ISWI Chapter 465-468

Chapter 465: The Golden Crow Clan!

The Tang Valley's seal was about to break, igniting fervent gazes among onlookers. As the core of the Great Yang Dynasty, Tang Valley held great promise, but outsiders knew its treasures were claimed by the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land.

With a boom, the seal shattered, revealing everything within. The divine palace lay in ruins, scarred by a great battle. Before it stood a golden Fusang root, thick as three people's embrace, its jagged break suggesting a brutal blow—likely the Heavenly Emperor's fist. Spectators marveled at his ferocity; no force that crossed him fared well, not even a tree.

Lin Qingtan eyed the radiant root, sensing its abundant Great Yang Holy Power. Refining it could hasten her constitution's resolution, but she dismissed the thought. Holy Son's gift of the Great Yang Immortal Scripture was already generous. The root, secured at great cost, was surely for him.

As Tang Valley opened, Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's experts descended, scavenging treasures. Ye Chen approached the Fusang root, nodding in satisfaction at its potent Great Yang Holy Power. But then, several terrifying auras surged from afar, racing toward Tang Valley, each figure blazing like a sun.

Onlookers gasped. Who dared challenge Heavenly Evolution Holy Land? Feng Baiyu and others squinted, wondering who sought death. In moments, five figures—four men and one woman—appeared above Tang Valley, their auras formidable.

Ye Chen frowned. Their presence didn't feel human. Standing atop the sky, they gazed at the Fusang root with delight. The central woman, at late Deity Transformation, had eyes like blazing suns, a regal neck, and an exotic allure. She addressed the crowd loudly. "The Fusang Ancient Tree has belonged to our Golden Crow Clan since ancient times, lent briefly to the Great Yang True Immortal. The shameless Heavenly Emperor destroyed it with despicable means, causing its loss. Now rediscovered, you may take other treasures freely; we won't interfere. But the Fusang root, we must reclaim. I am this generation's Golden Crow Princess. Please grant us this favor and forge goodwill."

Her words stunned everyone. The Golden Crow Clan? After the myriad races suffered heavy losses and were driven to the Northern Domain, no Golden Crow had appeared in Great Yan Continent for a million years. Now five emerged? Had they sensed the Great Yang Dynasty's ruins and come from the North?

The group—three Unity, two Deity Transformation—radiated power like suns, all young and clearly talented. Some cultivators speculated further: the myriad races, recovering over years, might be regaining strength. In this era's immortal path contest, they would surely compete.

Ye Chen frowned at the Golden Crow Princess's words. Her beauty had sparked some curiosity—perhaps a high feedback multiplier—but the system stayed silent. Was she not eligible, or did the system only recognize humans? He didn't dwell on it. Her claim that the Fusang root belonged to the Golden Crow Clan since ancient times? Absurd.

Ignoring her, Ye Chen reached for the root to claim it. A late Deity Transformation Golden Crow's eyes flashed with killing intent. "Human, you dare touch our clan's divine tree?" A blazing divine fist roared toward Ye Chen, its flames capable of incinerating most Deity Transformation cultivators.

The crowd gasped. Ye Chen's eyes narrowed, and he countered with a single punch. The Battle Secret's terrifying killing aura erupted, shattering the fiery fist in an instant. The punch's momentum surged toward the Golden Crow, whose eyes widened in terror. A Unity Golden Crow intervened, conjuring divine flames to block it.

The Golden Crow Clan glared at Ye Chen.

Feng Baiyu sneered, "So brazen on human territory? The Heavenly Emperor was too lenient—should've wiped you out." Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's Unity elders rose, their killing intent encircling the five. They could easily annihilate them.

The Golden Crows' expressions shifted. The Princess spoke quickly, "The myriad races and humans set rules against bullying the weak. The races have allied to return to the cultivation world's center. Our Golden Crow Clan has ancestors who won't stand idly by. Since you covet our divine tree, let our younger generations compete. The winner takes it. We five are our clan's youngest elites—please enlighten us."

Her words shocked the crowd. The myriad races allied? They'd never been united. If true, it was daunting.

Ye Chen squinted. The root was his—why compete? Ridiculous. Ignoring her, he touched the root to claim it.

Instantly, the Princess struck. "You must be Ye Chen. I've heard your name across the Central Continent! Heavenly Emperor's heir, please enlighten me!" At peak Deity Transformation, she unleashed a sky of fiery crows, swarming like drones toward Ye Chen.

His gaze sharpened, collapsing the void with a glance, burying the crows. Locking eyes on the Princess, he unleashed a true dragon. It struck instantly, unstoppable, shattering her defenses. She coughed blood, her beautiful face stunned. Defeated by an early Deity Transformation human? Impossible.

The other two late Deity Transformation Golden Crows roared in fury, attacking to aid her. Ye Chen remained unfazed. With the Battle Secret's supreme assault and his Heavy Pupil, crushing these three was effortless.

Chapter 466: That's It?

Seeing Ye Chen surrounded, Feng Baiyu squinted. He turned to Hua Yunfei. "I'm unclear on the Central Continent's situation, so I won't act yet to avoid breaking rules. You handle it. Suppress those two Unity Golden Crows. If you can't win, I'll ambush them later."

He didn't worry about Ye Chen. A few Deity Transformation Golden Crows? He'd handle them easily.

Hua Yunfei nodded with a smile. "I'm curious about the Golden Crow Clan's secrets." Rising gracefully, he addressed the two Unity Golden Crows. "I'm Hua Yunfei, a human cultivator, here to test your clan's techniques. I'm busy later, so both of you, come at me together."

The Golden Crows' eyes widened. One mid-Unity, one early—yet this human dared challenge both? Arrogant. Humans, emboldened by the Heavenly Emperor, had lost all respect for the myriad races that once enslaved them.

"I'll fight you," the early Unity Golden Crow snarled, charging. Hua Yunfei smiled lightly, unleashing a surge of purple energy. With a single point, he smashed the Golden Crow into the Endless Sea's depths. The mid-Unity Golden Crow narrowed his eyes, summoning a domain to envelop Hua Yunfei. The battle began.

The Golden Crow Princess, spitting blood, looked grim. The myriad races, long exiled, yearned to return to the Central Continent, the cultivation world's heart. They tracked its prodigies—Heavy Pupils, Heavenly Demon Body, Sacred Body, and the Heavenly Emperor's heir, rumored to be in the Great Yan Continent. The Heavenly Emperor had crushed their races, some wiped out, others humiliated. Ye Chen, his heir, was a target to defeat and erase that shame.

The Princess shared this ambition but hadn't expected Ye Chen's strength. Early Deity Transformation, yet against three, he not only held his ground but dominated. The Heavenly Emperor's heir was terrifying.

Ye Chen fought with zeal, marveling at the Battle Secret's versatility. His True Dragon Treasure Technique roared with dragon might, while the Battle Secret shifted unpredictably, each strike brimming with killing power, evolving myriad techniques.

The two male Golden Crows, forced into their true forms, circled above, seeking openings. The Princess, face cold, threw down a formation flag, aiming to trap Ye Chen in the "Golden Crow Sun-Covering Array."

Onlookers raised eyebrows. The Fourth Holy Son struggled with formations, often trapped, like against Yi Qingwu. But then, shockingly, Ye Chen transformed into a Kun Peng, effortlessly escaping the array's range.

He didn't care for their thoughts. Entering a formation with the fiancée was like booking a private room. In battle, it was folly. Dodging the array, he drew a treasure bow from his storage bracelet. The Battle Secret formed a long arrow. He fired, leaving only a golden streak in the void. It struck a Golden Crow, exploding its body. Though it reformed, it was gravely weakened, unable to fight further.

Ye Chen's lips curled as he formed another killing arrow. Shooting winged creatures with a bow was indeed fitting. The Golden Crow Princess's face darkened. This Heavenly Emperor's heir was cut from the same cloth. History recorded the Emperor slaying their True Immortal with a treasure bow, firing ten arrows, and decimating Mahayana and Unity Golden Crows.

Glancing at the other battle, her expression worsened. Despite two against one, Hua Yunfei dominated. The strength of human prodigies cast a shadow over her dreams of the myriad races' resurgence in the Central Continent. If Great Yan Continent's talents were this formidable, what of Central Continent's? The myriad races' rise seemed daunting.

As she pondered, another Golden Crow was shot down, exploding. Seeing Ye Chen's eager gaze, the Princess shuddered and waved. "Stop! Fellow Daoist, you're too strong. We concede!"

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow, disappointed. The Princess's heart twitched. This heir was a killing star, just like the Emperor—untouchable. The two Unity Golden Crows, already frustrated, retreated instantly.

Onlookers stared. They'd expected a fierce clash, but this? The Golden Crows were pathetic. No wonder the Great Yang True Immortal stole their Fusang Tree and enslaved some as companion beasts. They couldn't even rank among the Vicious Ten.

The crowd's whispers and gazes flushed the Golden Crows with shame. "We're nothing in our clan," they retorted. "Our Prince Lu Ya is truly invincible, nearing Mahayana. If he were here, he'd crush you all!"

Ye Chen ignored their boasts. He was enjoying the Battle Secret, but their surrender bored him. He itched to shoot the Princess a few more times. Since the fight was over, it was time to gift. Approaching the Fusang root, he grabbed it. Golden and heavy, it weighed hundreds of tons despite its size, radiating intense Great Yang Holy Power that warmed his body.

Above, the five Golden Crows watched reluctantly. "Our clan has a divine technique to regrow the tree," one transmitted. "If he takes it, we lose everything. We came with low expectations, but it's real. Losing it would be a lifelong regret."

"The Fusang Tree is vital to us," another added. "Princess, what's your plan?"

Her eyes gleamed as she transmitted calmly, "Our elders predict no new Fusang Tree has appeared. With our divine technique, one root is enough to grow a new one. Humans see it as mere material, unaware of its true value. We'll trade a small price for a root—easy."

Chapter 467: Oops, Ye Chen Struck Gold!

Every world's immortal root is unique. If a new Fusang Divine Tree already existed, the Golden Crow Clan couldn't cultivate another from the root. But if none had emerged, they could grow a new tree—its value immeasurable.

Beyond symbolism, the Fusang Tree boosted the Golden Crow Clan's bloodline purity, easing breakthroughs. Their prodigy, Lu Ya, could soar further with it, potentially dominating the cosmos. The tree was worth their all.

The Golden Crow Princess addressed Ye Chen. "Fellow Daoist Ye, your strength in battle proves you're truly the Heavenly Emperor's heir. I lack the courage to contest the Fusang root further. But it holds deep meaning for our clan. May I humbly request a single root tendril? It won't diminish the root's Great Yang Holy Power or harm you, allowing me to report its loss to my clan."

Her sincerity raised eyebrows among the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's elders. The Golden Crows, traveling from the Northern Domain, wouldn't give up easily. A tendril likely hid deeper motives.

Ye Chen, unconcerned, had no intention of complying. No feedback multiplier? Plus, they'd just fought—why give them anything? Ignoring her, he stored the root in his ring.

His coldness flustered the Princess. Cursing him inwardly, she maintained a smile. "Fellow Daoist, I'll trade treasure for a tendril!" She revealed a jade box, golden flames blazing within. "This is our clan's Golden Crow Origin Fire. Refine it, and you'll wield Golden Crow Fire, nearly rivaling Phoenix Fire, with boundless uses."

Feng Baiyu and Hua Yunfei scoffed. Comparing seventh-grade Golden Crow Fire to ninth-grade Phoenix Fire? Exaggerated. Still, the fire's value was significant.

Feng Baiyu's mouth twitched. "Oops, Ye Chen struck gold. A tendril for Golden Crow Fire? That's worth more than our ten years of offerings combined. We gave him the root too easily!"

Hua Yunfei chuckled at Feng Baiyu's regret.

A tendril's loss was negligible, making the trade a steal. Yet Ye Chen glanced at the fire and waved dismissively. Did she think he'd care for such a trifle? Ignoring her, he flew toward Lin Qingtan to gift the root.

The Princess grew desperate, no longer hiding her intent. "Fellow Daoist Ye, name your terms! Everything's negotiable!"

Feng Baiyu's discomfort grew. The Golden Crows clearly valued the root highly—Ye Chen was about to profit massively.

Ye Chen, hovering mid-air, asked, "Anything's negotiable?"

The Golden Crow Princess nodded solemnly.

Ye Chen mused, "Golden Crow Pills, long lost due to lacking Golden Crow blood, are a pity. Fill this pot with your blood, and I'll consider it."

Golden Crow Pills were ideal for Deity Transformation cultivators, but without their blood, they couldn't be crafted. This was a prime chance to gather materials.

The Golden Crows seethed. Using their blood for pills—and making them bleed themselves? An insult. The pot, towering as tall as a person, seemed meant to drain them dry. Even the Princess struggled to maintain composure.

She gritted her teeth. "Fellow Daoist Ye, if we provide enough blood, you'll give us a tendril?"

Ye Chen shook his head. "Not just that. I'm crafting a Dao Weapon-grade feather fan. Golden Crow tail feathers are perfect. Give me a hundred, and I'll trade a tendril."

The Golden Crows' faces darkened further. Tail feathers, vital for their Divine Abilities, numbered only twenty to thirty per bird. A hundred? He was stripping them bare. Outrageous.

The two Unity Golden Crows glared. Ye Chen, unfazed, said, "Deal or I'm gone."

His attitude fueled their frustration, but the Princess calmed them via transmission. She asked, "If we pay this price, you'll trade a tendril?"

Ye Chen nodded with a smile.

After a brief exchange, the Princess transformed into her Golden Crow form, tearing a wing to fill the pot with blood, reaching a fifth of its mark. She stepped back, letting another take her place.

Onlookers were stunned, wondering what made a tendril worth such a cost.

Feng Baiyu nodded, stroking his chin. "I worried Ye Chen's weakness for beautiful cultivators would lead him to betray the Holy Land or humanity. But he's ruthless. This Princess, nearly as striking as Yi Qingwu, gets no mercy. He exploits their desperation masterfully, wary of the myriad races, unswayed by beauty. Truly the Heavenly Emperor's heir. I'm relieved."

Ye Chen, meanwhile, sighed inwardly. The Princess lacked gifting eligibility. Otherwise, he'd have given a tendril outright, sparing this hassle for profit.

Chapter 468: The Holy Master was no saint!

The Golden Crows bled until the towering pot was filled, then painfully plucked their tail feathers, nearly baring their backsides. Their veiled glares at Ye Chen brimmed with humiliation and rage, but he remained unfazed.

With his demands met, Golden Crow Fire, blood, and a hundred feathers floated before him, dazzling with treasure's glow. Onlookers marveled—Fourth Holy Son had struck it rich. His initial cost—ten years' offerings for over a dozen Unity elders—was immense, but paled beside these spoils. Ye Chen's legendary luck was undeniable.

He casually stored the Golden Crow Fire and turned to Feng Baiyu, Hua Yunfei, and the elders. "Take what you need! These are rare—Golden Crows haven't fully emerged. Hard to find, let alone kill for blood or feathers. If any elder doesn't need these, I'll send a heavy gift later."

His generosity stunned the elders, erasing their lingering unease. Though they'd agreed to give him the root, his massive gains could've sparked envy. Sharing the spoils won their hearts. Feng Baiyu grinned, pleased, and took five feathers. "I need a fan—thanks, Fourth Holy Son."

With the Holy Master taking his share, the elders followed, grabbing blood or feathers. Some needed neither, and Ye Chen noted their faces for future gifts. The split left him with a third of the blood and feathers. He didn't care—gifting them would yield thousandfold returns. A trifle.

Feng Baiyu, holding his feathers, chuckled to Hua Yunfei. "Your Junior Brother's already winning over the elders. He's gunning for your Holy Master seat. Scared?"

Hua Yunfei smiled. "With his heaven-defying luck, I'm only happy for him, not wary."

Feng Baiyu rolled his eyes, silent.

The Golden Crows fumed as Heavenly Evolution Holy Land openly divided their spoils, picking and choosing. The Princess, pale, snapped, "Fellow Daoist Ye, we've paid. Hand over the tendril!"

Ye Chen didn't renege. He presented the root, letting them choose. The Princess, eyes gleaming, selected the thickest tendril, slicing it with Golden Crow Fire and storing it in a treasure box. The Fusang root was theirs.

The five Golden Crows buzzed with excitement. To them, it was a new divine tree, capable of purifying their bloodline and boosting their strength. Ye Chen thought he'd fleeced them, unaware their future gains dwarfed this cost. They vowed to repay today's humiliation—bleeding Ye Chen daily into a mountain-sized vat, refining his blood into pills, and plucking him bare. As they grasped the tendril, their minds already plotted revenge.

The Golden Crow Princess, tendril in hand, turned to leave. Ye Chen spoke, curious. "Does the Princess have a Dao companion?"

She frowned, shaking her head. "Of course not!"

Ye Chen's brow furrowed. Unlike humans, he couldn't sense a beast's purity. If she had no companion, she might be eligible. Did the system reject non-humans? Disappointment flickered—he'd hoped for cat-eared or fox-tailed maidens.

The Princess, recalling Ye Chen's reputation, tossed a flirtatious glance. "My clan marries within to preserve bloodline purity, testing many before choosing the best match. But as the Heavenly Emperor's heir, your bloodline is exceptional. If you'd be my Dao companion, come to the Northern Domain. Our elders would welcome you as the first human prince of our clan."

Her smile was seductive, but her heart was cold. If Ye Chen came, she'd have elders capture him, using his blood to nurture the new Fusang Tree.

Ye Chen's eyes lit up. Not the myriad races—the Princess was ineligible due to experience. His dreams of bunny-eared maidens lived on. He was relieved.

His brightened expression seemed to her like interest. She giggled, covering her mouth. "If Holy Son wants to be our prince, come find me! The past is gone; the future is for humans and myriad races together." With that, she and her clan transformed, soaring toward Central Continent in the Endless Sea's depths.

Ye Chen watched, pondering the feedback multipliers of top-tier myriad race women. If the system approved and their rates were high, he'd gladly foster racial harmony. Shaking off the thought, he prepared to gift.

The Golden Crows' desperation for the tendril raised suspicions. Though unclear on their plan, Ye Chen decided to gift the root to Lin Qingtan, triggering a full Fusang Tree to thwart their schemes.

Feng Baiyu's voice transmitted. "Those Golden Crows are weakened. Shall we kill them? I've marked them for tracking. I know a technique to help you subdue the Princess as a servant."

Ye Chen's mouth twitched. The Holy Master was no saint!