After briefly resting his eyes, Ye Chen opened them once more, his senses filled with the delicate touch of the world around him. He dressed quickly, his movements fluid. The two women, however, still lay asleep, their long lashes fluttering slightly, but their eyes remained closed, sinking back into a peaceful slumber.

  Though as attendants, this could be seen as lacking in competence, Ye Chen understood the fatigue they bore and harbored no resentment. Without further delay, he left the cave residence.

  Turning his gaze towards his master, Gu Yun Yun's bamboo pavilion, Ye Chen considered whether to pay his respects and perhaps earn some goodwill in advance. But as he recalled her cold demeanor from yesterday, he decided against it.

  There would be time to flatter her once he reached the Foundation Establishment stage. For now, his priority was the grand square of the Green Cloud Sect. Having received a basic introduction from the sect's steward the previous day, Ye Chen had gained a clearer understanding of the sect's layout.

  The grand square was the hub of activity for all disciples, a sprawling area that encompassed the living quarters, the commercial district, the teaching halls, and the administrative zones.

  Though called a "square," its expanse was large enough to rival that of a small town. Ye Chen soon arrived at the center of this vast area. At its heart stood the Mission Hall of the Green Cloud Sect, where numerous disciples had already gathered, preparing to take on tasks.

  Outside the hall, voices rang out, calling for recruits: "Slay a Qi Refining Sixth Layer beast, one member still needed. The spoils and contributions will be shared equally. Requirements: Qi Refining Sixth Layer, proficiency in ice-based spells…."

  "I am at the Fourth Layer of Qi Refining, skilled in the Minor Cloud Rain technique, which I have mastered. I've also started learning the Great Fireball technique, capable of both attack and healing. Any senior brothers or sisters willing to take me in? If I don't take on tasks soon, I'll be expelled from the sect!"

  "The Pill Peak is looking for a trial medicine disciple, requirements: Qi Refining Sixth Layer or higher, a strong physique. Thirty low-grade spirit stones per day, with payment made daily. If you endure for five days, the total reward will be raised to two medium-grade spirit stones...."

  "Hunting the Ancient Dark Eagle mission, one teammate skilled in enemy tracking needed. High contribution, hurry up and join!"

  The lively scene before him stirred in Ye Chen a feeling reminiscent of the online games from his past life. There were indeed some teams that seemed to be short-handed, and they appeared ready to approach him for assistance. However, when they saw the three clouds embroidered on Ye Chen's robes, they froze in surprise.

  In Green Cloud Sect, a disciple's robe was marked with one cloud if they were a regular disciple, two clouds if they were an elder's disciple. Only a direct disciple of a peak master wore three clouds. But wasn't there only four direct disciples, one for each peak? How could there be another one all of a sudden?

  Immediately, curious glances swept toward Ye Chen. A number of disciples even approached him to pay their respects. Anyone who was chosen as a direct disciple of a peak master was undoubtedly a genius. They naturally had no qualms about establishing good relations.

  In the world of cultivation, it wasn't just about fighting and killing; social connections were equally crucial. If one had powerful connections, in times of difficulty, they could always call on others for help.

  Ye Chen smiled at the ordinary disciples. He scanned the crowd, but the system barely chimed. The few chimes it did make were for fivefold or tenfold rewards. Such low rates were beneath his notice now.

  Ye Chen's perspective had shifted; he no longer found fivefold or tenfold rewards worthy of attention. After strolling around the Mission Hall, Ye Chen made his way toward the teaching area. The teaching area consisted of several open platforms. Elders were often present, teaching their disciples. Some taught fundamental cultivation techniques, while others focused on introductory spells. There were even classes on the six arts of cultivation. And then, there was the advanced section.

  As a direct disciple, Ye Chen had access to all of these areas without any obstacles. It was clear that the elders put great effort into their teachings. It was somewhat reminiscent of the university experience from his past life.

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  After a thorough exploration, Ye Chen began to understand why Green Cloud Sect was so alluring to ordinary cultivators.

  Out in the world, finding a mentor and learning various skills was incredibly difficult. But here in Green Cloud Sect, such privileges were available to any disciple. Even if one lacked resources, they could take on missions, earning merit to exchange for resources to enhance their cultivation. It was far superior to the life of a lone cultivator outside.

  Although the sect provided few free resources to ordinary disciples, the platform that was Green Cloud Sect offered benefits far beyond what one could imagine.

  However, Ye Chen unfortunately didn't find a suitable gifting candidate in the teaching area. He did encounter a potential gift target with a twentyfold reward multiplier. She appeared to be a seventh-layer Qi Refining female disciple. Her beauty was indeed unmatched, radiant like the finest flowers.

  Yet, there was a male cultivator sitting beside her, attending the lecture together. The two of them interacted in an extraordinarily intimate manner. Though the system prompt indicated that she was still a virgin, it was clear that the two of them shared mutual affection.

  Ye Chen, however, had never been one to undermine someone else's relationship. There were plenty of flowers in the world, why steal another's partner? Thus, he chose to ignore the matter altogether.

  After leaving the teaching area, Ye Chen made his way toward the commercial district. This area housed the sect's shops, as well as many disciples who set up stalls to sell items they had acquired while completing missions in the outside world.

  Ye Chen wandered the streets aimlessly. Apart from hoping for a stroke of luck in finding a suitable target, he also wanted to see if there was anything he could buy as a gift.

  "Freshly harvested Dark Tiger Blood, perfect for beginners studying talisman crafting. One low-grade spirit stone for a small bucket!"

  "Processed first-grade demon beast pelts and furs, thirty percent cheaper than store prices. Come quickly!"

  "Just out of the furnace, middle-grade pill, best for cultivation!"

  As Ye Chen strolled through the crowd, he found nothing that truly caught his eye. To be honest, if any disciples had acquired true treasures, they would surely keep them for themselves. Anything that was being sold at a stall was likely something of little use.

  Ye Chen continued his aimless wandering, bored and disinterested. However, as he passed by a stall selling cultivation techniques, his steps suddenly halted, a look of keen interest spreading across his face.

  At the stall, there lay a dual cultivation technique. Dual cultivation, as the name suggested, was a method where two cultivators would practice together, their energies intertwined. Since Ye Chen had crossed into this world, he had become quite fascinated by such techniques, eager to find one to critique.

  However, the cultivation world today had become rather impatient, focused on quick gains, and as a result, genuine techniques that could simultaneously enhance the cultivation of both parties during practice were few and far between. Most are ones where one party supplemented the other and not the other way around.

  Thus, Ye Chen had never come across an authentic one until now. Seeing one for the first time, he couldn't help but feel excitement. A legitimate dual cultivation technique allowed both parties to enhance their cultivation through mutual pleasure.

  While the increase in power wasn't significant, it was certainly better than having nothing at all. If the effects of the technique were doubled after gifting it, wouldn't that be a tremendous boost? Double the pleasure?

  Ye Chen, with his less-than-impressive talent, was desperate to accelerate his cultivation. Even a small boost would help. Anything was better than nothing.

  Thinking this, Ye Chen immediately inquired, "How much for this technique?"

  The stall keeper calmly answered, "One high-grade spirit stone."

  ???

  Ye Chen raised an eyebrow at this.

  One high-grade spirit stone for a dual cultivation technique? Had the stall keeper lost his mind? The most expensive flying boat Ye Chen had bought previously cost only fifty middle-grade spirit stones. Could it be that disciples of Green Cloud Sect were all obsessed with spirit stones? Were they all like Sun Ye, driven only by wealth?

  "Why is it so expensive?" Ye Chen furrowed his brow and asked.

  The stall keeper, initially impatient, was about to snap back with a comment about how Ye Chen couldn't afford it and should walk away. But upon seeing the three clouds on Ye Chen's robe, his expression froze in shock.

  A Peak Master's direct disciple? Though he had never seen Ye Chen before, in Green Cloud Sect, who would dare to impersonate a direct disciple?

  The stall keeper quickly switched to a much more cordial tone, standing up to introduce the technique.

  "Senior, this dual cultivation technique is not ordinary. Most dual cultivation techniques, as you know, require one to focus on the technique during practice… And afterward, one must sit in meditation to refine the gains from the process. But that kind of distraction only hinders the pleasure. Plus, immediately sitting down to meditate after finishing is not conducive to building affection between partners. But this technique is different.

  “The technique operates passively, requiring no distraction, and there's no need for additional effort to refine the benefits. Both parties receive a feedback of spirit Qi during the process. In other words, you can improve your cultivation without interrupting your real business. Senior, just for this feature alone, one high-grade spirit stone is truly not expensive. If I weren't short on spirit stones, I wouldn't even consider selling it."