ISWI Chapter 628-629

Chapter 628: Dao Cauldron

The introduction of the Dao Cauldron followed. Ye Chen hadn't held high hopes for an immortal artifact, viewing it mainly as a reserve weapon for the future. But this Dao Cauldron made his eyes light up…

"Dao Cauldron: War God Clan immortal artifact, forged by their ancestor to address the clan's weakness of slow comprehension of the Great Dao after reaching the Mahayana Realm. The Dao Cauldron automatically gathers the Great Dao of heaven and earth, doubling cultivation efficiency within…"

Reading this, Ye Chen's eyes widened, his hand pausing. Yi Qingwu, thinking he was concerned for her, shook her head, signaling she wasn't in pain…

Ye Chen's lips twitched. He'd heard of the War God Clan. A race born for battle among the myriad clans, their combat prowess was astonishing. Their prodigies easily dominated peers in the same realm. With the same Qi and techniques, their attacks were far more powerful. One of the top races held a high status. But they had a flaw: a weak affinity with the Great Dao.

After reaching the Mahayana Realm, their cultivation slowed, fading into the background. The War God Clan's ancestor, a figure of astounding power, forged the Dao Cauldron to counter this. Its immortal runes automatically condensed the Great Dao. Cultivating within it was insanely fast.

For 130,000 years, the War God Clan shone, producing seven True Immortals, proving the cauldron's might. Then came the Heavenly Emperor's era. The War God Clan provoked him, hunting him down, nearly killing him. The story that followed was predictable. The clan was nearly wiped out, their vitality shattered.

In their final battle, the Heavenly Emperor destroyed the Dao Cauldron, leaving countless cultivators lamenting. And now, it was in Ye Chen's hands. He decided to keep the Dao Cauldron hidden, lest others think the Heavenly Emperor had secretly stashed it. Though not the Heavenly Emperor's heir, Ye Chen had inherited much of his legacy. Best not to tarnish that reputation!

The Dao Cauldron's acquisition was an unexpected boon. He hadn't expected an immortal artifact to be useful so soon. With his current cultivation speed, even doubling it with the cauldron would be heaven-defying. And it wouldn't just be double. His future breakthroughs would likely become absurdly fast.

…

After storing both the Dao Cauldron and Divine Maiden Cauldron in his small world, Ye Chen made a surprising discovery. The Divine Maiden Cauldron hovered, gleaming gold, exuding grandeur and righteous aura. It didn't look like the infamous artifact at all.

Above it, a massive four-legged, eight-eared cauldron radiated boundless Dao charm, floating in the void. The four-legged, eight-eared cauldron sat slightly lower than the Heaven-Devouring Demon Jar and the Undying Celestial Blade.

Clearly, its power was inferior to theirs. When the Dao Cauldron appeared in the small world, Ye Chen was astonished to find it could absorb various Dao charms and laws. The small world lacked these elements entirely. Yet the Dao Cauldron seemed to pierce through, drawing them from the outside. Some even spilled out, merging into the small world.

This unexpected boon curved Ye Chen's lips. If he placed some intent in the Dao Cauldron, wouldn't his small world soon allow normal breakthroughs, tribulations, and cultivation? It would be no different from the greater world. Lu Jing could stay in the small world alone, perfectly feasible.

In short, the rewards from this gift far exceeded Ye Chen's expectations. The benefits were immense. His gaze on Yi Qingwu grew even warmer…

The fiancée was incredible. Even ignoring everything else, her multiplier alone made nurturing her worthwhile. He'd cultivate her physique to the Acquired Chaos Body.

Though slightly inferior to the Innate Chaos Body, if the latter could reach 7,000-fold, the Acquired Chaos Body could hit 6,000 easily. At the Quasi-Emperor Realm, perfecting her physique would push it further.

Ye Chen estimated a perfected Chaos Body could reach 10,000-fold. Other physiques might not compare. Senior An's Seven Extreme Immortal Body might have a chance. Everyone had a bright future.

…

At the waist of Holy Maiden Peak, thousands of disciples gathered, eager to hear the Dao. But this time, their Holy Son didn't appear. The disciples were puzzled. Only the female disciples and elders of Holy Maiden Peak understood. The Holy Maiden was jealous.

Soon, a mature, aloof female elder descended, lecturing in Ye Chen's place. The disciples quieted instantly. Though her level was below their Holy Son's, she was still a Mahayana Realm expert. Her insights far surpassed theirs. Still, everyone hoped for the Holy Son's return.

Another week passed…

Ye Chen marveled at the fiancée's persistence. She truly made him feel drained. Her marks were so numerous they barely fit.

"I'm full, really full... Qingwu, I have things to do next! You should break through to the Mahayana Realm."

Ye Chen helped Yi Qingwu up, speaking earnestly. Seeing his exhaustion and occasional burps, Yi Qingwu smiled, satisfied. Glancing at the whip marks on her wrist, she exhaled lightly. The marks vanished without a trace.

"Go. As for those female disciples, don't worry, I'll keep them."

This week, Ye Chen hadn't just been "drinking spiritual liquid." He'd shared his plans for Holy Maiden Peak and handed over resources to the fiancée. Holy Maiden Peak would continue recruiting high-multiplier female disciples.

Ye Chen's excuse was to strengthen the peak and Yi Qingwu's foundation. But when Yi Qingwu heard his criteria—high talent and pure innocence—she couldn't help biting him…

You still claim you're not building a harem?

Annoyed, she bit hard. Ye Chen winced in pain.

…

"Take this divine pill and cultivate well. The path to immortality doesn't matter. Safety first. With me here, I'll prepare enough origin to help you achieve the Chaos Body."

Before leaving, Ye Chen gifted the Star River Divine Pill. He patted Yi Qingwu's head, giving instructions. She swatted his hand away, raising her neck haughtily, her voice ethereal: "I was punishing you earlier, and now you're telling me what to do?"

Ye Chen's lips curved. The fiancée really loved playing this game!

Chapter 629: You Still Say You Won't Betray the Sect!

"Holy Son, don't go, please?"

"Holy Son, I want to go with you!"

"Holy Son, my palm lines feel different from last time. Could you take another look?"

"I think the Holy Maiden is too much. You're just cherishing talent, comforting neglected female disciples. How could she drive you away for that?"

"Look at you, Holy Son, you've lost weight. The Holy Maiden must've tormented you these past two weeks, right?"

"Using your affection for her, she's so reckless—how petty!"

As Ye Chen drifted out of the cave abode, female disciples who hadn't seen him in half a month swarmed around, reluctant to see him leave.

Ye Chen smiled faintly. "I'll marry the Holy Maiden in the future, so Heavenly Intention Holy Land is my home too. I'll return often…"

He didn't linger with the female disciples. The fiancée was watching. Those who badmouthed her would have to fend for themselves. Between a thousand-fold and a four-thousand-fold fiancée, Ye Chen knew his priorities.

Leaving Holy Maiden Peak, he visited the Holy Master Peak. Then, he departed gracefully. Elder Ling saw him off. The once-aloof elder's gaze held reluctance.

At the sect's gate, her eyes flickered as she whispered, "Holy Son, next time you return, come to my cave abode to discuss the Dao…"

Ye Chen remembered this two-thousand-fold elder well. Second only to the fiancée. He nodded with a smile, promising to visit next time. Elder Ling wanted to say more, but Feng Baiyu appeared outside the gate.

Feng Baiyu nodded politely to Elder Ling. But she glanced at him, snorted coldly, and ignored him. She whispered to Ye Chen, warning him that Feng Baiyu wasn't trustworthy and to stay uninfluenced.

As cultivators, everyone heard her "whisper."

Ye Chen: "…"

Feng Baiyu: "…"

…

"Why'd you stay so long? I thought you defected for a woman! And what's with that woman? Why'd she talk about me like that? What did you do here to ruin my reputation?"

Holy Master Feng Baiyu hadn't trusted leaving Ye Chen alone. He'd been in seclusion with elders in the void, waiting for Ye Chen's signal. Seeing him take so long, he genuinely suspected defection. Others wouldn't betray a sect for a woman. But Ye Chen? Hard to say.

Ye Chen frowned, indignant. "Am I that kind of person?"

Feng Baiyu didn't dwell on the obvious. Leading Ye Chen to a waiting skyship, he asked, "That Star River Divine Whip—used it yet? With the Heavenly Emperor Sword and Compliant Golden-Hooped Rod, if it's useless, an elder in our sect wants to buy it. Name your price."

Ye Chen shook his head. "Can't. I gave it to Yi Qingwu."

Feng Baiyu's lips twitched. Gifting an Extreme Dao Weapon so casually. And you say you won't betray the sect for a woman…

Unconvinced, he pressed, "What about the Law Qi and Star River Divine Pill? If you don't need them, sell them to the sect."

Ye Chen didn't speak, just spread his hands.

Feng Baiyu understood instantly, utterly exasperated.

Feng Baiyu lingered only to ensure Ye Chen's safety. He didn't accompany him to the Sword Sect. Once Ye Chen was secure, Feng returned to the Holy Land.

Elder Mo had already gone back to seclude himself. Though at the Second Heaven of the Mahayana Realm, Mo couldn't keep up with Ye Chen's soaring strength and was no longer fit to guard him. He'd focus on cultivating, aiming for the Second Heaven.

Next, a Half-Saint Elder from the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land would protect Ye Chen. All Ye Chen needed was to gift some tea yearly. No issue for him—he even added half a pound of osmanthus from the Moon Laurel Immortal Tree and a ginseng fruit, sincerely thanking the elder's appreciation.

The already fond Half-Saint Elder beamed, unable to contain his joy. Before, he'd guarded Ye Chen out of mere appreciation. If danger arose, he'd likely prioritize his own safety. Now, he genuinely believed in Ye Chen. In a trap, he'd likely risk everything to save him.

With that, Ye Chen summoned the Heavenly Emperor Chariot. The bronze chariot blazed with divine fire, roaring toward the Sword Sect. Thinking of soon seeing his master, Ye Chen's face broke into a smile…

…

Above the endless sea, two figures from the Central Continent sped toward the Great Yan Continent. A man and a woman.

The man stood tall, as if forged from sword bones, his aura sharp enough to sting the eyes and draw tears. In flight, he resembled a divine sword, slicing through all obstacles.

The woman wore shimmering silver armor. Radiating divine light and killing intent, it exuded the might of an Extreme Dao Weapon. The armor didn't fully cover her curvaceous figure. A ten-centimeter gap at her waist revealed a flawless navel, sleek mermaid lines, and a blend of slenderness and strength. Her face was stunning yet fierce, like a goddess of war, capable of sweeping the cosmos. Her aura surpassed the man's.

Uniquely, she had rare purple hair. At her brow, a closed vertical pupil pulsed with terrifying power, as if its opening would shatter the heavens. Anyone seeing her would be shocked, recognizing her identity. Her traits marked her not as human but as a War God Clan member.

Mid-flight, the man glanced at her, chuckling. "Fellow Daoist Luo, thanks for coming along! Once I retrieve my ancestor's Dugu Wooden Sword, my killing power will surge manifold. Then, I can easily unlock the ruins found in the second realm of the Immortal Path! There's likely a Space Divine Stone inside. If we get it, we can both comprehend the Law of Space, upgrade our domains to cave-heavens, and break through to the Second Heaven. If there are small world fragments, even better!"

The woman smiled faintly, then frowned, a trace of worry in her eyes. "But I've heard the Dugu Wooden Sword is with the Heavenly Emperor's heir's master, a gift from the heir. Taking it won't offend the Heavenly Emperor's heir? I've heard, though only at the First Heaven of the Mahayana Realm, he easily slew the Second Heaven Star River King Body…"