ISWI Chapter 256-257

Chapter 256: This Feature Feels a Bit Off!

Ye Chen really wanted to roll his eyes. Li Feihuang's self-assurance was on another level, wasn't it? But since she'd already come up with an excuse for him, and the opportunities in the Great Chu Empire could accelerate his cultivation—maybe even let him cross paths with Su Yuxuan and turn his Golden Core into the nine-colored dream of ancient true immortals—he just hummed in agreement.

Seeing him acquiesce, Li Feihuang nodded, satisfied. Truth be told, she was also annoyed by Wang Lun's meddling. Ye Chen's lesson was quite to her liking.

"I'm heading into seclusion to break through to mid-Golden Core," she said. "When the time comes, I'll notify you to depart together. As for your guest elder position at the Divine Will Sect, resign early. Once this is over, everything I promised you will be fulfilled."

Li Feihuang radiated confidence, her demeanor vibrant.

Ye Chen: "Mhm, mhm…"

But he'd already planned to part ways after this. Why stay with her when Senior An at the Divine Will Sect offered critical hits and toxin-purging services? After breaking through to Nascent Soul, he'd head straight to the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land to woo Holy Maidens. The Great Chu Empire? What kind of backwater was that? He'd have to be crazy to stick around.

Oblivious to his thoughts, Li Feihuang turned to leave, but not before transmitting a message: "I won't pursue your unauthorized actions this time, but the Wang Clan is still useful to me. In the future, prioritize the bigger picture. Consult me before doing something like this. The Great Chu Empire isn't like the Divine Will Sect—remember that."

Ye Chen's lips curled into a cold smirk. He couldn't be bothered to respond. Instead, he flew toward An Miaoli's cave abode, not too far away, to check if she'd emerged from seclusion.

…

At An Miaoli's cave abode, Ye Chen sent a transmission talisman, but there was no response. He frowned slightly. Refining the Wind-Thunder Wings was taking this long? He'd been enjoying his Kunpeng Wings for days already.

Then it hit him—the system had given him pre-refined wings.

Oh, makes sense.

Just as he was about to leave, debating whether to gift something to An Yuyi or pay Li Feihuang a visit with some "warmth" before her breakthrough, he sensed something and glanced back.

An ethereal, immortal-like figure descended into a nearby pavilion.

Ye Chen flew over with a grin. "Senior An, I take it you've successfully refined them?"

An Miaoli's dreamy, luminous eyes met his as she nodded calmly. "I have."

Then she added, "But protective arrays above fourth-grade can record a cultivator's spiritual sense fluctuations. Next time you conceal your identity, remember to alter your spiritual sense as well, or you'll be exposed."

Ye Chen: "???"

Ye Chen was about to present the meticulously crafted top-grade spiritual artifact when An Miaoli's words hit him. His face darkened slightly.

Though she hadn't said it outright, it was clear she knew he was the one who'd dealt with Wang Lun that night. Most array masters, through systematic study, would grasp such principles by the first grade.

But Ye Chen's array knowledge came entirely from the system—third-grade knowledge was exactly that, with not a shred of fourth-grade insight provided. It was maddeningly precise.

So, he genuinely hadn't known that fourth-grade defensive arrays could record spiritual sense fluctuations. He couldn't help but feel exasperated. Is it really this hard to do something sneaky while hiding my identity?

Back when he'd just transmigrated, he'd smashed a market courtyard to get the Mo Clan's attention, only to be exposed almost immediately—awkward. Now, his night raid on Wang Lun had barely been satisfying for two days before it was found out. Being a bad guy is too tough.

Noticing his expression, An Miaoli gave a faint smile. "The Array Peak Master realized it was you but, since you're our sect's guest elder, only informed the Sect Master. The Sect Master notified me. The final decision is a three-year deduction of your stipend and the cancellation of your half-off discount on Divine Will City shop rent. That settles the matter. As for Wang Lun, there's no need to worry. A mere cultivator from the Great Chu Empire has no standing to demand answers from our Divine Will Sect."

Ye Chen wasn't particularly worried about consequences, and the punishment was akin to a slap on the wrist, as it were. Still, it left him a bit deflated, questioning his own abilities.

He resolved that his next gift would prioritize stealth skills. He couldn't bear another scenario where he thought he'd hidden his tracks for life, only for someone to pat his shoulder the next day and say, "Nice try, but you botched it. Don't worry, I've cleaned up your mess." That was just too humiliating.

…

"Senior An, this is the top-grade spiritual artifact I crafted. Please pass it to Yuyi," Ye Chen said, eager to change the subject from Wang Lun.

He handed over a translucent white silk ribbon, adorned with intricate patterns that exuded a unique, captivating charm.

An Miaoli was slightly taken aback. This must be the top-grade spiritual artifact he'd mentioned last time. But… how was it supposed to be used?

"Senior An, you can wrap it around your wrist, neck, or anywhere else!" Ye Chen explained enthusiastically. "Once activated, it generates spirit silk gloves and… This artifact is crafted by fusing twelve top-grade spirit silks, including Heavenly Silkworm Silk, Azure Bamboo Silkworm Silk, and Lunar Silkworm Silk. I optimized the material's properties to harmonize with the heavens and earth, boosting the wearer's spell power by at least thirty percent.

"Additionally, I inscribed seventeen auxiliary spells on it. When activated, it accelerates spiritual energy recovery, calms the mind, grants immunity to all poisons, nourishes the body, and enhances the silk's defensive strength, capable of withstanding even Nascent Soul-level attacks. It also has self-repairing capabilities; as long as it's not completely destroyed, it'll fully restore itself within a day. After hundreds of refinements, the fused material is weightless, ensuring no discomfort when worn!"

Ye Chen detailed his meticulously crafted creation with pride.

An Miaoli raised an eyebrow. Each of those materials was exorbitantly rare, some impossible to acquire even with spirit stones. They were more than sufficient for forging higher-grade spirit treasures, yet Ye Chen had used them to craft a spiritual artifact for her. Calling it a waste of heavenly resources wouldn't be an exaggeration.

Still, its functions were undeniably impressive, rivaling most spirit treasures. Ye Chen's willingness to spend so extravagantly on her was touching. Sighing inwardly, she maintained her calm exterior and said softly, "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Ye. I'll pass this to Yuyi."

Ye Chen nodded with a smile. "Thank you, Senior! But since this is freshly made and untested, perhaps you could try it out for Yuyi? If there's any issue, I can make adjustments."

An Miaoli found his suggestion reasonable. She gently wrapped the silk ribbon around her wrist and infused it with spiritual energy to activate it.

Instantly, the ribbon glowed, transforming into spirit silk that enveloped her entire body. From her neck down to her arms, hands, legs, and feet, every inch was covered. Though weightless, the sensation was still noticeable.

An Miaoli's expression turned peculiar as she looked at Ye Chen. "This covers the entire body?"

Ye Chen nodded earnestly. "That ensures the best defensive effect."

An Miaoli frowned slightly but didn't comment further. The feeling was odd, though his reasoning seemed sound.

Ye Chen, gazing at An Miaoli in her white dress now adorned with translucent spirit silk, felt his eyes light up. The silk added a unique charm, enhancing her ethereal aura. He couldn't help but add, "Senior, it also has a color-changing function. Why not give it a try?"

An Miaoli's frown deepened. Covering the whole body was one thing, but changing colors? What was the point? This function felt… suspiciously off!

Chapter 257: Portable Cave Abode!

"The color-changing function helps adapt to various environments. The cultivation world is full of dangers, and it can aid in concealment at critical moments," Ye Chen explained with a serious tone.

An Miaoli's deep, luminous eyes studied him for a long moment before she nodded, reluctantly accepting the explanation.

"Then give it a try, Senior! How about black first?" Ye Chen suggested eagerly.

An Miaoli didn't respond verbally. With a thought, the white spiritual artifact covering her body instantly turned black.

Ye Chen's eyes lit up. In white, Senior An's ethereal aura was amplified, exuding a pure, almost alluring charm. Black, however, was different—it accentuated her sleek, slender figure, perfectly balanced and elegant. She radiated a cool, mature, imperial aura.

Thanks to Ye Chen's meticulous design, the texture varied with color, and the black silk even gleamed faintly, making her breathtakingly stunning.

"Senior An, you could try purple next," Ye Chen continued. "I also designed additional features, like adjustable silk density. Depending on the situation, you can alter the weaving pattern and coverage area—like a fishnet style or stopping at the calves…"

He elaborated on the functions, keen to test the artifact's quality.

Unfortunately, An Miaoli declined. The black silk reverted to a ribbon as she spoke calmly, "I'll pass this to Yuyi. If there's nothing else, I'll return to my cultivation."

Clearly, the top-grade spiritual artifact Ye Chen had gifted was a bit beyond her comfort zone. Ye Chen wasn't discouraged—there was time to ease her into it.

But seeing her in the black silk had stirred something. "Senior, I feel the Nether Toxin hasn't been fully purged. There might be some remnants, and lately, it's been flaring up, hindering my cultivation," he said earnestly.

An Miaoli frowned, her misty eyes fixed on him for a long while. Just as Ye Chen thought his ploy might fail, she nodded. "The Nether Toxin is no small matter—it can affect your immortal path. Come to my cave abode, and we'll examine it."

Ye Chen broke into a grin, following the expressionless An Miaoli toward her cave abode.

…

Two hours later, An Miaoli slowly withdrew her secret technique. The black spiritual artifact on her hand reverted to a silk ribbon. She spoke calmly, "It should be fully purged this time."

Ye Chen, feigning guilt, replied, "I'm not sure why, but I do feel much better. I'm so sorry for offending you again, Senior."

An Miaoli shook her head. "No matter. It's all for Yuyi. Just treat her well. As for you and me, a clear conscience is enough."

Ye Chen nodded earnestly. With that, An Miaoli politely showed him out. He didn't linger, thanking her again for her "life-saving" aid before leaving.

On the way back to his cave abode, Ye Chen was in high spirits. Though there was no critical hit this time, the system had rewarded him with two hundred top-grade spiritual artifacts—a massive haul.

The system was smart, providing practical items like spirit robes, spirit crowns, and offensive artifacts, all easily sellable. Top-grade spiritual artifacts fetched at least ten thousand spirit stones each, with high-function ones going for tens of thousands. Two hundred artifacts meant millions of high-grade spirit stones. He'd struck it rich.

This trip had not only "purged his toxin" for a refreshing body and mind but also netted him a fortune. Absolutely exhilarating.

During the process, though, he noticed An Miaoli's insistence on propriety, or rather, her need for a justifiable excuse. When his hand "lost control" and reached for something, it was blocked by a divine light. Clearly, he'd need to provide a convincing reason to satisfy her sense of righteousness if he wanted to deepen their dynamic.

…

Time flowed like water.

In the following weeks, Ye Chen settled into a routine of gifting and cultivating. His wealth grew steadily, rivaling even Deity Transformation cultivators in terms of assets.

His only regret was failing to find a portable cave abode. With the upcoming trip to the Great Chu Empire, where he'd gain the imperial aura infusion slot, his cultivation would skyrocket.

Reaching Nascent Soul and heading to the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land wouldn't take long. Located at the heart of the Great Yan Continent, the Holy Land was far away, and he'd need to bring along any female cultivators willing to follow him. A portable cave abode would be essential.

In the cultivation world, spirit stones were essential, but they didn't solve everything. Many treasures required luck to encounter. Ye Chen could only hope the Great Chu Empire's treasury held something suitable for gifting, ideally triggering a critical hit for a portable cave abode.

During this time, his "Nether Toxin" kept flaring up, requiring regular purging. Every ten days or so, he'd need a session, or he'd feel uncomfortable and unmotivated to cultivate.

Senior An was diligent in her care for juniors, rarely refusing when she had time. But the process remained strictly professional—he could only be "purged," unable to touch anything.

Recalling yesterday's session, Ye Chen noted An Miaoli's usual "clear conscience" line, followed by a specific request to pay more attention to An Yuyi. Apparently, Yuyi was feeling insecure, which worried her aunt.

Ye Chen felt a bit helpless. It wasn't intentional neglect, but An Yuyi's multiplier was just too low for him now. Even with a critical hit, it wasn't impressive. Still, given how much An Miaoli had done for him, he owed her the courtesy of showing some care for her niece.

As he mulled this over, his cave abode's transmission talisman flickered. Opening the door, a Quiet Wonder Peak deacon respectfully handed him a jade slip. "Elder Ye, this was sent by the Heavenly Evolution Pavilion."

Ye Chen nodded with a smile and took it. The Heavenly Evolution Pavilion always sent big clients lists for auctions or new arrivals. Scanning it, he found most items useless and unappealing. But then, his eyes lit up—a treasure caught his attention.

It was a spirit treasure-grade portable cave abode, equipped with a fourth-grade defensive array capable of withstanding a hundred Nascent Soul-level attacks. Crafted from top-tier materials, it boasted functions like autonomous spiritual energy absorption, body purification, and concealment. Most remarkably, it was forged using an ancient beast bag as its core, allowing it to house living demon beasts—a truly priceless feature.

However, it had flaws. It was second-hand, and its defensive array had been damaged in a great battle, with some array patterns eroded beyond repair. Now, it could only withstand late Golden Core attacks. There were other minor issues too. In modern terms, it was a "wrecked car."

But Ye Chen was intrigued. Its ability to sustain demon beasts made it perfect. If he bought and gifted it, he might trigger a critical hit for a portable cave abode capable of housing people. It was worth a shot.

With the portable cave abode issue potentially resolved, Ye Chen's mood lifted. Soon after, An Yuyi bounded over excitedly, asking if he was attending the auction and whether they could go together…