ISWI Chapter 378-380

Chapter 378: Lay Low for Decades, Then Stun the World!

The small world wasn't suitable for a breakthrough, so Ye Chen shifted out of it. He stepped out of the cave, intending to find a fated person to bestow a gift upon. But the moment he emerged, he saw Mo Yuzhu waiting outside.

"Holy Son," she said, "today is the day Ascension Peak opens its gates."

Ye Chen nodded, realization dawning. "In last year's Holy Land competition, our Ascension Peak secured seventh place."

"That's right," Mo Yuzhu confirmed. "Because of that, even more prodigies have come to our gates this year—two thousand in total."

Ye Chen smiled at the news. Heavenly Evolution Holy Land boasted a hundred peaks, and for his disciples to push Ascension Peak into the top ten was no small feat. More striking was the visible progress of the female disciples who joined. Their cultivation didn't just improve—they advanced in every aspect. From spiritual artifacts to techniques, they wielded the finest treasures and mastered the best methods. Their combat strength had skyrocketed, far surpassing what it was before they joined.

Take Mo Yuzhu, for instance. Though only at early Nascent Soul and recently broken through, she could defeat mid-Nascent Soul disciples from the Holy Land. Or He Jiu, at early Golden Core, who crushed late Golden Core opponents to claim the title of first in her realm. Other disciples of Ascension Peak were no less impressive, dominating their peers in the same realm with ease.

This performance left countless spectators in awe. Crossing realms to defeat opponents wasn't unheard of in the outside world, but this was the Holy Land, where every disciple was already a cut above. To overpower others here spoke volumes about Ascension Peak's extraordinary nature.

Some prideful female disciples had once scoffed at joining, dismissing the peak as the Holy Son's harem. But now, seeing such remarkable growth, they couldn't hold back. If such progress was possible, what did it matter if they became part of the Holy Son's inner circle? Purity was a small price to pay compared to strength and cultivation.

This year, the number of female disciples applying to Ascension Peak reached an all-time high. But they had missed their best chance. Ye Chen didn't demand unmatched strength from his peak—only that it avoid ranking last, which could jeopardize his future bid for the Holy Lord's position. If he could maneuver for the seat, he'd compete with his senior brother. Bonds aside, some things were worth fighting for. Then, he could pass the title to the First Holy Maiden, perhaps even securing himself a shot at becoming the Lord of the Immortal Realm.

With Ascension Peak now firmly in the top ten, Ye Chen was fully satisfied. Going forward, recruitment would only grow stricter. Unless a candidate had exceptional talent or astonishing potential, they could forget about joining.

After a long while, Ye Chen selected a single female disciple. She possessed an Earth Spirit Root but boasted an extraordinary physique, with a total multiplier reaching seven hundred. He bestowed upon her a gift that sparked envy in the other disciples. With a sweep of his gaze and a casual wave of his hand, Ye Chen drifted back to his cave, ready to enter seclusion.

Of the two thousand candidates, many were either not pure, triggering no response from the system, or had multipliers too low for Ye Chen to even glance at. So, from the entire crowd, he chose only her.

As he departed, countless female disciples of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land stood crestfallen, their hearts heavy with regret. Had they known it would come to this, they would have rushed to join Ascension Peak the moment the Holy Son entered the Holy Land. But there were no second chances in this world. Some opportunities, once missed, were gone forever.

Take Mo Yuzhu's friend, for instance. She spent nearly every night wallowing in regret, kicking herself for not following Mo Yuzhu onto the stage. If she had, wouldn't she too have received the Holy Son's countless treasures and easily broken through to Nascent Soul?

...

Ye Chen paid little heed to the ripples his actions caused in Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. After giving his gift, he planned to return to seclusion. Breaking through to late Nascent Soul wouldn't take long—perhaps ten days or half a month. Once that was done, he'd begin preparing for the eventual leap to the Deity Transformation stage.

On his way back, he spotted a familiar figure: Lin Qian's junior sister. She had already joined his Holy Son Peak, and it was she who had brought news of their master's ascension to a Heavenly Spirit Root.

Ye Chen couldn't help but feel a touch of exasperation. He hadn't meant to poach anyone. During his year at the Sword Sect, he'd deliberately kept his distance from Lin Qian's junior sister, avoiding any gifts to prevent misunderstandings. Yet here she was, chasing him all the way to the Holy Land. Wasn't this just tarnishing his reputation?

Oh well, being too outstanding was its own kind of burden.

Still, he didn't shortchange her. When she arrived, he gifted her a top-tier spiritual treasure, a flying sword personally crafted by an elder of the Holy Land's Artifact Peak. The system's critical hit transformed it into the heavy sword once wielded by Dugu Bubai.

Ye Chen couldn't help but grumble—Dugu Bubai really left nothing for his successors. Shaking his head, he passed the mysterious iron sword to An Yuyi. Overnight, she became a heavy-sword-wielding, youthful-looking fairy, her figure just a shade less striking than her master's, the contrast only adding to her charm.

After giving a few brief instructions, Ye Chen returned to his cave and began his formal seclusion to break through to the late Nascent Soul stage.

Meanwhile, beyond the borders of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, the cultivation world was abuzz with momentous news. First, a grand auction was set to take place in White Emperor City, showcasing treasures so extraordinary that even Holy Sons and Holy Maidens would vie for them. The event promised to be a spectacle, drawing cultivators from across Great Yan Continent to witness it.

Second, the Divine Maiden of the Heavenly Desire Sect was slated to make her debut in White Emperor City. This sparked endless speculation about her peerless beauty, with many eager to catch a glimpse of her allure.

Beyond that, Yi Qingwu, the Holy Maiden of Heavenly Intention Holy Land and widely regarded as the foremost female cultivator of Great Yan Continent, was also expected to attend. Rumor had it that the auction held a treasure she sought. Her presence stirred even greater excitement. Among this generation's Holy Maidens, Heavenly Evolution's was reclusive and rarely seen, while the Yao family's had been suppressed by Yi Qingwu and perished in the Endless Sea.

Though the Yao family had chosen a new Holy Maiden, she lagged far behind the top-tier prodigies. Thus, Yi Qingwu stood unchallenged as the leading female cultivator of her era, naturally drawing all eyes. Many flocked to White Emperor City just to glimpse her radiance.

Gossips also speculated whether the Heavenly Desire Sect's Divine Maiden could rival Yi Qingwu in beauty. Alongside these two, other renowned prodigies were expected to join the festivities, making White Emperor City the epicenter of excitement in the days to come.

...

Amid this clamor, ten days passed quietly. The gates of Ascension Peak's Holy Son residence swung open. Ye Chen emerged, his posture tall and commanding, his eyes deep as if they held an entire world within. Feeling the surging power coursing through his body, a faint smile curved his lips. His cultivation had officially broken through to the late Nascent Soul stage.

With the Enlightenment Tea Tree's aid, even reaching the Deity Transformation stage wouldn't take long. Thanks to the system's rewards, he had no need to venture out—everything he desired came to him effortlessly. His plan was simple: stay low, cultivate in seclusion for a few decades, then emerge to behead Heavenly Intention's Holy Son and stun the world.

But just as Ye Chen was plotting his path of quiet growth, a streak of light shot toward the Holy Son Peak…

Chapter 379: Heavenly Desire Sect

Seeing who had arrived, a faint smile curved Ye Chen's lips. It was his senior brother, Hua Yunfei, descending from the sky like a radiant sun, exuding warmth.

Hua Yunfei landed before Ye Chen, his eyes flashing with surprise. "Junior Brother, you've already broken through to late Nascent Soul?"

Ye Chen had only been in the Holy Land for five years. Hua Yunfei had personally witnessed Ye Chen endure the Nascent Soul thunder tribulation, and now, in what felt like the blink of an eye, he'd reached late Nascent Soul. Such cultivation speed was astonishing, even to him.

"It's all thanks to the Enlightenment Tea Tree leaves you gave me," Ye Chen said truthfully.

Hua Yunfei shook his head. "A single tea leaf isn't that rare, even in the Heavenly Emperor era. Holy Sons and Holy Maidens get two or three each year, yet none break through as fast as you. It's your extraordinary talent, in the end."

"But your breakthrough to late Nascent Soul is timely," he continued. "For some reason, the Holy Lord's been giving me the cold shoulder lately. He's tasked me with a mission in the Endless Sea, where a late-stage Unity demon resides. One avatar alone can't handle it, so I need to go in person. With the grand event in White Emperor City drawing prodigies from all over, our Heavenly Evolution Holy Land needs someone to represent us. I asked Tantai, but she refused. So, Junior Brother, if you're free, would you be willing to make a trip to White Emperor City?"

Hua Yunfei rubbed his temples, clearly exasperated.

Ye Chen brushed off the comment about the Holy Lord's displeasure—it surely had nothing to do with him. Instead, he looked at Hua Yunfei with surprise. "Senior Brother, you can take on a late-stage Unity demon now? That's incredible."

He couldn't help but wonder if the Hua Yunfei standing before him was the real body. He suspected his senior brother was a fellow follower of the "lay low" path, perhaps hiding his true self somewhere, secretly cultivating while sending avatars to deal with such formidable foes. Two avatars against a late-stage Unity demon? That was outrageously bold. Was Senior Brother aiming for the heavens?

But White Emperor City? What was that? Why were prodigies gathering there? Ye Chen's face betrayed his confusion.

Hua Yunfei, knowing Ye Chen hailed from a small clan and lacked knowledge of the broader cultivation world, explained, "White Emperor City is the most prosperous immortal city in Great Yan Continent, backed by several ancient immortal families and Holy Lands from the Central Continent. They play by the rules, though. Our Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, Heavenly Intention Holy Land, and the Yao family all receive a share of treasures each year.

"A month from now, White Emperor City will host an auction with rare treasures, drawing prodigies from far and wide. You might find something useful there—like a visualization chart. If the Holy Land's charts don't suit you, the auction could have what you need."

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. An auction? That sounded promising. With the backing of multiple Holy Lands, the items would surely be top-tier. If he could acquire a few and gift them, the system's rewards would be substantial. Plus, breaking through to the Deity Transformation stage required a visualization chart to forge his primordial spirit and achieve the Law of Heaven and Earth divine ability.

Going to White Emperor City before resuming his low-profile cultivation didn't seem like a bad idea.

As Ye Chen mulled it over, Hua Yunfei added, "The Divine Maiden of the Heavenly Desire Sect will also make her debut there. You might find it interesting to join the excitement."

The news didn't stir Ye Chen much. The Heavenly Desire Sect, a dual-cultivation faction akin to the Joyous Union Sects of his past life's novels, had branches of their Heavenly Desire Pavilion everywhere.

To Ye Chen, their so-called Divine Maiden was just a high-class courtesan—perhaps a step above the usual, like a nationwide escort service compared to local ones, but essentially the same. He had no interest.

Hua Yunfei didn't notice Ye Chen's initial disinterest and continued, "The Divine Maiden's path is quite intriguing. Her dual-cultivation method incorporates elements of Buddhist teachings, called the Nirvana Scripture. It can't be practiced alone—she needs a male partner. Either she finds a prodigy to serve as her cauldron, using his cultivation, spirit root, or essence to forge her own nirvana, or she immerses herself in the mortal world, relying on sheer numbers to achieve it. The stronger the prodigy, the greater her future potential. Naturally, the first path is ideal. But prodigies aren't fools—who'd sacrifice themselves for her? Most just watch from afar, keeping their distance."

He chuckled. "Some Divine Maidens have been tamed, though. Take the Heavenly Emperor, for instance. Legend has it he took everything from a Divine Maiden—slept with her, grabbed her treasures, and vanished. Those tales still circulate."

Ye Chen had been indifferent until now, but his eyes widened at this. A Divine Maiden could drain cultivation and essence? What if he offered his own cultivation and essence as a "gift," letting her absorb whatever she wanted, however she wanted? With the system's feedback, wouldn't he skyrocket in return?

The thought ignited his enthusiasm. He was ready to rush to White Emperor City and volunteer for her to drain him on the spot.

Hua Yunfei, noticing Ye Chen's expression and recalling his junior brother's notorious generosity with women, felt a pang of alarm. This reckless simp might actually fall for the Divine Maiden's charms and become her cauldron. He quickly warned, "Don't even think about imitating the Heavenly Emperor. The Heavenly Desire Sect's methods are formidable and hard to guard against. Over the years, plenty have tried to mimic him—sleep and run, or even tame the Divine Maiden to boost their own cultivation. Most ended up ruined. Thirty thousand years ago, a Divine King Body thought he could subdue one. He was drained dry.

"Every generation has prodigies who think they're special, immune to the risks. Despite knowing the dangers, they still flock to her. Junior Brother, don't try it. If you want to join the excitement, just watch from a distance."

Ye Chen nodded at his senior brother's caution, knowing Hua Yunfei was worried he'd fall into old habits. "Don't worry, Senior Brother. Do I look that foolish?"

Hua Yunfei's skepticism only deepened. He was starting to think Ye Chen was exactly that foolish. Waving a hand, he said, "Maybe you shouldn't go to White Emperor City. Stay in the Holy Land and cultivate. My mission in the Endless Sea can wait. I'll talk to the Holy Lord and handle it myself."

He couldn't risk pushing Ye Chen into a pit of fire.

But Ye Chen panicked, grabbing Hua Yunfei's hand. "Senior Brother, in the path of cultivation, one slow step means falling behind forever!"

Chapter 380: White Emperor City

Ye Chen's face was earnest. "Senior Brother, your mission is critical. How could you delay it for something so trivial? I've received so much care from you and the Holy Land—how can I keep hiding away? Once I reach White Emperor City, I'll make sure to uphold the prestige of our Heavenly Evolution Holy Land!"

His enthusiasm was so resolute that Hua Yunfei could only sigh in resignation. Nodding reluctantly, he said, "Just be wary of the Heavenly Desire Sect's tactics. Don't get too close. Oh, and I heard the auction will have a treasure that Heavenly Intention's Holy Maiden, Yi Qingwu, needs. She'll likely be there, so tread carefully. Besides your protector, Elder Mo, the Holy Land will send a Unity elder to lead the group. But unless your life is at stake, the elders won't intervene. If you're not cautious, you might face some humiliation."

Yi Qingwu? Ye Chen paused, then recalled—she was Heavenly Intention Holy Son's fiancée. He hadn't expected her to show up at White Emperor City. His curiosity wasn't because of her connection to his rival; he simply wanted to see what kind of multiplier this woman, hailed as the Great Yan Continent's foremost female immortal, possessed.

Initially, White Emperor City hadn't piqued his interest. But now, with an auction, a Divine Maiden, and someone else's fiancée in the mix, it was practically tailored to stir his blood. He was itching to set off immediately. Missing this would be a travesty.

Hua Yunfei, seeing Ye Chen's excitement, grew increasingly uneasy. He regretted bringing it up. But with an elder accompanying the trip and Elder Mo watching over Ye Chen, any missteps should be contained. The problem, if it arose, wouldn't be too severe.

With his mission in the Endless Sea pressing, Hua Yunfei didn't linger. Before leaving, he patted Ye Chen's shoulder. "Junior Brother, cultivation is hard-won. Talents like ours are rare. Don't ruin your future and end up watching others ascend the immortal path while you wallow in regret."

Ye Chen understood his senior brother's concern and nodded with a smile, thanking him for the advice. Only after Hua Yunfei departed did Ye Chen rise, his mood buoyant. Grinning, he set off to find Senior An for her "detoxification" ritual, bringing a gift along.

Senior An, pure of heart, was hindered by her soul's condition, unable to take the final step. Yet this limitation drove her to innovate—from traditional detoxification to kitten-like lapping, pendulum suppression, and gentle valley swaying.

Truth be told, though they never reached the final step, the joy it brought Ye Chen was no less intense. Senior An's serene, immortal-like demeanor, devoid of guilt or shyness, made it feel like a solemn act. The psychological thrill surpassed even the physical.

Sometimes, Ye Chen indulged in a bit of mischief. Whether it was her past life's influence or a lingering soul, Senior An's body instinctively resisted becoming another's partner. Perhaps her former self intended to reclaim this vessel someday. But if that consciousness ever awoke and saw these memories, what expression would it wear? Would it regret blocking her path back then?

Still, Ye Chen hoped the guiltless Senior An would never be overtaken. Such a thing was unlikely to happen anyway.

...

Soon, an elder from the External Affairs Peak arrived. This trip to White Emperor City wasn't just for the auction—the Holy Land needed to procure a batch of resources and bring elite disciples for exposure and exchange. A Unity elder would lead the group, but they wouldn't intervene in squabbles among peers. If a disciple was bullied, the elder couldn't step in directly. That's where Ye Chen came in.

His main task, as the Holy Son, was to uphold Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's honor and ensure it faced no disgrace. Ye Chen listened briefly and understood his role.

White Emperor City was far from Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, so they couldn't wait until the auction began to arrive. Despite a month remaining, they had to set out immediately. Ye Chen had no objections. After giving some instructions at Ascension Peak, he boarded the Holy Land's skyship and met the leading elder.

To his surprise, it was a familiar face—Elder He, who had previously divined his master's whereabouts. He Jiu stood nearby, beaming with excitement upon seeing Ye Chen and calling out to the Holy Son.

Elder He looked at Ye Chen with awe and emotion. In such a short time, Ye Chen had soared from early Nascent Soul to late Nascent Soul. Even by prodigy standards, his breakthrough speed was staggering, a testament to his extraordinary fortune. It wouldn't take long for him to catch up to the elder himself. What a pity he couldn't be Ye Chen's protector.

Thanks to the treasures Ye Chen had gifted He Jiu—including the Hundred Flowers Immortal Scripture—Elder He, having benefited indirectly, treated Ye Chen with exceptional courtesy. He gestured for Ye Chen to sit.

As Ye Chen looked at Elder He, a bold idea struck him. Could he offer a drop of his blood for Elder He to divine his ancestry? It might reveal his father's whereabouts—a roundabout way to uncover the truth.

Elder He, however, rolled his eyes. "I couldn't even trace your father's trail—some great power must have erased it. It's obvious something's amiss. And you want me to divine your family's background? The backlash would kill me. Are you trying to get rid of me so you can inherit my granddaughter?"

Though inwardly exasperated, Elder He kept a polite smile as he explained why it was impossible.

Ye Chen wasn't discouraged. If need be, he'd divine it himself later. He hadn't had time to study the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Scripture, and as a Holy Land inheritance, it couldn't be gifted to others without causing chaos. Instead, he set his sights on the Foresight Secret, one of the Nine Secrets. Ordinary divination could only probe the past and present, but the Foresight Secret could glimpse the future. Even the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Scripture was built around its fragments.

The Foresight Secret was elusive, but for Ye Chen, it wasn't unattainable. With the right gift, the system might reward it. Once he had it, divining his father's whereabouts and uncovering whether he truly had a grand background would be effortless.