Chapter 20: Making Money

## Chapter 20: Where There's Money, There's Opportunity

“Advance!” With a low roar, Ye Chen, having condensed his Qi to the first level, surged forward, his cultivation base leaping to the second level of the Qi Condensation Realm.

His body underwent profound changes. First, his Spiritual Sea expanded significantly, his true essence becoming more refined. Next, his meridians and bones grew tougher, now bearing a faint golden hue. Besides these, Ye Chen discovered an immense power residing within his fists. He was confident that a single punch at this moment could easily fell a bull.

Huff!

With a breath of turbid air, Ye Chen slowly opened his eyes.

Crack! Crack!

He comfortably stretched his slightly stiff body, the sound of bones colliding echoing within. A feeling of pure comfort washed over him.

“Not bad,” Ye Chen couldn’t help but praise.

Naturally, what excited him most was not the physical transformation, but the spiritual power contained within the Jade Spirit Liquid he had just refined. It was far superior to the Jade Spirit Liquid distributed by the sect.

“Jade Spirit Liquid refined with True Fire and Earth Fire is indeed on a different level.”

Suddenly, a way to earn wealth dawned upon Ye Chen.

With True Fire and the refining method for Jade Spirit Liquid, his speed and the quality of the refined liquid were bound to improve rapidly. Not only could he replenish his vast Spiritual Sea and aid his cultivation breakthroughs, but he could also exchange it for more valuable resources.

Forcefully suppressing the excitement in his heart, Ye Chen was filled with energy.

With a thought, he once again summoned the True Fire, shaping it into a cauldron. One by one, medicinal herbs were tossed in. Having already achieved success, his control over the flames became increasingly skillful, and the spiritual power within the Jade Spirit Liquid grew exceptionally refined.

He didn't stop refining until nightfall.

It wasn't by choice, but because the medicinal herbs required for refining the Jade Spirit Liquid were depleted. More precisely, he had run out of Snow Jade Orchids.

“Other spiritual herbs needed for refining Jade Spirit Liquid aren't hard to find in the back mountains, but this Snow Jade Orchid…”

Ye Chen pinpointed the problem. Yesterday, he had wandered the back mountains for a long time, collecting quite a few other spiritual herbs, but Snow Jade Orchids were incredibly scarce. He had only managed to gather nine stalks.

“Need to find a way to get more Snow Jade Orchids.” Ye Chen stroked his chin, his first thought being the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

“The Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion is brimming with treasures. Getting some Snow Jade Orchids shouldn't be difficult, but the spirit stones…” Ye Chen muttered to himself, not forgetting to glance at his storage bag. He couldn't help but let out a dry cough.

Previously, at the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, he had spent all his savings to buy the Purple Gold Gourd. Although he desperately wanted more Snow Jade Orchids, his empty purse left him scratching his ears and cheeks in frustration.

“Where can I get some money!” Scratching his head, Ye Chen felt a surge of helplessness. Only now did he realize how difficult everything was without spirit stones!

“Ye Chen, the Wind and Cloud Platform duel tomorrow.” As Ye Chen pondered, a voice reached the small mountain peak.

Hearing this, Ye Chen's eyes lit up.

“This time, there's money to be made.” Rubbing his hands together, Ye Chen couldn't help but look up at the majestic peak of Tian Yang Mountain.

From the voice, he could tell that the challenge had come from Wei Yang of Tian Yang Peak.

It made sense. His refusal of Tian Yang Peak's invitation was tantamount to a slap in their face.

Although the head of Tian Yang Peak, Elder Zhong, wasn't as vengeful as Ge Hong, Ye Chen had undeniably caused Tian Yang Peak to lose face. Without teaching Ye Chen a lesson, Tian Yang Peak’s dignity would be trampled upon.

However, Ye Chen didn't care about that at the moment. His eyes were solely focused on money.

If there was money to be made, he wouldn't mind returning to the Wind and Cloud Platform.

The night passed without incident, and in the blink of an eye, dawn arrived.

Before the sky even brightened, most of the outer sect disciples had already emerged.

Last night, everyone had heard of the challenge issued by Wei Yang of Tian Yang Peak, directed at Ye Chen. Disciples eager for excitement had already gathered below the Wind and Cloud Platform.

“I say, this time, do you think Ye Chen can win?”

With both duelists yet to arrive, discussions had already begun below the platform.

“I see suspense. Wei Yang is at the peak of the seventh level of the Qi Condensation Realm, one small realm higher than Zhao Long. Although it's only a small realm, the difference in strength can be significant.”

“Why do I feel like Ye Chen will win?”

“Not necessarily. You haven't forgotten Wei Yang’s abilities, have you?”

“Cold Ice True Qi.” Speaking of Wei Yang's abilities, the disciples present couldn't help but shiver.

“Look, Wei Yang is here.”

Someone's exclamation drew everyone’s gaze in one direction.

There, the crowd had tacitly cleared a path. Wei Yang, clad in a white Daoist robe, walked with graceful steps. His prestige seemed considerable, as flattery followed him every step of the way.

Wei Yang appeared to relish the surrounding awe, such gazes filling him with a sense of accomplishment.

Despite this, he maintained a facade of indifference to fame and fortune, walking directly onto the Wind and Cloud Platform. He then stood imposingly, hands behind his back, overlooking all directions.

“Ye Chen is also here.”

Soon, the observing disciples stirred once more.

The bustling crowd again tacitly made way.

Ye Chen arrived with steady, powerful strides, still carrying his two hundred-plus catty heavy Heaven's Calamity Sword.

Gulp!

Seeing the Heaven's Calamity Sword, many disciples couldn't help but secretly swallow. They still remembered a few days ago, when Zhao Long had been smashed to his knees by this very sword. If an ordinary disciple were struck by this sword, they might just turn into a pile of… something.

“Good morning, various senior brothers.” Ye Chen was quite sociable, waving his hands along the way. However, his enthusiasm was met with little response, leaving him feeling rather awkward.

Receiving no attention, Ye Chen cleared his throat before striding onto the Wind and Cloud Platform.

At this moment, Wei Yang, standing on the platform, also opened his eyes.

“Ye Chen, you have such gall, daring to refuse even my Tian Yang Peak’s invitation.” As soon as he arrived, Wei Yang loudly rebuked, seemingly trying to intimidate and reprimand.

Hearing this, Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. “Senior Brother Wei, your words are incorrect. The sect rules do not stipulate that I must join your Tian Yang Peak. Joining or not joining Tian Yang Peak is my choice. Can it be considered a crime?”

“Such a glib tongue.” Wei Yang sneered. “Then today, I shall let you know the consequences of despising my Tian Yang Peak.”

Saying this, Wei Yang lightly stomped his foot.

Immediately, centered on his foot, a chilling white true essence spread rapidly. Wherever the white true essence passed, the surface of the Wind and Cloud Platform visibly iced over.

“Cold Ice True Qi.” Seeing this scene, Ye Chen was slightly surprised.

“Boy, you know quite a bit!” Wei Yang’s mouth curled into a playful smile.

“Truly blind.” Ye Chen couldn't help but touch his chin.

In the Zheng Yang Sect, he had once seen someone possess such a yin-cold attribute true essence.

This kind of Cold Ice True Qi could be innate or acquired. Acquired cultivation required enduring immense, bone-piercing cold, and not everyone could withstand such suffering.

As for Wei Yang, Ye Chen was slightly surprised. He belonged to those with innate Cold Ice True Qi.

Although both were Cold Ice True Qi, the gap between acquired and innate possession was extraordinary. Generally, such individuals received special cultivation from the sect. It seemed Wei Yang was one of these people.

As he spoke, the Cold Ice True Qi had already spread to Ye Chen’s feet.

However, he did not retreat, allowing the Cold Ice True Qi to invade his body through his feet, freezing his body and meridians.

Wow!

This action caused the disciples below to exclaim.

“Ye Chen is seeking death! Cold Ice True Qi invading the body is no laughing matter.”

“I think he's probably scared witless.”

Among them, many disciples had suffered defeat at Wei Yang’s hands.

That Cold Ice True Qi was unlike ordinary true essence. Once it invaded the body, it was extremely difficult to resist. Generally, facing someone with Cold Ice True Qi, they would all avoid it, afraid of the Cold Ice True Qi invading their bodies.

Ye Chen, on the other hand, neither dodged nor evaded, actually allowing the Cold Ice True Qi to freeze his body.