ISWI Chapter 490-492

Chapter 490: What are you going to do to my fiancée?

Origin-injury herbs were precious, but not impossible to find in a Holy Land. Yet, they were rarely offered. Yi Qingwu knew a Mahayana ancestor in Heavenly Intention Holy Land once acquired half a rare herb that could heal origin injuries. But despite her repeated visits, he refused her outright. Such herbs were an immortal path's insurance. Every cultivator faced countless battles and dangers, never certain of hidden injuries or a severed path. Who'd part with such a treasure?

Yi Qingwu hadn't given up, but her heart was nearly hopeless. Yet, at this critical moment, Ye Chen—the one she'd used to provoke Heavenly Intention Holy Son—reached out first, offering a treasure herb. Her emotions churned. She knew any man who'd been with her would be infatuated, but a prodigy like Ye Chen should prioritize profit. Yet, for her grandmother's injury, he offered an Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, a treasure even Mahayana cultivators coveted. What did that mean?

Ye Chen was utterly devoted, caring for everything about her. The weight of his affection stirred her heart like a storm.

After a long pause, she read on. Due to the herb's value, Ye Chen would meet her in Great Shang Immortal City in seven days. He trusted no one else—she had to come personally. As a rival Holy Land's Holy Son, he could be setting a trap, but Yi Qingwu wasn't worried. With his strength, he'd had plenty of chances to harm her before. Why would he hurt her now? And with such a precious herb, even Holy Land elders might betray her—his caution was reasonable.

After rechecking the talisman, she carefully stored Ye Chen's and shattered Heavenly Intention Holy Son's. She flew to her grandmother's cave, telling her she'd heard of a treasure herb and would verify it. She didn't mention Ye Chen's gift. Outsiders wouldn't understand their bond. If Heavenly Intention Holy Land learned, it could spark trouble or an ambush on Ye Chen.

Though tensions with Heavenly Evolution Holy Land had eased, many in Heavenly Intention harbored grudges. Ye Chen's Heavenly Emperor heir status, confirmed by the Hall, made him a bigger threat than Hua Yunfei. She couldn't leak this.

Yi Qingwu boarded her skyship alone, heading to Great Shang Immortal City. It wasn't close—three days at full speed.

Two days after her departure, a towering figure returned to Heavenly Intention Holy Land. His aura was overwhelming, his face cold, gazing down like a god. It was Heavenly Intention Holy Son, Ying Tiansheng.

After over a year in Central Continent, he'd had some fortuitous encounters. Still early Unity, his presence was terrifying, his vitality staggering. Even mid-Unity elders couldn't meet his gaze without pain. Truly fearsome.

Heavenly Intention Holy Son, Ying Tiansheng, briefly greeted the Holy Master and others before heading to Holy Maiden Peak to deliver the Ethereal Pill to Yi Qingwu. It had been a while, and thinking of his fiancée's beauty warmed his usually cold heart. He genuinely loved her, smitten since his first day in the Holy Land. Over time, his feelings grew complex—love, obsession, guilt, and pity. Only she could stir his otherwise ruthless heart. That's why he personally returned to give her the pill.

But upon reaching Holy Maiden Peak, he learned she was away. He frowned slightly, then visited her grandmother. Hearing Yi Qingwu left after news of a treasure herb, his brows furrowed deeper. Top-tier herbs were rare; their emergence would shake the Central Continent. Was Qingwu deceived?

His gaze turned icy as he summoned the elder who'd delivered the memory talismans to Yi Qingwu.

"I peeked at the message. Ye Chen sent a talisman saying he'd gift an Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, but she must go to Great Shang Immortal City herself."

Hearing Ye Chen contacted his fiancée, Ying Tiansheng's aura grew colder. When he heard the full message, his eyes glinted with chilling gold, killing intent seeping from every pore. His black hair whipped wildly.

"Ye Chen!" he growled through gritted teeth. To him, it was clearly a trap. An Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid was so precious, any cultivator would hide it, not gift it—especially not to a rival Holy Land's Holy Maiden. That was aiding the enemy, unthinkable. There had to be a scheme. Worse, Ye Chen had once shattered Qingwu's robe, harboring ill intent. This trip to Great Shang Immortal City reeked of malice.

Imagining Yi Qingwu captured by Ye Chen, vivid scenes flooded his mind. The more he thought, the redder the gold in his pupils became, his fists clenching harder. In an instant, he shot into the sky, his voice booming.

"Ye Chen, I'll kill you!"

He sped toward Great Shang Immortal City, moving impossibly fast, even using the Movement Secret. He didn't inform Heavenly Intention Holy Land. In Central Continent, he'd gained a fortuitous encounter: a protector from the Devouring Heaven Demon Art lineage, an ancient sect leader, a Mahayana powerhouse. This protector found him, guided him, and provided countless targets for devouring, even intervening to suppress enemies at critical moments. His growth this year had been unimaginable.

With such a Mahayana protector willing to act, Ying Tiansheng brimmed with confidence. No matter Ye Chen's schemes or preparations, he'd crush him and devour everything he had.

Chapter 491: Oh No, It's the Fourth Holy Son!

Great Shang Immortal City, a bustling hub tied to a major sect, teemed with cultivators. The cultivation world's focus was on the Central Continent's emerging prodigies, and even Great Shang's cultivators buzzed with the same topic.

At the city's heart stood the hundred-meter-high Immortal Ascension Pavilion, offering views of the roaring river outside—a grand sight. Local young cultivators often gathered there to admire the scenery and discuss the dao.

Today, a few prominent youths, surrounded by female cultivators, arrived for a gathering. Intending to book the top floor, they were stopped. The attendant apologized, "Sirs, the top floor's reserved!"

The lead youth, dashing and proud, eyes glinting with arrogance, frowned. "Do you know who I am?" He was the sect leader's son, gifted with a Heavenly Spirit Root and a special physique, already at Golden Core peak, on the verge of Nascent Soul.

The crowd watched, expecting drama—perhaps a fight, or maybe a resolution over drinks, as the cultivation world balanced conflict with diplomacy. The attendant whispered, "I know your identity, but the top floor's truly booked."

The youth's face darkened. As the sect leader's son, he saw Great Shang as his domain. This was a loss of face. Before he could retort, the attendant leaned in, whispering a name. The youth shuddered, his expression softening. "If it's reserved, so be it. Here's my Azure Flower Brew, meant for today's feast. Send it up as an apology." He turned and left.

His entourage was stunned. Who was upstairs to make the sect leader's son flee and send tribute? Was it a reclusive ancestor? A top prodigy? Speculation ran wild.

At that moment, a jade carriage descended from the sky, radiating moonlight, carving a glowing path. The crowd's brows rose. Great Shang forbade flight below Deity Transformation. Who dared arrive so boldly?

The carriage's pearl curtains parted, revealing a breathtakingly unreal face. The crowd fell silent, afraid to disturb her. Only after she glided to the top floor did they dare speak.

"Is that Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden? Why's she in Great Shang?"

"Who's on the top floor to summon her?"

"No wonder the sect leader's son left. Even his father couldn't afford to offend her."

"Could it be Heavenly Intention Holy Son?"

Speculation swirled, many guessing the top floor held Heavenly Intention Holy Son.

On the third floor, Ye Chen had been waiting for some time. Seeing the fiancée arrive, a bright smile spread across his face. Still as stunning as ever.

Yi Qingwu, her expression icy, noticed his joy and felt a flicker of emotion, though she hid it. She spoke coldly, "Ye Chen, you know my grandmother is gravely ill, luring me here with the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid. If you have demands, state them now. As long as they don't betray my fiancé or violate immortal ethics, I'll agree." Her voice, clear as a celestial chime, was deliberately loud, echoing outside.

The cultivators below were shocked. Not Heavenly Intention Holy Son, but Heavenly Evolution's Fourth Holy Son? From her words, it seemed she came reluctantly, needing his treasure herb. Why did he insist she come in person?

Recalling rumors about the Fourth Holy Son, they speculated wildly. Was he using the herb to coerce her compliance? Some, too curious, nearly probed with spiritual sense to see what was happening upstairs.

Ye Chen's lips twitched. The fiancée was practically dropping hints. But this time, he had no such intentions—gifting for feedback was his goal. He took out the jade box and approached her. "Holy Maiden, why think so poorly of me? I only want to help, nothing more." He opened the box, presenting it to her. The Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid radiated misty spiritual qi, its extraordinariness undeniable.

Yi Qingwu's eyes locked onto Ye Chen. Though she'd suspected as much, his unconditional gift overwhelmed her. Gratitude surged within, nearly bursting forth. Compared to Heavenly Intention Holy Son, Ye Chen truly cared for her.

The onlookers, hearing his words, were stunned. They could understand if he'd used the herb to manipulate her—Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden was breathtaking. But to gift it freely?

Some realized: the Fourth Holy Son didn't just want her body; he wanted her heart, aiming to steal her entirely from Heavenly Intention Holy Son. His reputation as a woman-chaser was well-earned. They listened in silence.

Upstairs, Yi Qingwu, emotions tangled, finally took the jade box. But she said, "Ye Chen, don't think this will sway my feelings for my Holy Son. I'm devoted to him. Your efforts are futile. In my heart, you're not worth a single hair of his." Her tone was resolute, as if unmoved by the gift, still scorning Ye Chen.

The crowd marveled. What virtue! Even accepting such a treasure, she remained unshaken, firmly rejecting the Fourth Holy Son. Let this scheming scoundrel's plans fail.

Ye Chen, unfazed by her words, knew the fiancée's tendency to say one thing and mean another. Then, the system's voice rang in his mind, confirming his view.

"Congratulations, Host, gift successful…"

"Gift: Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid!"

"2,500-fold feedback in progress…"

"Due to…"

"Triggered top-notch critical reward…"

Chapter 492: Two Immortal Roots!

The top-notch critical hit proved Yi Qingwu's true feelings. Her words didn't matter—her habit of saying one thing while meaning another only added spice in certain moments. Ye Chen read on, eyes widening despite his expectations.

"Reward: True Dragon Undying Herb, True Phoenix Undying Herb!"

"True Dragon Undying Herb: Bears ten True Dragon Origin Fruits every century, healing origin injuries fully, imbued with True Dragon power to boost combat strength if refined…"

"True Phoenix Undying Herb: Bears ten True Phoenix Origin Fruits every century, healing origin injuries fully, with Nirvana power to potentially enhance recovery…"

Ye Chen hadn't expected the fiancée to yield not one, but two immortal roots. Astounding. Was this the power of a high multiplier? Utterly absurd!

Inspecting his small world, he planted the True Dragon and True Phoenix Undying Herbs beside the Star Pool, alongside the Qilin and Vermilion Bird Herbs. With these, the pool grew even more extraordinary. Adding the three prior trees, Ye Chen now had seven of the twelve immortal roots—halfway there.

Gazing at the crystalline fruits, with tiny dragons and phoenixes swimming within, he was thrilled. Not only could they heal origin injuries, but they offered extra perks: True Dragon boosted attack, True Phoenix granted Nirvana. Far superior to the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid. Best of all, ten fruits every century—more than enough. Either could heal Elder Mo.

After a moment's thought, Ye Chen plucked a True Phoenix fruit with his divine sense, placing it in a jade box, and contacted Elder Mo.

Above, Mo was sipping tea with Hua Yunfei, whose head glowed faintly. Ye Chen had called Hua Yunfei for caution's sake.

Mo, curious, asked, "Your One Qi Transforming Three Purities—has it reached mastery?"

Hua Yunfei smiled, shaking his head. "Not quite."

Mo nodded, unsure if he believed him, his expression tinged with nostalgia. Once, he too was a peerless prodigy like Hua Yunfei and Ye Chen. Soon, he'd fall below Unity. The impermanence of life. His dao heart once held firm, but as his condition worsened, it wavered.

Hua Yunfei, seeing Mo's low spirits, comforted him. "Don't worry about your Immortal Platform. Junior Brother's luck defies the heavens, and with the Heavenly Emperor's legacy, even an immortal root isn't impossible."

Mo chuckled. Immortal roots were rare, and only the mythical True Dragon and True Phoenix Undying Herbs could heal origin injuries. Missing for a million years, their fruits—ten per century, unlike the abundant Enlightenment Tea leaves—were long gone. It wasn't about luck. Mo held no hope.

Suddenly, he paused—Ye Chen's transmission called him. Sensing no danger in Immortal Ascension Pavilion, he descended to the third floor without hesitation.

Yi Qingwu glanced at Mo, unfazed, and carefully stored the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid without a word.

Seeing Elder Mo arrive, Ye Chen handed him a jade box solemnly. "Elder Mo, don't open it here. Use it quickly once you do."

Mo, puzzled but seasoned, knew better than to ask. He flew off.

Back in the void, Hua Yunfei eyed the box curiously, wondering what could prompt Ye Chen to interrupt his time with Yi Qingwu to deliver it.

Mo opened it. Instantly, his body tensed, murky eyes wide with shock. Inside was a small, thumb-sized golden fruit, translucent like jade, with a blood-red phoenix dancing within. Its aura of rebirth made Mo's shattered Immortal Platform tremble just from the box opening.

"This… True Phoenix Undying Herb fruit?" Mo exclaimed.

Hua Yunfei's glowing halo flared brighter, his calm shaken. After a long pause, he sighed, "Junior Brother is truly favored by the heavens! And this fruit's aura is fresh—it must've just ripened."

They'd just discussed immortal roots, and Ye Chen produced one.

Astounding.

Mo, silent, pieced it together. Ye Chen likely had the True Phoenix Undying Herb for a while, but it bore fruit only once a decade. The moment it did, he gave it to Mo.

Mo had helped him, but not enough to warrant such a treasure. A single True Phoenix fruit could lure Mahayana powerhouses. Giving it meant exposing the herb's existence—a huge risk. If other Holy Lands or Central Continent powerhouses learned of it, they'd cross seas to seize it. Yet Ye Chen delivered it the moment it ripened.

Mo's gratitude was beyond words. He glanced at the pavilion's top floor, resolve hardening, then swallowed the fruit without hesitation. Instantly, divine flames erupted from him, brimming with life. Deep in his brow, his withered, shattered Immortal Platform began to transform.

Hua Yunfei, awed by Ye Chen's generosity, summoned a dao palace phantom to shield Mo's aura, protecting him as he refined the fruit.