Chapter 163 Where There Is a Master, There Is Heaven!

Although a hellish difficulty was set, making it more arduous for the disciples during their trials, their progress in strengthening would also be faster.

Ye Yun sighed lightly.

"I hope you won't blame your master for enduring more hardship here, so you can shed less blood outside."

After adjusting the difficulty, Ye Yun didn't bother to test how hard the hellish level was and left the Trial Tower. He was unaware that his adjustment had directly created several monsters in the Heavenly Domain who treated fighting beyond their level as easily as drinking water.

Exiting the Trial Tower and the Master-Disciple Space, Ye Yun slowly opened his eyes and found himself cross-legged in his cave dwelling, a frown creasing his brow.

"System, when I enter the Master-Disciple Space, does my physical body remain in place?"

As expected, the system gave an affirmative answer.

[Because the system requires a vessel, only disciples can physically enter. The host's body will remain in the present world, dormant, with their consciousness projected as an image within the Master-Disciple Space.]

[Prompt: The projected form within possesses all the perceptions, abilities, etc., of the original body, no different from a standard human.]

After hearing the explanation, Ye Yun felt a bit disappointed. He had initially hoped to hide in the Master-Disciple Space if trouble arose, but it seemed he was overthinking.

"It seems... improving my own strength is the only true path."

Ye Yun continued to gauge his own changes. Thanks to the effect of the Extreme Dao Divine Lotus, his created immortal body's various functions seemed to far surpass those of ordinary Saints. However, the Extreme Dao Divine Lotus, being one of the supreme treasures of the Heavenly Domain, should have more special qualities in its created immortal physique, which he hadn't yet discovered.

Then, as if remembering something, he immediately sat cross-legged to meditate, intending to absorb the Profound Qi of heaven and earth to condense his cultivation. But after a long while, he slowly opened his eyes and sighed, saying,

"It's really as I suspected. After reaching the first level of Saint, one can no longer increase their cultivation through the Profound Qi of the lower realms."

As the saying goes, "Since ancient times, Saints have all been at the first level," referring to Saints throughout history, no matter how powerful, whose cultivation could only reach the first level of Saint. To advance further in cultivation, one could only cultivate in the Heavenly Domain. However...

Ye Yun looked up at the stone wall above, his eyes flashing with a golden light, as if capable of penetrating everything. He could now see the origin of this world, and even the path of ascension and reception located in the sky. At the same time, he saw two lines of blood-red text that had appeared on that path for who knew how long.

[Ascension is forbidden in this realm. Violators will be executed without mercy!]

[Signed: Heavenly Dao Divine Palace!]

These two lines of blood-red text were left before the ascension path and could only be seen by cultivators who had reached the Saint realm. They seemed to mock their lifelong arduous cultivation, having hung there for who knew how long.

"Well said, 'violators will be executed without mercy.' Not long from now, I shall indeed have to meet you!"

A fierce glint flashed in Ye Yun's eyes as he recalled the image he had seen earlier in the Sage's tomb, of the person who had attacked Senior Xu, the Flying Moon Sword Saint. That person was very strong, but most likely still within the Saint realm. Otherwise, the only Saint at the first level, Senior Xu, would never have survived that blow. Based on his estimation of the attack's power, the gatekeeper was likely between the seventh level of Saint and the peak of Saint, posing a significant threat to him.

Ye Yun fell into thought and soon discovered a crucial point.

"Come to think of it... my cultivation hasn't mostly come from normal practice, has it?"

"If I were to pass on my power to my disciples now, it seems I could continue to grow stronger..."

Others couldn't cultivate, but he still had the Return System. Perhaps he could exploit a loophole in the Heavenly Dao with its help!

With this thought, Ye Yun excitedly got up and rushed out of his cave dwelling, his heart filled with joy.

"My good disciples, prepare to receive your master's affection!"

As soon as Ye Yun emerged, he saw Lin Xueyan and the other girls who had been waiting for him. Not long ago, upon witnessing the unusual phenomena, they knew their master's seclusion was about to end, so they positioned themselves to wait. The moment they saw him come out, they eagerly rushed forward.

"Congratulations, Master, you've broken through again!"

In their memory, their master was already very powerful, and now he had become the continent's only Saint. They were all overjoyed along with him.

Ye Yun glanced at the few of them and finally said approvingly,

"Mm, you've all been very good. Two months have passed, and your cultivation has improved significantly."

Lin Xueyan, however, looked dejected. She hugged and swayed Ye Yun's arm, saying,

"It's not good at all. I haven't seen Master for so long, I was so lonely! Master needs to comfort me!"

Bai Xiaoxiao, not to be outdone, hugged his other arm and softly added,

"Yes, Master needs to kiss me and lift me up high!"

This scene made Ye Yun quite helpless. Bai Xiaoxiao was fine, but Lin Xueyan's well-developed chest was rubbing against him, making it hard to remain calm. Moreover, Chen Lingyi, standing nearby, also looked eager, as if searching for the best place to hug.

This prompted Ye Yun to cough lightly and say, "Alright, stop fooling around for a moment. Master has something important to tell you."

Upon hearing this, Lin Xueyan reluctantly let go and asked with some confusion,

"Master, what is this important matter you speak of?"

"Naturally, it is to ascend to the Heavenly Domain!"

Ye Yun looked at the girls, his expression turning serious.

"If nothing unexpected happens, your master can bring you all to the Heavenly Domain."

"But you all know about the Heavenly Dao Divine Palace. Once I ascend, I might be targeted, and there could be great danger."

"And if you go, although you won't be a burden to me, you might face the same life-or-death danger as I do."

"Therefore, I need to confirm with you all once more: will you choose to stay, or risk going to the Heavenly Domain?"

Upon hearing this, they were all stunned and exchanged glances. The news came too suddenly. However, Lin Xueyan was the first to react and said without hesitation,

"This disciple wishes to go to the Heavenly Domain together!"

"I'll go with Senior Sister!"

Bai Xiaoxiao quickly nodded, her eyes filled with determination. Even Chen Lingyi and Chen Lingxin nodded and said,

"If we won't be a burden to Master, then we want to go together!"

As for Xiao Xue, as Ye Yun's mount, she had no other choice.

"Where Master is, I am."

Speaking of which, she was supposedly Master's mount, yet Master had never ridden her much. How could they be separated now? One day, she would make Master ride her everywhere.

Ye Yun frowned and said, "Are you sure you want to go together? Aren't you afraid of the danger?"

"Not afraid!"

The girls said in unison, and then Lin Xueyan chuckled and said,

"As long as I can be by Master's side, even if it's a mountain of knives or a sea of fire, or the Nine Nether Purgatory, it will be paradise for this disciple!"

The other disciples nodded in agreement, stating that what she said made a lot of sense. This unified stance genuinely touched Ye Yun. It seemed he had truly taken in a few good disciples. Aside from seeming to have a slight desire for his body, they were perfect in every other aspect...