ISWI Chapter 320-321

Chapter 320: The Protector Must Be the Strongest

"Ye Chen greets the esteemed elders…"

Hua Yunfei introduced each elder present, and Ye Chen bowed respectfully, expressing gratitude for their arrival. Every elder of the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land was exceptionally powerful. Even those at the Deity Transformation stage exuded an aura far surpassing Tian Mingzi's.

When introduced to Lin Qingtan, Ye Chen's eyes flickered with admiration, tinged with a hint of regret. It wasn't her stunning nine-head-tall figure or her striking, jade-smooth legs that seemed cool to the touch that caught his attention. It was her multiplier—a staggering thousandfold, the highest base multiplier he'd encountered among female cultivators, second only to Holy Maiden Dantai Xuan.

Lin Qingtan, with her thousandfold multiplier, was far stronger than Tian Mingzi, despite both being early-stage Deity Transformation cultivators. But the issue was clear: no matter how formidable, she was still only at the early Deity Transformation stage. She wasn't qualified to serve as his Protector.

This tribulation had revealed too much: the Black Yellow Primordial Essence Bell, True Dragon and True Phoenix Treasure Techniques, Immortal Scripture Arts, and even his Heavy Pupils.

Ye Chen understood the principle that a towering tree draws the wind's wrath. With his talent, rival Holy Lands would see him as a threat, a nail to be hammered down at the first opportunity. A Deity Transformation cultivator couldn't protect him in such circumstances—only a Unity-stage powerhouse would suffice.

Thus, Ye Chen wouldn't choose Lin Qingtan as his Protector. But within the same Holy Land, there would be chances to gift her later. He wasn't in a rush. He offered her a smile.

As for Li Feihuang, standing behind Lin Qingtan with a complex gaze, hesitating as if wanting to speak but waiting for him to initiate, Ye Chen merely glanced at her. His eyes didn't linger. He didn't know when she'd joined the Holy Land, but her five-hundredfold multiplier was unremarkable to him. His Soul-Swaying Mountain had already regrown its Soul-Swaying Divine Stone, and An Miaoli would soon ascend to a Heavenly Spirit Root, reaching a five-hundredfold multiplier herself. As a fellow Nascent Soul cultivator, she was a far more convenient gifting target.

Now, on the cusp of entering the Holy Land, where female cultivators with thousandfold or even twofold-thousand multipliers awaited, Li Feihuang, incapable of triggering critical rewards, was even less significant. She didn't warrant his attention.

The elders, though impressed by Ye Chen and awed by his Heavy Pupils, maintained a dignified reserve, merely nodding without saying much. Ye Chen mentally ruled out the Deity Transformation elders—they weren't strong enough. The three Unity-stage elders, however, exuded an otherworldly aura, each radiating a dangerous intensity that felt overwhelmingly formidable. But which of the three should he choose?

When in doubt, ask. Ye Chen transmitted his question to Hua Yunfei.

Hua Yunfei smiled faintly and replied via transmission, "I suggest Elder Mo."

Ye Chen's curiosity piqued. Elder Mo, the oldest of the three Unity elders, showed clear signs of waning vitality, his qi and blood diminished. He seemed the weakest of the trio. Why would Hua Yunfei recommend him?

Without waiting for Ye Chen to ask, Hua Yunfei explained, "Elder Mo is nearing the end of his lifespan, with perhaps a century left. But in his youth, he was a supreme prodigy, no less talented than you or me. Unfortunately, at the peak of the Unity stage, he was wounded by love, ambushed, and his Immortal Platform was shattered, severing his path forward. His cultivation regressed to early Unity stage. Yet I've always felt Elder Mo is more than he seems. If he unleashes his full power, his combat strength could rival late Unity-stage cultivators. He possesses profound techniques and inheritances that you might gain if he acknowledges you. I can't see through him, so I recommend giving him a try."

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. After the Unity stage, cultivators forged an Immortal Platform in their mind using their essence to ascend to the Mahayana stage. Elder Mo's platform had been destroyed, causing his regression. But what surprised Ye Chen most was Hua Yunfei's final remark: he couldn't see through Elder Mo. Did that mean he could see through the other two Unity elders? His Senior Brother seemed increasingly extraordinary, far beyond a mere divine physique.

Shaking off these thoughts, Ye Chen bowed solemnly to Elder Mo. "Junior Ye Chen faces a treacherous immortal path ahead. I humbly request your aid, Senior, to condescend as my Protector."

At Ye Chen's choice, the other elders showed no disappointment. Elder Mo, slightly surprised, gazed at him with weathered eyes before nodding. "Very well."

As Elder Mo spoke, Ye Chen felt a subtle connection form between them. Elder Mo's brow parted briefly, revealing fragments of a shattered Immortal Platform within. Before it closed, a golden divine light shot out, embedding itself in a strand of Ye Chen's hair.

"I've left my imprint," Elder Mo said. "When you leave the Holy Land, I will know and protect you. However, I will not intervene in your battles with peers of the same realm unless you face imminent defeat or a great powerhouse interferes."

Ye Chen nodded in understanding. A Protector wasn't a bodyguard or a subordinate, nor were they subject to orders. Their sole role was to protect a prodigy's life, intervening only when the prodigy faced dangers beyond their current ability to handle. Otherwise, they remained invisible, even to the prodigy they guarded.

"With that settled, Holy Son, return with us to the Holy Land," Elder Mo said calmly, rising to his feet. The other elders followed suit, and the sky ship was summoned, ready for departure.

As for Tian Mingzi, he was utterly ignored by the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land elders. Had it not been for the extraordinary tribulation, he would have served as a whetstone to test the new Holy Son's strength.

But Ye Chen had suppressed a Kun Peng of the same realm. Using Tian Mingzi as a test now would be an insult to the Holy Son. Only prodigies from rival Holy Lands or heirs of Ancient Immortal Clans were worthy of being Ye Chen's adversaries. Tian Mingzi? He could be swatted away without a second thought.

Ye Chen, however, wasn't ready to leave. He had unfinished matters to attend to. And he hadn't forgotten Tian Mingzi. The man who dared target An Miaoli with such vile intentions had committed a capital offense. Ye Chen's gaze turned to Tian Mingzi, his Heavy Pupil radiating a terrifying aura.

Under that stare, Tian Mingzi shuddered. If a Kun Peng had fallen to those eyes, what chance did he have?

But at that moment, a husky, alluring voice sounded in Ye Chen's ear.

"Holy Son, you've just endured a tribulation and broken through to Nascent Soul, expending much energy. Allow me to act on your behalf and suppress this man."

Chapter 321: Frozen for Thirty Thousand Miles!

Ye Chen was somewhat surprised by the words. Turning around, he saw it was Elder Lin, the one with a thousandfold multiplier, who had spoken. Was she really that eager to help?

Ye Chen had no objections. As long as Tian Mingzi was dealt with, he didn't care whether he personally delivered the blow. Besides, this Elder Lin, with her thousandfold multiplier, was someone worth getting closer to in the future. Letting her handle this would give him an excuse to offer a gift in return later. So, with a smile, Ye Chen said, "Thank you, Elder Lin."

Lin Qingtan nodded, her face shrouded in mist as she fixed her gaze on Tian Mingzi. In a calm voice, she said, "I'll give you three breaths to escape. After that, I'll make my move."

Tian Mingzi's face flickered between pale and ashen. A dignified cultivator at the Deity Transformation stage, yet here he was, treated like some lowly grunt. But he had no choice but to accept it. After all, trying to steal the Holy Son's woman was a crime worthy of death. Still, this Holy Land elder, at the same cultivation realm as him and only slightly stronger at best, had the audacity to act so superior?

In the next moment, Tian Mingzi's body erupted with raging underworld flames, transforming him into a towering black volcano. The Three Mysterious Transformations of the Underworld Flame—this was Tian Mingzi's strongest state, unleashed in an instant. He hoped this elder's arrogance would give him a sliver of a chance to survive. Having finally reached the Deity Transformation stage, with a lifespan of a thousand years, who would willingly throw it all away?

With the underworld flames blazing, Tian Mingzi's speed was breathtaking. In a flash, he had already fled a hundred miles. By the time three breaths had passed, he was five hundred miles away.

Ye Chen watched Lin Qingtan with a peculiar expression, a hint of concern creeping in. Could this Lin Qingtan be some distant relative of Li Feihuang? Did their bloodline carry this same baffling confidence? Was her bravado about to backfire spectacularly? With his Kun Peng Wings, Ye Chen could probably catch up, but that would be more than a little awkward.

Yet, despite Tian Mingzi's blazing speed, Lin Qingtan remained utterly unfazed. Only after three breaths had passed did she slowly raise her hand and say in a serene tone, "Frozen for Thirty Thousand Miles!"

A terrifying force descended from the distant heavens. Tian Mingzi, who had been fleeing frantically, came to an abrupt halt, as if encased in ice. Shimmering blue ice blades surrounded him, and even his burning underworld flames were frozen solid in that moment. The skies for a hundred miles around him transformed into a world of ice and snow, where everything was sealed in frost, devoid of any breath of life.

Had Tian Mingzi just… fallen like that?

Ye Chen was genuinely taken aback. Were all Holy Land elders this formidable? This thousandfold Elder Lin Qingtan was something else. Yet, he could faintly sense that the frozen world in the distance wasn't born of icy power but of yin nether energy. Her physique or bloodline likely had some connection to yin nether, and it was clearly of an exceptionally high grade. No wonder she was a thousandfold existence.

Meanwhile, Hua Yunfei and the other Holy Land elders watched the scene with quiet sighs but said nothing.

Lin Qingtan lowered her hand, and the frozen world shattered. Tian Mingzi crumbled into dust, vanishing into the heavens and earth, not even his divine soul escaping.

Lin Qingtan looked at Ye Chen and spoke in a cool, measured tone. "The Holy Son's talent is extraordinary, but along your path, you've likely faced few peers of equal caliber. Your experience in true battles against prodigies is lacking. Once we return to the Holy Land, seek me out. I'm willing to help you hone your techniques and advance further."

Ever since Ye Chen revealed his Heavy Pupils, Lin Qingtan, though reluctant to admit it, knew she had missed her chance. Yet, Ye Chen's terrifying fortune, as if he were the favored son of the Heavenly Dao itself, sparked her anticipation. With such divine favor, could he one day obtain a treasure capable of aiding her?

That was why Lin Qingtan had taken the initiative to act, even offering to help Ye Chen sharpen his combat experience against other prodigies. By drawing closer to him and building a bond, she hoped to benefit from his favor in the future. Perhaps, just maybe, she could share in the Heavenly Dao's grace and find a solution to her own problem.

In the past, Lin Qingtan had firmly believed that human will could overcome the heavens. But after reaching the Deity Transformation stage, she found herself unable to resolve the issue with her physique, her cultivation stuck without an inch of progress. This forced her to change her perspective, pinning her hopes on the fortune of a prodigy like Ye Chen.

It was a gamble. Even if Ye Chen were to obtain a treasure capable of solving her physique's issue, there was no guarantee he'd be willing to part with it. Still, Lin Qingtan was willing to take the chance.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow at her words, sensing that she likely had some favor to ask of him. Otherwise, as a Deity Transformation prodigy herself, why would she show such enthusiasm toward him, the Holy Son? But he wasn't put off by it—quite the opposite. He was intrigued.

Most people disliked being asked for help, as it meant giving something up. But for Ye Chen, giving was gaining. And this Elder Lin Qingtan, with her thousandfold base multiplier, could yield unimaginable rewards if a critical hit triggered.

So, with a smile, Ye Chen nodded. "Thank you, Elder Lin. Once we're back at the Holy Land, I'll definitely seek you out. You've not only helped me eliminate a great enemy but also offered to refine my skills. As a token of gratitude, please accept this gift. I hope you won't refuse."

With that, Ye Chen presented the Kun Peng Imprint, obtained during his recent heavenly tribulation, and offered it to Lin Qingtan.

Lin Qingtan froze, staring at the Kun Peng Imprint before her. This was undoubtedly a supreme treasure, one that could potentially allow her to comprehend a Treasure Technique from the Kun Peng's arsenal. Even for a Holy Land expert, the Ten Vicious Treasure Techniques were far from common. After all, even Immortal Emperors of old had sought to collect such techniques. And yet, Ye Chen was simply giving it to her?

She quickly waved her hand. "It was a small effort, nothing worth such a gift!"

The Kun Peng Treasure Technique was precious, but it wasn't what Lin Qingtan truly wanted. What she sought was Ye Chen's goodwill. Accepting the gift would turn their interaction into a transaction, which wasn't her goal.

But Ye Chen's expression was resolute. "Elder, you've looked out for me, and I'm deeply grateful. If you refuse this gift, my heart won't be at ease. And if that's the case, I wouldn't feel right troubling you at the Holy Land."

Lin Qingtan hesitated, caught in a dilemma. She needed to build a strong relationship with Ye Chen. Helping him improve his combat experience would foster that bond. If she refused the gift and he truly stopped seeking her out, it would be her loss.

Besides, the Kun Peng Treasure Technique was undeniably tempting. She had been trying every method to resolve her physique's issue. She had once taken in Li Feihuang in exchange for a True Phoenix Treasure Technique. Now, if she could acquire a Kun Peng Treasure Technique, it might offer a chance to address her problem.

So, she decided to accept it. She could find a suitable gift to return the favor later. Moreover, the new Holy Son's generosity was striking. If he were to encounter the opportunity she needed in the future, his magnanimous nature made it likely he'd share it with her.

Her expectations for Ye Chen grew even stronger, and her desire to build a closer relationship with him deepened. After a moment's hesitation, Lin Qingtan accepted. "Very well, thank you, Holy Son. When you establish your own peak in the Holy Land, I'll present you with a generous gift in return."

Seeing her accept, Ye Chen broke into a wide smile.

In his mind, a system prompt sounded: "Congratulations, Host, for successfully gifting an item! Gift: Kun Peng Imprint. Reward processing… Thousandfold feedback in progress… Critical hit reward triggered! Reward: Kun Peng Treasure Technique, combat experience of the Vicious Ten' Kun Peng at the Nascent Soul stage…"