ISWI Chapter 386-388

Chapter 386: How Could I Falter Before the Holy Maiden?

Yao Gu slunk away, dejected. He felt the greatest regret of his life was taking on that mission to the measly Green Cloud Sect just to test-drive a new chariot. He'd gotten beaten twice, his chariot smashed to bits. And now he had a brother-in-law.

Worst of all, this brother-in-law was a menace—already paired with his sister and still trying to steal the divine maiden from him. Life was just too hard.

The more Yao Gu thought about it, the angrier he got. So, he flew back to the Yao family's residence, vowing to stay indoors for the next few days.

…

Meanwhile, in the resplendent, majestic palace of the Heavenly Intention Holy Land, two legacy disciples stood together. One had a sword mark on his brow. The other clutched a fan. Both glared with venomous resentment as they spoke of Ye Chen.

"The Heavenly Evolution Holy Son actually dared to show up? Does he really think his Heavy Pupils make him invincible?"

"Too bad our Holy Son is still in seclusion. If he were here, a single finger would crush that guy. How could he be so arrogant?"

"No need for the Holy Son to act. We were just caught off guard earlier, ambushed by his trick."

"We're both mid-Deity Transformation. With our Heavenly Intention Golden Pupils, we can counter his Heavy Pupils."

"Heavy Pupils aren't truly invincible. Plenty of Heavy Pupils wielders in history failed to reach immortality, falling on the immortal path."

"It's a pity White Emperor City's rules make it hard to act directly. I'd love to suppress him and raise our Heavenly Intention Holy Land's prestige."

"A mere Nascent Soul? I could kill him with a flick of my wrist!"

Their brief clash with Ye Chen had already spread through White Emperor City. Having suffered a minor loss, both were seething with dissatisfaction. They traded boasts, each claiming they could easily suppress Ye Chen, as if his Heavy Pupils were nothing to fear. As they spoke, they cautiously glanced at the figure seated at the head of the hall.

A female cultivator, bathed in moonlight, her perfect form veiled as if by gossamer moonbeams. Her face glowed with divine radiance, mostly obscured. Only the elegant, aloof curve of her chin was visible—flawless, like jade porcelain, breathtakingly beautiful.

In the eyes of the two legacy disciples, there was reverence, but also a flicker of deep, carefully concealed admiration. With such a peerless Holy Maiden in the Heavenly Intention Holy Land, what male disciple could claim to feel no affection?

But she was already the fiancée of their Holy Son. And their Holy Son, with his heaven-defying cultivation and unmatched talent, was the only one worthy of this lunar goddess-like figure. They knew their place, aware they stood no chance.

Yet, in the Holy Maiden's presence, they couldn't help but want to show off. Listening to their chatter, the Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden, Yi Qingwu, finally spoke. "The auction will have fragments of the Laurel Tree I need. Until I obtain them, I don't want any unnecessary complications. As for Ye Chen, I have no intention of seeking him out myself. That's the Holy Son's matter.

"But since he's shown up in my presence, here in White Emperor City, as his fiancée, I can't ignore him. After the auction, I'll personally suppress him and bring him back to the Holy Land for the Holy Son to deal with once he emerges from seclusion. Our Heavenly Intention Holy Land brought two elders this time, enough to handle Ye Chen's protector and the elder leading his group. No one will save him."

Yi Qingwu's voice was like a spring breeze, soft and melodious, without a trace of coldness. Yet, it carried an unshakable resolve. To the two daoists, it was as if they were hearing celestial music.

The legacy disciple with the sword mark on his brow shook his head immediately. "Ye Chen's just a mere Nascent Soul cultivator. Why would the Holy Maiden need to act personally? Three days from now, the Heavenly Desire Sect's divine maiden will make her debut. With that Ye the Fourth's obsession with women, he's sure to show up. There's always a spar or two when vying for the divine maiden. I'll take him on then. His Heavy Pupils are formidable, but my realm is higher. With my Heavenly Intention Golden Pupils, I can counter them.

"As for his True Dragon Treasure Technique, True Phoenix Treasure Technique, and Kunpeng Treasure Technique, I've seen them in a recording crystal. They're strong, and he's fast, but he clearly hasn't mastered them fully or unleashed their true power. I'll face him with my Heavenly Intention Samsara Fist! Combined with my Heaven and Earth Manifestation, I can seal off the heavens and earth, cutting his speed in half. When that moment comes, I'll seize the chance and cripple him!"

The fan-wielding legacy disciple, who carried an air of refined charm, nodded in agreement. "I have no interest in this so-called divine maiden or places of romance, but to suppress this guy and uphold the prestige of our Heavenly Intention Holy Land, I'm willing to go along."

Hearing this, the sword-marked disciple quickly chimed in, "Exactly, I'm not interested either. Those fools in the city dare compare that Fan Qinghe to you, Holy Maiden? That's the greatest insult. A mere sparrow, how could it compare to a phoenix?"

Both of them brimmed with battle intent.

Yi Qingwu paid no mind to the so-called divine maiden. She considered Ye Chen—undeniably a prodigy, but still just a Nascent Soul cultivator. The two disciples were mid-Deity Transformation, trained in immortal scriptures, and possessed top-tier talent. They were more than enough to suppress Ye Chen.

With that in mind, Yi Qingwu nodded calmly. "If it proves too much, don't force it."

The two legacy disciples immediately assured her there'd be no issue, vowing to handle it perfectly. They couldn't bear to appear weak in front of the Holy Maiden.

With a gentle wave of her hand, Yi Qingwu dismissed them.

As the hall's doors closed, a radiant moon appeared behind her head, faintly revealing the silhouette of a celestial palace, as if it were the abode of an immortal.

"If I obtain the Laurel Tree fragments and glean the aura of the ancient Broad Cold Fairy from them, my strength will advance further, making my path to Unity smoother. The Laurel Tree fragments are precious, practically immortal treasures. But with my preparations, there should be no problem."

Yi Qingwu spoke calmly, the hall resonating with ethereal chimes. As for Ye Chen? He was but a fleeting thought in her mind, not worth lingering on. Despite his exceptional talent, his cultivation was too low. He'd be suppressed without her needing to lift a finger. There was no reason to care about him.

Soon, Yi Qingwu entered a state of cultivation. The hall filled with moonlight, rising and falling like tides with each breath she took.

…

Meanwhile, in White Emperor City, Ye Chen finished his cultivation for the day and prepared to head out. From Yao Gu, he'd learned that being too outstanding might make him an unlikely choice for the divine maiden. If that was the case, he'd rely on gifts. A barrage of treasures could smooth even the most winding path to success.

While others dreamed of freeloading, Ye Chen would shower her with gifts and even offer to be her cauldron. So, he stepped out, planning to browse White Emperor City for treasures suitable for gifting. And maybe trigger a critical hit in the process…

Chapter 387: The Perfect Gift!

The auction in White Emperor City was a grand affair. It featured numerous treasures rare in the Great Yan Continent, found only in the Central Continent. The item list had been released long ago, drawing countless cultivators eager to acquire their desired lots. With such a massive event, the final bidding prices were bound to be steep.

As a result, many cultivators were already selling off their own treasures to amass spirit stones. While items could be used to offset bids at the auction, the organizers took a thirty percent commission. A treasure worth ten thousand would only cover seven thousand. Naturally, it was smarter to sell items beforehand and convert them into spirit stones.

White Emperor City was now teeming with prodigies and seasoned powerhouses. There were plenty of female cultivators, but none caught the eye of Ye Chen, who was roaming incognito.

After all, the truly top-tier prodigies were mostly absorbed into the holy lands. The female cultivators outside, even those from major sects, occasionally hit five hundred or eight hundred times multipliers at best. Not a single one reached a thousand.

Ye Chen couldn't muster any interest and didn't bother paying attention. However, the bustling market stalls held some intrigue for him. For instance, he spotted a strand of mutated heavenly silkworm silk with a gradient of colors.

The thread shifted through a dozen hues from end to end. Its defensive properties were weaker, but it was finer and far more comfortable against the skin. It was perfect for crafting a new set of gear for Senior An.

She'd been at the Nascent Soul stage for a while, and the treasure-grade equipment he'd previously made for her was due for an upgrade to a spirit treasure.

Later, Ye Chen came across a top-tier magical treasure—a pair of ankle bells. When shaken, they didn't produce a typical chime but an enchanting phoenix cry. He immediately bought them for the little demoness. The next time they met, he'd personally put them on her. There were other curiosities as well.

The independent cultivators of the cultivation world had a knack for creative artifact crafting. Ye Chen also found items that could benefit him directly. For example, a journal of insights on gu cultivation from a great gu master. Gifting it to Fang Yuan, a female disciple from his peak, might help him master gu techniques. He also picked up some rare spiritual fruits and plants. They could potentially aid his cultivation of the Indestructible Scripture.

In short, Ye Chen was like a man on a shopping spree. Anything that seemed useful, he snapped up without hesitation. He didn't haggle. Not because he wanted to be a sucker, but because spirit stones came to him too easily—faster than the wind. There was no need to waste time bargaining.

His high-profile spending naturally drew covert attention. But with the auction imminent, White Emperor City was under strict watch. No one dared cause trouble. Instead, some quietly memorized Ye Chen's aura, scheming to target him after the auction ended.

Ye Chen paid no mind to the covert glances around him. He walked calmly, scanning for anything that caught his interest. White Emperor City was truly vast. Even the streets designated for market stalls stretched tens of thousands of meters. Its reputation as Great Yan Continent's premier immortal city was well-earned.

Yet, along the way, he hadn't found anything suitable as a gift for the Heavenly Desire Sect's divine maiden. Suddenly, his eyes lit up. Ahead, a lively crowd had gathered around a stall.

"This Diamond Ring is definitely a replica. But I had an expert examine it—it contains a trace of Great Luo Silver Essence, a material capable of forging immortal weapons. Though it's just a trace, it gives this bangle limitless potential. It could become a Dao Artifact in the future, maybe even an Extreme Dao Weapon!"

At the stall, a man tightly gripped a silver bangle. The bangle was naturally seamless, gleaming silver-white with faint divine patterns etched across it, ancient and unpretentious. It radiated a peculiar aura.

Ye Chen's eyes sparkled. A Diamond Ring? It bore a striking resemblance to the weapon from Journey to the West he'd read about in his past life. A glint flashed in his eyes as he discerned its extraordinary nature. The bangle indeed contained a trace of an incredibly potent material. Its power far surpassed that of ordinary top-grade spirit treasures, nearing the level of a Dao artifact usable only by Unity-stage cultivators.

Intriguing. If he gifted this, could it trigger a critical hit and yield the Journey to the West version of the Diamond Ring? Probably not—this wasn't Earth. It'd likely be this world's version instead.

"Great Luo Silver Essence is indeed a rare immortal material. If you could extract and fuse it into your natal spirit treasure, its power would soar."

"This Diamond Ring looks impressive as is. Refining it into a natal spirit treasure wouldn't be a bad choice either."

"How many spirit stones for it?"

The onlookers, clearly knowledgeable, spoke with keen interest.

The man holding the bangle, his appearance and identity concealed, didn't hesitate. "Fifty thousand top-grade spirit stones!"

The price sent a shockwave through the crowd.

Fifty thousand top-grade spirit stones? A Golden Core cultivator might earn ten thousand high-grade spirit stones in a year. Even most late Nascent Soul cultivators only made three to five hundred thousand high-grade spirit stones annually.

Converted to top-grade spirit stones, it'd take two or three years to earn ten thousand. Fifty thousand top-grade spirit stones was over a decade's income without eating or drinking. For a single top-grade spirit treasure? That was outrageously expensive.

The crowd erupted in murmurs. The man at the stall remained unfazed. "Fifty thousand top-grade spirit stones is the starting price… This is Great Luo Silver Essence, a rare treasure even immortal weapons could use. I took it to shops, but lately, too many people are trading for spirit stones, and they lowballed me hard. That's why I'm auctioning it here. This Diamond Ring starts at fifty thousand top-grade spirit stones—highest bidder wins."

The stall owner was resolute, unwilling to sell for less.

"Too expensive! Drop it by ten thousand, and we'll talk."

"Exactly. It's just a trace of Great Luo Silver Essence—barely enough to boost its power a bit, nothing special."

"You'll never sell it at this rate. How about this? I'll offer eight thousand top-grade spirit stones. Sell it to me!"

The crowd haggled, pointing out flaws and pressuring the stall owner. But he stood firm, his resolve unshaken.

Ye Chen, intrigued, spoke up directly. "I'll take it for fifty thousand!"

The Diamond Ring was a weapon. Gifting a weapon under the moonlight felt a bit off for a first meeting. But he could always gift it to someone else later. Who knows? It might trigger something interesting.

As soon as Ye Chen spoke, the crowd fell silent, all eyes turning to him. The stall owner's face lit up with delight. But he didn't agree immediately, instead shouting to the crowd, "This Fellow Daoist has bid fifty thousand top-grade spirit stones! If no one else bids, this Great Luo Silver Essence belongs to him!"

Ye Chen gave a faint smile, unbothered by the stall owner's tactics. The crowd murmured, assuming no one would outbid him. After all, the amount of Great Luo Silver Essence in the bangle was pitifully small, its utility limited.

But at that moment, a voice boomed from a distance, carrying a terrifying aura that resounded like thunder. "This item's interesting. It looks quite elegant. Buying it as a bracelet for you would be perfect! I, Zhang Pengfei, want this!"

The name sent a jolt through the crowd. They quickly parted, not daring to block the path.

Zhang Pengfei? Known among the younger generation as the Little Roc King. Not long ago, he fought Yao Gu, who had broken through to Deity Transformation, and they ended in a draw. His strength was unfathomably formidable.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow at the name. He didn't know the guy at all. But Zhang Pengfei's comment about gifting the bangle as a bracelet sparked an idea. Under the moonlight, gifting a weapon to Fan Qinghe might indeed be awkward.

But a bracelet infused with Great Luo Silver Essence, both powerful and exquisite? That was perfect—elegant and far from tacky! It instantly raised the gift's class! This Zhang Pengfei guy had some clever ideas!

Chapter 388: Just Here to Feast My Eyes!

As the crowd parted, a towering man over two meters tall strode forward. His eyes gleamed like those of an eagle, pupils shimmering with a golden hue. Beside him stood a spirited female cultivator, exuding a heroic air.

Zhang Pengfei was at the Deity Transformation stage, while the woman was at the Nascent Soul stage. Both radiated a formidable aura, causing the onlookers to lower their heads in awe. They whispered to each other through divine sense.

"The Little Roc King, with his Sword Roc Body. Those eagle eyes see through everything—illusions, movements, nothing escapes him."

"His speed is said to be astonishing, rivaling even the Kun Peng Treasure Technique. And his swordsmanship? Divine."

"Isn't that a bit exaggerated? Since when does a Sword Roc compare to a Kun Peng?"

"That's just what people say."

"That woman beside him—she's probably the daughter of the Sky Roc Sect's grand elder, right?"

"Rumor has it, when Zhang Pengfei was vying for the position of chief disciple, he had a strong rival. So he won over the grand elder's daughter, gained her support, forcibly awakened his Sword Roc Eyes, and soared to prominence."

"Tch, climbing up through a woman, huh? No wonder he's splashing fifty thousand top-grade spirit stones on a bracelet for her."

"Exactly. A friend of mine says his partner loves making him sprout wings during dual cultivation, tugging on his roc feathers from behind…"

"But the Little Roc King's strength is undeniable. He's never been defeated!"

The onlookers maintained respectful expressions, but their private transmissions were full of gossip.

"Zhuzhu, what do you think of this bracelet?"

Zhang Pengfei asked tenderly, playing the part of a doting gentleman.

The woman nodded. "It's alright."

Zhang Pengfei smiled. "As long as you like it."

With that, he turned to the stall owner with a commanding sweep of his gaze. "I'll take it for fifty thousand top-grade spirit stones."

The stall owner froze. The Little Roc King, who'd risen by cozying up to women, wasn't even going to raise the bid? He wanted to haggle for more but didn't dare provoke Zhang Pengfei.

Hesitantly, he looked at Ye Chen. "This Fellow Daoist already offered fifty thousand top-grade spirit stones…"

The stall owner silently prayed Ye Chen wouldn't back down.

Zhang Pengfei turned to Ye Chen, saying nothing but letting his gaze carry a heavy pressure, as if urging Ye Chen to step aside. A mere late Nascent Soul cultivator wasn't worth his attention.

Ye Chen met his stare calmly. "If you want it, bid. If not, move along. Why're you staring at me?"

His words stunned the crowd. Was Ye Chen this bold?

Sure, fighting was forbidden in White Emperor City. But making an enemy like this—who could guarantee they wouldn't be targeted later?

Zhang Pengfei's round, predatory eyes locked onto Ye Chen, brimming with anger. His gaze was like that of a hawk sizing up prey, perfectly fitting his reputation. Everyone could see he'd lost face in front of his woman.

Zhang Pengfei was truly furious. He opened his mouth, ready to hurl a threat.

But Ye Chen's lips curved into a smirk. "Don't your eyes see through illusions? I suggest you take a good look at who I am before you start talking tough. Saves you the trouble of eating your words later."

Ye Chen was just here to buy a gift, not to pick a fight. Unless there was something to gain, he wasn't interested. His illusion technique wasn't particularly advanced—most prodigies could see through it.

Zhang Pengfei swallowed his threat. If this guy recognized him and still spoke so boldly, could he have a big backing?

Golden light gleamed in Zhang Pengfei's eagle-like eyes as he peered at Ye Chen. The moment he saw through the illusion, his pupils contracted. It was that Fourth Holy Son?

He recognized Ye Chen. Instantly, he felt like backing off. For one, Ye Chen's Heavy Pupils made his combat strength unpredictable. Plus, with his Kun Peng Treasure Technique, what if Zhang Pengfei, despite being a realm higher, couldn't match his speed? Wouldn't that expose his earlier boasts as empty? He'd always fought only those he could read, maintaining his undefeated reputation.

On top of that, the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land wasn't something he could afford to provoke. But turning tail and leaving would cost him face. What would people say about him?

So, Zhang Pengfei forced a smile and declared loudly, "So it's the Fourth Holy Son himself! Since Your Excellency has taken a liking to this item, I, Zhang Pengfei, will naturally step aside."

His words sent another shock through the crowd. This guy was the Fourth Holy Son? The people around Ye Chen quickly backed away, staring at him in astonishment.

Zhang Pengfei continued his grand posturing. "I've long heard that Your Excellency's Heavy Pupils can sweep the cosmos. I possess the Sword Roc Divine Eyes. If we get the chance, I hope you'll indulge me with a spar."

With his face-saving words delivered, Zhang Pengfei calmly led the female cultivator away, maintaining the perfect poise of a prodigy without a hint of backing down.

Ye Chen glanced at the guy, feeling a twinge of irritation. If they crossed paths again, he'd definitely give him a thrashing.

Then, Ye Chen turned calmly to the stall owner. The stall owner's heart sank. He couldn't afford to offend the Little Roc King, and now the Fourth Holy Son? Even less so. He didn't dare call for more bids, looking at Ye Chen with awe.

Ye Chen remained unfazed. He casually pulled out fifty thousand top-grade spirit stones and tossed them to the stall owner. After receiving the Diamond Bangle and confirming it was genuine, he drifted away.

The gift was secured, and his identity was exposed. Time to leave. He'd wait for the divine maiden's debut.

…

Meanwhile, Zhang Pengfei and his companion had walked some distance. The female cultivator asked with a hint of regret, "Was that really the Fourth Holy Son of the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land? I kinda liked that bracelet."

Zhang Pengfei nodded calmly. "It was indeed Ye the Fourth. His illusion technique was no match for my divine eyes. But he deliberately revealed his identity to avoid clashing with me. He's not that strong—probably on par with Yao Gu—but he's backed by a behemoth like the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. So, I let him have his way. As for the bracelet, I'll find you a better one later."

The woman looked at Zhang Pengfei with admiration, thinking her man was truly formidable. Even the Fourth Holy Son didn't dare provoke him, taking the initiative to avoid a fight.

Zhang Pengfei met her gaze with warmth in his eyes, but inside, he was annoyed. He preferred delicate, clingy women, not someone who, even in the bedroom, tugged at his wings and shouted about loving his Sword Roc.

But he had no choice. He still needed her father's support to secure resources and vie for the immortal path. He'd have to endure it. In a couple of days, though, he planned to slip away incognito to the Pure Moon River. He wanted to see what this so-called most outstanding divine maiden in ten thousand years looked like. If he could win her favor and spend a night with her on a skyship, that'd be perfection…

With that thought, Zhang Pengfei's expression grew even gentler. He led his partner forward slowly.