ISWI Chapter 550-552

Chapter 550: Ye Chen Has a Small World?

The First Nether Son was weak only against Ye Chen. In Central Continent, he held his own.

After devouring his origin, Ying Tiansheng's aura transformed, rising significantly. He glared at Ye Chen coldly, battle intent surging, ready to fight.

Ye Chen smiled faintly. His body shot forward, not to kill Ying Tiansheng but to cripple him. He'd planned the gifting order: Su Yuxuan needed origin to recover. Yi Qingwu would devour Ying Tiansheng for revenge. For himself, he'd first gift his own origin. His Myriad Star Body, gained from refining the Myriad Star Fire, was system-independent and could trigger feedback. Then, gifting Ying Tiansheng would elevate him further. This maximized benefits.

First, let the little demoness absorb him, then gift Ying Tiansheng to Yi Qingwu. A perfect plan for takeoff. Two gifts would drastically upgrade his Myriad Star Body. A Sacred Body was just the start—something greater wasn't far off.

The Heavenly Emperor once said his physique was lacking. Next time, he'd give the Emperor a big surprise. Though he didn't know what the Emperor was up to, surely he wouldn't be "busy" next meeting. They could fight properly, letting Ye Chen become the man who crushed the Emperor at the same realm.

As Ye Chen closed in on Ying Tiansheng, his spirit sense stirred, pupils shrinking. The Kun Peng Treasure Technique erupted, and he retreated sharply. In that instant, the island below exploded, a divine beam blasting out, piercing where Ye Chen had stood. The void turned to nothingness.

Yi Qingwu's face showed shock and worry. The beam was too terrifying—Unity realm cultivators would die instantly. What was that?

A figure rose slowly from beneath the island, charging at Ye Chen. Yi Qingwu's pupils shrank. Who else but Fang Qing? Ying Tiansheng had said Fang Qing was busy in the Central Continent, not with them. Yet he'd been hiding under the island, unnoticed for who knows how long.

Ying Tiansheng, who'd been acting, smirked. Heavenly Evolution Holy Land had too many Supreme Elders above. If they'd noticed early, they might've saved Ye Chen. So he'd endured Ye Chen's taunts, biding his time.

Now, it was over. Against a Mahayana existence, Ye Chen would fall in half a breath. Heavenly Evolution Holy Land couldn't react in time.

Ying Tiansheng grinned with satisfaction. He glanced at the fiancée, seeing her stunning face filled with uncertainty. He gave her a gentle smile, signaling not to worry. He'd hidden Fang Qing because he suspected Ye Chen held leverage over her, threatening her.

With Ye Chen's shamelessness, he might've said, "You don't want your fiancé's reputation ruined…"

To protect his name, she'd yielded to Ye Chen. Even if she leaked secrets, he didn't blame her. It was all Ye Chen's fault. Once Ye Chen died, they'd have a fresh start.

Turning back, Ying Tiansheng prepared to watch Ye Chen's demise. Once dead, he'd devour everything—Ye Chen's Heavy Pupil and Primordial Supreme Heart would send him soaring, far beyond the Nether God Body.

"Die!"

Fang Qing smirked coldly. He loved crushing geniuses, especially ones like Ye Chen. Moreover, the young master had sensed Ying Tiansheng's suspicions and planned to harvest him early, soon arriving in the Great Yan Continent. To prove his worth and secure a place in the Immortal Sect, Fang Qing needed to fatten Ying Tiansheng. To avoid complications, he didn't hesitate, activating the Movement Secret to kill Ye Chen instantly, even though he was only early Unity realm. This time, he triggered a small-scale time stop, sneering as he moved to crush Ye Chen.

But his eyebrow twitched. While Ying Tiansheng and Yi Qingwu were affected, Ye Chen moved fluidly, retreating again with the Movement Secret. Ye Chen had it too?

Not surprising—the Heavenly Emperor had it, so his heir might. But Fang Qing wasn't worried. The gap between Mahayana and Unity was vast—thousands, tens of thousands of times greater. No comparison. Even with the Movement Secret, could Ye Chen match his speed?

Sneering, Fang Qing lunged again.

Above, Heavenly Evolution Holy Land reacted. Mo Yixi and Feng Baiyu charged toward him. He had to suppress Ye Chen now.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow at Fang Qing's approach, tempted to test Mahayana techniques. With Elder Mo and the Holy Master nearing, he could take a risk. But he chose caution. His future was boundless, his physique about to advance. Why clash head-on? A slight injury could affect his gifting, lowering his physique feedback—a huge loss. So, he gave Fang Qing a cold glance, opting for a dignified retreat.

A void portal opened behind him. Ye Chen stepped in. As it appeared, Fang Qing's eyes widened. He sensed a small world's aura. A small world! Ye Chen controlled a world fragment, a self-contained space of unimaginable value.

Crucially, small worlds aided Mahayana cultivation. Mahayana required vast world energy, upgrading domains to cave heavens, drawing endless power to enhance realm, strength, and combat ability. If he claimed it, he'd advance further, boosting his status in the Devouring Lineage. Ye Chen, the Heavenly Emperor's heir, was truly favored by the Heavenly Emperor Hall to receive such a treasure early.

As the portal shrank, about to vanish, Fang Qing spared no cost, moving like blazing lightning at maximum speed. He squeezed half his body into the small world at the last moment. His eyes gleamed with delight. Inside, he could easily suppress Ye Chen, refine the small world, and claim it. Laughing, he entered fully—and his eyes widened further.

The small world was a fairyland. Countless floating immortal mountains, rich in foundation. Its spiritual energy surpassed most holy lands. Most shocking was the immortal root aura permeating the air. One breath made his body feel invigorated. A small world with an immortal root? He was about to strike it rich!

Following the aura, he looked toward the central peak. Rubbing his eyes, he doubted his sight. On the immortal peak, there wasn't just one immortal root! How was this possible? The missing immortal roots—had the Heavenly Emperor really hidden them all?

Chapter 551: Where's My Big Protector?

As a Mahayana elder of the Devouring Lineage, Fang Qing had seen it all. No grand scene fazed him. But entering Ye Chen's small world left him utterly shocked, his eyes questioning reality itself. Immortal roots—everywhere!

True Dragon Undying Herb, True Phoenix Undying Herb, Qilin Undying Herb, Sacred Peach Tree, Enlightenment Tea, Moon Laurel Immortal Tree…

The more he saw, the wider his eyes grew, his excitement soaring. But at the center, his fervor froze. A golden divine tree, radiant like a sun, each branch gleaming like molten gold. Another immortal root, but its aura was terrifying, making even a Mahayana cultivator like him tremble, feeling insignificant.

The Fusang Divine Tree!

Fang Qing nearly roared, overwhelmed by its legendary aura. Glancing at Ye Chen, smiling atop the sun-like tree, Fang Qing instinctively looked back, hoping for an escape.

Futile.

Looking up, he spotted more. A massive bronze coffin, exuding an ancient aura, floated in the sky, as if an ancient god slumbered within. Below it, a blood-red saber radiated terrifying immortal killing intent.

An immortal weapon! Ye Chen had an immortal weapon?

Beneath it, a sword and a golden staff, both exuding fearsome auras. Extreme Dao Weapons!

Many Mahayana cultivators lacked even one, yet Ye Chen had two. With his experience, Fang Qing recognized them instantly: The Heavenly Emperor Sword, the Compliant Golden-Hooped Rod! Both top-tier Extreme Dao Weapons.

His mouth twitched. This small world was absurd, its value surpassing most holy lands. Turning back, his eyes cleared as he looked at Ye Chen. "Fellow Daoist Ye, let's resolve this peacefully…"

But Ye Chen was tired of such nonsense. Without giving Fang Qing a chance to ramble, a branch of the Fusang Divine Tree whipped through the air. An indescribable force filled the world. In an instant, Fang Qing let out a horrified wail. Then, with a boom, his body exploded…

…

Outside, the sudden Mahayana cultivator startled Elder Mo and the Holy Master. They rushed forward. Though they trusted Ye Chen, the gap between Unity and Mahayana was vast. They needed to rescue him immediately, hoping he could hold out briefly.

But then they were stunned—Ye Chen had a small world? He vanished into it in a flash. They sighed in relief, only to frown again as Fang Qing slipped inside. Yet when the small world's entrance vanished, they relaxed once more. They knew Ye Chen too well. He wasn't foolish enough to trap himself. If he lacked confidence, he'd have left the entrance open for their aid. Closing it meant he feared Fang Qing escaping.

Exchanging glances, they scanned Ying Tiansheng and Holy Maiden of Heavenly Intention, then returned to the sky. They watched the Central Continent Nether God elders pummel Heavenly Intention's "bumpkin" elders.

Ying Tiansheng was stunned. Two Mahayana cultivators arrived, and he'd braced for self-destruction to escape. Yet they glanced and left? Such confidence? Did Ye Chen have another trump card?

But Fang Qing was Mahayana—a different level of existence. No matter Ye Chen's cards, he should be dead. The bizarre scene made Ying Tiansheng, once certain of victory, worry again. Beside him, the concern in Yi Qingwu's eyes eased slightly.

In the next instant, the void rippled, a portal appearing. Ye Chen stepped out calmly, unchanged from when he entered.

Ying Tiansheng's pupils shrank, locking onto Ye Chen's right hand. He was holding half a corpse! And that face—wasn't it Fang Qing, who'd followed him in? How long had it been? Twenty breaths? How did this happen?

Seeing Fang Qing's body, devoid of soul but still biologically active, Ying Tiansheng felt a chill. Where's my Mahayana protector? Ruined in such a short time?

His gaze on Ye Chen held only terror. This was too absurd.

Ye Chen smirked, tossing Fang Qing's soulless body—now in the Human Emperor Banner—toward Ying Tiansheng. "Here, devour this too."

Ying Tiansheng's face flushed with rage. Humiliation—utter humiliation. But Ye Chen was too terrifying. He grabbed the body without hesitation, instantly refining its origin. Despair drove him to seize any chance to turn the tables. He didn't know how Fang Qing was ruined—likely not Ye Chen's own power, perhaps a supreme killing array in the small world. He might not die yet.

Fang Qing's King Body wasn't top-tier, but as a Mahayana cultivator, its development was advanced, granting Ying Tiansheng a massive boost, nearly breaking through to the late Unity realm. He glared at Ye Chen, unfolding his domain. Countless petals appeared, brimming with lethal force, aiming to overwhelm Ye Chen.

Ye Chen watched calmly, activating his own domain. In Unity realm battles, domains were essential—being trapped in an enemy's domain meant suppression and potential defeat. Cultivators typically maintained their domains, clashing remotely with techniques. But as Ye Chen's domain expanded like a tide toward Ying Tiansheng, despite the latter's strong domain, it couldn't resist. It was pushed back, compressed relentlessly.

In the next moment, Ying Tiansheng realized in horror he was engulfed in Ye Chen's domain. How vast was Ye Chen's yin-yang foundation in Deity Transformation to produce such a terrifying domain right after breaking through to Unity?

Ying Tiansheng questioned reality. Last time he was cleaved, he thought the gap with Ye Chen would shrink. Now, he saw it had only widened. He activated the Myriad Transformations Holy Art, bracing himself.

Ye Chen ignored the countless petals assaulting him, speaking calmly, "Two lives as one!"

As he spoke, his domain's power surged. Ying Tiansheng's eyes widened, filled with terror and disbelief. Because he, truly, was splitting apart again!

Chapter 552: Two Lives As One

Domain Divine Ability!

In an instant, Ying Tiansheng realized, his heart trembling. Only prodigies could wield a Domain Divine Ability, and it was notoriously hard to manifest. Most required reaching the later stages to fully develop it.

But Ye Chen? How long had he been in the Unity realm? And he already had a Domain Divine Ability? Utterly absurd. Worse, this ability humiliated him. Was it inspired by splitting him last time?

Ying Tiansheng gritted his teeth, activating the Healing Secret, a supreme healing technique. Being split was a minor injury. But then, he froze in shock. He could feel his body halved, each part just twenty centimeters apart. Yet trying to merge them felt like bridging an unimaginable chasm. How was this possible? Panic set in. Even with Unity realm's robust vitality, staying split too long meant death.

He frantically cast divine techniques from both halves, trying to reconnect. Ye Chen didn't act, calmly observing. Ying Tiansheng's weakness made him perfect for testing the Domain Divine Ability's effects.

After twenty breaths, Ying Tiansheng managed to pull his halves together. The Healing Secret fused them, but a bloodline lingered from brow to torso, unhealed. Gritting his teeth, he charged at Ye Chen again.

Ye Chen spoke, "Two lives as one!"

Domain power surged.

Ying Tiansheng's barely fused body split again, as if cleaved by an axe. His face paled. Ye Chen kept watching. This time, Ying Tiansheng fused faster—ten breaths—but his origin was clearly damaged.

As he prepared to try again, Ye Chen opened his mouth.

Ying Tiansheng, split once more, was on the verge of tears. He'd considered losing to Ye Chen but never imagined such humiliating, suffocating defeat.

A Domain Divine Ability consumed immense power. Three times was likely Ye Chen's limit. So, he gritted his teeth, pulling his body together again.

Ye Chen, meanwhile, noted the ability's heavy toll on domain power. Even with his foundation—ten thousand times stronger than peers—he could only use it three to four thousand times in a battle.

Now, he understood the "Two Lives as One" ability's effects. A divine skill. It couldn't fully isolate enemies—they could recover—but the long recovery window gave him ample time to kill them ten times over.

Ying Tiansheng finally recovered. Seeing Ye Chen cease using his Domain Divine Ability, he assumed Ye Chen was spent. Activating the Movement Secret and Battle Secret, he charged forward, desperate for a sliver of victory. But Ye Chen countered with his own Battle Secret, throwing a punch. Instantly, half of Ying Tiansheng's body exploded, sending him flying.

His eyes widened in terror. Both used the Battle Secret, yet Ye Chen's was leagues stronger. He'd studied it for a decade; Ye Chen, barely any time. Why? Even his resolute will crumbled into despair. How long had the fight lasted? Split thrice, shattered once. How could he fight?

Ye Chen seemed invincible. Continuing meant certain death. Above, only one of his Supreme Elders remained, surrounded by Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's forces. He had one path left.

Gritting his teeth, his body glowed as he used the Healing Secret to heal rapidly. Pushing the Movement Secret to its limit, he fled Ye Chen's domain, darting behind Yi Qingwu.

"Qingwu, I don't want to die! Beg Ye Chen for me. I'll dissolve our engagement! You can be his woman!"

His eyes pleaded.

Ye Chen was stunned. Ying Tiansheng, always protective of Yi Qingwu, was acting like this at death's door?

Yi Qingwu had been reeling from Ye Chen's prowess. He'd killed a Mahayana cultivator—unbelievable. His strength set her heart ablaze, her symbol trembling. His words splitting Ying Tiansheng thrilled her. But she never expected the proud, aloof Holy Son to beg, offering to end their engagement and give her to Ye Chen for survival. Any lingering hesitation in her heart turned ice-cold.

She stared at him, raising her chin. "Didn't you say you'd die for me? Now you're giving me away?"

Ying Tiansheng bowed his head in shame. Handing over his woman was unbearable, but he didn't want to die. With the Devouring Heaven Demon Art, he'd surpass Ye Chen someday. Survival was everything.

"Qingwu, it's just temporary…" he muttered.

She laughed. "Letting me go to live, like when you ambushed my father, devouring his origin to boost your physique and seize the Holy Son title?"

His eyes widened, face pale with shock and fear. He thought his act was flawless, unsuspected. Yet Yi Qingwu knew. Though he couldn't fathom how, her expression killed any hope of denial.

Desperate to live, he groveled further. "Qingwu, that was a moment of folly… But my love for you is flawless. I gave you everything, no secrets. For all my years of devotion, help me!"

Her lips curved, her voice like a melody. "No, you don't love me—just guilt. Like how you devoured my father, who treated you like a son, for Holy Son title. Now, to survive, you'd hand me over without hesitation. You only love yourself. And you don't need to give me away—I'm already Ye Chen's!"

Her words fell, and she ignored him, drifting toward Ye Chen. Ying Tiansheng, exposed and pierced by her final words, felt guilt, shame, and rage. Killing intent flared.

"I overlooked everything you did with Ye Chen, and you still want more?"

Activating the Movement Secret, he lunged to seize her, hoping to hold her hostage for a chance at survival. If he stalled, Heavenly Intention Holy Land's reinforcements might save him.

Noticing his move, Yi Qingwu didn't dodge, stopping to stare coldly. From afar, Ye Chen's eyes flashed, unleashing a beam of destructive divine light…