ISWI Chapter 608-610

Chapter 608: Reunion with the Heavenly Emperor!

In the depths of the cosmic starry sky, the three-month-long thunder finally dissipated.

Ye Chen stood amid the stars, his robes tattered. He casually tore them off, donning new ones. With a wave of his hand, boundless starlight surged from all directions, enveloping him, replenishing the energy drained by his tribulation. Though this place lacked spiritual energy, at Ye Chen's level, he had countless ways to recover.

Gazing at the Immortal Platform within his brow, brimming with immortal spiritual qi, he smiled. Etched upon it were all his insights, his Dao, and his laws.

Feeling the divine Immortal Platform, its vibrant life force, and his strength—now countless times greater—Ye Chen's heart stirred with excitement. He could now pluck stars with a single hand, wielding the power to destroy them. Yet, the tribulation wasn't over.

He looked up expectantly at the gathering thunder domain, eyes gleaming with anticipation. Returning home in glory without proving his might was like walking in fine robes under the cover of night.

For Ye Chen, nothing would validate his strength more than defeating the Heavenly Emperor of his realm fair and square. He eagerly awaited their encounter.

As the thunder domain fully formed, enveloping him, Ye Chen stood unmoved, calmly gazing ahead. Soon, the boundless origin of thunder coalesced, and a familiar figure slowly appeared before him.

Sensing the terrifying aura, Ye Chen smiled. When the figure fully materialized, it was the same Heavenly Emperor he'd faced during his last breakthrough.

The Emperor raised an eyebrow. "You again? You're breaking through pretty fast—almost catching up to me! Have you mastered the Heavenly Emperor Fist?"

Ye Chen chuckled, the true essence of the Heavenly Emperor Fist's reincarnation swirling in his hand.

The Emperor's brows lifted, his interest piqued. Last time was inconvenient, but now, at the Mahayana Stage, he could properly test this kid. Yet, as he studied Ye Chen closely, a trace of confusion flickered in his eyes.

"Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo?"

Sensing Ye Chen's aura, the Heavenly Emperor was genuinely stunned. Last time, wasn't Ye Chen just an ordinary Myriad Stars Body? How had he suddenly become an Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo?

If not for the absence of his own bloodline in Ye Chen, the Emperor might've suspected someone had tricked him into leaving a descendant in the cultivation world. But as for why Ye Chen's physique had changed, the Emperor didn't dwell on it. The vast universe held endless wonders. Who didn't have their share of fortune?

Besides, Ye Chen's strength made things more interesting. It would let the Emperor relive the fiery battles of his youth.

"Let's see how much of my Heavenly Emperor Fist you've truly grasped…"

The Emperor struck decisively, his fist shaking the heavens with unmatched dominance. All the forces in the starry sky seemed to surge in response.

Ye Chen, long awaiting this battle, flashed with divine light in his eyes. He countered with his own fist. The true essence of reincarnation collided in the starry sky, shattering countless stars.

The Emperor's expression shifted slightly. He'd passed on the insights of the Heavenly Emperor Fist, but how was Ye Chen's understanding already on par with his own? And why was Ye Chen's foundation so profound—far surpassing his own at the Mahayana Stage?

Each clash left the Emperor feeling overwhelmed. His interest deepened. Golden vitality soared as his sacred body erupted.

Ye Chen met him fearlessly, fully activating his Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo. The Dao Embryo amplified his paths and laws, while the Sacred Body's indestructible nature made his physique invincible. Their clashes grew fiercer, black holes forming in the surrounding starry sky.

Moments later, the Emperor's shock deepened. He was certain now—he, at the Mahayana Stage, couldn't defeat Ye Chen. No, it wasn't just defeat. He was utterly outclassed. Hadn't he already taken the cultivation world's Jianmu Tree? How could a monster like Ye Chen still emerge? This kid had something special!

The Emperor grinned as Ye Chen's domineering fist came roaring in. His imprint's aura surged, freezing Ye Chen in midair. Ye Chen stared, dumbfounded. This power far exceeded the Mahayana Stage. Was the Emperor playing dirty again?

The Emperor's imprint smiled faintly. "Not bad, kid. Your Heavenly Emperor Fist carries eight parts of my true intent. Keep practicing, and you'll catch up to me one day. I planned to guide you further, but some troublemakers are acting up again. We'll fight again when you become an immortal…"

Ye Chen, used to cutting down same-realm cultivators like vegetables, was just getting into the fight. And now it was over? This unresolved feeling—who could stand it?

"You're in such a rush? Can't we finish the fight first?"

Ye Chen burned to complete the battle, to earn the achievement of defeating the Heavenly Emperor at the same realm.

The Emperor's imprint shrugged. "What can I do? Timing's bad."

Ye Chen, caught in this frustrating limbo, couldn't help but taunt, "Senior, are you sure you're not just making excuses because you know you can't win?"

The Emperor didn't take offense, chuckling instead. He looked at Ye Chen with a knowing smile. "Kid, you're young and don't understand an Immortal Emperor's affairs, so I won't hold it against you. After you complete the nine heavens of the Mahayana Stage, become a True Immortal, and keep breaking through… If all goes well, in about a hundred thousand years, you might reach my current realm. Then you'll understand what I'm dealing with… Being an Immortal Emperor isn't easy!"

Ye Chen's lips twitched at the Emperor's words. Was this guy flexing or what?

The Heavenly Emperor smirked, retracting his power. "I know you're in the heat of battle, and stopping now leaves you hanging. I sparked your fire, so I can't just leave you like that. Here's the deal—I'll pick a few tough guys for you. Guaranteed to satisfy!"

With that, the Emperor's imprint faded. Ye Chen stood dumbfounded as the thunder domain expanded. Soon, twenty to thirty imprints emerged.

"Is that a Mahayana Stage Kun Peng? True Dragon, True Phoenix, Thunder Emperor, and all Vicious Ten? Heavy Pupils, Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo, Chaos Body, Heavenly Demon Body, Divine King Body… Is that the Immortal Emperor of the myriad races? And that one with the staff—could it be the Mahayana Stage War Saint Emperor?"

Ye Chen was formidable, but facing this lineup of legendary figures from history—icons of the cultivation world—was overwhelming. So many at once? Clearly the Emperor's doing. A hint of retaliation, no doubt. The Emperor was a bit shady… but complaints aside, Ye Chen, ignited by the Emperor's challenge, needed worthy opponents. These imprints were perfect.

Without hesitation, he unleashed the Heavenly Emperor Fist, charging at them. These top prodigies from various eras, though mere imprints, were astonishingly talented. They unleashed profound paths and laws, the Vicious Ten's techniques soaring, joining forces to suppress Ye Chen.

This was no simple sum of parts. Even a Third Heaven might struggle. Yet Ye Chen's vitality surged, his battle intent unmatched.

He countered True Dragon Treasure Technique with True Dragon Treasure Technique. He met the Chaos Hand with Heaven's Calamity Light. He shattered the Pure Land with Heavy Pupils. He even fought two-on-one, clashing physically with the Sacred Body and Firmament Overlord Body. The tremors here dwarfed the earlier tribulation.

The legendary imprints were formidable. Ye Chen honed himself through the battle. Ten days later, he shattered the nine divine forms protecting the Firmament Overlord Body, tearing it apart. It was over. The surrounding stars lay in fragments, forming a meteor belt—a testament to the battle's ferocity.

Ye Chen grabbed the imprints' remnants, satisfied yet slightly unfulfilled. This tribulation hadn't granted him the achievement of defeating the Heavenly Emperor at the same realm. A pity. But next time, at immortality, he'd face the Emperor again.

Ye Chen refused to believe the Emperor would "just happen" to be busy. The immortal Heavenly Emperor, hailed as the cultivation world's greatest immortal, was a true terror. Defeating him then would be the ultimate achievement.

Deep in the thunder domain, the Emperor's lingering thought watched Ye Chen finish, mildly surprised. He smiled. Wait for immortality. When he'd created his own immortal scripture, his power peaked. Then, he'd properly teach this young man a lesson in respecting his elders.

Chapter 609: Too Strong, So It Took a While!

Stepping through the kaleidoscopic passage, Ye Chen emerged into the light, returning to his cave abode. Feeling the abundant spiritual energy, he smiled. This trip had been long, but his gains were immense—he'd broken through to the Mahayana Stage. Now at the First Heaven of Mahayana, he could be called a Great Power outside.

The Mahayana Stage, the most critical realm below True Immortal, spanned nine heavens. Each minor realm's gap surpassed the combined differences of all prior major realms.

Each heaven carried a title: First Heaven, Great Power; Second Heaven, Holy Master; Third Heaven, King. Beyond that, from the Fourth Heaven's Half-Saint, the titles progressed to Saint, Saint King, Great Saint, Great Emperor, and Quasi-Immortal.

At the First Heaven, a cultivator's lifespan reached seven thousand years, with vastly enhanced vitality, making fatal injuries nearly impossible to cause death. Their domain also grew more potent.

Ye Chen was different. His vitality suggested he could live ten to twenty thousand years. As for strength? His power had long defied realm-based judgment.

Stretching leisurely, Ye Chen glanced at the vibrating transmission array. His long absence had clearly prompted many to contact him.

A sweep of his spirit sense revealed messages from Holy Master, his senior brother, Senior An, Yuyi, Elder Lin, Li Feihuang, Mo Yuzhu, his master Gu Yunyun, senior sister Yao Xi, the Divine Maiden and her master, even her grandmaster, and the fiancée.

Ye Chen chuckled. Everyone who could contact him had. His absence wasn't that long by cultivator standards, but the timing was critical. The Immortal Path had likely opened, and he hadn't gone, naturally causing worry.

Scanning the messages confirmed it—the Immortal Path had opened. But as he read further, his brow furrowed. His expression grew colder, a sneer curling his lips. "I was just in seclusion for eight years, not dead! You lot have some guts!"

A trace of killing intent flashed in his eyes. With a wave, he activated the array. A terrifying aura surged, sweeping from Ascension Peak across the entire Heavenly Evolution Holy Land.

Instantly, the female cultivators on the peak froze, then burst into joy. This was a Mahayana aura! Their Holy Son had emerged.

In moments, female cultivators flew toward the peak's summit, the Holy Son's residence. Senior An arrived first, smiling at Ye Chen. An Yu Yi rushed forward, clinging to him like a koala, relieved he was unharmed. Elder Lin followed, silent, but her face bloomed with floral demonic patterns, her meaning clear. Li Feihuang, her red hair blazing, hurried over, exhaling in relief but glancing enviously at An Yu Yi.

Then came Mo Yuzhu, a former Sword Sect elder, the daughter of a small sect's leader, the orphan of a fallen elder, and others. Seeing Ye Chen emerge, feeling his surging aura, they all sighed in relief. As the only man on Ascension Peak, many female disciples had joined for him. His long absence had left them anxious.

"Uncle, your seclusion was really long this time!"

An Yu Yi, perhaps deliberately, called out "Uncle" in front of everyone, a term usually reserved for their private detox sessions, as if staking her claim.

Ye Chen didn't mind her little ploy, chuckling as he addressed the crowd's curiosity. "I'm a bit too strong, so my breakthrough took longer."

The women nodded, unquestioning. Eight years ago, some might've forgotten, but they remembered clearly. Their Holy Son wasn't boasting—his strength was real. Relieved it wasn't due to hidden injuries or backlash, they relaxed.

Ye Chen's emergence caused a stir beyond Ascension Peak. Elders from Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's other peaks sensed his aura, gazing at Ascension Peak with envy.

Several figures flew out from the Cloud Summit Heaven Palace. Ye Chen glanced over. Leading them was Holy Master Feng Baiyu, flanked by Elder Mo and several Supreme Elders.

Feng Baiyu, still scholarly in appearance, had grown stronger, now at the Second Heaven Holy Master realm. Elder Mo, as ever, looked half-dead, like he might expire any moment.

Sensing Ye Chen's robust aura, they smiled, relieved. Like the outside world, they'd worried his long seclusion stemmed from hidden or dao injuries. Seeing his vibrant, unblemished energy, they knew otherwise.

Feng Baiyu approached, about to speak, but Ye Chen, anticipating his question, grinned. "Too strong. My Immortal Platform's quality is exceptional, so it took extra time."

Feng Baiyu rolled his eyes. "Nonsense. Even forging an Immortal Platform with Immortal Qi wouldn't take eight years."

But cultivation traditions respected privacy—everyone at this level had secrets. Feng Baiyu didn't press, instead urging Ye Chen to Cloud Summit Heaven Palace. Eight years wasn't long, but the timing was critical, with many events unfolding.

Ye Chen nodded, sending a message to Senior An and Elder Lin, gently peeling An Yu Yi off him. Then, with the Holy Master and others, he flew to Cloud Summit Heaven Palace.

Inside, as spiritual tea's fragrance wafted, Ye Chen asked, puzzled, "Where's Senior Brother? Still on the Immortal Path?"

Feng Baiyu shook his head, his expression bleak. "Dead. The Holy Master throne is yours alone now."

Ye Chen's lips twitched, unconvinced. His Senior Brother was cunning, always cautious. Ye Chen had never even seen his true body—how could he die so easily?

Seeing he hadn't fooled Ye Chen, Feng Baiyu sipped his tea, disappointed. "His avatars died. One to protect your master, another hunted down and killed. There's probably one left, likely under a new identity on the Immortal Path. As for his true body, I don't know."

Ye Chen's eyes narrowed again.

Chapter 610: Their Audacity Was Astounding!

"What happened?"

The messages were vague, mentioning Central Continent prodigies targeting those close to Ye Chen, but details were unclear. Now, with his Senior Brother's two avatars destroyed and his master attacked, things were more serious than he'd thought.

Feng Baiyu glanced at Ye Chen, speaking gravely. "We didn't elaborate in messages, fearing you were at a critical cultivation moment. In short, your absence led to rumors of cultivation issues. The Immortal Path's opening is prime for rapid gains—no prodigy would miss it. Your disappearance sparked speculation. But they weren't reassured. Your past strength made you a threat. To force you out, they targeted your people, hoping to disrupt your recovery and eliminate you.

"They blocked the Immortal Path's entrance, barring your associates. Your master, at the peak of Unity, drew her sword, cutting down several blockers. But a Mahayana prodigy tried to capture her. She held her own for a while, but the new Star River Clan's Divine Son intervened, nearly suppressing her. Your Senior Brother saved her, only to be overwhelmed by multiple Mahayana prodigies, losing an avatar. Another avatar was later killed by the Alkaid Holy Son. That's the situation. Your women couldn't enter the Immortal Path, and Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, even Heavenly Desire Sect, faced backlash."

Ye Chen's eyes narrowed. Targeting his master? Their audacity was astounding.

Alkaid and the Star River King Body…

Puzzled, he asked, "The Star River Clan has a new Divine Son?"

Feng Baiyu nodded. "Yes, the third generation, reportedly stronger than the first, was already at Mahayana before the Immortal Path opened. People find it odd—his strength suggests the first Divine Son shouldn't have existed. He's gained great fortune on the Immortal Path, now a Second Heaven Holy Master."

Ye Chen's gaze turned icy. Alkaid could wait, but this Star River Divine Son was due for replacement.

"If they want to force me out, I'll pay them a visit. Alkaid can hold, but where's this Divine Son? I'll send him to meet his predecessors."

Feng Baiyu raised an eyebrow. Mahayana gaps, though minor in name, were vast. Each heaven's title reflected that. But recalling Ye Chen might've bested the Heavenly Emperor in his tribulation, he stayed silent, saying only, "That's what I wanted to discuss. A month ago, the Star River Clan proposed a marriage alliance with Heavenly Intention Holy Land. With their Divine Son's rising fame and Heavenly Intention's weakened state, they sought a strong ally. The intended bride was Heavenly Intention's Holy Master's daughter, but the Divine Son insisted on Yi Qingwu. She refused, but he persists, planning to visit with betrothal gifts—a Law Qi from the Immortal Path with 102 laws and a Star River Divine Pill to enhance Immortal Platform quality. He's due in a week."

Ye Chen couldn't hold back. This third-generation Divine Son was racing toward doom. Attacking his master, now pursuing Yi Qingwu? Did he not know she was Ye Chen's fiancée?

"How convenient," Ye Chen said, rising slowly. Since the Divine Son was coming to him, there was nothing more to say. Reuniting him with his predecessors was Ye Chen's duty.

Feng Baiyu frowned. "They're clearly targeting you. Everyone knows your obsession with Yi Qingwu, how you killed her former fiancé in a rage. The Star River Divine Son doesn't seem to care about women, so his insistence on Yi Qingwu is likely to provoke you.

"I suspect many prodigies are waiting for you. They've been tempered by the Immortal Path's opening and gained fortunes since. You just emerged from seclusion—I advise against going."

Ye Chen laughed. Missing the Immortal Path's opening meant nothing to him.

"As long as the old monsters stay out, I can kill them all," he declared firmly.

Feeling Ye Chen's confidence, Feng Baiyu grinned. "Then let's have a fight. The Star River Clan dares to bully our Heavenly Evolution Holy Land and block our people from the Immortal Path. They're courting death."

"I secretly killed one of their Mahayana cultivators in the Endless Sea recently, but it wasn't enough. Now, we'll prepare properly. Don't worry, I'll summon a few ancestors to ensure no one interferes in your battle."

Ye Chen nodded, trusting the Holy Master's arrangements. As for the Star River King Body, Ye Chen wasn't too concerned. Something felt off about this Divine Son. Logically, successors should be weaker, yet this one outshone the first.

Ye Chen suspected he might've practiced the Devouring Heaven Demon Art to boost his talent, as hinted by the Nether God Holy Land elder he'd killed, who mentioned the devouring lineage's connections across holy lands.

If the third-generation Divine Son had cultivated this art, Alkaid Holy Son was likely behind it. This marriage proposal to Heavenly Intention Holy Land, forcing Ye Chen out, might draw Alkaid too—perhaps lurking in the shadows. Perfect chance to take them all down.

As for the Divine Son's betrothal gifts, they'd make fine presents for the fiancée. He'd deliver them to Yi Qingwu, then visit his master.