ISWI Chapter 454-456

Chapter 454: Who changes outfits mid-battle?

When Ying Tiansheng sensed his mark on the tablet erased by Ye Chen's spiritual sense, his face darkened. The tablet's value and the Battle Secret it held could cause endless trouble if Ye Chen obtained it. But his concern wasn't that—it was Yi Qingwu. With the tablet taken, was she safe? Injured? Suppressed? His heart churned with chaos.

Seeing no response from the array, Ying Tiansheng unleashed a full-force punch, its shadows filling the sky, surging with killing intent, briefly repelling Hua Yunfei. Seizing the moment, he summoned a colossal hand to tear the Five Moons Dragon Trap Array apart. He had to save the fiancée. If she was harmed, he'd spare no cost to keep Ye Chen here.

The hand touched the array, shaking the heavens.

Inside, Ye Chen's words—"You don't want Ying Tiansheng to lose face because of you, do you?"—made Yi Qingwu bite her lip, eyes blazing with hatred, though she stopped resisting.

Her mouth didn't stop. "Ye the Fourth, you're shameless, using my fiancé's reputation to force me! When he finds out, you're dead! Take another step, and it'll be earth-shattering. Even if you flee to the ends of the earth, you can't escape death. Stop now, and we can talk! Ye Chen, please stop—I'm really scared."

She seemed frightened, trembling, her form undulating. Her jade-like perfection captivated Ye Chen, who smirked. He didn't buy her fear. Her trembling was graceful, like a dance, shifting poses, hands covering here and there, as if guiding his gaze. Her act only fueled his interest.

Ye Chen wasn't some ascetic. In this moment, even with Ying Tiansheng outside—or watching—he couldn't hold back. But as he reached to pull her into his arms, a voice came from outside: "Qingwu, dispel the array. Heavenly Evolution Holy Land ambushed us; two elders have fallen. Come with me—let's leave."

Yi Qingwu, seething, grabbed Ye Chen's arm, baring her teeth to bite in defiance. Just as her teeth grazed him, Ying Tiansheng's voice transmission startled her, pausing the bite.

Ye Chen raised a brow, then smirked. His Heavenly Evolution Holy Land didn't take losses lying down—they'd struck back fast, avenging their elder. Good news, though the timing was inconvenient—he hadn't even shed his battle robe. Regretful but ready to end things, he moved to push Yi Qingwu away. But she bit down hard.

Ye Chen winced—his physique was strong, but pain was pain. Having enjoyed the view, he let it slide and pushed again. Shockingly, she resisted, pressing back against him.

Ye Chen: "???"

Something's wrong with you.

"Ying Tiansheng's calling—go!" he said, exasperated, done pushing.

She sneered. "What, you were so bold with your threats, but now you're scared hearing my fiancé? Too frightened to function? Really? Really? How pathetic. If you're done, let me go, bow, and apologize to my fiancé. I thought you had some guts despite being worthless! Now I see you've got none!" She taunted, twisting her body provocatively.

Ye Chen's eyes widened. He knew she was goading him, but who could stand that? He considered messaging Senior Brother to stall Ying Tiansheng for a day, giving him time to show her the cost of calling him inadequate. But as he grabbed her, ready to act, a terrifying fluctuation hit outside. He looked up, squinting.

Yi Qingwu, caught in his grip, frowned, peering out. Ying Tiansheng was attacking the array, his giant hand poised to tear it apart. Her face shifted, raising a jade hand to channel boundless moonlight power, reinforcing the array.

"Boom…"

The earth shook, but the array held—barely.

Ying Tiansheng's next strike slammed into the array.

Yi Qingwu's stunning brows furrowed, sighing, "The Five Moons Dragon Trap Array is a Holy Land technique he's studied—he knows its weaknesses. It can't hold."

Her clear eyes betrayed deep disappointment, glancing back at Ye Chen with a hint of reproach, as if blaming his slowness.

Crack…

Ying Tiansheng's second blow landed, shaking the array, cracks spreading across it. Yi Qingwu bit her lip, unwilling but helpless. In a flash, a new palace gown appeared in her hand. Unfazed by Ye Chen, she changed into it, covering herself.

Ye Chen, unbothered by the array's impending collapse, watched appreciatively, nodding. The fiancée was breathtaking, mastering any style. In her white dress, she was an ethereal fairy; in the palace gown, her beauty gained regal majesty, like a Moon Palace goddess. Truly captivating.

But then it hit him—her clothes were wrong. She'd entered in a white dress but would leave in a palace gown. Even a fool would see something amiss. Who changes outfits mid-battle?

It'd spark suspicion. He quickly sent a voice transmission to warn her. Yi Qingwu glanced at him calmly, showing no reaction or intent to switch back to a white dress, silently watching the array crumble.

As the Five Moons Dragon Trap Array collapsed, Ye Chen and Yi Qingwu emerged before all. Ying Tiansheng, seeing her unharmed, exhaled in relief. But his eyes soon narrowed, fixating on her palace gown. Cultivators had sharp memories, and Yi Qingwu's striking beauty was unforgettable. In an instant, countless spectators noticed the discrepancy, their eyes widening in shock.

Chapter 455: The Fourth Holy Son was in danger...

Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden Yi Qingwu fought the Fourth Holy Son in the array, emerging in a different outfit. Everyone clearly remembered her entering in a white dress, yet she exited in a palace gown. This… sparked wild speculation. Her wardrobe change caused a greater stir than the fall of two Heavenly Intention Holy Land elders. Elders' deaths, while shocking, were commonplace in the cultivation world's cycle of vengeance.

But Great Yan Continent's top female cultivator was unique—one per generation. And her companion? Ye Chen, the Fourth Holy Son, notorious for his obsession with women. With his reputation, how could he not look if given the chance?

Even if her robe was shattered in battle and swiftly replaced, some exposure was inevitable. For Yi Qingwu, it was a loss. For Ying Tiansheng, the fiancée seen by another was a humiliation, regardless of the extent—a green hat, light or dark.

All eyes turned to Ying Tiansheng, eager for his reaction. Above, having broken the array, he stood calm, his gaze indifferent, betraying no emotion.

Yi Qingwu bowed her head, eyes glistening as if wronged, evoking pity.

Ying Tiansheng looked at her with tenderness. "Qingwu, your safety is my priority. Seeing you unharmed, I'm relieved. All else is dust."

His words stunned the crowd. Known for his coldness, Ying Tiansheng didn't rage but comforted her.

Spectators marveled at his composure and deep devotion. Most men wouldn't handle this with such grace.

Yi Qingwu's eyes reddened at his words. Hesitant before, she now flew to him, tears and guilt shimmering in her stunning eyes. "Holy Son, Ye Chen used despicable means to steal your tablet, erasing your mark… I knew how much you valued it, so I tried to take it back. But he's shameless, using the tablet as bait to trap me. He even used vile tactics to shatter my dress! I instantly used divine light to change into this gown, so even with his Heavy Pupil… he shouldn't have seen much. But that's not the point—whether he saw anything doesn't matter. The tablet's precious—it can't fall into his hands. That's aiding the enemy! Holy Son, act quickly to take it back!"

Her brief words clarified what happened in the array, spoken loudly enough for ordinary cultivators to hear, sparking uproar. None doubted her—they had no reason to. Her primal yin remained intact, confirming it was an accident. Her claim that Ye Chen acted deliberately didn't seem far-fetched.

Everyone knew the Fourth Holy Son's obsession with women. Other cultivators, facing even the most beautiful female cultivator, would prioritize killing their enemy.

But Ye Chen? Given the chance to fight Great Yan Continent's top female cultivator, it made sense he'd harbor strange thoughts while gazing at her stunning beauty, especially with her having a fiancé—more thrilling. Records showed the Heavenly Emperor often teased Holy Maidens, even once auctioning a group of them brazenly. As his descendant, Ye Chen's actions seemed inherited, perfectly reasonable.

Almost everyone believed this was the truth. Even his Senior Brother in the sky and the elders and Holy Master fighting in the void didn't question it. Only Ye Chen's lips twitched.

I'm not that kind of person.

It was all Yi Qingwu seducing him. But he knew no one would believe him. Besides, her gifts and max critical hit pleased him, so he couldn't bear to expose her. Fine, he'd take the blame—his reputation was already like this.

Hearing Yi Qingwu, Ying Tiansheng glanced coldly at Ye Chen, then looked back at her gently. "The tablet's unimportant. Even if he learns the Battle Secret, he's no match for me, let alone a threat. Promise me, don't risk yourself for mere objects. Nothing matters more than you."

His heartfelt words moved Yi Qingwu, her eyes shining with admiration. Heavenly Intention Holy Land's elders were retreating. Ying Tiansheng waved, ready to leave with her.

Hua Yunfei, done watching, raised a brow. This wasn't a game—he'd keep them all here. He unleashed a purple qi Dao palace to suppress Ying Tiansheng.

Ying Tiansheng turned, forming a seal. Countless crystalline petals, each brimming with lethal force, surged like a rain of flowers toward Hua Yunfei. In a blink, the Dao palace shattered. The petals locked onto Hua Yunfei, briefly stalling him.

This unseen technique, terrifyingly lethal, was clearly another of Ying Tiansheng's trump cards. Everyone expected him to escape with Yi Qingwu. But instead, after stalling Hua Yunfei, Ying Tiansheng, who'd ignored Ye Chen, moved. At unimaginable speed, he charged Ye Chen, his hidden killing intent erupting like an ocean, chilling all to the bone.

Spectators were stunned but not surprised. No matter how much he cared for Yi Qingwu, he couldn't ignore what happened. Action was expected.

His speed and ferocity were overwhelming. In an instant, he reached Ye Chen, unleashing a devastating punch. Great Yin and Great Yang forces formed dragon-like chains. Onlookers' primordial spirits trembled, terrified. Before this punch, all obstacles would be obliterated.

The Fourth Holy Son was in danger…

Chapter 456: The Power of Heaven and Earth Manifestation

Ying Tiansheng's speed was blinding, too fast for anyone to react. Even Hua Yunfei couldn't intervene in time, shattering the surrounding petals and unleashing a terrifying purple divine light at Ying Tiansheng's back to stall him. But Ying Tiansheng ignored it, showing no intent to dodge, willing to take the hit to kill Ye Chen. His resolve was staggering.

His punch arrived instantly, collapsing the void for hundreds of miles, as if unraveling reality itself. Unimaginably terrifying, it reached Ye Chen in a flash. No escape, no evasion.

Spectators' hearts raced, certain that even with Ye Chen's Heavy Pupils, Supreme Heart, and robust physique, this punch would be fatal. He seemed doomed.

Yet at the battle's center, Ye Chen faced the apocalyptic fist calmly. Ying Tiansheng's unreserved strike was indeed fearsome, but Ye Chen had options. He could use the Kun Peng Treasure Technique to retreat, dodging the brunt and withstanding the aftermath with his physique, likely unharmed. But he didn't want to retreat. He wanted to test himself against a true top-tier prodigy like Ying Tiansheng.

Standing firm, divine light bloomed from his brow. A shadowy figure stepped out, drawing all eyes. The hazy, humanoid silhouette was burly, muscles taut, wielding what seemed an axe-shaped magic tool, wreathed in endless chaotic qi. Its presence exuded unimaginable pressure.

Spectators gasped, recognizing it.

"Heaven and Earth Manifestation?"

"The Fourth Holy Son just reached Deity Transformation, and his Heaven and Earth Manifestation is only embryonic, yet it's this formidable?"

"If he'd begun refining Yin-Yang Dao, a fully realized Heaven and Earth Manifestation would be unimaginable."

"But a mere embryonic form against that punch? Such a pity!"

They marveled at Ye Chen's talent, believing he could become the next Heavenly Emperor if he survived. But Ying Tiansheng's enraged strike was too overwhelming for an embryonic Heaven and Earth Manifestation to counter. They felt it was a tragic waste.

Facing Ying Tiansheng's devastating punch, Ye Chen remained calm. The embryonic Heaven and Earth Manifestation from his brow slowly raised its axe, radiating an aura capable of shattering all creation. As the godlike fist arrived, the shadowy figure swung down.

Boom…

The collision erupted with divine light, turning the calm Endless Sea violent. The sky's endless black clouds scattered. A cataclysmic scene unfolded, the shockwave deafening Deity Transformation cultivators and causing Nascent Soul cultivators to spit blood, collapsing into the sea.

Spectators were stunned—Ye Chen's embryonic Heaven and Earth Manifestation had blocked the strike. But their pupils shrank further. Not just blocked—Ying Tiansheng, charging with unstoppable momentum, was flung back, golden blood raining across the sky.

The crowd's breath halted. Ye Chen hadn't just defended—he'd injured Ying Tiansheng? Unthinkable. Ying Tiansheng, one of the generation's three giants, invincible, had never been wounded by someone a realm below.

How terrifying was Ye Chen's talent? What visualization had he used to reach Deity Transformation? What was his Heaven and Earth Manifestation? Still embryonic, yet this powerful?

As they reeled, Hua Yunfei's purple divine light struck, blasting more golden blood, sending Ying Tiansheng crashing into the sea's depths.Hua Yunfei glanced at Ye Chen, surprised, then smiled. "Since he's wounded, let's try to keep him here." His divine wheel glowed brighter, scanning the Endless Sea to trap Ying Tiansheng.

Ye Chen nodded, pleased with his Heaven and Earth Manifestation's might. Worthy of Pangu's world-opening axe—no one could withstand it. When fully realized, it could likely kill Ying Tiansheng in one strike. Killing him now would be ideal, given their irreconcilable feud. Though Ying Tiansheng's death would make Yi Qingwu a widow instead of a fiancée, losing some thrill, it'd bring a different allure.

Chaotic qi swirled in Ye Chen's Heavy Pupils, scanning the sea for Ying Tiansheng. Yi Qingwu, as if just reacting, shouted in fury, "Shameless, ganging up to hurt my fiancé?"

She transformed into a massive moon, crashing toward Ye Chen.

Hua Yunfei glanced but didn't intervene.

Ye Chen frowned, activating Heavy Pupil Opens Heaven, forming a pure land to trap her. She slammed against it, trying to break free, her celestial voice ringing, "Ye Chen, release me… I have an unrivaled array that can suppress you and reclaim my fiancé's tablet! You'll pay with your life for hurting him!"

Ye Chen's eyes widened. Her fiancé might die soon, yet she wanted to set up another array for a "private room"? Utterly absurd.

The situation felt too intense. Though tempted to continue their earlier encounter, killing Ying Tiansheng was the priority. A giant like him as an enemy was best eliminated now.

Ignoring her taunts, Ye Chen's Heavy Pupils scanned for Ying Tiansheng, ensuring he couldn't escape.

Suddenly, the Endless Sea shook. Hundreds of square kilometers of water surged skyward, forming two black dragons with strange power, deflecting Dao and laws, briefly stalling Ye Chen and Hua Yunfei.

Simultaneously, Ying Tiansheng emerged, moving at incomprehensible speed. In a blink, he reached the edge of Ye Chen's pure land, extending a giant hand. Using some unknown method, he yanked Yi Qingwu out. Without pause or a word, he fled with her across the void at breakneck speed.