ISWI Chapter 617-618

Chapter 617: Sold Out?

Gifting the Extreme Dao Weapon to the fiancée could yield an immortal artifact. Though Ye Chen already had two, which weren't immediately useful, he never minded having more. The more, the better.

The origin in the Devouring Heaven Demon Jar would also go to the fiancée, boosting his physique. The divine pill from Wang Teng, though its feedback might not serve him, could be gifted to other female cultivators.

This haul was a massive win. Of the Star River Clan's three Divine Sons, the second was forgettable, slapped to death without impact, but the other two brought rich rewards. Ye Chen hoped the clan would keep producing new Divine Sons.

The only pity was Alkaid's absence. But Ye Chen was confident—Alkaid would fall eventually. No issue there.

...

Below, spectators were still reeling. Some, seeing Ye Chen for the first time, found him different from rumors. Tales painted him as a womanizer who gave everything to his lovers. Yet today, he kept the Extreme Dao Weapon and divine pill, not giving them to Yi Qingwu. Perhaps he was reluctant to part with them.

Someone muttered as much, but a companion quietly rebuked, "Ridiculous. The Law Qi with 108 laws is as valuable as an Extreme Dao Weapon. The Heavenly Emperor's heir gave it without blinking—how could he be stingy? He's probably saving them for other women."

The crowd nodded, convinced.

In the pavilion, Ye Chen and Yi Qingwu, with their keen hearing, caught every word. Ye Chen struggled to keep a straight face. Yi Qingwu's expression remained calm, but her bright eyes fixed on him. She wasn't greedy and had no claim to Ye Chen's spoils. But him giving them to another woman? Her competitive spirit couldn't accept that.

Sensing her gaze, Ye Chen smirked, saying nothing, and looked to the sky.

The Star River Clan, seeing their Divine Son dead and their Extreme Dao Weapon seized and erased of its imprint, seemed oddly accustomed. Accepting the loss, they didn't even hurl threats, simply boarding their immortal ship and leaving.

Above, only Heavenly Evolution and Heavenly Intention Holy Lands remained. Heavenly Intention had more forces and greater strength—it was their stronghold. Yet, puzzlingly, they hadn't aided the Star River Clan earlier and showed no intent for revenge now.

Something was off. What had his Holy Master said to them?

A grand voice echoed: "Ye Chen, come meet Heavenly Intention Holy Land's seniors…"

It was Holy Master Feng Baiyu. Ye Chen blinked, confused. Didn't he used to call them Heavenly Intention's old dogs? Why "seniors" now?

Unworried, he flew toward the city's upper reaches. Yi Qingwu, hearing the call, followed without hesitation.

Above the sky, elders from both holy lands gathered. Heavenly Intention's elders harbored clear resentment, still stinging from past losses. Feng Baiyu, in his scholarly green robes, smiled as if oblivious to their hostility.

Seeing Ye Chen arrive, Feng Baiyu addressed the Heavenly Intention Holy Master with a grin. "Friend, grudges should be resolved, not deepened. With the final Immortal Path opening and the last True Immortal's departure, the cultivation world will decline—shorter lifespans, harder cultivation. If our holy lands keep feuding, we'll only hasten our demise. But as I proposed, if we unite, set aside enmity, and compete with Central Continent for resources, we can weather the coming changes."

Ye Chen stayed silent, watching Feng Baiyu speak eloquently. What was the point?

Feng Baiyu pointed at Ye Chen. "As I said, Ye Chen's devotion to your Holy Maiden is clear. He emerged from seclusion this morning and rushed here by afternoon. His strength? Undeniable. The top of his generation, no question. Even Alkaid didn't dare show his face. If Ye Chen marries Yi Qingwu, he becomes your Holy Son. Beyond Immortal Path gains, if he ascends to immortality, you'll share the quota. Yi Qingwu's talent, though great, falls short of securing an immortal slot. But Ye Chen? He has a real shot at that Immortal Qi."

Ye Chen was stunned, staring at Feng Baiyu. No wonder Heavenly Intention didn't intervene earlier—his Holy Master had sold him out? Outrageous.

The Heavenly Intention Holy Master frowned at Ye Chen, expression complex. "He's strong, but ascension isn't guaranteed. Central Continent's forces outmatch us. The Seven-Crown King is already deep in the Immortal Path. I've heard of a True Immortal's son, the Immortal Emperor's heir, revived with cultivation above Saint, his talent terrifying with immortal blood. And another with a legendary Immortal Spirit Root, exclusive to True Immortals' heirs."

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. An Immortal Spirit Root above Heavenly Spirit Root? His own root had room to grow—a welcome surprise.

Feng Baiyu smiled. "Let me share a secret about Ye Chen's physique…" His words shifted to a private transmission, inaudible to others.

The Heavenly Intention Holy Master's eyes widened, scrutinizing Ye Chen before resolving himself. "Ye Chen, are you willing to become partners with our Holy Maiden Yi Qingwu, sharing interests henceforth?"

Though Ye Chen inwardly mocked Feng Baiyu for selling him, he answered without hesitation, "Senior, I'm willing to unite with Qingwu!"

His firm reply sparked a subtle joy in Yi Qingwu's eyes.

The Heavenly Intention Holy Master, pleased, turned to Yi Qingwu. "Qingwu, are you willing?"

She shook her head firmly. "No. He killed my fiancé. We're sworn enemies."

Her words left the elders struggling to keep straight faces. Fooling others was one thing, but fooling herself? Everyone saw through it, but with the Heavenly Intention Holy Son dead, they pretended otherwise to avoid airing dirty laundry.

Her defiance made the Holy Master frown, about to speak, when Ye Chen cut in. "Senior, I'm willing to stay in Heavenly Intention Holy Land with Qingwu for a time, to see if we can resolve our misunderstandings."

The crowd was shocked. With their blood feud, entering Heavenly Intention meant his life was at their mercy. Ye Chen's love for Yi Qingwu must be bone-deep to risk such danger.

Yi Qingwu's gaze grew thick with emotion, nearly melting.

Chapter 618: Yi Qingwu Sets the Rules!

"No need, really no need…" Feng Baiyu's urgent transmission rang in Ye Chen's mind. Entering the Heavenly Intention Holy Land was too risky. A prodigy like Ye Chen shouldn't take such chances.

The others understood the weight of Ye Chen's words, their expressions varied.

The Heavenly Intention Holy Master frowned, glancing at Ye Chen. Something was definitely off between him and Yi Qingwu. Yi Qingwu, aware of the Devouring Heaven Demon Art, likely suspected foul play in her father's death. After the Heavenly Intention Holy Son's fall, despite knowing something was amiss, they didn't pursue it. Another prodigy dead—would they kill Yi Qingwu too?

Given Ye Chen's evident devotion, if he ascended to immortality, Heavenly Intention might secure one or two immortal quotas. No need for petty suspicions. Besides, if something happened to Ye Chen in Heavenly Intention, it'd cause trouble.

The Heavenly Intention Holy Master waved generously. "The cultivation world doesn't do hostages. You don't need to come to Heavenly Intention. I'm open to cooperation. As for Qingwu and Ye Chen's marriage, let the young ones decide."

He offered Ye Chen an out. Truthfully, he'd panic if asked to enter Heavenly Evolution Holy Land.

But Ye Chen ignored the escape and Feng Baiyu's transmission, resolute. "I'm here now. I must go. I want to see where Qingwu grew up and clear up our misunderstandings."

His persistence left the Heavenly Intention Holy Master speechless.

Feng Baiyu, seeing Ye Chen's determination, figured he wasn't foolish. If he dared go, he had a plan. Let him be.

Yi Qingwu, warmed by Ye Chen's resolve to unite with her, felt her heart surge, as if something might burst forth. Even her symbols in the spirit sense seemed to pulse, yearning. Spending time with Ye Chen might ease it. But Heavenly Intention was dangerous for him—many elders had fallen to Heavenly Evolution, tied to Ye Chen. Friends, kin, or disciples might seek revenge.

Her voice turned cold. "No need. I don't want to see you. I'm heading to Great Shang Immortal City soon. You'd better not cross my path."

Ye Chen's heart leaped. A private meeting elsewhere, huh? All the more reason to go. It'd move her, amplifying his next gift's rewards.

Danger? With immortal artifacts and the quasi-immortal Fusang Divine Tree in his inner world, Ye Chen felt as safe as home.

"I must go," he said firmly, voice concise.

With Ye Chen's unwavering resolve, he followed Yi Qingwu to Heavenly Intention Holy Land, heedless of the risks. His devotion, braving danger to become her partner, filled her with sweetness. Yet, beneath the warmth, she felt a heavy responsibility. She had to protect him, ensuring no harm came to him in Heavenly Intention.

The Heavenly Intention Holy Master and elders struggled to maintain composure, glancing at Feng Baiyu with complex expressions. "Is your Fourth Holy Son always this… reckless with women?" they asked. Entering a former enemy's territory, at their mercy, for a woman? No sane cultivator would do it. Yet Ye Chen did.

Feng Baiyu sighed, watching Ye Chen's back. "Always has been."

The Heavenly Intention Holy Master's confidence in Ye Chen's ascension waned. If enemies used women to trap or seduce him, he'd be doomed. How could someone so flawed possess such heaven-defying talent and strength? The heavens were unfair.

Still, he issued a stern order: past grudges were set aside; no one was to provoke Ye Chen. Though some elders harbored resentment, they swallowed it to avoid jeopardizing their holy land's plans.

The other elders hesitated, but as Feng Baiyu left, they dispersed. Ye Chen, under gazes of awe, hostility, and killing intent, entered Heavenly Intention Holy Land for the first time. Compared to Heavenly Evolution's vibrancy, Heavenly Intention was sterner, yet its immortal aura was no less grand. Unfazed by the danger, Ye Chen looked around curiously, occasionally asking questions like a carefree tourist.

Yi Qingwu found his nonchalance exasperating.

Flying past an immortal peak, several young disciples—talented and proud—glared at Ye Chen from the summit. They'd received orders not to provoke him, and lacked the courage to challenge a Mahayana cultivator who'd just crushed the Star River King Body. But the thought of their Holy Maiden being claimed by this former enemy as his partner stung deeply.

Noticing their stares, Ye Chen smirked, boldly taking Yi Qingwu's soft hand.

She froze, frowning. "Ye Chen, behave. This isn't Heavenly Evolution Holy Land or your harem peak!"

Ye Chen chuckled. Her words were firm, but her hand didn't pull away. With a gentle tug, he drew her into his arms. Under her stunned gaze and the disciples' gritted teeth, he kissed her—not a fleeting, poetic touch, but a deep, lingering one.

After a hundred breaths, he released her, satisfied, flashing a friendly smile at the fuming disciples, their fists clenched. Yi Qingwu was their untouchable divine maiden. If they had a chance to kiss her, they'd be gentle, fearing to hurt her. But Ye Chen's force left her lips slightly swollen, sparking both heartache and rage. If they could match him, they'd challenge him, demanding he be gentler.

...

Yi Qingwu, softened by the kiss, her face flushed with a charm surpassing her usual grace, noticed the growing crowd. Fearing Ye Chen might incite a mob, she wiped her lips and snapped, "Ye Chen, you're too brazen! Come to my cave abode—I'll teach you Heavenly Intention's rules!"