ISWI Chapter 433-435

Chapter 433: A Dead White Moonlight Is the Best!

While Ye Chen was branding Yi Qingwu, chaos raged outside. Beyond the array, only vague auras could be sensed, not the specifics. Yi Qingwu's grandmother, initially reassured by the Broad Cold Divine Realm's presence, thought victory was certain. But before she could sip her spiritual tea, the situation shifted. The Broad Cold Divine Realm shattered, and Yi Qingwu's spirit sense weakened drastically.

Grandmother was stunned. How could her granddaughter, bearer of the Broad Cold Immortal Body, lose in a spirit sense duel? Impossible. Though the Moon Palace could revive her, each revival cost her origin essence.

And with Ye Chen's notorious reputation—lustful, even targeting his own master—who knew what he'd do upon realizing he couldn't kill her? Yi Qingwu was the Holy Son's fiancée. Any mishap would disgrace the Heavenly Intention Holy Land, making it a laughingstock.

Unable to fathom her granddaughter's defeat, Grandmother rose without hesitation, determined to break the Two Yi Four Symbols Array and rescue Yi Qingwu. But Elder Mo wouldn't allow it, engaging her instantly. Her two allies couldn't stand by, and Elder He joined the fray, sparking a chaotic battle.

Elder Mo, outrageously strong, easily held off two opponents, preventing them from touching the array. Elder He blocked Grandmother, stopping her from saving Yi Qingwu.

Sensing her granddaughter's primordial spirit neither destroyed nor returned to the Moon Palace, Grandmother grew frantic. Trapped by Ye Chen for so long, who knew what he was doing? A lecher like him might use vile methods—perhaps even taming their pristine Holy Maiden.

Desperate, Grandmother's eyes glistened with urgency and pleading as she sent a transmission to Elder He. "Fellow Daoist He, please help me. Just pretend I repelled you and let me save my granddaughter!"

She was confident. Years ago, she'd swayed this man with similar pleas, and even under backlash, he'd assisted her divinations. Surely, he would now. But Elder He remained unmoved, as if deaf to her words.

Frowning, Grandmother assumed he harbored resentment for her past rejection. She hurriedly transmitted again, "Fellow Daoist He, I was deceived back then, that's why I didn't choose you! My partner is long dead, and I've wanted to see you. After this, let's set a date, slip away to Central Continent, and live like immortals for a few years. I'll make it up to you!"

Grandmother was desperate. Yi Qingwu's Broad Cold Immortal Body, the strongest in the Holy Land's millennia-long history, held immense potential for the Immortal Path. No accidents could be allowed.

Elder He smiled at her words, speaking openly. "All these years, I've never forgotten you. Your youthful beauty haunts me daily, and every moment we shared remains vivid."

Grandmother was both delighted and shocked. Delighted that he still adored her, but shocked that he spoke aloud instead of transmitting. Was he planning to betray the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land outright?

Elder He blocked Grandmother's path, continuing, "I've long anticipated seeing you again, yearning to witness how you've changed. But now, I regret it."

Grandmother frowned, his saccharine words turning her stomach. 'Just shut up and move!' For her granddaughter's sake, she forced a smile. "Regret because you can't bear to leave me? We still have time, a long life ahead!"

Elder He shook his head. "No. You're older now, less beautiful. It taints my perfect memories. Honestly, you'd be better off dead—forever the most beautiful in my mind." His tone dripped with pity. A dead white moonlight was the best.

Grandmother's face froze. Elder He continued, unheeding, "Truthfully, I prefer younger women now. Like your granddaughter."

Rage erupted from Grandmother. She attacked Elder He with lethal intent, determined to kill the wretch.

"Boom!"

A Unity Stage cultivator's strike shook the earth.

Elder He was sent flying with one slap. Seizing the chance, Grandmother unleashed an immortal technique on the array, making it rumble. But Elder Mo was faster, forcing her back. Holding off three foes, he spared a suspicious glance at Elder He, who scrambled up, protesting, "Senior, don't look at me like that! I didn't hold back—I just can't win!"

Elder Mo's lips twitched.

The battle raged for two days. Elder Mo, ferocious, nearly handled three opponents alone. Elder He could only assist. Grandmother grew increasingly desperate, but her side, with three fighters, found chances to strike the array.

Finally, after Grandmother slapped Elder He away and smashed a massive moon technique into the array, the Two Yi Four Symbols Array shattered in a blaze of divine light.

Both sides paused, peering inside. A graceful figure emerged from the light, white robes pristine, ethereal, and agile. Her breathtaking beauty eclipsed the world, her icy, untarnished aura unchanged. Grandmother sighed in relief, scanning Yi Qingwu with a heavenly eye before smiling. "Qingwu is unharmed!" Her pure Holy Maiden was untainted—perfect.

Elder Mo frowned, disappointed. As Ye Chen emerged, he grumbled, "Two whole days? I nearly broke my old bones out here, and you did nothing?"

Ye Chen's mouth twitched, convinced Elder Mo was no saint in his youth. He had no interest in detailing his actions. Glancing at Yi Qingwu, now restored to her lofty fairy demeanor as if nothing had happened, he kept silent. After all, he was still waiting for her to deliver treasures—and more branding.

Chapter 434: I Told You, You Can't Beat Me!

"Thank you, Holy Maiden, for the lesson. As they say, enemies should reconcile, not feud. I offer this gift to resolve our misunderstandings."

With matters settled, it was time to give the gift. The Moon Palace from Yi Qingwu was already a massive gain. Gifting it back next time could yield an immortal artifact—or, even without a critical hit, 2,500 Extreme Dao Weapons. That wouldn't be a loss, though Ye Chen doubted the cultivation world had enough Mahayana cultivators to wield them. Still, Yi Qingwu's value warranted saving her face for their next encounter.

Yi Qingwu raised her graceful neck, glancing at Ye Chen with proud eyes, a flicker of surprise within. Honestly, she'd feared he'd ruin her reputation by revealing the branding in her primordial spirit's core. Yet, he not only stayed silent but lowered himself, offering a gift.

Initially puzzled, she saw the familiar Moon Laurel Tree fragment floating from his hand and recalled past events. Ye Chen had snatched her auction item only to return it, and now he offered the fragment again. What did this mean?

Her sharp mind pieced it together. Everything Ye Chen did was to catch her attention. Rumors in White Emperor City compared her to the Heavenly Desire enchantress, so he entangled himself with the latter, letting people think he was drained. In truth, his spirit sense was robust, outrageously strong, and he'd never been her protector—clearly uninterested in the enchantress, his sights set on Yi Qingwu.

At the auction, he outbid her, leaving her empty-handed, even forcing her to pool spirit stones with elders to settle her debt. She'd thought it was targeted humiliation.

Now, it seemed he was just vying for her notice. That explained why, despite her schemes to suppress and kill him, he held no grudge. Even after gaining the upper hand, taking the Moon Palace, and offering the Diamond Ring, he let her go and now gifted her again.

Of course, he might still intend some humiliation—the kind men fantasize about, not public disgrace. It suggested he'd long admired her, unnoticed by her lofty self.

Realizing this, Yi Qingwu's emotions grew complex. She preferred dominance, floating high above, gazing down at Ye Chen. Her dark hair danced as her exquisite face remained cold.

"I'll accept this," she said calmly, nodding. "But our enmity won't end easily. Don't think a gift will sway me. Next time, I'll show no mercy and crush you."

Despite accepting the gift, her arrogance was palpable, laced with threats. Grandmother nodded approvingly. Ye Chen, with his Heavy Pupils and the Heavenly Emperor's Supreme Heart, was understandably unkillable. That Yi Qingwu still harbored fighting spirit against such a foe pleased her greatly.

...

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. Yi Qingwu was insufferable—give her an inch, and she'd take a mile. If not for his anticipation of getting the Battle Secret tablet from her fiancé, he'd brand another "||||\" on her right now, in front of everyone.

Smirking, he said, "Holy Maiden, your words fill me with anticipation. I look forward to our next meeting!"

Yi Qingwu swept her hair back, floating upward with a cold expression. "We'll meet again soon."

Their exchange crackled with battle intent, neither willing to yield. The protectors on both sides found this unsurprising—young prodigies were naturally competitive, and their fighting spirit was admirable.

But the three from the Heavenly Intention Holy Land glared at Ye Chen with darker eyes. His Heavy Pupils and Supreme Heart made him a monstrous talent, capable of crushing the young generation's top three. He couldn't be allowed to grow. If he reached the Mahayana Stage, who could stand against him? Another Heavenly Emperor might rise. When the Holy Son emerged from seclusion, he'd need to eliminate Ye Chen before he matured.

"Qingwu, let's go," Grandmother sighed, shooting a venomous glance at Elder He. She summoned a tower ship, and they boarded.

Yi Qingwu glanced at Ye Chen, taking the Moon Laurel Tree fragment into her hand, then turned and boarded the ship without hesitation, vanishing as it tore through the void.

On the ship, the middle-aged and elderly Unity Stage cultivators retreated to heal, grumbling about Elder Mo's ruthless attacks. Grandmother approached Yi Qingwu, asking what happened in the array.

Standing at the ship's bow, hair fluttering in the breeze, Yi Qingwu smiled. "Ye Chen has a Supreme Heart. His Hand of Heaven was unstoppable. I pulled him into the Broad Cold Divine Realm, where his spirit sense wasn't strong, but he had a strange defense that ambushed me. It became a stalemate. I didn't defeat him, but I learned his secrets. Next time, I'll crush him."

Grandmother nodded. The Hand of Heaven's terror was no surprise—legends of the Heavenly Emperor still lingered. She'd been puzzled why the Broad Cold Divine Realm failed, but learning Ye Chen used special means, not raw spirit sense, eased her doubts. Whether he was the Heavenly Emperor's heir was unclear, but his status as a successor was certain, and special spirit sense protections were expected.

"What about the Moon Palace?" Grandmother asked. "It's almost time for the Holy Son to borrow it. It can refine his Lunar Dao Charm, advancing his cultivation."

Yi Qingwu's eyes flashed coldly, but her face showed apology as she bowed. "The Moon Palace was suppressed and taken by Ye Chen's Extreme Dao Weapon, which outranks it. He seized it when my primordial spirit was weakened."

Grandmother's eyes widened, nearly turning the ship back in a panic. "Why didn't you say this earlier? That's our clan's Moon Palace, an Extreme Dao Weapon!"

Yi Qingwu raised an eyebrow. "Saying it wouldn't help. You couldn't beat them, Grandmother, or it wouldn't have taken two days to break the array. I stayed silent to keep you from risking injury."

Grandmother's face stiffened, hit by a second blow. Yi Qingwu fell silent, fingering the Moon Laurel Tree fragment with a faint smile.

On the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's ship, Ye Chen's eyes lit up at the system's prompt. He'd truly misunderstood the fiancée.

Chapter 435: High Multipliers Are Insane!

"Congratulations, Host, for successful gifting!"

"Gift: Moon Laurel Tree Fragment!"

"2,500x feedback in progress…"

"Detected significant emotional fluctuation in the recipient and the gift's high value to them…"

"Critical hit triggered!"

"Rewards: Newborn Moon Laurel Tree! Laurel Transformation Pill! Broad Cold Immortal Moon!"

"Moon Laurel Tree: A unique immortal root, unmatched in existence. Grown for 180,000 years in chaos… Produces 3,650 laurel blossoms annually, nourishing and strengthening the soul… Cultivating beneath it wards off heart demons, repels myriad laws, aids in entering a state of emptiness for enlightenment, enhances primordial spirit quality, boosts chances of breaking through to the Deity Transformation Stage, and amplifies Heaven and Earth Manifestation…"

"Laurel Transformation Pill: Exclusive treasure of the ancient Broad Cold Holy Land, refined from 3,650 laurel blossoms. Late Nascent Soul cultivators can consume it to greatly enhance spirit sense, increase Deity Transformation Stage breakthrough odds…"

"Broad Cold Immortal Moon: A treasure forged by the Broad Cold Holy Land from immortal gold, laurel dao charm, and gentle moonlight, resembling a true moon, emitting its glow…"

"Detected Host possesses a small world. Rewards automatically delivered to the small world. Host, please select placement later."

Ye Chen's eyes widened at the system's prompts. He was genuinely shocked. Honestly, he hadn't expected a critical hit from gifting Yi Qingwu. Her erratic mind—wild and reckless inside the array, uncaring about the Moon Palace, an Extreme Dao Weapon, yet reverting to a lofty fairy outside—made her motives unclear. He'd gifted with little hope.

Yet, this gift triggered a critical hit, surpassing all expectations. Not only did he get the desired Moon Laurel Tree, but also a treasure pill and an immortal moon. The tree's effects as an immortal root were unimaginable—a legacy treasure.

The pill, crafted from a year's worth of blossoms, was priceless. The moon, with its myriad uses, could hang in his small world, joining the stars to make it closer to a true great world.

This haul left Ye Chen in awe. High base multipliers were unstoppable! Yi Qingwu didn't even max out the critical hit—just accepting a fragment yielded a tree, a pill, and a moon. 2,500x was divine!

Amid his shock, Ye Chen felt a pang of regret. Had he known, he wouldn't have clashed so hard with the Holy Son at the Sword Sect. With this high-multiplier fiancée, he'd have befriended the Holy Son. But this encounter forged a pure connection with her, no Holy Son needed, easing his mind greatly.

Ye Chen was on the verge of breaking through to the Deity Transformation Stage. The Moon Laurel Tree and Laurel Transformation Pill couldn't have come at a better time. Probing his small world with his spirit sense, he saw the immortal root radiating divine light, awaiting placement. Above, a radiant moon, smaller than the real one but brimming with lunar dao charm, enhanced the world's laws, making it more complete.

After a moment's thought, Ye Chen placed the Moon Laurel Tree beside the Star Pool on the main peak, opposite the Enlightenment Tea Tree. Bathing in the pool would now benefit from both immortal roots. The Moon Laurel Tree was breathtaking, its silver blossoms glowing like moonlight. Its fragrance was refreshing, almost divine, uplifting the spirit.

Sensing its aura, Ye Chen's primordial spirit felt nourished by the Great Dao, enveloped in peace and serenity—like a lover's gentle touch giving his spirit sense a full-body spa, half as blissful as communing with a Holy Maiden or Divine Maiden.

Remarkably, under the tree's influence, his already immense spirit sense showed room for growth—an astonishing feat. No wonder even the Heavenly Emperor coveted immortal roots.

Observing his small world, Ye Chen noticed a profound shift with the addition of the two immortal roots, edging it closer to a true great world. If he kept infusing it with treasures, one day it might rival a great world, complete with perfect laws, allowing cultivation and breakthroughs.

The cultivation world's environment was deteriorating, potentially nearing an End of Law era where immortality might become unattainable. His small world could become a sanctuary, a haven for those close to him.

Withdrawing his spirit sense, Ye Chen noted the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's tower ship had set sail. Disciples, previously hiding, rushed out, marveling at his prowess. Ambushed by Yi Qingwu, a cultivator a full realm above, their Fourth Holy Son had handled it with ease. This tale would surely amplify his renown.

Elder Mo, still dissatisfied, grumbled, "I held them off for two days, and you did nothing? If it were me in my youth, trapped with such a beauty, she'd either not leave or leave pregnant—no third option! Imagine Yi Qingwu returning pregnant—it'd crush the Holy Son, a perfect double blow. Plus, your child might be a monstrous genius, given your Heavy Pupils and Supreme Heart."

Ye Chen ignored Elder Mo's chaos-stirring nonsense, instead eyeing Elder He with surprise. He'd worried Elder He might waver before his white moonlight, but his loyalty held firm. As Ye Chen prepared to thank them earnestly, a figure with a majestic aura and a distinctive divine wheel approached from the north.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. "Why is Senior Brother here?"