ISWI Chapter 444-445

Chapter 444: The Great Yang Divine Dynasty Ruins!

After receiving the news, Ye Chen arrived at the Cloud Summit Heaven Palace. Senior Brother and a group of elders were already gathered, discussing something.

Feng Baiyu spoke coldly, "This trip to the Endless Sea isn't about the Great Yang Scripture or the Fusang Ancient Tree. Those don't matter. Our Heavenly Evolution Holy Land has a deep foundation. Such treasures are nice but not essential. This time, we go to kill and avenge. Whoever dares kill our Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's elder must pay with their life."

Ye Chen's lips twitched. The Holy Master's thirst for vengeance was intense. But Ye Chen liked it. It was straightforward and satisfying.

Senior Brother Hua saw Ye Chen and smiled, then said thoughtfully, "Junior Brother just broke through to Deity Transformation. Why not stay and cultivate? Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden has reached the Unity realm. If you meet, she'll surely target you. Though your strength is formidable, there's no need for reckless pride. We'll handle it. If you need anything, just tell me, and I'll retrieve it for you."

Ye Chen looked at his refined Senior Brother and couldn't help but grin. Senior Brother was just too kind—Ye Chen was almost moved to tears. But if the fiancée was heading to the Endless Sea, he had to go. She was likely bringing the stone tablet with the Battle Secret, and he couldn't miss it. The Great Yang Scripture and Fusang Ancient Tree also stirred his heart. They were must-haves.

So Ye Chen shook his head without hesitation. "I'm part of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. I must contribute. I'll go with Senior Brother. As for Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden, no need to worry. I suppressed her once, and I can do it again!" His words brimmed with confidence.

Heavenly Intention Holy Son might be a challenge, but a mere Holy Maiden? He could handle her.

Hua Yunfei smiled and didn't press further.

Feng Baiyu, watching this, nodded in approval. Their first Holy Maiden was unreliable for now, but the fourth Holy Son was proving exceptional. Feng Baiyu raised his hand with a smile. "Very well, we depart soon!"

After leaving the Palace, Ye Chen returned to Ascension Peak. He informed Senior An, then, under Lu Jing's expectant gaze, rejected her idea of entering his small world. He told her to use resources and break through to Nascent Soul first. By then, his small world's immortal roots would grow, and its rules and laws would be more complete, perhaps suitable for cultivation.

Next, Ye Chen checked on the fallen elder's orphan. He gifted her a Soul-Swaying Divine Stone and Star Spirit Water to enhance her talent and cultivation. He also bestowed the Hundred Flowers Immortal Scripture to aid her practice. The orphan was overwhelmed with gratitude.

After handling everything, Ye Chen boarded the prepared tower ship, standing beside Senior Brother, heading toward the Endless Sea. The elders didn't travel with them but moved covertly, ready to ambush Heavenly Intention Holy Land's experts. Through his Heavy Pupil, Ye Chen vaguely saw dozens of figures hidden in the void. It felt oddly like leading a group to a brawl.

The Endless Sea was far, spanning billions of miles between the Great Yan Continent and the Central Continent. But with Senior Brother and the elders' cultivation, their speed was extraordinary. In just ten days, they reached the Endless Sea.

Ye Chen's first visit to the Endless Sea filled him with curiosity as he stood at the ship's bow, gazing into the distance. Unlike the seas in his mind, the Endless Sea was pitch-black, as if staining the sky itself.

Standing on its surface, surrounded by darkness without a single island in sight, the oppressive atmosphere was overwhelming. The sea was eerily calm, its waters blocking the spiritual sense. Even with Ye Chen's formidable spiritual sense, amplified nearly a thousandfold after breaking through to Deity Transformation, he could barely probe ten thousand meters deep.

For other Deity Transformation cultivators, ten meters would be their limit. No wonder the Endless Sea was so perilous that even the Yao Family's Holy Maiden perished here. It was indeed dangerous.

The tower ship pressed forward, and after three days, the monotonous sea finally stirred. Golden light illuminated the world, as if a sun rose from the ocean's depths. Hundreds of divine mountains and temples floated above the sea, stretching tens of millions of miles.

Most mountains remained sealed, but the dozens that were open teemed with cultivators. Battles erupted frequently, creating a lively spectacle, with many major forces observing.

When Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's tower ship arrived, the area fell silent. Ye Chen and Hua Yunfei stood at the bow, calmly surveying the scene, drawing all eyes.

"Hua Yunfei has indeed reached the Unity realm."

"Heavenly Intention Holy Son is coming soon. A major battle is inevitable."

"The Fourth Holy Son reached Deity Transformation in just a few years—his cultivation speed is unreal!"

"Worthy of the Heavenly Emperor's successor, truly astonishing."

"Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden, Yi Qingwu, also broke through to Unity. She'll likely show up. The Fourth Holy Son tied with her before, but this time, he's in trouble."

"The gap between Nascent Soul and Deity Transformation is smaller than between Deity Transformation and Unity. The Fourth Holy Son might avoid clashing with her directly."

"But don't underestimate him. With his Supreme Heart, a single strike from the Hand of Heaven could sweep everything."

The crowd buzzed with speculation, eager for the clash between Hua Yunfei and Heavenly Intention Holy Son, while opinions on Ye Chen and Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden's strengths varied.

Ye Chen paid them no mind. Scanning the surroundings, he spotted a valley at the center of the mountains, shrouded in a sealing aura. Golden light flickered within, blazing intensely, while the surrounding seawater boiled, radiating waves of divine mist. That was clearly Tang Valley, where the Fusang Ancient Tree grew—the core of the Great Yang Divine Dynasty.

As he pondered, a figure approached the ship. She had a graceful figure, her long, slender legs striking yet powerful, drawing attention. Her face was veiled in mist, obscuring her features.

"Greetings, Holy Sons," she said in a slightly husky, alluring voice. It was Lin Qingtan, the first elder of Ye Chen's Ascension Peak.

"Elder Lin, you've worked hard. What's the situation here?" Ye Chen asked with a smile.

Lin Qingtan looked at him with complex emotions before replying, "Since the ruins emerged, a divine peak unseals every three days. But the intervals are speeding up. At this rate, the core Tang Valley might unseal in half a month. On its seal, I've occasionally seen a divine tree's shadow and felt the Sun's holy power. I suspect the Fusang Divine Tree is still alive!"

Chapter 445: Treasure Girl Lin Qingtan!

"Still alive?"

Ye Chen frowned, a trace of disappointment flickering in his heart. If the tree were dead, gifting a piece of the Fusang Ancient Tree might yield another. But if it was alive, a second tree was uncertain. Immortal roots were unique, though his system was unpredictable. A whole tree would be hard to seize—and harder to gift.

The Fusang Ancient Tree was a legacy treasure. If he gifted it in front of Senior Brother, the elders might expel him on the spot. Too bad the Holy Master wasn't a woman. Gifting it to her might have unlocked every immortal root in the cultivation world.

As Ye Chen's thoughts wandered, another immortal peak in the distance glowed, its seal breaking. A swarm of cultivators rushed out. Neither Ye Chen nor Hua Yunfei moved. No reason—they simply weren't impressed.

Lin Qingtan continued her report in her alluring voice. "Three days ago, I saw a jade slip's shadow in Tang Valley's seal… It carried immortal aura, likely the Great Yang Divine Dynasty's legacy scripture, the Great Yang Scripture."

Ye Chen's interest in the distant Tang Valley surged. A tree and a scripture? This was his destined fortune. As for the surrounding powerhouses and whether he could seize it? With Senior Brother and the hidden elders backing him, he even suspected the Holy Master, that old schemer, might be lurking nearby. This was a sure win. He'd pay a price to his Holy Land later, but securing both was no issue.

"Holy Son Ye, I have a request!" Lin Qingtan spoke again, interrupting his thoughts.

Ye Chen looked at her, puzzled. Her graceful figure bent in a bow, accentuating her striking long legs. Ye Chen was slightly stunned.

Lin Qingtan spoke with a hint of nervousness. "Holy Son, due to my Yin Nether Demon Body, I've been unable to condense Great Yang Charm. Since breaking through to Deity Transformation, my cultivation hasn't progressed. The Great Yang Divine Dynasty ruins are my only chance to resolve my physique's issue. I dare not hope for the Fusang Divine Tree! But I beg Holy Son to grant me the Great Yang Scripture! If I obtain it and rebuild my immortal path, I'll devote everything to you!"

Her husky voice brimmed with resolve. The jade slip in Tang Valley was cracked, likely usable only once. Sect slips had restrictions, preventing external sharing. With numerous powerhouses and Unity realm experts around, her chances of obtaining it alone were slim.

Thus, Lin Qingtan seized her only opportunity. Though Holy Son was only early Deity Transformation like her, their combat strength and status were worlds apart. Ye Chen had a strong chance of securing the scripture.

Lin Qingtan was decisive, just as when she joined Ascension Peak without hesitation. Now, she spoke to Ye Chen with equal resolve. The words "devote everything" showed her determination.

Hua Yunfei chuckled, stepping back, his divine halo glowing elsewhere. Onlookers in the distance caught snippets of the conversation, their gazes toward Ye Chen turning odd, as if confirming rumors.

Ye Chen grinned. As the saying went: no fear of expensive gifts, only fear of no desire. She needed the Great Yang Scripture? He'd give it to her. Absolutely.

Before Ye Chen could respond, Lin Qingtan, as if to prove her sincerity, let the mist on her face dissipate. A stunningly beautiful face emerged—cool and dignified, with delicate red lips. But dark demonic patterns marred its perfection, sprawling across her forehead, under her eyes, cheeks, and lips, forming strange designs. They extended down her neck. The patterns diminished her beauty significantly. Yet, in Ye Chen's eyes, they added a unique charm.

Truthfully, he was curious about where the demonic patterns led and what design they formed. His gaze made Lin Qingtan lower her head. Fearing he'd be repelled by her physique, she hurriedly said, "Holy Son, if I obtain the Great Yang Scripture, I can use its Sun Holy Power to advance my physique into a Yin-Yang Demon Body… Then, I can control these demonic patterns at will…"

She knew she wasn't worth a scripture, let alone the Great Yang Scripture. But Holy Son's reputation for loving women was well-known. This was her only chance, and she had to seize it.

Yet, she worried her marred appearance might fail to win his favor. It was, after all, unsightly. Head bowed, with no response from Ye Chen, her heart sank. Mustering courage, she looked up to find him smiling, gazing at her like she was a treasure. "You hid behind that mist, making me think you were unattractive. But you're stunning, with a unique allure. Hiding it is such a waste."

His words and burning gaze left Lin Qingtan stunned. If he'd only spoken, she wouldn't believe him. But his eyes were too genuine to be fake. Did Holy Son truly find her beautiful? Her pale cheeks, framed by the dark patterns, flushed with peach-blossom hues.

Ye Chen wasn't pretending. He genuinely found her striking—the demonic patterns added a wild edge to her mature beauty. If only they were finer, it'd be perfect. Her need for the Great Yang Scripture guaranteed a critical hit if gifted. Her beauty would enhance, her physique issue would resolve, and her talent would rise. The reward multiplier would soar. As an elder of his Ascension Peak, she'd be easy to gift again. In his eyes, she was indeed a treasure girl, his gaze utterly sincere.

But praise aside, Ye Chen didn't agree outright. Promising too soon could affect the multiplier. Under Lin Qingtan's complex gaze, he said calmly, "As for the scripture, it's uncertain for now. Let's discuss it after this matter concludes."

Lin Qingtan's eyes dimmed with disappointment, but his lack of refusal was a relief. She nodded earnestly. "Qingtan obeys Holy Son's command!" Perhaps due to his words, she didn't veil her face again. Though unaccustomed, she felt oddly at ease showing her true self.

Their conversation wasn't private, drawing sidelong glances. People looked from Lin Qingtan to Ye Chen, their faces full of knowing sighs. Their expressions made Ye Chen frown. He had a feeling these people would spread rumors later. Before he could say more, a majestic tower ship roared in from the horizon…