ISWI Chapter 365-368

Chapter 365: Master Emerges from Seclusion!

"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Ye Chen declared, his mind made up. If his gift triggered a critical hit and the system delivered what he wanted, he'd ensure Hua Yunfei lived a life of Enlightenment Tea Leaf abundance—one leaf for minor breakthroughs, two for major ones, and a couple to brew milk tea on a bad day. Carefully, he closed the jade box and stored it.

Hua Yunfei, in high spirits, chuckled. "The Enlightenment Tea is nothing compared to you. I've heard your past exploits—you're the one who gifts fearlessly. Are female cultivators really that important? We're destined to stand tall and vie for the immortal path. How can we let women hold us back? If it works, fine. If not, move on decisively."

Ye Chen's rise to Holy Son meant his past was an open book, spreading across the cultivation world. That the Heavenly Evolution Holy Son had once been a simp shocked many, becoming a jest among prodigies. Hua Yunfei's words were tactful, avoiding the term, but his intent was clear: he hoped Ye Chen would awaken and change.

Ye Chen, unfazed, grinned confidently. "Senior Brother, you don't get it. When I gift female cultivators, they're not controlling me. I hold the reins. If I'm in a good mood, I gift. If not, I don't. When I stop, they overthink—did they upset me? Do I no longer care? Did something happen to me? They're the ones being controlled!"

Hua Yunfei, who mastered countless techniques with ease, felt his brain short-circuit. Opening his mouth, he hesitated, unable to find a response. Finally, he sighed, "If Junior Brother's resolve is firm, that's good enough. I'll visit the Sword Sect's seniors, then we'll head back to the Holy Land, yes?"

Ye Chen paused. "Senior Brother, why don't you go ahead? My master's due to emerge from seclusion in a few days. I'd like to see her before leaving."

He'd recently learned that the secret realm Gu Yunyun entered would open automatically after a year. By his calculations, it was just two or three days away.

Ye Chen wanted to meet her, gift her the Enlightenment Tea Leaf, and see if she'd awakened the Undefeated Sword Body—and how her multiplier might soar. The tea leaf was perfect for her, aiding in refining her sealed sword intent and comprehending the wooden sword's swordsmanship insights.

The Undefeated Sword Body, originally called the Heavenly Aspect Sword Body, allowed each strike to harness the momentum of heaven and earth, its power boundless. It once stood between first-rate and top-tier physiques, falling short of supreme ones like the Divine King Body.

But Dugu Bubai's emergence elevated it, pairing it with the Dugu Sword Scripture to rival top-tier physiques. Thus, it was renamed the Undefeated Sword Body, reflecting Dugu Bubai's invincible legacy—seeking defeat his entire life, yet never tasting it.

In short, Ye Chen wanted to wait.

…

Hua Yunfei nodded calmly. "Understandable. I'm in no rush. I'll visit the Sword Sect's seniors and explore the Sword Valley left by a True Immortal. We can leave together afterward."

His understanding nature shone through. Smiling at Elder Mo, he prepared to fly toward Sword Peak. Ye Chen couldn't resist asking, "Senior Brother, is this your true body or an avatar?"

Curious but hesitant to use his Heavy Pupils, Ye Chen posed the question. Hua Yunfei raised an eyebrow. "Since you're curious, Junior Brother, why not use your Heavy Pupils to see?"

With permission granted, Ye Chen didn't hold back. His eyes swirled with chaotic qi, but as he peered, he frowned. His infallible Heavy Pupils couldn't penetrate Hua Yunfei's body.

The divine radiance was restrained, making it impossible to discern whether this was an avatar or the true body. This only confirmed Ye Chen's suspicion—it had to be an avatar. The realization shocked him. An avatar at Deity Transformation had fought the Heavenly Intention Holy Son to a standstill for a year. How powerful was Hua Yunfei's true body?

Gazing at his senior brother's radiant figure, Ye Chen's curiosity deepened. Hua Yunfei clearly didn't cultivate the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Scripture. What True Immortal's legacy had he inherited to be so formidable? And with such wealth, casually gifting Enlightenment Tea Leaves—could he be the true heir of the Heavenly Emperor?

But Ye Chen knew asking about his avatar was already bold; inquiring about his legacy would cross a line. In the cultivation world, speculating privately was fine, but asking outright breached basic etiquette.

…

The arrival of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's First Holy Son, Hua Yunfei, stirred the Sword Sect. While Ye Chen's potential was immense, his Nascent Soul realm paled beside Hua Yunfei, who neared Unity Realm with combat power rivaling veteran experts. Charismatic and courteous, Hua Yunfei was a figure everyone sought to befriend. He was treated as an honored guest, engaging daily in discussions with the sect's powerhouses.

Ye Chen, having mastered the Indestructible Scripture and reached mid-Nascent Soul, didn't slacken. He dove deeper into Sword Valley, cultivating daily. Hua Yunfei's grave words about this era's immortal path—potentially the last—echoed in his mind. The cultivation world was growing harsher.

In the Immortal Ancient era, Foundation Establishment cultivators lived a thousand years; in the Desolate Ancient era, five hundred; in the Near Ancient era, three hundred; now, a mere hundred fifty. Other realms faced similar declines.

The immortal path's openings stretched from once every sixty years to a century, then a millennium, now eight thousand years since the last. It wouldn't be surprising if it ceased entirely, barring future ascensions. Though the cause was unclear, urgency gripped all.

Even with his system, Ye Chen knew he had to cultivate diligently to break through swiftly. If some calamity like the Five Declines of Heaven and Man struck, wiping out those below a certain realm, he'd be at a catastrophic loss.

Three days later, emerging from Sword Valley, Ye Chen's brows shot up as he gazed into its depths. The valley's endless sword qi swirled into a massive vortex, shaking the entire Sword Sect. A red silhouette rose slowly from its center. Seeing that breathtaking face and a figure unmatched even in the immortal realm, Ye Chen's lips curved into a smile.

His master had finally emerged!

Simultaneously, his system chimed, announcing an update to her multiplier…

…

Chapter 366: Let Me Show You a Treasure!

"Gu Yunyun's multiplier updated! Gu Yunyun: 1,700x!"

Ye Chen's eyes widened. His master, previously at 800x, had soared to 1,700x after seclusion? This was the second-highest multiplier he'd seen among female cultivators, surpassed only by Dantai Xuan.

But Dantai Xuan's unresolved technique issues—her obsession with suppressing her true self—made critical hits nearly impossible. That made his master, capable of triggering critical hits, the undisputed top choice.

Ye Chen pondered why her multiplier was 1,700x. Perhaps her Earth Spirit Root was holding her back. If it could ascend to a Heavenly Spirit Root, it might add 300x, matching Dantai Xuan's 2,000x. Now, Ye Chen was reluctant to leave. Should he persuade his master to reconsider? What was so great about being the Sword Sect's leader? They should return to the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land together.

Gazing at his master, Ye Chen's eyes gleamed with excitement. Emerging from seclusion, Gu Yunyun's first sight was Ye Chen, and a smile softened her aloof face. His gaze quickened her heartbeat. She'd faced countless men's stares—greedy, adoring, self-conscious, or feigning generosity—but Ye Chen's was unique. He looked at her as if she were the world's most precious treasure. It was why she could never resist him. Such a gaze melted her heart, making refusal impossible.

"Did Master awaken the Undefeated Sword Body?" Ye Chen asked, flying to her side and naturally taking her hand.

Gu Yunyun, as if accustomed to this, nodded gently, her voice mingling with the chime of wind bells. "Yes, my physique has ascended. But the process was perilous—I nearly failed. It was the wooden sword that aided me at the critical moment, allowing me to succeed."

She didn't finish, but her tender gaze conveyed the rest: her attainment of the Undefeated Sword Body was entirely thanks to Ye Chen. Beyond that, her cultivation had also advanced. With the wooden sword's help, she'd accelerated the refinement of her sealed sword intent, breaking through to mid-Nascent Soul.

Before Ye Chen could say more, several streaks of light rushed toward them. Alongside the Sword Sect's Supreme Elders and ancestors was Hua Yunfei, who nodded politely to Gu Yunyun.

…

"Yunyun, you've attained the Undefeated Sword Body?" an ancestor exclaimed with excitement.

Gu Yunyun nodded gently, bowing. "I haven't disgraced my mission."

Confirmation sent the ancestor into hearty laughter, and the gathered Sword Sect leaders beamed. For years, the sect had languished, its prodigies always falling short of the true elite.

Now, with the Undefeated Sword Body rekindled, they'd finally risen. Their prodigies would no longer be mere backdrops in the era's contests, filling them with uncontainable joy. Gu Yunyun's priority within the sect would surely soar, with resources funneled to her cultivation.

Ye Chen had planned to gift the Enlightenment Tea Leaf immediately, eager to test the might of a 1,700x multiplier with a critical hit. But with Hua Yunfei present, regifting his senior brother's treasure in front of him felt awkward, even if Hua Yunfei wouldn't mind. He decided to wait for a private moment with his master.

As Gu Yunyun conversed with the ancestors about the Undefeated Sword Body's significance and related matters, she noticed Ye Chen's distraction. Smiling, she addressed the ancestor, "I've just broken through and sense some insights. May I visit you in a few days?"

The ancestors, in high spirits, agreed readily and departed, elated at their sect's emergence of a top prodigy, whose disciple and dao companion was Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's Fourth Holy Son. If the immortal path's opening delayed, Gu Yunyun might reach its end and seize immortal qi.

Hua Yunfei smiled at the pair and left with the Sword Sect leaders, giving them space. With the crowd gone, Ye Chen and Gu Yunyun said nothing, simply holding hands as they descended from above Sword Valley to her cave abode.

Once inside, Ye Chen sealed the entrance and dimmed the illuminating pearls, plunging the cave into darkness. "Master, let me show you a treasure!"

Gu Yunyun's face flushed. His directness caught her off guard. Having attained the Undefeated Sword Body, her control over her sealed sword intent had reached ninety percent, reducing risks even if her body was compromised. Sensing Ye Chen's long-held anticipation, she couldn't refuse. True to her nature, she didn't agree outright either, merely closing her eyes, signaling acquiescence.

Ye Chen flicked his wrist, revealing a box. As it opened, golden light and a profound Dao charm erupted, transforming the cave into a sacred ground for enlightenment. "Master, look!"

Gu Yunyun, slightly startled, opened her stunning eyes. Seeing the golden leaf etched with a mountain-and-river pattern and mystic runes, she relaxed, her blush hidden by the radiant glow. Recognizing it, her pupils contracted. "An Enlightenment Tea Leaf?"

The Enlightenment Tea Tree, famed for its leaves that aided multiple cultivators, was legendary, unlike most immortal roots that bore single-use fruits. Ye Chen grinned. "Exactly! Master, as you comprehend the wooden sword's insights, this leaf will double your progress. But I'm keeping the box—it's useful for another gift!"

The box, a top-tier treasure, could be regifted for another critical hit. Gu Yunyun, ignoring the box, gazed at Ye Chen with deep emotion. The Enlightenment Tea Tree, destroyed by the Heavenly Emperor, was a known legend, its leaves priceless relics. Yet Ye Chen gifted it to her without hesitation, following the Dugu wooden sword. How had she earned such a disciple?

Recalling their first meeting in Qingyun City, when she urged Ye Chen to live as a wealthy mortal under her protection, she marveled at how swiftly roles reversed. Now, Ye Chen sheltered her. The thought of facing the immortal path with him warmed her heart, her gaze softening. She spoke softly, "With the Undefeated Sword Body, I now control ninety percent of my seal…"

Though she mentioned only the seal, her words hinted at more.

…

Chapter 367: What's the Difference from Courting Death?

"With the Undefeated Sword Body, I now control ninety percent of my seal…" Gu Yunyun's words carried a clear hint.

Ye Chen was pleasantly surprised. Unlike Senior An Miaoli, who could justify her actions with a clear conscience, his master was different. Thin-skinned and unwilling to deceive herself, she might act but never speak openly about such matters. For her to voice such suggestive words was a rare feat, especially with her jade-like face, faintly flushed even under the golden glow, stirring his heart.

But her willingness was enough for Ye Chen. How could he let her take risks? Embracing her gently, feeling her commanding presence, he spoke earnestly.

"Ninety percent is too low. Even ninety-eight percent—what's the difference from courting death? I want to fully claim you, Master, to leave my mark and make you truly mine. But I'm not impatient. I want you to shine brighter. With your Sword Heart forged and the Undefeated Sword Body, you're but a step from prodigies like the Heavenly Intention Holy Son. How could I, for selfish desires, risk ruining everything you've built? Don't rush, Master. Once your seal is fully refined, I'll follow your lead."

Ye Chen's words were heartfelt. He longed to savor his master's unique allure but had cultivated enough restraint. Though the risk of mishap was small, the consequences could be dire. Indulging in fleeting pleasure at such a cost was utterly irresponsible. His decision had nothing to do with her 1,700x multiplier, her potential 2,000x with a Heavenly Spirit Root, or her unmatched critical hit potential. It was purely about protecting her.

Gu Yunyun, initially surprised—his longing gaze had been palpable—melted with emotion as he explained. Ye Chen couldn't bear to let her face any danger. True love meant never harming the beloved for selfish gain. This selfless devotion softened her heart and body alike.

But his final words struck a discordant note. Don't rush? It sounded like she was the eager one. She wasn't rushing! Why would she? Even with her composure, unshaken even by Dugu Yue's provocations, Gu Yunyun felt a spark of irritation, her teeth itching to nip at him.

"I was just telling you about the changes after gaining the Undefeated Sword Body. Don't overthink it!" Gu Yunyun insisted, trying to clarify.

Yet, she didn't push Ye Chen away, letting him hold her close, their bodies pressed seamlessly together. Ye Chen grinned, lowering his head. Moments later, he concluded that even his hard-talking master was soft when kissed.

"Master, this Enlightenment Tea Leaf has been out for a while. Take it quickly. Use it when you comprehend the sword intent in Dugu's wooden sword. Don't hesitate—I'll definitely get you more in the future," Ye Chen said, releasing his softened master to focus on the matter at hand.

He genuinely didn't intend to gift the box. Dating back to the Heavenly Emperor's era, nearly a million years ago, the leaf's pristine preservation spoke to the box's status as a supreme treasure. Gifting it later could yield a massive critical hit surprise.

Gu Yunyun bit her lip, struggling to maintain her aloof facade around her disciple, who effortlessly pulled her into his rhythm. Despite knowing Ye Chen's character, she hesitated to accept the radiant leaf. His talk of getting more was clearly meant to reassure her.

The Enlightenment Tea Tree's destruction—botched by the Heavenly Emperor—was a infamous tale, a stain on his legacy. Most cultivators grew up hearing it. A tree extinct for a million years couldn't have many leaves left.

With Ye Chen, now a Holy Son, feuding with the Heavenly Intention Holy Son yet only at mid-Nascent Soul, the danger was palpable. She felt he needed the leaf more, to hasten his comprehension of Dao and laws and grow stronger.

"You should keep it. I just need to steadily refine my seal. When I reach Deity Transformation or Unity Realm, I can naturally comprehend the wooden sword without rushing," she urged, hoping he'd take it back.

Ye Chen's expression turned resolute. "If you don't accept it, Master, I won't agree next time."

Gu Yunyun's eyes widened. This rebellious disciple, always plotting against his master, dares threaten me? With that? No next time—you're dreaming!

Her composure cracked, but a wry smile followed. She knew Ye Chen's words were a ploy to make her accept the leaf. His deep affection only deepened her guilt. Had she known she couldn't forget him, she wouldn't have left. She should've stayed by his side. These years, Ye Chen must have missed her terribly, driving him to give her everything upon reuniting.

With a gentle flick of her storage ring, a wooden box appeared. She carefully placed the golden leaf inside. The box was ordinary, suited for common spiritual items, but sufficient to preserve the leaf for ten days or so. Her expression was solemn as she did so.

As Ye Chen's master, she'd felt inadequate, unable to shelter him further—a reason for her departure. But now, with the Sword Sect's heaven-defying opportunities, she'd leapt from ordinary genius to peerless prodigy.

With the Supreme Elder's lifetime sword intent sealed within her, fully refined alongside her Undefeated Sword Body and Dugu's wooden sword, reaching peak Unity Realm or even Mahayana Realm wasn't impossible. This restored her confidence. In the future immortal path battles, when Ye Chen faced danger, she wouldn't just worry from the sidelines—she could stand before him, shielding him once more.

Watching his master's serious expression, Ye Chen's mind echoed with a system prompt:

"Congratulations, Host, on successfully gifting the Enlightenment Tea Leaf! 1,700x feedback in progress…"

…

Chapter 368: Domineering Master!

"Congratulations, Host, on successfully gifting the Enlightenment Tea Leaf! Gifted item: Enlightenment Tea Leaf! 1,700x feedback in progress…"

"Detecting significant emotional fluctuation in the recipient…"

"Triggering critical hit reward…"

"Reward: Newborn Enlightenment Tea Tree!"

"The Enlightenment Tea Tree: A unique immortal root, with only one existing at a time. This is a newborn tree grown for 200,000 years in the chaos…"

"Detected that the Host possesses a small world. The system reward has been automatically placed in the Host's small world."

The system's announcement lit Ye Chen's eyes with delight. He'd hoped—guessed even—that a critical hit might yield an Enlightenment Tea Tree, but its actual appearance thrilled him.

This was an immortal root, a supreme cultivation treasure. With it, his cultivation speed would surge several-fold, and comprehending various Daos and laws would become effortless. Its value far surpassed immortal roots that merely doubled lifespan. Though his progress was swift, he lagged behind this era's top prodigies. The tree would let him close the gap in realm sooner.

The system's description also confirmed a truth: the original Enlightenment Tea Tree was indeed destroyed by the Heavenly Emperor. Ye Chen had half-suspected the Emperor hid it, given cultivators' penchant for half-truths—being crushed was "slightly inferior," suppressed was "caught off guard," defeated was "evenly matched." This skepticism extended to historical accounts, but now the Emperor's infamy seemed credible.

Ye Chen had even wondered if Hua Yunfei, with his generosity in gifting tea leaves, was the Emperor's heir, secretly inheriting the tree. Now, he knew he was mistaken. His tree was new, proving the old one was gone. This only highlighted Hua Yunfei's magnanimity—gifting rare leaves despite having few himself. Truly admirable.

…

Ye Chen was itching to inspect the newborn Enlightenment Tea Tree immediately, but gazing at his master, the thought of their impending separation tugged at his heart. It had nothing to do with the critical hit reward—he simply couldn't bear to part with her. For safety's sake, the final step was off-limits, but other possibilities remained. She'd hinted at her willingness—surely she wouldn't refuse?

With that, Ye Chen embraced her commanding figure again, whispering in her ear. Gu Yunyun initially expected a repeat of last time—her wrists dancing, wind bells chiming like butterflies.

But Ye Chen's new request caught her off guard: to use her domineering presence in a different way. This… how could that be? She recalled overhearing similar notions during Ye Chen's heart-tempering at Green Cloud Sect's Sword Peak, never imagining he'd turn the idea on her. Her stunning phoenix eyes glared at him, flushed with shy indignation.

Yet, the thought of his departure, his selfless refusal earlier to protect her, and his gaze—now burning not just with treasure-like adoration but as if beholding a Holy Land's vault—softened her resolve. She couldn't refuse. True to form, she neither agreed nor spoke, closing her eyes in silent protest.

Ye Chen read her stance and acted without waiting for words. Self-reliance brought its own rewards.

…

The next day, Ye Chen prepared to leave. Hua Yunfei had waited long enough, and Ye Chen couldn't delay further. Before the cave abode, Gu Yunyun looked at him with reluctance. Despite his repeated invitations, she declined to join him at Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. The Supreme Elder who'd passed had treated her like family, pouring everything into her—how could she abandon the sect after such grace?

Moreover, her path as a sword immortal was best pursued in the Sword Sect. Above all, her identity as his master gnawed at her, preventing her from accepting his protection. She yearned to remain his guardian, shielding him in the future.

Thus, she spoke no tender words, only smoothing his collar with care. "Cultivate diligently back at the Holy Land. I've read the Sword Sect's records—the cultivation world's environment worsens. Spiritual treasures vanish, lifespans shrink.

Even Mahayana cultivators predict an Age of Dharma Decline in ten thousand years. Seize this era's immortal path to become a True Immortal and transcend this realm, or there may be no further chance."

Ye Chen smiled, unperturbed. Whispering confidently in her ear, "Don't worry, Master. I'll open the immortal gate and take you to the immortal realm. More than the immortal path, I look forward to our next meeting—when you guide me with your hands, not just your spiritual power."

Her domineering presence was already breathtaking, but her hands guiding him personally would be even more thrilling. Gu Yunyun's face reddened, recalling last night. Her phoenix eyes glared at her rebellious disciple, but she held her tongue.

Ye Chen handed her a storage ring, transmitting, "Master's physique and comprehension are top-tier, but your Earth Spirit Root holds you back. This ring contains a hundred Soul-Swaying Divine Stones, stackable to enhance your spirit root. If they suffice for a Heavenly Spirit Root, perfect. If not, I'll bring more next year."

Gu Yunyun was stunned. Ye Chen slipped the ring onto her finger and ascended gracefully. As high-level cultivators, each had their path. With decisions made, there was no need for lingering theatrics.

Under countless Sword Sect gazes, he boarded Hua Yunfei's summoned skyship, standing at its prow beside him. Hua Yunfei's divine halo crowned him like a god-king; Ye Chen's flowing aura was striking. Together, the two prodigies dazzled. Amid reluctant stares from female sword cultivators, the skyship tore through the void, vanishing.

The Sword Sect elders exhaled in relief. Gu Yunyun, gazing at the ring on her finger, softened with tenderness…

…