ISWI Chapter 313-314

Then here are two more chapters!

Chapter 313: The Nascent Soul Tribulation Descends!

As the voice echoed, a profound silence fell over the Divine Will Sect. The onlookers, powerful cultivators among them, were stunned. A Deity Transformation powerhouse was on the verge of annihilating the sect and seizing a companion, the atmosphere so tense that none dared utter a word. And yet, someone had casually interrupted to ask about their Junior Brother?

An Miaoli's delicate face was etched with confusion. Moments ago, her Nascent Soul had teetered on the edge of self-destruction, only for a single sentence to restore her to normalcy. What kind of existence could wield such power?

...

Tian Mingzi's expression darkened as he looked up, his eyes brimming with murderous intent. Whoever could obstruct him so effortlessly had to be a Deity Transformation cultivator of equal standing. But so what? Anyone who dared stand in his way would face his wrath, even if it meant a fight to the death—or a vendetta that would never end.

Such was Tian Mingzi's nature. He had clawed his way up from the Qi Refining stage through sheer slaughter. A mere glance that displeased him was enough to warrant death. Once, an elder of the Heavenly Nether Sect had disapproved of his bloodthirsty ways and sought to temper his character. When Tian Mingzi broke through, that elder was the first he brutally killed.

His cold, piercing gaze locked onto the void above, his killing intent surging like a tidal wave. Behind him, the shadowy figure of a Nether Monarch loomed, its aura blazing with menace, ready to strike the moment the interloper appeared.

Soon, a figure descended gracefully from the heavens. Clad in a white robe, he exuded an air of refined elegance, a golden divine wheel glowing above his head. His handsome face bore a gentle smile. No terrifying aura emanated from him, only an extraordinary presence.

The moment Tian Mingzi saw him, his ferocious demeanor froze. The Nether Monarch's shadow dissipated instantly. His eyes cleared, and he bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Holy Son! I have not encountered any disciples of the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land here."

The mighty Deity Transformation cultivator, Tian Mingzi, had shifted his demeanor in an instant. Yet, no one was surprised. The iconic divine wheel marked the man's identity unmistakably: Hua Yunfei, the First Holy Son of the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. A late-stage Deity Transformation cultivator capable of slaying those in the Unity stage, he was virtually unmatched among his generation. Even the other two Holy Lands had no one in this era who could rival him.

Even a Unity-stage powerhouse would show deference to Hua Yunfei, let alone Tian Mingzi. But why had the First Holy Son of the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land come to the Divine Will Sect? And who was this Junior Brother he sought? Was it mere coincidence, or did the Divine Will Sect truly have ties to the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land?

Speculation swirled in the minds of the onlookers. Even Tian Mingzi grew uneasy, his earlier bravado replaced by a cautious urge to retreat. Yet, with matters unclear, he didn't dare flee.

Hua Yunfei paid Tian Mingzi no further heed. His gaze swept casually over the scene before he raised a hand and pointed lightly, his voice calm. "Mountains, return to your former state."

In an instant, the Divine Will Sect, reduced to near-rubble, began to restore itself. Countless shattered stones rose, reforming into towering peaks. In the blink of an eye, the sect was restored to its original splendor.

The sight left everyone trembling with awe.

Hua Yunfei closed his eyes briefly, sensing the surroundings, before his gaze settled on Quiet Wonder Peak. A faint smile curved his lips. "The token is here… So, my Junior Brother is in seclusion, breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage."

He chuckled lightly. "I knew it. How could a Junior Brother worthy of Elder Shangguan's Holy Son token be unable to handle a third-rate Deity Transformation cultivator, needing to activate the token for the Holy Land's aid? Turns out, he's in the midst of a breakthrough."

His words were spoken openly, and they sent a shockwave through the crowd. Everyone's expressions shifted. In the entire Divine Will Sect, only one person was currently in seclusion attempting a Nascent Soul breakthrough: Ye Chen.

Could it be that Ye Chen was the Junior Brother Hua Yunfei sought? That he was a Holy Son of the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land?

An Miaoli's eyes widened in disbelief. Divine Will Ancestor, recalling Ye Chen's earlier claims, was equally stunned. Had Ye Chen spoken the truth? Was he truly destined to join the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land as a Holy Son after reaching the Nascent Soul stage? The notion was utterly absurd.

The cultivators of the Heavenly Nether Sect, their subordinate sects, and the onlookers were equally shaken. They were astonished that a Holy Son had been hiding in the Divine Will Sect, breaking through to Nascent Soul. But what struck them even harder was Hua Yunfei's casual dismissal of Tian Mingzi as a "third-rate Deity Transformation cultivator"—a blatant insult.

Tian Mingzi's lips twitched. Never in his cultivation journey had he been so humiliated. Yet, the one who spoke was Hua Yunfei, a prodigy capable of slaying Unity-stage experts. No matter how stifled Tian Mingzi felt, he could only bow his head and swallow his pride.

"Holy Son, I was unaware your Junior Brother was in seclusion here," he said, his voice strained. "I apologize for any offense. My actions were driven by grief over my son's death at the hands of the Divine Will Sect. The Heavenly Nether Sect will offer a generous gift to your Junior Brother as amends."

The once-invincible Tian Mingzi, now labeled a third-rate cultivator, was forced to grovel and apologize. The scene drove home the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's supreme authority and Hua Yunfei's terrifying influence.

Hua Yunfei smiled faintly. "No need to rush off. My Junior Brother will emerge soon. Face him in combat. If you survive, you may leave."

His words stunned the crowd. Hua Yunfei was allowing Tian Mingzi to challenge his newly broken-through Nascent Soul Junior Brother? A full realm apart—how could such a fight be fair? Was Hua Yunfei deliberately suppressing this new Holy Son?

An Miaoli, still reeling from learning Ye Chen's status as a Holy Son, now felt a surge of worry. She began to suspect Hua Yunfei's intentions. But he only said calmly, "If he can't even suppress a third-rate Deity Transformation cultivator, how could he be worthy of being a Holy Son of the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land?"

Even with Hua Yunfei standing before him, Tian Mingzi's face darkened at the repeated slight. Before anyone could fully process the implications, the sky dimmed abruptly.

All eyes turned upward in shock. A massive sky ship emerged from the void, and figures began descending from it. Each one radiated a terrifying aura—at least Deity Transformation stage. Three among them stood out, their presence so profound it was as if they existed outside this world. Though clearly visible, their auras were imperceptible—a hallmark of Unity-stage powerhouses.

Three Unity-stage cultivators had arrived at once. For most cultivators present, the combined might of all the powerhouses they'd encountered in their lifetimes paled in comparison to the spectacle before them today. Such was the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's might. For a single Holy Son, they mobilized a force of this magnitude. No wonder the Holy Land was untouchable—any one of these figures could effortlessly obliterate the renowned Heavenly Nether Sect.

As the powerhouses descended, their gazes swept over Tian Mingzi, their brows furrowing slightly. At their level, a single glance was enough to grasp the situation. Their scrutiny made Tian Mingzi tremble. Even the weakest among them, a woman at the early Deity Transformation stage like himself, sent a chill through his heart with a mere look.

In that moment, Tian Mingzi realized the truth. Even among Deity Transformation cultivators, he was worlds apart from these figures. Perhaps Hua Yunfei hadn't been insulting him after all.

Soon, after hearing Hua Yunfei's explanation, the brows of the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land powerhouses relaxed. They had initially assumed the new Holy Son had activated the token to seek aid against Tian Mingzi. If that were true, his talent would have been a grave disappointment—unworthy of their Protectorship. But learning that the Holy Son was in the midst of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage changed everything.

They didn't mind a Holy Son with a lower cultivation level. What they feared was a lack of talent. Tian Mingzi, conveniently present, could serve as a test for the new Holy Son's induction into the sect—a chance to gauge whether his potential warranted their investment as Protectors.

The powerhouses waited patiently, unhurried. A Holy Son was tied to the Holy Land's legacy and their own choices as cultivators. He was worth the wait. The Heavenly Evolution Holy Land experts remained calm, while Tian Mingzi trembled in fear. Beside her master, Li Feihuang, who had disembarked from the sky ship, stood in stunned disbelief.

Why had they come to the Divine Will Sect? The new Holy Son was here? Who could it be?

Her gaze drifted to Quiet Wonder Peak, and her thoughts turned to Ye Chen, the guest elder residing there. By her calculations, the timing aligned with Ye Chen's potential Nascent Soul breakthrough. But it couldn't be possible. Ye Chen, a Holy Son? Surely, it was just a coincidence.

As Li Feihuang's mind churned with confusion, the heavens darkened once more. A mass of thunderclouds, radiating an aura of destruction, gathered unnoticed, enveloping the entire Divine Will Sect.

The Heavenly Evolution Holy Land powerhouses smiled faintly. The new Holy Son had completed his breakthrough. The Nascent Soul Tribulation had arrived.

Chapter 314: The Nascent Soul Phenomenon!

The sky was shrouded in heavy, ominous clouds, as if the entire world had been cloaked in darkness. Within the pitch-black thunderclouds, massive bolts of lightning, resembling serpentine forms, flickered in and out of view. The sheer power brewing within the storm was unimaginable, leaving onlookers unable to fathom the terror of the tribulation lightning taking shape.

The cultivators of the Divine Will Sect stood in awe. The aura was simply too overwhelming. Even An Miaoli's face paled slightly under the pressure. Had she faced such a tribulation cloud during her own Nascent Soul breakthrough, she doubted she could have survived.

Tian Mingzi's expression grew darker as he gazed at the clouds. A mighty Deity Transformation cultivator, he could dominate the Great Yan Continent with ease. Yet today, he was reduced to waiting for another to complete their tribulation, only to serve as their whetstone.

For any powerhouse, this was a profound humiliation. But with Hua Yunfei and the host of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land experts present, he had no choice but to endure, however bitter the pill. His only hope was to defeat the one undergoing the tribulation. No matter how strong they were, a newly ascended Nascent Soul cultivator was still a full realm below him. Surely, he could win… right?

...

"Hmm, the intensity of this tribulation cloud rivals the one you faced back then, Yunfei," a Unity-stage ancestor remarked with a satisfied smile. In the Holy Land, Unity-stage cultivators numbered only a dozen or so, each wielding immense authority and prestige.

Hua Yunfei nodded with a smile. "Indeed, it's no less formidable than the tribulation I endured. A Junior Brother chosen by Elder Shangguan would naturally possess exceptional talent." His tone was open and generous, devoid of any resentment that this new Holy Son's tribulation matched his own in scale.

The reason the tribulation's magnitude was used to judge the new Holy Son's potential lay in the impartial cruelty of the Great Dao. It sought to sever the paths of the strong, tailoring tribulations to match a cultivator's prowess. The greater one's strength, the more ferocious the tribulation. Yet the Dao was also fair—tribulations served as a baptism. The more powerful the ordeal, the greater the benefits reaped upon overcoming it.

This new Holy Son's ability to summon a tribulation of such magnitude was proof of his extraordinary talent. The powerhouses vying to become his Protector grew increasingly pleased, their anticipation mounting for the spectacle to come.

However, beneath the mist obscuring Lin Qingtan's face, her brows furrowed slightly. The more exceptional the new Holy Son, the better the prospects for a Protector to gain opportunities under their fortune's shadow. But a prodigy this dazzling would attract many powerful contenders. As only an early-stage Deity Transformation cultivator, her chances of being chosen were slim.

Still, Lin Qingtan didn't dwell on it. She lifted her gaze to the heavens. The tribulation clouds were gathering at an astonishing pace. It was about to begin.

Atop Quiet Wonder Peak, within Ye Chen's secluded cave abode, boundless divine light poured from his pores, illuminating the chamber. The rumbling vibrations within his body finally ceased. If anyone could peer into his dantian, they would be struck dumb with awe.

In Ye Chen's dantian, a myriad of terrifying visions manifested. A true dragon soared, as if capable of shattering the heavens and earth. A true phoenix underwent nirvana, eternal and unyielding. A glazed divine sea birthed golden lotuses, steeped in profound serenity. An ancient divine mountain loomed, crowned by a celestial pool that seemed to catch the waters of the heavens. A divine furnace stood resolute, as though it could refine all creation. Above, three thousand stars formed a radiant galaxy, orbiting his dantian. Each star gleamed like a mountain, dazzling and trembling the nine heavens.

These were phenomena—manifestations of the ultimate mastery of the Dao, the Law, or one's innate constitution and talents. Only peerless prodigies with the potential to ascend to immortality could give rise to such visions. Even someone as exceptional as Hua Yunfei would count themselves fortunate to possess a single phenomenon. Yet, within Ye Chen's dantian, seven distinct phenomena intertwined, the Dao and Law merging in a wondrous Unity, forming a miniature cosmos.

At the heart of this cosmos, a golden infant materialized, seated upon a radiant golden lotus. Its expression was serene, bathed in starlight, encircled by dragon and phoenix, and cleansed by the celestial pool. The infant exuded an aura of chaos, its breaths like a mighty beast drinking deeply, drawing in the divine splendor of heaven and earth. It radiated divinity, as if a true god had descended.

The moment the Nascent Soul appeared, Ye Chen opened his eyes. His muscles, taut and unyielding like mountains forged of steel, erupted with towering vitality. His eyes, now even more mystical, shone with a light that made others dare not look directly at him. Clearly, his Heavy Pupil talent had advanced further upon breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage.

Ye Chen calmly turned his inner vision to his dantian, observing the newly formed Nascent Soul with a faint smile of satisfaction. This Nascent Soul inherited the chaotic properties of his original Chaos Core, far surpassing any so-called top-grade Immortal Nascent Soul. It resonated with the heavens, amplifying his mastery of the Dao and Law. With each breath, it automatically drew in the world's energy, replenishing his power and granting him near-endless endurance.

As for the phenomena? Their uses were boundless, each imbued with unique powers. They could enhance the potency of his energy, suppress foes, refine objects, or seal adversaries. Each phenomenon had its own distinct function, and possessing them set him worlds apart from those without.

However, despite their potency, a Nascent Soul cultivator couldn't unleash the full might of phenomena. Only upon reaching the Deity Transformation stage, when one could manifest the Law of Heaven and Earth, would these phenomena materialize fully, merging with the cultivator's form to amplify their power. At that point, their true potential would shine.

With his chaos-infused Nascent Soul and prior cultivation of the Shakyamuni Heart Refining Art, Ye Chen sensed he could manifest even more phenomena in the Nascent Soul stage, bolstering his foundation. This would make his eventual breakthrough to the Deity Transformation stage and his manifestation of the Law of Heaven and Earth even more formidable.

But those were matters for the future.

Ye Chen set aside his thoughts and calmly raised his head, his eyes flashing like lightning as they pierced through the cave abode to gaze at the tribulation clouds above, now nearly coalesced into a sea of thunder. A faint smile curved his lips. He rose unhurriedly and glided out of the cave, standing in the void to face the tribulation head-on.

...

Ye Chen's appearance sent a ripple of concern through An Miaoli and the others. The tribulation was terrifying, its clouds forming a vast, thousand-meter sea of lightning. Such a trial seemed far beyond what a Nascent Soul cultivator should endure, stirring deep worry.

Yet the powerhouses of the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land lit up at the sight of him. Ye Chen stood with heroic poise, his presence commanding and extraordinary. Though he had only just broken through, his aura and vitality were profound beyond measure—a true peerless prodigy.

Hua Yunfei's lips curved into a smile as he looked at Ye Chen. "So it's you. Quite the coincidence."

He recognized Ye Chen. At his words, the other elders grew curious, surprised that Hua Yunfei was acquainted with him. Without holding back, Hua Yunfei recounted their encounter in the Great Chu Dynasty.

The elders nodded, unsurprised. For a future Holy Son, crushing the so-called Heir of the Northern Emperor was only natural. As for the Northern Emperor's War Chariot, though a decent treasure, it was insignificant to a Holy Son blessed with immense fortune—something he could easily give away.

Lin Qingtan, however, was taken aback. Her gaze shifted to her disciple behind her. After all, Li Feihuang was the former Empress of Great Chu, who had abdicated to join the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. To think that the new Holy Son, Ye Chen, had once aided Li Feihuang in reclaiming her throne?

When Lin Qingtan turned, she saw Li Feihuang's delicate face drained of color, her eyes wide with disbelief. Though she had suspected it earlier, seeing Ye Chen and having his identity as the new Holy Son confirmed sent shockwaves through her.

How could it be him? How could Ye Chen be the new Holy Son?