Chapter 346.

The figures of Ye Chen, Nangong Wan, and Elder Qingcheng gradually faded within the formation.

The Supreme Elder of the Celestial Sword Sect was filled with emotion.

A year ago, upon learning of Ye Chen’s existence, although amazed by his creation of the Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicator, he hadn’t thought much of Ye Chen himself.

A genius from a remote province was nothing remarkable in Mingwang Province.

Even upon noticing Yan Bailu’s budding feelings for Ye Chen, he had been highly dismissive.

After all, Heavenly Origin Sacred Land was, at best, a third-rate Sacred Land in Mingwang Province.

How could it possibly match his sect’s most talented prodigy?

If they became Dao companions, it would undoubtedly be Ye Chen who was reaching beyond his station.

But now, the Supreme Elder’s perspective had undergone a complete transformation.

Today, Ye Chen was one of the most prominent figures in Mingwang Province. Even in his presence, the Supreme Elder felt pressured.

Not to mention, with the imminent launch of the Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicator in Mingwang Province,

Ye Chen’s wealth would balloon to unimaginable levels.

In this scenario, a marriage alliance would be the Celestial Sword Sect reaching upward.

That said, relationships should be based on mutual affection — calling it “reaching upward” would be inappropriate.

With this contradictory mindset, the Supreme Elder eagerly turned to Yan Bailu and asked, “Bailu, how far have things progressed between you and Saint Master Ye?

“Have you set a date?

“This is an important matter, and the Celestial Sword Sect needs to prepare in advance.”

Yan Bailu: “???”

My sect’s Supreme Elder seemed a little… off!

Next, Yan Bailu dispatched elders from her sect to assist Heavenly Origin Sacred Land’s elders in selecting locations.

—

Meanwhile, in Great Yan Province, when Ye Chen and his group emerged from the cross-province teleportation array near the Eastern Sea, the elder guarding the array excitedly came forward to pay his respects.

The Saint Master’s exploits had already spread throughout the cultivation world of Mingwang Province, becoming the talk of countless cultivators.

As a member of Heavenly Origin Sacred Land, the elder was filled with pride and excitement.

Ye Chen smiled faintly, offered a few encouraging words, and dismissed the overenthusiastic elder.

He then turned his attention to Fairy Qingcheng.

The cross-province teleportation array was located near the Eastern Sea, not far from Jade Pond Sacred Land.

With a smile, Ye Chen said, “Thank you, Fairy Qingcheng, for your assistance this time.

“If you ever have time in the future, please visit Heavenly Origin Sacred Land more often.”

Fairy Qingcheng’s long hair swayed in the sea breeze, her beauty breathtaking.

Her delicate face showed a hint of shyness as she replied, “You’re too kind, Saint Master.

“Accompanying you to Mingwang Province allowed me to witness your unrivaled prowess. I hardly did anything, so it can’t be called assistance.”

Ye Chen smiled. “For you to come and offer support when the entire cultivation world doubted us was already the greatest gesture of goodwill. There’s no need to be modest.”

After exchanging a few pleasantries, Fairy Qingcheng gracefully departed.

However, during their conversation, Ye Chen noticed something strange in her gaze.

Was it my imagination, or did her eyes seem filled with admiration?

If Fairy Qingcheng had developed feelings for me, it wouldn’t be surprising.

Not to boast, but given my talent, looks, cultivation, and wealth, it would be perfectly reasonable for any female cultivator to admire me.

If I wished, I could have a different unattainable goddess from the cultivation world by my side every day.

To say I am the “top-tier male god” of the cultivation world would not be an exaggeration.

Still, despite not minding age differences in the cultivation world, Fairy Qingcheng isn’t a suitable match.

Her children were already so grown — hardly appropriate.

Of course, I might have misunderstood her intentions.

Perhaps her gaze was more akin to a mother-in-law assessing a son-in-law?

After all, the Saint Master of Jade Pond Sacred Land clearly harbored thoughts about me.

Her attempts to curry favor with my master were a clear indicator.

However, the Saint Master of Jade Pond Sacred Land is also unsuitable.

Though she was undeniably beautiful — possibly among the most beautiful in the entire cultivation world — her excessive vanity is problematic.

Bringing someone so convinced of her unparalleled beauty into his harem would surely lead to constant conflict.

Just imagining such a scenario gave Ye Chen a headache.

No level of cultivation or resources could resolve such issues.

Thus, it was best not to give her any opportunity.

As he pondered, Ye Chen suddenly remembered a long-standing question.

Turning to his master, he curiously asked,

“Master, who is Fairy Qingcheng’s husband?

“From what I’ve seen, Fairy Qingcheng has high standards. Whoever earned her favor and fathered her child must be someone extraordinary. It’s likely a sacred land elder at the very least. But I’ve never heard anyone mention his identity. Could it be that he passed away early?”

Nangong Wan’s expression flickered with surprise at the question.

Her face then shifted to a worried look as she tiptoed to pat Ye Chen’s head,

“I’ve felt all along that something’s off about the way you look at Fairy Qingcheng. Now that she just left, you’re already asking about this.

“As expected, just as I thought. Disciple, while the cultivation world doesn’t frown upon such things, I’ve already agreed to your arrangement with Jade Pond Saint Master Yu Yuwei.

“You are the Saint Master, after all. If you also pursue Fairy Qingcheng, it wouldn’t look good. Moreover, your priority should still be on cultivation, not getting too caught up in these matters!

“I’ve known many geniuses who ruined their foundations by indulging in women and regretted it for life. And while you are a genius, you’re not immune…”

Ye Chen: “…”

I was just asking!

Master, what are you even thinking?

And when did you agree to anything between me and the Jade Pond Saint Master?

So you accepted a gift and just sold your disciple off?

This is absurd, absolutely absurd.

To stop his master from continuing, Ye Chen quickly said, “Master, do you still remember the bet about me breaking through to the Great Advancement Realm? You’re not planning to back out, are you?”

Hearing this, Nangong Wan’s face instantly turned red, as beautiful as a blooming peach blossom in spring.

—

When they returned to the Sacred Land, his master eventually honored the bet, but afterward, she hid in her cave abode and refused to come out no matter how much Ye Chen persuaded her.

After leaving the cave abode fully satisfied, Ye Chen began a busy period.

Creating a short video app wasn’t just about developing the application. It also required upgrading the Immortal Net Image Stones.

The previous recording stones sold could only take pictures, not videos. So, alongside the short video app, the Image Stones needed to be upgraded with video recording and editing features.

The workload was far from small.

Meanwhile, news from Mingwang Province kept coming back.

Beyond the location selection for the Heavenly Origin Pavilion, there were decisions regarding building a logistics teleportation network, recruiting couriers, and more.

They all required Ye Chen’s input.

However, the plan for constructing the Heavenly Origin Pavilion was already set.

Rather than building numerous pavilions across Mingwang Province simultaneously, the first pavilion would open in the immortal city closest to the cross-province teleportation array.

The revenue from this pavilion would then be reinvested locally, buying materials and hiring cultivators to expand with more branches.

Teleportation arrays would also be set up alongside the branches as they opened, gradually expanding the sales network and business to cover all of Mingwang Province.

After all, despite Heavenly Origin Sacred Land’s current fame across the cultivation world,

it owed its reputation entirely to Ye Chen.

In terms of actual strength, Heavenly Origin Sacred Land was still a third-rate force in Mingwang Province, severely lacking in experts.

Opening too many branches at once would result in a shortage of manpower and chaotic management.

Transporting materials from Great Yan Province would also be too costly and time-consuming.

Local sourcing was far more practical.

Thus, this step-by-step expansion plan was the most suitable approach.

With the methods available in the cultivation world, the first Heavenly Origin Pavilion in Mingwang Province would be ready to open within a week.

Heavenly Origin Sacred Land had already transported a vast amount of Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicator devices and immortal net recording stones to Mingwang Province, waiting for the grand opening to begin sales.

Given the miraculous features of the Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicator and the buzz from Ye Chen’s recent battle, the pavilion’s opening day was bound to be extraordinarily popular.

In the following days, Ye Chen, typically a hands-off leader, found himself unusually busy.

On the immortal net’s Weibo, the discussions remained lively.

Countless cultivators continued analyzing the battle, studying the photos shared by the Foreign Affairs Elder, and marveling at Ye Chen’s overwhelming strength.

“The Saint Master is truly invincible. Look at the elder’s posts: from the start of the battle to its conclusion, only a little over a thousand breaths passed.”

“In such a short time, he destroyed three mid-stage Great Advancement experts. It’s unbelievable.”

“I heard that after the battle, millions of spectators in Mingwang Province trembled in submission. Just imagining the scene is exhilarating.”

“Our Great Yan Province has always been weaker than Mingwang Province. This is the first time one of our experts has gained such renown there.”

“I’m so proud. The Saint Master is my idol!”

“I’ve read the text and looked at the pictures several times, but it’s still not enough. I really want to see the video!”

“Don’t worry. I heard True Martial Sect has sent people to Mingwang Province to buy recording stones with footage of the battle. It won’t be long before they’re available in online stores.”

“Fairy Qingcheng is so beautiful. Even a single strand of her hair is a thousand times more elegant than the senior sister of my Demonic Supression Sect.”

“Hey, I heard your senior sister just broke through to the Golden Core Realm and has rallied the sect’s deacons to hunt you down. How are you still alive?”

While countless cultivators were passionately discussing, a new post appeared on the homepage.

The Foreign Affairs Elder of Heavenly Origin Sacred Land announced that the first Heavenly Origin Pavilion in Mingwang Province would officially open in seven days in Yaoguang Immortal City!

While the cultivators in Great Yan Province were somewhat indifferent, the announcement caused an uproar in Mingwang Province’s cultivation community.

After hearing for so long about the miraculous Heavenly Origin Little Spirit Communicator, they could finally buy one themselves.

The excitement was palpable.