ISWI Chapter 459-460

Chapter 459: More Symbols

Ye Chen clenched his fists, tempted to ask Senior Brother if they could team up to thrash the Holy Master. If they couldn't win, forget it…

In the distance, another immortal peak's seal broke open. With Heavenly Intention Holy Land gone and Hua Yunfei's clothes unchanged, spectators lost interest and resumed fighting for treasures, clashing fiercely.

Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's elders watched from above. Though powerful, a Holy Land couldn't claim everything—greed would spark resentment. Thus, they focused only on Tang Valley.

Ye Chen's Heavy Pupils spotted intriguing ancient relics, perfect for gifting female cultivators to trigger rewards. As a Holy Son, he could join the fray, but that'd be beneath him. Instead, he stood in the void, using his Heavy Pupils to scan the peaks.

When a treasure caught his eye, he'd transmit an offer to its finder, far exceeding its value, even allowing trades for non-spirit stones. Few could resist. Soon, cultivators flocked to him with treasures, asking what he'd trade or even making wish-like requests.

Astonishingly, Ye Chen often had what they wanted. Spectators were dumbfounded. They'd seen wealthy cultivators, but none like Ye Chen. Like Feng Baiyu and Hua Yunfei, they grew convinced he was the Heavenly Emperor's heir. The Emperor had razed factions, leaving their treasuries bare. Ye Chen's wealth must be his inheritance—nothing else made sense.

Meanwhile, Heavenly Intention Holy Land's mood was grim. Three fallen elders were a blow, but their Holy Son's defeat stung more. Despite the battle's surprises, Ying Tiansheng's failed ambush on Ye Chen, getting wounded by him—a mere Deity Transformation cultivator—and then by Hua Yunfei, followed by his frantic escape with the Holy Maiden, was undeniable.

Being injured by Ye Chen, a full realm below, was especially hard to swallow. A true prodigy shouldn't be harmed across such a gap. When news reached the Holy Land, disciples and elders struggled to accept it, buzzing with discussion, eyes turning to the Holy Son's peak.

In the peak's grand hall, Ying Tiansheng, freshly returned, seemed unfazed by the loss, his expression calm. But his palm bore a gaping wound, unhealed. Across from him, Yi Qingwu, in her palace gown, sat three meters away, eyeing his injury with concern.

"Still can't heal it?"

Ying Tiansheng glanced at the wound, shaking his head calmly. "Ye Chen's Heaven and Earth Manifestation is peculiar, its killing force immense, laced with a trace of law power. It lingers in the wound, hard to dispel, so it won't heal. But it's fine—some time will restore it. Be cautious of this if you face him again."

Looking at Yi Qingwu, he added, "Qingwu, your intent to save me touched me, but next time, leave immediately—that's the real help. Without the Movement Secret's finesse to exploit the domain's flaw, I might not have saved you easily. Hua Yunfei and Ye Chen are ruthless. If we'd both been trapped, the outcome would've been dire."

Yi Qingwu's guilt showed as she lowered her stunning face, blaming herself for hindering Ying Tiansheng. Seeing her like this, Ying Tiansheng felt a pang of heartache. Recalling past events, he asked, "I haven't asked—during your fight with Ye Chen, were you hurt?"

Her hesitant expression made his mood heavy, though his face remained gentle. "Qingwu, we may not be wed, but as partners, we're one. Your father entrusted me to care for you before he died. Tell me anything—I won't blame you, only cherish you."

Mention of her father sparked a cold sneer in her heart, but her face stayed neutral. She summoned her rainbow primordial spirit. "In the Broad Cold Divine Realm, I could've suppressed Ye Chen, but he offered to return the Moon Palace. Skeptical but tempted, I tried to take it back, knowing it'd aid your cultivation. But he was despicable, setting a trap. I lost in the domain, and he marked my spiritual sense again… I didn't tell you then, fearing it'd distract you from fighting Hua Yunfei."

Her primordial spirit's brow opened, revealing the marks to Ying Tiansheng. His face froze. Last time, it was two symbols; now, two more, plus a "I." His fists clenched, golden blood dripping.

His fiancée marked again, right under his nose while he fought outside. Veins bulged in rage—utter humiliation. Yet, she'd acted to aid his cultivation, making blame impossible.

Yi Qingwu continued, downcast. "Later, in the array, I initially suppressed Ye Chen with the tablet. But seeing you struggle against Hua Yunfei's true body, I got anxious, wanting to quickly defeat Ye Chen to help you. That let him outsmart me. It's my fault. If not for that, I could've aided you, and Heavenly Intention Holy Land wouldn't have suffered such a loss."

Ying Tiansheng's already grim face darkened further. Her distraction was because of his disadvantage? Unacceptable. He wondered—if he'd been stronger, would she have avoided being exposed to Ye Chen? It was all his fault for being too weak. After a long pause, he suppressed his killing intent, vowing, "Next time, I'll easily crush them both."

Yi Qingwu showed no doubt, only trust, but cautioned, "Don't push too hard. Hua Yunfei has the Moral Heavenly Venerate's legacy—a top-ten human immortal. Losing slightly isn't shameful. Ye Chen, though lower in realm, has the Heavy Pupils, Supreme Heart, and maybe the Emperor's lineage. A narrow defeat means nothing. No matter what others think, you're the best to me."

Her words were sincere, but Ying Tiansheng's face grew stiffer.

Chapter 460: The Movement Secret

Yi Qingwu's comforting words stabbed Ying Tiansheng's heart, deepening his bitterness. Last year, after devouring two King Bodies, his essence had grown, making him confident he could crush Ye Chen and Hua Yunfei.

Yet, Hua Yunfei's One Qi Transforms Three Purities was nearing mastery, and Ye Chen's Heaven and Earth Manifestation was unimaginable. His plan failed. Not only did he lose, but Yi Qingwu suffered further humiliation—more marks on her spirit, her body exposed. Even if she quickly shielded herself with divine light and changed, Ye Chen's Heavy Pupil surely saw something. The shame and unwillingness burned.

But Ying Tiansheng didn't despair. His eyes hardened with resolve. His inheritance had no limits. Ye Chen's talent? No matter how great, could it rival a Chaos Body? With continued cultivation and essence devouring, Ye Chen's Heavy Pupil and Supreme Heart would soon be insignificant.

"Qingwu, trust me! A temporary loss means nothing. I'll wash away this shame with their blood. Once I kill Ye Chen and erase your marks, we'll marry." He gazed at her with deep affection.

Yi Qingwu nodded. "A momentary setback is nothing. Holy Son, I'll help you. But this battle exposed my weaknesses—please help me address them."

Touched by her unwavering faith despite his defeat, Ying Tiansheng replied without hesitation, "We're partners—speak freely."

She said earnestly, "I fought Ye Chen several times and had chances to kill him, but his Kun Peng speed let him escape at critical moments. When ambushed, my slower speed left me trapped. With a speed technique, I could kill him easily or escape traps effortlessly."

Ying Tiansheng frowned.

She wanted to fight Ye Chen again? Twice already, she'd been marked and exposed. He didn't want her facing him again—who knew what'd happen next? But her point about speed resonated. A speed technique would let her escape danger, avoiding such incidents. Even if he forbade her from confronting Ye Chen, with Ye Chen's reputation, he might stalk her for an ambush. She needed a speed technique.

After a moment's thought, he nodded decisively. "You're right. Speed grants control—attack or retreat, ensuring safety in any situation. I'll teach you the Movement Secret. It's one of the Nine Secrets, newly acquired, involving time. With it, no place is unreachable, no array can hold you, not even Ye Chen's Heavy Pupil pure land before it forms."

He spoke generously, but Yi Qingwu looked shocked, then reluctant. "The Movement Secret is too precious. I already lost half your tablet—I can't…" She tried to refuse, but Ying Tiansheng's brow glowed, golden divine patterns surging—mysterious, shifting like text or natural Dao marks.

"No need for formalities between us. I'll take you to the immortal path—what's one Nine Secret?"

Ying Tiansheng's words fell, and divine patterns flooded Yi Qingwu's sea of spiritual sense. Her eyes brimmed with emotion, but sensing his resolve, she stayed silent, closing her lively eyes to comprehend. After a long while, she memorized it all. Opening her eyes, she saw Ying Tiansheng gazing at her tenderly, a flicker of guilt vanishing quickly. "Qingwu, study it well. Ask me if you're unsure. I'll meet the Holy Master and heal my wound, so I won't keep you."

Yi Qingwu glanced at his injured palm, worry in her eyes, but not wanting to delay him, she nodded crisply, bidding farewell. Feeling her concern, warmth filled Ying Tiansheng's heart. He resolved to cultivate harder, enhancing his physique to spare her further humiliation. But his technique was too sinister, defying all norms—if exposed, he'd face endless pursuit. He had to act discreetly. He sank into thought.

As the hall's doors closed, Yi Qingwu's worried expression turned cold, her lively eyes burning with killing intent. The world knew her Broad Cold Immortal Body, but not her Dual Spirit Eyes, which could plant a spirit thread in someone's gaze, witnessing their final moments upon death. She'd placed one in her father, Ying Tiansheng's master, leading to their betrothal. But in a secret realm, her father perished, body gone. The Holy Land's investigation found nothing. Yet, through her spirit thread, she saw Ying Tiansheng lure him into a trap, ambush him, and devour his essence.

She burned for revenge, but Ying Tiansheng was too strong. Telling the Holy Land? If they learned he could devour essences to grow, they'd likely support him, not avenge her father. Despair and pain consumed her—she knew her father's killer but had to play fiancée, biding her time.

Fortunately, she met Ye Chen. Recalling his terrifying Heaven and Earth Manifestation strike, her lips curved. With half the Battle Secret, he'd be even stronger next time. And she'd gift him the Movement Secret. He'd be thrilled.

She decided: next meeting, she'd offer the Movement Secret and her purity, letting Ye Chen mark her body. Since Ying Tiansheng couldn't die yet, she'd make him suffer endless humiliation until Ye Chen killed him.