Chương 489: Chapter 488: Elder Mo Wants to Retire

Ye Chen opened the box. A purple eight-petal lotus floated inside, its core pulsing with misty spiritual qi. One whiff cleared his mind, stirring waves in his sea of spirit sense. Over the past year, Ye Chen had studied top-tier herbs thoroughly for immortal root farming. He instantly recognized the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, a rare treasure for healing origin injuries. It could resolve most cultivation dead ends, second only to legendary life-extending herbs.

The Heavenly Emperor Hall had delivered something truly valuable. He glanced at the memory talisman. Its contents were lackluster: urging him to head to Central Continent, spar with the Heavenly Demon Body and Heavy Pupils, and uphold the Heavenly Emperor heir's prestige. It promised life-extending herbs if he performed well. Ye Chen tossed it aside, unmoved. Painting him a pie? Laughable. If the Hall claimed he was the Heavenly Emperor's heir, their treasures should be his by right.

Using his own supposed inheritance as bait? Ridiculous. The Hall might be shameless, but the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid came at the perfect time. The fiancée's grandmother was injured—an ideal chance for gifting. Plus, he missed her, not for her unmatched beauty in the Great Yan Continent or any carvings. He just wanted to ask if she'd mastered the Movement Secret. But gifting such a precious item posed a problem. It shouldn't pass through a third party—too risky.

A mishap could mean no system feedback, a total loss. Yet, the fiancée was in Heavenly Intention Holy Land, a bitter rival. The holy master had recently killed three of their elders, making a direct visit inappropriate. After some thought, Ye Chen flew to Dao Evolution Peak. Its peak master, Elder He, was once close to Yi Qingwu's grandmother and might have a direct channel. Arriving, he found Elder He and Elder Mo drinking tea. Both smiled and invited him to sit.

"Holy Son, what brings you here? If it's about deducing family ties, forget it—I can't do it!" Elder He preemptively refused, fearing Ye Chen wanted lineage tracing. Everyone believed Ye Chen was the Heavenly Emperor's descendant, not just his heir. Deducing such a lineage was a death sentence. Ye Chen shook his head.

"Not for deduction. I just got a treasure herb." He revealed the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website. Both elders' eyes widened.

"Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid? Mo, you're saved!" Elder He exclaimed. Elder Mo's eyes flashed with joy, then sorrow. He sighed, shaking his head.

"Too late. If I'd gotten it when my Immortal Platform first shattered, it could've helped. But now, with my deep dao injury, only an immortal root can save me." Regret filled his eyes—it was too late for him. But he was touched, marveling at Ye Chen's character. To bring such a vital treasure to him first exceeded his expectations. His admiration for Ye Chen grew. Elder Mo looked at Ye Chen with deep gratification.

"Your strength grows rapidly, but my injuries worsen. In a year, I'll fall below Unity Stage. I've made too many enemies; dropping below Unity, I won't leave, lest I get killed. Next year, choose a new protector. With your talent, even late Unity elders would guard you—no need to worry." He patted Ye Chen's shoulder, delivering bad news. Ye Chen hadn't expected to meet Elder Mo here. He hadn't planned to give the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid to him—Mo didn't trigger critical hits.

Gifting it to the fiancée, with her 2, 500-fold multiplier, could yield an immortal root to heal Mo. That was the plan. Hearing the orchid was useless for Mo, Ye Chen relaxed—explaining would've been awkward. He looked at Mo earnestly.

"Don't worry, Elder Mo. If the orchid won't help, I'll find something better to restore you. Please don't give up." Ye Chen wouldn't let someone who'd helped him fall below Unity. Mo's combat prowess was top-tier; during the fiancée incident, he'd fought three-on-one while Elder He did little. If Mo reached Mahayana, Ye Chen would gain a stronger protector. Mo smiled. The orchid was already rare; immortal roots were mythical, nearly impossible to find. But Ye Chen's sincerity touched him.

He patted Ye Chen's shoulder firmly, resolved to protect him at all costs if danger arose. Ye Chen stored the orchid and turned to Elder He.

"Since it's useless for Elder Mo, I'll gift it to Yi Qingwu."

"What?" Both elders' eyes widened. They knew Ye Chen was generous, but gifting such a treasure to a female cultivator from a rival faction? Outrageous. It could tarnish his reputation in the Holy Land and anger the ancestors for aiding an enemy. Seeing their expressions, Ye Chen knew he had to explain. He summoned a fragment of the Moon Palace from his brow, its terrifying aura spilling out.

"The Moon Palace is with you?" As expected, they were even more shocked. Only Yi Qingwu's grandmother and Heavenly Intention Holy Son knew it was taken; the news hadn't spread. Heavenly Intention Holy Land couldn't afford the shame. This was their first time learning Ye Chen had it. He lowered his voice.

"In our clashes, Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden secretly helped me. Knowing I was breaking through to Deity Transformation, she said the Moon Palace would aid me and lent it. The Battle Secret Stone Tablet? She gave that to me too." Their eyes widened further, stunned by his words.