ISWI Chapter 560-561

Chapter 560: Why Didn't You Take the Immortal Platform Too?

Above, the elders waited patiently, their high Mahayana composure unshaken. Yet, they occasionally glanced below, curious about what their Holy Son was up to.

A week after crushing the Heavenly Intention Holy Son, was he really entangled with the Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden? And the Fifth Nether Maiden—was she involved too? Even if so, a week seemed excessive. Was it that captivating?

The two Nether God Holy Land elders grew increasingly anxious, especially under the gaze of Heavenly Evolution's Supreme Elder, whose scrutiny unnerved them.

…

Within the array, a week passed, and Ye Chen had finished his "business." Yi Qingwu shot Su Yuxuan a displeased glance, then said to Ye Chen, "I'm leaving. Next time we meet, pick a time without interruptions for deeper… exchange."

The "interruption" was clearly Su Yuxuan, who smirked, clinging to Ye Chen's arm. "Senior Brother, Nether God Holy Land can't compare to being by your side. I'm staying with you forever, never leaving your side."

Her words made the usually haughty Yi Qingwu roll her eyes. Ye Chen knew why she was upset.

For the entire week, Su Yuxuan, despite shifting tactics and "knowledge," never budged an inch, denying Yi Qingwu any chance to "ascend the throne."

Yi Qingwu, one step from being the "main wife" with her marks, was frustrated, nearly lashing out in the final days. But, too proud to lose composure, she stayed, stubbornly holding her ground, punishing Ye Chen's silence by pressing down harder.

Ye Chen, thoroughly "sated," stayed out of it. One, it was entertaining. Two, he welcomed the dynamic. Su Yuxuan's 2,500x multiplier, now capped at double (5,000x), couldn't critical hit.

But Yi Qingwu's 2,500x could, making her his prime focus. He anticipated gifting her origins to boost his physique. The Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo was strong, but sharing the spotlight with the Chaos Body irked him. With a system, he shouldn't be rivaled—his physique needed to be unique, perhaps an Innate Chaos Sacred Body or an Immortal Body. Crushing others was his style; parity wasn't.

Before sweeping the cultivation world, he didn't want Yi Qingwu to lose her critical hit potential. Her refining Ying Tiansheng's origin would boost her physique and multiplier. Her current 2,500x hadn't risen because she hadn't fully refined the origin before rushing to feed him osmanthus spiritual liquid.

Once refined, Ye Chen estimated her multiplier would hit at least 3,000x. Nurturing her to an Acquired Chaos Body could push it to 5,000x or more. With such prospects, he didn't want her cultivation disrupted. Su Yuxuan's actions aligned perfectly with his goals, earning his silent applause.

Hearing the fiancée's words, Ye Chen frowned. "With so many Supreme Elders and the Heavenly Intention Holy Son dead, you're still returning to Heavenly Intention Holy Land? I'm worried they'll resent you. Stay at Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. I guarantee you'll get ten, a hundred times the resources."

He didn't want her to go back. Her betrayal was blatant. Losing five Mahayana elders was a crippling blow to any holy land—they'd be furious.

Yi Qingwu, despite her frustration with Ye Chen's indecision and failure to push away the barefoot Su Yuxuan, smiled at his concern, shaking her head. "My clan is at Heavenly Intention. I can't betray them. Nor do I need to. You and Heavenly Evolution Holy Land killed the elders and Ying Tiansheng. I survived because you coveted my beauty and spared me. I'll tell the Holy Land that Ying Tiansheng passed me the Devouring Heaven Demon Art and his origin before dying. I'll cultivate diligently to avenge him. With him gone, no one in Heavenly Intention rivals my talent. To compete for the immortal path, even if some suspect me, they'll have to rely on me. All resources will flow to me first. I must return."

Her words were calm, logical. Ye Chen nodded after a moment's thought. She was clever; he needn't worry. The holy lands were close—if he craved her or had gifts, they could meet in Great Shang Immortal City. Their secret rendezvous wouldn't be exposed—everyone knew he adored her.

But then, his expression froze. With Ying Tiansheng dead, would others think he killed him to steal Yi Qingwu? Her returning to vow revenge would paint him as a desperate, spurned suitor. The more he thought, the likelier it seemed. Sighing, he braced for the blame.

…

Yi Qingwu glanced at Su Yuxuan, smirking. "You say Ye Chen gave you his eyes, heart, and Golden Core? When he reaches Mahayana, why not ask for his Immortal Platform too?"

Su Yuxuan laughed. "If my Immortal Platform shatters, Senior Brother would give me his."

Yi Qingwu scoffed, mocking her stubbornness. Glancing at Ye Chen, who silently stared at the sky, she didn't press him to clarify. With a meaningful chuckle, her white robes fluttered, hair swaying, figure shrouded in moonlight as she drifted away.

Above, Heavenly Evolution's elders saw her but stayed silent, letting her leave. Who didn't know she was their Holy Son's beloved?

Chapter 561: Parting

Watching Yi Qingwu's departing figure, Ye Chen's eyes held complex emotions. After today, who knew what his reputation would become? But what could he do, stuck with this "simp" system?

Sighing inwardly, the system flashed, displaying its name: Gift-Offering Bonding System. Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. After years, he finally learned its name.

"Senior Brother, you keep staring at her back. Reluctant to let her go? Are you blaming me for not yielding? I wanted to, but I felt uneasy. You'll forgive my little tantrum, right? If you're mad, next time I'll swap places with her, okay?"

Su Yuxuan, noticing his distraction, unleashed her coy charm. Ye Chen's lips twitched. He glanced at her, appreciating her week-long steadfastness—likely exhausting, even for a cultivator's resilience. Patting his little helper, he said gently, "I'm not mad. I only feel for you."

Her smile widened, humming triumphantly at Yi Qingwu's back. Compete with me? If not for Nether God Holy Land's internal opportunities and the First Nether Son's death promising more benefits, she'd cling to Ye Chen endlessly, leaving Yi Qingwu no chance.

They exited the array's lowest layer.

Ye Chen stored the array disc and asked, "Come back to Heavenly Evolution Holy Land with me?"

Su Yuxuan shook her head. "I want to stay with you, Senior Brother, but materials for the Master's body are only in the Central Continent. Master's grace is immense. Without her, I'd have died long ago, never reaching today. Despite my reluctance, I must part with you."

Her tearful, reluctant eyes didn't surprise Ye Chen. Nearby, Manjusaka, her master, was touched, feeling she'd chosen the right disciple.

"Huh, the Three Yin True Water?"

Su Yuxuan glanced at its spawning spot, stunned—it was gone. Manjusaka transmitted that a Nether God elder, leading a charge when Heavenly Evolution's elders arrived, had snatched it.

Su Yuxuan's lips twitched. Heavenly Evolution's conduct seemed questionable. Three Yin True Water, vital for enhancing domains, was once common in the Emperor's era but now rare post-Immortal Realm isolation, its value skyrocketing. For Manjusaka, it was essential for crafting a perfect body—its absence would weaken the result.

Deeply grateful to her master, Su Yuxuan clung to Ye Chen's arm, cooing, "Senior Brother, that water's crucial for Master's body… She gave her all for me. Besides staying with you, my biggest wish is to craft her a perfect body. Can you help me, please?"

Ye Chen ignored her coy act, transmitting to the Holy Master. Soon, a Supreme Elder nodded, smiling warmly, and flicked a jade bottle to Ye Chen. Holy Land rules dictated shared spoils based on strength, contributions, or treasures.

Ye Chen taking it for gifting broke protocol. But the elders had heard of his Great Yang Dynasty ruins stunt—hogging loot but compensating with spirit stones, Enlightenment Tea leaves, and even hundreds of Soul-Swaying Divine Stones for an elder's less-gifted junior.

Generous, grateful, and supremely talented—beating peers like eating or drinking, with potential to ascend. Who wouldn't adore such a junior? Plus, they craved more tea.

Ye Chen easily reclaimed the Three Yin True Water, making Su Yuxuan and Manjusaka's eyes light up. Manjusaka was especially thrilled—it was a key material for her body's reconstruction, bringing her closer to her goal.

Su Yuxuan, seeing Ye Chen secure such a treasure with a word, marveled at his lofty Holy Son status—far surpassing the First Nether Son's trembling before Supreme Elders.

"Senior Brother, you're amazing! I'm so impressed…"

Su Yuxuan clasped her hands, waiting for Ye Chen to hand over the water. But he didn't glance at her, instead striding toward Manjusaka, speaking earnestly, "Thanks to Senior's protection, Yuxuan survived this danger and recovered. I'm deeply grateful. This is my token of thanks—may Senior soon restore your body. If you need materials for it, come to me. With my share of the Heavenly Emperor's legacy, I'll help however I can."

He presented the Three Yin True Water with both hands, solemnly. Manjusaka's heart stirred with mixed emotions. She'd disapproved of Ye Chen's earlier antics with two women, thinking he disrespected them.

But his sincere gratitude for saving Yuxuan shifted her view—perhaps he simply cared deeply, unwilling to let either feel neglected. The Three Yin True Water, valuable for enhancing his Unity realm domain, was given without hesitation. His earnest promise, backed by his formidable strength and the Emperor's legacy, felt genuine. He might truly aid her in the future. His actions and attitude deeply touched her, softening her gaze.

Softly, she said, "This is vital to me. Thank you, Holy Son."

Nearby, Su Yuxuan, hands still clasped, squinted, sensing something off…