ISWI Chapter 150-151

Chapter 150: I Made All That Up!

After obtaining the Heavy Pupils, Ye Chen felt like a young boy with a new toy, eager to test it out. However, soon enough, reason prevailed. Encountering Su Yuxuan and benefiting from a fiftyfold return wasn't something that happened easily.

Earning spirit stones was far more important than showing off. As for being trapped here, whether or not the enemy would receive reinforcements didn't concern Ye Chen at all. He wasn't worried before he had the Heavy Pupils, and he was even less concerned now that he had them.

After all, as long as it was within the Foundation Establishment stage, whether early, middle, or late, as long as no Golden Core came along, Ye Chen was confident he could easily kill anyone. And if there were too many enemies and he couldn't fight them all, escaping would still be a breeze.

So, Ye Chen sat quietly in the great hall, waiting for Su Yuxuan to finish her cultivation.

...

In the blink of an eye, another week passed.

Ye Chen used a few more fortification talismans to keep the teetering array up for another two days. But it was clear. The array in the great hall was at its limit. It could collapse at any moment.

However, on this day, Su Yuxuan finally emerged from her seclusion. Joy was written all over her face. Using eyes with an innate Divine Ability as the main material, the Extreme Dao Blood Pupils she cultivated were far more powerful than she had imagined.

Not only was the effect of captivating souls stronger, most importantly, Su Yuxuan also sensed a force of destruction within her eyes. She now possessed Ye Chen's Eye of Destruction.

Although there was some loss in the refinement process, retaining only about seventy percent of its original power, It was still incredibly powerful. Having such an ace up her sleeve would undoubtedly be a huge help in her future endeavor to kill her master.

Arriving at the great hall, Su Yuxuan looked at Ye Chen, who still sat cross-legged with his eyes tightly shut. A complex expression flashed across her beautiful eyes. Both the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method and the Extreme Dao Blood Pupils had brought her immense benefits. All of these were undoubtedly provided by Ye Chen. Thus, her feelings toward Ye Chen were complicated.

Before Su Yuxuan could speak, Ye Chen chuckled lightly and said, "Junior Sister has finished her seclusion, hasn't she? How are the results?"

Su Yuxuan pursed her full lips: "The results are excellent. I'm confident I can kill all four enemies."

Hearing this, Ye Chen immediately smiled: "That's great. Here's a bottle of top-grade True Intent Pills for you. Although I'm blind, I can still make pills. With Junior Sister by my side in the future, I won't be useless. I can still make pills for you."

Watching Ye Chen speak with his eyes closed, as if fantasizing about spending the rest of his life with her, Su Yuxuan's icy heart trembled slightly.

Of course, she was lying. It was impossible for her to fight one against four, nor was it possible for her to spend her life with Ye Chen. Because as soon as the array failed, she would immediately use the Extreme Dao Blood Pupils' ban-breaking ability to escape. Ye Chen was undoubtedly doomed.

Taking the pills and seeing that the array might still hold a bit longer, Su Yuxuan resolved to give Ye Chen a swift end, sparing him from the torment of the Human Emperor Banner. This would be her final compensation to Ye Chen. Before draining Ye Chen, she would perform the acts Ye Chen enjoyed, as one last gesture.

Thus, Su Yuxuan gracefully approached Ye Chen: "Senior Brother's kindness to me is heavier than mountains. There is still time, and I wish to repay you with myself."

Ye Chen, with his eyes still closed, raised an eyebrow at her words.

You think I'm naïve! So you're hungry and talking about repaying kindness, huh?

Although he couldn't meet Su Yuxuan every day, the fiftyfold feedback rate was quite beneficial when used occasionally.

Of course, Ye Chen wouldn't let Su Yuxuan disrupt his cultivation. And besides, the gift had already been given. Ye Chen was completely satisfied. Thus, he gently tapped the ground with his finger. The next moment, a loud explosion resounded, and the hall shook violently.

The array had failed.

...

Outside the great hall.

Kong Xiangli, Elder Black Soul, and others were already prepared for battle. Upon seeing the array fail, they immediately unleashed their terrifying spells, aiming to destroy the hall completely and leave Ye Chen and his companions with no chance to hide.

The combined force of the mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators was naturally immensely powerful. The inner hall of the Boundless Demon Sect exploded violently.

Su Yuxuan, who had been contemplating whether to use her "small foot" technique or something else, suddenly changed her expression. As the hall collapsed in a cloud of dust and debris, she immediately dashed in one direction. A mid-stage Foundation Establishment elder moved to intercept her.

However, Su Yuxuan's eyes flashed red, and a bloody divine light blasted out. Feeling the terrifying destructive force within it, the elder's face changed color and he quickly retreated to evade.

But as Su Yuxuan rushed toward the edge, the elder smirked coldly. The surroundings had already been sealed off, it wouldn't be so easy to break through. Everyone was supposed to die here...

However, in the next moment, the elder's cold smirk froze on his face. Su Yuxuan's eyes emitted a strange wave of power that directly exploded their carefully placed seals.

The next second, like a fish entering the sea, Su Yuxuan broke through the barriers and fled without looking back.

What kind of technique was this? Since when did Su Yuxuan learn such a pupil technique? Able to attack and break seals?

The elder was profoundly shocked and immediately thought to pursue. However, Elder Black Soul's voice rang out, "Let Su Yuxuan run for now, we'll settle scores with her later! First, let's kill this Ye Chen!"

Hearing this, the elder hesitated but then nodded. Ye Chen's reputation as a simp was well-known, and he was said to be extremely wealthy. His master, Gu Yunyun, surely had many treasures on him. Killing Ye Chen would at least be profitable.

Thus, the elder turned and flew back, ready to join the others in a concerted attack to kill Ye Chen.

...

The air was charged with tension as Kong Xiangli and Elder Black Soul, along with their cohort, were primarily focused on eliminating Ye Chen. Su Yuxuan's fate was of little concern to them.

They had anticipated that Ye Chen would attempt to escape alongside Su Yuxuan, given his reputation for being exceptionally fast. Thus, their primary strategy was to intercept him at all costs.

However, to their surprise, Ye Chen's presence remained fixed in the original spot. He made no attempt to move. As the dust settled, the group could clearly see Ye Chen sitting still with his eyes tightly shut.

Three mid-stage Foundation Establishment elders surrounded him closely, while an early-stage elder stood ready to assist from the periphery. An outer layer of enchantments ensured that Ye Chen was thoroughly trapped, his escape seemingly impossible.

Kong Xiangli, remembering how Ye Chen had dared to threaten him before, felt his killing intent surge.

"Ye Chen, weren't you supposed to be fast? Why don't you run now?" Kong Xiangli taunted, his voice dripping with menace.

He hesitated to strike, sensing something odd about Ye Chen's unmoving, eye-closed posture. He wanted to understand what Ye Chen was plotting.

At Kong's taunt, Ye Chen simply shook his head. "I've given my eyes to Su Yuxuan for her cultivation; there's no escaping for me now."

The crowd was stunned by his admission. They had been curious about how Su Yuxuan suddenly acquired a new pupil technique, something unseen before. So it turned out that Ye Chen had gifted his eyes to Su Yuxuan to develop a new technique?

The sheer absurdity... even though they had heard of Ye Chen's reputation as an extreme simp, witnessing it firsthand made them truly understand the extent of it. Could eyes even be gifted like that?

Elder Black Soul, a man infamous for his countless murders and enjoyment of torment, couldn't help but let out a cackling laugh: "Fellow Daoist Ye is truly infatuated! You must have been deceived by that Su Yuxuan. Now discarded, you must feel particularly spiteful. Keep that resentment; it will enhance the effects when you enter my Human Emperor Banner..."

However, Ye Chen simply shook his head again. "I don't hate her. I knew she would leave me, and I stayed put to give her a chance to escape. If she is well, it is a sunny day for me."

Elder Black Soul's eyes widened in disbelief. As a man who took pleasure in the suffering of others, even he felt a spark of anger.

"A man should stand tall and proud. With high cultivation, what woman can't you have? How can you debase yourself like this?" he muttered.

Kong Xiangli, too, was filled with disdain. "Sometimes I really don't understand you simps, going to die for a woman!"

Ye Chen, who had been sitting motionless, cracked a smirk. "You're not supposed to understand! Because everything I just said... was a lie! I stayed here... just to send you all on your way!"

In the next instant, Ye Chen finally lifted his eyelids...

Chapter 151: Do You Need a Heart?

The sudden shift in Ye Chen's demeanor and his previous deceit made the faces of his adversaries change dramatically.

"Are you playing us?"

They were just about to erupt in anger when Ye Chen opened his eyes, and their actions froze instantly.

Such terrifying eyes!

As they stared, it was as if they were facing the ancient abyss of a demonic well, so deep and profound that it seemed their souls might be sucked away.

Between the blinks of Ye Chen's eyes, myriad divine patterns flickered, brimming with the forces of destruction and rejuvenation.

Even mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, subjected to the invisible pressure and gaze of these eyes, felt their hearts pounding uncontrollably.

The early-stage Foundation Establishment elder screamed in agony and coughed up blood, unable to withstand the power.

"Heavy Pupils, these are Heavy Pupils..."

"How do you have Heavy Pupils?"

Kong Xiangli's eyes widened in disbelief. He clearly saw that Ye Chen's eyes had two sets of pupils—undoubtedly the legendary Heavy Pupils. The rest also displayed looks of terror.

Anyone possessing a Divine Ability was fearsome enough, let alone someone with a top-tier innate Divine Ability like Heavy Pupils. Such a supreme Divine Ability was rarely seen even within the holy lands, mostly confined to the annals of history.

Simply being under Ye Chen's gaze made them tremble with fear. The anger they felt when Ye Chen spoke of sending them on their way evaporated entirely.

Ye Chen offered a faint smile; the Heavy Pupils were usually imperceptible except when activated. He had said too much earlier and now couldn't be bothered with more idle talk. His right eye unleashed a devastating beam of destructive light.

The early-stage Foundation Establishment elder who had just coughed up blood was obliterated instantly. But as one beam shot forth, another followed swiftly.

This second beam of destructive light targeted another mid-stage elder whose name Ye Chen didn't even know. This elder was terrified.

The divine light emitted by Ye Chen was far more formidable than the two beams Su Yuxuan had managed. And it was much faster. There was no dodging it. He only managed to cast several defensive spells and activate his protective magical treasures to their fullest.

However, against the annihilating light from the Heavy Pupils, all defenses were futile. Layer upon layer of protection shattered like paper. The second elder exploded into a firework of gore and smoke.

...

Having dispatched two opponents, Ye Chen felt a profound sense of satisfaction from testing out his newfound power. This power, far more formidable than his previous Eye of Destruction, overwhelmed even mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators with a mere glance. His decision to gift the Eye of Destruction had proven astoundly effective.

Though the Foundation Establishment technique was a system reward, the innate Divine Ability was cultivated by himself. After the critical hit from giving away the Eye of Destruction, the results were fierce. Imagining the potential of offering the Exquisite Heart in the future was exciting—perhaps it could skyrocket his capabilities.

However, such opportunities were rare. He wondered if there might be any demonic cultivation techniques specifically for cultivating the heart that he could discover and then give to Su Yuxuan.

Later on, he could even give away his heart—providing a one-stop service...

These fleeting thoughts in Ye Chen's mind gave way as he turned his attention back to Black Soul Elder and Kong Xiangli, both of whom were absolutely terrified.

The power of the Heavy Pupils was truly fearsome. Two Foundation Establishment cultivators had fallen in the blink of an eye. How could they possibly fight against this?

Even if a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator were to arrive, they would likely meet the same fate under the oppressive might of the Heavy Pupils. The sheer force was too overpowering!

Exchanging a glance, both attackers launched their desperate offenses. Kong Xiangli unleashed a barrage of divine thunder, aiming it all towards Ye Chen.

Black Soul Elder, meanwhile, shook the Human Emperor Banner, releasing a surge of endless dark energy. Hosts of principal and vengeful spirits emerged, rolling towards Ye Chen in a fierce tide. After launching their attacks, both figures turned and fled.

However, as they faced the restrictive enchantments they themselves had set up—barriers that would take several moments to dismantle—their frustration peaked. It had never crossed their minds that they would be the ones needing to escape. The very restrictions they had placed to trap their enemy now hindered their own escape.

...

As the barrage of divine thunder and the mass of vengeful spirits rushed towards him, Ye Chen remained calm. In his eyes, even the lightning-fast divine thunder seemed as slow as a snail. He analyzed and avoided every trajectory of the attacks with ease.

The vengeful spirits and the dark miasma dissipated under his gaze. Ye Chen didn't attack the spirits; instead, he had plans for the Human Emperor Banner—the artifact controlling them.

The next moment, Ye Chen emerged from the black mist.

Seeing Ye Chen effortlessly walk through their most powerful spells, the expressions of Black Soul Elder and Kong Xiangli changed drastically. Their strongest magics couldn't even delay Ye Chen for a few breaths?

In the next instant, Ye Chen appeared right in front of Black Soul Elder. In the elder's eyes, filled with despair, Ye Chen didn't hesitate to throw a punch.

Harnessing the terrifying spiritual power gained from cultivating the Western Emperor's Scripture Foundation Establishment chapter, Ye Chen's punch exploded out. Even Black Soul Elder, a cultivator nearly at the peak of the Foundation Establishment stage and one of the stronger members within the Misty Sect, was physically blown apart.

The Human Emperor Banner, dropped by the elder, was promptly seized by Ye Chen with a telekinetic gesture. He quickly subjugated it with a massive surge of spiritual power, refining it in the blink of an eye.

The souls of cultivators, emerging from their bodies shortly after death, begin to wander aimlessly and dissipate unless contained. With a swift shake of the Human Emperor Banner, the souls of the three recently deceased Foundation Establishment cultivators were sucked into it.

Turning to Kong Xiangli with a smirk, Ye Chen cheerfully said, "Elder, please enter the banner..."

Kong Xiangli felt a chill run through him.

Three out of four Foundation Establishment cultivators had perished in the blink of an eye. This was a terrifying force to behold. Facing Ye Chen, he felt utter despair.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, I am willing to be marked with a slave seal and serve as your slave for life!"

Kong Xiangli, not wishing to die, knelt on the ground and begged for mercy.

Ye Chen looked down at Kong Xiangli's aged face with no hint of pity, shaking his head, "I much preferred the confident demeanor Elder Kong had earlier!"

As the words fell, a massive purple-gold hand thundered down.

Kong Xiangli roared. But in front of Ye Chen, he had no chance to resist and was promptly crushed.

With a sweep of the Human Emperor Banner, Kong Xiangli's soul was sucked in.

Seeing everyone who opposed him eliminated cleanly, Ye Chen felt particularly satisfied.

To be honest, Ye Chen had been somewhat influenced by modern thinking before, believing that minor grievances could be let go. But his first foray into this relic had him targeted by this old schemer, which proved a point: In the world of cultivation, enemies must be eliminated. There was no room for forgetting grudges and living in peace. Otherwise, it would only lead to downfall.

Ye Chen summoned Kong Xiangli's soul from the banner and calmly asked, "Why must you kill me..."

A soul refined into the Human Emperor Banner held no secrets from its master.

"To kill Ye Chen first, letting the outside world believe it was Black Soul Elder's doing. Black Soul Elder will hide in the sect for half a year, then secretly head to the relic as bait. I would then inform Gu Yunyun of this news. The Jindan stage sect leader would set an ambush here. Gu Yunyun must die; once dead, with Green Cloud Sect left leaderless and in chaos, seize the opportunity to wage war and annex Green Cloud Sect..."

After hearing the plan, Ye Chen flicked the Human Emperor Banner, sending Kong Xiangli's soul back into torment.

Ye Chen then planned to return to his sect. Normally, there was no need to return when out on missions, but capturing a mid-stage Foundation Establishment internal traitor and uncovering a major threat to the sect's legacy necessitated a report back. It was also a good opportunity to curry favor with his master.

And the Human Emperor Banner? Ye Chen decided to keep it. In the future, it would serve as a repository for enemies' souls, not wasting any, just collecting them all. He'd slowly upgrade its level.

Should he encounter a top-tier demoness in the future, he could gift it forward. Perhaps the system would reward him with a genuine Human Emperor Banner. Wouldn't that be a direct ascent to power...