ISWI Chapter 448-451

Chapter 448: I Don't Care What You Think

Ying Tiansheng was already displeased that Yi Qingwu took so long to defeat Ye Chen. With her Unity realm strength and domain trapping him, she should've crushed him in three minutes.

Yet, it dragged on for over a day and night. Was Ye Chen that resilient? Engaged in his own intense battle with Hua Yunfei, Ying Tiansheng assumed Yi Qingwu was tormenting Ye Chen to erase her past shame, so he didn't dwell on it. But he never expected her to cry for help, claiming Ye Chen was bullying her.

His fists clenched. Bullying how? Another sneak attack, leaving another mark like last time? Veins bulged on his forehead.

Hua Yunfei seized the moment, slamming a Yin-Yang Fish Diagram that sent him crashing into the Endless Sea.

Meanwhile, the Broad Cold Divine Realm shattered, revealing the scene within, drawing countless gazes. The plea for help had been heard, shocking everyone.

Yi Qingwu's celestial voice, usually perfect, carried a rare vulnerability, stirring protective instincts. Many wished to rush in, fight Ye Chen, and comfort the goddess. But they knew better—both Holy Lands' powerhouses, busy fighting, would swat them like flies if provoked.

Spectators were more curious: Yi Qingwu, a realm above with domain advantage, should've dominated. Why was she pleading? Could the Fourth Holy Son's spiritual sense be so strong as to overpower her despite the gap and suppression? If true, that was heaven-defying.

The moonlit Broad Cold Divine Realm dissipated, revealing both figures. Yi Qingwu remained dazzlingly beautiful, almost unreal, her white dress ethereal. But her eyes burned with killing intent, though she bore no visible injuries. Opposite her, the Fourth Holy Son appeared unscathed. Neither looked harmed.

The crowd was baffled. After fighting for a day and night, they looked untouched? What had they been doing? And why did the Holy Maiden plead for help? The curiosity was overwhelming.

Yi Qingwu's eyes blazed with murderous intent, yet her expression was calm. Her voice, soothing as a spring breeze, intoxicated all. "Ye Chen, I didn't expect you to hide such means. Suppressed so long, yet you broke my domain and injured my primordial spirit at the last moment! But it's merely the Heavenly Emperor's inheritance!"

The crowd nodded, piecing it together. In the domain, the Fourth Holy Son was likely pummeled, crashing against its edges. But at the final moment, he used the Heavenly Emperor's inheritance to strike back and win.

Unbelievable, but with his Heavy Pupil and Supreme Heart, as the Heavenly Emperor's successor—perhaps even descendant—it made sense. The Heavenly Emperor's legacy, even after a million years, was formidable. Breaking a Broad Cold Divine Realm was plausible.

The crowd relaxed, understanding.

Ying Tiansheng, blasted away, also eased.

As for Ye Chen? He knew the fiancée was lying but chose to forgive her, as always generous, especially toward her. He let her words stand.

Unlike Ye Chen's leniency toward the fiancée, Ying Tiansheng wasn't so forgiving. Though her words eased his mind, the tremble in her plea for help lingered, stirring unease.

Yi Qingwu glanced at Ying Tiansheng, who'd just emerged from the Endless Sea, looking slightly disheveled. Her beautiful face showed heartache and guilt.

"Holy Son, did my call distract you, causing you to get hurt? I'm sorry. Ye the Fourth was so cunning. In my panic, I instinctively called your name, not thinking it'd harm you… Next time, I won't call out and distract you."

Her clear, radiant eyes brimmed with remorse, as if she'd committed a lifelong regret. Seeing her on the verge of tears, Ying Tiansheng felt a pang of guilt. In her moment of panic, she'd called his name, showing he was her most trusted. Yet he'd doubted her—how shameful. Besides, he wasn't hurt. Hua Yunfei's attack didn't sting at all.

Standing calmly in the void, divine light and faint lightning flickered around him, casting him as a thunder god. He smiled faintly, full of care. "It's fine. I was just too concerned for you and got caught off guard. Hua Yunfei can't touch me. As your fiancé, you should call my name in danger—so don't stop, shout it louder! Since Ye Chen ambushed you, rest for now. I'll take them both and crush them easily."

Ying Tiansheng's arrogance shone, his prodigy aura unmatched, as if no one mattered. Hua Yunfei didn't care for such bravado and didn't retort. He just studied his Junior Brother, impressed. Overcoming a domain's suppression and a realm gap to win was remarkable.

Ye Chen, watching the scene, felt oddly like a villain in a love story. He wasn't that kind of person and felt no guilt, but he stayed silent. Ying Tiansheng had taken a hit—let him show off. Men need to look strong in front of women; Ye Chen got it.

But to Ying Tiansheng's challenge to fight both, Yi Qingwu firmly shook her head. She glared coldly at Hua Yunfei, then spoke softly but resolutely. "How can I always rely on you, Holy Son? I was careless earlier, but with the stone tablet you gave me, I can suppress Ye Chen without my domain. Once I crush him, we can join forces to easily defeat Hua Yunfei…"

Ying Tiansheng's brow twitched. Though his doubts were cleared and the thorn in his heart removed, he didn't want her fighting Ye Chen again. Something felt off. He frowned sternly. "I don't care what you think—I care what I think…"

Chapter 449: Five Moons Dragon Trap Array

Despite Ying Tiansheng's objections, Yi Qingwu ignored him, determined to suppress Ye Chen quickly and aid her Holy Son.

"Boom, boom, boom…"

She summoned a broken stone tablet. It expanded instantly, its fragmented divine patterns radiating dazzling light and fearsome killing intent, like a heavenly monument suppressing all.

Growing to the size of a mountain, it crashed toward Ye Chen. Frowning, he transformed into a Kunpeng and retreated with blinding speed, dodging the strike. The tablet plunged into the Endless Sea, unleashing towering waves.

Standing atop the waves, Ye Chen frowned. The fiancée was wild—shouting anything, fully cooperative, yet merciless in combat. Looking at the tablet, he felt both joy and a headache. Its unmatched killing aura confirmed it bore half the Battle Secret. Yi Qingwu hadn't lied—she'd brought the tablet. Worthy of the fiancée. But how could he seize it publicly, with Heavenly Intention Holy Son watching?

Since their first encounter, he and Yi Qingwu had always fought in private. Now, under so many eyes, especially Ying Tiansheng's, Ye Chen felt restrained, unsure how to proceed.

Should he overpower her and take the tablet? Or let her show off, then "ambush" her to seize it? The second option seemed better. It'd look like he won by trickery, not that she was inferior. Ying Tiansheng might even gift her more treasures to suppress him later, which she'd then deliver to him. A win-win-win.

Ye Chen didn't care about fame or invincible posturing. Losing to the fiancée wasn't a loss—he'd profit handsomely.

While he pondered, Yi Qingwu had her plan ready. Though her strike missed, her radiant lips curved confidently, her lively eyes brimming with control.

"The Kun Peng Treasure Technique is the world's fastest, but I'm prepared to suppress you. Even with it, you're doomed to fall! My fiancé doesn't need to act. This half-tablet alone can crush you! Ten thousand of you couldn't compare to him! Five Moons Dragon Trap Array, rise!"

She struck suddenly. A grand array with five divine moons surged from the void, its moonlight spreading to engulf them.

Spectators gasped. The Five Moons Dragon Trap Array sealed space and slowed enemies, countering speed-based foes. Unless Ye Chen's Kun Peng Treasure Technique had reached a transcendent level, ignoring arrays, he couldn't maneuver as freely. This could decide the battle. They expected him to dodge.

But Ye Chen's eyes lit up, showing no intent to flee. He was astonished. The fiancée was so prepared—first isolating them with her domain, and when it shattered from his overwhelming force, she had this array ready. She brought her own private "room" to their fight—Ye Chen was nearly moved to tears. But he couldn't be too obvious, or Ying Tiansheng might grow suspicious.

Ye Chen transformed into a Kun Peng, feigning escape. At the last moment, he "failed" to break free, helplessly engulfed by the array. Forces aligned with Heavenly Evolution Holy Land sighed. Most cultivators, favoring Yi Qingwu and relishing a prodigy's fall, were thrilled to see her trap Ye Chen, expecting a harsh lesson. Their only regret was the array's opacity, blocking the spiritual sense.

Hua Yunfei, watching Ye Chen "trapped," frowned, sensing something off, and held back.

Ying Tiansheng's eyes widened. Though his fiancée had ensnared the enemy, he wished he could help Ye Chen escape. He didn't want her alone with Ye Chen, even to suppress him. But a purple qi-formed divine mountain crashed down, accompanied by Hua Yunfei's amused voice: "Brother Ying seems reluctant to fight, but I can't stop!"

Ying Tiansheng's gaze turned cold. He shattered the mountain with a punch, as if breaking a galaxy, and charged at Hua Yunfei. He'd kill Hua Yunfei first, then break the array to slay Ye Chen, erasing all unease. Hua Yunfei calmly pointed, purple qi forming a Dao diagram to block him.

Suddenly, time seemed to freeze for an instant. Everyone halted, except Ying Tiansheng, who broke through the forming diagram, appearing before Hua Yunfei. His lips curled coldly, fist surging with heaven-shaking killing intent, collapsing the surrounding void. The next second, his punch would land.

As time resumed, spectators' eyes widened in horror. Ying Tiansheng had seemingly teleported from a kilometer away to Hua Yunfei's face, fist raised. The technique was terrifying, impossible to counter. Worse, Hua Yunfei's physique was clearly inferior. This punch might not just decide the fight—it could kill him. Hearts raced.

Ying Tiansheng smirked coldly. Killing and devouring Hua Yunfei, then Ye Chen, would make him the era's unrivaled first. But his brow furrowed.

Hua Yunfei couldn't escape but showed no intent to. Smiling, he said, "Besides the Battle Secret, Brother Ying also mastered the complete Movement Secret?"

Before finishing, he was obliterated. The punch destroyed everything, leaving the void unhealed for a long time, showcasing Ying Tiansheng's terrifying power.

The crowd gasped in disbelief. Hua Yunfei, one of the three giants, dead? This would shake the Great Yan Continent.

But Ying Tiansheng's face darkened. Hua Yunfei's final reaction and lack of residual essence felt wrong.

As expected, movement stirred on Heavenly Intention Holy Land's distant ship. A white-clad figure emerged from the cabin, his handsome face bearing a gentle smile, locking eyes with the ashen-faced Ying Tiansheng.

Chapter 450: Unfinished Business

Inside the Five Moons Dragon Trap Array, Ye Chen gazed at the moonlight overhead, feeling the array's isolation of spiritual sense and sound, and nodded in satisfaction. A private room needs good soundproofing for secure dealings.

Lifting his head, he saw Yi Qingwu, her dark hair dancing in the breeze, white dress fluttering, her graceful figure captivating. Ye Chen loved her confident smile, her stunning face almost unreal, a poetic masterpiece. His gaze burned hotter at the stone tablet in her hand. A treasure. With it, he'd possess at least one of the Nine Secrets. It thrilled him.

Seeing her haughty, murderous demeanor, Ye Chen decided to suppress her first to get to business. She was always like this—wild, but requiring a fight to start. As chaotic qi swirled in his Heavy Pupils to subdue her, Yi Qingwu raised a slender hand. "Don't rush to your death. You haven't finished what you started. Once it's done, I'll send you on your way and aid my fiancé."

Ye Chen: "???"

What?

He didn't know about any unfinished business. As he pondered, Yi Qingwu's rainbow-clad primordial spirit, armored like a knight storming a lair, shot toward him. His lips twitched.

This was what she meant? Was she addicted?

It was fun, sure, but business came first. He opened his mouth to refuse.

Her primordial spirit stopped half a meter away, divine light blooming at her brow, opening her core to him, her lively eyes signaling.

Ye Chen: "???"

What now?

Seeing his confusion, she sneered. "You humiliated me earlier—forgotten already? The Broad Cold Divine Realm shattered at the last moment. You missed a stroke! Finish it…"

Ye Chen couldn't hold back.

Was the fiancée really this quirky? Obsessed with a missing stroke?

Utterly absurd. Unable to follow her logic, he didn't bother arguing. With a flick of his spiritual sense, he added a stroke to the four symbols in her core.

Satisfied, Yi Qingwu nodded, her primordial spirit returning to her brow. As it did, her haughty voice rang out. "I am Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden, Holy Son's fiancée! You humiliate me—there's a price! Every time must be recorded, my shame and Holy Son's shame! I'll make you pay for each one! Not later—now!"

Her primordial spirit settled, and the tablet in her hand surged again, its killing force crashing toward Ye Chen.

Ye Chen raised a hand, unleashing the True Dragon Treasure Technique, forming a dragon mountain to counter the stone tablet. He wasn't rushing to seize it from Yi Qingwu. Instead, he summoned a palace from his small world. The Moon Palace radiated supreme aura, awe-inspiring.

Ye Chen spoke calmly, "This Moon Palace is perfect. I once considered keeping it. But it's most suited for you, Holy Maiden. I wish to gift it to you. Please accept."

Yi Qingwu's eyes sparkled at the Moon Palace. Though Ye Chen had promised to return it last time, she'd been skeptical. An Extreme Dao Weapon was unimaginably precious, rare even among Mahayana realm cultivators. Yet, he was returning it at their second meeting. Her gaze toward him shifted.

Ye Chen's eyes burned with anticipation. A critical hit from gifting the Moon Palace could yield an immortal artifact. Whether he could use it didn't matter—it'd be thrilling to have, even just to admire in his small world.

But under his fervent gaze, Yi Qingwu shook her head. "If I take the Moon Palace now, he'd still need it. It's not the right time. You're at Deity Transformation; it can help you condense Great Yin Charm. Also, Ye the Fourth, are you trying to tempt and force me? I'm Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden—how could I yield for a mere Moon Palace? Go to hell!"

The tablet surged again, forming multiple giant moons that crashed toward Ye Chen. He frowned, flicking fingers to shatter them, then narrowed his eyes. He hadn't expected her to refuse the Moon Palace—because Ying Tiansheng still needed it!

What deep grudge did she have against him? Couldn't they just talk?

Ye Chen sighed. Seeing her resolve, he withdrew the Moon Palace. If he couldn't gift it, he'd offer something else. Missing an immortal artifact stung, but he adjusted quickly. His storage bracelet always held plenty of gifts for such moments.

After trading a few moves with Yi Qingwu, he chose the perfect gift: a treasure box from Senior Brother, used to store Enlightenment Tea Leaves. The leaves, preserved for a million years, retained their full charm despite time's touch—a true treasure. Ye Chen had kept the box, waiting for the right moment. With Yi Qingwu's 2500x multiplier, it was ideal.

With a thought, the box appeared. He filled it with five Enlightenment Tea Leaves and Moon Laurel Tree flowers, stuffing it full.

"The Moon Palace could aid my Great Yin Charm cultivation," he said. "Since you won't take it now, please accept this carefully prepared gift. This box seals spiritual items, preserving their charm for a million years. The contents are just small additions, not the real gift."

Another gift from Ye Chen?

Yi Qingwu's curiosity piqued. Taking the box, she noted its extraordinary material and subtle mystique. Seeing the Enlightenment Tea Leaves and Laurel Flowers, her lively eyes widened slightly.

Chapter 451: Bronze Ancient Coffin

The box was exquisite, adorned with a moon, showing Ye Chen's care in preparing the gift. Its contents stunned Yi Qingwu. Her clear, beautiful eyes held both surprise and a hint of sorrow.

Enlightenment Tea Leaves were precious, and the Moon Laurel Flowers were no less rare. Since the Heavenly Emperor's era, such treasures had grown scarce, even for Holy Lands. She recalled her father's final days. Her grandmother had taken their clan's last Enlightenment Tea Leaf to help him break through to Unity.

Back then, young Yi Qingwu watched her father brew it, cherishing every drop, steeping it for three days. Even then, he didn't discard it, consuming the leaf before retreating. She'd thought him stingy, vowing to find an Enlightenment Tea Tree when she grew up so he could drink it daily. But she never got the chance to share tea with him again. He left no body, no chance for reincarnation.

Yi Qingwu's resolve hardened, snapping out of her memories. Her gem-like eyes, complex and deep, fixed on Ye Chen. She'd chosen him because he was strong, backed by a formidable force, unlikely to be easily killed by Ying Tiansheng. In time, he might even kill Ying Tiansheng, her tool to torment her fiancé. Deep down, she saw Ye Chen as just another man coveting her, his fervor in the domain—shattering it—proof of that.

Yet now, he honored his promise, offering to return the Moon Palace intact. He'd also prepared rare treasures like the Enlightenment Tea Leaves and Laurel Flowers, priceless and near unattainable. Most telling, he downplayed them as mere "add-ons" to ensure she'd accept. It was clear: Ye Chen was truly smitten, not just with her body but her heart. Since their last parting, he'd likely been anticipating this reunion.

Yi Qingwu felt his sincerity, realizing he wasn't just toying with her beauty. Ripples stirred in her heart, but she quickly steadied herself. She'd paid her price—she owed him nothing. Bathed in moonlight, she gazed at Ye Chen with lofty calm. "I'm pleased with your gift and will accept it. But it changes nothing. I'll suppress you today, then aid Holy Son."

The Five Moons Dragon Trap Array blocked external sight and spiritual sense, but Ye Chen could sense the outside. While gifting, he glanced at the chaos—unfazed when Senior Brother was "killed," and unsurprised when another appeared on the ship. He even wondered if that was his true body.

But his focus returned as Yi Qingwu accepted the gift. Her haughty tone, though, irked him. This might not trigger a critical hit. With her 2500x multiplier, a lackluster acceptance could yield just a pile of boxes—tasteless to keep, wasteful to discard.

Ye Chen's eyes lit up, his gaze on Yi Qingwu turning fervent.

The system's reward notification chimed.

"Congratulations, host, gift successfully given…"

"Host gifted the Eternal Evergreen Box!"

"Processing 2500x feedback…"

"Detected: Gift caused intense emotional impact and is highly significant to the recipient…"

"Triggered maximum critical hit…"

"Reward: Bronze Ancient Coffin!"

"Bronze Ancient Coffin: Isolates time, transcends the river of ages, nurtures essence. During slumber, user remains immortal and unaffected, waking unchanged after eons. If gravely injured, enter to recover fully after a million years. Cannot restore lifespan."

Ye Chen was stunned.

First, by Yi Qingwu's haughty acceptance triggering a maximum critical hit despite her attitude—apparently, she had a tsundere streak. Second, by the reward itself. He'd hoped the box might yield something like a divine source, sealing ancient prodigies to slow life force loss, or a similar treasure.

The cultivation world was perilous; even the strong could fall to stronger foes. While he feared little, those around him might not be so safe. This coffin could preserve them in case of mishaps, allowing healing when his strength grew.

But the Bronze Ancient Coffin exceeded expectations. Locking life force, immune to time's erosion, it allowed slumber for millions of years. Even fatal Dao injuries could heal in its embrace. What kind of divine lifesaving treasure was this? It surpassed even immortal artifacts.

His gaze on Yi Qingwu changed entirely. A 2500x multiplier plus a maximum critical hit—insanely powerful. No immortal artifact, but something beyond it. She was a treasure beyond measure. He even considered keeping her for good. Having her as a "gift-delivery agent" was great, but if Ying Tiansheng realized she was a traitor and killed her, what then? Compared to treasures from Ying Tiansheng, Ye Chen now valued her more.

He spoke earnestly, "Since you're dissatisfied with Heavenly Intention Holy Son, come with me to Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. I'll spare no resources to help you become an immortal, surpassing him." His sincerity was unmistakable.