Translator: CinderTL
Chen Zilu glanced at Jiang Ye with her beautiful eyes, dismissing the thought as unlikely.
If she were in a good mood, her cultivation speed might increase slightly. But right now, she hadn't fully let go of her anger. She had only said those things earlier to spare Jiang Ye from feeling burdened.
How could she be happy when he was being intimate with other girls behind her back?
Chen Zilu didn't want her negative emotions to affect Jiang Ye, so she chose to quietly process them alone, as she was already accustomed to doing.
After a long while, she composed herself.
"I should cultivate," Chen Zilu murmured, calming her thoughts.
She closed her eyes in silent meditation.
But this time, something felt off almost immediately.
At Chen Zilu's level, her martial dao intuition was terrifyingly sharp.
Suddenly—
Swish! Chen Zilu's eyes snapped open.
She saw Jiang Ye, who had been far away moments ago, now sitting beside her, staring intently at her.
"..."
"Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" Chen Zilu glared at the ghostly figure that had materialized beside her, her beautiful eyes widening in shock.
"You're like a ghost," she scolded, her voice tinged with annoyance.
Jiang Ye chuckled, seeing Chen Zilu react this way for the first time. Even this fiercely independent girl could be startled.
"I saw you were cultivating, so I tiptoed over," Jiang Ye said, blinking innocently.
Chen Zilu rolled her eyes at him.
She had been watching Jiang Ye for most of the day, but he hadn't reacted at all. Yet, the moment she closed her eyes, he suddenly came over.
"What do you want?" Chen Zilu asked.
"I've achieved my third breakthrough," Jiang Ye grinned. "Now I can stay here, right?"
Chen Zilu stared at him silently.
Does this guy really think I'd kick him out?
Do I look that heartless?
Still, the fact that Jiang Ye cared so much about what she had said made a warm feeling bloom in her heart.
"Fine," Chen Zilu said, her lips curving into a slight smile. "You can stay."
"Thank you, Senior Sister," Jiang Ye replied, grinning.
In truth, he knew Chen Zilu wouldn't kick him out.
But since she had said it, he had to respond.
Girls always pay attention to the details.
"What are your plans now?" Chen Zilu asked, her peach-blossom eyes fixed on him.
"Plans?" Jiang Ye paused thoughtfully. "I came here for two reasons: to find you and to achieve my third breakthrough."
"Now that both goals are accomplished..."
"Just one more thing," Jiang Ye said. "I plan to search for the Extreme Sea Primordial Liquid."
"Extreme Sea Primordial Liquid?" Chen Zilu paused, then nodded. "You've already achieved your third breakthrough. It could indeed be of great help to you."
Jiang Ye smiled, offering no further explanation.
His reasons for seeking the Extreme Sea Primordial Liquid extended beyond personal gain.
While its benefits for him were limited, it held paramount importance for Chen Zilu.
Of course, once Jiang Ye reached his fourth breakthrough, the Extreme Sea Primordial Liquid would become equally crucial for him, accelerating the expansion of his sea of consciousness.
The fourth breakthrough, known as "opening the profound apertures," specifically refers to the sea of consciousness.
Developing this sea would unlock entirely new realms of understanding.
This explains why, after the fourth breakthrough, one can perceive the surrounding environment without relying on the five senses.
The sea of consciousness is an infinitely mysterious realm, brimming with unimaginable powers.
Though Jiang Ye currently wielded mental force, allowing him to perceive all things, this was merely one facet of the sea of consciousness's potential.
"Extreme Sea Crust," Jiang Ye murmured, studying the map. "Contains the Extreme Sea Primordial Liquid. It will mature in one week."
He turned to Chen Zilu. "Senior sister, how are you feeling?"
"I'm fine," Chen Zilu said. "I'll go with you in a week."
"If you're not feeling well, stay here," Jiang Ye said, his gaze fixed on her. "I can go alone."
This Secret Treasure Space was already secure enough.
"Don't worry," Chen Zilu said, shaking her head. "I'll be back to my peak condition in a week."
"Alright," Jiang Ye said, leaving it at that.
There was still a week left.
If Chen Zilu wasn't in good shape by then, he would notice.
At that point, he would naturally prevent her from risking herself.
After all, on Ancient Star No. 7, Jiang Ye was confident that Chen Zilu was no match for him. If he refused to let her leave, she would struggle to force her way out.
In a fight, Chen Zilu might not even be able to defeat him, and could even end up pinned beneath him.
Of course, this only applied to Ancient Star No. 7.
Once they left and the realm restrictions were lifted, suppressing Chen Zilu would become much more difficult.
With this in mind, Jiang Ye said, "Senior sister, I'll go back to cultivating now. You focus on resting."
"Alright," Chen Zilu nodded gently.
Jiang Ye turned and walked back to his original spot.
Chen Zilu watched his retreating figure, only looking away when Jiang Ye settled into a cross-legged meditation posture.
This guy... is he going to close his eyes and disappear for days again? the girl muttered to herself.
If that happened, what difference would it make if she were here alone?
Suddenly, Jiang Ye's voice drifted over from afar. "Senior sister."
"What?"
"I might be going into seclusion for a few days," Jiang Ye said. "If you need anything, wait until I wake up."
Chen Zilu's beautiful eyes widened slightly.
You're really planning to sit there motionless for days?
"Okay," she replied.
"I'll wait for you to finish your seclusion," Chen Zilu said, keeping her tone neutral.
"Senior sister," Jiang Ye said abruptly, "if you have something on your mind, you can tell me now."
"I'm fine!" Chen Zilu huffed softly.
"Since senior sister is fine, let's chat for a while," Jiang Ye said with a smile, sensing her slight annoyance.
Chen Zilu rolled her eyes. "What do you want to talk about?"
"I'll tell senior sister the story of the Twelve Zodiac," Jiang Ye said, his voice carrying clearly from across the distance.
Half an hour later...
After calming the young woman's emotions, Jiang Ye returned to his original spot and sat down cross-legged.
"Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder!" he murmured inwardly.
In the next instant, Jiang Ye's consciousness suddenly plunged downward.
Whoosh!
Amidst boundless clouds and mist, Jiang Ye opened his eyes once more.
Before him stood a magnificent white-gold heavenly ladder, stretching endlessly into the sky.
Does this Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder have an end? Jiang Ye couldn't help but wonder.
He had already climbed to the fourth level and was about to ascend to the fifth, yet the ladder's summit remained out of sight.
Could this Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder truly be infinite?
No matter.
"Climb," Jiang Ye said, taking a deep breath. "Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder, fifth level!"
He strode forward confidently, easily reaching the fourth level.
Then, he began ascending the ten steps leading to the fifth level.
First step.
Third step.
Sixth step.
Jiang Ye climbed steadily, one step at a time.
Unconsciously, he ascended higher and higher, the invisible pressure growing increasingly terrifying.
Fortunately, Jiang Ye's strength far surpassed his previous limits, allowing him to persevere.
Finally.
Thud! Jiang Ye's feet landed on the expansive platform of the fifth level.
The pressure dissipated like wind.
[You have reached the fifth level of the Martial Dao Heavenly Ladder.]
[Initiate the fifth-level assessment immediately?]
"Initiate!" Jiang Ye commanded inwardly.
In the next moment, his consciousness plunged into darkness.
(End of the Chapter)
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