ISWI Chapter 286-287

Chapter 286: A Disappointing Fight and a Hidden Schemer

With Zhanye Ancestor dealt with, Ye Chen let the Heavenly Emperor War Chariot return to its dormant state. He was deeply satisfied with the chariot's versatility—it could attack, defend, and do nearly anything. But it had its drawbacks. Activating even a single Vicious Ten spirit, even for a moment, consumed an immense amount of spiritual energy and vitality.

His vitality was manageable, constantly replenished by his Primordial Supreme Heart, allowing him to barely keep up. But his spiritual energy recovery, despite being astonishingly fast compared to others, simply couldn't match the chariot's demands. So, in peaceful times, it was best used as a mere ride.

Unleashing all the Vicious Ten spirits for a grand display? The cost was too steep.

Ye Chen shifted from standing to sitting, his gaze lazily drifting toward the silently retreating North Nether Sea. "Where's Beiming Ancestor off to?"

Beiming Ancestor wasn't dead. After his physical body was shattered, he had merged into the North Nether Sea, suppressing his aura to escape unnoticed. But Ye Chen had seen through it from the start.

At Ye Chen's words, the North Nether Sea surged faster, fleeing in a rush.

Ye Chen's expression remained unchanged. The small bell above his head swayed gently. A resounding chime echoed, and the world seemed to fall silent.

The seals left by Beiming and Zhanye Ancestors shattered under the bell's toll, and the heavens and earth returned to normal. The North Nether Sea trembled violently, dissipating entirely under the chime's force.

Beiming Ancestor's figure reappeared, coughing up blood as he stared at Ye Chen in disbelief. His eyes held nothing but terror.

The Heavenly Emperor War Chariot. A successor of the Heavenly Emperor. How could such a figure exist in this world? Even Hua Yunfei, the top Holy Son of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, likely wasn't this terrifying at the Golden Core stage.

Beiming Ancestor gave up all resistance, resigned to his fate. He couldn't flee, and he couldn't fight. His natal spiritual treasure had been shattered by a single chime. What else was there but to await death?

Ye Chen, however, didn't rush to finish him off. He sighed, almost bored. "You're too weak."

He hadn't even used half his arsenal.

Beiming Ancestor's mouth twitched.

Sorry for not entertaining you. Should I apologize? Maybe self-detonate to make amends?

But just as Ye Chen prepared to end him, his brow twitched. He glanced into the distant void, a smile spreading across his face. "So, he's the one who sent you to kill me?"

Beiming Ancestor froze, following Ye Chen's gaze but sensing nothing. Still, he nodded without hesitation. "Yes, it was him…"

The Great Chu Ancestor possessed a secret technique that allowed him to conceal himself so well that even a Deity Transformation expert might not detect him if they weren't paying close attention. This was his trump card. But as he emerged from the void, intending to assess the situation, something felt off. The scene before him was nothing like he'd imagined.

He knew Ye Chen was extraordinary—his combat prowess far exceeded his cultivation level. But two early Nascent Soul cultivators were no pushovers. Beiming Ancestor's North Nether Sea was notoriously difficult to handle, and Zhanye Ancestor's sword was legendary. It was said that even a sliver of its drawn sword qi had once forced back a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator.

In such a scenario, a battle between Ye Chen and these two should have been a fierce struggle, perhaps lasting days.

Yet, as the Great Chu Ancestor looked on from a distance, Zhanye Ancestor was nowhere to be seen. Only fragments of a broken sword lay scattered on the ground. The sword was shattered—Zhanye's fate was obvious.

And Beiming Ancestor, whose refined Nether Water was feared by cultivators, was coughing up blood, looking like a man awaiting death.

What was going on?

The Great Chu Ancestor had deliberately arrived late to avoid revealing his presence, but the fight was already over?

Ye Chen sat calmly on a golden war chariot, his face not brimming with the satisfaction of a hard-fought victory, but etched with the emptiness of fleeting amusement.

Something was wrong. Very wrong.

The Great Chu Ancestor had traveled widely in his youth, seen countless battles, and built a reputation through caution and prudence. That caution had kept him alive. So, having just arrived, he decided to leave immediately.

As for avenging the Champion King? On second thought, it wasn't worth the trouble. The dead were gone. The living had to move forward.

Let it go.

But just as he turned to slip away, his body froze.

Ye Chen, sitting on the chariot, was looking directly at him. The bored expression on his face shifted to one of keen interest.

What the hell?

Even a Deity Transformation expert might not spot him. How could Ye Chen see through his concealment? And why was he so excited?

Wipe that look off your face! I'm just passing by!

Realizing he'd been spotted, the Great Chu Ancestor debated his options: emerge gracefully, exchange pleasantries, and play it off, or bolt at full speed.

Then Ye Chen spoke. "So, this is the mastermind behind it all?"

Huh? Mastermind?

The Great Chu Ancestor was dumbfounded. He didn't even know Beiming or Zhanye—hadn't even crossed paths with them at a Nascent Soul trade gathering.

But what left him even more stunned was Beiming Ancestor's response. The man glanced in his direction and nodded earnestly. "That's him!"

You liar!

The Great Chu Ancestor wanted to punch Beiming Ancestor into oblivion. He'd only come to see if there was an opportunity to exploit. How had he suddenly become the "mastermind"?

Beiming couldn't even see him—he was just dragging someone down with him before dying.

Back when the Ancestor fought his own brother for the throne, even those schemes weren't this dirty. He couldn't sit still any longer. He prepared to reveal himself. If he didn't act now, he'd truly end up with an irreconcilable feud against Ye Chen.

But before he could emerge, Ye Chen rose with overwhelming momentum, unleashing a True Dragon Treasure Technique that roared toward him.

The Great Chu Ancestor's face paled instantly…

With a wave of his hand, Ye Chen unleashed hundreds of colossal dragons, each as massive as a mountain range, surging toward the void. Every dragon carried the majesty of a True Dragon, their aura terrifying beyond measure.

The Great Chu Ancestor, gripped by panic, raised his hand and conjured the True Emperor Mountain Seal. A towering mountain materialized, expanding into a gigantic peak that suppressed the sky, shielding him.

This was a treasured technique of the Great Chu Dynasty, amplified by the dynasty's territorial qi when used within its borders, making it both a devastating attack and an impregnable defense.

After casting the seal, the Ancestor let out a breath, thinking he finally had a moment to explain. But the onslaught of dragons came crashing down.

The first dragon's tail swept across the three-thousand-meter peak, carving deep gashes into its surface. As more dragons followed, countless cracks spiderwebbed across the mountain. Before the Ancestor could utter a word, the peak shattered.

A dragon shadow struck him, sending him flying.

Gritting his teeth, the Ancestor summoned a phoenix shadow to shield himself, barely holding on. Panic surged within him as he roared, "My dear son-in-law, hold your hand! I came to discuss your marriage with Feihuang!"

Bang!

Another dragon shadow smashed through, shattering the phoenix.

"You and Feihuang are a match made in heaven! I'm truly optimistic about you!"

Bang!

"Feihuang only proposed those conditions because she feared I wouldn't approve. But you and I hit it off—how could I possibly object?"

Bang!

"Don't worry about the Champion King. That boy had a rebellious streak from childhood. I never liked him, so I poured resources into Feihuang's father, that fool, to make him emperor!"

Bang!

"My dear son-in-law, let's talk this out. I'm no old fossil. Your child with Feihuang can take any surname and still inherit Great Chu's throne!"

Bang!

"How about Feihuang abdicates and becomes your empress? In your hands, Great Chu will shine even brighter!"

Bang!

After a few breaths, the dragon shadows finally dissipated.

The Great Chu Ancestor, having exhausted every trick and trump card, barely survived. Thanks to his Moon Phoenix Body, which revived him multiple times, he hadn't yet joined his ancestors in the afterlife.

But before he could catch his breath, Ye Chen called out, "Dragon Claw!"

A massive dragon claw roared forth, seizing the Ancestor with no chance to resist and hurling him before the war chariot.

Beiming Ancestor, already resigned to death, trembled as he saw the Great Chu Ancestor flung like a dead dog before him. Amid the chaos of the dragon shadows, he hadn't seen clearly. Now, he realized this was the mid-Nascent Soul Great Chu Ancestor. And yet, he'd been reduced to this state? Had Ye Chen been holding back earlier?

Beiming was now certain: Hua Yunfei, at the Golden Core stage, was no match for Ye Chen. This man was undoubtedly the successor of the Heavenly Emperor, who had once bathed the world in blood for a century. He was the unrivaled prodigy of this era, destined for immortality. All enemies on his path were mere stepping stones, their corpses paving his ascent.

To cross paths with such a figure… Beiming Ancestor's heart sank with bitter regret. He was truly cursed with misfortune.

Tossing the Great Chu Ancestor to the ground, Ye Chen turned his attention to Beiming Ancestor.

Sensing Ye Chen's gaze, Beiming shuddered and blurted out, "The masterminds aren't just him! The Wang Clan of Great Chu—they're the ones who tipped me off about you, Fellow Daoist…"

The Wang Clan?

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow, unsurprised.

But the Great Chu Ancestor was livid, itching to tear Beiming apart. Even in this state, Beiming was still framing him? Dragging everyone down with him in his final moments?

And the Wang Clan—they were the ones who'd brought him to this point. If he survived this, he swore to annihilate every last member of the Wang Clan.

Why couldn't they have just let a monster like Ye Chen leave Great Chu in peace? His True Dragon Treasure Technique was far more than a single move.

Chapter 287: A Familiar Demand

Ye Chen prepared to deal with Beiming Ancestor first.

Beiming's face twisted with bitterness as he pleaded, "Successor of the Heavenly Emperor, I'm willing to serve as your charioteer, pledging eternal loyalty! My descendants—males as servants, females as maids—only spare my life!"

Successor of the Heavenly Emperor?

The Great Chu Ancestor's eyes widened. Ye Chen was the Heavenly Emperor's successor? Was that true?

Ye Chen's expression remained unmoved. With his cultivation speed, a mere Nascent Soul cultivator wasn't worth keeping by his side. In the future, only prodigies like Senior Brother Hua Yunfei would be fit to stand with him. A flash of divine light gleamed in his eyes, and a destructive beam shot forth.

Beiming Ancestor exploded into nothingness, leaving only a soul that Ye Chen deftly collected, refining it into the Human Emperor Banner. Then, his gaze turned to the Great Chu Ancestor.

The Great Chu Ancestor trembled. The more he thought, the more plausible it seemed. In ancient times, the Heavenly Emperor had commanded a golden war chariot, blazing like the rising sun in battle. Legends also spoke of him mastering three of the Ten Vicious Treasure Techniques through various means, one of which was the True Dragon Treasure Technique.

Ye Chen's True Dragon Treasure Technique was terrifyingly potent—could he have truly inherited its entirety? And to dominate Nascent Soul cultivators like children while only at the late Golden Core stage? His talent was horrifying.

The more the Ancestor considered, the more his heart raced. Feeling Ye Chen's gaze, he forced a fawning smile onto his wrinkled face. "My dear son-in-law, it's all a misunderstanding, truly! You can see it, can't you? That old fool Beiming knew he was done for and dragged me down with him. It was definitely the Wang Clan's doing. Don't worry, I'll head back and wipe them out for you—every last one!"

Ye Chen studied him calmly, saying nothing.

The Ancestor's panic grew under that gaze, terrified that a divine beam might send him to meet his ancestors at any moment. He spoke even more humbly. "I came because I heard you and Feihuang didn't reach an agreement. I wanted to persuade you. Feihuang was foolish to miss out on a prodigy like you. Great Chu can't afford to lose someone of your caliber!"

Ye Chen remained silent.

The Ancestor gritted his teeth. "The throne of Great Chu belongs to you, my dear son-in-law. Feihuang? She's just a princess—how could she be worthy of being your dao companion? Let her serve as your maid, attending to your needs. And Great Chu? It can change its name. What do you think of the Great Ye Dynasty?"

Seeing the Great Chu Ancestor's desperate flattery, Ye Chen rolled his neck. He had no interest in the Great Chu Dynasty or becoming an emperor. Why settle for an emperor's throne when he could aim for Immortal Emperor?

His only question now was whether to kill the Great Chu Ancestor. Though he hadn't sensed killing intent when the old man first appeared, sneaking around a battlefield wasn't exactly a sign of good intentions.

After a moment's thought, Ye Chen spoke calmly. "Offer a wisp of your soul and hand over the True Phoenix Treasure Technique you possess."

The Great Chu Ancestor's eyes widened.

Why did that demand sound so familiar?

"Offer a wisp of your soul, hand over the True Phoenix Treasure Technique, the Spirit-Nurturing Fruit, and the Primordial Spirit Grass…" Ye Chen paused, then added, "As for your surname, forget it."

His demands were undeniably harsh. But this was exactly what the Great Chu Ancestor had demanded of him through Li Feihuang. Though Ye Chen hadn't sensed any killing intent from the old man, he wasn't naive.

After years in the cultivation world, he knew the nature of cultivators all too well. They flocked to any commotion, watching from the sidelines if no opportunity presented itself, but striking ruthlessly the moment one did. They were masters of adapting to the situation, with flexible morals and seamless shifts between hero and villain.

If Ye Chen had been mutually wounded in his fight with Beiming and Zhanye, the Great Chu Ancestor would have struck without hesitation. So, Ye Chen showed no mercy in his demands.

The only reason he spared the Ancestor instead of sending him to the Human Emperor Banner was the influence of the Great Chu Dynasty. As Ye Chen's critical-hit treasures grew in number and quality, his ally Sun Ye wouldn't have the strength to handle such high-value goods. The Great Chu Dynasty, however, was an ideal channel for distribution.

As a Nascent Soul cultivator, the Great Chu Ancestor frequently attended high-level cultivator gatherings and trade fairs, making him the perfect candidate to serve as Ye Chen's agent.

...

"My dear son-in-law, why not rename the Great Chu Dynasty to the Great Ye Dynasty?" the Ancestor pleaded.

He knew full well that Ye Chen was retaliating. The conditions he'd had Li Feihuang propose were the same. But he was innocent! Those demands were never meant to be accepted—they were designed to drive Ye Chen away from Great Chu.

Soul lamps had been common ten thousand years ago, but now only clans used them for their members. Sects had largely abandoned the practice after a traitor infiltrated a sect, destroyed its soul lamp hall, and caused catastrophic losses—wounding its experts and dooming an ancestor's breakthrough. Since then, the cultivation world preferred binding oaths to the Heavenly Dao.

Tearing out a soul wisp was not only excruciating but also irreversible, slightly hindering cultivation progress. The Great Chu Ancestor was desperate to avoid it.

But as he opened his mouth to negotiate, he saw Ye Chen casually raise the Human Emperor Banner. A chill ran through him as a terrifying thought struck. Was Ye Chen, like him, making demands he never expected to be met, just to justify refining him into the banner?

Recalling Ye Chen's practiced soul-refining technique, the Ancestor's bargaining spirit faltered. Gritting his teeth against the soul-deep pain, he tore out a wisp of his soul and respectfully offered it.

Ye Chen's expression darkened, a hint of disappointment flickering across his face.

The Great Chu Ancestor shuddered and hurriedly offered up his True Phoenix Treasure Technique, transmitting it directly into Ye Chen's mind.

The Great Chu Ancestor's True Phoenix Treasure Technique consisted of only one move: Phoenix Cry. It unleashed a terrifying phoenix wail, a sonic attack to obliterate enemies. To Ye Chen, it was merely an entry-level technique, not particularly significant.

But he hadn't been after the move itself. His goal was to gift it to Senior An, triggering the system to produce a complete version. A single move or two of the Ten Vicious Treasure Techniques was only marginally stronger than ordinary techniques. Only by obtaining the full inheritance could its true, invincible might be unleashed.

This was why Ye Chen's True Dragon Treasure Technique could so effortlessly overpower the Li Clan's techniques, despite both being Ten Vicious Treasure Techniques. The True Dragon Treasure Technique excelled in devastating offense, while the True Phoenix Treasure Technique was unmatched in its nirvana-like regenerative power, promising a massive boost to his recovery.

It was said that mastering the complete True Phoenix Treasure Technique granted access to the phoenix's innate Divine Ability: Nirvana. Even if killed, one could rise from the ashes, reborn stronger than before—a concept reminiscent of the Super Saiyans from his past life.

"As for the Spirit-Nurturing Fruit and Primordial Spirit Grass, they're in the treasury," the Ancestor added. "You'll need to come with me to the Great Chu capital, my dear son-in-law. While we're there, I'll ensure the Wang Clan is wiped out—every last one of them—to vent your anger."

After surrendering the True Phoenix Treasure Technique, the Ancestor's mindset shifted quickly. With no other choice, he embraced his fate. If Ye Chen truly was the Heavenly Emperor's successor, submitting to him and earning his trust might not be a bad deal.

The Ancestor knew his own limits. Breaking through to late Nascent Soul was a long shot, and Deity Transformation was a pipe dream. But Ye Chen's potential was boundless—he might reach Deity Transformation or even Unity. His talent and strength were staggering. Following him could lead to unimaginable opportunities, a classic case of "the dog ascending with the master."

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. The Ancestor's vow to annihilate the Wang Clan sounded more like he was the one itching to settle a score. But Ye Chen didn't mind.

The Spirit-Nurturing Fruit and Primordial Spirit Grass were rare main ingredients for the Spirit Ascension Pill, crucial for forming a Nascent Soul and nearly impossible to buy since cultivators hoarded them. Acquiring them now was perfect—he could refine a batch to gift to a senior.

As for the Wang Clan, they deserved their fate. Ye Chen considered himself lawful neutral. He didn't harm others unprovoked or rob them of their treasures. But if someone targeted him or tried to steal from him, his retaliation was merciless.

And so, just one day after leaving the Great Chu capital, Ye Chen returned. The two descended upon the palace. The gatekeepers, spotting the supposedly secluded Great Chu Ancestor, were stunned. Seeing Ye Chen riding a war chariot behind him, they were even more shocked. How did this kid dare come back?

The Ancestor waved them off indifferently, dispersing the crowd and leading Ye Chen directly to the treasury.

In the Chu Emperor Hall, Li Feihuang sat with her fiery red hair cascading, her stunning face etched with cold fury. Every time she recalled Ye Chen walking away without a hint of reluctance, her anger flared. She was certain he'd regret it one day.

Just then, a palace attendant rushed in with news.

Li Feihuang's eyes widened. The Ancestor had emerged from seclusion and brought Ye Chen back?

She barely listened to the rest of the report, already piecing it together. The Ancestor must have intervened because of Ye Chen's poor choices, emerging to suppress him and punish him for killing the Champion King.

Without waiting for more details, she rose and flew out of the hall.

Ye Chen had made mistakes, countless flaws in his actions. But he had helped her immensely during her darkest times, even slaying the Champion King for her sake. Duty and sentiment demanded she plead with the Ancestor to spare his life and offer him protection.

By now, Ye Chen must be regretting rejecting her yesterday. The thought brought a flicker of satisfaction. Once this was over, she wouldn't punish him. Instead, she'd grant him even greater honors. Her father had taught her: berating someone for their mistakes only bred resentment and enemies. But showering them with kindness after their errors would fill them with guilt and ensure lifelong loyalty.

After this, Ye Chen would surely devote himself to her completely.

Before the Great Chu treasury, the Great Chu Ancestor bowed respectfully. "My dear son-in-law, please come with me to retrieve the items."

Ye Chen, who hadn't once stepped off his war chariot during the journey, leisurely dismounted. He glanced at the Ancestor and asked, "Old Chu, is it safe to leave my chariot at the entrance?"

The Ancestor blinked, then nodded hurriedly. Who would dare steal from you?

Satisfied, Ye Chen followed him into the treasury with a relaxed stride. Soon, he acquired the Spirit-Nurturing Fruit and Primordial Spirit Grass. As for the other treasures, there were a few rare items, but most were useless to him.

Despite the Great Chu Dynasty's near-ten-thousand-year legacy, it was ultimately just a Nascent Soul-level power. Its resources were limited, its foundation substantial but not exceptional.

As they exited the treasury, the Ancestor's tone turned murderous. "My dear son-in-law, next, we'll wipe out the Wang Clan. I'll handle it personally."

Ye Chen nodded. Once the Wang Clan was dealt with, he'd leave. But at that moment, his brow twitched. In the distance, a figure clad in imperial robes approached, her graceful form radiating noble elegance. It was Li Feihuang.

Seeing Ye Chen unharmed, Li Feihuang let out a quiet sigh of relief. It made sense—the Ancestor's mere presence would force Ye Chen to submit without a fight. Bringing him to the treasury was likely to confiscate his treasures. That golden war chariot nearby must be one of them, and perhaps even the True Dragon Treasure Technique had already been claimed.

She glanced at Ye Chen, then addressed the Ancestor. "Ancestor, yesterday Ye Chen acted impulsively. For my sake, please spare him. He'll surely agree to those conditions and serve the Li Clan loyally forever. His strength will bolster Great Chu, and any future heirs we produce will have exceptional talent, potentially elevating our dynasty to new heights. I beg you to show mercy."

Li Feihuang bowed deeply, her plea earnest.

The Great Chu Ancestor's face darkened, his mid-Nascent Soul aura surging forth, causing Li Feihuang to pale. He was clearly furious, likely intent on sacrificing Ye Chen to assert his authority.

But she stole a glance at Ye Chen, recalling his countless contributions—how, when the Champion King revealed his true strength and she faltered in fear, Ye Chen had boldly suppressed him, turning the tide and securing her throne.

Biting her lip, Li Feihuang stood firm against the overwhelming Nascent Soul pressure, refusing to back down. As she opened her mouth to plead further for Ye Chen, the Ancestor's voice boomed.

"Insolent! How dare you address my dear son-in-law by his name? From now on, you will call him Young Master!"

Li Feihuang: "???"