ISWI Chapter 471-472

Chapter 471: Holy Son Bringing Gifts Again?

After seven days of cultivation, Ye Chen felt the robust yin-yang forces within him, deeply satisfied. The Fusang Divine Tree and Moon Laurel Immortal Tree were phenomenal. Other cultivators scoured for faint traces of Great Yang and Great Yin energies, absorbing them bit by bit.

Ye Chen? He didn't need to search—the trees flooded him with power. The Great Yang and Great Yin Immortal Scriptures converted energy at astonishing speed, aided by his Yin-Yang Dao Sea, ensuring perfect balance. He just cultivated fiercely.

His progress far exceeded estimates. Ten years to Unity Path? Underestimated. Three to four years might suffice to amass unimaginable yin-yang power, form a domain, and step into Unity Path. Thrilled, he paused cultivation—gift-giving time had come. The Golden Crow Fire from the Princess remained ungifted.

Ye Chen strode to Lin Qingtan's seclusion chamber, activating a communication talisman and waiting patiently. Soon, the door opened. Sensing Ye Chen, Lin Qingtan stepped out, long legs graceful, bowing. "Greetings, Holy Son."

Ye Chen smiled. With the Great Yang Immortal Scripture and Fusang root, her Yin Nether aura had halved. Her constitution was transforming—her facial runes faded, enhancing her stunning beauty.

His gaze made her assume he sought her promised devotion. "Thanks to Holy Son's treasures, my constitution is changing. Though not fully resolved, my runes have lessened. If you don't mind, enter my chamber now, and let me repay you."

She thought he came for her offer, unbothered by her remaining runes. She was ready to repay early, even eager. Her spirit sense sealed the area, and her robe slid down smoothly, revealing more rune patterns.

Ye Chen's mouth twitched. When did his reputation sink so low? Was he that kind of man? Absurd. He waved irritably. "Put it back on. I said no need for repayment. I came because Golden Crow Fire, a supreme yang flame, might aid you. Take it, and don't overthink."

He flicked a jade box containing the fire to her. Lin Qingtan caught it reflexively, her face filled with surprise. Not here for repayment, but to gift again?

Unbelievable. Golden Crow Fire, a potent yang flame, would boost her scripture cultivation and enhance her body with myriad benefits. Feeling the box's uncontainable heat, her eyes brimmed with gratitude.

Holy Son knew the scripture alone would resolve her issue, yet he gave her the root and now the fire. His care was overwhelming. She'd misjudged him, assuming he only desired her. Guilt struck. She wanted to refuse, but his resolute gaze silenced her. She pursed her lips, bowing. "Thank you, Holy Son, for this treasure. I'm deeply grateful and will repay you generously!"

Ye Chen nodded, pleased with her prompt acceptance. But could she put her robe back on already?

The system's voice rang in Ye Chen's mind:

"Congratulations, Host, gift successfully given…"

"Gift: Golden Crow Fire! Thousandfold feedback activated…"

"Detected critical importance to recipient…"

"Critical reward triggered. Reward: One hundred portions of Phoenix Immortal Fire!"

Ye Chen grinned. Phoenix Immortal Fire, a top-tier spiritual flame in the cultivation world, boasted devastating power and nirvana's restorative might. With his True Phoenix Treasure Technique, refining this would elevate him further, boosting both combat and healing. The benefits were immense.

His gaze on Lin Qingtan softened, filled with satisfaction. "The fire's yours, Elder Lin. Keep cultivating diligently. I'm off to practice." His tender look made her heart flutter, warmed by his care. She yearned to repay him now. Instead of donning her robe, she swayed, her runes forming a mesmerizing, heart-shaped pattern.

Ye Chen glanced but turned away. Lin Qingtan wasn't discouraged—she saw his interest but knew he restrained himself to prioritize her constitution's resolution. Determined, she vowed to refine the Golden Crow Fire immediately, resolve her issue before returning to the Holy Land, and offer herself to him, rune-free.

Ye Chen, briefly savoring the intricate, heart-shaped runes, set the thought aside and resumed cultivation. Beyond effortlessly running both immortal scriptures to convert yin-yang forces, he began refining the system's Phoenix Immortal Fire with his True Phoenix Treasure Technique.

Unlike flawed revival techniques that drained vitality or left one weakened, the True Phoenix Technique restored without loss, often at peak condition. With luck, nirvana could even push one further.

Phoenix Immortal Fire amplified this, boosting revival and nirvana chances. Ancient powers used a single portion due to its rarity, but Ye Chen, with a hundred, was unprecedented. His relentless infusion made the technique's effects staggering—capable of surviving death a hundred times unscathed, a terrifying prospect.

Chapter 472: Did Those Old Geezers Steal My Resources?

After seven days, Ye Chen couldn't refine more, leaving over ten portions of Phoenix Immortal Fire. Absorbing so much made vitality surge from every pore, overflowing. His lifespan felt extended—not a direct effect of the fire, but a side benefit of overindulgence.

Thinking of lifespan, Ye Chen recalled Green Cloud Sect's old sect master, with perhaps a decade left. If he could obtain an immortality elixir or root, he'd share it to grant the old man another life.

A communication talisman stirred. Assuming Lin Qingtan had finished refining the Golden Crow Fire, Ye Chen planned to gift her the tail feathers. He opened the door remotely, but Feng Baiyu, looking scholarly, entered instead. Seeing Ye Chen brimming with vitality, he gaped. "Ye Chen, you're… overflowing with essence?"

Ye Chen: ???

What's that supposed to mean, Holy Master?

Feng Baiyu got to business. "Holy Land reports that Heavenly Emperor Hall in Central Continent announced this generation's Heavenly Emperor heir—it's you! You really are his heir, despite denying it."

Ye Chen frowned. He knew his own status best. He'd hoped Heavenly Emperor Hall's announcement would clear his name, but they'd confirmed him instead? What was going on? Did they see his talent, ditch their original heir, and pick him?

"What's the benefit of being the heir? Are the resources good?" Ye Chen asked eagerly.

Feng Baiyu smirked. "You'd know best, wouldn't you? The Emperor swept the cultivation world, destroying or hiding treasures. His less-talented followers, unable to keep up, stayed behind. He left unused treasures to found Heavenly Emperor Hall for nurturing heirs. Over a million years, twelve heirs emerged; six became immortals, opening Heaven's Gate. They were loaded with treasures, ancient artifacts, even immortal weapons stained with blood—utterly extravagant."

Ye Chen's eyes gleamed. Heavenly Emperor Hall was that rich? Being the heir sounded good. "They've named me the heir. When do they send treasures and protectors?"

Feng Baiyu shrugged. "You're asking me? With your lavish spending, haven't you already received them?"

Ye Chen shook his head. "Everything I have is from my own efforts, not the Emperor. Heavenly Emperor Hall never contacted me or gave me anything."

Feng Baiyu ignored the first part but sensed something off. No contact, yet they announced him? Odd. Heirs were typically chosen early, invested in, and revealed after growth. Ye Chen's case was unusual.

"Did those old geezers in Heavenly Emperor Hall pocket my heir resources?" Ye Chen mused.

Feng Baiyu, stumped, nodded absently in agreement.

Ye Chen's eyes narrowed as Feng Baiyu nodded. "I'm the Heavenly Emperor Hall's heir—the whole Hall should be mine, yet they're stealing my resources. How bold! Next time we meet, if they don't explain, I'll clean house!"

His eyes blazed with killing intent. Feng Baiyu's mouth twitched. Just an heir, and you claim the entire Hall? Planning to purge them without even meeting? Even the reborn Emperor might not match your bloodlust.

Feng Baiyu, expecting Heavenly Emperor Hall as an ally for the immortal path, sensed something amiss. He left to investigate further, saying little.

Ye Chen's cold gaze held no pretense. The Heavenly Emperor heir title, with vast resources, was appealing—everyone would want it. But a title alone, without support?

Laughable. The Emperor's infamy made enemies reflexively hate his heir, as seen with the Golden Crows. The title drew scrutiny and suppression on the perilous immortal path. Yet Heavenly Emperor Hall never contacted him or provided resources, unilaterally declaring him heir. Malice was clear, though their motives eluded him.

Ye Chen didn't dwell. With growing strength, no scheme could touch him. When strong enough, he'd storm the Hall, reclaiming what was his. No ties to the Emperor meant no mercy—even if the Emperor himself appeared, Ye Chen would smash his head if crossed.

Bold as ever, Ye Chen dismissed the matter, planning to gift Lin Qingtan the Golden Crow tail feathers with a pretext. But as if on cue, his chamber's communication talisman buzzed.

Lin Qingtan's voice came through: "Holy Son, it's Qingtan. I've fully refined the Golden Crow Fire, resolving my constitution. The runes can now be erased at will. I'm here to share my joy! May I enter?"

Ye Chen's eyes lit up. Perfect timing.