ISWI Chapter 725-726

Chapter 725: Divine Silkworm Clan

Yao Yuezhi watched Ye Chen furrow his brow in contemplation. She guessed at once that he worried for her. A smile curved her lips as her slender arms looped around his neck; she leaned close to his ear, gently rubbing her tender cheek against his.

In a soft whisper, she said, "Brother Ye, no need to fret. Since ancient times, prodigies in the cultivation world have flowed like carp crossing a river—countless in number, most falling midway. Without immortality, no matter how demonic one's talent, one ends as painted skeletons, a handful of yellow earth!

"To have awaited Brother Ye's arrival, surviving with my life intact and even retaining Mahayana cultivation—I've already claimed more than enough. And without hope of further ascent? All the better—I can stay by Brother Ye's side in peace, accompanying you always. I only wish to remain with Brother Ye every moment henceforth."

Yet Ye Chen shook his head without hesitation, his face grave as he met Yao Yuezhi's gaze; even disappointment flickered in his eyes. "For something this minor, you surrender? If a path to solution exists, pursue it—salvation always lies possible. How will you know it's futile without trying? Don't lose heart. Next, I'll head to the Divine Silkworm Clan. Even at the cost of everything, I'll secure the Qiankun Cauldron with my own hands—to reconnect your immortal path!"

Yao Yuezhi froze at his words. Her gaze fixed on Ye Chen, emotions churning in tumult. Her initial choice of him stemmed not from love, nor love at first sight. A woman as rational as she could harbor no such sentiment. It was simply that Ye Chen had suited her needs best at the time.

Yet now, learning of her peril, he had traversed vast distances to the Immortal Path for her rescue. And even in her own despair, he refused to yield—vowing to fetch the Qiankun Cauldron for her sake. Ye Chen—he truly loved her so! And this sensation of being cherished felt profoundly warm. Though she held scant hope of acquiring the cauldron. After all, the Divine Silkworm Clan wasn't fools.

But this time, Yao Yuezhi fell silent, pressing her small face to Ye Chen's chest instead. She savored the warmth of his torso, listening to his heartbeat. In her ears, even Ye Chen's pulse thrummed with love for her.

Yao Yuekong paused at first, then guilt shadowed his features. Indeed—slender the odds. But this concerned his sole sister—how could he surrender? If even this brother-in-law braved the trouble, how much more her blood kin?

"Yes—we cannot yield, but we won't burden Fellow Daoist Ye with the cost. Once we exit the Immortal Path, I'll contact our parents—drawing vast resources from the clan. They value my sister and me equally—never scorning her for womanhood. With her injured, her treatment will match mine; our parents will spare nothing."

Yao Yuekong spoke with conviction. Ye Chen, cradling Yao Yuezhi, twitched his lips. Half-right. Your sister might indeed claim such a favor. But you? Not so certain. Upon arrival, your parents hadn't mentioned you once. Yet voicing it would wound too deeply.

Ye Chen said no more, merely lowering his head to gaze at Yao Yuezhi in his arms—her eyes closed, lost in some unspoken thought—as he transmitted, "From now on, you must conceal the shattering of your cave heaven. Not even a whisper of your injury can reach outsiders. Otherwise, even if the Divine Silkworm Clan agrees to yield the Qiankun Cauldron, they'll demand the heavens in return!"

This was the essence of any negotiation. Let the other side know their solution was your only hope, and talks crumbled utterly. They might even dare ask for immortal artifacts.

Yao Yuezhi clearly grasped this too, nodding obediently in response.

Yao Yuekong and the Little Peacock King stayed silent as well, but their intent rang clear—they would hold their tongues.

"Let's go—back to the Immortal City. Just tell me the Divine Silkworm Clan's location next."

Too many people now. Riding while others flew behind felt rude. So Ye Chen alighted with Yao Yuezhi in his arms, gesturing for Luo Bingling to descend too. He stowed the Heavenly Emperor War Chariot and led the group toward the teleportation array.

Yao Yuezhi said nothing, simply savoring the quiet comfort of his embrace—as if drifting into sleep. For her, this assault by three saints, her cave heaven's ruin, her immortal path's near-severance—all weighed crushingly heavy. Only in his arms, breathing his scent, did peace finally settle.

Beside them, Yao Yuekong addressed Ye Chen. "The Divine Silkworm Clan has come to Central Continent too—their outpost lies within the Myriad Races Immortal City. And we're headed back there ourselves. So we might as well travel together."

Ye Chen nodded noncommittally. On the flight ahead, Yao Yuekong described the Myriad Races Immortal City for Ye Chen's benefit. Luo Bingling chimed in occasionally with additions.

The Little Peacock King alone stayed mute, his expression a knot of turmoil. After long hesitation, he finally steeled himself. He would honor his word, calling "dad" humiliated, but only fleetingly. Reneging, though? He'd never hold his head high before Ye Chen again. Thus, he turned to Ye Chen, lips parting to speak. But in that instant, the teleportation array hummed to life—their figures vanishing in a flash.

Chapter 726: Do You Acknowledge Ye Chen?

In the Immortal City.

On the platform flanking the Immortal Path's teleportation array exit, figures from the Heavenly Demon Clan, the Peacock Clan, and many mere spectators all waited in anxious suspense. But their eyes brimmed with utter incredulity. For fresh tidings had just arrived from the Immortal Path.

The Heavenly Emperor's heir had arrayed a supreme kill formation within his cave heaven, exploiting the three half-saints' arrogance. He had lured them inside and slain them outright. This revelation stunned all. Had multiple sources not corroborated it, none would have believed. After all, those were peak half-saints.

The Undying Celestial Phoenix Clan's bloodline exalted, their talents formidable—average combat prowess far surpassing ordinary races even at equal realms. Such beings had fallen to a mere early-Third Heaven heir. Even with a supreme kill array, the feat beggared belief.

"True or not?"

"A cave heaven pales beside a world—far more fragile. Even the grandest kill array risks self-damage. Did the heir's cave heaven prove sturdy too?"

"With such demonic talent, his must have expanded to the realm's absolute pinnacle—a hundred thousand li at the utmost."

"Though he used guile, the heir's aces truly abound!"

The three saints' demise sparked endless chatter among the onlookers, punctuated by gasps of awe. Thus, under the hopeful gazes of Yao Yuezhi's parents, the Little Peacock King's mother, and others, the Immortal Path exit's teleportation array hummed to life. Divine light flared; five figures materialized atop it. Joy lit the crowd's faces at once.

Yao Yuezhi's parents even surged forward. But in the next breath, astonishment wiped all expressions clean. For amid the five silhouettes emerging together rang a shout laced with utter resolve: "Dad..."

The very sound!

All recognized the voice at once. After all, the Little Peacock King enjoyed no small fame; his timbre rang distinctive. Why did the Little Peacock King call "Dad"? Hadn't his father perished?

Confusion swept the onlookers as they turned, only to flash with intricate emotions; they couldn't help stealing glances at the Little Peacock King's mother. For the one he called "Dad" was none other than Ye Chen.

...

Yao Yuezhi's parents froze in place. But they were all relatives, so they pretended not to hear. After all, times had changed; the young might have their own notions. Their gazes skipped straight over Yao Yuekong, fixing on their daughter. Sensing her steady aura, they exhaled in profound relief.

Meanwhile, the Little Peacock King's elegant, mature mother had rushed forward in haste. But upon hearing her son call Ye Chen "Dad," her lithe form stiffened abruptly...

Catching the appraising glances, her noble, radiant features tightened subtly. She had long heard tales of the Heavenly Emperor heir's boundless appetites—woman-mad, sparing none. Especially favoring the mature and curvaceous, age be damned—be it centuries or millennia his senior. Yet she never imagined his regard for her ran so deep. Not only had he saved her son. He had even earned her boy's respect and acknowledgment—forcing out that paternal title.

With a child already, any future remarriage hinged on the boy's stance. She never dreamed Ye Chen had considered that. Her son, so arrogant of heart, held reverence for none save his aunt—scarcely glancing at others. For Ye Chen to win such esteem must have demanded immense effort. And with two young women flanking him, no less. Truly, Ye Chen preferred the seasoned bloom. At the thought, a flush crept across the Peacock Queen Mother's mature, bewitching visage.

...

Ye Chen himself reeled in shock. He turned to the Little Peacock King, his eyes wide with astonishment. Though he said nothing, his gaze seemed to ask: Buddy, you actually said it?

The Little Peacock King, scanning the surroundings, froze in mortification. He had meant to utter it during teleportation—unheard by all. But his timing faltered; now everyone knew. Yet spoken, no regrets lingered. Just a wager. Let any mock him—he'd drown them in five-colored divine light. After all, if he couldn't best Ye Chen, others fell easier prey?

Thus, the Little Peacock King waved dismissively with feigned grandeur. "No matter. I, the Little Peacock King, traverse the immortal path adored by multitudes—upheld by my word alone! Said I'd call you Dad? Dad it is!"

Ye Chen's lip twitched. This minor uproar piqued curiosity, but none pressed further.

Yao Yuezhi found herself swarmed by her parents, basking in their tender concern.

Yao Yuekong sidled closer, hoping to bask too—while planning a covert transmission to inform his sister of her cave heaven's ruin. But as he neared, his father booted him away. "Scram... you useless whelp—your presence changed nothing. In the end, your sister risked all to save you, nearly perishing for it. I have no such worthless son..."

Yao Yuekong shivered in the chill.

The Little Peacock King's mother approached her son's side. She offered no rebuke for his insistence on rescue, which had plunged him into peril. After all, had he shied from danger, he would have lacked a prodigy's spirit—disappointing her utterly.

"You're back—that's what matters!"

Her mother spoke with evident relief.

The Little Peacock King relaxed upon seeing no scolding in her eyes. But in the next moment, he heard her whisper softly, "Do you truly admire and respect the Heavenly Emperor's heir, Ye Chen? Does his human heritage not trouble you?"

The Little Peacock King blinked in mild surprise. He nearly spat a few depreciations. But recalling his earlier promise kept—calling "Dad" overheard by all—belittling Ye Chen now would only invite disdain toward himself. So the Little Peacock King nodded. "Ye Chen is indeed formidable—talent on par with mine! His grasp of myriad paths and laws borders on perfection—clearly the fruit of relentless toil, where I fall short. As for his human blood? What of it?

"The grudges between myriad races and humans date back a million years. Our Peacock Clan clashed little with the Heavenly Emperor—perhaps just one divine maiden seized back then, ransomed at great cost. Racial lines mean nothing to me—strength reigns supreme."

Hearing her son candidly admit inferiority to Ye Chen—and dismiss his human roots without qualm—the last flicker of her mother's reservations vanished. Her beautiful eyes flicked covertly toward Ye Chen, words hovering unspoken, carrying a hint of girlish coyness.

...

Yao Yuezhi's parents proved ever courteous. Once assured of their daughter's well-being, they approached Ye Chen—saints though they were—and bowed deeply in solemn gratitude. "Fellow Daoist, for rescuing our daughter, my wife and I cannot express our thanks sufficiently! If your path allows, pray join us to the Myriad Races Immortal City henceforth. That our Heavenly Demon Clan may properly convey our appreciation. Of course, refusal harms nothing—we shall prepare a lavish gift upon our return and deliver it personally to you."