ISWI Chapter 178-179

Chapter 178: A Good Woman, Li Feihuang!

To be honest, Li Feihuang had been nervous earlier. She was afraid Ye Chen might refuse. Even more so, she feared that Ye Chen might leak the news to the outside world, exposing her whereabouts to the Great Chu Dynasty.

But what she hadn't expected was that Ye Chen agreed so easily. Her father's teachings about the ways of an emperor had been correct. Her honesty had won Ye Chen over, earning his genuine support. She truly had the bearing of an emperor. She was destined to become the first female emperor of the Great Chu Dynasty.

Being trusted like this also moved the now-fallen Li Feihuang deeply, and she respectfully bowed to Ye Chen. "Thank you, Fellow Daoist Ye, for your help today! I was a bit petty earlier. When I become empress, I will certainly grant Fellow Daoist Ye the title of the first foreign king of the Great Chu."

Ye Chen couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. A Golden Dragon Marquis turning into a Golden Dragon King? No way!

He immediately shook his head. "Fellow Daoist, your ambitions are lofty, and your vision is broad. As for me, Ye Chen, I am not one to care for such petty rewards, nor am I someone who seeks small benefits. Please, don't bring up titles again. If you bring it up once more, it would be as if you are looking down on me, Ye Chen. If that happens, I will have to withdraw the direct disciple qualification!"

Ye Chen spoke with a firm expression. Rejecting even the title of foreign king, his selfless support for her had already made Li Feihuang's heart swell with emotion. This was the true loyalty of a subject. She would surely reward him greatly in the future.

Li Feihuang nodded seriously. "In that case, I will not mention it again. Fellow Daoist Ye's support, I, Li Feihuang, will never forget."

Ye Chen smiled, satisfied with the outcome.

Li Feihuang, having received Ye Chen's promise, finally relaxed. She didn't want to appear too eager, afraid that Ye Chen might look down on her, so she suggested they handle the transfer of the qualification the next day.

However, what she didn't expect was Ye Chen's response. He seemed even more eager than she was, insisting that they deal with it right away. This only made Li Feihuang feel more impressed with Ye Chen.

When Elder Zhang arrived and used his Water Mirror technique to confirm with Ye Chen multiple times, ensuring that he truly agreed willingly, he was genuinely surprised. He hadn't expected Li Feihuang to convince Ye Chen so easily. What had Li Feihuang promised Ye Chen, exactly?

But Elder Zhang didn't pry further. He simply took Li Feihuang to the Divine Will Sect to handle the transfer, not wanting any delays. After they left, Ye Chen's system prompt finally sounded in his mind.

"Gift successfully given!"

"The gift is the Divine Will Sect's direct disciple qualification."

"Processing feedback..."

"Three hundred times feedback in progress..."

"Detected that this gift is extremely important to the matched recipient, far exceeding their expectations, causing a massive shift in their mentality. Critical hit reward triggered!"

"Reward: Heavenly Evolution Holy Land Holy Son Token."

"Holding this token will allow the bearer to become one of the Holy Sons of the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land."

Wait... It's not the Divine Will Sect's qualification but a position as a Holy Son in the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land?

Ye Chen couldn't help but widen his eyes as he looked at the token in the storage ring. The token was engraved with countless divine patterns and made from top-tier cloud gold. Even though Ye Chen had expected the three hundred times feedback with a critical hit, the quality of the reward far exceeded his expectations.

The last time Ye Chen came to Divine Will City, he had already gained a preliminary understanding of the terrifying power of the holy lands. The so-called holy lands were forces that had produced immortals.

They possessed immortal scriptures, ancestors who had reached the Unity stage, and were held in a position of extraordinary reverence in the cultivation world. Sects like the Divine Will Sect and the Great Chu Dynasty were nothing more than slightly larger ants in front of the holy lands.

Within the holy land, there were four levels: outer disciples, inner disciples, direct disciples, and the Holy Sons and Holy Maidens.

The Holy Sons and Holy Maidens were top-tier prodigies who stood out among countless talents. They were candidates for the position of the Holy Master and held authority even higher than elders.

Ye Chen's Divine Will Sect direct disciple qualification had turned into a Holy Son position in the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. Just how many times had this multiplied? It was almost unimaginable. And within the holy land, how many geniuses would there be? What would the multiplier be for the female disciples and elders within the holy land?

Just thinking about it made Ye Chen feel a surge of excitement. The decision he had made to return to his master was beginning to waver.

In his hesitation, Ye Chen decided to first go to the Heavenly Evolution Pavilion in Divine Will City to inquire and clarify the situation before making any further decisions.

Ye Chen was quite a regular at the Heavenly Evolution Pavilion, and he was familiar with the attendants there. Asking a few questions would be no trouble. When he met with the attendant at the Heavenly Evolution Pavilion, Ye Chen, of course, didn't reveal that he possessed the Holy Son token. Instead, he chatted casually with the attendant, expressing curiosity and admiration.

The questions Ye Chen asked weren't particularly sensitive, and the attendant, eager to make a good impression on the first-place winner of the Divine Will Assembly, was happy to share information.

The two of them chatted for an entire afternoon. Only then did Ye Chen take his leave.

On his way back, Ye Chen frowned slightly. The position of Holy Son in the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land was far more transcendent than he had originally thought.

The Holy Sons and Holy Maidens of the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land were usually at the Nascent Soul stage. Moreover, the current Heavenly Evolution Holy Master had reached the late stage of Deity Transformation and was about to retire and enter closed-door cultivation as an ancestor, which was a tradition in the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land.

When their cultivation reached a certain level, they would close themselves off and become an ancestor. So, the competition for the position of Holy Son and Holy Maiden was incredibly fierce.

A group of Nascent Soul-level Holy Sons and Virgins were fiercely fighting for the position of Holy Master, almost driving themselves mad in the process. Now, here he was, a Foundation Establishment Holy Son, suddenly popping up.

Being ridiculed didn't bother him, but Ye Chen was worried that if any of the other Holy Sons had a random thought, he might suddenly be gone without a trace. So, for now, the Heavenly Evolution Holy Son position was something he couldn't accept. He would have to wait for the right time.

Even so, Ye Chen wasn't disappointed. Because from the attendant, he learned that one of the Holy Maidens of the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land had a Heavenly Spirit Root and the most top-tier physique.

The Heavenly Spirit Root alone was impressive, but add to that a top-tier physique. The multiplier was unimaginable. When he reached the late stage of Golden Core, or even the Nascent Soul stage, he could go and "lick" his way to success.

Just thinking about such an amazing female cultivator waiting for him in the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land made Ye Chen's heart race. He couldn't wait to improve his cultivation faster.

Ye Chen also began to place more value on Li Feihuang. She had given him such a great reward on their first meeting. She was definitely a good woman.

Ye Chen promised himself that if Li Feihuang needed anything in her struggle for the throne in the future, he would definitely help her. When it came to a good woman, Ye Chen would never be stingy and would be willing to give everything he had.

When Ye Chen returned to the courtyard and saw two familiar figures standing at the entrance, he couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

An Miaoli still appeared as she always did—dressed in flowing white, looking as ethereal and graceful as a celestial being. Even though this was their second meeting, Ye Chen couldn't help but be impressed by An Miaoli's flawless, perfect beauty.

Last time, Ye Chen had not even entertained the slightest thought of disrespect toward her. But now, perhaps because his strength had increased, and having seen someone with a three hundred times multiplier, An Miaoli no longer seemed as untouchable.

Looking at her now, Ye Chen found himself thinking more boldly. Standing next to An Miaoli was her niece, An Yuyi, who was glaring at him with intense anger.

Ye Chen, however, paid little attention to her. A one hundred times multiplier wouldn't trigger a critical hit. What was there to look at? But what were these two doing here?

With curiosity in his eyes, Ye Chen turned to look at An Miaoli.

Chapter 179: An Yuyi's Threat

"Greetings, Senior An!"

Ye Chen cupped his hands in greeting. As for An Yuyi, he couldn't help but wonder what had gotten into her as she glared at him angrily.

Ye Chen decided to simply pretend he hadn't seen it. This blatant disregard only seemed to make An Yuyi's eyes widen even further. She immediately opened her mouth, ready to say something.

But An Miaoli gently raised her hand, stopping An Yuyi from speaking. "Fellow Daoist Ye, might I trouble you to come inside for a conversation?"

Ye Chen smiled and nodded in agreement. Once they entered the courtyard, An Yuyi, who had been holding back, immediately launched her attack.

"Ye Chen, there was something in the lotus pond, wasn't there?" she demanded. "You took my Blood Sea Lotus Seed, didn't you? That wasn't just any Blood Sea Lotus Seed, it was a Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed! I risked my life to save you in the Bewildering Forest, and you took advantage of my unconscious state to steal my Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed. I trusted you so much, and this is how you repay me? Are you even human?"

An Yuyi was absolutely furious. She was so worked up that her words were almost spitting in Ye Chen's face.

Ye Chen quickly took a few steps back to avoid getting drenched.

However, An Yuyi's words made Ye Chen raise an eyebrow. This girl was smarter than he thought. She had actually guessed that it was the Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed. But as for saving his life?

Ye Chen chuckled inwardly. If he weren't a second-grade alchemist, would An Yuyi have wasted her time saving him? Besides, it was her teammates who had tossed him into the Bewildering Forest in the first place. Wasn't she supposed to save him? She really knew how to make herself look good.

However, Ye Chen had anticipated that the events from before might be questioned once he arrived in Divine Will City. So, he had already prepared a response for this situation.

Faced with An Yuyi's accusations, Ye Chen's expression darkened.

"Fellow Daoist An, such baseless accusations against me are somewhat hurtful," he said coldly.

An Yuyi sneered, "Then swear an oath to Heaven. Swear that the lotus pond didn't have the Blood Sea Lotus Seed or the Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed? If you lie, may your cultivation be forever stagnated, may your heart be plagued by demons, and may you never meet a peaceful end!"

Upon hearing this, Ye Chen narrowed his eyes. Swear an oath to Heaven? What a load of nonsense.

Seeing Ye Chen remain silent, An Yuyi grew even more convinced that Ye Chen had stolen her things.

"What, feeling guilty and too afraid to swear an oath?" she taunted. "Ye Chen, you must give me an explanation for this!"

An Yuyi pressed him relentlessly.

An Miaoli's brow also furrowed slightly. While it was true that treasures in the world were often unclaimed, the Blood Sea Lotus Seed's discovery had been made by a Divine Will Sect elder who had been going through ancient texts. The opportunity to go to the lotus pond was something An Miaoli herself had helped secure for An Yuyi.

As for Ye Chen, he was an assistant from the lower sect, with contributions to be made. Logically and emotionally, there was no reason for him to take it. If Ye Chen had indeed taken it, he would need to provide an explanation.

However, Ye Chen ignored An Yuyi entirely and turned directly to An Miaoli. "I ask that Senior An examine my spiritual root. Once you have seen it, everything will become clear. But please, Senior, keep this matter confidential and do not let anyone else know."

Upon hearing this, a strange look appeared in An Miaoli's eyes. Could it be that Ye Chen was still a third-grade spiritual root and wanted to prove his innocence with that? But a third-grade spiritual root couldn't possibly have such talent or strength.

After a brief moment of hesitation, she nodded. She was willing to give Ye Chen the chance to prove himself.

Meanwhile, An Yuyi couldn't help but sneer. She thought to herself, "Let's see how you try to explain your way out of this."

Ye Chen extended his palm.

An Miaoli, with a delicate movement, extended a jade-like finger and gently pressed it into the palm of Ye Chen's hand.

Ye Chen activated his spiritual root, releasing the restriction so An Miaoli could investigate.

The moment An Miaoli sensed the grade of Ye Chen's spiritual root, her normally indifferent gaze, seemingly always untouched by the world, widened to its fullest extent. For the first time, a shocked expression appeared on her flawless face.

"You are...?"

An Miaoli almost spoke the words aloud, but recalling what Ye Chen had said earlier, she stopped herself and swallowed the rest of her sentence.

Ye Chen nodded slightly. "Thank you for keeping your word, Senior An. I trust that I've now proven my innocence?"

An Miaoli nodded quietly, still processing the shock in her heart. She had never imagined that Ye Chen would be a Heavenly Spirit Root. Even if the Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed had been in the lotus pond, it would have been useless to Ye Chen. After all, the Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed could only potentially upgrade a cultivator's spiritual root to the Earth grade.

As for why Ye Chen's records clearly stated a third-grade spiritual root, yet he possessed a Heavenly Spirit Root, An Miaoli didn't dwell on that. In the cultivation world, many sects concealed the true potential of their geniuses to prevent enemies from targeting them, which could lead to premature death. Clearly, Ye Chen was one such genius.

Turning to An Yuyi, An Miaoli spoke, "I have confirmed that Ye Chen did not use the Blood Sea Lotus Seed, and as for the Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed, it's impossible..."

An Yuyi, hearing this, was filled with disbelief. "Impossible... if he didn't use the lotus seed to enhance his spiritual root, how could he possibly have claimed first place in the Divine Will Assembly?"

An Miaoli shook her head inwardly.

Ye Chen possessing a Heavenly Spirit Root and claiming first place was perfectly reasonable. Since she had promised Ye Chen not to reveal the truth, she didn't say anything directly but calmly responded, "Fellow Daoist Ye should have had such strength from the beginning. He simply concealed it. Yuyi, I've looked into this matter thoroughly. Let it go now!"

After finishing her words, An Miaoli gave Ye Chen a light nod of respect. She was ready to leave with An Yuyi.

An Yuyi couldn't accept any of this. She trusted her aunt's words. Since her aunt said Ye Chen truly had that strength, it must be true. But if they just left like this, it meant she wouldn't get the Divine Will Pool qualification, and her future would have no chance of obtaining the Phoenix Blood. She couldn't accept that.

So, gritting her teeth, An Yuyi spoke up, "If he already had this strength, then it means something was wrong with the matter in the ruins. Fang Xi and Pei Ling had been targeting Ye Chen on the way. If Ye Chen had been hiding his strength, he would naturally have had thoughts of revenge. And after I fell unconscious, the two of them died, and the Earthheart Python also left, leaving only Ye Chen. It's highly suspicious. I now suspect that their deaths are related to him!"

Hearing this, An Miaoli's face darkened with displeasure. She had already guessed what her niece was trying to do. But she didn't like her niece acting this way.

Before she could speak up to stop her, An Yuyi fixed her eyes on Ye Chen and coldly said, "Ye Chen, killing Divine Will Sect's direct disciples is a serious crime! As long as you transfer the Divine Will Pool qualification to me, I can guarantee I won't report this to the Sect. Otherwise, the consequences are something you won't be able to handle!"

At that moment, Ye Chen's expression completely turned cold. Using the Divine Will Sect direct disciple qualification to threaten him?

Ye Chen had known from the beginning that once he showed his strength, there would inevitably be some holes in the previous situation with the Divine Will Sect's direct disciples. People would start to suspect and there would be complications. But since he had dared to come to Divine Will City, he had long been prepared. Not to mention anything else, his Heavenly Spirit Root alone was enough.

If Ye Chen chose to join the Divine Will Sect, the deaths of those two direct disciples would never be pursued. After all, a genius with a Heavenly Spirit Root was far more valuable than two direct disciples. And after revealing the Holy Son's position in the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land through Li Feihuang, the matter became even simpler. He could just show the Holy Son token. Would the Divine Will Sect dare to pursue the responsibility of a Holy Son?

Therefore, facing An Yuyi's threat, Ye Chen didn't flinch in the slightest. In fact, he almost wanted to laugh. But still, the necessary procedures had to be followed.

Ye Chen looked at An Yuyi, his face showing a mix of disappointment, anger, disbelief, and other complex emotions.

Under Ye Chen's gaze, An Yuyi, for some reason, felt uneasy. In the next moment, it was as if Ye Chen had come to a realization, his lips curling into a cold smile.

"Why bother, Fellow Daoist An, with all these speculations? If you really want to know, then let me show you with your own eyes. This way, Fellow Daoist An can report exactly what happened to the Sect!"