ISWI Chapter 473-474

Chapter 473: You've Really Put Me Through a Lot!

"Holy Son, may I enter?" Lin Qingtan's voice prompted a smile from Ye Chen. Perfect timing. He opened the cabin door.

Lin Qingtan entered, wearing a form-fitting azure dress with a high slit, revealing long, dazzling legs with each step. No trace of demonic runes remained on her face, hands, or exposed skin—her complexion glowed. The chilling Yin Nether aura was gone, replaced by a warm, Unity presence. The Golden Crow Fire had transformed her.

More strikingly, Ye Chen noticed she'd broken through to mid-Deity Transformation. Her system multiplier had also updated: 1,500 times.

Sensing his gaze, Lin Qingtan smiled, gracefully closing the door before bowing. "I was stuck at Deity Transformation for decades, my Yin Nether Demon Body amassing pure yin energy. Now, with the Great Yang Immortal Scripture, Fusang root's Great Yang Holy Power, and Golden Crow Fire, I've achieved yin-yang balance. My constitution transformed into something unique, naturally balanced, letting me break through to mid-Deity Transformation. All thanks to you, Holy Son!"

Her eyes brimmed with gratitude, her low neckline revealing sincerity as she bowed. Ye Chen nodded, pleased. "You've not only resolved your constitution's flaws but gained a stronger one. I'm relieved—great news."

Lin Qingtan warmed at his genuine joy. Before she could speak, Ye Chen produced thirty gleaming Golden Crow tail feathers. "Your progress on the immortal path delights me. As Holy Son, I should offer a gift. I lack suitable items now, but since you've refined Golden Crow Fire, take these. Craft them into your natal weapon for vast potential."

Lin Qingtan's words froze. Staring at the radiant feathers, she was speechless. She suddenly understood why Ye Chen risked offending the Golden Crows, humiliating them to gather these treasures—for her.

The fire accelerated her root's refinement, and the feathers, sharing its origin, would make a formidable natal weapon. The Golden Crow blood was likely for her too, held back to avoid overwhelming her. Next time, he'd probably gift it.

Her eyes softened, nearly tearing up. Her husky voice trembled. "Holy Son, how am I worthy of such care?" Joining Ascension Peak, she'd only sought to borrow a prodigy's luck. But this? Holy Son was showering her with treasures. The unpredictability of fate overwhelmed her.

Ye Chen smiled gently. "You're worthy of all the world's beauty. Take it! Back at the Holy Land, think about crafting your natal weapon. Need help? Find me."

Lin Qingtan's heart skipped, hearing she deserved all things wonderful. Without hesitation, she joyfully accepted the thirty Golden Crow tail feathers arrayed before her.

Instantly, the system chimed:

"Congratulations, Host, gift successfully given!"

"Gift: Thirty Golden Crow Tail Feathers! 1,500-fold feedback…"

"Detected significant emotional impact on recipient…"

"Critical reward triggered."

"Reward: One thousand Mahayana-stage True Phoenix Tail Feathers!"

Ye Chen's eyes sparkled. Mahayana True Phoenix feathers—priceless, with a thousand in hand? Endless possibilities, even for crafting Extreme Dao Weapons. Lin Qingtan's feedback never disappointed, from the Battle Secret to now. A treasure worth nurturing on Ascension Peak for life.

Lin Qingtan, clutching the gift, gazed at him with watery eyes. "I can't refuse Holy Son's gifts. Please don't refuse my gratitude!" With resolve, her azure dress vanished—woven of Qi, leaving nothing. All the world's beauty seemed bared before Ye Chen.

He glanced, then frowned, meeting her eyes. "I said I'm not helping for this! No more of this nonsense."

A treasure like her, consistently triggering criticals, he couldn't bear to exploit.

Lin Qingtan, undeterred by his rejection, spoke with a wronged tone in her sultry voice. "But what if I want to?"

Ye Chen's eyes widened. That mature voice, laced with grievance—who could resist? Sighing helplessly, he said, "They all think I'm helping you for your body. If we do this, won't it confirm their rumors?"

Lin Qingtan shrugged, unconcerned. "So what? I know who you are. As long as our hearts are clear, that's enough!"

Ye Chen's mouth twitched. Clear conscience, huh? Facing her now rune-free, slightly less distinctive yet stunning form, and her pleading expression, he sighed, extending a hand. "You've really put me through it…"

A critical-hit treasure, yet insisting on repayment, trapping him in a dilemma. Still, he wouldn't let multipliers hurt those close to him. If she insisted, he'd indulge her.

Besides, the little demoness's hundredfold gift upgraded the system with a dual multiplier for partners. Lin Qingtan's 1,500-fold might trigger another upgrade, unlocking new features.

Chapter 474: System Functionality Upgraded Again!

Each room on Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's ship was opulent, equipped with spatial arrays spanning tens of thousands of square meters. Cultivation chambers, rest areas, alchemy and crafting rooms, even balconies for sightseeing—everything was included, with flawless soundproofing.

Ye Chen had grown. While profit often came first, when emotions surged or refusal might hurt someone, he wouldn't resist. He felt a pang of guilt for Senior Sister Yao Xi, who he'd left hanging despite her persistence. Next time, he'd make it up to her. For now, Lin Qingtan held his focus.

Noting his reluctance, he asked, "The runes are gone for good?"

Lin Qingtan replied, "My constitution evolved—I can control the runes, hiding or revealing them. But isn't this pure state better?"

Ye Chen shook his head. "You're beautiful either way, but I prefer the runes."

Her eyes lit up. He cherished even her flawed self—true love.

"I can adjust their position, pattern, thickness, and shade. What design do you want, Holy Son?"

No hesitation.

"Finer lines, circles where needed, patterns in the right spots, a heart shape here—with an arrow."

Eager to repay him, Lin Qingtan crafted the runes to his specifications, becoming the perfect runic warrior before his eyes.

Seven days later, as they neared Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, Lin Qingtan gently adjusted Ye Chen's robe, her stunning face radiating joy and tenderness. "Holy Son, no need to worry—I'm not clingy. Back at Ascension Peak, I'll keep cultivating. Want to see my runes? I'm always free."

Ye Chen patted her head, satisfied. Not just for her temperature control—hot or cold—or her versatile runes, which she adapted creatively, highlighting key areas or signaling in battle like a rhythm game. Her ingenuity was endless, captivating him. Her constitution had held her back; otherwise, she'd be Unity Path by now.

But his true satisfaction came from the system. As predicted, bonding with the hundredfold little demoness unlocked the Dao partner function. Now, with Lin Qingtan's 1,500-fold multiplier, the system upgraded again, promising new features.

"System upgrade successful…"

"Dao Partner function enhanced: Gifts to partners with over 1,000-fold multiplier receive double Dao Partner feedback, with cooldown reduced to one day."

This meant gifting Lin Qingtan wouldn't trigger criticals, only double her 1,500-fold multiplier—3,000-fold feedback. Normal gift cooldowns were seven days, but hers was one.

Ye Chen calculated: one gift per day equaled seven in a week. Perfect for resources like pills or materials. One pill daily could yield 21,000 in a week, surpassing typical criticals. Ideal for resources, but top treasures like scriptures were better for high-multiplier women with critical potential.

"Don't say that. Cling to me—it's fine, as long as it doesn't hinder cultivation," Ye Chen said. "I'll seclude myself to break through to mid-Deity Transformation. After, I'll find you. Take this jar of Golden Crow blood—it'll aid crafting or cultivation."

He handed her the blood. Lin Qingtan, expecting it, smiled sweetly, her husky voice thanking him as she accepted without hesitation. She knew he, as the Heavenly Emperor's heir, likely disdained it.

The system chimed:

"Congratulations, Host, gift successfully given…"

"Gift: Golden Crow Blood!"

"With Dao Partner boost, 3,000-fold feedback!"

"Reward: Mahayana-stage Phoenix Blood! Due to partner's over 1,000-fold multiplier, cooldown reduced to one day!"

Ye Chen grinned at the golden Phoenix Blood in his storage ring, matching the Golden Crow blood's quantity. From mixed Deity Transformation and Unity blood to Mahayana Phoenix Blood—impressive. The shortened cooldown was key; Lin Qingtan was perfect for rapid resource needs.

"Holy Son, should I return to my room so we disembark separately?" she asked, mindful of his reputation.

Ye Chen laughed, taking her hand. "No need. Let's go together." Reputation mattered, but not overly. A clear conscience sufficed.

Lin Qingtan's gentle smile bloomed. Leaning close, she whispered, "Holy Son, I've etched your name in five places on my body with runes, in five different fonts. While in seclusion, guess where they are. Next time, verify if you're right."

Ye Chen was stunned. Her ability to adapt to his tastes in just seven days, enticing him to seek her sooner, was uncanny. Her comprehension was absurdly remarkable.