ISWI Chapter 318-319

Chapter 318: The Imprint of the Heavenly Tribulation!

The heavens trembled.

In the Pure Land, a world-shaking battle raged. Ye Chen was relentlessly overpowering a Kun Peng. Within the Pure Land, the Kun Peng's peerless speed was stifled, suppressed by mysterious forces, forcing it to face Ye Chen head-on. It was utterly dominated.

Ye Chen's Heavy Pupils locked onto the Kun Peng's slowed movements, unleashing True Dragon and True Phoenix Treasure Techniques in a barrage, occasionally firing beams of destructive divine light from his eyes. It was hard to deny a hint of pent-up frustration in his onslaught.

After thousands of breaths, the Kun Peng—formed of imprints and divine lightning—glared at Ye Chen with resentment before dissipating, unable to reform. The sea of thunder above began to fade. Ye Chen's Nascent Soul tribulation was over.

A white light shot from the thunderclouds, landing before him. Ye Chen frowned slightly.

From a distance, Hua Yunfei's voice rang out. "That's the Kun Peng's imprint. Comprehend it, and you might gain some of its inheritance. Ancient powerhouses, after surviving their tribulations, sometimes left a trace of their imprint to let their likeness endure, fighting prodigies across time. It's said the Heavenly Emperor left his imprint during his Immortal Ascension Tribulation. The top prodigies of every era faced him, only to be beaten bloody, their immortal paths severed. He even rigged it so the strongest of the myriad races were more likely to encounter his imprint, ruining countless immortal hopefuls. The races, fed up, called upon a terrifying existence from the Immortal Realm to resolve it. But defeating such an imprint yields its remnant Dao and Laws, which can bring great benefits."

Ye Chen's eyes lit up. Tribulations could work like that? The Dao was merciless. True Spirit Tribulations were absurd, pitting you against imprints of prodigies with supreme bloodlines and combat prowess. But victory brought rewards.

He'd just experienced the Kun Peng Treasure Technique's might. Untouchable, unhittable, it pummeled him mercilessly—a frustrating ordeal. Speed, taken to the extreme, was invincible. The technique's value was undeniable. Even a fragment from the imprint would be a massive gain.

But Ye Chen aimed higher. This imprint was perfect for gifting. The system might reward him with the full Kun Peng bloodline inheritance. Master the Kun Peng Treasure Technique, pair it with Kun Peng Wings, and his speed would be unimaginable. In future battles, his opponents would be the ones driven to desperation.

As he pondered, Ye Chen gazed at the dissipating tribulation clouds and raised a hand, leaving his own imprint. It vanished with the clouds. The thought of future prodigies facing his imprint during their tribulations amused him.

But a question nagged him. Would the imprint only use the techniques he'd displayed during the tribulation, or could it wield all his talents? He'd unleashed his Heavy Pupils not out of desperation—Ye Chen never got desperate; others did—but to prove his worth to the Holy Land.

He hadn't even tapped his Primordial Supreme Heart, which had evolved further after his Nascent Soul breakthrough, becoming even more terrifying. He kept it hidden as a trump card. If his future tribulation imprint could use the Supreme Heart's divine abilities—Heavy pupils Open the Heavens followed by a Heaven's Calamity Light—Ye Chen chuckled at the thought. No matter who faced it, they'd be done for. Even the Heavenly Emperor, if he reincarnated, might end up disheveled.

But that was unlikely. Among Nascent Soul imprints, his had to be among the elite. Only top prodigies faced True Spirit Tribulations, and even fewer would encounter his imprint. No big deal.

The tribulation had passed, and the heavens cleared, restoring a pristine calm. The Pure Land forged by Ye Chen's Heavy Pupils had dissipated. As Ye Chen emerged, silence blanketed the scene. All eyes fixed on him, as if beholding a myth made flesh.

A Nascent Soul tribulation had summoned a Kun Peng, one of the Vicious Ten, and Ye Chen had actually suppressed it in the same realm. It was beyond absurd, a feat that left everyone in awe.

An Miaoli, only at early Nascent Soul, couldn't see the battlefield clearly and had been gripped by worry. Now, with the ordeal over, her beautiful eyes gazed at Ye Chen standing tall in the sky, his handsome features and robust figure clad in a robe embroidered with golden patterns. Relief washed over her. To withstand such a terrifying tribulation, even facing one of the ancient Vicious Ten, was incredible. He had done it.

A radiant smile bloomed on her ethereal face. Ye Chen, catching sight of her, returned a gentle smile. But as his gaze swept over her, he noticed her injuries and frowned slightly.

"How did you get hurt?" he asked, flying to her side. A beam of restorative light shot from his eyes, instantly healing her wounds.

An Miaoli gazed into his Heavy Pupils. Though Ye Chen stood before her, he felt impossibly distant. She had always known he was exceptional, his Heavenly Spirit Root far surpassing her own. But learning he possessed the legendary Heavy Pupils, known only from ancient texts, left her heart heavy with a sense of separation, as if they belonged to different worlds. Yet his familiar warmth reassured her, and she smiled, shaking her head. "My injuries came from detonating the Eternal Cosmos Furnace's divine shadow…"

Before she could finish, Divine Will Ancestor cut in, pointing at the ashen-faced Tian Mingzi in the distance, who seemed to be questioning his entire existence. "It was him! He injured Miaoli. He lost his son and thought Miaoli's talent made her a fine candidate to bear him another. If you hadn't arrived in time, she might have detonated her Nascent Soul."

At Divine Will Ancestor's words, Ye Chen turned his attention to the elder, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. The old ancestor certainly knew how to point fingers.

Ye Chen's gaze shifted to Tian Mingzi in the distance. This man had to die.

As divine light gathered in Ye Chen's eyes, poised to strike, Hua Yunfei drifted forward, his gaze on Ye Chen tinged with surprise. "When we last met, I never imagined you'd be my Junior Brother. With such heaven-defying fortune and top-tier heart-refining techniques, I almost feel embarrassed for gifting you the Sword Peng Heart Refining Technique."

He glanced at An Miaoli, likely noticing she had cultivated the technique he'd given. Ye Chen, seeing Hua Yunfei, eased his stance. Tian Mingzi hadn't fled earlier, meaning escape was impossible. There was no rush.

Suppressing his Heavy Pupil, Ye Chen bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Senior Brother. I'll always remember your kindness." If not for a touch of restraint, he might've jokingly added, Keep the gifts coming, Senior Brother!

He'd already heard how Hua Yunfei's timely arrival had turned the tide. Hua Yunfei smiled lightly. "A small matter. As fellow disciples of the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, we naturally support each other. Have you learned about the Holy Land or the role of a Holy Son? Did Elder Shangguan explain anything?"

Ye Chen shook his head. He didn't even know who this Elder Shangguan was.

Hua Yunfei, unsurprised, began to explain. "The Heavenly Evolution Holy Land is the foremost of Great Yan Continent's three Holy Lands, the legacy of the Heavenly Evolution True Immortal, who ranked among the top hundred human True Immortals of his era."

His voice carried a note of pride.

Chapter 319: The More You Pay, The More You Gain!

Ye Chen listened attentively, nodding as he processed the information. Inwardly, he mused: Heavenly Evolution True Immortal ranked in the top hundred? Probably around the hundredth spot. Still, such a ranking was impressive. Since the rise of the human race in the Immortal Ancient era, prodigies had emerged endlessly, and to place among the top hundred in human history was a mark of supreme excellence.

Hua Yunfei gave only a brief overview of the Holy Land before diving into the role of a Holy Son. "In our Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, the position of Holy Son is exalted," he explained. "You may establish your own peak, control resources, and recruit elders and disciples. You can also issue various tasks. Each year, the Holy Land allocates substantial resources to the Holy Sons for management—a test of sorts, as a Holy Son may one day become the Holy Lord, overseeing the entire Holy Land. When the current Holy Lord retires after five hundred years, the competition for the position will officially begin."

Hua Yunfei spoke with a gentle smile, his divine wheel glowing brightly above his head. He showed no trace of resentment or wariness toward Ye Chen, this newly appointed Holy Son with monstrous talent, nor did he seem concerned about potential rivalry. His demeanor was refined and gracious as he patiently outlined the privileges of the role.

Ye Chen's admiration for his Senior Brother grew. He had many female cultivator friends, but few male ones—most were envious of him. Yet this Senior Brother possessed an extraordinary magnanimity. A true brother! If only he weren't a man, Ye Chen thought with a wry smile.

Through Senior Brother Hua Yunfei's explanation, Ye Chen gained a new understanding of the Holy Son position. Both Holy Sons and Holy Maidens were the pinnacle prodigies of the Holy Land, eligible to vie for the role of Holy Lord, granting them unparalleled status. They received vast resources annually, could establish their own peak, command significant autonomy, and enjoyed unimaginable privileges.

For instance, aside from immortal scriptures, the Scripture Pavilion was open to them. Most treasures in the Holy Land's treasury, typically off-limits to disciples, were available for Holy Sons to exchange. Countless other rights further elevated their position. Contrary to Ye Chen's initial assumption that a Holy Son was merely a disciple, the role was more akin to an apprentice Holy Lord.

But with great resources and authority came greater responsibilities. If a Holy Land disciple faced a crisis beyond an elder's ability to resolve, a Holy Son or Holy Maiden was expected to step in. When rival Holy Lands produced a prodigy who seemed invincible, it was their duty to represent the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land and suppress them as peers. They were also tasked with securing opportunities and benefits for the Holy Land. Failure to perform or succeed in these duties would lower their standing, potentially disqualifying them from contending for the Holy Lord position, no matter their strength.

Ye Chen, however, was unfazed. The title of Holy Lord held little appeal. The Holy Land's resources, while abundant, paled compared to his own. Through his own efforts, he could forge his path upward without the distractions of leadership. But the prospect of establishing his own peak was immensely enticing. Did this mean he could bring his allies into the Holy Land?

His small world, though impressive, couldn't compare to a true great world, lacking a complete Heavenly Dao and full laws. Bringing his companions to the Holy Land would be ideal. With this in mind, Ye Chen asked directly, "Senior Brother, can I bring people into the Holy Land to serve as elders or disciples?"

Hua Yunfei smiled lightly. "Of course." It was a natural right for Holy Sons and Holy Maidens. But he added earnestly, "These disciples and elders won't directly belong to the Holy Land but to your peak. Their resources, stipends, and cultivation needs will be drawn from your peak's allocation. The Holy Land provides limited resources to Holy Sons each year.

"Moreover, every five years, at the Holy Land's Grand Competition, your peak's disciples are expected to perform well. If your peak ranks at the bottom, your resources will be cut. Your peak must also undertake various sect missions, which can't all fall on you personally, Junior Brother. Most will rely on your elders and disciples."

He continued, "Holy Land missions are not easy. If your peak's elders and disciples are too weak, they'll struggle to complete them. It's best to recruit prodigies within the Holy Land. Otherwise, if your peak underperforms, resources will dwindle, creating a vicious cycle that could even hinder your own cultivation."

Hua Yunfei spoke candidly, laying out the pros and cons for Ye Chen.

Ye Chen quickly grasped the situation. In simple terms, a Holy Son's peak received a fixed amount of resources each year. If he recruited weaklings who couldn't complete missions or achieve good results, the peak's resources would dwindle.

Moreover, missions had to be fulfilled, and if his followers were too weak, Ye Chen would have to handle them himself, delaying his own cultivation and affecting his progress. It was a real concern.

But for Ye Chen, it was no issue at all. Resources? He had plenty. Subsidizing his peak out of his own pocket was no problem. As for needing strong subordinates for missions? That was trivial. He intended to bring his allies into the Holy Land to focus on their cultivation and growth, not to toil as workhorses. Missions could be handled by recruiting capable elders and prodigies from within the Holy Land—preferably talented female disciples and elders with high potential. With his wealth, he could easily entice them to join his peak.

As for his own circle, he could gather high-potential female cultivators. With his system's cooldown complete, a single glance could identify the one with the highest multiplier for gifting—efficient and effortless. This way, missions would be handled, and Ye Chen could focus on what mattered. It was perfect.

He had made up his mind: he would become the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's equivalent of a magnate, pouring in resources to reap even greater rewards. The Holy Son position was tailor-made for him.

Seeing Ye Chen lost in thought, Hua Yunfei assumed he was fretting over the challenges of managing a peak. After all, Ye Chen's humble origins from a minor faction, with no great clan backing him, were well-known.

Hua Yunfei smiled gently. "No need to worry. If you face any trouble, come to me for help. Now, let me introduce you to the elders of our Holy Land. While greeting them, you can also choose your Protector."

Protector?

Ye Chen's eyes lit up. In the cultivation world, a Protector was the ultimate symbol of a prodigy's prestige. Only true prodigies had Protectors. To think that becoming a Holy Son came with one? He had finally reached this level.

Imagining himself traveling with a Unity-stage powerhouse at his back, the sense of security was immense. "Senior Brother, our Heavenly Evolution Holy Land is truly generous!" Ye Chen exclaimed.

Hua Yunfei chuckled. "It's not the Holy Land providing them, nor is it guaranteed just for being a Holy Son. The elders offer themselves out of admiration for talent—it's also an investment. Come, let's go greet them."