ISWI Chapter 146-147

Chapter 146: To Give or Not to Give?

Ye Chen surveyed the interior of the Boundless Demon Sect's Internal Affairs Hall. The place was practically empty, which was a bit of a disappointment. Turning around, he saw Su Yuxuan looking at him with a mix of frustration and resentment.

Ye Chen chuckled and pulled out a blood crystal he had obtained from killing a Blood Fiend. Such a Foundation Establishment-level blood crystal was hugely beneficial for demonic cultivation and could fetch at least five top-grade spirit stones in the market.

"Don't worry, Junior Sister. I'll give you this blood crystal. Cultivate well, and when the time comes, we siblings will join forces. Our combined strength will cut through all opposition. We will definitely carve out a bloody path!"

Ye Chen spoke with a grin. Su Yuxuan looked at the blood crystal, her lips parting as if to speak, but no words came out. Giving her a blood crystal at this time seemed pointless. The defensive array might only hold for three to five days before breaking. By then, they would all likely be dead.

In her heart, Su Yuxuan was almost furious with Ye Chen. If it weren't for running into him, she could have either fought her way out or escaped. If Ye Chen hadn't escaped the encirclement just before, she could have fled too.

Now what?

Recalling all of Ye Chen's actions up to this point, Su Yuxuan began to wonder if he might actually be a spy sent by the Misty Sect to infiltrate the Green Cloud Sect.

As Su Yuxuan accepted the blood crystal, Ye Chen heard the system notification in his mind: "Gift successful..."

"50x feedback initiating..."

"Reward: Fifty Foundation Establishment-level Blood Spirit Crystals!"

So, these were called Blood Spirit Crystals. With a feedback of fifty crystals, that was equivalent to 250 top-grade spirit stones. This rate of return was simply skyrocketing.

Ye Chen still had two portions of Blood Spirit Crystals. If he could give these away within two weeks, that would total 750 top-grade spirit stones in revenue.

What a windfall!

"Why so pessimistic, Junior Sister? Just focus on your cultivation, there's always a chance! Besides, even if we die, your Senior Brother will be with you. You won't be alone in the afterlife."

While talking, Ye Chen examined the array, trying to gauge how long it might hold. If only it could last another two weeks. But after a long inspection, he couldn't determine much.

Ye Chen, lacking knowledge about arrays, was resolved to change that. Once he returned, he planned to find a female cultivator skilled in arrays to whom he could give gifts, thus enhancing his knowledge and skills not only in arrays but also in other varied cultivation arts like artifact crafting. The more skills he mastered, the more solutions he would have when facing challenges.

...

Su Yuxuan, hearing Ye Chen's attempts at reassurance, curled her lips in disdain. She had no intention of dying here.

Deep in thought, she pondered a way to break their current predicament. Quickly, she pulled out a jade slip containing a spell. She glanced cautiously at Ye Chen, who was still inspecting the array, and then pressed the jade slip to her forehead.

This jade slip contained the spell she had snatched from the two elders. As she accessed its contents, her eyes lit up—this spell was far more powerful than she had imagined. If she could master it, there might genuinely be a chance to escape this dire situation.

However, her hope faltered as she reviewed the materials required for the spell's cultivation. Among other things, it needed items like the Blood Spirit Crystals, one of which Ye Chen had just given her. That part was manageable.

But another required material, typically obtainable in the outside world with some effort, was now beyond her reach, trapped as they were in the Internal Affairs Hall. With the top-tier spell in hand and a potential escape within sight, the inability to cultivate it due to a lack of materials was maddening.

Su Yuxuan felt her sanity fraying at the edges. Glaring at Ye Chen's handsome face, she gritted her teeth harder. If it weren't for Ye Chen, how would she have ended up in this mess?

...

Ye Chen turned around, sensing something amiss.

Instantly, Su Yuxuan's expression changed to one of despair. Though she had achieved Foundation Establishment through her own merits, Ye Chen had been able to suppress her even when he was just at the Qi Refining stage. Who could know the extent of his current strength?

The very thought of being subdued by him again filled her with dread.

"What's the matter? That look on your face?" Ye Chen asked with a grin, seemingly unfazed by their predicament. In fact, he seemed rather hopeful that their confinement would last a bit longer, eager for the potential rewards.

Although Ye Chen was not versed in arrays, he carried several top-tier reinforcement charms that might fortify their protective barriers, though their effectiveness remained uncertain.

Su Yuxuan, with a downcast voice, revealed, "Those elders wanted to seize my technique, didn't they? I've just reviewed it, and it seems it could not only help us escape our pursuers but potentially allow us to turn the tables on them. It's a supreme spell from the Boundless Demon Sect—the Extreme Dao Blood Pupil!

"If mastered, it can captivate and bewitch the hearts of others. Whenever one's mind wanders, if their will is weak, they might even be destroyed by a mere glance, reduced to idiocy.

"However, this spell requires the eyes of at least a hundred cultivators to cultivate. And among them must be the eyes of at least one cultivator whose cultivation level is no less than my own, to serve as the primary pupil. Yet, trapped here as we are, it's impossible to gather the necessary materials."

Su Yuxuan sighed deeply, her spirit dampened by the thought.

Ye Chen's eyebrows rose at her explanation. Typical of the demonic sects—such an outrageous spell, requiring the eyes of cultivators. And Su Yuxuan's implication was clear; had they not been confined here, she would have pursued such a ruthless method without hesitation. The little witch was indeed cruel.

An audacious thought flashed through Ye Chen's mind as he inquired, "Does it really require the eyes of so many cultivators to perform?"

Su Yuxuan nodded and then shook her head. "The spell does mention that if one encounters a cultivator with a peculiar innate ability in their eyes, then just one pair of such eyes would suffice. Moreover, the Extreme Dao Blood Pupil crafted from them might even be more potent, possibly capturing some of the donor's divine abilities due to some latent power of bloodlines...

"However, those with such gifted divine abilities are exceptional talents, and defeating them would be beyond our means. Senior Brother, my eyes are just ordinary, and furthermore, this spell can only be cultivated by those with a Blood Spirit root."

By the end, Su Yuxuan's voice carried a cautious tone, perhaps worried that Ye Chen might harbor intentions of seizing such a powerful artifact by force. She made it clear that only those with a Blood Spirit root could practice it.

Ye Chen had no intention of seizing such a perilous artifact, nor was he concerned about whether Su Yuxuan was deceiving him. He was shocked to discover that this technique could also be cultivated with eyes possessing innate divine abilities.

And his own eyes, which bore the innate ability known as the Eyes of Destruction, perfectly fit this requirement. Truth be told, though it felt grand to possess such a power and the Eyes of Destruction were immensely potent, for Ye Chen, such offensive divine abilities were merely embellishments to his already formidable capabilities.

To say they were nonessential wouldn't be an exaggeration. If it were possible to exchange them, Ye Chen wouldn't mind at all. He had pondered this matter before, but dismissed the idea, assuming no female cultivator would need his eyes. Yet unexpectedly, an opportunity had now presented itself.

But the problem remained, could eyes truly be considered an appropriate gift? If they were, then it would be ideal. A feedback with a critical hit could propel him directly to new heights. But if they weren't considered gifts, then offering his eyes would be for naught—a complete waste, akin to fetching water with a bamboo basket. And it was uncertain whether he could even reattach them or if they would still function effectively without causing side effects. The risks were immense.

Ye Chen decided to consult the system to inquire whether donating his eyes would count as a gift. However, the system remained unresponsive, its usual aloof self, only chiming in when it came to gifting or detecting female cultivators.

Left without guidance from the system, Ye Chen found a corner to sit in, brooding over his dilemma. This was the first time Ye Chen felt such hesitation over a gift!

Chapter 147: I Knew You Were No Good!

Ye Chen earnestly weighed his options in his heart. Sending out the Eye of Destruction, if it returned a fiftyfold feedback with a critical hit, would naturally be a cause for jubilation.

However, it might also turn out to be useless. At that moment, he had two choices. Either reclaim the Eye of Destruction and reinsert it to see if it could still be used. Or simply give it up.

With his Myriad Star Body, combined with the regenerative abilities of the Exquisite Heart, he could quickly regrow new eyes. But the new eyes would certainly lack the innate Divine Ability, merely ordinary eyes. So, what should he choose?

Ye Chen felt hesitant. To gamble, transforming a bicycle into a motorcycle, a yacht accompanied by a young model. Or to play it safe, simply not to send it.

Ye Chen felt he had never been so uncertain. But fortunately, today's gift had already been sent. Thinking about sending another would definitely have to wait until next week. He still had ample time to consider.

Ye Chen stood up and retrieved several top-grade talismans from his storage bracelet. He tossed them onto the array.

The array's originally dim light brightened considerably. Array fortification talismans, a solution that treated the symptoms but not the root cause. But Ye Chen asked for nothing more, as long as the array could last a week.

Observing Ye Chen's actions, Su Yuxuan felt somewhat perplexed. She recognized the fortification talismans, but felt no excitement. After all, being trapped here meant the array would inevitably be broken one day. What difference did it make if it happened sooner rather than later?

Su Yuxuan cared only about how she might escape her fate.

Just then, Ye Chen spoke up: "The materials required for cultivating your Extreme Dao Blood Pupils, I might have them here!"

At these words, Su Yuxuan's eyes suddenly sparkled. No wonder your actions are so unorthodox. I knew from the start you were no good. What decent person carries around hundreds of eyeballs?

Even their Misty Sect wasn't this outrageous. But Su Yuxuan didn't care whether Ye Chen was good or bad. As long as he could produce the materials, that was all that mattered.

However, under Su Yuxuan's expectant gaze, Ye Chen remained motionless, his face marked by hesitation as he pondered.

Now it was Su Yuxuan who became anxious. There was no use in panicking when there was no solution. But now that Ye Chen might have the materials, she naturally was eager to have them. After all, if she could cultivate the Extreme Dao Blood Pupils and employ some tactics, the chances of turning the tables were significant.

"Senior Brother, since you have the materials, bring them out! We are both grasshoppers on the same string. And I have a great vengeance to avenge; my family is all within the Master's Banner. So, if you have it, give it to me, I really want it..."

Su Yuxuan's demeanor was very humble. In times of need, she could be exceedingly solicitous. The epitome of 'you have milk, you're my mother.'

Barefoot, she sat beside Ye Chen, clutching his arm and shaking it. Her small face tilted up to look at him, her large eyes filled with innocence and desire. Paired with her plump lips, a wave of pure desire washed over. Anyone would be shaken by such a gaze.

Yet Ye Chen still shook his head, without giving a direct answer.

At this, Su Yuxuan really couldn't endure any longer. Who knew when the array would fail? It was natural to make haste.

With a pleading look, Su Yuxuan gazed at Ye Chen: "Senior Brother, I really want it... Do you not fancy my little feet? I'll give them all to you if you like..."

As she spoke, Su Yuxuan even stood in front of Ye Chen, lifting one small foot towards him. She wore a white skirt that reached her calves. As she lifted her foot, her curves were gracefully outlined. Clearly, Su Yuxuan was ready to go all out.

But Ye Chen was merely whetting her appetite. He had not yet decided whether to give the Eye of Destruction to Su Yuxuan. Yet, he could keep her in suspense a little longer. Let her anticipate. Prompt her to take some initiative.

That way, if he did decide to give it, after all Su Yuxuan's efforts and prolonged expectation, should the system trigger, her excitement would undoubtedly enhance the critical hit rate...

...

Ye Chen appeared troubled, seemingly oblivious to the little foot before him. He sighed before finally speaking: "I am not a member of your Misty Sect, how could I possibly have the eyes of cultivators on me?"

Hearing this, Su Yuxuan immediately frowned and withdrew her foot.

No cultivator's eyes? Then what do you mean? And what does it mean you're not from our Misty Sect? With your level of unscrupulousness, you could be our sect leader.

But Su Yuxuan didn't believe Ye Chen was just playing with her. She quietly waited for what Ye Chen would say next.

Then Ye Chen continued: "My eyes can aid you in cultivating this technique."

Immediately, Su Yuxuan looked intently into Ye Chen's eyes, scrutinizing them...

Ye Chen had the same level of cultivation as her, so his eyes would certainly suffice as a primary pupil. But the problem was, one was not enough.

Unless... Ye Chen's eyes possessed innate Divine Ability. But how could that be possible? If Ye Chen had an innate Divine Ability, how could he possibly be a third-grade spiritual root? If third-grade spiritual roots could all manifest innate Divine Abilities, such abilities would have long been common. Instead of being so rare.

Ye Chen remained silent, merely turning his face to the side. The next moment, a terrifying red glow emerged from Ye Chen's normally clear eyes. The horrifying power of destruction erupted instantaneously, startling Su Yuxuan. Then, two fearsome blood-red beams burst forth from Ye Chen's eyes.

The ground was instantly pierced through for dozens of meters and exploded violently. The entire hall began to shake intensely.

This...

Feeling that terrifying power, even more formidable than the spells of a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, and that intense force of destruction, a typical early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator wouldn't withstand even a single strike in the face of such an attack.

This was definitely an innate Divine Ability. Absolutely!

Su Yuxuan was truly shocked. After her initial surprise, her heart started pounding excitedly. Ye Chen possessed a pair of eyes with innate Divine Ability. For her, this was an incredible opportunity. If she could obtain them, she could cultivate the Extreme Dao Blood Pupils.

Most importantly, if the Extreme Dao Blood Pupils were cultivated using eyes with innate Divine Ability as the material, then the Blood Pupils could assimilate and absorb the innate powers of the lineage, allowing her to wield that Divine Ability.

Of course, there would be a difference in power compared to the original. But even so, it was a boon any cultivator would covet.

As for why Ye Chen possessed an innate Divine Ability?

There was only one explanation. Ye Chen was not a third-grade spiritual root. He was a true genius. The third-grade spiritual root was merely a ruse by the Green Cloud Sect to prevent this genius from being targeted.

Thinking she had figured everything out, Su Yuxuan licked her lips uncontrollably with excitement. If she could convince Ye Chen to give up his eyes for her use as material, Her strength would surge tremendously. Facing her master in the future, she would have an additional ace up her sleeve.

At that moment, Su Yuxuan's gaze towards Ye Chen was fervent beyond measure. She saw him as a tremendous treasure...

She wanted it! She really wanted it! Even if it meant paying any price. She was determined to obtain Ye Chen's eyes!