pleasant surprise. A five-thousand-times multiplier was absolutely worth the gamble.

As for Yao Yuezhi, she had only stepped in because she saw Ye Chen could withstand the Immortal-Slaying Gourd. She wanted to build a connection and slowly cultivate feelings. Yet Ye Chen's performance had far exceeded her expectations. Catching a supreme Extreme Dao Weapon bare-handed and only getting a scratch? That was absurd. But such strength only made her more eager. What she never expected, however, was that after she merely played a supporting role, Ye Chen would directly take out the Stasis Secret stele and offer it to her.

This… Wasn't this a little too generous? She had long heard rumors of Ye Chen's style, but his generosity now still stunned her. And most importantly— it was the Stasis Secret stele! The Stasis Secret was tied to the laws of time. If she obtained it, breaking through to the Fourth Heaven and becoming a Semi-Saint would be vastly easier.

Yao Yuezhi's little heart pounded wildly. It wasn't just her. Every onlooker outside the battlefield stared with bulging eyes. That was the Stasis Secret! And he was just giving it away? The Heir of the Heavenly Emperor was way too generous with women!

Countless male cultivators suddenly hated being born male. If they had been women and caught Ye Chen's eye, they could have skipped decades, even centuries of bitter struggle. And "clicked instantly" with Yao Yuekong? Who would believe that? If Yao Yuekong didn't have a sister, his grave grass would be three meters tall by now.

Meanwhile, Luo Bingling, who had been secretly delighted, froze, eyes wide. Ye Chen had obtained the Stasis Secret...and the first person he gave it to was someone else? What about me? I'm already Third Heaven—I need time laws too! Why not me?!

Luo Bingling felt her fists harden. In the past, all of Ye Chen's women had come before her; their seniority ran deeper. She had never minded too much when he gave good things to others. But now she was the veteran! Yet Ye Chen was still handing treasures to someone else.

Even with the Dao Cauldron dangling in front of her, Luo Bingling's face twisted. She couldn't help wanting to ask Ye Chen: Are you looking down on me?!

Across from Ye Chen, even with Yao Yuezhi's profound tea skills, being smashed by this heaven-defying gift left her momentarily dazed. But she quickly regained composure and shook her head rapidly. "Brother Ye, this really isn't right. The Stasis Secret is far too precious. I cannot accept something for nothing. Please take it back!"

As she refused, her little hands waved frantically. Utterly adorable.

Ye Chen only smiled wider. He stepped closer and said gently, "Your brother and I clicked the moment we met—I treat him as a true brother. You are his little sister, so you are my little sister too. No talk of thanks between us. Just take this as a greeting gift!"

Yao Yuezhi's eyes still held hesitation. She raised a hand to refuse again. But Ye Chen's expression turned firm. "Or… are you unwilling to acknowledge me as your sworn big brother?"

Yao Yuezhi's mouth twitched. But Ye Chen had already played his card this far; she felt the push-and-pull had reached the perfect point. So she lowered her head, cheeks flushed, and whispered shyly, "Then… thank you, Big Brother Ye!"

Ye Chen laughed. He took her soft little hand and placed the stele in her palm. Yao Yuezhi's hand trembled. Her face turned even redder.

Luo Bingling deliberately looked away, but the gem in her navel shook violently—she was clearly furious.

Yao Yuezhi noticed too and said softly, embarrassed, "Big Brother Ye, Sister Luo doesn't look happy… Will she be angry? The Stasis Secret is so precious. If I shared a portion with Sister Luo… Would you be mad at me, Big Brother Ye?"

Ye Chen laughed. This was absolutely tea—vintage, exquisite tea. And Luo Bingling, hearing those words, shook even harder…