ISWI Chapter 334-335

Chapter 334: Heavenly Evolution Holy Land Was Worth the Trip!

Ten days later, Yao Xi, accompanied by Yao Gu and the Yao family elder, finally arrived at the Yao family estate. The sight of immortal cranes and spirit birds at the Golden Core stage, the sprawling spiritual mountains and rivers, and the spirit qi so dense it nearly formed a mist—far surpassing even Green Cloud Sect's spirit-gathering array—left Yao Xi in awe. Her heart, however, was tinged with unease. Could she truly stay in such a place and become their Holy Maiden?

The Yao elder led her straight to the patriarch's blessed land. After meeting the patriarch, he recounted everything that had transpired.

"A prodigy with Heavy Pupils, comparable to Xuanji, and already Yao Xi's dao companion?" The patriarch's reaction wasn't the delight the elder had expected. Instead, he frowned.

The elder was puzzled. A prodigy with Heavy Pupils was a guaranteed future powerhouse, well worth winning over. Why did the patriarch seem uninterested?

The patriarch's sharp gaze swept over Yao Xi, ready to dismiss her. The Yao family's Holy Maiden didn't need a dao companion, especially not one so formidable. But as he prepared to send her away, his brow twitched. "The aura of Glazed Purification Water?"

Glazed Purification Water? That was an exclusive treasure of the Little Western Heaven, the Buddhist Holy Land in the Central Continent, never shared with outsiders.

"She's consumed Glazed Purification Water, her body refined by it. This increases the odds of successfully awakening her immortal blood into a Primordial Spirit Body—and a complete one at that," the patriarch murmured, his frown deepening as he pondered. "I didn't expect this girl to have such a fortune."

The elder, surprised, spoke up. "That must be thanks to Ye Chen's opportunities. I saw it myself—that boy is favored by the heavens, with staggering luck. Patriarch, do you know what he gave Yao Xi before we left? Soul-Swaying Divine Stones! They can elevate one's aptitude to a Heavenly Spiritual Root and temper the spirit sense. After the Ancient Soul Holy Land was destroyed and Soul-Swaying Mountain shattered, those stones all but vanished from the world. Yet Ye Chen had seventy or eighty of them. It's unbelievable."

The patriarch's brow furrowed again as he glanced at Yao Xi, standing before the hall. After a moment, he nodded. "Soul-Swaying Divine Stones, huh? Fine, then. Yao Xi will be our Holy Maiden. Retrieve a few treasures from the vault to enhance her spiritual root. Combined with the Soul-Swaying Divine Stones, elevate her to a Heavenly Spiritual Root. Then prepare the ceremony to awaken her immortal blood and manifest the Primordial Spirit Body. She's just broken through to Golden Core, so she shouldn't practice any techniques yet. If the awakening succeeds, grant her the Void Scripture directly."

The elder nodded, though a trace of confusion lingered in his heart.

As the elder left the patriarch's hall to arrange for Yao Xi and cancel the Holy Maiden selection, the Yao patriarch watched her retreating figure, his eyes narrowing.

"Defying the heavens with luck?" he murmured. "No matter how extraordinary, what does it matter? This generation's Holy Son of our Yao family is destined to become an immortal. Not one, but two true immortals. Even Heavy Pupils are mere ants before a true immortal."

With those words, the patriarch's figure slowly faded into the shadows of the hall.

…

Half a month later, Ye Chen finally arrived at Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. The sight of the colossal mountain gate, towering ten thousand meters and adorned with carvings of divine and ferocious beasts, left even him in awe. As a third-grade array master, Ye Chen could discern no trace of the gate's protective array, a testament to its extraordinary quality.

He led his companions down from the skyship. At the gate, a Deity Transformation elder awaited, bowing to Elder Mo before nodding to Ye Chen. "Holy Son, please follow me."

Ye Chen smiled and nodded, guiding the women through the gate. The moment they crossed the threshold, the scenery transformed.

A hundred-thousand-meter peak pierced the clouds. Floating islands shimmered with rosy mists. Sourceless water cascaded from the heavens, roaring like a torrent. The women gasped in wonder, and even Ye Chen was stunned. The poet-saint's verse—"A cascade plummets three thousand feet, as if the Milky Way falls from the ninth heaven"—fit perfectly here.

Heavenly Evolution Holy Land was steeped in spirit qi so dense it formed mist, with immortal aura swirling. Rare and exotic beasts soared and landed ceaselessly. The sheer depth of its heritage was staggering. Ye Chen mused that mortals living here might extend their lives by decades.

But the most striking sight was at the heart of the Holy Land: a mirage-like Cloud Summit Divine Palace, radiating brilliant golden light. Vast and majestic, it inspired an instinctive urge to worship, as if it were the fabled abode of immortals.

The Holy Land lived up to its name. Ye Chen's lips curved into a smile. A place this grand surely held treasures rare in the outside world. As Holy Son, he'd have access to many, which he could gift to those around him, reaping unimaginable rewards. Coming here was absolutely the right choice.

"Holy Son, please follow me to the Cloud Summit Divine Palace," the elder said courteously, leading the way.

Though Ye Chen was a latecomer to the role of Holy Son, his reputation preceded him. Who didn't know the new Holy Son possessed Heavy Pupils and had faced a Kun Peng during his Nascent Soul tribulation? Just days ago, word spread that Yao Gu, the younger brother of the Yao family's Holy Son, had challenged him and lost—by Yao Gu's own admission.

Yao Gu might not be the Yao family's Holy Son, but he was still a top-tier prodigy, and at the late Nascent Soul stage, no less. Yet, despite being two minor realms above Ye Chen, he couldn't defeat him. This spoke volumes about the Holy Son's prowess, earning the elder's deep respect.

The group moved swiftly, drawing closer to the Cloud Summit Divine Palace. As they approached, Ye Chen finally glimpsed its full splendor. It truly floated atop the clouds, resembling an immortal palace. His Heavy Pupils scanned it, revealing that the palace wasn't merely a structure but a masterpiece forged with supreme refining techniques, blending countless rare materials. If activated, its power would be unmatched.

Such heritage only heightened Ye Chen's anticipation for his journey as the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's Holy Son. As they neared, he noticed a dense crowd gathered below the palace. At the forefront stood a line of powerhouses, all smiling at him. Among them were his senior brother Hua Yunfei, his long-missed senior sister Dantai Xuan, and Lin Qingtan, who clearly had a favor to ask of him.

At the same time, Ye Chen's system went wild with notifications:

"Detected a target eligible for gifting… 500-fold!"

"Detected a target eligible for gifting… 200-fold!"

"Detected a target eligible for gifting… 270-fold!"

"Detected a target eligible for gifting…"

The system was practically frenzied. Ye Chen worried it might crash. With a quick mental command, he set it to ignore anything below a 500-fold return. Only then did the system calm down, though the alerts took a while to stop.

Ye Chen's mood soared. Heavenly Evolution Holy Land was teeming with 200-fold targets and overflowing with 500-fold ones. He'd made the right choice coming here.

I, Ye Chen, was born for the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land!

Chapter 335: Can the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Scripture Be Gifted?

Heavenly Evolution Holy Land stretched boundlessly, and before the Cloud Summit Divine Palace, countless disciples clad in yin-yang fish-patterned robes gathered—at least hundreds of thousands, likely the entire Holy Land assembled. They craned their necks, gazing at their fourth Holy Son with curiosity, scrutiny, and even a hint of skepticism. Among them were numerous Nascent Soul powerhouses.

Under so many watchful eyes, Ye Chen felt a flicker of pressure. With a thought, he summoned a True Dragon to his left, a True Phoenix to his right, and a Kun Peng spreading its wings behind him. A golden lotus bloomed beneath his feet, and the Black Yellow Primordial Essence Bell emerged from his brow, hovering above his head, cascading strands of mysterious yellow qi. Bathed in radiant divine light, Ye Chen descended like an immortal king, lofty and supreme.

The sight left countless disciples stunned. Three of the Vicious Ten flanked him, the golden lotus beneath his feet exuded divine wonder, and the small bell above his head was already legendary across the Great Yan Continent. Any lingering doubts about this latecomer fourth Holy Son vanished instantly.

In unison, the hundreds of thousands of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land disciples bowed and shouted, "Greetings, Holy Son! May the Holy Son be invincible on the immortal path, forging ahead with unmatched prowess, dominating the cosmos, and opening the gates of immortality! May the Holy Son stand peerless in this era, sweeping all before him, leading us to glorify the Holy Land!"

Their voices thundered through the heavens, their momentum like a soaring dragon, vast and majestic. Countless spiritual beasts took flight across the Holy Land, and above, endless divine lights streaked like falling meteors. It was a grand spectacle.

Ye Chen hadn't expected such a ceremony upon arriving at the Holy Land. The fervor infected him, stirring his blood with excitement.

Before the Cloud Summit Divine Palace, the gathered Holy Sons, Holy Maidens, and elders watched with smiles. Their Holy Son naturally had to possess the aura of invincibility.

Without even making a move, Ye Chen's prodigious presence had earned the Holy Land's approval. Bathed in Black Yellow Qi, flanked by the three of Vicious Ten, and standing atop a golden lotus, his peerless prodigy demeanor was undeniable. Once he matured, he'd be no less formidable than—perhaps even surpassing—Hua Yunfei.

Several elders, who had previously gone to Divine Will Sect to fetch Ye Chen, stared in shock at the Kun Peng behind him. They were certain that during his heavenly tribulation, Ye Chen hadn't mastered the Kun Peng Treasure Technique.

The Kun Peng tribulation imprint had been gifted to Elder Lin Qingtan. Yet, in less than two months, Ye Chen had not only comprehended the Kun Peng Treasure Technique but could manifest its divine form to enhance himself? It was unthinkable.

How had he acquired the technique in such a short time? Had he grasped it during his battle with the Kun Peng? If so, his talent and comprehension were beyond extraordinary. No wonder he'd casually gifted the Kun Peng imprint—his luck was staggering, his insight heaven-defying. It was as if the heavens themselves were spoon-feeding him.

Among the crowd, Lin Qingtan's gaze on Ye Chen brimmed with anticipation, convinced he could resolve her issue. Hua Yunfei smiled, his eyes full of appreciation, showing no discontent despite the potential competition from a new prodigy.

Dantai Xuan, however, remained as aloof as ever. Despite having met Ye Chen before and receiving the Northern Emperor War Chariot from him, she showed no emotion, as if nothing in the world could pique her interest. If not for the mandatory attendance, she'd have preferred to return to her cultivation.

Amid countless gazes, Ye Chen soared to the Cloud Summit Divine Palace and descended gracefully. With poise, he bowed to the assembly. "Greetings, Holy Lord! Greetings, esteemed elders! Greetings, senior brothers and sisters!"

His respectful demeanor won further approval. Despite his peerless talent, Ye Chen showed no arrogance—a true prodigy worthy of the Holy Land's nurturing.

At the center stood the Holy Lord, strikingly youthful in appearance. Dressed in white robes, with his hair neatly crowned, he resembled a refined scholar more than a powerhouse. Smiling faintly, he addressed Ye Chen. "No need for such formality. I am Feng Baiyu, Holy Lord of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. But I won't hold the title much longer. The previous Holy Lord lingered too long, and I was already at the Unity realm when I took over. Now, centuries later, I've forged my immortal platform and am on the cusp of the Mahayana realm. Once I reach it, I'll become a supreme elder and must step down. Alas, my greatest regret is cultivating too quickly, unable to enjoy being Holy Lord longer."

Ye Chen, wary of the man's unassuming demeanor, knew from countless novels that those who seemed least like powerhouses were often the most formidable—especially the lord of a Holy Land. But was this guy seriously flexing? Complaining about cultivating too fast? It reeked of the same vibe as a certain billionaire claiming he didn't care for money.

Noticing Ye Chen's complex expression, Feng Baiyu's lips twitched into a smirk. His demeanor shifted, becoming majestic, his voice resonating like an ancient bell. "Ye Chen, are you willing to join Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, venerate Ancestor Heavenly Evolution True Immortal, and serve as Holy Son? As Holy Son, you must uphold the Holy Land's prestige, suppress rival prodigies, seize worldly opportunities, and fight for our eternal legacy. Can you bear this responsibility?"

Ye Chen nodded solemnly, bowing again. "The Holy Land is my home. I will spare no effort to uphold its honor."

His words were sincere. The system's frenzied notifications upon arrival had already made Heavenly Evolution Holy Land feel like home—one he'd never leave, no matter who tried to drive him out.

Feng Baiyu's starry eyes seemed to pierce through hearts. After studying Ye Chen, he smiled. "Good. The Holy Son ceremony is simple. Next, you need only pay respects before the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Scripture and inscribe your name."

As he spoke, the immortal palace trembled. A phantom of an ancient book materialized before Ye Chen, inscribed with countless words and brimming with daoist charm. Yet, when he looked closely, he couldn't discern a single character, only sensing the overwhelming immortal aura radiating from it, inspiring awe and reverence.

This was an immortal artifact, a cornerstone of Holy Lands, ancient immortal clans, and eternal dynasties. Even a mere projection was terrifying. A bold thought flashed through Ye Chen's mind: if he became Holy Lord one day and gifted the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Scripture, what incredible rewards would it yield? But the idea vanished as quickly as it came. He was certain that even hinting at it would make him the shortest-serving Holy Son in history.

An elderly figure emerged from the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Scripture. Everyone, including the Holy Lord, bowed.

Ye Chen recognized him as Heavenly Evolution True Immortal. Truthfully, he didn't seem as imposing as figures like the Western Empress or the Buddha, but Ye Chen bowed thrice, adhering to cultivation world etiquette for venerating an ancestor.

The phantom gazed at Ye Chen, nodding slowly before dissipating. Ye Chen's name appeared on the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Scripture. In that moment, he felt a subtle, profound connection form between himself and Heavenly Evolution Holy Land.

He was now officially part of the Holy Land.