ISWI Chapter 457-458

Chapter 457: What would she bring next time?

Blood rain fell again, staining half the sky. Another Heavenly Intention Holy Land elder perished, covering the retreat. With Ying Tiansheng and Yi Qingwu's escape, Heavenly Intention Holy Land's forces fully withdrew. No elders pursued.

Ying Tiansheng's complete Movement Secret made him too fast, even carrying Yi Qingwu, outpacing most elders. Top figures like Feng Baiyu, bound by unwritten rules, couldn't act against this generation's prodigies—rules benefiting all. Still, Heavenly Intention Holy Land's defeat was heavy: three Unity realm elders fallen, a significant loss even for a Holy Land.

Ye Chen shattered the water dragon, watching the fiancée's departing figure, shaking his head. His Kun Peng Treasure Technique could keep up, but Ying Tiansheng, a giant among prodigies, was formidable.

In a deathmatch, Ye Chen was confident of victory, but with his rapid progress through effort, his future was boundless—immortality and ancestral status assured.

Why risk a life-or-death fight now? Mastering the Great Yang and Great Yin Immortal Scripture and perfecting his Heaven and Earth Manifestation would let him crush Ying Tiansheng later.

Still, he felt reluctant about Yi Qingwu—not for her jade-like beauty or the chance to mark it, but her multiplier. Yet, alongside reluctance, he felt anticipation.

What would she bring next time? Perhaps Ying Tiansheng's Movement Secret? It rivaled the Kun Peng Treasure Technique, manipulating time to freeze others briefly.

Ying Tiansheng had used it to kill Senior Brother's clone—impressive. The prospect excited Ye Chen. With his complete Kun Peng Technique, combining it with the Movement Secret could yield unimaginable results. If Yi Qingwu brought it next time, it'd be perfect.

"Don't chase a desperate foe—Ying Tiansheng has many tricks," Hua Yunfei said, his divine wheel glowing as he approached. "Fighting him, I sensed a hidden inheritance beyond the Nine Secrets. His Battle Secret's power exceeds a half-technique, suggesting something off. Let it go for now. You're growing faster—next time, you might kill him alone. No need to rush."

Ye Chen nodded, not planning to pursue. Curious, he eyed his Senior Brother. "Is this your real body? Were you always on the ship?"

Hua Yunfei smiled, dodging the question. "I don't want to lie to Junior Brother, so why not guess?"

Ye Chen blinked, realizing it was another clone. In all their meetings, he likely never saw Hua Yunfei's true body. Where was it? Too private to ask. He gave a thumbs-up, marveling at his Senior Brother's prowess. Recalling the array, when he nearly refined Yi Qingwu's jade-like form, he'd seen Hua Yunfei's purple qi spanning three thousand miles.

"Senior Brother, did you inherit the Moral Heavenly Venerate's legacy?" he asked.

Hua Yunfei nodded openly. "I did inherit the Moral Heavenly Venerate's legacy."

Ye Chen gave a thumbs-up.

Hua Yunfei smiled lightly. "Compared to Junior Brother's Heavenly Emperor inheritance, it's a bit lacking."

The Moral Heavenly Venerate, a top-ten human immortal, elevated clone techniques to unmatched heights with One Qi Transforms Three Purities—three against one, unstoppable.

Ye Chen pondered, then cast an array to block external probing, enveloping them. Hua Yunfei paused but didn't resist, assuming Ye Chen had private words. Outside, spectators, still reeling from Ying Tiansheng's escape, raised brows, noting Hua Yunfei's clothes, wondering if they'd change after emerging. A wardrobe swap would be shocking.

Ye Chen, unaware of their thoughts, would've been furious—tolerating rumors about women was one thing, but men? Unacceptable.

Within the array, his brow radiated immense aura. A silver divine ring flew out, shaking the void with terrifying energy. Even the composed Hua Yunfei showed surprise. The aura was unmistakable: the Moral Heavenly Venerate's Diamond Ring. He'd sensed it during Ye Chen's fight with Yi Qingwu, suspecting Ye Chen held it, which stirred his desire.

But as an Extreme Dao Weapon, its value was immense, tied to the Moral Heavenly Venerate. Despite his own inheritance, Hua Yunfei couldn't just ask for it—it risked straining their bond. He'd been seeking a treasure of equal value to trade. Yet now, Ye Chen presented it outright.

Hua Yunfei looked puzzled.

Ye Chen smiled, pushing the Diamond Ring forward with a thought. "Since Senior Brother is the Moral Heavenly Venerate's heir, this suits you best. Take it!"

Hua Yunfei's eyes widened. He knew Ye Chen was generous, but this was staggering—gifting the Diamond Ring just for his inheritance. Ye Chen was known for spoiling female cultivators, yet he extended this to him.

After a moment's hesitation, Hua Yunfei shook his head. "Thank you, Junior Brother. It's useful, but too precious. I'll trade for it when I find something worthy."

Ye Chen laughed freely. "Then give me something suitable later!"

Without giving him a chance to refuse, Ye Chen flew out of the array.

Hua Yunfei stood stunned, shaking his head with a wry smile. His Junior Brother's generosity was staggering. Always the gift-giver, receiving such a treasure felt unfamiliar. He vowed to find a fitting return gift.

Chapter 458: Family Scandal

Ye Chen emerged from the array moments later, disappointing spectators who'd hoped for scandal. Standing in the sky, he gazed at the sealed Tang Valley, smiling. Gifting the Diamond Ring to the Senior Brother was long planned.

First, Hua Yunfei was an ally who'd helped him immensely—strengthening him was beneficial. As the Moral Heavenly Venerate's heir, Hua Yunfei would wield the Diamond Ring better than Ye Chen, for whom it was no different from the Moon Palace.

Second, with Heavenly Intention Holy Land's retreat, the Fusang Tree and the Great Yang Immortal Scripture in Tang Valley were practically Heavenly Evolution's. Taking it all himself might seem greedy, even to the generous Hua Yunfei. But gifting the Diamond Ring ensured his support.

Lastly, Hua Yunfei's character guaranteed a return gift despite Ye Chen's protests. The Diamond Ring, a system reward, couldn't trigger gifting bonuses, but Hua Yunfei's reciprocation would—potentially yielding thousands-fold returns when regifted. Pure profit.

As Ye Chen mused, Hua Yunfei exited the array, which dissipated. He bowed to Ye Chen. "The Diamond Ring is incredibly useful, enabling me to study Dao and laws I couldn't before. Thank you, Junior Brother. I'll find a fitting treasure to return the favor."

Ye Chen grinned—exactly as expected. Sometimes, he thought, with Senior Brother's talent, gratitude, and generosity, it'd be great if he were a woman.

Waving it off, Ye Chen stepped forward.

Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's elders emerged from the void, bloodied from battle but elated, having avenged their loss by felling three foes.

Holy Master Feng Baiyu, the scholarly figure who'd personally killed the three—two mid-Unity, one early—stood at the forefront. Despite the elders' awe, he wasn't smug, waving casually. "Calm down. Even someone like Ying Tiansheng in my era would be overshadowed by me. Just casually killed two mid-Unity and one early-Unity elders—no big deal."

The elders, unimpressed by his boasting, ignored him and returned to the ship.

Feng Baiyu, unfazed, looked at Ye Chen with amazement. "Wounding Ying Tiansheng at Deity Transformation? Your talent is astonishing. Even I could barely do that back then. Given time, you'll surpass your Senior Brother. The next Holy Master is yours."

Ye Chen's lips twitched.

'Holy Master, stop stirring trouble.'

Such words might turn other brothers against each other, but he and Hua Yunfei just exchanged a smile, unmoved. Feng Baiyu didn't care if his provocation worked. With the elders retreating to recover, only the three remained.

Feng Baiyu asked directly, "Ye Chen, your Heaven and Earth Manifestation—is it the legendary Pangu World-Opening Visualization?"

Ye Chen's eyes flashed with surprise. His embryonic Heaven and Earth Manifestation was so vague, like a mosaic—only a humanoid shape was discernible. Yet the Holy Master guessed it? His insight was impressive.

After a moment's hesitation, Ye Chen nodded calmly. Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's atmosphere was decent. Though Feng Baiyu loved to show off, disliked Senior Brother, and played dirty, he stepped up when it counted. No need to be too guarded.

Feng Baiyu, seeing the nod, sighed with awe. The Pangu World-Opening Visualization, the cultivation world's top visualization. He'd sought it across two lives, to no avail. Ye Chen's luck was astounding.

But then he shook his head—luck wasn't it. Ye Chen was born to the right parents. The Kua Fu clan was nearly wiped out by the Heavenly Emperor, and the Pangu Visualization vanished. The Emperor claimed ignorance, but it was obvious he took it. Now it was with Ye Chen. Who else could he be but the Emperor's son? Confirmed.

Feng Baiyu sighed. "I heard you're searching for your father's whereabouts. I'd say stop. Anyone who divines it dies. Your dad's definitely the Heavenly Emperor. That Heavy Pupils from the Kua Fu clan you met during your tribulation? Probably your mother."

Hua Yunfei nodded in agreement. Ye Chen's blessings screamed "chosen son."

Ye Chen, hearing the transmission, wore a baffled expression. He understood why Feng Baiyu said it, but it wasn't true. He had no connection to the Emperor. Everything he had was earned through effort. But seeing the Holy Master's certainty and Hua Yunfei's "I knew it" look, he knew explaining was futile. He gave up talking. His silence seemed like agreement to them.

Feng Baiyu pressed, "When you met your mother, was her expression complex? Did she hold back? Did she talk about the Emperor? Admire or hate him? When you erased her mark, did she cry?"

Hua Yunfei perked up, curious. The Emperor's life was legendary, full of mysteries only those close to him could clarify.

Ye Chen, facing their gossip-fueled stares, was exasperated.

"No, none of that! I'm not the Emperor's son, and that Heavy Pupils weren't my mom, got it?"

He fought his irritation to explain.

Feng Baiyu nodded quickly. "Right, right, not that… My fault for asking. Family scandals shouldn't…"

Ye Chen's fists clenched.

'Family scandal, my ass!'

His Holy Master was too infuriating. If he could win, he'd beat him senseless.