ISWI Chapter 351-353

Chapter 351: Master, I'll Be Quick!

Gu Yunyun spoke with earnest sincerity. Her heart already belonged to another, and her words carried no trace of deception. She left Lin Qian no room to delude himself further. The members of the Sword Sect couldn't help but nod in approval. She could have easily lied to gain an ally, yet she chose to refuse. Such integrity was truly admirable.

But Dugu Yue's discontent only grew. Why did this woman always outshine her? The elders favored her. Even Dugu Yue's own kin had poured everything into forging Gu Yunyun's sword heart, granting her the Dugu Sword Intent—a lifetime's culmination—and even offering her the position of sect leader. Why her?

"Have you said enough?" Dugu Yue's voice, thick with killing intent, turned cold. "If you're done, let's begin!"

Gu Yunyun's expressionless calm stood in stark contrast. The elder overseeing the battle prepared to activate the arena's formation. But at that moment, Lin Qian spoke again, his eyes brimming with desperation.

"Gu Yunyun, it doesn't matter if you have someone else in your heart. I just want to help you. If I meet him in the future, I'll explain everything clearly. I swear I won't let him misunderstand you."

No one expected Lin Qian to speak again. His words were so humble they seemed to grovel in the dust. His junior sister's eyes reddened with tears. Was this still the spirited senior brother she knew?

Gu Yunyun hadn't anticipated Lin Qian's persistence. Her brows knitted slightly, but she chose to ignore him. Turning to the elder in charge of the arena, she nodded. "Elder, please proceed."

Lin Qian opened his mouth to say more, but a ferocious aura erupted, flooding the entire Sword Sect. A brilliant golden light surged forward, streaking straight toward the arena. The sect members frowned, and even Ying Tianjing, who had been watching the drama unfold with detached amusement, raised an eyebrow, a hint of gravity flickering in his expression.

In a few shimmering flashes, the golden light settled on the arena. Beside Gu Yunyun stood a tall, striking male figure. A Sword Sect elder was about to shout in anger, his flying sword already humming with energy. But then he saw the faint golden robe adorned with a yin-yang fish emblem, and his words caught in his throat.

In the vast Great Yan Continent, only one faction used the yin-yang fish as its mark: the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. And only the Holy Son of Heavenly Evolution could wear a yin-yang fish robe outlined in solar gold. So… the newcomer was a Heavenly Evolution Holy Son?

…

Gu Yunyun turned her head in stunned disbelief, her gaze locking onto the familiar face beside her. Her eyes brimmed with incredulity.

Amid the shocked, fearful, and disbelieving stares of the Sword Sect crowd, the man casually took her delicate hand. In front of everyone, Gu Yunyun instinctively tried to pull away, but Ye Chen held her firmly.

With a light chuckle, Ye Chen spoke. "Master, I've finally found you! Don't run off without telling me again, okay? I've missed you so much."

Gu Yunyun's heart fluttered with shyness as he held her hand. Seeing Ye Chen appear so suddenly, she had a thousand questions swirling in her mind. But his words softened her, and her eyes reddened with emotion. She nodded earnestly, promising it wouldn't happen again.

Ye Chen gazed at his master. Reunited after so long, she was still the same—commanding yet breathtakingly beautiful. Joy surged within him. No, she wasn't entirely unchanged. There were differences. The system chimed with a notification: "Gu Yunyun: 800x!"

Ye Chen's eyes widened in surprise. His master's multiplier had soared to 800. She had once been an Earth Spirit Root with a mere 200x multiplier. Was this so-called Sword Heart Clarity really that powerful? Regardless, her elevated talent was a blessing. His smile grew brighter. "Master, you haven't taken on another disciple while I was gone, have you?"

Gu Yunyun looked at Ye Chen's beaming face. Her usually stoic, emotionless expression softened, the corners of her lips curling into a gentle smile, like spring blossoms in bloom. Her eyes glowed with warmth. "A disciple like you is more than enough for me to handle. Why would I take another?"

…

Lin Qian, who had been clinging to a faint hope, felt his heart shatter. He watched Gu Yunyun's smile—radiant as peach blossoms—and the way her hand rested in that man's grip. A bitter laugh escaped him. He had always thought she never smiled. Now he realized she simply never smiled for him.

But perhaps this was for the best. He was too weak. Even against the legacy disciple of Heavenly Intention Holy Land, he had little confidence. At best, he might only hold him off. But this young man beside Gu Yunyun, dressed in the robes of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's Holy Son, was different. Despite his early Nascent Soul cultivation, Lin Qian didn't need to guess his identity. This was the Fourth Holy Son, renowned across the Great Yan Continent for his Heavy Pupils—a prodigy who had defeated Yao Gu.

He could protect Gu Yunyun. For Lin Qian, that was enough. As long as she was safe and happy, he could find peace.

At that moment, Lin Qian noticed the Fourth Holy Son looking at him, and a wave of nervousness washed over him. In the cultivation world, pursuing another's dao companion was a grave taboo—one that could easily lead to a life-or-death confrontation.

More than that, Lin Qian feared Ye Chen might misunderstand his intentions toward Gu Yunyun. He hurriedly opened his mouth to explain. "Holy Son, it was all my one-sided—"

But the Fourth Holy Son waved a hand, his face bearing a warm, friendly smile. "I overheard some things on my way here. No need to explain. In fact, I should thank you for trying to help my master. You're a good person."

Lin Qian froze, stunned. He hadn't expected such a top-tier prodigy like Ye Chen to be so approachable. Not only did Ye Chen not blame him, but he even expressed gratitude and called him a good person. Relief flooded Lin Qian's heart, but with it came an even deeper bitterness. He managed a strained smile. "Holy Son, you're too kind."

…

Ye Chen, of course, wasn't angry. With a master like Gu Yunyun, it would be stranger if she didn't have admirers trailing her. It was hardly worth making a fuss over. Gently releasing her hand, he spoke softly. "Master, we'll catch up later. You don't need to do anything. Leave the rest to me."

Gu Yunyun blinked, caught off guard. Since joining the Sword Sect, she had been favored by the Grand Elder and spent her days in seclusion, refining the sealed sword intent within her. She hadn't heard of Ye Chen's exploits. Though she was astonished that he had become the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's Holy Son and reached the Nascent Soul stage, she noted he was only at the early stage, just like her. Facing two late-stage Nascent Soul cultivators—one of whom was the Heavenly Intention Holy Land's prodigy, far from an ordinary opponent—Ye Chen's plan to fight them both alone seemed far too reckless.

"I'm confident my strength is no less than Dugu Yue's. We should fight together," Gu Yunyun said earnestly, unwilling to let Ye Chen take such a risk alone.

Ye Chen glanced at the narrow-eyed female cultivator, Dugu Yue, who seemed visibly flustered, and then at Ying Tianjing, clad in a white robe, his chin raised arrogantly as he sized Ye Chen up. A faint smile curved Ye Chen's lips as he spoke softly. "Don't worry, Master. I'll be quick."

Chapter 352: Courting Death!

"Don't worry, Master! I'll be quick!"

Ye Chen's words rang out, leaving no time for Gu Yunyun to respond. Heavenly Intention Holy Land's prodigy, Ying Tianjing, sneered, his eyes glinting with disdain. "Ye the Fourth, you only managed to beat that trash Yao Gu, and you dare act arrogant before me? Yao Gu was already half-crippled when I fought him. If he hadn't pulled out that fake Void Mirror, I wouldn't have bothered with a mutual loss and would've crushed him outright. You, a mere Fourth Holy Son, barely edging out Yao Gu? I could squash you with a flick of my hand!"

Ye the Fourth? Ye Chen's brow twitched at the nickname. He made a mental note to give Yao Gu another thrashing next time they met. That guy was definitely the one spreading this ridiculous title.

As for barely beating Yao Gu? Ye Chen couldn't help but chuckle. Too lazy to waste words, he turned to the Sword Sect elder in the distance. "Elder, can we start?"

The elder frowned, hesitating. Ye Chen's sudden arrival had thrown things off. But after a moment, a transmitted message seemed to reach him, and he nodded. The Sword Sect's rule allowing dao companions to fight in the arena was bizarre, but it hadn't led to much outside interference. Above the sect leader, the Grand Elders ensured the sect's interests remained protected.

In fact, the Sword Sect, weakened by internal strife, had survived several crises thanks to the strength of the sect leader's dao companions. This tradition had thus endured. A Heavenly Evolution Holy Son showing up out of nowhere wasn't necessarily a bad thing. If the sect leader had a Holy Son as her dao companion, it could only benefit the Sword Sect.

The elder spoke gravely. "Since you've all reached an agreement, the sect leader arena battle officially begins."

As his words fell, the arena's formation roared to life, its energy surging skyward. Gu Yunyun, choosing to trust her disciple, took a step back.

Dugu Yue hadn't expected Gu Yunyun to have a Holy Son backing her, and panic gripped her heart.

Ying Tianjing turned to Dugu Yue. "Step back! I'll crush this kid with a single move."

Standing tall like a refined noble, Ying Tianjing hovered in midair, surrounded by flickering, endless lightning. He looked down at Ye Chen with icy disdain. "Ye Chen, to oppose me is to defy the heavens themselves. But since you're a Heavenly Evolution Holy Land Holy Son, I'll leave you with a sliver of life."

As his words fell, nine golden wheels materialized behind him, spinning ominously. A terrifying power brewed within them, its aura spilling out and shaking the hearts of everyone present.

"Is that the power of heavenly tribulation?" someone gasped.

"Heavenly Intention Holy Land claims to walk the will of the heavens, treating every tribulation as a divine gift they can harness for their own use."

"Their top geniuses wield lightning techniques rivaling heavenly tribulations, carrying a destructive force that even defensive spiritual treasures struggle to withstand—they'd be obliterated outright."

"It's said Heavenly Intention Holy Land's founding ancestor established a Heavenly Court in the Immortal Realm, aiming to rule all under heaven."

Even the Sword Sect elders, despite their Deity Transformation cultivation, felt a heavy dread as they sensed the aura. The Heavenly Intention Holy Land's prodigy was truly fearsome.

Though the Heavenly Evolution Holy Son possessed the legendary Heavy Pupils—a mark of supreme talent—his cultivation was simply too low. It seemed Ying Tianjing held the upper hand.

In the instant the golden wheels appeared, nine bolts of heavenly lightning erupted from them, surging toward Ye Chen. These were no ordinary bolts. Each transformed into a colossal azure dragon, their bodies formed of crackling electricity yet appearing almost tangible. The nine dragons combined like a chain of towering mountains, sweeping through the air with the unique destructive force of a heavenly tribulation.

The dragons' roars mingled with the thunder's rumble, resonant and overwhelming. The arena trembled under their approach, the sheer momentum awe-inspiring. The crowd watched in stunned amazement. Forget Nascent Soul cultivators—even most Deity Transformation experts would struggle to withstand such a strike.

The prodigies of these Holy Lands were simply too terrifying.

Ye Chen remained calm, unfazed by his opponent's technique. Though Ying Tianjing's Treasure Technique carried the destructive ferocity of a heavenly tribulation, it wasn't a true tribulation. A real tribulation couldn't be dodged, only endured. But Ying's technique lacked that inescapable lock.

Sure, its speed was too fast for most cultivators to evade, but Ye Chen, with his Kun Peng Treasure Technique, could slip away effortlessly. Yet, with his master standing behind him, dodging wasn't an option. And frankly, Ying Tianjing's level didn't warrant Ye Chen giving ground.

With a serene expression, Ye Chen formed hand seals. A golden radiance bloomed from his brow, and nine golden true dragons burst forth. Unlike Ying Tianjing's azure dragons, crackling with destructive force, Ye Chen's golden dragons exuded a majestic, regal aura, as if they were the sole sovereigns of heaven and earth. This was the fusion of his True Dragon Treasure Technique with the Imperial Dragon Qi from the Taihuang Scripture.

The nine true dragons let out resonant roars, charging toward the azure dragons. Their collision was cataclysmic, the arena's formation teetering on the brink of collapse. Several Sword Sect elders at the Deity Transformation stage rushed to stabilize it.

The true dragons and azure dragons clashed fiercely. Though they appeared evenly matched in size, the outcome was decided in an instant. The azure dragons, meant to annihilate everything, shattered under the onslaught. Ying Tianjing's face paled.

In the next moment, his expression grew even graver. Ye Chen's nine golden dragons merged into one with astonishing speed, rushing straight toward him. Ying Tianjing's face hardened, and a jade stone at his chest glowed softly, attempting to block the attack.

But the Imperial Dragon Qi, renowned as the supreme killing force among immortal scriptures, paired with the True Dragon Treasure Technique, wasn't so easily stopped. The jade stone held for a mere moment before exploding.

Though weakened, the golden dragon pressed on, bearing down on Ying Tianjing. He unleashed several Treasure Techniques in rapid succession, his body shifting desperately to evade. But he only managed to diminish the dragon's power. In the end, a single claw struck, exploding with force. Ying Tianjing's body plummeted from the sky, crashing into the ground, shaking the entire Sword Peak.

The scene left everyone dumbfounded. Ying Tianjing, defeated in a single move? It was unthinkable. Was the Fourth Holy Son's combat prowess so terrifying that he could effortlessly bridge two minor realms to crush a prodigy?

The Sword Sect members gazed at Ye Chen with awe, while their own prodigies questioned their existence. Gu Yunyun, watching Ye Chen's back, smiled softly. Even back in her Foundation Establishment days, she'd sensed her disciple surpassing her. Now, she realized just how far behind she'd fallen. Though a pang of loss tugged at her, she felt genuine joy for Ye Chen's growth.

…

Dugu Yue, standing at a distance, was stunned. The dao companion she'd pledged herself to couldn't even withstand a single strike.

On the ground, where Ying Tianjing had crashed, dust billowed, and the area was reduced to ruins. With a wave of his hand, Ying Tianjing cleared the debris, revealing his tattered robes but unblemished, alabaster skin—no trace of injury. The crowd gasped in shock.

Ying Tianjing's eyes blazed with fury as he glared at Ye Chen. He'd been a prodigy since youth, second only to his elder brother in Heavenly Intention Holy Land. When had he ever suffered such a humiliation?

A divine light flared behind his head as he snarled, "Ye the Fourth, I've changed my mind! I want you dead! As for your master, I'll suppress her and offer her to my brother as a plaything! Elder Luo, please hold off Ye Chen's Protector!"

Ye Chen, hearing this, didn't even flinch. Instead, he sighed, looking at Ying Tianjing with pity. "You didn't have to die. Why insist on courting death?"

His words only fueled Ying Tianjing's rage. The divine light behind his head solidified, taking form…

Chapter 353: A Holy Son's Woman Is Untouchable!

Behind Ying Tianjing, divine light shimmered, forming a vision of an azure dragon swimming in a sea of thunder. The vast ocean, woven entirely from lightning, churned with a colossal azure dragon rising and falling within it. Its fearsome eyes locked onto Ye Chen, radiating immense pressure.

The sea roared with crashing waves, exuding an overwhelming aura that pressed heavily on the Sword Sect cultivators outside the arena's formation. Their pupils constricted as they beheld the spectacle.

"This is a vision only a true prodigy can manifest."

"Not just that—the Azure Dragon Thunder Sea is extraordinary on its own, and combining them makes it even more terrifying. This is a top-tier vision."

"Too frightening. The prodigy was too careless earlier. Now, with his full strength unleashed, this will be a real clash of titans."

"The Fourth Holy Son has Heavy Pupils—an unparalleled talent. Their battle could drag on, and its shockwaves might rival those of a Deity Transformation cultivator. Can the arena's formation hold?"

"No matter. The Grand Elders will stabilize it."

The Sword Sect members were awestruck by Ying Tianjing's Azure Dragon Thunder Sea vision, marveling at the might of a top prodigy. Yet, the Fourth Holy Son's earlier display had been equally staggering. Both were peerless talents. Ye Chen's Heavy Pupils gave him the edge in potential, but Ying Tianjing's higher cultivation tipped the scales. No one could predict the outcome.

…

Ye Chen, stared down by the azure dragon, felt nothing. Ying Tianjing's earlier words, however, had opened a new perspective. Ye Chen had always thought Holy Land prodigies fought like children playing house—protected by their Protectors, who'd swoop in to save them if things went south. It made such battles dull, and Ye Chen had little interest in them. But Ying Tianjing's call to his Protector to block Elder Mo while threatening to kill him sparked a revelation. So, it could be played like this?

Though he couldn't see Elder Mo, Ye Chen asked, "Elder Mo, if I kill this guy, Heavenly Intention Holy Land's old monsters won't come after me, right?"

Elder Mo's voice echoed in his mind. "As long as no great powers interfere, it's fine. When prodigies fight to the death, Protectors block each other to prevent rescues. It's not unheard of. The older generation is forbidden from retaliating—every Holy Land has its ancestors. If you kill my junior, I'll kill your kin, and it ends in mutual destruction. But while I can't act, your peers can seek revenge freely. That Heavenly Intention Holy Son is your contemporary."

Ye Chen grinned. Now that was interesting. As for Ying Tianjing being the Heavenly Intention Holy Son's younger brother? No issue. Ye Chen had his eldest senior brother, whose strength was beyond question. Every time they'd met, Ye Chen's Heavy Pupils revealed his senior brother was just an avatar—each one blindingly powerful. The real body? It'd probably outshine the sun. So, Ye Chen wasn't worried.

After so long apart, reuniting with his master felt different—she seemed even more commanding. Ye Chen was eager to get closer, to see if she'd truly grown "weightier." With a light chuckle, he faced Ying Tianjing. His True Dragon Imperial Qi surged, and the True Dragon Treasure Technique roared to life.

No more chatter. Ye Chen launched forward.

Bathed in his thunder sea, Ying Tianjing's pupils turned azure, like an ancient thunder god. Seeing Ye Chen dare to attack first, he sneered disdainfully. With a wave of his hand, endless lightning erupted, amplified by his vision.

The thunder was far more terrifying than before, its destructive force multiplied. The azure dragon in the thunder sea, vivid and lifelike, unleashed a wave of dragon might, charging out as a bolt of azure lightning toward Ye Chen.

In an instant, it seemed Ye Chen would be overwhelmed.

High in the void above the Sword Sect's sky, two figures sat sipping tea. An old man with snow-white hair and beard faced Elder Mo. Elder Mo was in his element, even lighting incense for ambiance.

But the old man had no interest in tea or Elder Mo's nostalgic ramblings. Every glance at Mo brought back memories of nearly being beaten to death by him—multiple times. If not for his quick escapes, he'd have been long gone.

Even now, with Mo's celestial platform shattered and his cultivation fallen to early Unity Realm, a step below his own, the old man still lacked confidence. He just wanted the fight below to end so he could leave and stay far from this menace. Who won or lost didn't matter.

But then… Ying Tianjing, humiliated, suddenly declared his intent to kill and even demanded the old man hold off Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's Protector.

Have you lost your mind? The old man thought. All this for a woman, just to go through the motions, and now you want a fight to the death? And you expect me to hold off Mo? Back in his prime, Mo was no less formidable than your brother. What am I supposed to use to restrain him?

Elder Mo, hearing this, grinned at the old man. The old man's mouth twitched. "The kid's young and reckless. How about we call it quits, and I take him back?"

Mo shook his head. "Youngsters need to see some blood. Let them fight. You don't need to stop me, but you'd better stay put too."

Seeing Mo's calm confidence, unworried about his Holy Son, the Heavenly Intention Holy Land elder felt a growing unease. This guy never acted without certainty.

Back in the day, he'd even dared to kidnap a divine maiden from a Central Continent immortal family. His only setback was the shattered platform, which had delighted the old man for years. Mo's faith in Heavenly Evolution's new Holy Son was clear, and he wasn't rushing. But the old man was getting anxious.

"Ying Tianjing is the Holy Son's blood brother," he pleaded. "Our Holy Son has the purest Heavenly King Sacred Blood Body in nearly a hundred thousand years—Heavenly Intention Holy Land's undisputed top prodigy. He's breaking through to Unity Realm as we speak. If Ying Tianjing dies, the Holy Son will be furious. Even you might not survive. You're not the man you used to be. For people like us, with no hope of the immortal path, why stir up a deadly enemy we can't handle?"

He urged earnestly, hoping to avoid a fatal escalation. Things could spiral out of control.

But Mo shook his head lightly. "Haven't you figured it out? Call Ye the Fourth a name, and he won't care. But have designs on his woman? That's a death sentence. You don't know, but Ye Chen's Holy Son Peak has no male cultivators—just female disciples. And this kid's possessiveness is off the charts. Take that lovesick Lin Qian. Ye Chen didn't curse him out, but the moment they met, he threw out a snide 'you're a good person.' When he's cozying up to female cultivators, he specifically tells me not to look.

"I agreed, and he still doesn't trust me. He got some insane formation—Unity Realm spirit sense can't penetrate it, maybe not even the Mahayana Realm. The resources for that? All to keep me from catching a glimpse. That's how absurd his possessiveness is. So, give it up. Your prodigy's done for. But don't rush off. Stick around—maybe you can salvage something for your Holy Son to remember him by."