ISWI Chapter 288-289

Chapter 288: I'll Make You Unable to Reach Me!

Li Feihuang's mind went blank.

Young Master Ye? She, the Empress of Great Chu, was supposed to address Ye Chen as Young Master Ye?

Her thoughts screeched to a halt as she carefully observed her clan's Ancestor. Only then did she notice that while Ye Chen appeared unscathed, the Ancestor… well, something was off. His spiritual robe, though outwardly intact, was clearly damaged. Not a trace of spiritual qi lingered in its fabric. And there was something else—a faint aura on the Ancestor, the telltale residue of the Moon Phoenix Body's healing source being activated.

So… the Ancestor had taken a beating? Her Ancestor, a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, had been beaten by Ye Chen and was now calling him Young Master?

The realization hit Li Feihuang like a tidal wave, her heart churning with disbelief as she stared at Ye Chen. How could this be possible?

Sure, Ye Chen defeating the Champion King might suggest he had the combat strength of a Nascent Soul cultivator. But to overpower a mid-stage Nascent Soul Ancestor? That was beyond comprehension.

What in the heavens was going on?

Still reeling from shock, Li Feihuang barely registered the Ancestor's next words. "My dear son-in-law," he said, "if you insist on returning to the Divine Will Sect, why not take Feihuang with you? She could serve as your attendant, looking after your needs. Besides, Feihuang has told me how much she misses her time at the Divine Will Sect."

Li Feihuang's eyes widened in outrage.

When did I ever say that?

She, the direct descendant of the Li Clan, the Empress of Great Chu, bearer of the Moon Phoenix Body and master of the True Phoenix Treasure Technique—someone who could walk into any Holy Land and claim a spot as a direct disciple—serving as someone's attendant?

Her pupils burned with fury. Even if it was the Ancestor speaking, she would never agree to such a thing. And Ye Chen? Oh, he'd probably jump at the chance. But if he thought she'd willingly submit, he was dreaming. If Ye Chen dared to use his strength to force her, she'd rather die than yield.

Yet, as Li Feihuang glared at Ye Chen, bracing herself for his inevitable enthusiasm, he merely glanced at her with calm indifference. "No thanks," he said flatly. "I'm heading to the Wang Clan."

His rejection was so casual, so decisive, it left no room for argument. From what had just transpired, Ye Chen could tell Li Feihuang wasn't a bad person. She had her principles, a moral baseline. But her judgment? Questionable at best.

Back when he was a child in his past life, his mother had warned him to steer clear of people with poor sense. Why would he want an attendant who'd only cause him headaches?

With that, Ye Chen boarded his war chariot without a second glance.

The Ancestor sighed, a tinge of regret in his expression. To think that Ye Chen, still at the Golden Core stage, could so effortlessly defeat a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator—his future was boundless.

He had already submitted to Ye Chen, so why not go all in? If Li Feihuang could stay by Ye Chen's side, she might one day whisper in his ear on behalf of the Li Clan, securing their future when Ye Chen rose to greater heights. But Ye Chen didn't even want her as an attendant. What a pity.

With a resigned sigh, the Ancestor led the way toward the Wang Clan, leaving Li Feihuang standing alone. Her delicate hands trembled, her eyes blazing with humiliation.

To be offered up by her own Ancestor as Ye Chen's attendant was already the height of disgrace. She'd assumed Ye Chen's earlier refusal to form a Dao partnership with her was due to his impossibly high standards. Surely, he'd leap at the chance to have her as an attendant now. She'd been ready to fight back, to resist with every fiber of her being.

And yet… Ye Chen hadn't even spared her a second look. He'd rejected her outright, without hesitation. She, the Empress of Great Chu, might not match his combat prowess, but to be deemed unworthy even as his attendant? She didn't want to serve him, but how dare he not want her?

Li Feihuang was certain of it—Ye Chen's rejection was rooted in spite, a petty retaliation for her earlier demands. Those harsh conditions weren't her idea; the Ancestor had forced her hand. What was she supposed to do? Besides, the moment she heard Ye Chen had been captured, she'd rushed to his rescue.

What more did he want?

Her teeth clenched so hard that her rosy lips turned pale. Her eyes burned as they followed Ye Chen's departing figure, but her feet remained rooted to the ground. She swore to herself: one day, she would make him regret this.

Today, you brush me off like I'm nothing. Tomorrow, I'll make sure you can't even dream of reaching me!

...

The Wang Clan.

"Two Nascent Soul cultivators ambushed him. Ye Chen must be dead by now," the Wang Clan Patriarch mused, his mood buoyant. Feeling inspired, he turned his attention to guiding his third brother's wife in her cultivation to see if they could produce another prodigy like Wang Ming.

As he immersed himself in the training, his thoughts drifted to his eldest son, Wang Lun. Where had that boy run off to? Why hadn't he returned?

His musings were cut short by a terrifying pressure descending upon the Wang Clan. The Patriarch's arms, propped up moments ago, collapsed under the weight of it.

This was the aura of a Nascent Soul powerhouse.

His expression shifted, but he didn't panic. This was Great Chu, after all, where the Great Chu Ancestor held sway. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator wouldn't dare cause trouble here. But when the Patriarch rushed outside and looked to the sky, his face paled.

Above the Wang Clan, a golden war chariot gleamed like a blazing sun. Atop it sat Ye Chen—the man he'd assumed was dead. And beside the chariot stood a golden-robed elder, looking for all the world like a humble charioteer.

The Patriarch's heart sank as he recognized the figure.

The Ancestor? Wasn't the Ancestor in secluded cultivation? Why was he with Ye Chen? And what was he doing at the Wang Clan?

Confusion swirled in the Patriarch's mind as he prepared to offer a respectful greeting. But before he could speak, the Ancestor's icy gaze swept over him. "The Wang Clan has colluded with rogue cultivators to harm the Great Chu royal family and undermine the interests of our empire. Today, your clan will be eradicated as a warning to others."

The Patriarch's eyes widened in shock.

The entire Wang Clan erupted into chaos. No one understood what was happening, but survival instincts kicked in, and people scrambled to flee. It was futile. The Ancestor had already sealed the Wang Clan's grounds. No one could escape.

Though the Ancestor hadn't been able to defeat Ye Chen, his mid-stage Nascent Soul strength was no empty boast. With a single motion, he raised his hand.

In an instant, the sky darkened. A colossal hand, carrying the weight of heaven and earth, descended with unstoppable force. The entire Great Chu capital trembled under its might.

When the hand dissipated, the Wang Clan was gone—reduced to rubble, not a single sound remaining.

Before acting, the Ancestor had used his spiritual sense to tally the clan's numbers. "The Wang Clan has leeched off Great Chu for too long," he declared. "Their kin scattered elsewhere will be hunted down by the Phoenix Guard. But Wang Lun, curiously, isn't here."

The Ancestor's methods were ruthless. Having lived for centuries, he'd seen too many cases of vengeance born from mercy or carelessness. When he struck, he left no loose ends.

His attention lingered on Wang Lun, the only one with the potential to form a Nascent Soul. Closing his eyes, he tapped into the capital's grand formation to search for Wang Lun's aura.

Moments later, he opened his eyes, puzzled, and turned to Ye Chen. "I sensed Wang Lun's presence in the depths of Peach Blossom Pool in the northern city, but it seems he's been dead for some time."

Ye Chen chuckled. "If that's the case, there's no need to check. I know who killed him."

He'd lingered in the Great Chu Empire long enough. The Nether Poison in his body was acting up again. With a thought, Ye Chen urged the war chariot forward. Under the awestruck gazes of countless cultivators in the capital, he soared away like a son of the sun god, radiant and untouchable.

The Great Chu Ancestor watched him go, a sigh escaping his lips. Once, he'd been the supreme figure, revered by all. Now, someone stood above him. It felt… strange.

Where would Ye Chen's path lead? No matter. The Ancestor had already offered up his divine soul. There was no turning back.

The Great Chu Ancestor drifted leisurely toward the imperial palace. As for whether wiping out the Wang Clan so decisively would have negative consequences or destabilize Great Chu? That wasn't his concern. As long as he lived, Great Chu would stand unshaken. But upon returning to the underground palace, he found a figure already waiting for him.

"Ancestor," Li Feihuang greeted with a blank expression, bowing respectfully.

The Ancestor nodded. "You're here about Ye Chen?"

"That young man is a peerless prodigy," he continued. "Even I can only manage a stalemate against him. If you could have stayed by his side, perhaps even borne his heir, it would have been a great opportunity. A pity it slipped away. But don't dwell on it. Focus on your own path. If you cultivate diligently, you may one day stand shoulder to shoulder with him."

The Ancestor spoke with casual indifference, his words carrying little weight. In truth, the True Dragon Treasure Technique that Ye Chen had unleashed wasn't so easily dispelled. The Ancestor's internal injuries were severe, and he needed to focus on healing.

Li Feihuang glanced at the Ancestor's robe, its array patterns worn to nothing, and recalled the image of Ye Chen seated atop his war chariot. Her head lowered. "Ancestor," she said, "I want to go to the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land."

The Ancestor raised an eyebrow.

With talents like Li Feihuang's or the Champion King's, they were more than qualified to join a Holy Land as disciples. Yet they had chosen to stay. Unless one was a prodigy on the level of Hua Yunfei, whose potential could be further unlocked at a place like the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, or a genius from a minor clan seeking resources their family couldn't provide, staying in Great Chu was the better choice. The empire could offer its prodigies superior resources—like the infusion of imperial qi.

Holy Lands might have similar opportunities, perhaps even better ones, but those were reserved for the elite few. Most disciples could only watch from the sidelines. For someone like Li Feihuang, remaining in the clan was the smarter move.

"Why go?" the Ancestor asked, frowning slightly.

As the Empress, Li Feihuang already commanded vast resources. She had a real shot at breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage within a decade. But if she went to the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, she'd forfeit her throne, and the resources Great Chu could provide would dwindle significantly.

Li Feihuang didn't hesitate. "I want to become stronger. I want to walk further on the path of immortality."

What she didn't say was her true motive: she wanted to surpass Ye Chen. She yearned for the day when she could see regret etched across his face as he looked up at her in awe.

The Ancestor seemed to sense her unspoken resolve. He nodded. "Very well, go then. I'm acquainted with an elder in the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. I'll write her a letter. With your talent, you're more than qualified to become her disciple—a direct disciple, no less."

Li Feihuang's eyes lit up. A direct disciple of the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land? This was an unexpected boon. Holy Land elders were seasoned and powerful, their guidance invaluable. With such a mentor, her future would be limitless.

She bowed deeply. "Thank you, Ancestor, for your care. I swear to do my utmost to elevate Great Chu to a Deity Transformation power!"

The Ancestor waved her off dismissively. Great Chu's future leadership was uncertain, to say the least. "Wait for my word," he said curtly before drifting away.

As Li Feihuang stepped out of the underground palace, her eyes gleamed with unshakable confidence. The next time she faced Ye Chen, she would repay today's humiliation a hundredfold.

Chapter 289: Threatening Me with This?

"Aunt, Ye Chen killed the Champion King for Li Feihuang," An Yuyi said, her voice tinged with worry. "He's shown such strength—there's no way a woman like Li Feihuang would let him go. What if he decides not to come back?"

Atop Quiet Wonder Peak, An Yuyi sat at a jade table, her elbows propped on the stone surface, her expression a mix of exhaustion and unease.

Before her, a figure cloaked in ethereal grace stood within a pavilion. Dressed in flowing white robes, her silhouette was soft and dreamlike, her curves veiled in a haze of elegance. Turning her stunning face, she shook her head gently. "He said he'd return, so he will."

An Yuyi fidgeted, unconvinced. "What if he only comes back to say goodbye, grab his things, and leave for good?"

Ye Chen's reputation as a prodigy had spread like wildfire. The Champion King, capable of overpowering Nascent Soul cultivators, was already a marvel. Yet Ye Chen, a full minor realm below him, had crushed him with ease. It was almost absurdly impressive.

The sect master, upon hearing the news, had visited multiple times to check if Ye Chen had returned. She'd even instructed Gu Yunyun that if Ye Chen was willing, he could be made a full elder of the Divine Will Sect—any position he desired was his for the taking. A prodigy like him would be fought over by countless factions.

An Yuyi's anxiety was palpable.

An Miaoli, her flawless face serene, responded calmly, "All banquets must end eventually."

But An Yuyi lacked such composure. Ye Chen had finally forgiven her, even gifting her a sense of home. Her heart brimmed with hope for the future. If he left now, those dreams would shatter. Her lively eyes turned to her aunt.

Everyone could see Ye Chen's feelings for An Miaoli. He'd even given her a fragment of an immortal scripture—a treasure beyond measure. If their relationship deepened, surely he'd stay.

"Aunt," An Yuyi ventured, her lashes fluttering with anticipation, "why don't you form a Dao partnership with Ye Chen?"

An Miaoli's calm wavered. A Dao partnership with Ye Chen? Impossible. He was the man her niece admired. For her, as an aunt, to pair with him—what would that even mean?

As for the moments she'd shared with Ye Chen? Those were for Yuyi's sake, born of necessity. She had no regrets, her conscience clear.

But An Yuyi pressed on, earnest. "I'm serious, Aunt. If you and Ye Chen became Dao partners, he'd definitely stay. I know about… what happened between you two. You don't need to worry about me. Just don't let that awful Li Feihuang steal him away."

An Miaoli had always been aloof with men, never sparing them a second glance or seeking their aid. Yet with Ye Chen, her demeanor softened. She'd even taken him to hunt a Wind-Thunder Jiao together.

An Yuyi had noticed and sensed her aunt's feelings. Far from being upset, she was thrilled. If her aunt and Ye Chen became partners, An Miaoli's affection for her niece would ensure Yuyi could easily join their circle, perhaps with a few whispered words in Ye Chen's ear.

An Miaoli's expression shifted slightly. Yuyi knew about her and Ye Chen? How?

When she'd helped Ye Chen purge his poison, she'd been careful to avoid Yuyi. There was no way she'd been seen. Could it be that some lingering aura or a stray trace—perhaps something in her hair—had betrayed her?

The thought of Yuyi witnessing her detoxifying Ye Chen made An Miaoli, who always held her head high with a clear conscience, feel a rare pang of guilt.

As for Yuyi's suggestion of a Dao partnership, she should have shut it down immediately with a stern rebuke. But in that moment, she found herself at a loss for words.

"Greetings, Elder Ye!"

"Elder Ye, you're back!"

"When you have time, Elder Ye, let's have a gathering. A few other elders would love to get to know you better."

Upon returning to the Divine Will Sect, Ye Chen was met with a wave of enthusiastic greetings from the elders. Their warmth was a stark contrast to the past, when they'd treated him with polite indifference. Back then, he was just a guest elder, hardly worth their attention.

But the cultivation world revered strength, and Ye Chen's exploits in the Great Chu Empire had clearly made their way back. A prodigy like him was someone they all wanted to build ties with.

Brushing off their pleasantries with a few polite words, Ye Chen flew straight toward Quiet Wonder Peak.

This journey back, even with his hastened pace, had taken a full twenty days. The Nether Poison and his other affliction had flared up simultaneously, demanding urgent treatment. He only hoped Senior An wasn't in seclusion.

As he arrived at Quiet Wonder Peak, he spotted An Miaoli standing at the summit, gazing out at the sea of clouds rolling gently before her. Her long hair danced in the breeze, her beauty flawless and almost otherworldly.

Sensing his presence, An Miaoli looked up. The red mole at the center of her forehead glimmered faintly, and though her eyes remained calm, a subtle spark of joy flickered within them.

"You're back?" she asked.

"Yes, I'm back," Ye Chen replied, stepping to her side.

Only then did An Miaoli notice the change in his aura. Her eyes widened slightly. "You've already reached the late Golden Core stage?"

It hadn't been long since Ye Chen's breakthrough to the mid-stage, yet here he was, not only at the late stage but with his spiritual energy polished to perfection. His talent as a Heavenly Spirit Root cultivator was nothing short of extraordinary, and An Miaoli couldn't help but marvel.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, you've gifted me so much before, and I've had no way to repay you," she said, her voice soft but deliberate. "This is something I found recently in an ancient ruin—a technique to refine one's spiritual sense. With your cultivation now at its peak, strengthening your spiritual sense will greatly aid you in forming an Immortal Nascent Soul in the future."

With a thought, she sent an object floating toward him.

Ye Chen caught it and raised an eyebrow. It was a disposable jade slip containing a low-grade Earth-tier technique: Nine Revolutions Heart Refining Art. Such slips could only be used once, and their user was bound by a Heavenly Oath to prevent the technique from being shared. Many cultivators used these to safely distribute techniques without risking their widespread dissemination.

The technique was valuable, even to someone like An Miaoli, who was also at the late Golden Core stage. Yet she'd given it to him without hesitation.

Though Ye Chen didn't particularly need it, he accepted it with a smile. In return, he produced a jade slip of his own. "I brought something for you as well, Senior," he said.

An Miaoli felt a twinge of awkwardness. Both of them were now at the late Golden Core stage, so calling her "Senior" was no longer fitting. But recalling how Ye Chen's voice carried a hint of excitement when he used the title during their detoxification sessions, she chose not to correct him.

Truth be told, hearing him call her "Senior" stirred an odd, pleasant feeling in her heart.

Lost in thought, she accepted the jade slip. When she sensed the technique sealed within, her eyes widened in shock. "A low-grade Heaven-tier technique—Sword Peng Heart Refining Technique?"

The news of Li Feihuang's coronation, held a month after the arena battles, had yet to reach the Divine Will Sect.

An Miaoli had no idea that the Heavenly Evolution Holy Son had publicly gifted Ye Chen the Sword Peng Heart Refining Technique. Like her own gift, this technique was sealed in a single-use jade slip, bound by a Heavenly Oath to prevent its spread.

Heart-refining techniques that strengthened spiritual sense were rare and precious. For most ordinary Golden Core cultivators, stumbling upon a Black-tier heart-refining technique was already a stroke of immense luck. A low-grade Heaven-tier technique like this? To most cultivators, it was the stuff of legends, its value almost unimaginable.

The stronger the heart-refining technique, the faster and greater the improvement to one's spiritual sense. This, in turn, could elevate the quality of the Nascent Soul formed in the future. And yet, Ye Chen had casually gifted such a treasure to her.

An Miaoli immediately tried to return it. "This is too precious, Fellow Daoist Ye. You should keep it for yourself."

Ye Chen didn't reach for it. Instead, he smiled lightly. "I didn't refuse your gift, Senior, so you shouldn't refuse mine either."

A helpless smile flickered across An Miaoli's flawless face. How could she have guessed that Ye Chen already possessed a low-grade Heaven-tier heart-refining technique? A pang of guilt stirred within her. Had he only given her this superior technique because she'd gifted him one first?

"Give me back the Nine Revolutions Heart Refining Art and take this one instead," she said earnestly.

But Ye Chen gently took her hand, his touch warm and smooth like jade. An Miaoli froze, glancing around nervously as if afraid someone might see.

"Senior, you're being too formal with me," Ye Chen said, his voice soft but teasing. "I've been gone for nearly three months, tormented by the Nether Poison clinging to me like a maggot. The first thing I did upon returning was to seek your help. But if you're going to be so distant, perhaps I should just let the poison run its course and waste away."

An Miaoli's eyes widened in shock. The Nether Poison? They both knew exactly what that was about. How could he speak as if she'd let him die if she didn't help? And the way he said it—did he think she was begging to detoxify him? Refusing his gift meant losing the right to help him?

An Miaoli, who had always remained composed even when Ye Chen had mussed her hair, was utterly bewildered.

But she understood. His absurd words were just a ploy to make her accept the Sword Peng Heart Refining Technique, to help her form a higher-grade Nascent Soul. She recalled the enraptured look on his face during their detoxification sessions. For him to use this as leverage to ensure she kept the technique, his intentions were clear and heartfelt.

Originally, An Miaoli had been hesitant after learning that Yuyi knew about the detoxification. Perhaps it was time to stop. After all, her niece had found out.

But now, biting her lip lightly, she made up her mind. So what if Yuyi knew? Everything she did was for Yuyi's sake. Besides, Ye Chen's prodigious talent was undeniable, and more factions—and female cultivators—would soon vie for his attention. In the cultivation world, most women dreamed of partnering with a prodigy like him, securing a future of prestige, endless resources, and a worry-free path of cultivation.

For Yuyi's sake, she had to keep Ye Chen close. Otherwise, her niece would be heartbroken. As for herself? Her conscience was clear.

With a slight nod, An Miaoli said, "Very well, I'll accept the heart-refining technique. Follow me to my cave abode."

As she took the jade slip, a system notification chimed in Ye Chen's mind, making his lips curve into a satisfied smile. But then he paused, puzzled.

Her cave abode? For what?

Seeing his confused expression, An Miaoli's face remained serene. "Didn't you say you needed detoxification? The Nether Poison is no small matter."

Ye Chen looked at her, the picture of a composed immortal fairy, and his smile widened into something brighter, more delighted than ever.