Chương 404: Chapter 403: The Visualization Diagram of the Queen Mother of the West!

The following morning, Ye Chen gracefully descended from the jade boat, landing on the edge of the Pure Moon River. Despite the passing of the night, many cultivators still lingered nearby. Upon seeing Ye Chen, their eyes held a mix of awe, envy, and disappointment. Spending a night with the divine maiden, even if only discussing the Dao, was enough to spark intense envy. Yao Gu was among them, having waited anxiously all night, his emotions in turmoil.

Seeing Ye Chen emerge refreshed, his expression grew even more complex. Ye Chen's display of physical prowess in last night's battle had been overwhelming. Yao Gu worried that, with the divine maiden's allure, Ye Chen's excitement might harm her. Though he knew he had no chance with her, he still hoped she wouldn't be hurt—he'd feel the pain himself.

"Brother-in-law, have you already become the divine maiden's protector?" Yao Gu approached cautiously, asking in a low voice. He'd studied the Heavenly Desire Sect's Heart-Seed Demon Nirvana Scripture. The moment the divine seed was planted, the divine maiden would undergo her first nirvana. This first nirvana didn't involve true dual cultivation but a fusion of spiritual senses, known as soul communion.

It would refine most of the protector's spiritual sense, allowing the divine maiden's spirit platform to undergo a profound transformation, preparing her for the Deity Transformation stage. So, Yao Gu was eager to know if Ye Chen had already become her protector—and whether they'd undergone soul communion. Ye Chen raised an eyebrow.

"Don't overthink it. My relationship with Fellow Daoist Fan Qinghe is pure—we only discussed the Dao all night!" Yao Gu sensed Ye Chen's aura, which didn't seem drained, and sighed in relief. But he also knew his own chances were gone. Even if Ye Chen wasn't her protector yet, he soon would be. No one could compete with him. Given Ye Chen's rumored obsession with women, anyone daring to vie for the divine maiden's protectorship wouldn't need to wait to be drained by her—Ye Chen would likely kill them first.

Who would court death like that?

"Brother-in-law, let me treat you to a meal later? I was immature before, but now I understand your good intentions. I want to thank you!" Yao Gu said earnestly. He planned to subtly persuade Ye Chen during the meal, urging him not to be too forceful and risk harming the divine maiden. Ye Chen raised an eyebrow, glancing at his nominal brother-in-law. This guy only thought of him when borrowing spirit stones, otherwise keeping his distance. Last night, he wouldn't even sit with him.

Now he wanted to treat him to a meal? The sun must be rising in the west. Still, Ye Chen didn't refuse, nodding calmly.

"Sure. But I need to cultivate later, so let's make it tomorrow. Pick a place, and I'll bring Fan Qinghe along." Yao Gu's mouth twitched. He recalled boasting that he'd win the divine maiden and bring her to treat Ye Chen to a meal. Now, his words were coming true—except he was paying, and the divine maiden belonged to his brother-in-law… This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings. … After last night's battle, Ye Chen became the most talked-about prodigy in White Emperor City.

His descent from the jade boat, not yet the divine maiden's protector, surprised no one. A prodigy like him was surely aiming to freeload—how could he be swayed into becoming a cauldron? But what shocked everyone was what followed. In the days after, the Fourth Holy Son was almost inseparable from Fan Qinghe. They strolled through White Emperor City, sightseeing, boating on the river, their demeanor intimate and natural. They even dined with Yao Gu and others.

Fan Qinghe tenderly fed Ye Chen, and when a grain of spiritual rice stuck to his lips, she delicately picked it off with her fingers. Instead of discarding it, she naturally licked it off her finger. The scene was said to be incredibly provocative, stunning countless onlookers. To be treated with such care by the divine maiden proved Ye Chen had nearly conquered this generation's Heavenly Desire divine maiden. Ye Chen wasn't stingy either. A week after boarding the jade boat, he made another grand gesture.

In a shop owned by a Central Continent immortal family, he purchased a Two Yi Red Sand Array disc. Its power was immense—when used correctly, it could trap an early Unity-stage cultivator for half a quarter-hour. Unity-stage cultivators, even at the early stage, wielded the Yin-Yang Dao, with near-infinite combat strength. A disc capable of trapping one for that long was unimaginable, its value evident. Priced at 200, 000 top-grade spirit stones, it had sat unsold for ages.

Yet the Fourth Holy Son bought it without hesitation, gifting it to Fan Qinghe for self-defense. This lavish act sent White Emperor City into another uproar. First a five-colored immortal gold ring, now a peerless array disc—his generosity was staggering. No Heavenly Desire divine maiden in history had received such precious gifts. The consensus was clear: this generation's divine maiden was likely to fall for the Holy Son, utterly captivated.

With his astounding talent, invincible combat prowess, and extravagant gifts, what female cultivator could resist? … Time passed. The Fourth Holy Son and the Heavenly Desire divine maiden continued appearing together in the city. He was tall and heroic, she was enchanting with a wild edge. Their intimate demeanor made them seem a match made in heaven. It was obvious to all—they were engaged in a tug-of-war. Everyone was curious: who would win? If Ye Chen willingly accepted the divine seed, Fan Qinghe would triumph.

Once planted, the seed would subtly influence the protector's emotions, making them more likely to surrender everything. But if Fan Qinghe lost her primordial yin before planting the seed, Ye Chen would win. Given the current situation, Ye Chen seemed more likely to come out on top, capturing the divine maiden. He held every advantage. Moreover, the auction drawing cultivators from all of the Great Yan Continent finally began today. Many witnessed Ye Chen entering with Fan Qinghe.

The auction's item list had long been circulated. Everyone knew it featured a visualization diagram—a portrait of the Queen Mother of the West's back, a treasure from the Central Continent's Jade Pool Holy Land. This was a replica, not the original, but the replicator was so skilled that it retained half the Queen Mother's dao charm. The Queen Mother, revered as the foremost female cultivator of the ancient immortal era, offered immense benefits to female cultivators.

Comprehending her diagram's dao charm could aid a breakthrough to the Deity Transformation stage. Fan Qinghe, now at late Nascent Soul, was close to that breakthrough. If she obtained and studied the diagram, her strength would skyrocket upon reaching Deity Transformation. Thus, everyone knew she coveted it. But its value was astronomical. With her own resources, she might not afford it. She'd likely need Ye Chen's help.

And if she asked for his aid, she'd be at a disadvantage—potentially allowing him to seize the upper hand and conquer her…