"Congratulations, Host, for successfully gifting…"

"Initiating one-hundred-fold feedback…"

"Detected significant emotional fluctuation in the recipient…"

"Triggering top-notch critical hit reward!"

"Reward: Refined Space Fragment. The Space Fragment, formed during the Ancient Immortal War when top powerhouses shattered the heavens and earth, creates a self-contained small world. It can connect to the outside, absorb spiritual energy, and sustain living beings. The owner of this small world can more easily comprehend its inherent laws…"

Back in his cave abode, Ye Chen reviewed the system prompt, unable to hide his shock. Honestly, he hadn't expected An Yuyi to trigger a Space Fragment reward. He'd gifted her the portable cave abode because he doubted An Miaoli would yield a critical hit, given her apparent lack of need for such an item. An Yuyi, having triggered a critical hit with the pills before, seemed a better bet. He'd taken a gamble—and it paid off spectacularly with a top-notch critical hit.

This made Ye Chen see An Yuyi in a new light. The fact that she could trigger such a reward proved she'd truly changed.

Putting those thoughts aside, Ye Chen focused on the system's reward. The Space Fragment, formless and intangible, had been refined by the system and integrated into his dantian. With a thought, his spiritual sense entered a vast expanse.

The space was immense. A quick scan with his spiritual sense revealed it spanned roughly 200,000 square kilometers—larger than some countries on Earth in his past life. It had mountains and rivers, but lacked spiritual energy.

However, Ye Chen could sense the space actively drawing in spiritual energy from the surrounding heavens and earth. Soon, it would be sufficient for cultivators' needs.

But that wasn't all. If he transplanted a high-grade spiritual vein and cultivated spiritual plants and beasts within, the small world could eventually rival top-tier blessed lands.

Though it lacked the time-flow manipulation he'd hoped for, it was more than satisfactory. With proper care, he could bring Lu Jing and others into it, keeping them by his side no matter where he went—a perfect solution.

…

Ye Chen contentedly tossed spirit stones into his small world, accelerating the restoration of its spiritual energy density to a cultivable level. He sent a transmission to Sun Ye, instructing him to procure a batch of spiritual plants and docile spiritual beasts for his use. With his wealth, given enough time, Ye Chen could transform the small world into a veritable paradise.

After ending the communication, his thoughts drifted back to An Yuyi. He'd held onto the Star Technique partly because he could only gift once a week, but also to see what feedback An Yuyi might yield.

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If it wasn't satisfactory, he'd have An Miaoli pass it along. But now, thoroughly pleased with the Space Fragment, he decided to gift the Star Technique to An Yuyi the following week.

…

"The Nether King's Gall has already been taken!"

In a forbidden land within the Great Chu Empire, a graceful figure with bare feet gazed at a hollowed-out black stone wall, disappointment etched on her face. It was Su Yuxuan.

In her mind, a slightly frustrated voice spoke. "I discovered the Nether King's Gall here long ago, but it wasn't fully matured, so I left it. I didn't expect someone to claim it first. The Gall is crucial for you—it can elevate your Blood Spirit Root to a Nether Spirit Root, allowing you to cultivate the Nether King Inferno Art and seize greater opportunities in the future."

Manjusaka stressed the importance of the Nether King's Gall. Su Yuxuan nodded. Her master was truly a great power, guiding her toward opportunities she'd never dared dream of. She'd grown exponentially stronger, having broken through to mid-Golden Core recently.

Confirming the Gall was gone, Su Yuxuan stepped into the void with her bare feet, leaving the miasmic forbidden land and heading toward the Great Chu Empire's capital.

A few days later, she arrived, her radiant figure drawing eyes. News of the Nether King's Gall came easily: it was in the Great Chu Empire's treasury, often sought by blood cultivators for trade.

Manjusaka sighed. "In my prime, forget a mere Nether King's Gall—I could've taken the entire Great Chu Empire with ease."

But Su Yuxuan smiled lightly. "Master, it's no problem."

Manjusaka was taken aback. "How do you plan to get it? The Great Chu Empire is a Nascent Soul power, and the capital is protected by a fifth-grade array."

Su Yuxuan glanced toward the palace. "They're holding a contest for the throne, aren't they? The winning side's subordinates can each choose a treasure from the treasury. I'll just join."

Manjusaka frowned. "I heard the slots are already set."

Su Yuxuan shook her head. "If someone dies, a slot opens up, doesn't it?"

With that, she skipped toward the heart of the capital, her stunning beauty, bare feet, and full lips drawing covetous glances. But sensing her mid-Golden Core aura, no one dared linger on her.

Manjusaka fell silent. Having observed Su Yuxuan for three years, she increasingly felt her disciple was a born demoness.

…

With just over a month until the Great Chu Empire's grand ceremony for the throne succession, cultivators from far and wide gathered to witness the event. Among them were many striking prodigies, their presence commanding attention.

Manjusaka suddenly spoke, sharing insights from her spiritual sense probing. "The cultivation world is teeming with prodigies. Take this Great Chu Empire, for instance. Champion King wields an ancient war chariot, tempered in the flames of battle, nearly invincible among Golden Core cultivators. Then there's that Wang Lun, hailed as the top prodigy of the younger generation. And that's just within Great Chu. Look beyond, and the number of prodigies only grows."

She paused, then added, "I also heard that the empire's princess, Li Feihuang, obtained phoenix blood from the Divine Will Sect. Doesn't that mean Ye Chen failed? He's probably not even at the Golden Core stage yet. Even if he is, achieving a ninth-grade Golden Core would be a stretch. Compared to these prodigies, he's nothing special—already faded into obscurity. The gap between you two will only widen. Forget him."

Manjusaka seized the chance to disparage Ye Chen, her tone laced with irritation. Even after years, she still bristled at his "old granny" jab and his claim that she couldn't protect anything.

Su Yuxuan smiled faintly at her words. She was mildly surprised that her senior brother hadn't secured the phoenix blood, but knowing his usual approach—recalling his unorthodox Foundation Establishment method—she suspected he hadn't failed to obtain it. More likely, he'd found something even better.

…

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