ISWI Chapter 786-788

Chapter 786: The Heavenly Emperor's Heir Is Still Fishing!

A peak semi-saint of such terrifying might had fallen so swiftly. In that instant, the entire field fell into a silence so profound that a falling needle could be heard. Every onlooker stared dumbstruck, gazing at Ye Chen in disbelief.

At this moment, Ye Chen held the broken sword, standing like a war god descended upon the world—proud and aloof, overlooking the masses. That awe-inspiring presence instilled reverence in all hearts. Even saint-level existences, meeting his gaze, instinctively averted their eyes, unwilling to look directly.

That was a Holy Spirit Clan member! Even deficient, its innate might remained astonishingly profound. Who could have foreseen its erasure so effortlessly by the Heavenly Emperor's heir?

Crossing an entire great realm, slaying a peak semi-saint Holy Spirit with a king's cultivation—emerging utterly unscathed. This was true heaven-defiance. Even the ancient Heavenly Emperor likely could not match it.

This generation's heir had truly achieved something unprecedented. The Heavy Pupil Pure Land, unable to withstand the earlier clash, had shattered. The prodigies within, though some miraculously survived, bore grievous wounds—utterly wretched.

The mere fallout from the duo's battle wrought such devastation. It only underscored the Little Stone Sovereign's extraordinary prowess—he was no ordinary foe. Yet before the Heavenly Emperor's heir, he had still suffered utter defeat, dying in despair.

The surviving myriad races prodigies, witnessing this, sank deeper into hopelessness. The Heavenly Emperor's heir had indeed been fishing.

The myriad races great powers wore ashen faces, expressions hideous to behold. They who prided themselves on seeing through all had been thoroughly schemed against by this junior. Now they could only watch helplessly as their prodigies fell—years of nurturing reduced to nothing. The Heavenly Emperor heir's cunning rivaled the ancient Emperor's own.

...

Just as Ye Chen prepared to collect the deliberately preserved remnants of the Little Stone Sovereign, an abrupt change occurred. The natal divine weapon in his hand—already refined by the Armament Secret—violently shuddered. An aura of extreme peril erupted.

Ye Chen's brows arched. A golden mark shot forth from the weapon, cloaked in mysterious and sinister force, hurtling straight toward his body.

Ye Chen's brows rose further as he prepared to retreat. Instinct urged withdrawal. In this enigmatic cultivation world, unknowns often concealed lethal crises. No matter how strong, there was no need to rashly make contact.

High in the firmament, Feng Baiyu—who had been gazing at Ye Chen's figure, overlaying it with memories of his own past—recognized the golden mark. He immediately called out in warning, "Retreat at once! Do not let it touch you! That is the Holy Spirit Curse! Its peril defies imagination. Even a true immortal, once tainted, cannot purge it. Any who step within billions of miles of a powerful Holy Spirit will be instantly detected—marked as a mortal enemy, pursued without end!"

The Holy Spirit Clan, so few in number, cherished each member deeply. In ancient times, a peerless expert of the clan, to protect them all, had unleashed a grand divine ability—forcibly altering heavenly rules. Ensuring that every gestating Holy Spirit bore this vicious curse etched into their core.

Should a clansman fall—even still in gestation—the curse would cling like bone maggots, instantly afflicting the killer. Once tainted, it was as though taunting the entire Holy Spirit Clan. Endless pursuit unto death would follow. Thereby deterring all races from lightly targeting them.

Ye Chen, for his part, had already prepared to invoke the Movement Secret and withdraw. Though the Holy Spirit Curse was swift, he was swifter. He could evade it entirely.

Yet upon hearing Holy Master Feng Baiyu's warning, Ye Chen forcibly halted his retreating step. A gleam of delight flashed in his eyes instead. Become a mortal enemy of the Holy Spirit Clan? The moment any appeared—even billions of miles away—they would pursue him relentlessly, unto death? Such a wonderful thing existed?

To others, this might spell catastrophic doom. But to him, it was like a delivery station for takeout. Moments ago, after slaying the Little Stone Sovereign, Ye Chen had examined the lingering origin and couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement.

The sheer richness of a single individual's origin. This deficient Holy Spirit's essence alone rivaled the combined harvest from the dozen-plus prodigies he had reaped earlier. And this was merely deficient.

The Holy Spirit Clan's foundation truly ran deep. He possessed a neutral disposition. He rarely performed good deeds proactively, but he never initiated evil for profit either. He wouldn't strike first against others for gain.

But if they came to kill him, his passive counter-kill was pure self-defense—perfectly justified, reasonable, and rightful.

Now, this Holy Spirit Curse mark was nothing less than an endless Holy Spirit origin collector. Why on earth would he dodge it?

Thus, under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Ye Chen not only refused to retreat a single step—he strode forward boldly, actively welcoming the curse mark.

In a blink, the mark seemed to find its home, burrowing straight into his body.

Ye Chen closed his eyes, sensing it carefully, confirming no other negative effects. His Holy Master claimed even true immortals couldn't erase it.

But Ye Chen disagreed. He felt his constitution could grind it away—without much effort at all. Yet he chose not to.

The outsiders, witnessing this, were universally horrified. The Heavenly Emperor's heir—was he truly this mad?

Not content with slaying a Holy Spirit clansman, he actively embraced the curse.

Addicted to fishing, was he? One Holy Spirit not enough—he sought to exterminate the entire clan? Did he intend to wipe out the Holy Spirit race?

At this thought, everyone reeled from the heir's bloodthirst. First, a meticulous scheme—feigning weakness to lure the enemy, pitting and slaughtering this generation's myriad races backbone. This battle alone had grievously wounded the myriad races' vitality, teetering them on generational collapse. And now, he spared not even the whole Holy Spirit Clan. This style surpassed even the ancient Heavenly Emperor's.

Yet the crowd wasn't entirely surprised by Ye Chen's hostility toward the Holy Spirits. Though the clan often remained aloof from myriad races' affairs, seemingly uninvolved in worldly strife.

In truth, to mend their deficiencies, they had employed any means necessary. Before the Heavenly Emperor's era, countless humans had been captive-bred by Holy Spirits for cruel experiments. The clan had even massacred a hundred thousand earth spiritual root cultivators in a bloody bid to patch their flaws.

The Heavenly Emperor himself had clashed with them over these atrocities, earning their enmity. Step by step, he too had borne the Holy Spirit Curse—walking the path of eternal vendetta. Now, was the Heavenly Emperor's heir retracing that very road? Would humanity birth another Heavenly Emperor?

One who surpassed his predecessor—greater talent, stronger combat prowess, heavier killing nature, deeper scheming!

The mere thought chilled the myriad races to the bone.

Chapter 787: Where Is the Clan Leader's Wife?

Under countless shocked gazes, Ye Chen calmly collected the Little Stone Sovereign's remnants. Then, with a sweep of his hand, vast Spiritual Qi surged forth. Like an invisible giant palm, it enveloped the remaining myriad races prodigies. He seized them all and refined them in an instant. At this moment, only one figure remained on the battlefield.

Shen Yu of the Divine Silkworm Clan—who had fled at the first opportunity when the Heavy Pupil Pure Land shattered. He raced desperately toward his ancestor's position, heart pounding in panic.

The Divine Silkworm great power, seeing his clan's prodigy escape death, rejoiced wildly. While other clans' prodigies had fallen en masse, his had preserved the sole seedling.

In the coming Age of Dharma's End, even if humanity grew too strong to contest directly, they could plunder resources from the other myriad races. Blood profit.

But in that instant, Ye Chen moved. Invoking the Movement Secret, his speed defied comprehension. He blurred into a phantom, cloaked in boundless pressure, thundering toward his target...

The Divine Silkworm great power's face changed dramatically. Panic seized him as he prepared to charge forward and rescue Shen Yu.

Yet now, the other myriad races' great powers had retreated far away. He stood alone against the overwhelmingly dominant human experts. An invisible pressure crashed over him like a quagmire—he could barely shift half a step.

Ask the other great powers for aid?

Joke. They wouldn't block him if they were feeling generous.

Shen Yu sensed the torrential, blazing aura surging from behind and shuddered involuntarily. Ye Chen's presence resembled a world-ending flood, moments from engulfing him.

But in the next heartbeat, Shen Yu halted. He drew a deep breath. Resolve flashed in his eyes as he turned decisively, facing the war-god-like descending Ye Chen head-on.

Ye Chen, hurtling forth, curved his lips at the sight of apparent desperate resistance. Yet as he raised his hand to end this most evasive prodigy, Shen Yu's knees buckled with a thud. He dropped straight to the ground.

Arms raised high, he held the Compliant Golden-Hooped Rod overhead in both hands. His face twisted in terror and flattery as he bellowed, "My lord, spare my life!"

Ye Chen's raised right hand froze midair, his face etched with stunned disbelief.

The Divine Silkworm great power—who had squeezed his eyes shut, unable to bear watching his prodigy die horribly—snapped them open in shock. His mouth twitched uncontrollably. Under the bewildered stares of the surrounding great powers, his aged face flushed crimson.

This Shen Yu was utterly shameless. Better he had died!

Ye Chen rarely encountered a prodigy so devoid of pride—kneeling and surrendering without hesitation. Most prodigies carried arrogance, like the Little Stone Sovereign earlier, who would rather die than bend the knee.

This one was... interesting. But interesting or not, it changed nothing. Such a massive cluster of origin could not be wasted.

Ye Chen waved his hand. The Compliant Golden-Hooped Rod flew into his grasp. Lost and regained—his lips curved in a faint smile. As he prepared to invoke the Armament Secret and refine the imprints within, he discovered the weapon was empty inside.

Clearly, the young Divine Silkworm before him had already voluntarily unbound it.

This... Truly a man who knew which way the wind blew!

But death remained death.

Just as Ye Chen moved to strike, Shen Yu transmitted again. This time, privately.

"Lord Ye Chen, my Divine Silkworm Clan boasts a peerlessly brilliant top existence named Shen Li! She has completed the eighth divine silkworm transformation and now possesses the mighty cultivation of the Great Saint realm. Shen Li is three generations my senior; I know little of her ordinarily.

"But if my lord spares me today, upon returning to the clan, I will surely inquire into all of Ancestor Shen Li's preferences for my lord! Should my lord ever wish to take her as a concubine, I will serve tirelessly—front and rear—to help my lord claim her.

"My lord, behold—this recording stone contains Ancestor Shen Li's imagery. Guaranteed to brighten your eyes."

The transmission ended.

Shen Yu kept his head bowed low, arms raised high as he offered up a recording stone. Ye Chen's outstretched hand paused once more.

To save his own skin, this guy was willing to sell out his ancestor? Even more outrageous than the Little Peacock King. But would Ye Chen care about such things?

Shen Li, though? The name sounded rather pleasant. Taking a look at her appearance wouldn't hurt.

With a thought, the recording stone fell into his hand. His divine sense swept through it, and his eyes immediately lit up.

The woman within possessed bright, expressive eyes that sparkled with life. Her gaze was like brilliant stars—deep and captivating, with faint threads of golden light swirling within.

Long, lustrous black hair cascaded to her waist in alluring waves. Her figure was exquisitely curved—breathtaking contours.

Did the Divine Silkworm Clan's nine transformations even evolve the body like this??

Her features, compared to the gentle Eastern beauty of the women around him, carried an exotic allure—like a rare bloom from foreign lands, uniquely enchanting.

An exotic beauty with long, wavy hair. She had something special. Just based on looks alone, if she triggered feedback, the multiplier surely wouldn't be low.

At this thought, Ye Chen hesitated slightly.

Seeing Ye Chen's hand stay raised, Shen Yu's heart leaped with joy—he knew he had bet correctly. But noting the lingering hesitation, he grew anxious and hurriedly upped the ante.

From his storage ring, Shen Yu pulled another prepared recording stone and said urgently, "My lord, our clan leader's dao companion is also a vision of grace and perfection! If my lord is interested, I am willing to act as a matchmaker. Please, take a look at this recording stone!"

Ye Chen waved dismissively. Another's dao companion held some appeal, perhaps. But Ye Chen wasn't the type to steal what belonged to another. Even his occasional transgressions over the years had involved widows only!

Yet Shen Yu's next words hooked him like a barb.

"The clan leader and his companion were childhood sweethearts, but later, due to differing talents, the gap widened. For the past hundred years, they have been estranged—mere appearances. The clan leader's wife has cultivated alone. Fifty years ago, she completed the fifth divine silkworm transformation, breaking through to the Saint King realm. Each transformation in our Divine Silkworm Clan equates to rebirth in a new body. This current form, clearly, is untouched..."

At these words, Ye Chen's casual demeanor vanished. His eyes blazed like stars. He had heard of the Divine Silkworm Clan's supreme immortal scripture—the Nine Transformations Immortal Scripture. But he never imagined it held such wondrous effects. Even restoring a woman's "first blood" with each molt. So miraculous—would the system respond?

At this thought, Ye Chen's interest surged. He took the recording stone and glanced within.

Hmm. The clan leader's wife looked exceptionally... nourishing.

"Is the clan leader's wife in the city right now?"

Unable to contain his eagerness, Ye Chen blurted out. His interest in this clan leader's wife burned fiercely. He couldn't wait to meet her—see if the system reacted, perhaps granting a delightfully high multiplier.

If transformed female cultivators like this triggered feedback, the possibilities expanded excitingly. The system's utility would broaden immensely. If nothing else, the Heavenly Desire Divine Maiden Fan Qinghe's master could offer even greater benefits.

Chapter 788: The Heavenly Emperor's Heir Never Takes a Loss!

Shen Yu had been transmitting privately all along. Yet in his rising anticipation, Ye Chen asked aloud.

This startled Shen Yu badly. The distant great powers clearly heard as well. In unison, knowing expressions spread across their faces.

Feng Baiyu shook his head helplessly. His clan's prodigy excelled in every way—except when it came to women. Utterly without taboos. And his tastes grew ever more refined.

Once, only untouched maiden prodigies. Later, at least widows. Now, he even coveted others' dao companions.

The Lan family great power's expression turned complicated. But the most awkward by far was the Divine Silkworm Clan's great power. Especially the clan leader himself—his face darkened like the bottom of a pot.

Moments ago, they had found Shen Yu utterly humiliating. Yet wondered what he could have said to make the Heavenly Emperor's heir stay his hand. Their first guess: something woman-related.

After all, it was common knowledge—the heir only softened for women. But they never imagined Shen Yu, to save his life, would try to sell the clan leader's own wife! How filial of you!

"Bro, keep your voice down!"

Shen Yu shuddered under the clan leader's icy glare. But he quickly shrugged it off. Kneeling here was all the clan leader's fault anyway. He had insisted on coming despite warnings. Using his wife to rectify the mistake—what was wrong with that?

Offending the clan leader meant, at worst, future petty harassment. With his talent, he would surpass the leader someday. But failing to satisfy the Heavenly Emperor's heir before him? He wouldn't live to see tomorrow's sun.

Thus, Shen Yu hurriedly refocused on Ye Chen. Recalling Ye Chen's first words—asking if the clan leader's wife was in the city, voice laced with impatient urgency—Shen Yu relaxed further.

The Heavenly Emperor's heir truly favored this type. He had bet correctly—he would live!

Yet at Ye Chen's request, Shen Yu's face showed difficulty. "My lord, the clan leader's wife departed three years ago for the seventh realm of the Immortal Path. She reportedly discovered a relic secret realm and won't return anytime soon!"

Ye Chen frowned deeply at this. He cared nothing for the clan leader's presence. The man standing nearby might even heighten the thrill. But with the wife absent, he couldn't test whether the Nine Transformations Immortal Scripture affected the system. Disappointing.

Still, Shen Yu's reminder only deepened Ye Chen's curiosity about the Nine Transformations Immortal Scripture.

Thus, Ye Chen's gaze hardened as he declared unequivocally, "Give me the Nine Transformations Immortal Scripture!"

Shen Yu's mouth twitched, his expression troubled. "My lord, this scripture can only be cultivated by those of our Divine Silkworm bloodline. Even if you obtain it, you cannot practice it."

The Nine Transformations Immortal Scripture was extraordinarily wondrous. Each molt vastly elevated aptitude. It granted an entirely new body—benefits beyond counting. Even among immortal scriptures, its effects ranked top-tier.

Countless races and experts had coveted it in the past. Some succeeded during the clan's declines—only to abandon it. Simply because it was uncultivable. Only the Divine Silkworm Clan could operate it. Other races lacked the capability entirely.

Moreover, the Nine Transformations Immortal Scripture was too unique—its principles held no reference value for outsiders. In time, none bothered pursuing it further.

But Ye Chen's resolve remained firm. He knew full well humans couldn't cultivate it. Yet if gifted away, perhaps it would feedback a version humans could practice? Trying costs nothing anyway.

Shen Yu felt helpless, but this wasn't a major issue. The immortal scripture could only be cultivated by clan members. The reason for keeping it secret was merely to prevent hostile races from studying its weaknesses.

But now, facing the Heavenly Emperor's heir, he had no need to research flaws—he could crush them outright. Handing it over or not made no difference!

"If I surrender the scripture, my lord, will you truly spare my life?"

Shen Yu sought confirmation. Though Ye Chen's tone had softened considerably after viewing the clan leader's wife's shadow stone. With his life on the line, clarity was best.

Ye Chen appraised Shen Yu for a moment, pondering briefly. That Shen Li had already completed the eighth divine silkworm transformation. If he could connect with her, the triggered multiplier would likely be staggering.

Ye Chen guessed—at least six thousand to start. As for that exceptionally nourishing clan leader's wife, she too sparked intense curiosity. He wanted to see if she could activate a system multiplier.

Killing their prodigy would turn future encounters hostile—no chance for deep exchange or discussion of Nine Transformations cultivation insights.

As for releasing Shen Yu risking future trouble?

Pure joke. If Shen Yu ever caught up to him in the future, Ye Chen might as well end himself.

With these thoughts, Ye Chen nodded faintly. He spoke, "Besides the Nine Transformations Immortal Scripture, return all twenty high-grade Extreme Dao weapons you took from me earlier. Then, I will let you leave..."

Shen Yu's mouth twitched, but relief flooded him. Living was what mattered. He hurriedly transmitted assent, "The Extreme Dao weapons are of utmost importance—I'll need to inform the clan. But my lord need not worry. My status in the clan is high—the only prodigy of the young generation. Those old fogeys like the clan leader won't live another thousand years. In the end, they'll rely on me. Not to mention the Compliant Golden-Hooped Rod is already lost—no harm in sparing the rest. The clan will surely agree."

With that, Shen Yu immediately transmitted to the distant clan's great powers. The Divine Silkworm great powers' faces changed upon hearing. The Heavenly Emperor's heir willing to release him was naturally good.

But returning twenty high-grade Extreme Dao weapons? Heart-wrenching.

Especially since the supreme Extreme Dao weapon, the Compliant Golden-Hooped Rod, was already reclaimed. This way, they gained nothing—and lost the Qiankun Cauldron for free. Beyond blood loss.

By comparison, surrendering the immortal scripture mattered little. It wasn't the first time they'd been forced to yield it. Even the Undying Celestial Phoenix Clan had once coveted it. But it was the same for all—none but the Divine Silkworm Clan could cultivate it.

In the end, the Divine Silkworm's great powers gritted their teeth and agreed. Even the clan leader—who wished Shen Yu dead on the spot—raised no objection. After all, with the Immortal Path closed in the future and unlikely to reopen, no one knew what would happen.

Producing prodigies in the Age of Dharma's End would be excruciatingly difficult. Fewer Mahayana capable of wielding Extreme Dao weapons might even emerge. Preserve the weapons, lose the person—weapons and person both may be lost. Preserve the person, lose the weapons—yet a future remains.

Soon, Ye Chen reclaimed his Extreme Dao weapons, then magnanimously released the man. He had no intention of keeping those weapons anyway. He would use them soon to curry favors.

The surviving Shen Yu stood beside his clan's great powers. It felt like a lifetime ago—he rejoiced endlessly. But in the next moment, the clan leader's sinister voice whispered in his ear, "Some issues arose at the ancestral grounds in the Northern Domain. It requires a Mahayana to garrison. You've been free lately—go stay there a decade or two..."