Chapter 761: My Innocence Is Mine to Decide! |
After thinking it through, Little Peacock King's mood brightened considerably. He realized it wasn't entirely bad. Ye Chen possessed profound foundations, extraordinary strength, and the Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo—his body was terrifyingly robust.
As a pillar for his mother, few could rival him. Though it felt awkward, he could simply avoid Ye Chen in the future. Thus, with faint apology, he said, "Sorry, Mom. I spoke too loudly earlier."
Yan Wenwen blinked in surprise, unprepared for her son's reasonableness. She had braced for a beating to set him straight. A relieved smile bloomed. "Good. Cultivate diligently. I'll have your Uncle Ye guide you more—he'll help you go further on the immortal path."
Little Peacock King's mouth twitched. He skipped the topic. "Mom, you and Aunt are so close—will you hide this from her?"
This must reach Aunt's ears. With their bond, learning that Ye Chen was her mother's man would surely extinguish any feelings for him.
Yan Wenwen shook her head at once. "Hide it from Ruyu? Why? The moment she returns from the Immortal Road, I'll tell her everything!"
Little Peacock King's face lit with wild joy. Yan Wenwen recalled Ye Chen's heightened excitement at the mere mention of Yan Ruyu. Her cheeks flushed. When she truly drew Yan Ruyu in, that wicked fellow would be overjoyed…
Mother and son reconciled fully, both in high spirits as they headed toward the Peacock Clan encampment. They chatted casually about the auction starting next week.
…
Nearly daily, the catalog was updated. Clans unearthed exceedingly rare treasures for bidding—not only cave heaven aids but oddities of every category.
Such fervor stemmed from two motives.
First, to probe Ye Chen. Second, the cultivation world brimmed with resources and wonders. Great clans hoarded many useless treasures—previously withheld for fear of arming enemies.
But times changed. The Age of Dharma's End loomed; clans stockpiled resources. And the city held the fat sheep: the Heavenly Emperor heir. Wealthy beyond measure—if timed right to pique his interest, massive profits awaited.
As for arming the foe—they feared not. Once he left the Immortal City, myriad races' prodigies would swarm to slay him. Selling high now meant reclaiming later—double profit.
With such calculations, enthusiasm soared. Cultivators flooded in. The city grew ever more prosperous. Myriad races prodigies shifted attitudes, too.
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
Initially, upon Ye Chen's arrival, dread filled them. Many fled on excuses, fearing the baleful star. Even those bearing no fondness spoke of him with wary respect as "Heavenly Emperor heir."
Lately, however, casual chatter flowed with "Ye the Fourth." Those who departed returned one by one, all brimming with confidence—convinced his plummeting strength stripped his former menace. Together, with him weakened and them strengthened, slaying him would prove effortless.
…
Within the Heavenly Demon Clan, inside a certain cave abode, a domineering woman with flowing purple hair sat cross-legged. Suddenly, her aura surged violently. Purple strands danced wildly as her breathtakingly beautiful face radiated soul-stirring allure. She slowly opened her eyes, sensing her cultivation's advancement. A smile curved her lips. She had reached mid-third heaven.
Though Ye Chen's favoritism toward Yao Yuezhi and others filled her with resentment and frustration. The Dao Cauldron remained forever out of reach. Following him these days had brought tangible gains. Daily Dao Charm Pills nourished her, occasionally supplemented by rare treasures—vastly accelerating her progress. She now matched most prodigies.
Yet deep down, Luo Bingling remained unsatisfied. She craved faster growth. "Must I truly offer myself for that Dao Cauldron? But once I do, wouldn't I be bound to him for life? This…"
She had agonized over it before, unable to decide—opting instead for secluded cultivation. Lost in thought, she sensed a talisman vibrating in her storage ring—the link to her clan elders. She retrieved it and listened intently as information flooded in.
In an instant, her eyes widened as though struck by lightning—heaven itself collapsing. During her seclusion, Ye Chen had truly let Yao Yuezhi drain his cave heaven? Yao Yuezhi's strength exploded—enough to kill that bitch Feng Youhuang? How much had she taken from him? How had Yao Yuezhi not burst? Unacceptable—truly unacceptable. Why did Ye Chen favor Yao Yuezhi so excessively?
In Luo Bingling's view, such devotion meant Yao Yuezhi could likely demand the Dao Cauldron and receive it. It left her deeply aggrieved. All her prior efforts—hands, feet, even feeding him—felt wasted. Unless she gave herself completely.
Luo Bingling was spurred by Yao Yuezhi's provocation. This time, he truly wanted to. Not for anything else—just to vent her anger.
…
Her mind in turmoil, she continued listening. Her face darkened instantly. Ye Chen's cave heaven withered, his cultivation fallen. Myriad races prodigies planned to assassinate him. And her clan ordered her to surrender her purity to Ye Chen. To seize the final chance for the Dao Cauldron. Even without it, extract more Dao Charm Pills—to hasten their divine son's progress.
Moreover, stay by Ye Chen's side, strike the fatal blow at the critical moment—securing greater spoils for the War God Clan. After all, Ye Chen brimmed with treasures. Prioritizing seizure would bolster their divine son.
Reading the elders' instructions, her face grew so grim water could drip from it. Dao Charm Pills for the divine son—betray Ye Chen, seize treasures, aid the divine son. Everything for him?
The War God Clan's rules remained unchanged for ages. Yet the elders casually demanded her sacrifice. She wasn't abandoned—she had never been treated as human. Merely a stepping stone for the divine son.
In that moment, Luo Bingling felt no lingering attachment to the War God Clan. Once, she had dreamed of rising, returning in glory, making the clan proud of her. Now, those dreams scattered like smoke.
"My innocence shall serve my own future…"
Luo Bingling ground her teeth, eyes narrowing. "What is that divine son? Why must I sacrifice for him? One day, I'll exterminate his entire line! And Yao Yuezhi—why does she always overshadow me?"
Fury mounted. Golden armor gleamed brilliantly
She rose abruptly. With a wave of her hand, the long-sealed cave abode doors boomed open.
Luo Bingling stepped out resolutely, striding toward Ye Chen's cave abode…