Ye Qingchen recalled that in the Contribution Hall, a Low-grade Treasure cost tens of thousands of contribution points. This Core Disciple Token, however, allowed for half-price exchanges, making everything even cheaper. With the 500,000 contribution points it contained, he could redeem more than a dozen Low-grade Spiritual Artifacts! Combined with the token’s other functions, its total value was simply immeasurable.

Then there were the 100,000 medium-grade spirit stones. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

On the Heaven Desolate Continent, Spirit Stones were hard currency. They were divided into Low-grade Spirit Stones, medium-grade spirit stones, Superior-grade Spirit Stones, and the legendary Top-grade Spirit Stones. The standard exchange rate was one hundred Low-grade Spirit Stones for one medium-grade spirit stone, and one hundred medium-grade spirit stones for one Superior-grade Spirit Stone, and so forth.

However, this was merely the market price. Since higher-grade Spirit Stones contained much richer Spiritual Energy, very few people were willing to trade them for lower-grade ones.

At Ye Qingchen’s current level, Low-grade Spirit Stones were no longer sufficient for his cultivation needs. The 100,000 medium-grade spirit stones, equivalent to ten million Low-grade Spirit Stones, were therefore a great and timely relief, both for his future cultivation and for any expenses he would incur after leaving Central Celestial Academy.

Furthermore, Ye Qingchen was surprised to discover that the storage ring Mu Changfeng had given him was also Treasure-level. Such a ring not only had a much larger capacity but could also hold higher-grade items. His Double Pupil Sword, for instance, was of such a high grade that it had never fit into his old storage ring, forcing him to carry it on his back at all times. Now, this new ring solved that problem completely.

Ye Qingchen understood that although it was only Treasure-level, its rare spatial attribute made it just as valuable as the other two gifts.

Not one for false modesty, Ye Qingchen accepted the gifts, then rose and gave Mu Changfeng a deep bow of thanks.

Mu Changfeng simply waved his hand. "These are all rewards you’ve earned," he said with a smile. "There’s no need for thanks. In seven days, the academy will organize a trip for students to go to Eternal City. However, your situation is special. If you were with them, they would be under your protection, which would defeat the purpose of their training. Therefore, I’ve decided that you will travel to Eternal City alone."

As he spoke, Mu Changfeng produced an exquisite Jade Token and handed it to Ye Qingchen. "This is the entry pass for the Demon Clan Battlefield. Take it and prepare to set out."

Ye Qingchen had no objections to Mu Changfeng’s arrangements. After accepting the Jade Token, he bowed and took his leave.

Watching Ye Qingchen’s departing figure, Mu Changfeng couldn’t help but sigh. He had initially wanted Ye Qingchen to lead the team to Eternal City, but Elder Yang had adamantly opposed the idea, insisting that the boy must go alone. Although Ye Qingchen was a disciple of Central Celestial Academy, he had been personally nurtured by Elder Yang. Given the elder’s special status, Mu Changfeng had no way to refuse the request and could only agree. He had expected Ye Qingchen to be unhappy upon hearing the news, but to his surprise, his reaction was incredibly calm.

What Mu Changfeng didn’t know was that Ye Qingchen was long accustomed to acting alone. This wasn’t because he was aloof; rather, his primary goal in entering the Demon Clan Battlefield was to earn enough points to secure a spot among the Ten Ancient Clans. His purpose differed from that of the other disciples, who were there simply to train and improve their strength. Forcing them into a team would only hinder each other’s progress.

After returning to the Divine Tree Academy, Ye Qingchen intended to say goodbye to Elder Yang, but he found the elder was not there. He was well aware of Elder Yang’s unreliable nature. Every time he left for training, his supposed mentor never showed the appropriate concern or offered any parting advice. This time was no different.

Giving up on waiting for the elder to return, Ye Qingchen left a farewell note in his room and prepared to set out for Eternal City.

Just as Ye Qingchen was descending the low hill, he ran into Zi Xing, who was rushing toward the Divine Tree Academy.

She looked quite excited. Upon seeing him, she ran over and exclaimed, "Junior Brother Ye, thank you so much! If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have gotten a spot to enter the Demon Clan Battlefield."

Ye Qingchen scratched his head, a little embarrassed, and replied with a smile, "With Senior Sister Zi Xing’s talent, you’re certainly a high-priority student for the Ferocious Fire Academy. Even if there weren’t so many spots, I’m sure the dean would have saved one for you."

In fact, he had heard from Li Chunsheng and the others upon his return. When he was in danger in the Secret Realm, Zi Xing had been waiting anxiously before the Teleportation Array the entire time. Later, it was she who ran to Elder Yang to plead for help. This prompted the elder to angrily intervene and secure Ye Qingchen the chance to advance. If not for her actions, he likely would have been killed by the others back in the first stage of the Secret Realm, let alone perfecting his Divine Tree Art or advancing to the Martial Emperor Realm!

But what puzzles me is how Elder Yang managed to intervene. The Secret Realm was clearly under the Saint Heir’s control, so how did he make the Saint Heir change his mind? Is Elder Yang really that powerful? Could he have some connection to the Ten Ancient Clans?

No matter how many times Ye Qingchen asked, Elder Yang would just smile and brush it off, leaving the matter a persistent mystery.

Thinking of this, Ye Qingchen gave Zi Xing a solemn bow. "Senior Sister Zi Xing, I must thank you as well. If not for you, I might have died in the Secret Realm."

Hearing his thanks, a sweet warmth filled Zi Xing’s chest and her heart began to pound. Unsure what to say, she grew flustered, and an awkward silence fell between them.

After a moment, Zi Xing broke the silence. "Junior Brother Ye, I heard from our dean that we’ll be heading to the Demon Clan Battlefield in seven days. Do you want to join our group?"

In the past, everyone had underestimated Ye Qingchen’s strength and was unwilling to team up with him. Now that he had demonstrated his formidable combat power, that had changed completely. Almost everyone wanted to be in his group, which was why Zi Xing, encouraged by her fellow disciples, had come to ask about his plans.

To Zi Xing’s disappointment, however, Ye Qingchen shook his head. She sighed, understanding that with her current strength, she would probably just hold him back.

Seeing her disappointed expression, Ye Qingchen quickly explained, "Senior Sister Zi Xing, I won’t be teaming up with anyone this time. The Headmaster has already ordered me to travel to Eternal City alone!"