Chapter 227: What’s That Got to Do with Me?

Ye Chen, hearing her refusal, gave a light smile. He gently pushed the jade slip toward her. “I specifically bought this for you, Senior An, at the auction. If you don’t take it, it’s of no use to me either. So please, accept it.”

Another auction item? An Miaoli’s eyes widened.

If her memory served, Ye Chen had come straight to the Divine Will Sect’s gates after securing the Thunderbane Bamboo Core, which was the third item up for bid. That meant this gift had to be one of the first two.

In the cultivation world, auctions always placed the most valuable items first. The second item, a Heaven-grade Foundation Establishment technique, was useless to her. That left only one possibility: this jade slip contained the incomplete Eternal Cosmos Sutra.

An Miaoli was stunned. The Eternal Cosmos Sutra fragment, sold for a staggering 300,000 high-grade spirit stones, had also been won by Ye Chen? And it was meant for her?

This was beyond shocking.

The Thunderbane Bamboo Core had cost 190,000 high-grade spirit stones. The Eternal Cosmos Sutra fragment, 300,000. Together, nearly half a million high-grade spirit stones—an unimaginable fortune. And Ye Chen had spent it all on her?

For a moment, An Miaoli was speechless.

The Thunderbane Bamboo Core had already shown her how much Ye Chen valued her. Now, presenting the Eternal Cosmos Sutra fragment, he sent her heart reeling with an even greater impact. Spirit stones couldn’t measure emotions, but his willingness to spend such a colossal sum spoke volumes about the depth of his feelings for her.

Even An Miaoli, gazing at the immortal scripture fragment on the table and Ye Chen’s gentle, unwavering smile, felt her heart thrown into disarray. The Eternal Cosmos Sutra—the Golden Core chapter, hailed as the supreme cultivation method in the entire cultivation world, bar none. Comprehending it would solidify her foundation, ensuring a higher-quality Nascent Soul upon breakthrough and greater strength thereafter. It promised boundless benefits for her future on the immortal path.

But its value was astronomical, even as a fragment. How could she possibly accept it? And if she did, how could she ever repay him? She’d only been willing to interact with Ye Chen for her niece’s sake. Accepting this gift—how would she face herself afterward? How would she face Yuyi?

With these thoughts, An Miaoli let out a deep sigh in her heart. If only… If only the man her niece admired wasn’t Ye Chen. Then, perhaps, she could…

But the thought was cut short as soon as it arose. It was too dangerous.

An Miaoli stared at the jade slip, took a deep breath, and spoke. “I’m on the verge of breaking through to Nascent Soul, so this item is of no use to me. But you, Fellow Daoist Ye, are nearing the Golden Core stage. If you study this scripture day and night, it will surely elevate the limits of your immortal path. Please, keep it for yourself. I’m deeply grateful for your kindness, but truly, I’ve received it.”

In the end, An Miaoli refused.

Ye Chen wasn’t surprised. An Miaoli always seemed to hold back, wary of owing him anything. Gifting her was always a tug-of-war, but with a two-hundredfold return—and the potential for a critical hit—it was worth the effort.

He adopted a serious tone. “Senior An, you’re too kind. My comprehension is lacking; using it would be a waste. It’s far more valuable in your hands.”

An Miaoli looked at him deeply. A Heavenly Spirit Root cultivator claiming poor comprehension? That was likely a first in the entire cultivation world. Ye Chen was going to such lengths to convince her to accept. But the more he insisted, the more she knew she couldn’t take it. Accepting would only complicate things further, making it impossible to resolve.

Her niece hoped to grow closer to Ye Chen through her. If An Miaoli betrayed Yuyi by giving in to her own feelings, how heartbroken would her niece be? It would drive a wedge between them, shattering their close bond, perhaps even leading to a permanent rift. Yuyi was her brother’s only bloodline, her sole remaining family. How could she, for her own selfish desires, do something so unforgivable?

So, An Miaoli shook her head firmly. “I’ve always addressed you as Fellow Daoist Ye because, with your Heavenly Spirit Root, reaching the Golden Core stage is effortless, and even the Nascent Soul stage, which is a struggle for me, will be no challenge for you. So, enough talk of poor comprehension. Don’t squander your talent. If you can glean the mysteries of this scripture fragment, you’ll surely become a top-tier prodigy in the future.”

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She paused, then continued, “I understand your intentions clearly, Fellow Daoist Ye. But my heart is set on the Great Dao, with no interest in finding a Dao companion. So, I ask that you let this go. From now on, it’s best if we no longer meet.”