ISWI Chapter 590-592

Chapter 590: The Fourth Holy Son Is Too Fast!

"I hope by my breakthrough, you've brought back Ye Chen's origin! Ye Chen rivals a hundred meticulously nurtured great medicines! Devouring him will elevate my physique instantly!"

Before Alkaid Holy Son, a Law Qi exuded chaos energy, ethereal and extraordinary. Before refining it, he murmured. His prior crushing defeat, despite prepared arrays, left no desire for personal revenge.

Ye Chen was too heaven-defying. Even at Mahayana, Alkaid doubted he could win. Worse, Ye Chen's breakthrough speed was terrifying—waiting might erase Alkaid's cultivation edge. Ye Chen had to die.

Prudent, Alkaid ensured no chance of survival, deploying Devouring Lineage protectors and a Mahayana Fourth Heaven semi-saint. This lineup guaranteed Ye Chen's doom. Devouring his origin could perfect Alkaid's Acquired Chaos Body, enabling him to ambush Lan Nuo and dominate this era's immortal path.

…

At Heavenly Desire Sect's main hall, Ye Chen faced the Sect Master—fair-skinned, stunningly mature, every move dripping with charm. He found her alluring but, lacking a multiplier, felt no spark.

The Sect Master, sensing Ye Chen's Unity peak matching hers, was shocked, expectant, yet uneasy. His progress was unreal—less than five years since Fan Qinghe absorbed until overflowing, unable to take another drop of Yin-Yang qi.

For high-realm cultivators, five years was a blink, yet Unity advancement was grueling: daily sensing of Dao charm, painstaking extraction, and careful refinement. Ordinary Unity cultivators, lacking top-tier insight, could linger a millennium or two, many stuck forever. Ye Chen's five-year leap was absurd—did the Dao itself pour charm into him?

His speed was good news for her. After her bold request last time, Fan Qinghe reluctantly agreed, with strict limits: the Sect Master could only absorb after Qinghe was full, with no excessive contact, each touch needing Qinghe's consent.

Even so, the Sect Master agreed, hoping to siphon enough to break her century-long Unity bottleneck into Mahayana—a realm every cultivator craved. Ye Chen's early arrival thrilled her, but it was too early.

Fan Qinghe was still early Unity, far from peak. Crossing that gap required an unimaginable amount of Dao charm. Afterward, Qinghe needed more for her third transformation, her prior two absorbing so much her capacity was likely massive. What would be left for the Sect Master? A single drop seemed a fantasy.

As Ye Chen wasn't her protector, her absorption efficiency was abysmal—ten parts yielded one. Her hope of using Ye Chen's deep foundation to break into Mahayana might be just a dream.

The Heavenly Desire Sect Master harbored bold thoughts, like politely asking Ye Chen for a sip before her disciple arrived. But it was just a fleeting idea—her hopes were faint, treating a dead horse as alive. Her focus remained on her disciple, Fan Qinghe.

Heavenly Desire Sect heirs rarely had immortal prospects, but this generation was different. Ye Chen, Fan Qinghe's protector, single-handedly crushed Central Continent's prodigies, his cultivation speed unaffected by being drained.

With such a monstrous protector, Fan Qinghe's potential, through repeated transformations, might surpass even their founder's aptitude. Ascending wasn't impossible.

If Fan Qinghe ascended, they could follow to the immortal realm, where lifespans were unshortened—Mahayana lived 10,000 years, Unity 5,000. Abundant Immortal Qi allowed flawless Immortal Platforms, among countless other benefits. The Sect Master might break the Nirvana Scripture's limits, reach Mahayana, or even ascend. Compared to that, her own Mahayana breakthrough now seemed minor. She'd take what she could get or let it be.

…

"Your feat of suppressing six prodigies alone—I've watched the recording countless nights, heart racing," the Sect Master purred, her voice sultry, stirring Ye Chen's heart like a lover's caress. "Your talent is unprecedented, unmatched. Qinghe is fortunate to have your devoted support."

Before Ye Chen could respond, a figure rushed in—eyes brimming with joy and longing, amber skin vibrant and wild, figure even more so.

Fan Qinghe.

She glanced at her master, then gazed at Ye Chen, puzzled. "Holy Son, did you come because you missed me? I missed you too…"

Ye Chen smiled. "Of course I missed you. But also, I've reached Unity's peak, no further to go. Let's not delay—I'll aid your cultivation!"

Fan Qinghe's eyes widened. It took her a year to absorb Ye Chen's last gift, another to break through, and just two and a half years to stabilize at early Unity. In that time, the fourth Holy Son hit Unity's peak? Were they even cultivating the same immortality?

Chapter 591: A Bold Idea!

Fan Qinghe was stunned. Ye Chen, seeing her, smiled—partly due to her beauty, partly due to the system's prompt:

"Matching target Fan Qinghe's multiplier updated… 2,500x!"

This matched the fiancée's multiplier. Initially 1,500x, her first Nirvana with his spirit sense raised it to 1,800x. Now, her second Nirvana with his Yin-Yang Qi hit 2,500x—a massive leap.

Ye Chen deduced Nirvana's effect tied to absorption volume. Her first time, she barely managed, head spinning. The second, she nearly burst, guided by him. More absorbed, better the Nirvana, bigger the multiplier boost. This benefited him too—higher multipliers meant larger capacity, more feedback, and more he could give. Win-win.

Determined, Ye Chen vowed to push Fan Qinghe past her limits this Nirvana.

Fan Qinghe, shocked yet worried her low realm would consume most for advancement, leaving little for Nirvana. But recalling her last overwhelmed state—lazy, barely able to smile—and Ye Chen's crushing of six prodigies, she relaxed. His vast foundation ensured enough. Overloading again? Impossible. Her second Nirvana's massive boost made her terrifyingly strong, her capacity vastly improved—no repeat of last time's embarrassment.

…

Knowing Ye Chen, the top youth, still rushed to aid her at Unity's peak showed his care. Conquered long ago, her eyes brimmed with affection. "Holy Son, you're so good… Let's go to my cave!"

Ye Chen nodded, ready to follow. The Sect Master coughed lightly, eyes anxious. She wouldn't steal from her disciple, risking her immortal path, but what if Fan Qinghe left some? Take her along!

Fan Qinghe, hearing the cough, recalled her promise. Though doubting there'd be enough, she'd agreed. Just one more person watching—no loss. Clinging to Ye Chen's arm, she blinked. "Holy Son, can my Master join this Nirvana?"

Join?

Ye Chen glanced at the mature Sect Master, confused by the request for a third Nirvana.

Noticing his gaze, Fan Qinghe clarified, "No… Master also cultivates the Nirvana Scripture, but her protector died, stalling her at Unity's peak. She can gain from you, though at one-tenth efficiency. She hopes to break into Mahayana. Master raised me through hardships, so I want to help…"

She assumed Ye Chen wouldn't refuse, knowing his non-exclusive affection and her Master's beauty. The Sect Master's face mixed embarrassment and hope, a young girl's expression on a mature woman—irresistibly charming. But, shocking them, Ye Chen refused instantly. "No, my hard-earned Dao charms are for you alone!"

No ploy or loyalty display—just practicality. The Sect Master lacked feedback eligibility. Even if Fan Qinghe couldn't absorb all, Ye Chen wouldn't waste charms on her. Though he liked her type, he had little interest in playing the villain. The fiancée rumors were just misunderstandings.

The Heavenly Desire Sect Master hadn't expected Ye Chen's swift refusal. Her emotions churned, a forced smile on her mature face as she waved it off, urging Fan Qinghe to take Ye Chen away.

Fan Qinghe, heart warmed by Ye Chen's words, felt a pang seeing her Master's pained smile. Her Master had been so good to her. Hesitating, she pleaded, "Holy Son, I know your feelings for me… but my Master's been stuck at Unity's peak so long, it's pitiful. Can I take less this time, leave some for her? You're so strong, you must have plenty. She only needs a bit to break through to Mahayana, not for transformation…"

Before Ye Chen could reply, the Sect Master waved her delicate hand, cutting Fan Qinghe off, fearing she'd upset Ye Chen and harm her own cultivation. "Qinghe, stop. The Holy Son's refusal shows his deep, singular devotion to you. Whether I break through doesn't matter—I've over a thousand years of lifespan left, no rush! Go cultivate with him!"

Ye Chen, listening, sparked a bold idea. Fan Qinghe's talk of taking less was a joke—she couldn't even handle half his current Dao charms. He'd come prepared for leftovers. But their words inspired him: he could gift the charms to Fan Qinghe, and if she couldn't absorb them all, she could pass some to her Master. It still counted as gifting Fan Qinghe, not her Master. With her Master's high loss rate—ten parts yielding one—she could help him offload even more. Perhaps, through her, he could fully expend his nearly five years' worth of Dao charms, not a drop left.

Ye Chen furrowed his brow, eyeing Fan Qinghe as if seriously considering her request.

Chapter 592: The Ritual Begins!

Seeing Ye Chen hesitate, Fan Qinghe clung to his arm, shaking it with a honey-sweet voice, cooing, "Holy Son, please… just this once… I promise not again…"

Ye Chen sighed, as if helpless, fondly patting her head. "Fine, your filial heart gladdens me—it sets you apart from selfish female cultivators. I cultivated so fast for you, saved all my Dao charms for you. If you want to share with your Master, that's your choice. But you must promise: only give her what's left after you're full. Your cultivation comes first. If not, after this ritual, we part ways, done forever."

His tone was doting but firm—Fan Qinghe's growth was paramount. Higher multipliers meant more feedback.

Feeling his care, even his threat stemmed from concern for her progress, Fan Qinghe's heart overflowed with emotion. She pecked his chin lightly, whispering, "Holy Son, you're so good…"

Smiling at her Master, she said, "Let's go to my cave!"

Ye Chen nodded. The Sect Master, thrilled at his consent, had no objections. She was just tagging along—Fan Qinghe's transformation was priority. But she tempered expectations: Fan Qinghe's low realm and dual needs—advancement and transformation—would likely leave only a trickle, if anything.

With a tenth conversion rate due to Ye Chen not being her protector, even with a divine seed, it'd likely fall short for her Mahayana breakthrough. Still, her longing for Mahayana drove her to follow, her mature figure gliding behind them into the cave.

Heavenly Desire Sect elders noticed. Learning Ye Chen arrived, they wanted to approach, but the Sect Master, intent on her chance, kept them away. Seeing her enter the cave with them, they were stunned. Why join their ritual? To guide? Or did Ye Chen demand it?

Her steadfast refusal of the All Being Dao suggested it wasn't her initiative. It had to be Ye Chen, eyeing her, and she, wary of jeopardizing Fan Qinghe's reliance on him, complied reluctantly. It fit the fourth Holy Son's reputation—he didn't even spare his own Master, so why another's? This, they concluded, was the truth.

Unaware of being slandered despite his good intentions, Ye Chen entered the cave. Fan Qinghe and he sat facing each other. The Heavenly Desire Sect Master, though experienced, felt awkward at her first ritual attendance, staying silent to minimize her presence beside Fan Qinghe. This ritual was vital for Fan Qinghe's advancement and transformation, so she focused on Ye Chen, explaining key points.

"Dao charms surpass Yin-Yang Qi. Previous spirit sense and second-channel transfers won't suffice now. We must remove all barriers, connect palm-to-knee, and link every pore to form dense, tiny connections. With normal flow, it takes three days. Given your vast foundation, maybe half a month."

The Sect Master, listening, felt complex emotions, envying Fan Qinghe's luck. Ye Chen's deep foundation, rapid progress, and restraint—waiting for her Mahayana—made him the perfect protector.

If only I'd met him first…

Despite an outsider's presence, Ye Chen, focused on aiding Fan Qinghe, didn't care. Fan Qinghe was unbothered by her Master watching. They sat as required.

Ye Chen's eyes widened—Fan Qinghe, like a flawless amber statue under the cave's moonlight stone, glowed breathtakingly, nearly shaking his Dao heart. Fan Qinghe, gazing at his perfect Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo, was equally stunned.

The Sect Master, whose protector died at Transformation's peak, had cultivated 200 years to Unity's peak and stalled 100 more. Three centuries without such a sight, she swallowed hard.

Mere distractions. Both were resolute, quickly focusing. Their spirit senses connected effortlessly, forming the first transfer point, then the second. Soon, imperceptible pores glowed, channeling divine light.

Ye Chen's divine seed vibrated, forging more links. His Dao charms flowed through the seed, drawn from every part of him—slowly, then faster, stabilizing. The third Nirvana ritual had begun.

Fan Qinghe shone like amber; Ye Chen's body radiated gold. Both sank into deep cultivation. The Sect Master, watching, felt a mix of envy, hope, worry, and loneliness—everyone busy but her.