ISWI Chapter 579-581

Chapter 579: Anxious Gold-Robed Elder!

Protectors learned of Yan Qingcheng's feats, intrigued by the mysterious "ordinary" figure. Top factions had their prodigies, so her sudden emergence suggested a heaven-defying opportunity. A Mahayana cultivator secretly trailed her, seeking a chance to strike. But 100,000 miles from the Cave Heaven, golden hands appeared in the sky.

Yan Qingcheng remained expressionless. The hidden Mahayana, startled, tried to flee, but it was too late. Terrifying force pinned him, the golden hands clapping like swatting a fly, obliterating the void and all traces of him.

A gold-robed elder appeared beside Yan Qingcheng, ignoring the fallen Mahayana, focusing on his daughter.

"Don't mind Ye Chen's combat power, Qingcheng. He's outrageously strong, but your Chaos Body grows stronger later. By Mahayana Second Heaven, you might match him, and surpass him after. Don't let it shake you."

Yan Qingcheng nodded calmly. Stunned by Ye Chen's strength, she still believed her immortal path was hers, confident in her future invincibility. But her thoughts were elsewhere. "Father, I want to give Ye Chen an immortal realm entry slot."

The elder frowned. "A true immortal's ascension opens a gate for only eight. Our Heavenly Emperor Hall's slots are taken by Yan ancestors. There's none for Ye Chen."

Worse, her attitude alarmed him. Wasn't this trip to settle a debt? Now she wanted to give Ye Chen a slot? Had she been charmed?

Yan Qingcheng spoke calmly, "Ye Chen knew he was a false heir yet bore no grudge, never revealing it. He even felt he owed me. During his Unity tribulation, he met the Emperor's imprint—whether he won or the Emperor spared him, I don't know. But he gained the fist insights, recognized me, and gave them to me without hesitation

"Father, Ye Chen's different from other cultivators. We shouldn't treat him this way. He even refused my offer to teach him the Heavenly Emperor Fist. He'd likely refuse other repayments. An immortal slot is the best way to ease my guilt."

The elder's eyes widened, anxious. She'd been deceived! He didn't doubt her strength, but her heart. Countless prodigies fell to emotions in history.

"He's tricking you!" he blurted. "Remember when he extorted our Hall for longevity medicine and top physique essence? He's all about profit, not kindness!"

Yan Qingcheng shook her head firmly. "I investigated. He sought the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid for his confidante's grandmother, giving it to Yi Qingwu, sparking a battle. He stayed at Green Cloud Sect, indebted to its old Sect Master, whose path was cut off without longevity medicine. That's why he boldly asked us. Which Holy Land prodigy cares for a small sect's elder? Ye Chen felt guilty for asking us, likely tied to the orchid."

The elder's eyes reddened. "No! He's not good! I've lived long, seen countless people—he's profit-driven!"

The gold-robed elder watched his daughter, Yan Qingcheng, fall silent. Yet his heart remained heavy. As a doting father, he knew her temperament well. In that moment, regret gnawed at him. Had he known it would come to this, he never would’ve chosen Ye Chen as the false Heavenly Emperor’s heir.

Yan Qingcheng sighed, sensing her father's deep bias. It was unfair—he'd framed Ye Chen to draw fire, yet slandered him. Unaccustomed to arguing, she stayed silent. Her decision was set: Ye Chen would get an immortal slot.

…

Ye Chen and Yan Qingcheng’s exchange was mostly through sound transmission. As she left, the cultivators in the cave-heaven were curious about her identity but were more focused on Ye Chen, the Heavenly Emperor’s heir, and the icy Lan Nuo up in the sky. They eagerly awaited the clash between the two.

Ye Chen’s strength outmatched nearly all prodigies of their generation. Yet Lan Nuo stood her ground, suggesting extraordinary power. The coming battle might determine the top prodigy of their era. The crowd buzzed with anticipation.

Ye Chen finally looked up at Lan Nuo. It was about to begin.

The onlookers’ excitement grew. Lan Nuo, feeling Ye Chen’s gaze, felt a flicker of unease. Her mind raced, plotting her response. Perhaps she could withstand one strike, then withdraw gracefully with a line like, “Heavenly Emperor’s heir, you’re as strong as expected. I’m not confident in defeating you today. Once I master my treasure technique, I’ll challenge you again!” Then she’d leave with dignity intact.

But could she withstand that one strike? Recalling Ye Chen’s terrifying offensive power, Lan Nuo wasn’t certain. Still, with her Heavy Pupils, she figured she could manage.

As her nerves wavered, Ye Chen spoke. “Fairy Lan, are you here to compete for the humanoid longevity herb?”

Lan Nuo blinked, caught off guard, but nodded firmly, her voice commanding. “A loved one’s lifespan is dwindling, so I must claim this herb. I fear no battle for it!”

The crowd murmured, impressed by her resolve. She seemed poised to surprise them. An elder from the Lan Clan, expecting her to take a beating, was stunned. So it wasn’t recklessness but filial piety. He’d misjudged her.

Ye Chen’s lips curved into a faint smile at her words.

Chapter 580: The Ultimate Showdown?

"You said you'd fight anyone for this longevity medicine?" Ye Chen squinted, echoing Lan Nuo's earlier words. Lan Nuo's heart raced, fearing she'd angered him. Terrifying! Would he strike to kill? But her words were out—no backing down.

Raising her graceful chin, she said firmly, "Yes!"

Ye Chen smiled, glancing at the longevity medicine under his array. "I set the array to protect it from battle fallout. Once cast, it can't be undone. It'll last a week. Since you insist on fighting, wait a week for the medicine to emerge, then we'll battle."

Lan Nuo's tension eased—no immediate fight? Perfect! She nodded calmly. "Fine, I'll act in a week."

Sitting cross-legged in the void, black hair fluttering, she exuded supreme confidence. Disappointed onlookers, denied an immediate clash, grew more eager, anticipating a world-shaking battle. They stayed, joined by Mahayana protectors clustering at the Cave Heaven's edge, eager for the spectacle.

…

Ye Chen, noting Lan Nuo's confidence, wondered if she hid a trump card. Unafraid after his display? Impressive. But no matter her cards, they'd be useless against him. Her cooperation pleased him. He planned to meditate, sorting Yan Qingcheng's massive feedback.

Just then, the Holy Master's voice transmitted, "I brought a third heaven elder, an array grandmaster. Shall he undo the array to end this sooner? This girl's level seems like Ba Wang or Yao Yuekong's—no need to waste time."

Ye Chen ignored it, face impassive, diving into deep meditation. Feng Baiyu, outside, frowned. Transmission failed?

…

For cultivators, seven days passed swiftly. All awaited with high expectations. Ye Chen relished the time, Yan Qingcheng's critical hit rewards—enough to bypass seeking Mahayana techniques—astounding. The Heavenly Emperor Fist, especially, thrilled him, itching to practice.

But Lan Nuo suffered. She knew her limits against Ye Chen. His seriousness—would he strike ruthlessly? Could she withstand one move? Maybe find an excuse to flee?

She transmitted to her ancestor, probing if the clan had urgent matters needing her early return, hinting she'd abandon the medicine. To her dismay, her ancestor missed her intent, encouraging her to prepare confidently. Too prideful to admit she wanted to run, Lan Nuo endured agonizing days under everyone's gaze, awaiting the array's dissolution.

Seven days passed. Under eager gazes, the array dissolved, the longevity medicine's aura wafting out, invigorating all as if a single breath extended life by years. Eyes gleamed, fixed on the two young, terrifying figures. Lan Nuo's heart raced, but her graceful form rose without hesitation. "Come, my Heavy Pupils have waited too long!"

Chaos qi swirled in her eyes, battle intent blazing, exuding peerless prodigy aura. The crowd's excitement surged.

Ye Chen glanced at the medicine, rising slowly, eyeing Lan Nuo. So many posturing lines? If you were a man, I'd crush you for this. Inwardly grumbling, he had no intent to fight.

Top prodigies were rare; he'd maximize gains, not end things quickly. Under all eyes, the invincible Ye Chen—who'd crushed six prodigies and slain the Star River King Body—restrained his aura. He gazed at Lan Nuo solemnly, silent for a long moment.

His gravity stunned onlookers. What trump card did Fairy Lan hold to make the Heavenly Emperor heir so cautious? Lan Nuo, already bluffing, panicked further.

Don't take me so seriously! I'm scared you'll kill me! Let me take one hit, say some face-saving words, and leave!

After a long stare, Ye Chen spoke, "I can't read Fairy Lan's aura. Perhaps the strongest foe I've ever faced. In my last battle, I took hidden injuries. Against Alkaid's ilk, they'd mean nothing, but against Fairy Lan, a slight wound could change everything. I propose delaying the longevity medicine battle another week, until my injuries heal, to face you at my peak."

His words caused an uproar. Coming from another, it'd be dodging. But from the invincible Ye Chen, it was genuine respect, treating Lan Nuo as an equal, even admitting weakness to delay a week. What trump card made him so wary?

The Lan ancestor was stunned. Is Nuo Nuo that strong? How didn't I see it? Does she have a hidden opportunity?

Outside, Feng Baiyu was baffled. He knew Ye Chen's strength—yet he lacked confidence? Did Central Continent's Heavy Pupil have something special? A rumor surfaced: Heavy Pupils in the same era split into male and female, the male suppressing the female. Nonsense, he'd thought—but now, was Ye Chen's Heavy Pupil female?

Chapter 581: Afraid Yet Elated!

Ye Chen's grave attitude, delaying the battle another week, stunned everyone. His proven strength meant one thing: Fairy Lan's Heavy Pupil was truly terrifying. Speculation buzzed—what trump card did Lan Nuo hide?

The dismissed "male-female Heavy Pupil" theory resurfaced. Ye Chen's caution, unseen even against six top prodigies, fueled rumors: were Heavy Pupils split by gender, with Ye Chen's being female? The crowd erupted in chatter.

Lan Nuo, inwardly chaotic, was floored. Why did Ye Chen take her so seriously? Was she worthy? Did his Heavy Pupils misjudge? Was he planning to one-shot her?

Panic surged—she wanted to back out. This posturing wasn't worth it. But the awe and shock in onlookers' eyes, her ancestor's probing about hidden trump cards, and even Mahayana cultivators' wary glances—Ye Chen killed a Mahayana fiend, and if he saw her as an equal, so could she—made her heart quiver. It felt divine.

Driven by instinct, Lan Nuo raised her head coldly, facing Ye Chen. "You're the strongest peer I've met, bar none. I look forward to our fight. If you lose due to injuries, my victory would be joyless. Heal fully—I'll wait for your peak state. Need healing treasures? I can lend some!"

Ye Chen was stunned. Too cooperative? And offering treasures? He confirmed: Lan Nuo was obsessed with posturing, never speaking plainly, all about flair. Perfect for gifting.

Smiling, he waved off the offer. "No need for treasures—I have my own. But your grace amazes me. Had you joined those six, I'd have lost. Now, you could win easily, yet you wait. A cultivator with such strength and prodigy demeanor is rare. I admire you. But I've delayed your time. Take this as my apology!"

He sent a glowing imprint toward her.

Lan Nuo froze. What was happening? Was she really that strong? She opened her mouth to refuse, but the imprint reached her.

Ye Chen continued, "This imprint came from an ancient Heavy Pupil's mark I encountered during my tribulation, gained after our battle. It holds their full Heavy Pupil insights. Since you have Heavy Pupils, it's the perfect apology."

Without giving her a chance to refuse, he sat cross-legged, diving into deep cultivation, as if urgently healing to ensure their battle held no regrets.

The crowd was stunned. A grand gift just for Lan Nuo's week-long wait? Ye Chen's regard for her strength was overwhelming. Doubts vanished—Lan Nuo had to be formidable, or why would the Heavenly Emperor heir act this way?

Lan Nuo herself was shocked. Ye Chen faced an ancient Heavy Pupil during his tribulation—one she'd never encountered? They weren't on the same level. Why did he value her so highly?

Panic surged, yet the crowd's awe and worshipful gazes brought thrilling joy. She shouldn't accept the gift, but Ye Chen's nonchalance, already meditating, stopped her. Would rejecting it by waking him seem petty, like disturbing his healing?

Accepting it gracefully felt more like a prodigy's demeanor. Plus, with these insights, her strength might rise enough to survive his punch. Since he gifted it, he didn't need it. She'd find a comparable treasure later to repay him. If she survived his strike, she'd raid her clan's treasury for a return gift.

Confused yet elated, Lan Nuo casually raised her hand, guiding the imprint into her brow. Instantly, an ancient Heavy Pupil's full insights flooded her mind. Her face stayed calm, but her heart jolted—it was the Heavenly Emperor's archenemy, a Heavy Pupil whose mastery reached unparalleled heights. At quasi-immortal, one glance slew an aged true immortal, a terrifying feat. Only dimmed by the Emperor's era, they'd have shone brighter. And Ye Chen defeated them in the same realm? How strong was he?

Absorbing the insights, Lan Nuo's panic deepened. Could she survive his serious strike?

Yet, the crowd's awe, reverence, and chatter about her being the era's top prodigy made her feel… even death might be worth it.

…

Meanwhile, Ye Chen's mind echoed with system prompts:

"Congratulations, host, gift successful…"

"Gift: Ancient Heavy Pupil Insights!"

"4,000x feedback processing…"

"Detected: Gift significantly impacts the recipient's mindset…"

"Triggered critical hit rewards!"

"Reward: Ancient Stone Immortal King's Complete Heavy Pupil Insights…"

"Reward: Heavenly Emperor's Complete Supreme Heart Insights…"

"Reward: No-Beginning Immortal King's Complete Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo Insights…"

"Reward: Yin-Yang Divine Monarch's Complete Yin-Yang Dao Sea Insights…"