ISWI Chapter 403-404

Chapter 403: The Visualization Diagram of the Queen Mother of the West!

The following morning, Ye Chen gracefully descended from the jade boat, landing on the edge of the Pure Moon River. Despite the passing of the night, many cultivators still lingered nearby.

Upon seeing Ye Chen, their eyes held a mix of awe, envy, and disappointment. Spending a night with the divine maiden, even if only discussing the Dao, was enough to spark intense envy.

Yao Gu was among them, having waited anxiously all night, his emotions in turmoil. Seeing Ye Chen emerge refreshed, his expression grew even more complex.

Ye Chen's display of physical prowess in last night's battle had been overwhelming. Yao Gu worried that, with the divine maiden's allure, Ye Chen's excitement might harm her. Though he knew he had no chance with her, he still hoped she wouldn't be hurt—he'd feel the pain himself.

"Brother-in-law, have you already become the divine maiden's protector?" Yao Gu approached cautiously, asking in a low voice. He'd studied the Heavenly Desire Sect's Heart-Seed Demon Nirvana Scripture. The moment the divine seed was planted, the divine maiden would undergo her first nirvana.

This first nirvana didn't involve true dual cultivation but a fusion of spiritual senses, known as soul communion. It would refine most of the protector's spiritual sense, allowing the divine maiden's spirit platform to undergo a profound transformation, preparing her for the Deity Transformation stage.

So, Yao Gu was eager to know if Ye Chen had already become her protector—and whether they'd undergone soul communion.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. "Don't overthink it. My relationship with Fellow Daoist Fan Qinghe is pure—we only discussed the Dao all night!"

Yao Gu sensed Ye Chen's aura, which didn't seem drained, and sighed in relief. But he also knew his own chances were gone. Even if Ye Chen wasn't her protector yet, he soon would be. No one could compete with him.

Given Ye Chen's rumored obsession with women, anyone daring to vie for the divine maiden's protectorship wouldn't need to wait to be drained by her—Ye Chen would likely kill them first. Who would court death like that?

"Brother-in-law, let me treat you to a meal later? I was immature before, but now I understand your good intentions. I want to thank you!" Yao Gu said earnestly.

He planned to subtly persuade Ye Chen during the meal, urging him not to be too forceful and risk harming the divine maiden.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow, glancing at his nominal brother-in-law. This guy only thought of him when borrowing spirit stones, otherwise keeping his distance. Last night, he wouldn't even sit with him. Now he wanted to treat him to a meal? The sun must be rising in the west.

Still, Ye Chen didn't refuse, nodding calmly. "Sure. But I need to cultivate later, so let's make it tomorrow. Pick a place, and I'll bring Fan Qinghe along."

Yao Gu's mouth twitched. He recalled boasting that he'd win the divine maiden and bring her to treat Ye Chen to a meal. Now, his words were coming true—except he was paying, and the divine maiden belonged to his brother-in-law…

…

After last night's battle, Ye Chen became the most talked-about prodigy in White Emperor City. His descent from the jade boat, not yet the divine maiden's protector, surprised no one. A prodigy like him was surely aiming to freeload—how could he be swayed into becoming a cauldron?

But what shocked everyone was what followed. In the days after, the Fourth Holy Son was almost inseparable from Fan Qinghe. They strolled through White Emperor City, sightseeing, boating on the river, their demeanor intimate and natural. They even dined with Yao Gu and others.

Fan Qinghe tenderly fed Ye Chen, and when a grain of spiritual rice stuck to his lips, she delicately picked it off with her fingers. Instead of discarding it, she naturally licked it off her finger.

The scene was said to be incredibly provocative, stunning countless onlookers. To be treated with such care by the divine maiden proved Ye Chen had nearly conquered this generation's Heavenly Desire divine maiden.

Ye Chen wasn't stingy either. A week after boarding the jade boat, he made another grand gesture. In a shop owned by a Central Continent immortal family, he purchased a Two Yi Red Sand Array disc. Its power was immense—when used correctly, it could trap an early Unity-stage cultivator for half a quarter-hour.

Unity-stage cultivators, even at the early stage, wielded the Yin-Yang Dao, with near-infinite combat strength. A disc capable of trapping one for that long was unimaginable, its value evident. Priced at 200,000 top-grade spirit stones, it had sat unsold for ages.

Yet the Fourth Holy Son bought it without hesitation, gifting it to Fan Qinghe for self-defense. This lavish act sent White Emperor City into another uproar. First a five-colored immortal gold ring, now a peerless array disc—his generosity was staggering. No Heavenly Desire divine maiden in history had received such precious gifts.

The consensus was clear: this generation's divine maiden was likely to fall for the Holy Son, utterly captivated. With his astounding talent, invincible combat prowess, and extravagant gifts, what female cultivator could resist?

…

Time passed.

The Fourth Holy Son and the Heavenly Desire divine maiden continued appearing together in the city. He was tall and heroic, she was enchanting with a wild edge. Their intimate demeanor made them seem a match made in heaven. It was obvious to all—they were engaged in a tug-of-war.

Everyone was curious: who would win? If Ye Chen willingly accepted the divine seed, Fan Qinghe would triumph. Once planted, the seed would subtly influence the protector's emotions, making them more likely to surrender everything. But if Fan Qinghe lost her primordial yin before planting the seed, Ye Chen would win.

Given the current situation, Ye Chen seemed more likely to come out on top, capturing the divine maiden. He held every advantage. Moreover, the auction drawing cultivators from all of the Great Yan Continent finally began today.

Many witnessed Ye Chen entering with Fan Qinghe. The auction's item list had long been circulated. Everyone knew it featured a visualization diagram—a portrait of the Queen Mother of the West's back, a treasure from the Central Continent's Jade Pool Holy Land.

This was a replica, not the original, but the replicator was so skilled that it retained half the Queen Mother's dao charm.

The Queen Mother, revered as the foremost female cultivator of the ancient immortal era, offered immense benefits to female cultivators.

Comprehending her diagram's dao charm could aid a breakthrough to the Deity Transformation stage.

Fan Qinghe, now at late Nascent Soul, was close to that breakthrough. If she obtained and studied the diagram, her strength would skyrocket upon reaching Deity Transformation.

Thus, everyone knew she coveted it. But its value was astronomical. With her own resources, she might not afford it. She'd likely need Ye Chen's help. And if she asked for his aid, she'd be at a disadvantage—potentially allowing him to seize the upper hand and conquer her…

Chapter 404: Moon Laurel Tree

"Ladies and gentlemen, Fellow Daoists. Thank you for attending White Emperor City's auction. This auction may have few items, but each is a rare treasure, hard to find elsewhere. Most come from the Central Continent. You've all seen the catalog and likely chosen your desired items, so I won't waste words… I hereby declare the auction officially begun!"

"The first item: The Flame Emperor Scripture! This is a Heaven-tier technique left by the Flame Emperor, who achieved true immortality. It's quite unique. When cultivated normally, it's only as potent as a low-grade black-tier technique. But by continuously fusing spiritual flames, its power grows.

"It's said that collecting and fusing all seventy-two spiritual flames in the cultivation world would make it rival the finest immortal scriptures… Of course, spiritual flames are rare, some even extinct, and thus we rank this as a high-grade Heaven-tier technique.

"But this Flame Emperor Scripture has no comprehension restrictions and can be passed down as a family legacy, covering every stage from Foundation Establishment to Mahayana. Acquiring this scripture is like securing a family heirloom. If a genius like the Flame Emperor emerges in your lineage, they might ascend to immortality. Bidding starts at one million top-grade spirit stones…"

This auction lived up to its reputation as the Great Yan Continent's grandest event. It opened with a bombshell. Though the audience had seen the catalog, they couldn't help but gasp.

The scripture had limitations and a low floor, but its ceiling was immense—potentially matching an immortal scripture. It was a complete set with no restrictions, ideal for passing down through generations. Its value was enormous.

Many great families bid to bolster their legacies. Newly established clans sought it as a foundation. Major forces, curious about its uniqueness, aimed to acquire it. The auction kicked off with fervor, prices soaring rapidly.

…

In a private booth, Ye Chen lounged on a recliner, his arm casually around Fan Qinghe's slender waist. She'd worn a ceremonial robe entering the auction but shed it upon entering the booth, claiming it was too warm. Beneath was a revealing crop top, allowing Ye Chen's hand to rest on her soft skin.

Fan Qinghe showed no shyness. Over the past half-month, though they were still in a tug-of-war, their mutual attraction had led to frequent physical contact, now second nature. Knowing Ye Chen disliked spiritual grape skins, she meticulously peeled one and fed it to him. Then, she slipped her juice-stained fingertip into her own mouth.

Her eyes lit up, and she offered it to Ye Chen. "Holy Son, try this—it's sweeter than the fruit itself…"

Ye Chen didn't refuse, savoring it before nodding in approval. Indeed, it was sweet. Fan Qinghe was truly made of honey, constantly teasing with subtle gestures. A veritable enchantress.

Only Ye Chen's experience kept him from falling completely under her spell—another man might already be a devoted simp.

At this auction, Ye Chen had his eyes on many items. Of the hundred lots, he was interested in over thirty, practically here to "stock up." Such boldness would draw attention.

For an ordinary cultivator, this could invite assassination before leaving White Emperor City. But Ye Chen, as the Holy Son of the Holy Land, feared no such threats. It was like the difference between a beggar and a treasury holding a million spirit stones. People might target the beggar, but no one dared glance at the treasury.

The principle was the same. Ye Chen had no interest in the Flame Emperor Scripture. He already possessed the Hundred Flowers Scripture, an immortal scripture for his women to cultivate. There was no need for additional techniques.

His primary goals for this auction were two items. The first was the visualization diagram of the Queen Mother of the West's back. Upon breaking through to the Deity Transformation stage, the spiritual sense transforms into a primordial spirit, and the Nascent Soul becomes a Heaven and Earth Manifestation.

A fitting visualization diagram could enhance the Nascent Soul's grade and power, while shaping the manifestation, granting extraordinary abilities. Such diagrams were crucial for advancing to Deity Transformation.

Ye Chen intended to secure it for Fan Qinghe, triggering a critical hit to obtain the perfect diagram for himself. The second item was a fragment of the Moon Laurel Tree.

The Moon Laurel Tree, a top-tier immortal root, was monopolized by the Moon Palace. Its annual osmanthus blossoms were supreme treasures for cultivating a spiritual sense.

Cultivating near a Moon Laurel Tree greatly benefited the spiritual sense or primordial spirit development, significantly enhancing their quality. It was a divine treasure, exactly what Ye Chen needed as he approached Deity Transformation.

The Moon Laurel Tree had long vanished, shattered by the Heavenly Emperor. Legend had it that the Emperor held a grudge against the Moon Palace's immortal maiden, who hunted him dozens of times. After reaching the Mahayana stage, he stormed the palace, slaying her. In the process, the Moon Laurel Tree was collateral damage.

Ye Chen couldn't help but sigh—the Heavenly Emperor seemed like a wrecking ball, destroying so many treasures. But this was no loss for Ye Chen. The tree's destruction meant fragments existed, perfect for triggering a critical hit to obtain a new one. He'd already chosen the recipient: the fiancée, Yi Qingwu.

With her Broad Cold Immortal Physique, Yi Qingwu was hailed as this generation's foremost female cultivator. Her presence in White Emperor City made her intentions obvious—she coveted the Moon Laurel Tree fragment.

Ye Chen decided to claim it and gift it to her. Though he had enmity with the Heavenly Intention Holy Son, destined for a clash unless his senior brother killed him first, that was a matter between men. It didn't involve women.

Ye Chen was magnanimous, never implicating others unjustly. Besides, it was better to resolve grudges than deepen them. His feud with the Heavenly Intention Holy Son was unavoidable, but there was no need to antagonize the Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden too.

The cultivation world wasn't just about fighting—it was about relationships and favors. So, he'd gift it without hesitation. The Moon Laurel Tree fragment was the fourth item on the auction list.

Ye Chen had set the tone for this gift: bold and direct. He planned to fiercely compete with Yi Qingwu for the fragment, securing it with a hefty bid. Then, with a grand gesture, he'd declare his desire to make friends and publicly announce the gift to her.

The fragment was said to be vital to Yi Qingwu. She'd surely accept. Her emotions, swinging from loss to gain, would likely trigger a massive critical hit, like a tidal wave.

With a complete Moon Laurel Tree from the critical hit, placed in his inner world, could he invite her to visit often? If a fragment was so important, how could she resist a true tree?

Of course, Ye Chen had no ulterior motives. It was purely about discussing the Dao and triggering critical hits.

"The next item, a Moon Laurel Tree fragment…"

The auctioneer's voice snapped Ye Chen from his thoughts. In another booth, a pair of beautiful eyes slowly opened, gazing toward the auction stage…