"Yes!"

Ye Chen blurted out on reflex.

Yao Yuezhi's little face instantly turned even redder. She twirled a lock of hair by her ear with her finger, head lowered, too shy to meet his eyes. But soon she gathered her courage, lifted her head, and looked straight at him. "Big Brother Ye… do you really want to?"

Ye Chen's eyes widened. He had just been in a good mood and teased her a bit. How did Yao Yuezhi look like she was actually offering herself for free? That wasn't right. A seasoned veteran like her should be the type to eat the bait but never bite the hook. Why was she really offering?! Something was very wrong here.

Noticing Ye Chen's scrutinizing gaze, Yao Yuezhi's cheeks flushed deeper, but sorrow and determination filled her eyes. "Actually… I heard about Big Brother Ye a long time ago. I've watched every shadow stone of your battles. I have never seen a man as strong and unique as you. If I could become a Dao companion with Big Brother Ye, even giving up cultivation would be wonderful. But my clan intends to marry me to the Celestial Prince of the Undying Celestial Phoenix Clan…

"Though he is still in seclusion and it's not officially set, the message has already been sent. If I choose someone else, it might bring his wrath down on you. That Celestial Prince is said to be the direct son of the Undying Celestial Emperor—a true immortal's own child. His talent is probably even more terrifying than the Holy Prince's. Not to mention his cultivation is rumored to have reached an extremely high realm.

"I adore Big Brother Ye from the bottom of my heart, but I cannot put you in danger. So, Big Brother Ye… in this life, we are fated yet not destined. But I will never marry another. In a hundred years, if you see a flower that resembles me, please find the Immortal Exquisite, restore my memories of this life, and let us continue our fate!"

By the end, Yao Yuezhi had lowered her head again, not wanting Ye Chen to see her reddened eyes. Yet a few crystal tears slid down her gentle cheeks.

Ye Chen: …

The bait was salty, the hook was straight! He understood perfectly. If he took things further with Yao Yuezhi, he would provoke that so-called Celestial Prince. In the novels he'd read in his previous life, women like this were walking trouble magnets for the protagonist. Ye Chen had always skipped those types.

But he was different. Five thousand times was already enough to move his heart. Let alone some Undying Celestial Emperor's son—his origin essence would probably be even more ridiculous.

Far from finding it troublesome, Ye Chen was delighted. At the same time, he finally understood why Yao Yuezhi had approached him so eagerly. She simply didn't want to get married.

In the next instant, Ye Chen appeared beside the quietly weeping, heartbroken Yao Yuezhi. He reached out and gently pulled her petite frame into his arms. Then he said softly, "Don't be afraid. I'm here."

Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. 𝐟𝚛𝕖𝚎𝕨𝗲𝐛𝚗𝐨𝐯𝐞𝕝.𝐜𝗼𝗺

Yao Yuezhi's delicate body trembled slightly. A faint tea fragrance wafted from her. It made Ye Chen feel very comfortable. High-grade tea fragrance, with a hint of sweetness. It made Ye Chen quite curious what her real taste would be like. It couldn't actually be tea, could it? That would be too strange.

Yao Yuezhi, held in his embrace, gradually calmed. The trembling stopped. She wasn't tall. She looked up into Ye Chen's eyes. From that faintly smiling face, she saw a trace of unshakable resolve.

Relief washed over her. Blushing, she said, "Big Brother Ye… I want to visit the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, to see where you live."

Ye Chen raised a brow. She wanted to follow him back to Heavenly Evolution? This girl was being this proactive just to avoid marrying the Celestial Prince? Did that prince have some hidden defect that got exposed or something?

Still, Yao Yuezhi's five-thousand-times multiplier was useful. Right now she was roughly second among the women around him. Ye Chen had no intention of breaking the pot too early.

As for Yao Yuezhi herself, she definitely hadn't planned this before coming. At most she had intended to brew a little tea and cultivate some goodwill. But Ye Chen's displayed talent and strength had truly stunned her. Add his lavish generosity, and the possibility that he possessed the Dao Cauldron. All in all, Ye Chen's value was enormous. Yao Yuezhi decided to go all-in and cling tight.

But the next moment, Ye Chen shook his head.

Yao Yuezhi froze. Wasn't Ye Chen infamous for being a skirt-chaser? Why refuse? She knew Luo Bingling was still pure, but she guessed that deep down Luo Bingling looked down on Ye Chen and was unwilling to truly give herself to a human. That was why she had kept her flawless body. But why… was Ye Chen turning her down?

Sensing Yao Yuezhi's surprise, Ye Chen gently stroked her silky long hair and said calmly, "No rush. We'll talk after I meet the Celestial Prince and settle this matter."

The moment he spoke, a flash of astonishment passed through the depths of Yao Yuezhi's beautiful eyes.

After dealing with the Celestial Prince?

The clever Yao Yuezhi instantly understood. Ye Chen was thinking of her. He was afraid she would worry. That was why he wanted to resolve the prince first before taking her purity. At this moment, she finally understood why, despite knowing the Heir of the Heavenly Emperor was an infamous womanizer and playboy, all those female cultivators still followed him with absolute devotion.

High-realm female cultivators were rare, and every one was proud. Yet they could accept him without reservation. It was all because the Heir was generous and considerate. Even she, right now, felt deeply moved.

…

"Muah."

A light peck.

A hint of spiritual tea's sweet fragrance passed between their lips. Then Yao Yuezhi slipped out of his embrace, looking relaxed and cheerful as she flew toward the edge of the battlefield. But after a hundred meters, she stopped again and waved back at Ye Chen.

"Brother Ye, I'm going now! I'll be waiting for you at the clan!"

Seeing how adorable she was, Ye Chen laughed.

Luo Bingling's face turned even darker.

Outside, the crowd erupted in uproar. Yao Yuezhi had not hidden anything. In the blink of an eye, the Heir had claimed yet another top myriad-race beauty, and he didn't even care about offending the terrifying Undying Celestial Phoenix Clan. That clan had produced multiple true immortals in the past. They were a genuine apex great clan among the myriad races. Yet the Heir didn't give a damn.

Everyone could only sigh. The Heir of the Heavenly Emperor really was a hopeless womanizer. The myriad-race prodigies all looked dejected. Luo Bingling and Yao Yuezhi were both top-tier.

Luo Bingling's tiny waist, Yao Yuezhi's jade-green eyes and willow-leaf brows—both were famous and had countless admirers among the myriad races. Yet they had both been swept up by a single human. They lost the battle of geniuses, and their women fell for the enemy. It was utterly humiliating for the myriad-race males.

Meanwhile, the human male cultivators felt pride mixed with burning envy as they stared at Ye Chen. Sour. Really, really sour!