ISWI Chapter 861-862 (Patreon)

Chapter 861: Just Kill Me Already!

In the fifth realm of the Immortal Path.

Deep within a certain stretch of void, a solitary figure sat motionless. Around him, endless Chaos Qi surged and crashed like raging waves, thundering without end. Yet the man remained utterly still. Beneath the relentless battering, his body steadily underwent transformation. After an unknown span of time, he slowly opened his eyes. Within those profound pupils seemed to lie an entire world.

"The demonic body fell exactly as I anticipated. Even with a fragment of a quasi-immortal array protecting it, it could not escape destruction. I once told the Demon-Exterminating Great Saint that I would use the demonic body as the primary material to forge a supreme Extreme Dao Weapon!

"Moreover, before this feigned death, I deliberately leaked the follow-up transformation method, revealed my identity as the true inheritor of the devouring scripture, and even exposed the true cause of my elder brother's death. The heir of the Heavenly Emperor should no longer harbor any suspicion. Still… the Heavenly Emperor's heir is even more terrifying than I imagined.

"With a quasi-immortal remnant array guarding it, my demonic body could have suppressed any ordinary peak saint with a casual gesture. Yet under his full power, it still could not withstand a single blow. This child is truly fearsome!"

Even so, no trace of despair flickered in Alkaid's eyes. So what if Ye Chen was peerlessly talented? So what if the Immortal Path in this era was unimaginably difficult?

He had faked his death. In the days to come, Ye Chen would inevitably clash with the Celestial Prince and the Eight-Crowned King. Meanwhile, he would continue to grow—uninterrupted—until he reached the absolute peak.

Moreover, handing Ye Chen the method to break the restrictions of the Indestructible Heavenly Art had been part of his scheme from the beginning.

Ye Chen's comprehension was monstrous; he grasped every path and law with ease. Perhaps he truly could perfect the technique and awaken an immortal physique. When the time was right—when Ye Chen was absent—he would simply go find Yi Qingwu and claim everything for himself. And beyond that, there was the woman his demonic body had encountered today.

In this life, a Chaos Body had actually appeared. A congenital Chaos Body, no less. If he could suppress and devour her, his understanding of the Chaos Body would rise to an entirely new level.

Ambition burned fiercely in Alkaid's gaze. His possibilities were limitless. For now, however, having only just faked his death, he had no intention of acting. He would wait until Ye Chen completely lowered his guard. Then he would strike—methodically, one move after another…

Once he achieved the Chaos Immortal Body, the heir of the Heavenly Emperor would become his greatest medicine. Together with immortal qi, he would ascend to immortality.

Having planned everything clearly, Alkaid slowly closed his eyes once more. All around him, the void grew still. Only this small patch of chaos continued its endless churning.

…

"For now, let him hide. Next time, if there's still no word from the Demon-Exterminating Great Saint, I'll use the Foresight Secret to locate Alkaid's true body and obliterate him!"

Though he had seen through everything, Alkaid's mental resilience was genuinely astonishing. The demonic fetus he had nurtured as a clone was hardly weaker than his main body and could have provided immense help in the future.

Yet Alkaid had discarded it without the slightest hesitation, sending it to its death. He had even gifted away a meticulously researched technique. All to make Ye Chen drop his guard completely.

The more ruthless Alkaid proved to be, the stronger Ye Chen's killing intent grew. A mind so deep and treacherous could not be allowed to live. Still, there were more pressing matters at hand.

Ye Chen turned his cold gaze toward Dantai Xuan. She had already lost interest in the meaningless fight and wanted to leave, but Yan Qingcheng kept her entangled.

Dantai Xuan frowned at Yan Qingcheng, then looked at Ye Chen and spoke: "I have no prior connection with Alkaid Holy Son. Just now, he only sent me a voice transmission, asking me to distract you for a moment. Since you are unharmed and Alkaid has perished, I have no intention of contending for the Heavenly Will Dao-Entrust Jade any longer. Let your woman stand down!"

Ye Chen did not care whether Dantai Xuan had been secretly colluding with Alkaid from the beginning. What mattered was that she had to be brought back.

Yet Yan Qingcheng was still fighting with relish, and Ye Chen had no intention of stopping her. Instead, he spoke gravely: "Holy Maiden, be careful with your words. Fairy Yan is not my dao companion—she is merely my fellow daoist! Whether she acts or stops is her decision alone. She has every right to do as she pleases. I have no authority to command Fairy Yan."

In any case, it was not yet time to offer a gift. The Heavenly Will Dao-Entrust Jade had not yet appeared. Ye Chen felt no urgency at all.

Hearing those words, the tension on Yan Qingcheng's face eased considerably. Ye Chen's display of strength just now had truly shaken her. She had believed herself to be fighting at roughly seventy percent of her power. But from what she had just witnessed, she was lucky to have managed thirty percent. She might not even be able to withstand a single serious exchange from him.

For someone as proud and self-assured as Yan Qingcheng, the realization came as a heavy blow. It left her feeling lost, a little fragile, which was why she had thrown herself so fiercely into suppressing Dantai Xuan—to prove something to herself. If Ye Chen had simply ordered her to stop earlier, she would have felt a flicker of resentment. But the way he had spoken—openly respecting her autonomy—swept away every last trace of that small grievance.

With her heart unburdened, Yan Qingcheng spoke up of her own accord: "At the half-saint realm, it's rare to find anyone who can truly stand as my equal in battle. I wanted to use this fight to test and confirm my own path and laws."

Ye Chen nodded at once. He even stepped back deliberately, intending to go chat with Ling Yu, who was still watching from the sidelines. No rush on his part. Let them fight. They could go on for a whole week if they wanted. Still, he offered one reminder: "Dantai Xuan is, after all, the Holy Maiden of our Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, and she shares a deep bond with my senior brother. Her current state is only the result of a problem with her cultivation technique. So please, Fairy Yan—subdue her if you must, but do not take her life."

Yan Qingcheng gave a small nod. With a sweep of her hand, she charged forward once more in a thunderous assault.

Dantai Xuan merely frowned. She had no interest in pointless exertion. In the world of cultivation, she could no longer commune with the Supreme Will. With her immortal physique incomplete, she could not bring her full strength to bear anyway.

She had no need for combat experience either. Once she reestablished her connection to the Supreme Will in the future, she would inherit the accumulated insights of generation after generation of Supremes.

Besides, because of Hua Yunfei, Ye Chen could never truly kill her, no matter the circumstances. So when Yan Qingcheng came roaring in, Dantai Xuan simply stood still. She withdrew every trace of her laws and Qi, refrained from using any divine abilities, and remained perfectly calm.

Yan Qingcheng narrowed her eyes, but she showed no mercy. Her Heavenly Emperor Fist, wreathed in Chaos Qi, lacked some of the original version's domineering aura yet carried a deeper resonance with the natural order of heaven.

One punch landed.

Dantai Xuan did not even attempt to dodge. Her body was smashed straight into the ground. When she rose again, her skin—once as smooth and lustrous as jade—now resembled shattered porcelain, covered in countless fine, spiderweb cracks.

The injuries were clearly severe. Yet her expression remained utterly indifferent. She made no effort to heal herself. She simply stood there in silence, gazing calmly at Yan Qingcheng. She had clearly resolved not to fight back. She had no intention of serving as a whetstone for Yan Qingcheng's growth. Her attitude was plain: If you want to kill me, then do it.

Yan Qingcheng frowned deeply. What she needed was a worthy opponent—someone who could push her to the limit so she could comprehend her own dao through true combat. Not a lifeless punching bag that refused to strike back. After one cold glance at Dantai Xuan, she withdrew her hand.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen gained a fresh understanding of the woman. She truly cared about nothing beyond her own objective. Knowing she would not die, she allowed herself to be pummeled without resistance.

Face, pain, humiliation—none of it mattered to her in the slightest. She had taken heartlessness and detachment to an extreme. An enemy like that was genuinely terrifying. That scripture known as the Supreme Emotionless… it really was far too aberrant.

Chapter 862: I Never Knew You Were This Kind of Senior Brother!

The Supreme Emotionless Scripture could twist a person into something so utterly perverse—it was downright diabolical. But Dantai Xuan was no one close to him. Ye Chen felt no particular pity. The only reason he was sparing her life was out of respect for his senior brother's request.

Over on her side, Dantai Xuan watched Yan Qingcheng withdraw with obvious disinterest. Only then did she gently form a hand seal. One by one, she mended the spiderweb cracks that had marred her porcelain-like skin.

Yet just as she prepared to leave, something occurred to her. Rumors outside painted her junior brother as a man utterly addicted to women. She had seen it with her own eyes: Holy Son Peak was filled entirely with female cultivators—even the elders were women. And in the wider world, he was said to be endlessly indulgent toward any woman who caught his eye.

Back when Ye Chen first met her, he had unhesitatingly gifted her the Northern Emperor War Chariot. At the time, she assumed he was simply currying favor with the Holy Maiden of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land.

Now, however, she saw it differently. Most likely, Ye Chen had taken one look at her and been moved by desire. If he was willing to bestow sacred spiritual root, origins, the Heavenly Emperor War Chariot, and even Nine Secrets upon other women… Then what about her?

If she offered to dual-cultivate with him once—just once—and let him fulfill his desires… Would he be willing to hand over the Heavenly Will Dao-Entrust Jade in exchange?

To the purity of this body, Dantai Xuan attached no importance whatsoever. Nothing mattered more than cultivation. Besides, once she pushed her Supreme Immortal Body to its ultimate peak, she would enter the Supreme Realm, merge completely with the Supreme Will, and achieve true transcendence…

In that light, bodily chastity was meaningless. With that thought, Dantai Xuan turned directly to Ye Chen and spoke in a grave, measured tone: "Fourth Holy Son, I know you have a fondness for female cultivators—the more the better. My appearance, Dantai Xuan, is second to none. My talent ranks among the absolute best of any female cultivator. As for my figure, my skin, everything else—they are flawless, without the slightest imperfection.

"Let us make a deal. Until the Heavenly Will Dao-Entrust Jade appears, you may do whatever you wish with my body. I have also heard that the Heavenly Desire Sect possesses the art of soul communication. I am willing to combine both. As long as you do not damage my aptitude or foundation, you may toy with me however you please during this time. All I ask is that, once the Heavenly Will Dao-Entrust Jade emerges, you give it to me."

Yan Qingcheng had already been stunned by Dantai Xuan's sheer ruthlessness—standing motionless while taking blow after blow. Hearing this now, she was even more shocked. This woman had thrown away every shred of dignity. To obtain the Heavenly Will Dao-Entrust Jade, she was actually saying such things.

"Do whatever you please with me"…

Disgusting.

Yan Qingcheng immediately frowned and looked toward Ye Chen. She believed he would refuse. Ye Chen could not possibly be that kind of man. Yet when she remembered how many dao companions he already had, a trace of uncertainty crept into her heart. And looking at Dantai Xuan—though her expression remained cold and detached, almost like that of an artifact spirit—her beauty and bearing were undeniably exceptional. Add in that aloof aura, and even Yan Qingcheng had to admit she was remarkable.

Would Ye Chen really turn her down?

…

Ye Chen was stunned for a moment upon hearing her words. But the very next instant, a wave of pity rose in his heart for the Holy Maiden who had once practiced a righteous path—before the Supreme Emotionless Scripture corrupted her.

This was her own body, yet it no longer truly belonged to her. The concept of chastity meant nothing to the current Dantai Xuan; she could toss it out as a bargaining chip without a second thought. For any woman, that was nothing short of a nightmare.

As for whether he would accept her proposal?

Absolutely not. Dantai Xuan's level was impressive, no question.

But at this point, Ye Chen genuinely had no shortage of women. Right now, she was little more than an emotionless automaton. Even if something did happen, it would feel no different from handling a doll—what was the point?

He had zero interest. Not to mention that his senior brother was still hopelessly infatuated with her. His own reputation might already be in tatters thanks to outside slander, but how could he possibly touch the woman his senior brother adored?

If word of that ever got out, not only would he be unable to face his senior brother as a brother anymore, but his reputation would collapse completely.

In short, Ye Chen shook his head without the slightest hesitation: "Please have some self-respect, Your Ladyship. No matter who you are now, this body once belonged to my senior sister. How could I possibly do such a thing to a fellow disciple? And above all, my senior brother's feelings for you run deep."

His immediate, unwavering refusal warmed Yan Qingcheng's eyes in an instant. She had known it. Ye Chen was not that kind of man. All the ugly rumors about him had been deliberately spread by her own father. When she returned this time, aside from discussing the handover of the Heavenly Emperor Hall, she would also have a serious talk with her father, telling him in no uncertain terms to stop secretly ruining Ye Chen's name.

Dantai Xuan's beautiful eyes narrowed slightly at his response. There was no trace of the shame, anger, or indignation that an ordinary woman might have felt after being rejected. Only confusion.

But Ye Chen was exactly this sort of person, wasn't he? He claimed he would never act against a fellow disciple. Yet on Holy Son Peak, whether it was An Miaoli, Lin Qingtan, or any of the other female disciples—weren't they all involved with him in one way or another?

He hadn't even spared the orphaned daughter of an elder. Even out here on the Immortal Path, she had heard the stories. So that excuse was false. The real reason for his refusal had to be the second one.

Hua Yunfei's deep feelings for her? It seemed Ye Chen had misunderstood. Because in her memories, Hua Yunfei had once personally told her exactly what kind of woman he preferred.

Calmly, Dantai Xuan spoke: "Hua Yunfei does not like me. At the time, rumors spread through Heavenly Evolution Holy Land that Hua Yunfei was fond of me. The talk grew quite loud. Hua Yunfei himself stepped forward to clarify and suppress the gossip. He even came to me directly to explain everything.

"He said the type of female cultivator he truly favored was one with a youthful, delicate face, a petite and dainty figure. He was kind to small-statured female cultivators because they reminded him of someone dear, and he enjoyed looking after them—but he harbored no romantic feelings.

"He told me that once, in the Land of Fallen Immortals, he had glimpsed the figure of a female cultivator. Though she had clearly lived through many years, her body remained small and delicate, her face eternally youthful. The sight left an indelible mark on him. Unfortunately, she vanished like a fleeting glimpse of a swan, and he could never find her again.

"Moreover, that female cultivator may well have been at the quasi-immortal realm. So you see—using the Heavenly Will Dao-Entrust Jade in exchange for a period of dual cultivation with me will not anger Hua Yunfei, nor will it damage your relationship with him…"

…

Listening to Dantai Xuan's explanation, Ye Chen's eyes widened. His senior brother had mentioned that Dantai Xuan still retained memories of her past. So what she said must be true.

Ye Chen truly never would have guessed that his gentle, warm, spring-breeze-like senior brother… was actually a connoisseur of legal lolis…

In that instant, every lingering confusion Ye Chen had ever felt about his senior brother suddenly clicked into place. What his senior brother truly desired… was legal lolis.

But in the cultivation world, female cultivators of that exact type were exceedingly rare. With spiritual qi nourishing the body and all manner of pills enhancing vitality, it was almost unheard of for a woman to age in years while her body and face remained frozen in perpetual youth and small stature.

That was why his senior brother had remained single until now. Ye Chen felt an urge to complain out loud. I never knew you were this kind of senior brother…

…

Seeing the sudden look of realization dawn on Ye Chen's face, Dantai Xuan understood that he had finally grasped the truth.

Hua Yunfei was no obstacle. So she spoke up proactively: "Now that you understand, shall we begin the transaction right away?"

From the way she said it, she seemed completely unbothered by Yan Qingcheng's presence nearby. As long as Ye Chen agreed, any time, any place, anything at all would be acceptable…