ISWI Chapter 606-607

Chapter 606: Condensing Immortal Qi!

Though he couldn't use them yet, owning two immortal artifacts delighted Ye Chen. The fear of insufficient firepower was greatly eased. Moreover, immortal artifacts would aid in condensing Immortal Qi.

The system's condensation method stated: More immortal artifacts meant faster condensation, saving time. This was good.

Returning to Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, Ye Chen sincerely thanked the assisting elders. He then reported to Holy Master Feng Baiyu, saying he'd seclude himself to break through to Mahayana.

Feng Baiyu had no objections. Ye Chen was infatuated with women. Ascension Peak's female cultivators weren't enough. Before breaking through, he even visited the Heavenly Desire Sect for indulgence.

Feng Baiyu noticed Ye Chen didn't just take the divine maiden but the Sect Master to the cave too. Next time at the Heavenly Desire Sect, would he bring the Supreme Elder along?

But Feng Baiyu shook his head. Probably not. She was nearly two thousand years old. Too old for Ye Chen, right?

Before leaving, Feng Baiyu sighed regretfully. "It's a pity this world lacks Immortal Qi! An Immortal Platform forged with Immortal Qi is worlds apart from one forged with Law Qi. Though it takes longer, in ancient times, prodigies with Immortal Qi-forged platforms stood at the peak, far surpassing others. Back then, those with top-tier elders used Immortal Qi for their platforms! The Heavenly Emperor was great, but he got carried away in fights, destroying everything… Not his fault, though. Enemies everywhere, true immortals attacking him daily—he had to destroy."

Feng Baiyu left with a sigh. Ye Chen smiled faintly, flying to Ascension Peak. He didn't rush to condense Immortal Qi or break through to Mahayana. Using Immortal Qi for the breakthrough took longer. Condensing it would also take time. This seclusion would be lengthy, so he wasn't in a hurry for a day or two.

He first visited Senior An, where Yuyi was too. He shared detox techniques from the Heavenly Desire Sect, greatly advancing their skills.

Days later, he met Elder Lin. Lin, already imaginative and open-minded, was revolutionized by the Heavenly Desire Sect's advanced methods. Her demonic pattern techniques grew richer, leaving Ye Chen reluctant to leave.

Days passed before he departed. As he left, he saw Li Feihuang lingering at the cave entrance. Ye Chen chuckled, curious when she'd muster the courage to charge in…

…

After informing everyone, Ye Chen began formal seclusion. Sitting cross-legged in his cave, he opened the system and activated the passage. A portal appeared before him. Eyes gleaming with anticipation, he stepped in without hesitation.

Within the passage, endless bizarre lights twisted, divine radiance warping. Time seemed to freeze, even Ye Chen unable to track its flow. How long passed—moments or half a year?

Finally, the passage's end appeared. Ye Chen, on guard, stepped forward boldly. The next moment, he emerged in a vast cosmos. Scanning around, he found a dark, silent void, devoid of oxygen. This didn't affect him. Closing his eyes, he sensed the surroundings and frowned. The spiritual qi was so thin it was nearly nonexistent. Cultivation here was almost impossible. Could such a place hold Immortal Qi?

Trusting the system, Ye Chen summoned his immortal artifacts from the small world. The Immortal Heaven Blade erupted with ferocious aura, its boundless bloodlight surging, shaking the distant stars, slightly altering their orbits.

Beside it, the Devouring Heaven Demon Jar was restrained, like a black hole, capable of devouring all creation. Ye Chen connected with both artifacts, activating the Immortal Qi condensation method.

Instantly, the artifacts emitted strange fluctuations, as if sending a signal across the entire cosmos. Soon, faint, invisible wisps of special aura drifted in. Though unseen, their arrival made Ye Chen's flesh and blood sing with joy.

His expression turned serious. Immortal Qi. This was the coveted treasure, essential for forging an Immortal Platform or ascending to immortality. The system was reliable! But it said this world's Immortal Qi was only enough for one person.

Ye Chen felt a pang of regret. If there were more, he could bring some back. No need for the Immortal Path, just seclude in the holy land and ascend, or gift it. But as the thought arose, the system's voice rang out. Each world had its rules. Immortal Qi condensed here could only be used here, dissipating if taken away.

Sighing at the failed loophole, Ye Chen activated the secret method to check progress. With two immortal artifacts, condensation was faster. Yet even so, it would take at least five years to gather all the Immortal Qi.

Five years were nothing to a cultivator. Ye Chen decided to explore, hoping to find life-bearing ancient stars. If he found female cultivators with multipliers for gifting, he'd hit the jackpot. Since this world's Immortal Qi couldn't leave, system feedback rewards could, right?

But opening his Heavy Pupils, scanning the deep cosmos, he soon frowned. The universe was too vast. Even at Unity peak, he couldn't explore much. Searching planet by planet was impossible.

Sighing, Ye Chen gave up. He sat cross-legged beside the artifacts, planning to seclude. Bathed in starlight, he began reviewing all he'd gained in Unity, aiming to master it.

Chapter 607: Has Ye Chen Died?

In Central Continent, the top prodigies of the first tier had either reached Unity peak and were charging toward Mahayana or had already emerged from seclusion.

By tradition, when first-tier prodigies entered a new major realm, a fierce contest would erupt, with holy lands hosting grand events for their champions. But this generation was different. They broke through quietly, as if nothing happened, barely stepping out.

The reason? This generation's Heavenly Emperor successor was too strong. Suppressing six peers single-handedly was absurd enough. Now, recent news was even more shocking. Not only had the Heavenly Emperor successor reached Unity peak, but under ambush, he, at Unity, killed three Mahayana cultivators!

The news was staggering, despairing all prodigies of this generation. Ye Chen's cultivation was closely watched. He'd been a major realm behind the first tier. Yet in just a few years, he was at Unity peak?

Mahayana, the last major realm before true immortality, was leagues beyond prior realms. In earlier realms, some prodigies could cross major realms to kill. But Mahayana? Surviving, let alone escaping, was already impressive. Yet Ye Chen fought three and killed them all! It was too outrageous. Fast cultivation, terrifying combat power. How could anyone compete? Ye Chen alone made his generation's prodigies lose all hope.

Soon, more news spread. As a divine maiden's protector, he took a liking to the Heavenly Desire Sect Master, bringing her into the cave. After indulging for a month and a half, he returned to Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, entering seclusion to forge his Immortal Platform and break through to Mahayana!

The news shook the prodigy world, despair deepened. Ye Chen was already this heaven-defying before Mahayana. What would he be like after?

Some speculated that post-breakthrough, he might defy the impossible, possessing cross-realm combat strength even in Mahayana. Most top prodigies were rational, but a few hotheads, boosted by decent Law Qi in their Mahayana breakthrough, believed it was a fresh start. Ye Chen might not sustain his invincibility.

Regardless, all eyes turned to Heavenly Evolution Holy Land in Great Yan Continent, awaiting news of Ye Chen's emergence and Mahayana breakthrough.

In ancient times, top prodigies used Immortal Qi for their Immortal Platforms. Its high quality required years to break through. Now, no one had access to Immortal Qi. Law Qi, at best, contained a hundred laws, so breakthroughs were faster—two to three months, a year at most.

Yet, a year passed, and Heavenly Evolution Holy Land remained silent, no sign of a heavenly tribulation. This puzzled the outside world. Why hadn't the Heavenly Emperor successor emerged?

Mahayana prodigies caused massive disturbances, especially someone like Ye Chen. His breakthrough couldn't be hidden… so why no progress? Had he hit a cultivation snag? Fallen into deviation during breakthrough? Perished? Was he too powerful, envied by the heavens? Or had the holy body's curse struck, preventing his Immortal Platform?

Countless prodigies, in anticipation, focused on Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, hoping for good news.

...

"Is this Immortal Qi?"

Feeling the formless, odorless aura that seemed to embody all the charm of the heavens and earth, Ye Chen sensed his body surging with excitement and anticipation. No longer hesitating, he sat cross-legged, placing the Immortal Qi deep in his brow, beginning to forge his Immortal Platform with it, officially breaking through to Mahayana.

…

In the cultivation world, the outside realm kept close watch on Ye Chen's movements. One year, two years, three years… yet Ye Chen never appeared.

Speculation ran wild. Had he truly perished, or was he crippled? Five years after Ye Chen's disappearance, the Immortal Path finally opened. An ancient teleportation array emerged, granting access to the Immortal Path. The entire cultivation world buzzed with excitement.

Prodigies emerged in droves. Even those who had long remained hidden revealed themselves—figures like the Seven-Crown King, sealed in divine essence, not of this era, and heirs of ancient traditions. Rare physiques surfaced, each one awe-inspiringly powerful.

Among the myriad races, top-tier prodigies also arose, like the son of the once-illustrious Undying Heavenly Sovereign, who emerged in this generation. Descendants of renowned ancient races, like the Golden Crow Clan, appeared as well.

On the day the Immortal Path opened, a terrifying aura filled the air, inspiring dread. Yet the most anticipated figure was undoubtedly Ye Chen. Everyone awaited his arrival, eager to witness his invincible presence once more.

But as prodigies entered the Immortal Path one by one, Ye Chen's figure remained absent. This sent shockwaves through the cultivation world. The earlier rumors—born of envy and akin to curses—suggested he'd perished.

Now, his absence from the opening of the Immortal Path seemed to confirm something had gone wrong. After all, the Immortal Path was too crucial for any cultivator to miss, its benefits too immense.

Yet Ye Chen hadn't come. Had he truly met with misfortune? Failed his breakthrough? Or perhaps, despite defeating three Mahayana cultivators with his tactics, had he been backlashed, his path to immortality severed? Or, as some rumors claimed, had a supreme power ambushed and killed him?

Ye Chen remained the focal point of the cultivation world's discussions. As time passed, by the sixth year, discussions about Ye Chen dwindled. He was forgotten by many. In the cultivation world, countless prodigies, once dazzling, had their immortal paths shattered, fading like shooting stars. Ye Chen was no exception.

During the Heavenly Emperor's era, a prodigy with unparalleled talent, deemed worthy of true immortality, suppressed the Emperor with a mere avatar. But after a battle that ruined his foundation, he became a cripple, forgotten by all.

Cultivators live long lives. Temporary victories mean little. Only those who stand at the pinnacle are revered. Except for Ye Chen's lovers, most had moved on, their gazes fixed on the prodigies storming the Immortal Path.

By the eighth year, Ye Chen was a relic of the past. When mentioned, it was merely as someone who once fought six prodigies but perished. The cultivation world was cruel. No matter how radiant, those who fail to reach the peak are slowly erased from memory.