ISWI Chapter 160-161

Chapter 160: These Foreign Disciples Are Too Impolite!

Ye Chen had settled himself comfortably in a lounge chair, leisurely lying back. As expected, the next moment, the Lotus Pond erupted like an earth dragon turning over, the ground rumbling ominously. Concurrently, the horrified voices of Fang Xi and the others filled the air.

"How is there a Golden Core Giant Python here? How could it still be alive after being trapped here for five thousand years?"

"It's an Earthheart Python; the Boundless Demon Sect must have changed the guardian beast. The Earthheart Python has a trait that allows it to reduce its metabolic rate to a minimum, surviving in a near-death state of hibernation. During this process, although its strength continuously weakens, it can still stay alive. A Golden Core Earthheart Python can live up to eight thousand years if it remains in hibernation. That's why I didn't detect this Earthheart Python earlier."

"Stop talking and act! This Earthheart Python has been asleep for at least five thousand years. It's extremely weak now; its Golden Core has withered, only its physical body retains the Golden Core battle capabilities…"

"Right, we can kill this beast together."

"Fire magic is effective against Earthheart Pythons, use more fire spells."

"Attack!"

...

Inside, the battle was intense, but Ye Chen felt no urgency to join. He leisurely took out a small tea table from his storage ring, laid out several plates of spiritual fruits, and watched the commotion while eating. His Heavy Pupils saw through falsehoods, allowing him to observe everything happening within the Lotus Pond.

The trio was attacking a giant black python. The Earthheart Python was long but thin, clearly starved for a long time. Although its aura had indeed fallen below the Golden Core phase, reflecting a regression in its cultivation, its physical body was still formidable and its presence daunting.

The spells from An Yuyi and the others barely scratched the python's tough hide. Only fire spells seemed to restrain it slightly. This gave Ye Chen a new appreciation for the strength of a Golden Core; indeed, they were not on the same level.

Even if the Earthheart Python had only its physical strength left at the Golden Core level and had been starved for centuries, its combat power was still ferociously robust.

Suddenly, the situation shifted. An Yuyi was struck by the python's tail, shattering her protective spells and slamming her into the ground, blood spewing from her mouth.

The python's head thundered down, attempting to swallow An Yuyi whole. However, a burst of white light suddenly exploded from An Yuyi, forming a protective sphere around her, blocking the python's head.

Frustrated by the proximity of its prey yet unable to consume it, the Earthheart Python became irate, pounding violently. Its tail smashed down dozens of times in the blink of an eye, attempting to break the light sphere. But the seemingly ordinary sphere blocked every attack.

Still, the violent tremors caused An Yuyi to feel dizzy and worsened her injuries.

In a panic, An Yuyi screamed, "The treasure my aunt left me won't hold much longer, someone save me..."

From a distance, both Fang Xi and Pei Ling's faces displayed terror. They could never have imagined that the Earthheart Python, after slumbering for five thousand years, would still be so ferocious. After a prolonged battle, they had managed to shatter only a few of its scales.

The realization that the Earthheart Python was beyond their power to defeat was the only thought in their minds.

Exchanging a glance, Fang Xi and Pei Ling turned and ran, shouting back, "Junior Sister, hold on. We're no match for a Golden Core phase beast. I'm going to find a Golden Core expert from the Green Cloud Sect to save you!"

Witnessing their actions, An Yuyi's eyes widened in disbelief. She had been abandoned? By the time they returned with help, she feared she would already be devoured. Despair filled her eyes.

With another powerful strike landing, An Yuyi passed out.

The Earthheart Python, furious at the unbroken protective sphere and the inert form of An Yuyi inside, glanced at the fleeing Fang Xi and Pei Ling and, without hesitation, turned to pursue them.

After five thousand years of sleep, its mind was driven only by the need for flesh. It would let no one escape.

...

Seeing the Earthheart Python turn around, its cold reptilian eyes fixated on them, Fang Xi and Pei Ling's terror intensified. They fled the Lotus Pond in a panic and, upon seeing Ye Chen, a plan formed in their minds.

The Earthheart Python was hungry! If it ate Ye Chen first, it would buy them time to escape.

They flew directly towards Ye Chen, with the giant python in hot pursuit, intending to soar over his head and lead the disaster towards him.

However, Ye Chen's lips curled into a cold smirk. With a raise of his hand, two spirit Qi formed into a massive purple-gold hand that crashed down, swatting them to the ground like flies.

Fang Xi and Pei Ling, struggling against the intense pain, looked up at Ye Chen in disbelief.

What was happening?

...

The python arrived, intent on swallowing all three of them in one bite. But at that moment, terrifying flames erupted around Ye Chen's body.

The sight halted the Earthheart Python in its tracks. The Myriad Star Fire was a significant deterrent for a creature vulnerable to fire magic.

Though Ye Chen could see the deterrent effect was minimal and the python might soon lose patience, it was enough for him. For now, that was all Ye Chen needed...

Ye Chen had already written off Fang Xi and Pei Ling as dead in his eyes, but they were still direct disciples of the Divine Will Sect. It was possible they had some spell to pinpoint their killer. So, if he could avoid killing them with his own hands, he would.

First, Ye Chen picked up Pei Ling, whose limbs had been shattered by a slap, and whose face was etched with terror. He patted Pei Ling's face lightly, "Tell me, is my strength adequate now?"

Held aloft by Ye Chen, Pei Ling was consumed by humiliation and fear. Staring at the boiling spiritual fire around Ye Chen, disbelief filled his eyes. How could this lower sect person possess such formidable power?

When Pei Ling remained silent, Ye Chen slapped him again, "I'm speaking to you. With this strength of mine, would I get stuck in the Bewildering Forest?"

Overwhelmed by the fear of death, nothing else mattered.

Pei Ling hurriedly nodded, "No, I misspoke earlier. Please, your excellency, forgive my petty offense!"

Ye Chen nodded, satisfied, "Now, I feel much better! I'm magnanimous and wouldn't kill over a few careless words... Let's forget this matter..."

Pei Ling's eyes brightened with relief.

But then Ye Chen continued, "However, I find your act of abandoning your fellow disciple distasteful. An Yuyi is so attractive, and you weren't willing to die for her? Are you even a man?"

With those words, Pei Ling, with a look of despair, was thrown by Ye Chen directly towards the Earthheart Python.

The python's jaws snapped shut, swallowing him whole. A flicker of delight even appeared in its cold snake eyes.

After dealing with Pei Ling, Ye Chen grabbed Fang Xi by the neck and hoisted him up.

"I also don't hold grudges, so I won't fuss over your threats. Just apologize to me," Ye Chen said amiably.

Fang Xi was in despair, unable to believe his life was now in the hands of a supposed lower sect nobody. If it weren't for his prior battle with the Earthheart Python, Ye Chen could never have taken him by surprise.

Fang Xi opened his mouth wide, but it wasn't to speak. Instead, he spat out a beam of rainbow light, aiming straight for Ye Chen's forehead.

"If I weren't injured, how could you possibly hurt me! Thinking of humiliating me? Let's die together!"

A gleam of satisfaction appeared in Fang Xi's eyes. However, his expression froze in the next moment.

Ye Chen's speed was unbelievably fast. With a single slap, the expelled rainbow light was dispersed. Ye Chen hadn't been touched in the slightest.

Wiping his hands with a look of disgust, Ye Chen remarked, "Disgusting! You foreigners really lack manners."

In the next instant, Ye Chen also flung Fang Xi towards the Earthheart Python. Watching Fang Xi being devoured with one gulp, Ye Chen nodded in contentment, his mood lifted.

With those two dealt with, only...

After tasting blood for the first time in five thousand years, the Earthheart Python's ferocity intensified. Its greedy eyes locked onto Ye Chen...

Chapter 161: You Are Not Worthy!

In the icy gaze of the Earthheart Python, Ye Chen's body burned more intensely with the Myriad Star Fire. He suddenly shot upwards, causing the Earthheart Python's pupils to contract.

The next moment, Ye Chen activated his Heavy Pupils. His eyes, devoid of any emotion, revealed a terrifying pressure that instantly permeated the scene.

Under Ye Chen's gaze, the Earthheart Python recoiled its head backward. Then, Ye Chen took out the Blood Sword Talisman from his storage ring.

The Earthheart Python, sensing the terrifying power hidden within the talisman, retreated further.

Ye Chen saw the Earthheart Python calm down. He calmly nodded and spoke, "Although you are bound by a seal, the Boundless Demon Sect has been exterminated, and it has been five thousand years. The formation here has also been opened, and the exit is right

"After you go out, turn right. Over there, you will find the cultivators of the Misty Sect, those of the Blood Dao, whose flesh is most abundant and suits your taste! You eat yours, and I'll attend to mine. There's no need for us to fight to the death, don't you think?"

Ye Chen was not afraid of this Earthheart Python. Its Golden Core was degraded, merely a strong physique. Killing it might be troublesome, but it was definitely possible.

Yet, Ye Chen never liked cold-blooded reptiles such as snakes or pythons. He preferred not to touch them, unless it was a creature like Medusa.

Moreover, killing an Earthheart Python would only yield some Golden Core-level demon beast materials. Perhaps worth a few hundred or a thousand top-grade spirit stones.

The material of this Earthheart Python was of the Golden Core phase, but its strength was far less than a genuine Golden Core. It was actually quite suitable for harvesting materials, offering high cost-effectiveness. But Ye Chen really didn't care for that.

The Earthheart Python stared at Ye Chen, seemingly heeding his advice. It turned around, thinking to devour the female cultivator and leave.

However, Ye Chen, seeing the Earthheart Python's movements, immediately floated in front of it. It was not out of any heroic rescue or pity.

An Yuyi was ungrateful. Throughout the journey, although she was stronger than Fang Xi and his companion, she hardly behaved like a human.

But who could ignore her good aunt? An Yuyi's life was insignificant. She could die for all he cared. But An Miaoli, being 200 times more important, was crucial. If An Yuyi died here, it was hard to say how An Miaoli would treat him, the only survivor. If they became enemies, then there would be no more favors to curry. So, it was better to let An Yuyi live.

Blocked by Ye Chen again, the Earthheart Python grew somewhat irritable. But Ye Chen activated his Heavy Pupils to their fullest, his right eye emitting a faint red light as the power of annihilation boiled within. He held the sword talisman tightly in his hand.

The Earthheart Python's imminent roar was swallowed back. With a cold glance at Ye Chen, the Earthheart Python thrashed its tail and thunderously descended the mountain! Clearly dissatisfied and throwing a tantrum.

Ye Chen watched as the other sped down the mountain. He nodded in satisfaction. Cultivation wasn't just about fighting and killing; it was about weighing the pros and cons. Even this demon beast understood that. Pity it was too fierce; while it could be killed, it was difficult to subdue.

Moreover, Ye Chen hadn't prepared any beast-taming techniques. Otherwise, he would have liked to try capturing it to give away. A Golden Core Earthheart Python as a gift. If it could deal a critical blow, might it return a true dragon to him?

Ye Chen felt this was worth exploring. Upon returning, he definitely needed to thoroughly study the Six Arts of Cultivation.

...

Confirming the Earthheart Python had departed, Ye Chen stepped contentedly into the lotus garden.

Inside, it was already a ruin. An Yuyi lay unconscious in a huge pit ten meters deep. Some of her clothes were torn, revealing quite a bit.

Ye Chen walked over and examined her with his Heavy Pupils. She wasn't going to die. And she was indeed unconscious.

Satisfied, Ye Chen nodded and proceeded deeper into the lotus garden. The pond was at the very end.

Soon, Ye Chen reached the edge of the pond. It was as large as six or seven soccer fields, vast and expansive, but sadly, it had long since dried up. Even the blood-red stains at the bottom of the pond had faded, emitting a strange odor.

In the center of the pond, three withered lotus roots intertwined, supporting a pale golden lotus pod. Even the pod had not withered.

This made Ye Chen raise an eyebrow. Why was there only one? And why was it pale golden?

Although Ye Chen was a second-grade alchemist at full mastery, he was unfamiliar with this Blood Sea Lotus. He flew closer to examine it.

Ye Chen discovered that the base of this pale golden lotus pod was actually connected to the roots of the three Blood Sea Lotuses. Three Blood Sea Lotuses had nurtured this single pod. Although he didn't know how this happened, the unification of three into one was definitely a good thing.

Ye Chen carefully used his mana to open the lotus pod. A golden lotus seed instantly flew out.

Ye Chen immediately caught it and stored it in a pill bottle. As soon as the lotus seed was removed, both the lotus pod and the roots instantly turned to ashes. A gust of wind scattered them completely.

Ye Chen was quite satisfied with this journey. After all, he currently did not lack cultivation techniques, spells, or various magical treasures and medicines. What he lacked was a spiritual root. Even an upgrade to a ninth-grade root would be a significant enhancement for Ye Chen. If it could become an unusual spiritual root, that would be an outright breakthrough.

As for an earth or heavenly spiritual root, that would be even more incredible.As far as Ye Chen knew, An Miaoli was an earth spiritual root, which is why she could achieve two hundred times feedback.

Ye Chen wondered if this Blood Sea Lotus seed could enhance his master's spiritual root to an earth spiritual root. If so, could his master's feedback also reach two hundred times?

Thinking this, Ye Chen grew even more excited!

...

Looking around one more time, seeing nothing else of interest, Ye Chen hurried back to his sect. He had just given An Yuyi a gift today; turning back now, he would arrive at the sect in exactly one week. Just in time to present a gift to his master.

Ye Chen gracefully flew back to the deep pit, seeing that An Yuyi was still unconscious. He directly picked up An Yuyi and set her down on the ground.

Ye Chen's left eye emitted a faint luminescence, and a power of revival sprinkled over An Yuyi.

An Yuyi's injuries rapidly improved. This slightly surprised Ye Chen. His Heavy Pupils had the power of resurrection in the left eye and annihilation in the right eye. It was the first time Ye Chen had used the revival ability, and he did not expect the effect to be so potent.

An Yuyi's eyelashes fluttered slightly, her long eyebrows like shooting stars. When she opened her eyes, she was initially startled, but upon seeing it was Ye Chen, and not the terrifying Earthheart Python, she finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"The Earthheart Python?" An Yuyi looked around cautiously as she asked.

"I saw the Earthheart Python eat Fang Xi and Pei Ling, then it rushed down the mountain to the Bewildering Forest..." Ye Chen explained briefly.

Hearing this, An Yuyi was not surprised. The Earthheart Python had been confined for five thousand years. Now that the formation had finally been opened, it naturally hurried to escape. Her survival was truly a stroke of luck.

As for Fang Xi and Pei Ling, they deserved their fate. Recalling how the two had run away without hesitation, An Yuyi clenched her teeth in anger. But she quickly remembered something else and immediately flew towards the back of the lotus pond.

However, when she saw the empty pond, her expression instantly darkened, and she muttered, "How could it be gone? Could it be that someone took the Blood Sea Lotus before the Boundless Demon Sect was exterminated? Without the Blood Sea Lotus, wasn't this trip in vain?"

She couldn't help but cast a suspicious glance at Ye Chen. The Earthheart Python, as a guardian beast with restrictions, definitely couldn't consume the Blood Sea Lotus seeds.

Fang Xi and Pei Ling were dead. Before she woke up, only Ye Chen was here. Could it be that he had already taken it?

"Fellow Daoist Ye, if you have obtained the Blood Sea Lotus seed, I am willing to exchange it for another treasure! The Blood Sea Lotus seed is really important to me!" An Yuyi said earnestly.

However, Ye Chen shook his head sincerely, "I don't have it! By the way, I've always wanted to ask, what exactly is this Blood Sea Lotus seed?"

If the earlier Soul Nurturing Stone had produced something valuable, Ye Chen might have considered whether to give it to An Yuyi. But looking at the pile of green Soul Nurturing Stones in his storage ring, he had only one thought: You are not worthy!