ISWI Chapter 646-647

Chapter 646: Receiving Gifts Doesn't Mean Affection!

While growing more disdainful of Ye Chen, Luo Bingling became increasingly convinced he had the Dao Cauldron. His cultivation was careless, yet his progress was meteoric. Reaching his current realm in just fifty or sixty years? Even a Chaos Body wouldn't match that. He must have a cultivation accelerator. The Dao Cauldron was highly likely.

…

Two and a half months passed in a blink.

Ye Chen gently patted Lin Qingtan.

"Is the Holy Son heading to Central Continent?" Lin Qingtan, reluctant, dismounted and asked.

Ye Chen released her tangible demonic patterns, nodding. "To check it out!"

He'd broken through to late First Heaven half a month ago. But Lin Qingtan's enthusiasm, with new demonic pattern tricks, kept him another half-month.

Luo Bingling was visibly anxious. In these two months, Ye Chen gifted her twice more—treasures useful for Second Heaven. Sadly, no critical hits. His expectations and goodwill toward her plummeted.

This Central Continent trip was her last chance. If ambushed by the War God Clan or if gifting her the Space Divine Stone yielded no critical hit, he'd abandon her. Times had changed. A 4,000-fold multiplier was great but not unique. He wouldn't regret killing her.

"Holy Son, stay a few more days? I thought of a new trick—binding myself with demonic patterns…"

Lin Qingtan was reluctant.

Ye Chen gave a light slap. "Enough. I won't stay long in Central Continent. Next time!"

Lin Qingtan nodded, disappointed. "Come to me first when you're back… Qingtan's always ready to welcome you!"

Ye Chen smiled, leaving the cave. He messaged Luo Bingling. In a flash, she flew from Guest Peak, relieved. "Can we go now?" She feared he'd pull a Sword Sect move—nearly leaving, then staying another half-month.

Ye Chen nodded calmly, summoning the bronze chariot. He was really leaving.

Luo Bingling, elated, boarded naturally, sitting beside him.

Ye Chen glanced at her. With his temperament, three gifts without a critical hit meant she wasn't even fit to pull his chariot. Her value in his eyes was rock-bottom.

But considering her high standards as a War God Clan princess might explain the lack of critical hits, he didn't kick her off. Still, he boldly placed a hand on her waist. No critical hit, but her skin was exquisite. Soft yet firm, full of power—a top-tier frame for wild moves.

Luo Bingling, sensing his touch, widened her eyes, glaring. A mere human, giving a few gifts, dared touch her? Outrageous! His touch made her skin crawl, revolted. Anyone else would be obliterated. But Ye Chen was useful. She flung his hand off. "Fellow Daoist Ye, I bear no ill will, but please respect boundaries!"

Ye Chen frowned, feigning hurt. "I gave so many gifts, and you accepted them. Doesn't that mean you like me?"

Luo Bingling's brows knitted, her disgust surging. Accepting gifts meant she liked him? Pathetic.

But with the Dao Cauldron likely in his possession, she suppressed her temper, saying unhappily, "I don't take just anyone's gifts. Accepting yours only means I don't dislike you, not that I have feelings…"

Ye Chen chuckled inwardly. Accepting gifts doesn't equal accepting you. Classic dodge! His expectations for her were already rock-bottom. Losing her? No loss. He stood, pointing below. "If that's the case, I misread you! Get off. I'm not going to Central Continent. Do as you please…"

Luo Bingling, fuming and plotting to chop his hand off a thousand times, was dumbfounded. Just for not letting him touch her waist, he'd ditch Central Continent? Was he insane? Didn't care about cultivation at all? This was a Space Divine Stone opportunity! The best treasure for breaking through to the Third Heaven!

But seeing his resolute expression, she fell silent. He wasn't bluffing. She wanted to leave—she'd never been so humiliated. Yet, thinking of the Dao Cauldron, five months of waiting, his Dao Charm Pills, and treasures…

She swallowed her pride. "Fellow Daoist Ye, that's not what I meant. I'm just shy. No one else's gifts were accepted, only yours. I'm not thinking about Dao companions now, only the Space Divine Stone. After I reach King Realm, we can get closer…"

Low-tier green tea tactics. Not ready for romance now, maybe later?

Ye Chen, seasoned, stayed unimpressed, looking away.

Luo Bingling nearly ground her teeth to dust. She grabbed his hand, pulling him back to the seat. He still looked elsewhere, silent, not driving. Her rage nearly burst from her ears. She wanted to punch him to death, scream, Go or don't! But the Dao Cauldron held her back.

Humiliated, she placed his hand on her lower back, enduring the crawling sensation, snapping, "This fine? Can we go?"

Ye Chen's lips curved. His hand roamed freely. With a thought, the chariot soared toward Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's exit. His hand took liberties, collecting "interest" for no critical hit. But he didn't go too far, staying at her waist. She might still critical hit.

Luo Bingling mentally urged herself to endure. Once she had the Dao Cauldron, she'd make him pay with interest.

Time passed. Over the Endless Sea, she snapped, suppressing rage, "Fellow Daoist Ye, not there!"

Chapter 647: Stop Touching and Cultivate!

"Fellow Daoist Ye, not there…"

Luo Bingling's hands trembled with rage.

Ye Chen waved half-heartedly. "Sorry, sorry!"

His hand stayed put. Not anywhere scandalous—just her navel. He'd been curious; War God Clan navels didn't grow gems. Touching it, he confirmed—a special divine stone, likely with unique effects.

Luo Bingling gritted her teeth, looking away. In her heart, she'd killed him a hundred times. Normal cultivators used travel time to cultivate. Not Ye Chen. Obsessed with her waist. Unable to lash out, fearing he'd stop the chariot, she wanted to beg: Brother, stop touching and cultivate!

But she wasn't idle. She informed her clan she was heading to the Central Continent with Ye Chen, toward the Immortal Path. Ye Chen had many enemies. Leaking the secret realm's news would draw strong foes. By then, her plan would unfold.

After a fierce battle, she'd bond with Ye Chen. She'd "sacrifice" the Space Divine Stone to him, deepening his gratitude. Then, she'd mention the Dao Cauldron, her cultivation struggles, and oppression by the damn divine son, painting her clan life as miserable.

If Ye Chen had the Dao Cauldron, he'd likely share. She'd slowly earn his trust, securing it. But his hand on her stomach vexed her. He was too woman-obsessed.

Two gifts, and he was already at her waist. So enthralled, he clearly adored her. What would he want when closer? She needed to act fast. Once she had the Dao Cauldron and her cultivation soared, she'd make him pay.

Ye Chen, unaware of Luo Bingling's schemes, sent four more gifts over the month—Dao Charm Pills, as he lacked other treasures suitable for the Second Heaven.

None triggered a critical hit. His expectations for Luo Bingling dwindled further. He grew bolder with her waist, touching without restraint. He even considered, if he got the Space Divine Stone, not gifting it to her. Instead, he'd give it to Lan Nuo, who shared his Heavy Pupils and was at peak Second Heaven, perfect for the stone.

A month passed.

Ye Chen and Luo Bingling reached the Central Continent. The Immortal Path, at its heart, was still half a month away due to the continent's vastness.

Ye Chen, bored, kept touching her waist. Despite a month, he wasn't tired of it. Her waist, though not critical-hit worthy, was unique. Early on, her skin prickled, affecting his feel. Now, she didn't react, even when he touched the gem above her navel—no more protests.

She calmly cultivated, face occasionally flushing. She'd adapted to his touch. Well-trained.

…

Though Ye Chen just arrived, the War God Clan's subtle machinations spread his presence across the Central Continent. Simultaneously, news of a secret realm in the Immortal Path's second realm, possibly holding a Space Divine Stone, swept through. Both sparked a storm in the cultivation world.

The Heavenly Emperor's heir, never setting foot in the Central Continent, was a hot topic. His eight-year absence, return, and forcing the Star River Clan to replace their divine son proved his prowess.

His arrival drew massive attention. Many wanted to witness this era's Heavenly Emperor heir. They wondered if prodigies would challenge him. The Lan Clan drew particular focus. Would Lan Nuo, who'd agreed to fight Ye Chen at Mahayana, act?

In her cave, Lan Nuo's chaotic qi swirled in her eyes. Finishing cultivation, she smirked. She'd grown stronger. Time to explore the Immortal Path for Second Heaven opportunities. Leaving her cave, she summoned her golden chariot, led by a phoenix true spirit—a hard-won gift from her elders.

Lan Nuo's elder arrived, seeing her and beaming. "Nuonuo, the Heavenly Emperor's heir, Ye Chen, is in the Central Continent. Are you off to challenge him?"

What? Ye Chen was here?

Lan Nuo's face stayed calm, but her heart raced. As her strength grew, she felt Ye Chen's past power more keenly. She suspected he hadn't misjudged her strength back then—maybe he spared her pride. His rumors gave her clues. Whether true or not, challenging him was madness. She couldn't win and would lose her invincible reputation.

She scrapped her Immortal Path plan, saying calmly, "He's here, so be it! I no longer care about fighting him. If he's interested, he can find me at the Lan Clan."

Her response delighted the Lan Clan. Such prodigy poise! Ignoring a duel with the Heavenly Emperor's heir showed her lofty vision. Their clan had birthed a phoenix this generation!

Amid their awe, Lan Nuo stowed her golden chariot, returned to her cave, and sealed the restrictions. Then, in a corner, she trembled. She just hoped her clan wouldn't spread her words, and Ye Chen wouldn't come.

…

Beyond Ye Chen's arrival, the secret realm in the Immortal Path's second realm drew massive attention. Many speculated Ye Chen was after it. Prodigies flocked to the Immortal Path.

In a corner of the second realm, a towering figure emerged from a divine mountain. Yao Yuekong's eyes were cold, his aura terrifying. Hearing the news, he strode toward the secret realm.

Elsewhere, Ba Wang's purple blood qi soaring, grinned cruelly. After his defeat by Ye Chen, he'd endured agony, perfecting his ten divine forms and mastering his Overlord Fist. This time, he'd redeem himself…

Not just the Heavenly Demon Body and Firmament Overlord Body, but the Feather Transformation Divine Body and others Ye Chen had crushed to build his invincible name—all headed to the secret realm. Their intent was clear…