ISWI Chapter 360-361

Chapter 360: I Suspect You're Mocking Me!

Lin Qian silently wished Gu Yunyun well in his heart. He resolved to bury his feelings, ensuring they wouldn't trouble her. As an outsider who had wrested the sect leader position from the Dugu family, Gu Yunyun would surely face resistance. Lin Qian vowed to support her wholeheartedly when the time came.

But now, seeing the Fourth Holy Son striding toward him, Lin Qian froze, then gave a bitter smile. He understood. Having one's beloved coveted, even pursued, was intolerable for any man.

With the Heavenly Intention prodigy dealt with, Ye Chen was likely coming to settle scores. Lin Qian sighed inwardly, preparing to apologize first. Though he'd never overstepped, Ye Chen was the man Gu Yunyun loved. Arguing would only risk her happiness, and that was the last thing he wanted.

Whatever Ye Chen said or did, Lin Qian would bear it silently. As long as Gu Yunyun was happy, what was a little grievance?

…

As Ye Chen approached, Lin Qian's junior sister paled. She'd seen Ye Chen's terrifying strength firsthand. She'd also overheard a well-informed elder whisper that the Fourth Holy Son was obsessed with women and fiercely possessive.

Any male disciple who dared step foot on his Holy Son Peak would have their cultivation crippled and be expelled from the Holy Land. Lin Qian's pursuit of Gu Yunyun must have irked Ye Chen, who had even mocked him earlier with a "good person" jab. Even in the Sword Sect, where Ye Chen might not kill, Lin Qian would likely suffer severe injury, perhaps even lose his path to the Dao.

Braving her fear, the junior sister stepped in front of Lin Qian. "Holy Son, my senior brother truly meant no offense to the sect leader. He only wanted to ensure her safety and help her, with no overstepping intentions. Please, Holy Son, show mercy and spare his life. If you agree, I'll fulfill any request you have, even if it means becoming your servant without complaint."

Lin Qian, shielded behind her, was stunned. In that moment, he realized he'd overlooked too much for too long. He opened his mouth to tell her to step aside and not get involved.

Ye Chen, watching her actions, wore a bewildered expression, as if a question mark hung over his head. He was genuinely puzzled. What kind of reputation did he have out there? It's not that serious… In the cultivation world, he saw himself as firmly neutral-good, not some bloodthirsty maniac who killed at the drop of a hat.

Unfazed by the misunderstanding, Ye Chen smiled at the female cultivator. "Fellow Daoist, you've got it wrong. Lin Qian helped my master join the Sword Sect as a guest elder, giving her this opportunity. I'm grateful to him—how could I be angry? This token is useless to me, so I planned to give it to Fellow Daoist Lin Qian as a thank-you. But since you've stepped forward, I'll give it to you instead."

The junior sister stared at Ye Chen's gentle smile and the secret realm token now before her, stunned. She hadn't expected Ye Chen to not only harbor no grudge but to express gratitude with such a lavish gift. The Sword Sect elders, who had been quietly frowning, broke into smiles.

Even though Ye Chen was the Heavenly Evolution Holy Son with boundless potential, they couldn't allow him to kill within the sect—they would have intervened. But his clear distinction between gratitude and grudges impressed them. The sect's ancestral elders nodded in approval, deeming Ye Chen worthy of a deeper alliance in the future.

Lin Qian, meanwhile, was speechless, overwhelmed by the turn of events.

After her initial shock, the junior sister stepped aside, beaming with excitement. "In that case, Holy Son, please give the token to my senior brother."

Though Ye Chen dismissed the Sword-Devouring Spirit Body, for cultivators without a special physique, it was a treasure. For sword cultivators especially, it could amplify the body's counter-damage to devastating effect.

A thousand years ago, a cultivator with this physique had, without drawing a sword, worn down a formidable enemy through sheer retaliation. Its power was undeniable. If Lin Qian gained it, he could ascend to new heights.

Lin Qian, however, quickly refused. "Holy Son, I only did what was right. Please take it back!" He had his pride. He could accept being outshone by Ye Chen and quietly wish Gu Yunyun well, but he couldn't take Ye Chen's gift.

Ye Chen didn't hand the token to Lin Qian or heed his refusal. Instead, he flicked it toward the junior sister. "Since I've given it, there's no taking it back. But who you choose to pass it to is none of my concern. Understood?"

The junior sister caught his meaning. Lin Qian wouldn't accept it now, but she could hold onto it and find a way to give it to him later. In that moment, her view of the Fourth Holy Son transformed. He was nothing like the rumors—fair in his dealings, generous, and remarkably adaptable. Clutching the token, she bowed sincerely.

"Thank you, Holy Son! You're nothing like the rumors say. You're truly a good person!"

Ye Chen: …

Glancing at her, he half-suspected she was taking a jab at him on Lin Qian's behalf. He'd meant it sincerely when he called Lin Qian a good person, with no mockery intended. Surely, she was praising him genuinely too? But when the system's prompt echoed in his mind, all doubt vanished.

"Congratulations, Host, on successfully gifting the Sword Qi Secret Realm Token…"

"Feedback in progress…"

"500x feedback multiplier…"

"Detecting significant emotional fluctuation in the recipient…"

"Triggering top-notch critical hit reward!"

"Reward: Indestructible Scripture!"

"The Indestructible Scripture: A supreme body-refining technique. At its peak, it grants an undying, indestructible body, immune to myriad laws and unyielding to time. Even if spiritual consciousness is destroyed, the body may, over eons, regenerate consciousness and revive."

The Indestructible Scripture? Ye Chen's eyes widened in disbelief, staring at the system prompt, then at the junior sister. Now, he was certain she wasn't mocking him—her praise was heartfelt.

A top-notch critical hit proved it. Why the critical hit? Likely because she'd feared he was coming to punish Lin Qian, only to receive a gift instead. The emotional swing triggered the ultimate reward.

The Indestructible Scripture was an unexpected boon. The Heavenly Intention Holy Son's avatar alone had injured him with its terrifying offensive power. With their enmity sealed, Ye Chen would inevitably face the Holy Son's true body. He needed to bolster his physical defenses, and the Indestructible Scripture arrived at the perfect moment.

Chapter 361: I Want That Wind Chime Sound!

The Indestructible Scripture surpassed even immortal scriptures, outranking the Ten Vicious Treasure Techniques. Even if Ye Chen became an immortal, he couldn't master it—not until he reached a realm beyond True Immortal.

At its peak, it granted a near-indestructible body, impervious to myriad tribulations and eternal against time. Even in death, enemies would be helpless against the body, which could, over countless years, potentially regenerate consciousness and live a second life. It was outrageously powerful, far beyond what a True Immortal could achieve.

With this scripture, once his cultivation rose, Ye Chen could face the Heavenly Intention Holy Son without fear. His body could withstand the Holy Son's offensive Treasure Techniques, allowing him to dominate.

The emergence of the Indestructible Scripture changed everything, and Ye Chen's gaze toward the junior sister softened with newfound appreciation. He considered recruiting her to Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, but he saw her unwavering devotion to Lin Qian.

Having already claimed the woman Lin Qian admired, poaching his junior sister would be crossing a line. Besides, with her 500x multiplier, she was a prodigy in the Sword Sect, and they'd likely refuse to let her go.

Most importantly, there was his master. Gu Yunyun was watching, and recruiting the junior sister would be asking for trouble—his master might just vanish again. Weighing his options, Ye Chen decided his master was far more appealing.

So, he said nothing more to the junior sister, only patting Lin Qian's shoulder as he left. "Fellow Daoist, don't keep chasing those who don't love you. If you make the one who does love you sad, and she leaves in disappointment, you'll lose far more. By the time you realize your mistake, it'll be too late for regrets."

Without waiting for Lin Qian's response, Ye Chen flew back to his master. He didn't see Lin Qian as a rival—persisting in his obsession was his own loss. A simp's path led to nothing, so Ye Chen had no worries.

Several Sword Sect ancestral elders invited Ye Chen to sit and share tea, showing him great respect. But he politely declined. After so long apart from his master, and with his tasks finally complete, he only wanted to spend time alone with her, reminiscing about old times. The elders nodded understandingly, their smiles suggesting they'd happily arrange a wedding and prepare a bridal chamber on the spot.

Their enthusiasm made even Gu Yunyun's cool demeanor falter. After bowing to the elders, she flew toward her cave abode. Ye Chen followed with a grin, leaving behind only the clear, pleasant chime of wind bells.

…

Returning to his master's cave abode, Ye Chen's gaze fell on the familiar sights: a spiritual spring feeding a small pool, and a spiritual peach tree planted at its edge. He couldn't help but smile. This was indeed his master's style.

Alone with Ye Chen, Gu Yunyun seemed unusually uneasy. Though she maintained her cool, aloof expression, faint blushes bloomed on her exquisite, mature face, betraying her thoughts.

Ye Chen stepped closer, his tone teasing yet earnest. "Master, that night you kissed me, then broke through and left without a word. I think that was a bit much."

Gu Yunyun's lips pressed together, a flicker of guilt passing through her elegant phoenix eyes. She couldn't deny it. Despite knowing Ye Chen's feelings, she'd acted impulsively and then slipped away. It was a mistake, no matter her reasons. She opened her mouth to apologize, but Ye Chen's serious expression stopped her. "So, I need to kiss you back…"

Gu Yunyun: …

This wasn't about explanations—it was clearly an attempt to "bully" his master. She didn't agree outright, but neither did she refuse. Her graceful phoenix eyes closed at some point, her long, fan-like eyelashes trembling slightly.

Ye Chen grinned. This was his master's stance now. Her dignity as a master wouldn't let her consent, but her heart couldn't refuse. Thus, this delicate balance: neither initiating nor rejecting. If you insist, I have no choice but to go along. With Ye Chen's superior combat strength, she seemed even more at ease with this arrangement, handing him the reins entirely.

Ever the dutiful disciple, Ye Chen wouldn't disappoint. Casting a formation to shroud the cave, he leaned in, his lips meeting hers. A fragrance of spiritual spring and peach blossoms enveloped him, intoxicating and irresistible. As is the way with men in such moments, his hands seemed to gain a will of their own. He gently lifted, weighing the "burden" in his grasp…

This time, unlike before when she'd startled like a rabbit and leaped back, Gu Yunyun didn't flinch. Perhaps she'd anticipated it, or maybe she'd grown to accept it. Or, feeling guilty for her abrupt departure, she was making amends. Hearing the chime of the wind bells on her wrist, she found them intrusive and reached to remove them.

But Ye Chen stopped her. "Don't take them off. I want that wind chime sound."

…

The next day, Gu Yunyun looked at Ye Chen with a hint of apology in her eyes. The seal within her body was both an opportunity and a risk. Until it was fully refined, any physical deficiency could lead to unforeseen consequences.

Though Ye Chen felt a twinge of disappointment, he understood. Besides, the previous day's sight of his master's wrists dancing, accompanied by the ceaseless chime of wind bells, had already left him deeply satisfied.

As Gu Yunyun prepared to enter the secret realm, she had the chance not only to awaken the Undefeated Sword Body but also to use the realm's power to accelerate the refinement of the sealed sword intent within her. With Dugu's wooden sword in her possession, she stood to gain even more.

Ye Chen was confident that, with these factors combined, his master would surely attain the Undefeated Sword Body. She already had an 800x multiplier, and with the Undefeated Sword Body—a physique akin to that of a True Immortal—her potential would be astronomical.

Ye Chen mused that she might even rival the top multiplier of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's leading lady, Dantai Xuan. Smiling, he gently embraced his master. "Master, no need for guilt. Between us, what's there to explain?"

Gu Yunyun, in her flowing red dress, her mature face glowing with anticipation, hesitated before speaking softly. "Once I've refined the seal, I'll come find you immediately to share the news."

Ye Chen grinned. For his master, this was an extraordinarily bold statement, a clear sign of her heart's intent.

Watching her red silhouette vanish into the depths of Sword Valley, Ye Chen reluctantly withdrew his gaze. Stretching leisurely, he scanned the surroundings with his Heavy Pupils and sent a transmission to Elder Mo. "Elder Mo, shall we head back?"

He didn't plan to wait for his master to emerge. The Sword Sect hadn't produced an Undefeated Sword Body in tens of thousands of years, and no one knew how long her seclusion might last. In the meantime, returning to Heavenly Evolution Holy Land to cultivate the Indestructible Scripture was the best course.

But Elder Mo replied, "If you're not in a rush, Holy Son, you might stay a few days longer. The Holy Land sent word that the Heavenly Intention Holy Son left seclusion yesterday and is heading for the Sword Sect. However, Hua Yunfei set out immediately to intercept him. They haven't clashed yet. If you leave now and run into the Heavenly Intention Holy Son first, it could be troublesome. Better to wait until their battle concludes before we return."

Ye Chen nodded, choosing caution. No matter how many trump cards he held, facing a peak prodigy on the verge of the Unity Realm was too risky. With his bright future and hard-earned progress, there was no need to court death.

A misstep would be a catastrophic loss. For now, he'd lay low. The Heavenly Intention Holy Son had decades more cultivation—losing to him now wasn't shameful. Once Ye Chen's cultivation rose and he mastered the Indestructible Scripture, he'd crush him effortlessly.

His eldest senior brother, though, was truly reliable, rushing to intercept the moment he got the news. A great brother for life!