ISWI Chapter 553-555

Chapter 553: Ye Chen Loves Me Most!

Facing Ying Tiansheng, desperate to survive, Ye Chen's Heavy Pupil unleashed a beam of destructive divine light. With his cultivation's rise, the Heavy Pupil and Primordial Supreme Heart's power grew.

Bloodline Divine Abilities were terrifying for their growth potential. The beam shattered half Ying Tiansheng's body again. Ye Chen strode forward, unleashing a barrage of lethal techniques to cripple him completely.

…

Above, Feng Baiyu and Elder Mo, no longer watching the Nether God elders pummel Heavenly Intention, looked down at the battlefield, shocked. Ye Chen having a small world wasn't too surprising. Given his ties to the Heavenly Emperor, who shattered countless realms, hiding a few space fragments was expected. But what was in that small world?

A Mahayana cultivator entered, and in under twenty breaths, his soul was gone, his body half-destroyed, dragged out like a dead dog. A supreme killing array? Or the Heavenly Emperor's divine will hidden inside?

Seeing Ye Chen's dominant domain and absurd Domain Divine Ability, their eyes widened further. Ye Chen seemed truly invincible. Even the Central Continent's famed prodigies might not match him.

Feng Baiyu now suspected Ye Chen was the Heavenly Emperor reincarnated. How else could his heavenly tribulation end so quickly? Who could dominate the Emperor at the same realm?

If Ye Chen was his reincarnation, it made sense—he wouldn't beat himself. But watching Ye Chen prepare to cripple Ying Tiansheng, they turned away, casting a spell to shield the battlefield.

Stealing someone's fiancée and crippling them was a bit too demonic. Best keep it quiet, or Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's reputation would suffer. This made Feng Baiyu doubt his theory.

The Heavenly Emperor was a perennial bachelor, once capturing a slew of holy daughters but only auctioning them off to extort holy lands. Ye Chen, though? If he caught those holy daughters, they'd likely return with kids in a few years. Could the Emperor, repressed in his past life, have changed so drastically?

…

Ying Tiansheng, having devoured nearly a hundred prodigies, could hold his own in Central Continent. Stronger than the First Nether Son, he was still utterly crushed by Ye Chen, powerless to resist.

Ye Chen raised a hand, effortlessly destroying his sea of consciousness, dantian, and domain, then sealed him with the True Dragon Treasure Technique's Binding Dragon Art.

Yi Qingwu watched, her expression neither joyful nor sad. Though vengeance was near, she felt sorrow for her father's unworthy death. Ignoring Ying Tiansheng's despairing gaze, she took Ye Chen's hand, looking down at him. "Ye Chen, you'll give him to me, right?"

Ye Chen met her stunning gaze. "Sure you want to devour him? Final decision?"

She nodded. Making Ying Tiansheng suffer her father's pain was her obsession. Ye Chen didn't persuade further, shaking his head. "I'll give him to you, but not now."

Yi Qingwu narrowed her phoenix-like eyes, staring at Ye Chen. "You're letting that barefoot woman devour him first, then giving me her scraps?"

She was still irked by Manjusaka's earlier request, unable to accept secondhand origins. It wasn't about quality—it was about status. That barefoot woman sharing the same immortal root was her luck, meeting Ye Chen early. But Ying Tiansheng? She had to devour him herself. She gazed at Ye Chen earnestly.

Ye Chen, understanding the fiancée's—no, soon-to-be widow's—pride, smiled and shook his head. "Ying Tiansheng killed your father. Of course, I'll give him to you for revenge. But the Devouring Heaven Demon Art has a backdoor, making you a target for harvesting, becoming fodder. It's impure, against heaven's harmony, and brings late-life calamity. I'll teach you a new technique, free of flaws…"

He touched her smooth, jade-like brow. As he did, Yi Qingwu felt the symbol tremble, her face flushing. But her eyes soon widened. The Indestructible Heavenly Art, a superior technique to the Devouring Heaven Demon Art, allowing safe harvesting of its practitioners, free of risks, leading to an Acquired Chaos Body.

She felt a chill. If she'd used the Devouring Heaven Demon Art unknowingly, she'd have been targeted. But Ye Chen had its superior art? Safe harvesting, no risks, straight to a supreme physique. The scripture's value was unimaginable, yet he gave it to her without hesitation. She realized her place in his heart. That barefoot woman couldn't compare. Smiling radiantly, she kissed Ye Chen's face, noticing Ying Tiansheng watching.

"How long to master it?" Ye Chen asked.

Sensing the scripture, her long lashes fluttered. "About two weeks."

Ye Chen nodded, satisfied. "Fairy Yi's talent is stunning!"

The half-hearted praise made her giggle, rolling her eyes. She sat cross-legged, beginning to cultivate the Indestructible Heavenly Art, trusting Ye Chen's protection. He smiled, deliberately withholding the insights to slow her progress, ensuring a time gap.

Ignoring Ying Tiansheng, Ye Chen stepped into his array where Manjusaka, controlling Su Yuxuan's body, was cultivating the Devouring Heaven Demon Art.

He roused her. Under her puzzled gaze, he said calmly, "The Devouring Heaven Demon Art has flaws. Ying Tiansheng's protector fell, and I gained the Indestructible Heavenly Art and its insights… I'll share them with you, Senior. Switch to this technique."

Manjusaka's eyes widened. Her soul emerged, enduring her aversion to men as Ye Chen's touch transmitted the art and insights. Amid discomfort, her soul quivered. Gazing at Ye Chen, her expression grew complex. He wasn't a good man—womanizing, manipulative—but he shared such a supreme scripture instantly, proving his genuine care for Yuxuan. She'd worried he favored that haughty woman. Now, she saw she'd overthought. Ye Chen loved Yuxuan most.

"How long to start?" Ye Chen asked.

Grasping the insights, Manjusaka replied, "One week."

Ye Chen's smile widened. The time gap was set. She assumed his joy was for saving Yuxuan soon, her view of him softening deeply.

Chapter 554: So, Does Love Fade?

Manjusaka began cultivating the Indestructible Heavenly Art.

Ye Chen settled into silence. Looking up, the battle above had ended. All five Heavenly Intention Mahayana elders were dead—none escaped. Late-stage cultivators were hard to kill, but Feng Baiyu's thorough preparation, numerical advantage, and sealing array left no chance. Only Heavenly Evolution Holy Land elders remained, chatting with the panicking Nether God elders.

Seeing Ye Chen's side quiet, Feng Baiyu transmitted, "Done? Shall we head back? What about these two Nether God elders? Deal with them?"

Ye Chen shook his head. "Need more time here. Won't Heavenly Intention notice their elders' deaths and send reinforcements?"

Feng Baiyu shook his head. "Before we left, I summoned a Third Heaven Realm elder. If they send anyone, he'll block them. No worries about reinforcements."

Ye Chen gave a thumbs-up. His Holy Master had everything covered.

"As for those two, let's wait," Ye Chen said. He'd let Su Yuxuan decide their fate—recruit or kill—once she woke.

Feng Baiyu had no objections, asking, "How long?"

"About half a month," Ye Chen estimated.

Feng Baiyu raised an eyebrow. Ying Tiansheng was crippled, not killed; the fiancée was unharmed; the Fifth Nether Maiden was there…

Half a month? He suspected Ye Chen was up to something scandalous in the array. But he said nothing, continuing to chat with the Nether God elders, probing Central Continent's affairs.

Ye Chen sat cross-legged, studying the Indestructible Heavenly Art. Though he wouldn't cultivate it to devour others, he saw its value. The Devouring Heaven Demon Art's false heirs weren't limited to Ying Tiansheng.

Mastering this art would let him detect them early, counter threats, and strip their origins for his allies. Physiques had no limit—gifting enough might yield a Chaos Body or beyond. Elevating his women to Acquired Chaos Bodies would secure their boundless futures.

A week passed in a blink. Checking Yi Qingwu—still no progress. He reinforced the Binding Dragon Art on Ying Tiansheng, then entered Manjusaka's array, shielded from all detection. Inside, Manjusaka, controlling Su Yuxuan, opened her eyes joyfully. "I've mastered the Devouring Heaven Demon Art. I can start devouring!"

But her words barely landed when Su Yuxuan's eyes shifted. Manjusaka's soul withdrew—Su Yuxuan herself awoke.

Ye Chen frowned slightly. Su Yuxuan's 2,500x multiplier was impressive, far above Manjusaka's 500x. But he wanted Manjusaka for the critical hit potential. Her waking now was… untimely.

"Senior Brother, what's…"

Su Yuxuan, confused by the situation, sensed she'd cultivated a new technique.

Ye Chen smiled. "While you were unconscious, Senior Manjusaka controlled your body, practicing the Indestructible Heavenly Art. It can plunder others' origins to restore yours. You woke at the perfect time. The technique's mastered—next is devouring."

Su Yuxuan's eyes lit up, excited. She thought she was finished, but now there was hope—not just to recover, but to surpass her past self. Her gaze sparkled. "Are we devouring the First Nether Son or that guy you split?"

Ye Chen shook his head. "The First Nether Son's dead, and Ying Tiansheng is Yi Qingwu's father's killer. I promised her he's hers to deal with. No go."

Su Yuxuan's face fell, aggrieved. She'd disliked Yi Qingwu from the start—engaged yet cozying up to Senior Brother. Shameless! And now he prioritized that woman's needs? Clearly smitten. Her eyes welled up, lips pursed, head bowed. "So, does love fade…"

Manjusaka grew anxious too. Su Yuxuan's drained origin caused backlash; delays worsened recovery and capped her potential. At this critical moment, Ye Chen still chose Yi Qingwu? Men were all the same—tiring of the old for the new.

Seeing Su Yuxuan's head lowered, stifling sobs, tears dripping, her bare feet curled in distress, Ye Chen chuckled. Patting her head, he said, "There, there. Love doesn't fade…"

She looked up, hopeful. "So, you'll give me Ying Tiansheng?"

She knew Ye Chen, having shared the Indestructible Heavenly Art, wouldn't abandon her. But she couldn't resist competing with Yi Qingwu, that haughty engaged woman. She had to show her place in Senior Brother's heart.

Ye Chen shook his head, smiling. "Forget Ying Tiansheng. His origin's a patchwork—high quantity, poor quality. It could harm your future cultivation. No need to compete. I've prepared something better for you."

Su Yuxuan's heart leaped, curiosity piqued. Better than Yi Qingwu's? How much better?

Ye Chen sat cross-legged before her, grinning. "My own origin."

Her eyes widened, her competitive streak fading. Senior Brother was giving his origin? As the Heavenly Emperor's heir, his was far superior. What could Yi Qingwu compare with? From past gifts—eyes, heart, golden core—she knew he had recovery means. Should she act concerned, offer some emotional value?

She shook her head, feigning distress. "Senior Brother, no, you can't… Losing your origin will ruin your immortal path… I'm not worth such a sacrifice… If you insist, I'd rather stay a wreck, I won't…"

Too emotional, weakened, she fainted mid-sentence.

Ye Chen blinked, then laughed. Even as the Fifth Nether Maiden, she was still his little demoness.

Chapter 555: Ye Chen Is Truly Too Devoted!

Su Yuxuan's timely faint left Ye Chen looking at Manjusaka's soul, speaking earnestly. "Junior Sister's condition is unstable, and you cultivated the Indestructible Heavenly Art… Please, Senior, use it to absorb my origin to help her recover fully! Thank you, Senior!"

Manjusaka was stunned. She'd thought Ye Chen favored the new over the old. Now he offered his own origin?

Unlike Su Yuxuan, who knew Ye Chen well enough to guess the truth, Manjusaka frowned. "Won't taking your origin harm your immortal path? The split guy's origin would suffice."

Ye Chen shook his head firmly. "No, Junior Sister is special to me. Only the best will do. I have the Heavenly Emperor's origin recovery method. Even if drained, I'll recover in five years. Five years of my time for her unbroken immortal path, soaring forward—I'm happy to pay it."

Unconscious, Su Yuxuan's lips curved, as if dreaming something sweet. Manjusaka fell silent, her gaze on Ye Chen shifting entirely.

Five years wasn't long for cultivators, but with the immortal path nearing, missing five years could cost Ye Chen his chance at ascension. For Su Yuxuan, he was willing to sacrifice so much. She'd misjudged him. Though a womanizer, he gave everything for each woman he loved, offering them the best.

She nodded, expression complex. "As long as you don't regret it."

Ye Chen smiled. "Then I'll trouble you, Senior. I offer my origin—absorb it boldly." He closed his eyes, leaving himself to her.

Manjusaka gave him a deep look, reentered Su Yuxuan's body, and activated the Indestructible Heavenly Art. Devouring others usually meant crushing their heads, but that wouldn't do for Ye Chen. Instead, she had Su Yuxuan's body hold his hands. Though not her own body, the touch felt direct, stirring unease. Clearing her mind, she gently drew his origin through his hands.

Ye Chen, sensing her cautious pull, urged, "Go harder, don't spare me."

He worried her slow pace would disrupt his gifting schedule and time management. But Manjusaka thought he was eager for Su Yuxuan's swift recovery. His image in her heart grew even more distinct. Such a man, so caring for his women, was rare in the cultivation world!

Ye Chen felt his origin draining like a tide, an uncomfortable sensation. But he endured. The Myriad Star Body was second-rate, its origin not exceptional. Yet, his perfect cultivation across realms, coupled with top-tier resources and techniques, had forcibly elevated it to first-rate. Absorbing just this took half a day.

Still not enough—Su Yuxuan's Nether God Body demanded more. So, the drain continued. Only the Myriad Star Body's origin could trigger feedback; his Heavy Pupil and Primordial Supreme Heart, system-derived, likely wouldn't. But Ye Chen didn't hold back.

"Keep drawing," he urged. Even if the feedback wasn't enough, Ying Tiansheng was there—ready to repay it all with interest. The Primordial Supreme Heart's origin far surpassed the Nether God Body.

Another half-day passed. A quarter of his Primordial Supreme Heart's origin was taken before Manjusaka's pull faded. Releasing his hands, she said earnestly, "I've absorbed enough… It's more than what she lost. In the next week, I'll refine it, possibly pushing her Nether God Body further, achieving mastery sooner… You, rest well!"

Though not fully drained, Ye Chen's face paled, his invincible aura dimmed. He'd paid a steep price. Yet Manjusaka saw no regret or pain on his face—only joy. Closing her eyes, she marveled. Ye Chen was too devoted! Men were either Ye Chen or everyone else.

Simultaneously, system prompts rang in his mind.

"Congratulations, host, for successful gifting…"

"Gift: Your origin!"

"500x feedback processing…"

"Detected: Gift is critical to recipient, causing intense emotional impact…"

"Triggered maximum critical hit reward!"

"Reward: Ancient Desolation Sacred Body!"

"Reward: Primordial Supreme Heart's missing origin restored!"

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow, smiling faintly, unsurprised. The reward was expected. Manjusaka's 500x multiplier was low, so even a max critical hit only yielded the Ancient Desolation Sacred Body and restored his Primordial Supreme Heart's origin.

The Ancient Desolation Sacred Body wasn't weak—Heavenly Emperor's own, immune to myriad evils, invincible in flesh, rivaling an immortal's progeny. At Quasi-Immortal, the Emperor pushed it to mastery, challenging and even slaying True Immortals.

But it had flaws: cultivation was dozens or hundreds of times harder, cursed by Myriad Races from the ancient era for nearly overturning their dominance, bringing harsher tribulations and late-life calamities.

Though a top-ten physique, far above the Myriad Star Body, Ye Chen wasn't thrilled. He disliked challenges or bloody growth. He preferred crushing foes and rapid progress. The Ancient Desolation Sacred Body didn't suit his style.

Fortunately, it was transitional. Next week, when Yi Qingwu mastered the Indestructible Heavenly Art, he'd gift her Ying Tiansheng. With her 2,500x multiplier and vengeance fulfilled, a massive critical hit was certain, skyrocketing his physique further.

Glancing at Manjusaka, he mused. As Su Yuxuan's gifting intermediary, her multiplier was too low. Once done, he'd ask about restoring her body, hoping to boost her multiplier. If she matched Yi Qingwu's, this gift's reward would've been greater.