ISWI Chapter 279-281

Chapter 279: Heavenly Evolution Holy Land Is My Home!

The news of the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's Holy Son and Holy Maiden possibly attending the ceremony prompted Ye Chen to stay. He wanted to see if the Holy Land's reputation was as formidable as the rumors suggested.

During that week, numerous factions within the Great Chu Dynasty reached out to Ye Chen, extending invitations. His strength was undeniable—killing the Champion King while only at mid-Golden Core spoke volumes about his potential. Many were eager to build ties with him.

But Ye Chen had no intention of remaining in Great Chu, so he had little patience for their posturing and declined every offer outright.

A week later, he received an invitation. Li Feihuang would officially ascend the throne today. The coronation ceremony was to be held within the Great Chu Palace.

As Ye Chen entered the palace, he found it teeming with powerful figures—city lords, officials, clan leaders from across the dynasty, and even experts from other factions. His assigned seat was strikingly prominent, right in the front row.

This row was reserved for the heads of the four major families, like the Wang family, as well as major city lords and Li clan elders. For Ye Chen, who held no official power or status in the capital, to be seated here drew sidelong glances from the crowd. It was clear to all that the Princess held him in high regard. Once she ascended the throne, Ye Chen's status would surely soar.

Yet the memory of Ye Chen digging out the Champion King's Golden Core and refining his soul into the Human Emperor Banner lingered in their minds. His strength alone earned him the right to sit here. So, despite their private thoughts, everyone offered Ye Chen polite smiles.

Ye Chen merely glanced at them, unbothered. He sat down, casually eating spiritual fruit, and waited leisurely for the arrival of the Holy Son and Holy Maiden.

As the coronation ceremony was about to begin, a magnificent skyship descended slowly from the void, its hull shimmering with boundless divine light, like a radiant sun, captivating every onlooker. A massive yin-yang fish flag fluttered atop the skyship, proclaiming its origin.

...

Heavenly Evolution Holy Land.

In the cultivation world, Holy Lands stood as the most transcendent forces. Each had once produced an immortal-level existence, their foundations, legacies, and number of powerhouses far surpassing anything the outside world could imagine.

Even though the skyship hovered directly above the imperial palace—a gesture that could be seen as disrespectful to the Great Chu Dynasty—no one present minded in the slightest.

Soon, two figures gracefully descended from the skyship. The capital's protective array parted automatically to accommodate them.

Elders of the royal clan hurried forward, ushering the pair to the seats of honor. Even the most revered elders of Great Chu had no right to sit beside them. Instead, they stood respectfully, explaining something to the newcomers with utmost deference.

Ye Chen observed from a distance. The two arrivals were strikingly young. That the mere presence of the Holy Son and Holy Maiden—not even a sect leader or supreme elder—commanded such reverence from Great Chu spoke volumes about the Holy Land's authority.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow as he studied them.

First, the man. He was extraordinarily handsome, with long hair cascading down his back, exuding an air of refined elegance. He carried no arrogance, his face adorned with a warm, approachable smile.

Yet no one dared to underestimate him. Every casual gesture carried a profound, mysterious charm that drew every eye. Above his head hovered a golden halo, radiating divine light, making him appear even more extraordinary, like a divine emperor.

Simply sitting there, scanning the surroundings, he exuded an aura akin to the Emperor Star touring the heavens, a god-king on inspection. His presence was overwhelming, leaving even Ye Chen in awe.

Was this the Holy Son of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land? Unlike the Champion King's forced air of invincibility, this man radiated effortless supremacy.

Ye Chen hesitated to use his Heavy Pupil to probe him, wary of being detected. He couldn't help but marvel inwardly: Our Heavenly Evolution Holy Land is truly formidable.

Beside the Holy Son sat a stunning woman in a purple palace dress, her demeanor serene. Her figure was flawless, her poise impeccable, as if she were a living painting. Her beauty was breathtaking.

More strikingly, spiritual energy swirled around her, nearly condensing into mist. She seemed like a sprite born of the heavens and earth—ethereal and pure. Her expression betrayed no emotion, as if she were a detached, desireless immortal, lofty and untouchable.

The moment Ye Chen's gaze fell on the woman, a system notification rang in his mind: "Dantai Xuan: 2,000x feedback multiplier!"

His eyes lit up instantly.

A base multiplier of 2,000?

That was 1,500 times higher than even the highest multipliers he'd encountered, like those of the Little Demoness or Li Feihuang. Even at its base level, this feedback rivaled the critical rewards of most female cultivators. And if she triggered a critical hit? Ye Chen couldn't even fathom what a 2,000x multiplier critical hit would yield.

For a Holy Maiden to casually have such a high multiplier—what about the others? What about the Ancestor? The Supreme Elders? Could there be even higher multipliers?

In that moment, Ye Chen had only one thought. Whether it was the Green Cloud Sect, the Divine Will Sect, or the Great Chu Dynasty, they were merely stops on his journey. Heavenly Evolution Holy Land was his true destination. He had to break through to the Nascent Soul stage as soon as possible and join the Holy Land. He already possessed the Holy Son token, which might grant him entry.

But he'd learned that Heavenly Evolution Holy Land required its Holy Sons and Holy Maidens to be at the Nascent Soul stage. If he entered now, still at Golden Core, even with the token, complications could arise. The last thing he needed was some clichéd drama where his Holy Son status got stripped away. Better to wait until he reached Nascent Soul before heading to Heavenly Evolution Holy Land.

Just then, exclamations erupted around him.

"Born with a golden halo, peerless talent, possessing a Heavenly Spirit Root and the Divine King Body—Hua Yunfei, the top Holy Son of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, has actually deigned to attend?"

"They say Hua Yunfei's cultivation has already reached the late Deity Transformation stage, just a step away from the Unity realm."

"He's rumored to have single-handedly suppressed the Northern Sea Demon Clan."

"There's even talk he inherited the legacy of an ancient immortal."

The crowd buzzed with discussion, recognizing the man's identity. That golden halo above his head was too distinctive. The Holy Maiden's identity was soon revealed as well.

"That's Dantai Xuan, the top Holy Maiden of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land!"

"Her cultivation is at mid-Deity Transformation, but her combat strength is unbelievably formidable."

"Incredible, truly incredible. To think the top Holy Son and Holy Maiden would come."

"It shows the weight Great Chu carries…"

The people of Great Chu beamed with pride as the discussions continued. After all, within Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's sphere of influence, whenever a major power underwent a change in leadership, they would invite the Holy Land to observe.

Most of the time, only an elder would attend. Having a Holy Son or Holy Maiden show up was already worth bragging about. But for both to arrive—and the most illustrious ones at that? It demonstrated just how much importance Heavenly Evolution Holy Land placed on Great Chu.

This was true prestige!

Chapter 280: The Opportunity Has Arrived!

The arrival of Hua Yunfei and Dantai Xuan elevated Li Feihuang's coronation ceremony to new heights of grandeur, drawing the awe of all present.

When the auspicious hour arrived, Li Feihuang made her entrance. Clad in imperial robes that accentuated her graceful figure, she exuded an air of unparalleled dignity. Her vibrant red hair was elegantly styled, and her stunning face carried a trace of regal authority.

With an indifferent gaze, Li Feihuang walked along the red carpet, each step bringing her closer to the throne. As the first female emperor in the history of the Great Chu Dynasty, this moment was profoundly historic.

The atmosphere was solemn and reverent.

Only Ye Chen, seated in the front row, seemed detached, his thoughts wandering. From time to time, his eyes flicked toward Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's Holy Maiden, Dantai Xuan.

It wasn't lust.

Her eyes were cold, devoid of emotion or desire, as if she were a towering iceberg. No matter how beautiful, she inspired no profane thoughts.

No, Ye Chen's obsession was purely practical—a 2,000x feedback multiplier. Even a standard reward at that level would be phenomenal. And if it triggered a critical hit? It would be an outright explosion of fortune!

The problem was her cultivation. She wasn't just Nascent Soul—she was at the Deity Transformation stage. With such a vast gap in their cultivation, how could he possibly cozy up to her?

Besides, Hua Yunfei had arrived alongside Dantai Xuan. Though they showed no overt intimacy, who knew if they were Dao companions?

Ye Chen was confident, but he wasn't suicidal. Hua Yunfei was a mere step away from the Unity realm and had single-handedly subdued an entire sea of demon clans. Provoking someone like that was a death wish.

For now, Ye Chen was content knowing the true caliber of the Holy Land. His plan was simple: offer Li Feihuang a congratulatory gift, trigger a reward, and then return to the Divine Will Sect to prepare for his Nascent Soul breakthrough.

At last, under the watchful eyes of countless onlookers, Li Feihuang ascended the throne and donned the imperial crown. Gems cascaded from the crown, shimmering with the concentrated fortune of the Great Chu Dynasty, lending her an air of mystical transformation.

Moments later, she rose and spoke in a clear, resonant voice: "I, Li Feihuang, blessed by the favor of my ancestors, ascend the throne today. I vow to ensure the eternal prosperity of our Great Chu Dynasty…"

After delivering a series of ceremonial blessings, she bowed toward the direction of the Ancestor's seclusion, then to the ancestral shrines, and finally to the Holy Son and Holy Maiden of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land.

"Your presence, esteemed Holy Son and Holy Maiden, brings immense honor to our Great Chu Dynasty," she said. "We are deeply grateful. Regrettably, our Ancestor is in seclusion and cannot personally welcome such distinguished guests."

Ye Chen, listening, couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Since becoming empress, Li Feihuang's overconfidence seemed to have tempered somewhat. At least she showed proper respect to the Holy Son and Holy Maiden of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. Seeing her attitude improve brought Ye Chen a touch of satisfaction.

On the viewing platform, Dantai Xuan gave a slight bow to Li Feihuang, her expression as cold and impassive as ever.

Hua Yunfei, however, rose with a warm smile, his golden halo flashing with divine light. "No need for such formality, Fellow Daoist Li," he said. "When I was in the Eastern Sea, I slew a Unity-realm demon beast with a trace of phoenix blood in its veins. It may be of some benefit to you. Let this be Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's congratulatory gift."

Despite being on the cusp of the Deity Transformation realm, Hua Yunfei's demeanor was as gentle as a spring breeze. His gracious attitude left countless cultivators in awe of his peerless charm. With a wave of his hand, a massive shadow loomed over the palace.

It was the corpse of an enormous avian demon beast, stretching over a thousand meters, casting the grand plaza in darkness. Though merely a corpse, it radiated an intimidating aura.

Golden Core cultivators paled instantly under its pressure, while Foundation Establishment cultivators trembled uncontrollably. Some even dropped to their knees.

"Is that the Purple Phoenix Great Sage of the Northern Sea?"

"The Purple Phoenix Great Sage is dead?"

The sight of the beast's corpse sent a wave of shock through the Great Chu Palace. The Unity realm was a lofty pinnacle. Any demon beast reaching that level was deemed a Demon Sage.

The Purple Phoenix Great Sage had ravaged the Northern Sea for nearly three thousand years, its unmatched resilience and combat strength making it invincible among its peers.

Yet it had fallen to Hua Yunfei, a Holy Son who hadn't even reached the Unity realm. The feat was staggering. In comparison, Ye Chen's slaying of the Champion King suddenly seemed far less impressive.

After all, in the cultivation world, the higher the realm, the greater the gap between even minor stages, let alone major ones. And as cultivation advanced, with more techniques at one's disposal, defeating an opponent of the same realm was one thing—killing them was exponentially harder.

For Hua Yunfei to cross realms and slay a Unity-realm Demon Sage at the Deity Transformation stage was nothing short of terrifying.

The corpse of a Unity-realm demon beast was incomparably precious. Yet Hua Yunfei had given it away so casually. It was almost unbelievable. Such generosity left the crowd staring at him with even greater awe and admiration. Truly, he was the one foretold by the Holy Land's Supreme Elder to be destined for immortality—a figure of unmatched grace and peerless elegance.

Li Feihuang expressed her earnest gratitude. The Great Chu clan elders moved to collect the corpse for the treasury but found they couldn't even approach it.

Hua Yunfei smiled lightly. "My oversight," he said.

With a flick of his finger, the corpse shrank instantly, its aura sealed within. The clan elders smoothly transported it to the treasury. Hua Yunfei's grand gift sent the atmosphere soaring once more.

Li Feihuang, basking in the prestige it brought, radiated even greater brilliance. When the ceremony finally concluded, palace attendants flowed like a stream, serving banquets to the guests.

Many cultivators began mingling, seizing the opportunity to network. Even in the cultivation world, social connections were vital. It wasn't just about fighting and killing—human relationships mattered.

Rare elixirs were hard to come by, but knowing a top alchemist could secure a steady supply. Exploring ruins or secret realms often required allies when one's own strength fell short. And if a feud arose, having friends to back you up was essential. For cultivators, a strong network was invaluable.

Naturally, plenty of cultivators gravitated toward Ye Chen. Though he didn't shine as brightly as Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's Holy Son, Hua Yunfei, and their cultivation levels were worlds apart, Hua Yunfei was too lofty for ordinary cultivators to approach.

Ye Chen, with his astonishing combat prowess and True Dragon Treasure Technique, was well worth befriending. But Ye Chen was bored and uninterested, planning only to present Li Feihuang with a final gift once the event ended. He intended to give her his war chariot. It might even speed up his return to the Divine Will Sect.

As for Dantai Xuan, he stopped stealing glances at her. There was no chance to cozy up to her now—better to wait for the future. On the elevated platform, Hua Yunfei, bathed in golden divine light, smiled as he declined gifts from the Great Chu clan.

Turning to Dantai Xuan, he said warmly, "Dantai, shall we go?"

Dantai Xuan shook her head calmly. "I have matters to attend to."

Her serene gaze settled on Ye Chen from afar, and a melodious yet emotionless voice rang out: "Ye Chen, I've heard you possess the Northern Emperor's War Chariot, which contains a fragment of a Vermilion Bird Spirit. That spirit is useful to me for cultivating a certain technique. Are you willing to trade?"

As Dantai Xuan's voice echoed, the bustling palace fell silent. All eyes turned to Ye Chen.

Hua Yunfei, hearing her words, gave a faint smile, as if something had just clicked.

Ye Chen's eyes lit up at once.

Chapter 281: The Dual Spirit Transformation and the Vicious Ten

Ye Chen had initially thought there was no chance to make a move. So, he let it go. His plan was to give the war chariot to Li Feihuang, hoping to trigger a better reward, and then ride it back to the Divine Will Sect. But now, an opportunity had presented itself? The Spirit of the Vermilion Bird was actually beneficial to Dantai Xuan?

The Vermilion Bird might not rank among the Vicious Ten, but it was one of the Five Sacred Beasts, only slightly inferior to the Vicious Ten in prestige. The main difference was that its lineage hadn't produced a supreme powerhouse at the pinnacle of the Immortal Realm, unlike the Vicious Ten. Moreover, the Vermilion Bird clan was nearly extinct due to the difficulty of producing offspring.

The Champion King had never unleashed his full strength before. It was only when he clashed with Ye Chen that the spirits of the Vermilion Bird and Black Tortoise within the war chariot were activated, revealing to the world that two of the Four Spirits still remained. Even in its damaged state, the Spirit of the Vermilion Bird was unimaginably precious.

As for trading it?

Absolutely not.

Ye Chen wouldn't trade it—he'd give it away outright. And just the Spirit of the Vermilion Bird? No way. He'd throw in the entire war chariot!

Otherwise, people might think Ye Chen couldn't afford to be generous.

At that moment, Ye Chen, now the center of everyone's attention, showed no trace of hesitation. He soared into the air, landing before Dantai Xuan. "No need for a trade. The Northern Emperor War Chariot is of no use to me. I'll give it to you, Senior, as a gift."

Originally, Ye Chen had planned to give it to Li Feihuang without expecting a critical hit. Now, though he had a chance to present it to Dantai Xuan, her cultivation was far too high, and the gap in their statuses was vast. He didn't dare hope for a critical hit from this gesture either.

Still, a two-thousand-fold return—fifteen hundred times better than what he'd get from Li Feihuang—was more than satisfactory. Besides, with such a stark difference in strength, it wasn't wise to play games or push his luck. He didn't want to overstep and ruin things.

So, Ye Chen acted decisively. With his words, he retrieved the Northern Emperor War Chariot from his storage bracelet and sent it floating toward Dantai Xuan.

Dantai Xuan listened to his words without a hint of surprise, joy, or any other emotion crossing her face. Her expression wasn't cold, but rather one of serene indifference, as if nothing in the world could stir her heart. She simply nodded calmly. "Thank you, Fellow Daoist."

In the next moment, she extended a hand as radiant and flawless as jade, effortlessly collecting the Northern Emperor War Chariot.

In Ye Chen's mind, the system's notification chimed instantly: "Congratulations, Host, on successfully gifting the item!"

"Two-thousand-fold feedback in progress…"

"Feedback complete!"

"Reward: Heavenly Emperor War Chariot!"

"Long ago, during the Heavenly Emperor's Great Ascension period, he slew ten Great Ascension-stage demon beasts of the Vicious Ten lineage. With their souls, he forged the Heavenly Emperor War Chariot, a vehicle that roamed the four corners of the world. After the Heavenly Emperor ascended to immortality, the chariot vanished, its whereabouts unknown."

"The Heavenly Emperor War Chariot possesses boundless wonders. Infused with the soul power of the Vicious Ten, it wields unparalleled might. No place is beyond its reach, no obstacle impervious to its force…"

Reading the description, Ye Chen's heart surged with joy. As expected, there was no critical hit, but the rewarded item far exceeded his imagination. The original chariot, powered by the dual spirits of sacred beasts—and damaged ones at that—had been transformed into a war chariot imbued with the souls of the Vicious Ten. The difference was staggering, almost impossible to fathom.

Most crucially, who was the original owner of the previous chariot? The Northern Emperor? A figure who hadn't even successfully broken through to the Great Ascension stage. But the new chariot's original owner? That was the Heavenly Emperor! Despite both bearing the title of "Emperor," they were leagues apart.

The Heavenly Emperor was the most renowned immortal in human history. During the Ancient Immortal Era, he raised the banner of human resistance. Almost single-handedly, he pulled humanity from the abyss, slaying countless powerhouses from the myriad races. Immortal Sovereigns fell, their blood flowing like rivers.

Legend held that for thousands of years, from the moment the Heavenly Emperor embarked on the path of immortality, he never rested. He relentlessly cut down the myriad races. After ascending to immortality, true immortals of those races fell like weeds before him. The skies of the cultivation world were stained red, with blood rain falling daily.

It could be said that the Heavenly Emperor was a figure who suppressed the myriad races with his own strength. Only someone of his caliber would dare to forge a war chariot with the souls of the Vicious Ten.

Though these were not the original Vicious Ten but their Great Ascension-stage descendants, even that was extraordinary. If anyone else had attempted such a feat, their grave would likely have been dug the moment the chariot was completed.

This showed just how precious the chariot was. In the entire cultivation world, there was likely only one war chariot infused with the spirits of the Vicious Ten. This gift had truly been a massive win.

With the chariot now given away, Ye Chen felt there was no need to even meet Li Feihuang afterward. He could simply depart and test the speed of the Heavenly Emperor War Chariot.

Seeing Ye Chen so readily give away the Northern Emperor War Chariot, the crowd was visibly stunned. The dual spirits were incredibly precious.

And the recipient? A Holy Maiden from a Holy Land, someone with immense wealth and resources. If she wanted something, as long as it wasn't too outrageous, she could almost certainly acquire it through trade. Yet Ye Chen had handed over the entire chariot without a moment's hesitation?

That was almost absurd.

On the sidelines, Hua Yunfei cracked a smile. He had initially been puzzled as to why Dantai Xuan, of all people, would personally take on the task of attending a ceremony at a minor power like the Great Chu Dynasty.

For a place of their caliber, sending any Holy Son or Holy Maiden would already be considered a high honor. A Nascent Soul-stage elder would have been the norm. Now, it was clear. She had come for the Spirit of the Vermilion Bird.

Hua Yunfei had heard about the events in the Great Chu Dynasty before arriving. This Ye Chen was indeed a prodigy, one who would stand out even in a place like the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land.

Watching Dantai Xuan accept the chariot with a simple thank you, Hua Yunfei's smile widened. He turned to Ye Chen. "Your cultivation is robust, your vitality far surpassing others of your level. Breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage is only a matter of time. As a gesture, I'll gift you this 'Sword Peng Heart Refining Technique' to help you perfect your divine soul.

"When breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, the strength of your divine soul directly affects the quality of your Nascent Soul. With this technique and your talent, you may have a chance to form a top-grade Immortal Nascent Soul!"

With that, a jade slip floated toward Ye Chen.

The crowd erupted in astonishment. Countless cultivators stared at Ye Chen with envy. The Sword Peng Heart Refining Technique was a heaven-tier treasure art, capable of continuously tempering and rapidly enhancing the divine soul during cultivation.

The strength of one's divine soul was critical when breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage. The stronger the soul, the more vibrant and spirited the Nascent Soul would be.

Most cultivators could only form a Mortal Nascent Soul. Only prodigies could achieve an Immortal Nascent Soul. And a top-grade Immortal Nascent Soul? That was the stuff of dreams for cultivators. Even in a Holy Land, fewer than ten people in a generation might achieve it.

Yet Hua Yunfei, a Holy Son, had casually offered a treasure art that could pave the way to a top-grade Immortal Nascent Soul. His generosity was awe-inspiring.

The crowd suddenly understood why Ye Chen had been so magnanimous. Haggling with a Holy Son or Holy Maiden might have risked their displeasure. By giving the chariot outright, Ye Chen ensured they wouldn't shortchange him. Instead, they rewarded him with an even more valuable treasure.

This realization made the heads of families like the Wang Clan frown. They had initially pegged Ye Chen as a reckless upstart, merely Li Feihuang's muscle, someone they could easily deal with in the future. Now, it was clear he was far more calculating than they'd thought.

...

Hearing this, Ye Chen grinned and nodded respectfully. "Thank you, Senior!" He had no complaints whatsoever.

Hua Yunfei bore him no ill will and carried none of the condescending airs one might expect. He'd even described the technique as a "gift" rather than a "bestowal."

Ye Chen wasn't some arrogant hothead who needed to outshine every other man. He appreciated Hua Yunfei's generosity with genuine gratitude.

Not only had he obtained the Heavenly Emperor War Chariot, but now he'd also received the Sword Peng Heart Refining Technique. He'd struck it rich. His next move? Gift the technique to Senior An and see if he could trigger an even better reward.

This Senior Brother Hua was truly magnanimous. It was a pity he was a man. If he were a woman, the reward multiplier might have been even higher than Dantai Xuan's.

But regardless, Ye Chen had decided—this Senior Brother was someone worth befriending!