ISWI Chapter 284-285

Chapter 284: No Malicious Editing Allowed!

Ye Chen's spiritual sense was far from weak. He had consumed several bottles of Glazed Purification Water, and his journey had been bolstered by various treasures that enhanced his spiritual sense. Its strength far exceeded what was typical for his cultivation level, rivaling that of a Nascent Soul cultivator. While it wasn't lacking, compared to his spiritual power and physical prowess, his spiritual sense was relatively his weakest attribute.

He had already made up his mind. Upon returning to the Divine Will Sect, he would gift the Sword Peng Heart Refining Technique to Senior An. With the system's feedback, he could push his spiritual sense to its absolute limit, paving the way for his breakthrough to the Nascent Soul stage. This time, he would likely remain in seclusion until he achieved that breakthrough before venturing out again.

During his time in the Golden Core stage, he hadn't encountered any worthy opponents. His top-grade magical treasures had seen no real use, lying dormant. The Black Yellow Primordial Essence Bell he had refined floated idly in his dantian, never once rung. Even his Chaos Core had yet to unleash its full power.

This left Ye Chen feeling restless, as if he were a richly dressed noble forced to wander in the dark, unseen. On his visits to the palace, he had kept an eye on its depths, hoping for some action. But aside from that one time when the Great Chu Ancestor glanced at him, the old man hadn't even spared him another look, let alone made a move.

However, Ye Chen's eyes soon lit up. After a moment's thought, he retrieved the untried war chariot from his storage bracelet. The chariot was entirely golden, forged from top-grade crimson gold. Even unactivated, it shone like a miniature sun in the sky, its surface etched with intricate divine patterns. Just looking at it evoked a sense of unrivaled dominance, as if it reigned supreme over heaven and earth.

Compared to this Heavenly Emperor War Chariot, the Northern Emperor War Chariot wasn't even fit to serve as its escort.

The moment Ye Chen summoned the chariot, two gazes locked onto him. The surrounding hundred miles dimmed instantly, as if the heavens and earth had been sealed off.

Ye Chen showed no reaction to the change. He merely patted the chariot's seat with satisfaction, sat down, and looked ahead.

Two figures had appeared before him, their eyes fixed greedily on the chariot.

Beiming Ancestor's gaze gleamed with delight. He had thought Ye Chen's gift of the Northern Emperor War Chariot to the Heavenly Evolution Holy Maiden meant he'd missed his chance. But to his shock, Ye Chen possessed an even greater treasure? Forged entirely from top-grade crimson gold, the chariot was so dazzling it could blind onlookers. Just a glance told him it was far more formidable than the Northern Emperor War Chariot.

Beside Beiming stood a middle-aged man in daoist robes, a sheathed flying sword strapped to his back. This was Zhanye Ancestor. His eyes lit up at the sight of the chariot, and he spoke immediately. "This chariot will serve as my payment for taking action."

Beiming Ancestor's face darkened at the words. It was the agreed-upon condition—Zhanye could choose one treasure, and they would study the Nether Bird Visualization Diagram together. But now, refusing wasn't an option.

Seeing Beiming Ancestor's reluctance, Ye Chen, ever considerate, decided to prevent any infighting. With a thought, he summoned the small bell from his dantian.

The moment it appeared, a crisp chime rang out, and the surrounding void shimmered, distorting like air scorched by flames. The bell circled Ye Chen once before hovering above his head, strands of Black Yellow Primordial Essence cascading down like tassels, enveloping him in a protective aura.

Both Zhanye Ancestor, who had been brimming with glee, and Beiming Ancestor, visibly displeased, froze in shock, their eyes locked on the bell. Their reaction was even more intense than when they saw the chariot.

"Is that… Black Yellow Primordial Essence?"

"And it's entirely forged from it?"

The two spoke in unison, their voices tinged with disbelief.

Their shock was understandable. Black Yellow Primordial Essence was extraordinarily rare. Even Deity Transformation or Unity-stage cultivators might never encounter it. A single wisp would thrill even a Unity-stage expert, who would treasure it dearly. Yet here, on a mere Golden Core junior, was a bell entirely crafted from this precious material? It was beyond comprehension.

Zhanye Ancestor spoke up immediately. "Forget the chariot. I'll take the bell instead."

If he could melt it down and forge it into his flying sword, making it his natal spiritual treasure, his strength would soar to new heights.

But Beiming Ancestor refused to budge. "No way. You already claimed the chariot!"

If he could integrate this much Black Yellow Primordial Essence into his North Nether Sea, he, too, would advance significantly. He wasn't about to yield.

Zhanye Ancestor's face darkened.

Beiming Ancestor's expression grew equally cold.

...

Ye Chen, observing their provincial reaction, shook his head helplessly. The chariot, infused with the spirits of the Vicious Ten and once used by the Heavenly Emperor, was worth no less than the Black Yellow Primordial Essence. These two clearly had no eye for value. And to squabble over such treasures? Their horizons were painfully narrow.

While donning his meticulously prepared top-grade spiritual artifact armor set, Ye Chen casually produced two jade slips shimmering with immortal qi. "No need to rush, gentlemen. These jade slips contain the Nascent Soul and Deity Transformation chapters of the Eternal Cosmos Sutra. They might be far more useful to you. Why bicker over some Black Yellow Primordial Essence and miss the bigger prize?"

At his words, the two, who had already begun plotting how to betray each other to claim the treasures, froze again, their eyes widening.

The immortal qi emanating from the jade slips was unmistakable—no forgery could replicate it. This kid had an Immortal Scripture? The Eternal Cosmos Sutra, no less?

Their hearts raced as they stared, consumed by desire. They wanted it. Desperately. But they weren't fools. Ye Chen's calm demeanor, his actions, and the fact that he possessed treasures even the top Holy Son of Heavenly Evolution, Hua Yunfei, couldn't dream of producing—something was off. Very off.

The two grew wary. Ye Chen must have powerful backing. Yet, with such treasures before them, their greed was impossible to suppress. If they could claim these, breaking through to the Deity Transformation stage wasn't just a dream—it was within reach.

No matter how great Ye Chen's background, it couldn't cool their fervor. Instead, their killing intent surged. The surrounding hundred miles of void was now completely sealed off.

Ye Chen paid no heed to the killing intent or actions of the two ancestors. He wasn't done showing off yet.

With a thought, two massive black wings unfurled behind him. Another thought, and the wings blazed gold, exuding a terrifying aura that filled the air. The golden feathers pierced the surrounding void with every touch.

Seeing the shocked expressions of the two ancestors, Ye Chen smiled faintly. "These are Kunpeng Wings. Not some gilded imitation, but genuine Kunpeng Wings. With them, I can go anywhere in heaven or earth. Don't let my Golden Core stage fool you—my speed with these wings far surpasses yours. They can easily break through any seal or formation, entering and exiting forbidden zones at will…"

As Ye Chen detailed the wonders of the Kunpeng Wings, the two ancestors' jaws dropped, their mouths unable to close. Worry crept into their eyes. They didn't have time to ponder which Holy Land or top-tier immortal bloodline family Ye Chen hailed from, or how he possessed a divine treasure like the Kunpeng Wings. But if what he said was true, their void seal was useless.

Beiming Ancestor reacted instantly, raising his hand. A blue stream, radiating a devouring aura, surged from his dantian, transforming into a boundless sea that reinforced the seal around them.

Zhanye Ancestor's eyes flashed as countless terrifying sword qi erupted, forming a sword array that added another layer to the lockdown, all to prevent Ye Chen's escape.

Despite their confidence, both men grew cautious. If either had been alone in this bizarre situation, they'd have fled without hesitation. But together, as Nascent Soul cultivators—a full realm above Ye Chen—they had the advantage of numbers and cultivation. They were confident they could suppress him.

Their only concern was Ye Chen's background. Still, they had a plan: kill him and flee, leaving the Great Yan Continent for another region entirely. Their escape routes were already mapped out.

Standing atop the war chariot, Ye Chen paused, deciding not to reveal more treasures. "I won't bother with the smaller stuff. Some I've already shown off before, so no need to pull them out again…"

"But Beiming Ancestor, I'm curious about something," he said, turning to the man. "You faced the Champion King and got beaten so badly you fled. Yet I dug out his Golden Core, and his soul's still waiting for you in my Human Emperor Banner. Instead of hiding, you dare stand before me? Are you really that fearless?"

At Ye Chen's words, Beiming Ancestor's face darkened, too incensed to even process the hint that Ye Chen had more treasures up his sleeve.

He was about to retort.

You're the one who got beaten by the Champion King!

He hadn't been defeated—he'd been maliciously edited in the Champion King's water mirror technique, turned into a stepping stone for the man's fame…

Chapter 285: The Power of Heavenly Emperor War Chariot

Ye Chen's tone was calm, but his words sent Beiming Ancestor into a rage.

It wasn't that he couldn't defeat the Champion King. Using a secret technique, he had refined the deadly Nether Water, shunned by most cultivators, into North Nether Water, capable of corroding even treasured physiques and artifacts.

This skill had earned him a fearsome reputation among Nascent Soul cultivators. But the Champion King's Northern Emperor War Chariot, with its Black Tortoise Spirit, happened to counter him perfectly. Plus, being in Great Chu territory, he had held back, wary of attracting the Great Chu Ancestor's attention.

Even so, he had dominated the Champion King most of the time. Yet, the Champion King had selectively preserved only the moments where Beiming was briefly suppressed, crafting them into a recording stone.

When the footage spread, Beiming Ancestor's reputation took such a hit that he couldn't bear to face his peers. He even skipped a Nascent Soul-stage trade gathering out of shame.

For prodigies, defeating someone above their realm was a badge of honor. But for the defeated, it was utter humiliation. What was a cultivator if they couldn't even beat someone of a lower realm? Behind every genius who triumphed over higher realms stood countless cultivators too ashamed to show their faces.

...

"Die!" Beiming Ancestor roared. After probing and confirming no guardian was nearby, he waved his hand, unleashing a torrent of azure North Nether Water like a cascading celestial waterfall, surging toward Ye Chen to refine him into nothingness.

Simultaneously, Zhanye Ancestor moved with intricate steps, silently appearing behind Ye Chen. With a flash of his eyes, countless terrifying sword intents materialized in the sky, raining down like a storm toward Ye Chen on the war chariot.

Both unleashed their killing moves without hesitation, wary of Ye Chen's background and eager to end the fight swiftly.

Nascent Soul cultivators were formidable, capable of influencing the heavens and earth. Their attacks carried the momentum of the world itself, instilling fear as if one stood alone against the cosmos.

But Ye Chen was unfazed. With a thought, he activated the Heavenly Emperor War Chariot beneath him. It blazed like a radiant sun, and Ye Chen, standing atop it, was bathed in the Black Yellow Primordial Essence from his bell. His black hair whipped wildly, his body glowing with crystalline light, as if he were a Heavenly Emperor reborn.

In the next moment, he charged straight toward Beiming Ancestor, completely ignoring the North Nether Sea before him.

Beiming Ancestor's expression shifted as he sensed the chariot's aura. His North Nether Sea surged even more ferociously, aiming to engulf Ye Chen.

But as the sea neared, a shadowy figure emerged on the chariot—a black-armored, eight-legged creature with an indescribably terrifying presence, too dreadful to gaze upon directly. In an instant, the entire North Nether Sea froze solid.

The chariot smashed through the sea, untouched by the corrosive waters that could erode treasured physiques and artifacts. In a blink, it reached Beiming Ancestor.

Beiming's eyes widened, filled with disbelief. That fleeting shadow—was it a Gu?

The Gu, the most peculiar of the ancient Vicious Ten. Unlike True Dragons, Phoenixes, or Qilins, whose bloodlines were innately fearsome, the Gu were mere aquatic insects, treated as fodder by other waterborne creatures, with pitifully short lifespans.

Yet in ancient times, the Gu Ancestor had defied all odds, rising to the pinnacle of the Immortal Realm with terrifying power, earning its place among the Vicious Ten. Those rare Gu that rose from obscurity were unimaginably fearsome, dreaded even by the Black Tortoise in water. And this chariot carried a Gu Spirit? How was that possible?

But what shocked Beiming Ancestor even more was yet to come. The chariot's shadow shifted again, transforming into a Kun Peng. The chariot's speed surged, accelerating dozens of times over.

Beiming Ancestor had no time to react as the chariot closed in. The Kun Peng vanished, replaced by a True Dragon shadow. The chariot's destructive force skyrocketed.

In the instant of impact, Beiming Ancestor's body exploded into a mist of blood.

In his final moment, he managed only a desperate cry: "Zhanye, save me!"

At that moment, Zhanye Ancestor's sword rain descended.

Ye Chen didn't even glance at it, completely ignoring the onslaught. The sword rain deliberately avoided the war chariot, targeting Ye Chen himself. But the moment it touched the Black Yellow Primordial Essence surrounding him, it dissolved entirely, leaving only the faint sound of water droplets falling.

Ye Chen turned the chariot, his gaze leisurely settling on Zhanye Ancestor. "You want to be the first?"

Zhanye Ancestor's face darkened. Ye Chen's treasures were absurdly powerful. His sword rain couldn't even breach the Black Yellow Primordial Essence, let alone the war chariot, which harbored three spirits of the Vicious Ten—Gu, True Dragon, and Kun Peng—in just moments. Who knew how many more were hidden within?

Despite Ye Chen being only at the Golden Core stage, this was an impossible fight.

Zhanye Ancestor felt the urge to retreat, but a sinking realization hit him—he might not be able to escape.

"How about we call it quits on this?" he blurted out, swallowing his pride in hopes of leaving alive.

Ye Chen's lips curled into a smirk. "Trying to run now that you can't win? It's not that easy. Besides, you've seen too much."

Speaking calmly, he urged the war chariot forward, charging toward Zhanye Ancestor. The Kun Peng Spirit reappeared, and the chariot's terrifying speed surged once more.

A shadow of dread passed through Zhanye Ancestor's eyes. Without hesitation, he shouted, "Sword, come!"

The sheathed longsword on his back soared into the air, unsheathing just half an inch. In an instant, a sea of terrifying sword intent swept across a hundred miles, soul-shaking in its intensity.

Zhanye Ancestor glared coldly at Ye Chen. "I have a sword, nurtured day and night. As long as it remains sheathed, it grows stronger each day. This sword has been tempered for five hundred years. Once fully drawn, it can split seas, shatter rivers, raze cities, and cleave the heavens. Even a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator would fall, and a late-stage one would be gravely wounded. I urge you to think twice. You're a prodigy, but even with these treasures, you'll be injured—perhaps your foundation will be damaged, severing your immortal path. Is it worth it?"

Ye Chen laughed, his next words igniting Zhanye Ancestor's fury. "Are you even worthy of holding a sword?"

Never had Zhanye Ancestor endured such humiliation. Unable to bear it any longer, his longsword fully unsheathed. The surrounding heavens twisted, spiritual energy boiling. A kilometer-long sword qi, capable of splitting the earth, roared down.

Under this sword intent, both Ye Chen and the Heavenly Emperor War Chariot seemed like mere ants, destined to be crushed in the next moment. The ground a kilometer below was already carved into a canyon-like sword scar by the pressure alone.

Yet Ye Chen remained calm, his gaze steady. As the sword qi descended, a delicate, swaying grass with nine leaves appeared on the war chariot. The leaves fluttered, releasing a tiny sword qi. Though small, it struck terror into Zhanye Ancestor, who had immersed himself in the way of the sword for eight hundred years.

The two forces collided. The massive, world-shattering sword qi, nurtured for three hundred years, exploded into chaos, unleashing endless torrents of energy.

But the tiny sword qi pierced through the turmoil, reaching Zhanye's flying sword and cleaving it apart inch by inch.

Zhanye Ancestor spat blood, his voice trembling with horror. "The Nine-Leaf Sword Grass Spirit?"

The Nine-Leaf Sword Grass, another of the Vicious Ten, was even more extraordinary. A mere grass, not even a spiritual one, but an ordinary plant—it was the first of its kind in the cultivation world.

Ye Chen grinned, nodding approvingly. He loved fighting those who recognized quality—it gave him a sense of accomplishment.

The war chariot didn't slow, charging forward.

Zhanye Ancestor, now utterly despairing, gasped as a realization hit him in his final moment. "This is the lost Heavenly Emperor's Vicious Ten War Chariot… You're the Heavenly Emperor's successor…"

Before he could finish, the chariot crushed him, reducing him to a mist of blood. Zhanye Ancestor was no more.

Ye Chen raised a hand, summoning the Human Emperor Banner, and deftly began collecting the soul. A Nascent Soul cultivator's soul was too valuable to waste. For a treasure like the Human Emperor Banner, which could grow infinitely stronger with powerful souls, Ye Chen spared no effort. When he reached the end of his immortal path, he'd gift it to someone. The system's feedback would surely yield something unimaginable.