ISWI Chapter 1034-1035 (Patreon)

Chapter 1034: Supreme Hall!

Ye Chen actually felt a bit troubled. An eighty-thousand-fold multiplier combined with a strong need for the World Tree made someone like Wang Xuanji an extremely rare and almost perfect gift candidate.

However, the moment she met him, she had started painting grand promises for him. Clearly, she had been misled by the rumors circulating in the cultivation world about him, thinking that as long as she crooked her finger, he would come running obediently. Did she really think he was that kind of person?

With that kind of mentality, it would be very difficult for her to feel any genuine gratitude. More likely, she would simply accept the World Tree as something that was rightfully hers. Without the critical hit from gratitude, the gift would lose most of its value to him.

There was only one World Tree, and it was comparable to an Immortal Spirit Root. The treasure he would receive in feedback after gifting it would naturally be unimaginable.

Under such circumstances, he couldn't afford to gamble on her attitude. Should he test her by giving her a few smaller gifts first? But that might instead make her grow complacent and take things even more for granted.

After hesitating for a moment, Ye Chen made up his mind.

He would keep her hanging. In simple terms, before obtaining the World Tree, he would give her no sense of security at all. He would make her constantly anxious and uncertain, wondering whether he would eventually give her the World Tree.

Then, at the moment when she felt her hopes were nearly gone, he would suddenly give her a big surprise. Under such dramatic ups and downs, he should be able to reliably trigger both a critical hit and a devastating blow.

Once he figured out his strategy for dealing with Wang Xuanji, Ye Chen immediately began to carry it out.

A trace of barely noticeable anticipation flashed in Ye Chen's eyes, though it was mostly filled with hesitation. He gave Wang Xuanji a bitter smile and said, "Fairy's experience truly fills me with regret... But this matter concerns becoming an immortal, which is also very important to me. I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to help you. However, after I become an immortal, I am willing to give you one entry slot to send you back to the Immortal Realm.”

Upon hearing this, Wang Xuanji's heart sank. She was certain that Ye Chen had some good feelings toward her. He had secretly glanced at her several times, especially at her lips. Yet he still refused. Even if it was said politely, it was still a rejection. Send her back to the Immortal Realm?

Without the World Tree to restore her spirit root, returning would be meaningless. If she was going to die anyway, what difference did it make where she waited for death? But how could she accept such an ending?

Still, Ye Chen's refusal was understandable. The World Tree only lacked one more strand of Immortal Qi to begin its transformation. No matter who won this generation's battle, the Immortal Qi would surely be integrated into the World Tree. Refining the World Tree would allow one to become an immortal using the Immortal Qi within it.

Therefore, there was still only one slot available this generation. Since it concerned becoming an immortal, even someone as generous as Ye Chen would not give it away easily.

However, the fact that Ye Chen could offer her such a precious Immortal Realm entry slot without hesitation proved that the rumors about him were true. He really was obsessed with women and was willing to win the favor of top female cultivators through gifts. And he clearly already had quite a bit of goodwill toward her.

It was just that, compared to the World Tree, it still wasn't enough. From now on, she only needed to work hard to raise her position in Ye Chen's heart and keep him hanging. There was a good chance that, at the final moment, she could make him relent and gift her the World Tree.

Thinking of this, a determined light flashed in Wang Xuanji's eyes. She must become the most important woman in Ye Chen's heart.

…

"I'm sorry. My request was too excessive and has put Fellow Daoist Ye in a difficult position.”

Wang Xuanji lowered her head and spoke softly.

Ye Chen waved his hand. "I understand, Fairy. But there is only one slot to become an immortal in this realm. If I don't keep it in my own hands, I won't feel at ease.”

Wang Xuanji nodded understandingly and did not press the matter further. Instead, she spoke with a trace of melancholy, "My Wang Family is a native lineage of the Immortal Realm and has no descendants or orthodox branches in the cultivation world. Therefore, may I impose upon the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land for a while longer?”

Since Ye Chen was unwilling now, saying more would be pointless. Being too anxious would only make him repulsed. It was better to slowly build their relationship. As long as she could stay by his side, that was enough.

Ye Chen nodded at once. However, a thought suddenly crossed his mind. He recalled the Supreme Hall's personal disciple token he had received as feedback when he previously gifted the Heavenly Emperor Hall's successor token. He was somewhat curious about what level the Supreme Hall held in the Immortal Realm.

Thus, he asked casually, "I once read in ancient texts that there is a force in the Immortal Realm called the Supreme Hall. I wonder if Fairy has ever heard of it…”

Supreme Hall?

Wang Xuanji's brows furrowed slightly upon hearing the name.

"The Supreme Hall is the oldest orthodox lineage in the Immortal Realm. It was once the most powerful force in the cultivation world, possessing three Immortal Kings who looked down upon the ages. It also had several of the strongest true immortals, all with the potential to become Immortal Kings. For example, the Chaotic Ancient True Immortal and others who emerged from this realm. In short, its strength was terrifying.

"However, after the Other Domain invaded, the Supreme Hall suffered the heaviest blow. All three Immortal Kings were surrounded and killed by foreign Immortal Kings. As for Chaotic Ancient and the others, most of them either fell or were crippled, disappearing without a trace.

"Take Chaotic Ancient, for instance. He was crippled with a single move by He Wushuang, the Heavenly Emperor's great enemy back then, and eventually vanished completely. He is most likely dead. After that, the Supreme Hall declined. However, its foundations were deep enough that it can still be considered the most terrifying force below the Immortal King level.”

Wang Xuanji calmly explained the situation of the Supreme Hall. Her emotions, however, were somewhat complicated. She had not yet been born during the previous invasion by the Other Domain. But as the sole heir of the Wang Family, she had access to many hidden secrets.

The decline of the Supreme Hall was inextricably linked to many families in the Immortal Realm. The fall of the three Immortal Kings, in particular, was said to have involved betrayal and ambush. There were also issues surrounding how Chaotic Ancient and the others had encountered He Wushuang and the other foreign experts.

Most importantly, Wang Xuanji had a vague feeling that these matters were somehow connected to her own family. This occasionally caused her great discomfort. She felt that her family had been in the wrong.

Yet both her late Immortal King ancestor and her father along with his brothers had made those choices for the sake of the family's continued survival. She carried the blood of an Immortal King and had enjoyed resources provided by the family her entire life. What right did she have to criticize them?

Therefore, Wang Xuanji did not wish to say more. She only gave a general overview without adding any slander.

Ye Chen frowned as he listened. This Supreme Hall sounded like it had become a target of public criticism. It was a thorn in the side of the Other Domain. And if most forces in the Immortal Realm wanted to surrender, they would certainly hold no goodwill toward the Supreme Hall either. If he joined such a force, he would probably be mocked and ridiculed every day, constantly forced into pretentious confrontations and face-slapping scenarios.

Moreover, the Supreme Hall no longer even had an Immortal King. Its backing was not strong enough. It didn't feel very suitable for him.

Ye Chen pondered for a moment, brows still furrowed. In the end, he stopped thinking about it. Once he entered the Immortal Realm later, he could observe the situation more carefully. If the Supreme Hall was truly in a precarious state, surrounded by troubles, he could simply switch to another faction. With the system on his side, it shouldn't be a big problem.

Ye Chen stretched lazily. He no longer wanted to dwell on these matters and planned to go see his fiancée. But at that moment, an elder flew over from the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's mountain gate. With a complicated expression, he bowed respectfully to Ye Chen and said: "Greetings, Fourth Holy Son. At the mountain gate, the Holy Maiden of the Alkaid Holy Land requests an audience…”

Chapter 1035: The Holy Maiden Has Arrived!

Ye Chen's eyes flashed with surprise.

The Holy Maiden of the Alkaid Holy Land? Hadn't the Alkaid Holy Land already fled?

After the Alkaid Holy Son's death, the Holy Master, ancestors, and other core higher-ups had all run away. The Alkaid Holy Land had basically been carved up completely.

Many forces in the cultivation world had been hunting them down. After all, the Alkaid Holy Land had once been a top-tier power, and with the Age of Dharma's End approaching, everyone coveted the deep foundations held by its higher-ups. It was said that the Alkaid higher-ups had been discovered several times, leading to multiple secret battles with considerable losses.

However, Ye Chen had never paid much attention to them and had no interest in personally hunting them down. The Holy Master had only made a token effort before losing interest as well, and with the Alkaid Holy Land on the run, there had been no time to exterminate them completely.

Yet today, the Alkaid Holy Maiden had taken the initiative to come to him? What was going on?

Ye Chen frowned, feeling somewhat puzzled, but he waved his hand and instructed the elder to bring her in.

…

On the side, Wang Xuanji's expression turned slightly complicated, a hint of disdain flickering in her eyes. Over the past few days, she had thoroughly investigated Ye Chen's background and learned everything about his life.

He had pursued his own master after she fled to another sect. He had taken both aunt and niece, and both of them now lived on Holy Son Peak. He had also taken both master and disciple.

There was even the incident where he first killed someone's child, then saved another, using both grace and intimidation to force the child's mother into submission. He had killed another's fiancé, taken the fiancée for himself, and even seized the position of Holy Son. And this Alkaid Holy Maiden was precisely the former fiancée of the Alkaid Holy Son.

The wedding had been imminent when the Holy Son suddenly self-exposed his Devouring True Inheritor identity, causing the marriage to fall through. Afterward, the Alkaid Holy Land had been relentlessly hunted.

Now the Holy Maiden was suddenly showing up at his door… It was hard for Wang Xuanji not to suspect that this was the exact outcome Ye Chen had planned from the very beginning.

To be honest, there were plenty of lustful male cultivators in the Immortal Realm. But someone as completely unrestrained and utterly shameless as Ye Chen was unprecedented.

For a moment, Wang Xuanji even doubted whether Ye Chen was truly the Heavenly Emperor's heir.

…

Soon, a female cultivator arrived.

She had a delicate, fair face and skin as white and flawless as beautiful jade.

She wore a pure white Holy Maiden robe embroidered with golden patterns. The robe gave her an air of noble elegance while remaining fresh and otherworldly, perfectly outlining her graceful figure. Most striking of all was her long black hair that reached her hips.

The glossy, raven-black strands cascaded down like a waterfall, flowing smoothly over her jade-like back and slender waist. Her perfect figure even gave shape to the flowing hair. She was breathtakingly beautiful. This woman was none other than the Holy Maiden of Alkaid.

The moment she saw Ye Chen, she knelt down directly. Her willow-like waist bent gracefully, causing her smooth black hair to flow even more fluidly. Her gaze toward Ye Chen was extremely complicated — filled with reverence, anxiety, confusion, and a faint trace of expectation…

At the same time, Ye Chen looked at her. Seeing that the system gave no prompt, he proactively opened it and glanced at her multiplier.

"Fu Qingying: Three thousand times!”

Not long ago, Ye Chen had adjusted the system to only show multipliers starting from eight thousand times. Three thousand times could only be considered average to him.

Therefore, Ye Chen merely glanced over it indifferently and said in a cold tone, "What brings the Holy Maiden of Alkaid here?”

The Alkaid Holy Maiden was only at the half-Saint realm, which was not particularly high.

Upon hearing his question, she immediately replied, "I have come on behalf of our Jade Pool Holy Land to apologize to the Holy Son!”

Ye Chen's expression remained largely unchanged. Even though she maintained such a low and submissive posture, still kneeling, he showed little reaction. The Alkaid Holy Land had done many things against him.

For example, when he had been breaking through to the Mahayana realm and was away for ten years, many of those who attacked the people around him had been from Alkaid.

Later, several assassination attempts against him had also received assistance from the Alkaid Holy Land. Especially during the time when Yan Wenwen and Yan Ruyu had been trapped, the Alkaid Holy Land had contributed greatly.

Ye Chen didn't exactly hate them. After all, no one would truly hate ants, and he had been too lazy to deal with them personally. But likewise, he had no intention of helping them either.

Seeing Ye Chen's indifferent expression, the Alkaid Holy Maiden's heart jolted. Her voice, clear as a spring, spoke again: "Our Alkaid Holy Land is fully aware of our grave sins. We have specially brought gifts, hoping only that the Holy Son will forgive us!”

As soon as she finished speaking, the Alkaid Holy Maiden opened her cave heaven. In an instant, the terrifying aura of an immortal artifact surged forth, far surpassing ordinary immortal weapons.

Both Ye Chen and Wang Xuanji raised their eyebrows at the same time.

Inside the cave heaven opened by the Alkaid Holy Maiden, a pitch-black cauldron with a golden sheen slowly rotated. It was covered in dazzling divine patterns, each one resembling a true dragon soaring into the sky.

At first glance, the entire cauldron looked like a coiling true dragon. Even though it had not been fully awakened, its terrifying aura was undeniable.

"Dragon Pattern Black Gold Cauldron!”

Ye Chen spoke, his brow slightly raised.

Wang Xuanji was also pleasantly surprised. There was actually a mid-grade immortal artifact left in the cultivation world! With this item, her strength would surely surge dramatically thanks to her powerful divine soul.

The Dragon Pattern Black Gold Cauldron had an extraordinary origin. It had once been an Extreme Dao Weapon passed down through generations. Every great expert of the Alkaid Holy Land would carve their own insights into divine patterns on the cauldron's body.

Later, a heavenly genius from the Alkaid Holy Land achieved immortality and let the cauldron undergo heavenly tribulation, absorbing the essence of heaven and earth until it finally became a true immortal artifact of unmatched power.

It could be said that half of the Alkaid Holy Land's status came from this Dragon Pattern Black Gold Cauldron. While others only had low-grade immortal artifacts, the true immortals of Alkaid possessed a mid-grade one. The gap was obvious.

The Alkaid Holy Maiden's face was deathly pale. As a mere half-Saint, she could not withstand the pressure of an immortal artifact at all. In fact, someone else had placed the cauldron into her cave heaven; she didn't even have the ability to take it out herself.

Seeing a trace of surprise appear on Ye Chen's face, she felt slightly relieved and continued: "In addition to the Dragon Pattern Black Gold Cauldron, our Alkaid Holy Land has also brought out countless rare treasures accumulated over the years that may be useful to the Holy Son… Please take a look, Holy Son!”

As soon as her voice fell, streams of light flew out and landed in front of Ye Chen.

Ye Chen looked at them with raised brows, his expression remaining indifferent. The Alkaid Holy Land's reserves were indeed rich, worthy of a former top holy land. But to him, they were nothing special.

Wang Xuanji, however, raised her eyebrows in genuine surprise. The resources in the cultivation world seemed far less barren than she had imagined. These treasures would not be considered inferior even in the Immortal Realm; their value was quite high and enough to move most true immortals.

Among them was a divine stone that could strengthen the soul body — something that had already gone extinct in the Immortal Realm. If she could obtain it, it would provide considerable help and improvement to her cultivation of the Soul-Quelling Decree.

In short, Wang Xuanji was quite tempted. This trip to the lower realm no longer felt like a complete waste of time. If she could obtain the Dragon Pattern Black Gold Cauldron, she would no longer be as helpless against the Eight-Crowned King as before. And if she could get that soul-strengthening treasure, her divine soul sword embryo could advance even further.

As for whether she could actually obtain them?

Wang Xuanji was very confident. Although Ye Chen had not agreed to gift her the World Tree, he was willing to give her an entry slot. That was enough to prove her attractiveness to him. Given Ye Chen's usual behavior, as long as she gave a subtle hint, these items should naturally end up in her hands.

While Wang Xuanji was deep in thought, Ye Chen didn't even glance at the treasures. Without the slightest change in expression, he said coldly: "You may leave. I will not shelter the Alkaid Holy Land…”