ISWI Chapter 254-255

Chapter 254: Night Raid

"That settles it, then!" Li Feihuang said with a confident smile.

Ye Chen was once a genius who could rival her, and Wang Lun was the Wang Clan's most outstanding prodigy of this generation. With herself in the mix, the throne was practically guaranteed.

Before leaving, Wang Lun tilted his chin slightly and spoke, "Fellow Daoist Ye, you'd best think it over carefully. Champion King's subordinates are ruthless killers. In the arena, there'll be no holding back. You might not die, but a severe injury could ruin your immortal path. Coming from a small sect to where you are now clearly wasn't easy. Some decisions warrant careful consideration."

Li Feihuang frowned at his words. Wang Lun was sent by the Wang Clan, and she still needed their support, so she held her tongue. But his meddling irritated her, strengthening her resolve to back Ye Chen and counter the Wang Clan's influence in the future.

"Fellow Daoist Wang, I need to return to my cultivation," she said. "I'll escort you out of the sect. You can rest well in Divine Will City."

As an outsider, Wang Lun wasn't permitted to stay overnight in the Divine Will Sect, so he'd been staying in Divine Will City. He nodded, casting a calm glance at Ye Chen before departing gracefully.

This visit was just the beginning. He'd wait until they returned to the Great Chu Empire together, giving him plenty of time to make Ye Chen see reason and step back willingly.

…

Ye Chen wasn't angered by the disdain in Wang Lun's words. He'd already cast a tracking spell on him.

Staying in Divine Will City, huh? Just wait for tonight.

It was the perfect chance to test the Kunpeng Wings' ability to pierce arrays.

Dismissing the insignificant Wang Lun, Ye Chen turned his thoughts to more pressing matters. The Great Chu Empire was definitely worth a visit. Whether it was the imperial aura infusion slot or treasures like the Nether King's Gall, gifting them could bring him immense benefits, perhaps hastening his path to the peak of Golden Core and the Nascent Soul stage.

As for Li Feihuang, since she no longer triggered critical hits, they could part ways after this. She could be her empress, and he'd pursue his goal of becoming a Holy Son in the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, cutting ties for good.

The only variable was whether he'd encounter Su Yuxuan in the Great Chu Empire and secure a critical hit from the old granny, Manjusaka. The Great Chu Empire, no weaker than the Divine Will Sect, likely had plenty of high-multiplier female cultivators, so it wasn't a big concern.

Still, gifting to Su Yuxuan was ideal. Manjusaka, being an old demonic cultivator, might have a secret technique for plundering others' Golden Cores. If he could gift his core and get a nine-colored one, he'd soar to new heights.

…

In Divine Will City, Wang Lun stood in the secluded courtyard he'd rented for a year, his expression dark. His clan had sent him to win Li Feihuang's favor and secure both subordinate slots for himself and his cousin, allowing them to break through to late Golden Core with the imperial aura infusion.

Beyond that, the clan had tasked him with capturing Li Feihuang's heart. If he could marry her and become the imperial consort, the Wang Clan would gain immense benefits, potentially even integrating the Moon Phoenix Body into their bloodline—a boon beyond imagination.

But he hadn't anticipated Li Feihuang's high regard for Ye Chen, a nobody from a small sect reduced to a guest elder. Not only was she giving him a slot, but it was clear she trusted him far more than she did Wang Lun. This was unacceptable. Ye Chen was blocking his path—and the Wang Clan's ambitions.

"He has to die."

In the ten months leading up to their departure, Wang Lun planned to make Ye Chen feel the gap between them. If Ye Chen willingly gave up the slot and backed off, that would be ideal. But if he stubbornly clung to Li Feihuang's coattails, then once they left the Divine Will Sect, Wang Lun would notify his clan to act. They'd find an opportunity to eliminate Ye Chen completely.

A mere ant daring to compete for the glory of aiding the dragon's rise? Utterly laughable!

"Young Master, your bathwater is ready…"

"Young Master, shall I serve you tonight?"

Two enthusiastic maidservants sat on either side of Wang Lun, fawning over him. They were from the Great Chu Empire, fully aware of his lofty status and formidable strength. In the empire, aside from Champion King and a few veteran powerhouses, Wang Lun was virtually unmatched among the younger generation, sweeping through his peers without a single defeat. He was destined to become one of the empire's most prominent figures. Serving such a man set their hearts aflutter.

Their flirtations brought a smirk to Wang Lun's lips. As he gazed at the two alluring maids, his mind drifted to Li Feihuang's proud, beautiful face and her near-perfect figure. That woman was destined to be his.

But his ambitions went beyond merely becoming an imperial consort. The Li Clan's ancestor was over nine hundred years old, with only twenty or thirty years left. Once the ancestor passed, it was uncertain whether the Li Clan would still hold sway over the Great Chu Empire.

Imagining a glorious future, Wang Lun couldn't help but laugh heartily, his voice brimming with confidence.

But at that moment, a cold sneer cut through the air. "Laughing your head off in the middle of the night? What's so funny?"

Wang Lun's expression sharpened as he turned to look. A black shadow with wings barreled toward him.

Though he didn't know how the figure had bypassed the courtyard's array, Wang Lun sneered, white light blooming in his hand. He wasn't fazed in the slightest. Even an ordinary late Golden Core cultivator was no match for him. Whoever this was, they were as good as dead. He was eager to see which Great Chu clan had sent an assassin.

In the next moment, the sneer on Wang Lun's face froze.

The incoming enemy was too fast. Before he could even muster a defensive spell, the figure was already upon him. A fist slammed into his abdomen, sending him flying backward.

It felt as if his organs had been shattered, his dantian violently shaken, his spiritual energy scattered. A spray of blood mist erupted from his mouth as he crashed through the courtyard wall, the impact reverberating for miles around.

Divine Will City reacted swiftly. The city's sealing array activated instantly, a white glow illuminating the dark sky.

Struggling to lift his head, Wang Lun glared at the mysterious winged figure escaping into the distance, his eyes filled with fear and hatred. That punch was terrifying, like the strike of a demon beast. His formidable physique was utterly defenseless against it, his Golden Core nearly shattered.

But it was a sneak attack. In a fair fight, with preparation, he might not lose. As the eldest young master of the Wang Clan of the Great Chu Empire, being assaulted in Divine Will City demanded an explanation from the Divine Will Sect. The array was active—the attacker couldn't possibly escape. Once he caught this winged freak, Wang Lun would ensure his death.

The two maidservants, snapping out of their shock, rushed to his side. "Young Master, are you alright?"

Determined not to lose face, Wang Lun swallowed the blood surging in his throat, about to speak. But then, his eyes widened in terror once more.

The fleeing figure in the sky had doubled back, charging toward him at an incomprehensible speed. Before he could react, a foot slammed into his face with such force it nearly took his head off. The sheer power sent him flying again.

As he hit the ground, his mind a muddled haze, he faintly heard the attacker's disdainful sneer. "You dare call yourself a young master?"

To strike the face was the ultimate humiliation. Unable to bear it, Wang Lun spat out a mouthful of blood and passed out.

…

Chapter 255: Face Is Earned, Not Given

Shrouded in black mist, Ye Chen cast a cold glance at Wang Lun before soaring back into the sky.

He hadn't killed Wang Lun, partly because he wasn't a demonic cultivator who'd slaughter someone over a few snide remarks. But the main reason was practical: if Wang Lun died, it could disrupt things in the Great Chu Empire, potentially derailing the entire contest. That would ruin his plans.

So, he'd only given him a light beating—just enough to keep Wang Lun quiet and out of his way for the next six months or so.

Glancing around, Ye Chen noticed two streaks of light approaching from the edges of Divine Will City. One carried a dense aura, likely a late Golden Core cultivator.

"Madman, you dare cause trouble in Divine Will City?!" a furious roar echoed. The city's array flared with blinding white light, illuminating the night like day. The entire city was sealed—nobody could enter or leave. Even a Nascent Soul cultivator would struggle to escape quickly.

Below, Wang Lun, who had briefly regained consciousness despite his mangled head, glared with venomous resentment. No matter what, he'd make sure this attacker died. But in the next moment, his eyes widened in shock.

The black-winged figure flying toward the array's canopy suddenly radiated brilliant golden light from its wings. Its already terrifying speed surged even further.

The figure shot straight into the array's barrier and, like breaking through the surface of water, passed through without the slightest resistance. Within a few breaths, it vanished into the Divine Will Mountain Range, leaving no trace.

Wang Lun fell silent.

The two Divine Will Sect elders who had rushed over were equally dumbfounded, clutching the array's control disc. They could sense no disturbance in the array. So, how had the attacker escaped? Even a Nascent Soul ancestor would need to break the array to get out. And if it was a powerhouse beyond Nascent Soul… why would he even bother running? The elders would be the ones fleeing.

What was going on?

The news quickly reached the Divine Will Sect, stirring the entire sect into action. The Array Peak Master hurried to the scene, and dozens of Golden Core elders were mobilized to search for the culprit.

Divine Will City was the sect's cash cow, generating immense wealth from rent alone. They couldn't afford for anything to go wrong.

…

The next day, Ye Chen returned to the Divine Will Sect alongside several Quiet Wonder Peak elders. The elders chatted among themselves.

"I bet that guy had some secret technique to bypass arrays."

"The sect issued a statement saying the array had a glitch, but it's been fixed. They're just calming the city down."

"Honestly, our search yesterday wasn't really about finding anyone. It was just to show the public we're taking it seriously."

"That so-called top prodigy of the Great Chu Empire was pathetic. I heard he got taken down with one punch and one kick—his head was practically twisted."

"The Great Chu Empire's nothing special. Their princess still needs our Green Cloud Sect's protection, doesn't she?"

As they bantered, one elder turned to Ye Chen. "Elder Ye, you're just a guest elder, yet you went out to help with the search. That's dedication. How about visiting my cave abode later?"

Ye Chen, who had blended into the group, smiled and shook his head. "Another time, for sure."

Back at the Divine Will Sect, Ye Chen felt refreshed. Beating up someone who annoyed him was as satisfying as expected.

He'd already finalized the design for the spiritual artifact for An Miaoli. With her seclusion nearing its end, he could refine it and present it as a gift, while conveniently asking her to "purge" his lingering Nether Toxin.

As for whether his actions last night would be exposed? Impossible. Shrouded in black mist, he'd altered his aura and passed through the array without engaging any Divine Will Sect elders. No one could trace it back to him.

Musing, Ye Chen took out various spirit silks from his storage bracelet, summoned Myriad Star Fire, and began crafting the top-grade spiritual artifact.

…

In the small courtyard, Li Feihuang frowned at Wang Lun's pale face and still-twisted neck. "How's the injury?"

Wang Lun forced a nonchalant smile. "It's nothing. The cultivators in Divine Will City are just too rude, ambushing me while I was cultivating. I was caught off guard, that's all. The injury's minor—I'll be fine in a few days."

Li Feihuang nodded, her red hair swaying in the breeze. "Did you see who attacked?"

Wang Lun shook his head. "They hid their identity. But their aura was formidable—possibly Champion King himself, or at least a powerhouse he hired, likely nearing Nascent Soul. Otherwise, even a sneak attack wouldn't have touched me."

When away from home, face was something you earned. The stronger he made his enemy sound, the less it seemed like he was weak.

Li Feihuang nodded thoughtfully. "Then stay put and focus on recovering. I'm about to enter seclusion to break through to mid-Golden Core."

Wang Lun smiled and nodded. But once Li Feihuang left, his face twisted with malice.

He'd just arrived in Divine Will City and hadn't provoked anyone, yet he was attacked like this. That final kick was especially humiliating.

A grand prodigy of Great Chu, not worthy of being called Young Master?

The Divine Will Sect owed him an explanation and had to find the culprit. Once he knew who it was, Wang Lun would use every means to show them what true cruelty meant.

…

Three days later, the artifact was complete.

Ye Chen held the new top-grade spiritual artifact with a delighted grin. Not only could it instantly envelop the entire body, but it could also shift into various colors—black, white, or even purple, his favorites. He'd meticulously refined the material's texture, achieving an exquisitely smooth, unparalleled feel.

Naturally, its spiritual energy amplification and defensive capabilities were top-tier, though those were secondary details. But as he stepped out of his cave abode, a red-haired figure stood before him, causing him to raise an eyebrow.

Li Feihuang? Why was she here?

"Did you attack Wang Lun?" she asked calmly.

Ye Chen's brow arched again, suspicion flickering in his mind.

Seriously?

Li Feihuang's expression was resolute. She was certain it was him. Before Ye Chen broke through to Golden Core, he'd outshone her, a top-tier prodigy. Though she'd surpassed him after reaching Golden Core, his past ability to rival her meant crushing Wang Lun would be child's play for him. Add to that his ability to bypass Divine Will City's array, which pointed to someone from the Divine Will Sect. Strength, capability, and motive—all roads led to Ye Chen.

As for motive? Clearly, the sudden appearance of another male cultivator by her side had sparked jealousy. Ye Chen feared Wang Lun would steal her attention and trust, so he'd acted decisively that very night.

Seeing Ye Chen stay silent, Li Feihuang sighed, her striking eyes gazing at him earnestly. "Ye Chen, I understand your feelings. But rest assured, you supported me when I was at my lowest, earning my complete trust. The Wang Clan is merely adding flowers to the brocade—how could that compare to sending charcoal in the snow? I know who truly matters. You don't need to worry."

Ye Chen, about to deflect, froze at her words, the corner of his mouth twitching.

What the…?