ISWI Chapter 527-528

Chapter 527: That'll Cost Extra!

Ye Chen's combat prowess was already terrifying. When the Multiplier Secret finally triggered after thousands of attacks, its explosive power stunned even him. One punch not only shattered the void but seemed to hurl the world back into primal chaos. Even the two Mahayana-stage cultivators in the distance paused, shocked, their faces paling. This punch surpassed the limits of the Unity stage.

Under its might, the inexhaustible Star River Dao Weapon exploded. Chen Lingxiao's body disintegrated instantly. As the dust settled, only a fragment of the Star River remained before Ye Chen.

Satisfied with the Multiplier Secret's power but wary of its low trigger rate, Ye Chen grew concerned. Had he ruined the Star River Dao Weapon? He summoned it for inspection and relaxed—it was top-tier. Though shattered, its core was intact, slowly repairing itself, likely to fully recover within a year. Impressive.

Ye Chen considered gifting it to Fan Qinghe to trigger an Extreme Dao Weapon. Such weapons were for Mahayana cultivators, and with his impending Unity breakthrough and Extreme Dao Dantian, Mahayana wasn't far off. A top-tier weapon would soon be useful.

Glancing at the void, Ye Chen's brow twitched. Activating his Heavy Pupils, shrouded in chaotic mist, he spotted a faint, trembling star-like remnant soul hiding in a crack. He was surprised—his tenfold punch left a soul fragment? The Star River King Body was something.

But Ye Chen had no mercy. With a wave, he captured the soul, preparing to refine it into his Human Emperor Banner.

The crowd, still reeling from Ye Chen's might, wasn't surprised. They'd warned that fighting the Fourth Holy Son was fine, even mocking him might be forgiven with a bow. But targeting his woman? That was suicide. Now, Ye Chen wasn't just killing Chen but refining his soul. Why court death?

Onlookers resolved to warn their clans: provoke the Holy Son, fine, apologize immediately. But never touch his women—that meant certain death.

The Seventh Ancestor lost all will to fight Mo Yixi or watch Chen's soul be refined. Chen was his line's only heir, raised with deep affection. Even if Chen's immortal path was ruined, his talent shattered, and his divine son status lost, the ancestor wanted to save him.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, please show mercy!" he pleaded. "The Star River Clan will offer compensation for his soul!"

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow, uninterested. With his system, he lacked for nothing. Better to use Chen to craft a reputation as a woman-protecting fanatic. With many women in his life, this persona was crucial. What if an enemy targeted them to threaten him? Establishing this image was essential.

Ye Chen ignored Chen Lingxiao's terror, sending his soul toward the purple-misted Human Emperor Banner. The Seventh Ancestor's face darkened, knowing he couldn't snatch the soul from Mo Yixi in his sublimation state. He hurriedly said, "I have a top-tier Unity method from the Star River King tomb. You're nearing Unity, and though you have the Heavenly Emperor's inheritance, studying another law could benefit your cultivation. Lingxiao's ruined—his Star River King Body is broken, no longer a threat. You defeated him fairly, and our clan won't seek revenge."

Ye Chen's expression didn't change, but his heart stirred. A top-tier Unity method? Perfect timing. His frustration stemmed from failing to gift the method. A top-tier one would be easier to gift, with better rewards than the Holy Master's book. Chen Lingxiao was a true treasure-deliverer!

But Ye Chen, no longer a naive cultivator, kept his face impassive and shook his head. "Because of him, Elder Mo, who treats me like family, had to ascend a second time, damaging his origin and lifespan. This pains me deeply. How can I let him go?"

The ancestor's face stiffened. Mo's ascension came at a great cost—reconciliation seemed impossible. He considered leaving with harsh words, knowing revenge was futile against the Heavenly Emperor Hall.

Then Ye Chen spoke again: "So, you'll need to pay more."

The ancestor's eyes widened. All that talk, just to raise the price? He didn't care about Mo! Glancing at Mo Yixi, the ancestor saw a resigned, slightly melancholic look, but no real resentment. Ye Chen had tamed the notoriously unyielding Mo Yixi, even using his life for profit.

The ancestor didn't argue further, transmitting, "Lingxiao's done. The clan will soon pick a new divine son, not wasting resources on him. What I offer is my own: a top-tier Unity method and divine metal for an Extreme Dao Weapon. That's all I have."

Ye Chen didn't push further. The divine metal alone could multiply thousands of times. He agreed magnanimously. Soon, the top-tier Unity method and divine metal were in his hands, and he tossed Chen's soul back.

The ancestor collected the soul, gave Ye Chen a deep look, and left. Past Heavenly Emperor heirs paled compared to Ye Chen, who echoed the Emperor himself. He'd warn his clan to avoid Ye Chen, lest they repeat the tragedy of losing three divine sons.

His anger doused by Chen's offerings, Ye Chen walked contentedly toward Fan Qinghe.

Chapter 528: The Holy Son Is Truly Too Gentle!

Fan Qinghe gazed at Ye Chen approaching, her sparkling eyes filled with genuine admiration and tenderness. His strength surpassed all her expectations of prodigies.

Central Continent prodigies typically dominated Great Yan, yet a top-ten-level foe couldn't withstand a single blow from Ye Chen. He even shattered a top-tier dao weapon with one punch. This wasn't just prodigy-level—it was the makings of a true immortal. What woman could resist such a man, especially one who loved her so deeply?

Beyond shock, Fan Qinghe's heart warmed. During the ritual's final half-hour, Ye Chen's sudden surge of Yin-Yang Qi had overwhelmed her, leaving a shadow of discomfort. She'd thought his push to strengthen her, though well-intentioned, was too forceful, disregarding her limits—a touch of chauvinism. But witnessing his boundless Yin-Yang Qi now, she realized how gentle he'd been. If he'd truly been reckless, she'd have burst on the first day.

"Holy Son, you're incredible!" she said, clinging to his arm, her voice sweet as honey, eyes brimming with adoration. "By your side, I feel fearless!"

The onlookers, still reeling from Ye Chen's prowess, grew even more envious. His talent was unmatched, crushing prodigies across realms like it was nothing, yet he also had such a beauty's devotion. And still, he wasn't satisfied—pursuing others' fiancées, tearing clothes, splitting betrothed men in half, luring holy land elders with treasures, claiming war widows for his harem peak, and even forcing sect leaders to offer their daughters while monopolizing the Heavenly Desire Sect's women. His appetite for women seemed insatiable!

Mo Yixi watched the Seventh Ancestor leave with reluctance, sighing at Ye Chen before vanishing into the void. Ye Chen shook his head—Mo's acting was top-notch.

Fan Qinghe, still clinging to him, cooed, "Holy Son, stay longer at our sect. I can't bear to part with you."

Ye Chen smiled. With his Yin-Yang Qi, she was nearing her second nirvana and Unity breakthrough. She'd need both a Unity method and a dao weapon—perfect for gifting. Plus, her sharp tongue earlier made him eager to explore her "combat prowess" further. Nodding indulgently, he wrapped an arm around her waist, returning to the Heavenly Desire Sect under the Sect Leader's gaze.

He presented the top-tier Unity method to Fan Qinghe. Having seen the Seventh Ancestor offer it, she knew its value, her eyes widening. The Sect Leader and elders were equally stunned. Such a precious law, tied to Unity-stage strength, was something they assumed Ye Chen would keep. Yet he gave it to Fan Qinghe immediately.

How generous! The Sect Leader and elders envied Fan Qinghe, marveling at Ye Chen as the most doting protector in history, showering his Divine Maiden with treasures. Fan Qinghe, already thrilled and touched, felt even more elated under their envious stares. While her sect's high-grade Unity method suited her, a top-tier one was far better, boosting combat power by nearly fifty percent in domain strength and overall might.

Still, she hesitated, fearing Ye Chen might think her greedy. Once confident, she now felt insecure—Ye Chen's overwhelming excellence made her fear losing his favor.

"Holy Son, keep it for yourself. I already have my sect's…" Fan Qinghe hesitated, then declined.

Ye Chen raised a finger, silencing her with a commanding presence. "Don't refuse. You deserve the best in the world."

His words drew gasps from the Heavenly Desire Sect elders. Ye Chen's strength and status, paired with such a bold gesture, radiated dominance. Fan Qinghe blushed, accepting the Unity method under their envious gazes.

The next moment, a system prompt rang in Ye Chen's mind:

"Congratulations, Host, for successfully bestowing a gift!"

"Gift: Top-tier Stellar Dual Charm Unity Method!"

"1,800-fold feedback in progress!"

"Detected: The gift is of immense importance to the recipient, causing significant emotional impact…"

"Triggered: Maximum critical reward!"

"Rewards: Pristine Triple Charm Unity method!"

"Rewards: Heavenly Emperor's Unity Method Insights!"

"Rewards: Heavenly Emperor's Unity Experience!"

Ye Chen's eyes gleamed. A maximum critical hit, as expected. He'd deliberately gifted it in front of the Sect Leader and elders, knowing women's spaces—like banks or airlines—bred comparison. Everyone craved being the most envied, like influencers flaunting lavish meals or hotels for likes. Gifting such a treasure publicly maxed out Fan Qinghe's emotional satisfaction, elevating an ordinary critical hit to the maximum.

The result proved him right. Not only did he gain a Triple Charm Unity method, but the Heavenly Emperor's insights would save him immense time. The Emperor's Unity experience was even more precious. Ye Chen's path mirrored the Emperor's, with similar cultivation methods. Unity was a challenging realm, but with this experience, his breakthrough time would shrink drastically.