ISWI Chapter 858-860 (Patreon)

Chapter 858: Here Just to Deliver!

The sudden turn of events stunned everyone present, including Ling Yu, who had already turned to leave. Yet Ye Chen, encircled by the Emotionless Sword Array and locked onto by that pillar of divine light—dense as condensed energy, resembling a heavenly column—remained perfectly calm.

No wonder Dantai Xuan had struck so abruptly. He wasn't sure whether she had prior dealings with Alkaid Holy Son or had simply transmitted a message just now. Either way, it didn't matter.

Alkaid's arrival was exactly what he wanted. True dragon and true phoenix coiled protectively around Ye Chen, effortlessly erasing every incoming sword beam. Facing the terrifying pillar of divine light—hurtling down like a meteor, powerful enough to slay most saints in a single strike—Ye Chen simply raised his hand with tranquil composure and circulated the Myriad Transformations Holy Art. The heavenly pillar instantly dissolved into pure, refined energy. With a casual flick of his finger, Ye Chen redirected it, transforming the energy back into blinding divine light that blasted upward toward Alkaid Holy Son, who stood within the array.

Alkaid Holy Son furrowed his brow slightly and narrowed his eyes. The array patterns beneath his feet flared with divine radiance as he raised his hand and unleashed another strike. The two forces collided in an earth-shattering explosion. Violent chaotic currents threatened to tear the very fabric of this realm apart. Their combat power had reached a level that nearly exceeded what the fourth realm could contain.

…

Yan Qingcheng frowned as she looked toward Alkaid. She knew his true identity clearly. The true heir of the Devouring lineage. Though lately, it seemed he had been cast aside.

She didn't dwell on it. Her gaze locked onto Dantai Xuan instead. She hadn't expected Dantai Xuan to attack Ye Chen after being rejected. This woman truly had no shame.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, allow me to assist you!"

Without hesitation, Yan Qingcheng flicked her jade hand. Endless Chaos Qi surged forth, manifesting into the forms of the Vicious Ten that roared toward Dantai Xuan in suppression.

Dantai Xuan narrowed her beautiful eyes. She was inwardly shocked by Ye Chen's strength. But she showed no fear toward the arriving Yan Qingcheng.

The Emotionless Sword Array that had surrounded Ye Chen abruptly shifted direction. Countless beams streaked like meteors toward Yan Qingcheng.

Yet Yan Qingcheng remained utterly fearless. Vast saintly qi erupted around her. She punched outward in all directions with terrifying momentum, preventing even a single sword beam from approaching within half an inch. She pressed straight toward Dantai Xuan.

In Dantai Xuan's hand appeared a supreme Extreme Dao divine sword at some point. With a single sweeping slash, she shattered the Chaos Qi manifestations of the Vicious Ten. The two women immediately clashed in fierce combat. The shockwaves from their battle were equally horrifying.

Ling Yu, who had paused mid-departure, watched with visible shock in his eyes. As expected of the cultivation world, even its female cultivators possessed strength no inferior to his own. And the newly arrived man was even more terrifying. They were all still Half-Saints, yet the fight had already escalated to the point of deploying a quasi-immortal array?

Even if it was only a fragment—and a damaged one at that, this was simply outrageous. The more he witnessed, the more acutely Ling Yu felt the sheer terror of these two. He glanced at Ye Chen and transmitted a message, asking if assistance was needed.

In the Extreme Martial Realm, the culture of the strong humiliating the weak was deeply ingrained. He had always disliked that atmosphere. Yet Ye Chen—this overwhelmingly powerful figure—had never once looked down on or belittled him. That alone made Ling Yu genuinely willing to befriend him.

Ye Chen watched as the two women clashed fiercely. The words "no need" that had been on the tip of his tongue were quietly swallowed back. Even if they joined forces, even with Alkaid bolstering himself with a fragment of a damaged quasi-immortal array, it meant nothing to him. But since Yan Qingcheng had already stepped in, there was no point refusing.

Besides, accepting her help would give him all the more reason to present her with gifts later. As for Ling Yu's earnest voice transmission in his mind, Ye Chen couldn't help but smile. This fellow really was warm-hearted. Still, he waved a hand lightly in refusal.

Ye Chen lifted his gaze toward Alkaid, who stood within the array patterns. Chaos Qi steamed from the other man's body, giving off a sensation strikingly similar to that of his fiancée. Yet Ye Chen could sense that Alkaid's Acquired Chaos Body had advanced even further. Clearly, the other party had truly grasped a method to push the Chaos Body beyond its previous limits. If he could obtain that technique, it would be quite useful!

…

Ye Chen made no immediate move to attack. Alkaid likewise remained still, merely gazing at Ye Chen with a complicated expression. The very first time he had encountered Ye Chen, an instinctive wariness had risen in his heart. He had sensed that if this young man were allowed to grow unchecked, he would become a formidable enemy on the Immortal Path.

Back then, though, he hadn't taken Ye Chen too seriously. But in the blink of an eye, Ye Chen had become the most dazzling prodigy on the entire Immortal Path. He now stood shoulder to shoulder with figures like the Heavenly Emperor's Successor and the Eight-Crowned King.

What shocked Alkaid the most was that Ye Chen had even stolen away his position as the true heir of the Devouring lineage. If not for the fact that he knew far too many secrets of the Devouring lineage—including its internal structure—and if the lineage hadn't feared him dragging them down in mutual destruction, they likely would have exposed his identity long ago, turning him into a public enemy with nowhere to hide in the cultivation world.

Alkaid Holy Son stared fixedly at Ye Chen and let out a soft sigh.

"If this weren't the final lifetime on the Immortal Path, upon meeting a prodigy of your caliber, Fellow Daoist Ye, I truly wouldn't mind becoming friends with you. Once one reaches the quasi-immortal realm, the wiser choice would be to avoid conflict, seal oneself away, and wait patiently for the next opening of the Immortal Path.

"Unfortunately, there will be no next time. So I can only stand on the opposite side from you. Even though I already placed immense importance on you, it seems I still underestimated you by far. If I wait any longer, the gap between us will only grow wider. That is why I have now severed the saint realm cultivation I painstakingly acquired and come to the fourth realm. This is my final, best chance to kill you!"

Endless helplessness flickered in Alkaid's eyes.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow at the words. He believed half of what Alkaid said. Given the other man's mastery of the art of survival and caution, if there truly were another lifetime on the Immortal Path, Alkaid might very well avoid him and bide his time for the next cycle.

But only half. Self-severing his cultivation? He might have believed it coming from someone else. But from Alkaid—this man who had provoked him back in the Unity realm, yet managed to survive and even reach sainthood through sheer cunning—Ye Chen didn't buy it for a second.

Yet from what he could see, Alkaid truly appeared to be the main body, not a clone or incarnation. Still, the demonic body shed by the Indestructible Heavenly Art had once been his very own flesh. It wasn't some blood-flesh construct—it was an authentic, original body. Its aura was indistinguishable from the true self, so it was only natural that he couldn't tell the difference.

Though Ye Chen had his suspicions, he showed nothing on his face. He simply raised an eyebrow and asked directly: "You've found a way to break through the limit of the Acquired Chaos Body?"

Alkaid's divine-king-like, radiant body slowly nodded in response.

"I know that with your talent, you disdain cultivating the Indestructible Heavenly Art and have no need for a Chaos Body. That Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden Yi Qingwu has likely already reached perfection as well, hasn't she? How enviable for Fairy Yi—she achieved completion without ever leaving her holy land!

"Unlike me, who had to resort to every scheme, every trick, every calculation just to reach this step. I have indeed studied the methods of those who came before and gained some insights. I can continue advancing. In the future, if I can complete it, perhaps not only an Innate Chaos Body—even a Chaos Immortal Body may no longer be out of reach! And that very method… I carry it with me."

At those words, Ye Chen's eyebrows lifted sharply. Deep in his heart, his conviction only grew stronger. This guy had definitely turned his demonic body into a true clone and deliberately come here to deliver himself to death!

Chapter 859: The Magnanimous Alkaid?

The corners of Alkaid Holy Son's mouth always carried a faint smile. He was refined and gentle, exuding an effortless warmth that made him immensely likable. Among the prodigies of the cultivation world, his status had always been exceptionally high. Only his defeat at Ye Chen's hands back then had slightly dimmed his brilliance.

Even now, with his transcendent bearing, Alkaid faced Ye Chen not as an enemy, but almost like a guide—calm and unruffled as he continued speaking. "This technique is right here. In the battle to come, should I fall, you may take it for yourself. With your talent, perhaps you could even perfect it—surpassing immortal scriptures entirely and truly breaking the restrictions of the Indestructible Heavenly Art…"

"If that day comes, even in death, I would be gratified. And if you are the one to fall, then in the future, I will seek out the Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden Yi Qingwu and devour her. A perfected Chaos Body will surely bring me tremendous inspiration. As for the Innate Chaos Body ahead of us—I will pay her a visit in due time as well."

Alkaid made no effort to conceal his intentions. He treated this battle as the final confrontation between himself and Ye Chen. And his demeanor was truly grand and open—every bit the bearing that belonged to a supreme prodigy.

Even Ling Yu, who had been rejected earlier and now stood at a distance, felt a surge of admiration. Though this man clearly cultivated some sinister art, he carried himself with genuine magnanimity. His talent was staggering—he had actually modified an immortal scripture in an attempt to shatter its limits. The cultivation world truly overflowed with prodigies. His own Extreme Martial Realm could not even compare.

Yan Qingcheng raised an eyebrow at Alkaid's words but paid him little further attention. Instead, she furrowed her brows and pressed her assault toward Dantai Xuan.

Dantai Xuan fought in a very strange manner—cold, emotionless, as though embodying the ruthlessness of the Great Dao itself. Though Yan Qingcheng held the upper hand and was steadily suppressing her, she still found it difficult to fully pin her down in the short term.

…

On Ye Chen's side, his conviction only deepened. A man like Alkaid—who had repeatedly schemed against him in the shadows, slandered him, orchestrated ambushes, launched sneak attacks, and even targeted the people around him—could never truly be this magnanimous.

To now act so generously, even offering up a technique he had painstakingly researched and refined… There could only be a larger scheme at play. And what was it?

Most likely, Ye Chen's current dominance and the clear hostility he harbored toward Alkaid had made the other man anxious. He wanted to fake his death and slip away, then bide his time to rebuild his strength. Ye Chen had no intention of hunting down Alkaid's true body. The real Alkaid was surely still hiding somewhere in the fifth realm of the Immortal Path—impossible to locate.

But that was fine. No matter what Alkaid's true goal was, as long as Ye Chen could obtain the technique he claimed to carry, the gain would be massive. As for the main body, once the opportunity arose, Ye Chen would naturally not let him escape.

"Ever since you first encountered me, you have schemed against me in the dark—slandering me, surrounding me with ambushes, launching sneak attacks, even going after the people close to me… And now you speak so nobly and righteously. Enough words. Let me send you on your way!"

Ye Chen pretended ignorance, saving the surprise for later. In the next instant, he stepped forward with the Movement Secret. His speed reached its absolute limit in a single breath—his figure blurring into near-invisibility as he charged straight toward Alkaid Holy Son.

Alkaid gave a faint smile. The array patterns beneath him flared, channeling terrifying power into his body. His black hair danced lightly; divine light radiated from him in all directions. In that moment, he resembled an immortal god descended to the mortal world.

An oppressive, bone-chilling aura emanated from him. The divine light around his body suddenly exploded outward. Endless radiance surged like a gale-driven tidal wave, crashing toward Ye Chen. Wherever it passed, the void twisted and shattered into countless fragments.

This was one of Alkaid Holy Land's supreme immortal scriptures: the Chaos Holy Light Technique. Alkaid had already mastered it to the point of perfection. Once the holy light emerged, it could sweep away all enemies under heaven, dissolving nearly anything in its path. Yet divine radiance flowed across Ye Chen's body. He didn't even need to actively resist—the light parted effortlessly around him, unable to hinder his advance as he drew steadily closer to Alkaid's main body.

Alkaid's true form showed no hesitation. With the array patterns supporting him, he too executed the Movement Secret and retreated. He left behind only afterimages in his wake, making it nearly impossible for outsiders to track his true position. Even as he withdrew, Alkaid swept his hand outward. His fingers flickered as he began channeling techniques.

Under the enhancement of the quasi-immortal remnant array, every movement he made became terrifyingly amplified. One after another, devastating secret arts were unleashed with casual gestures. Some came from Alkaid Holy Land's immortal scriptures. Others were divine techniques from the Indestructible Heavenly Art. Still more belonged to the Heaven-Devouring Demon Art…

And that wasn't all. Alkaid had also mastered secret arts from numerous other mysterious ancient scriptures—including several of the Nine Secrets. He had brought nearly all of them to the peak of mastery. Every strike carried heaven-shaking, earth-shattering power.

Under the array's amplification, almost every single attack he unleashed possessed the might to slay a saint. Several of those techniques crashed directly into Ye Chen. Though Ye Chen remained completely unharmed, the entire fourth realm trembled violently from the impacts. It was more than enough proof of just how terrifying Alkaid had become.

Yet Ye Chen paid no mind to any of it. Ten thousand techniques slid off him without touching. Executing the same Movement Secret, he moved even faster than Alkaid.

In the blink of an eye, he closed the distance and threw a punch without the slightest hesitation. That single fist carried such terrifying power that it seemed ready to tear open the sky of the fourth realm itself.

Alkaid knew full well how monstrous Ye Chen's physique was—he had no intention of meeting it head-on. The remnant quasi-immortal array patterns beneath his feet flared brightly.

Power from the array rose up, condensing into a divine mirror that tried to block the strike. But Ye Chen's physical body was simply too overwhelming. One punch shattered the mirror into fragments.

Alkaid was sent flying backward in an explosive retreat. Yet thanks to the array's mitigation, only half his body detonated into bloody mist. Chaos Qi flickered a few times, and the damage healed in an instant.

Still, Alkaid's expression could no longer maintain its previous composure. Gone was the calm elegance. Endless Chaos Qi surged outward, wrapping around him in a strange, unique manner that further bolstered his strength.

At the same time, an ancient, powerful secret art began to circulate within him, carrying an aura that felt impossibly old. Alkaid grew even more cautious, maintaining distance from Ye Chen. The techniques he unleashed grew sharper and more ferocious with every exchange. Each strike seemed capable of ripping half the firmament apart.

Alkaid spared no cost, determined to obliterate Ye Chen completely. In that moment, the entire world seemed to shrink until only the two of them remained. Only flashing divine light and the ceaseless rumbling of destruction filled the heavens and earth.

Yet Ye Chen's physique was despair-inducingly strong. From afar, Ling Yu watched in utter shock. Even techniques of such terrifying caliber could not harm Ye Chen in the slightest. This was true supreme physique—untouched by myriad laws. Compared to it, his own Martial Dao Sacred Embryo seemed almost ordinary.

…

On Ye Chen's side, he seemed to have grown bored. A Kun Peng cry echoed. Its divine shadow flashed into existence. The Small Spatial Technique was layered on top. Ye Chen's figure vanished from his original spot in an instant. The next moment, he reappeared directly behind Alkaid Holy Son.

Under Alkaid's stunned gaze, Ye Chen's fist smashed downward. Beneath that single punch, Alkaid's body—and the remnant array beneath his feet—both exploded apart in unison.

The shockwave rolled outward, tearing away half the sky. Far-off cultivators who had finally hurried over, drawn by the commotion and intending to watch the battle, stared with wide, horrified eyes at the scene.

Who was the heir of the Heavenly Emperor fighting? Who possessed such horrifying strength? Were they about to destroy the entire fourth realm?

Countless people speculated wildly. And soon, they received their answer!

Chapter 860: Alkaid Falls!

The onlookers did not dare approach. Though they were all Half-Saints, and the combatants ahead were also Half-Saints, the gap between Half-Saints had already become clearer to them than the difference between humans and dogs.

If they drew too close, even the residual shockwaves from the battle might kill them outright. Right now, they only wanted to know who possessed such terrifying power that they could fight the heir of the Heavenly Emperor on equal footing.

…

At the center of the battlefield, Ye Chen swept his gaze around and looked calmly ahead. In the void before him, a jade stone shimmered. Within it, a single drop of blood slowly circulated.

In the next instant, the blood began to change. In the blink of an eye, Alkaid Holy Son reappeared before him—flesh and blood fully restored.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. Alkaid's comprehension really was astonishing. The fact that he possessed the Healing Secret came as no surprise.

After all, Ye Chen had obtained the Healing Secret from Ying Tiansheng. And Ying Tiansheng had been one of the great medicines cultivated by Alkaid.

The Healing Secret was miraculous—it could heal hidden injuries to body and soul during daily cultivation, and in battle, it allowed instantaneous regeneration of flesh and recovery from wounds. But rebirth from a single drop of blood required profound mastery of the secret, reaching its absolute peak.

When combined with the realization that Alkaid's Acquired Chaos Body had truly broken through the restrictions of the Indestructible Heavenly Art, his level of insight was frankly absurd.

Yet the revived Alkaid made no move to attack. Rebirth through the Healing Secret came at a cost. His aura had clearly weakened considerably. With the quasi-immortal remnant array now shattered and its power no longer bolstering him, he stood no chance against Ye Chen.

Defeated, Alkaid grew strangely calm instead. A faint regret lingered in his eyes as he spoke with quiet emotion.

"My parents were both Holy Masters, each possessing extraordinary talent. Yet I, their third son, was born with extremely poor aptitude. After several examinations in my infancy, I was found to possess only low-grade spiritual roots. From that moment on, my parents never spared me another glance. They simply handed me off to others and left me to fend for myself…

"When I grew older, the elders still gave me the status of an outer disciple—out of respect for my parents' faces. I had parents of peerless talent. I had an elder brother with heavenly spiritual roots and the Holy Light Divine Body. Yet my own aptitude was so wretched. That brother once came to me personally and told me to end my own life—to stop disgracing them.

"Then later, I seized the opportunity and became a candidate for the true heir of the Devouring lineage… In the trial secret realm, I rose above the rest and became the true heir. The very first great medicine the Demon-Exterminating Great Saint sent me… was my own brother.

"I knew it was a test of loyalty—to cut off any path of retreat and probe my character at the same time. But in truth, no test was needed. I wanted nothing more than to devour that brother of mine. Not just him. The parents who birthed me yet abandoned me because of my poor aptitude—I wanted to devour them too. I possessed the potential to become an immortal. Yet in the end, you took everything from me…

"In my eyes, neither the Eight-Crowned King nor the Heavenly Emperor's Son could compare to even a fraction of you… My only regret is that when I first sensed you as a threat, I did not immediately ask a great saint to kill you… One misstep led to every mistake that followed!"

Alkaid Holy Son knew his Destiny was sealed. Memories flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern. He hid nothing of his secrets. His voice echoed clearly across the surroundings. The onlookers stared at that still-smiling, radiant figure, their eyes filled with shock…

The one who had just fought such a terrifying battle was the long-silent Alkaid Holy Son? Alkaid Holy Son actually possessed such strength? Most shocking of all—the man known far and wide for his gentle elegance, his kindness to others, the one they called "Timely Rain"—was actually the true heir of the Devouring lineage? And the brother who had vanished years ago… had been personally devoured and sent away by him?

The revelation was earth-shattering. Everyone could already imagine the tremor that would sweep the entire cultivation world once this news spread.

After he finished speaking, Alkaid gazed calmly at Ye Chen.

"Make your move."

Ye Chen did not rush to strike. Nor did Alkaid's words stir even the slightest ripple in his emotions. Instead, he simply extended his hand.

"Where is the technique you mentioned—the one that breaks the restrictions of the Indestructible Heavenly Art?"

Alkaid gave a carefree laugh.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, you really do care deeply for your dao companion. A peerless genius like you will never understand the bitterness I felt back then—lying in the dust, looking up at the prodigies above me. Fine. I know Fellow Daoist Ye has no patience for men, so I won't waste words."

"This is the technique I created. It can preliminarily surpass the restrictions of the Indestructible Heavenly Art, though it cannot yet fully transform into an Innate Chaos Body! With your unparalleled talent, please—take it."

With those words, he tossed a jade slip forward.

With those words, a jade slip flew out from Alkaid and streaked through the air like a comet, landing directly in front of Ye Chen. Ye Chen accepted it without the slightest hesitation or suspicion.

As for Alkaid's earlier remarks? He didn't take them to heart at all. He didn't understand low-born cultivators?

Heh.

Alkaid's starting point had been far higher than his own back in the marketplace—when Lin Ke'er treated him like a fool, and he had trembled with fear just watching a Foundation Establishment battle.

But Ye Chen had no interest in comparing whose early life had been more miserable. Besides, he had already seen through the performance. He was certain they would meet again before long.

So without another word, Ye Chen threw another punch from afar. This time, with no remnant quasi-immortal array to protect him, Alkaid had no chance of survival.

Yet Alkaid showed no panic. He simply lifted his head and gazed at the sky, his eyes filled with reminiscence and peaceful acceptance.

Just like that, before the eyes of everyone watching, Alkaid met his end calmly. His body exploded apart in a burst of light.

…

The onlookers wore complicated expressions. The true heir of the Devouring lineage of this generation had never been exposed—until today. And the moment his identity came to light, he fell. Even though they reviled him for being the Devouring heir, after hearing the life story Alkaid had just recounted, they couldn't help feeling a surge of mixed emotions.

Alkaid's will and character were truly astonishing—even among all the true heirs of the Devouring lineage throughout history, he ranked at the very top. If he hadn't encountered an absolute monster like this generation's heir of the Heavenly Emperor, he might very well have had a real chance at immortality. Yet such a monster had died here.

Everyone turned their gazes toward Ye Chen, who stood calmly in the void. The awe in their eyes deepened. The truth behind today's battle would inevitably shock the entire cultivation world. And Alkaid's final words—declaring that Ye Chen far surpassed both the Eight-Crowned King and the Heavenly Emperor's Son—were bound to stir up enormous waves.

As for Ye Chen himself, of course he understood that Alkaid had deliberately said those things to stir up trouble and make more enemies for him. But he didn't care in the slightest. His gaze shifted toward the battlefield where Yan Qingcheng and Dantai Xuan were still clashing.

For some reason, even though Ye Chen had already freed himself and could intervene at any moment, Yan Qingcheng fought with even greater ferocity. Meanwhile, Dantai Xuan—who had started on even footing but gradually fallen into a disadvantage—showed no trace of anger or humiliation.

Her mind remained perfectly calm and rational. Her opponent possessed a complete Innate Chaos Body. That was a constitution bordering on an immortal level. Whereas she herself had only an incomplete immortal physique—far too deficient in comparison.

Moreover, in this cultivation world, she could not commune with the Supreme, leaving many of her techniques incomplete. Losing was only natural.

Dantai Xuan had never cared about victory or defeat. She simply understood that with Ye Chen's overwhelming dominance, the Heavenly Will Dao-Entrust Jade was now completely out of reach.

In that case, why keep fighting?

Without hesitation, Dantai Xuan drifted backward and withdrew gracefully!