ISWI Chapter 1040-1041 (Patreon)

Chapter 1040: Heading to Central Continent!

Wang Xuanji narrowed her eyes in thought and eventually concluded that she simply had not spent enough time with him. Moreover, Ye Chen valued relationships deeply. If she invested more time, she could surely turn the situation around. Before she left, she would make sure Yi Qingwu paid the price.

…

Ye Chen looked at his fiancée, who appeared both resentful and satisfied, and could not help smiling. After she refined the Exilde Immortal's origin, her multiplier had already reached nine thousand times. The Celestial Prince's origin was even richer. Once she refined it, she would undoubtedly break ten thousand. And once she surpassed ten thousand times, she would finally get what she had always wanted.

Yi Qingwu was already quite fortunate. With her avatar, she could experience everything firsthand. Elder An had suffered far more in comparison. Now, even with them alternating, they had finally called a truce. Ye Chen finally had a moment to check the system notifications.

"Congratulations, Host. Gift successfully given…”

"Gift: Physique Origin!”

"Nine-thousand-fold feedback in progress.”

"Detected that the gifted item has triggered maximum critical strike feedback!”

"Host's Primordial Chaos Supreme Body increased to 2%!”

Ye Chen nodded at the feedback, not disappointed. His Primordial Chaos Supreme Body had already entered the percentage stage. Every single percent represented unimaginable depth. It was clear that only immortal physique origins could significantly advance it from now on.

"Don't rush to challenge the Eight-Crowned King. You still have plenty of room to grow. He should be the one feeling anxious. And if it becomes impossible, don't force it. At least I will always be by your side.”

Yi Qingwu spoke gently, urging him not to act impulsively. She was clearly worried the Eight-Crowned King was too powerful.

Ye Chen smiled and gently smoothed the worried frown on her forehead with his finger. "There's no need to worry. The Eight-Crowned King means nothing to me. But I won't go find him for now, because I want to spend more time with you.”

The moment he said that, Yi Qingwu's eyes lit up. Ye Chen's unwavering support earlier had deepened her feelings for him completely. The love that had once hidden beneath the surface now surged forth at every turn.

The two did not stay inside the cave mansion the entire time. In the following days, they traveled across mountains and waters. The skies, rivers, waterfalls, and valleys all bore traces of their time together.

The people of the Heavenly Intention Holy Land were naturally delighted. Seeing that Yi Qingwu had finally opened her heart and stopped being so stubborn, they all wore fond smiles.

The Alkaid Holy Maiden watched with open envy. Yi Qingwu was truly favored; the Heavenly Emperor's heir cherished her deeply. Still, she was quite satisfied with her own situation. She had already learned from outside sources that ever since news spread of her becoming the Heavenly Emperor's heir's servant girl and staying by his side, the core members of the Alkaid Holy Land were no longer being hunted. The territories that had been seized and divided were gradually returned by the various factions.

All of this was undoubtedly thanks to Ye Chen. His dominance and the rumors of his fondness for women made others unwilling to take risks, even if they doubted he would intervene. Of course, the treasures that had already been divided were not returned. Even so, both the Alkaid Holy Maiden and the Alkaid Holy Land's sect master were more than satisfied.

The Alkaid Holy Maiden had no intention of returning. She felt it was quite good to stay by the Holy Son's side. This opportunity was one she had to grasp firmly.

One month later, Ye Chen sat inside the Western Empress Holy Carriage and gently waved goodbye to his fiancée, whose complexion had grown even more radiant and nourished.

The Alkaid Holy Maiden stood attentively before him, serving at his side. Wang Xuanji, however, kept a slight distance. Her azure robes fluttered in the breeze, outlining her figure, but she refused to get too close to Ye Chen. Even though she understood his personality, she still felt he had not given her enough respect. She merely shot cold glances at Yi Qingwu.

Yi Qingwu's lips curved into a smile. Her beautiful face glowed with satisfaction as she ignored Wang Xuanji completely, which only deepened the latter's frustration.

…

Ye Chen paid no attention to their silent exchange. The Western Empress Holy Carriage shot forward and flew straight toward the Central Continent.

Wang Xuanji frowned. Was Ye Chen heading to the Central Continent to accept the challenge? It was still too early. Her relationship with him had not yet reached the necessary level. Even if he defeated the Eight-Crowned King and obtained the World Tree, it would have nothing to do with her. That was unacceptable.

Unable to hold back, she sped up and caught up to the carriage. "Fellow Daoist Ye, are you heading to the Immortal Path? I think it's too risky. Why not wait until the Immortal Qi truly emerges?”

At that moment, the Alkaid Holy Maiden had "accidentally” been blown by the astral winds and twisted her ankle, landing once again in Ye Chen's lap. When Wang Xuanji suddenly approached, she hurriedly tried to get up.

Ye Chen gave Wang Xuanji a few extra glances before nodding. "I am going to the Central Continent to deliver some gifts to my closest friends. I'm not in a hurry to go there yet.”

Wang Xuanji breathed a sigh of relief. As long as he was not rushing, it was fine. As for the "closest friends” he mentioned, one glance at the flushed Alkaid Holy Maiden told her everything. He was simply going to visit his dao companions again. She had already grown used to it.

However, time was limited. If she did not seize the opportunity soon, the World Tree might slip from her grasp. With this in mind, Wang Xuanji pressed her lips together and spoke softly, "Fellow Daoist Ye, I feel somewhat tired after flying for so long. May I trouble you by riding in the carriage together?”

Disappointment flashed across the Alkaid Holy Maiden's face. If Wang Xuanji joined them, she would no longer have an excuse to "lose her balance.”

Ye Chen smiled. He raised his hand, and a carriage at the supreme Extreme Dao Weapon level appeared, floating steadily in the void. "The immortal carriage is too small. You can have this one.”

Wang Xuanji was stunned. She had taken the initiative to ride with him despite her inner reluctance, just to spend more time talking and building their relationship. Yet Ye Chen had refused her.

For a moment, complex emotions and anger rose in her heart. Ye Chen had shared this carriage with countless women before. She had swallowed her distaste and forced herself to suggest it, yet he…

Still, she could not press the issue further. She forced a word of thanks and boarded the new carriage.

Ye Chen smiled as he pulled the Alkaid Holy Maiden into his arms and sat down with her. The Western Empress Holy Carriage resumed its journey.

Ever since traveling with Luo Bingling, Ye Chen had grown accustomed to having something to play with while riding. The Alkaid Holy Maiden's silky long hair offered its own unique charm. He had already confirmed that it was not just her hair—her entire physique was like this.

As for delaying his meeting with the Eight-Crowned King, it aligned perfectly with his intentions. Wang Xuanji's mindset was not yet adjusted. She still needed more time to wear down.

Chapter 1041: The Pitiful Ye Chen, Manipulated in the Palm of Her Hand!

After leaving the Heavenly Intention Holy Land, Ye Chen headed straight for the Central Continent. He made no effort to conceal his movements, which caused a stir across the region. Everyone assumed the Heavenly Emperor's heir had come to battle the Eight-Crowned King. For a time, the Immortal Path were packed with cultivators.

However, Ye Chen did not head to the Immortal Path. He went directly to the Myriad Races Immortal City instead. The cultivators waiting in the Immortal Path were left bewildered, but none left. After all, it was perfectly in character for the Heavenly Emperor's heir to visit his women before a major battle.

Upon arriving at the Myriad Races Immortal City, Ye Chen followed his usual routine and first went to see Yao Yuezhi. He spent half a month drinking tea with her. Even after she drank several bowls of strong tonic soup, the tea still lost its flavor. Only then did he leisurely make his way to the Peacock Clan's residence.

This time, Wang Xuanji did not keep her distance. She followed closely behind Ye Chen. If she wanted to grow closer to him and win his heart, staying away would achieve nothing. Yao Yuezhi's physique was decent enough to be a chief disciple in a small sect in the cultivation world—but Wang Xuanji did not spare her a proper glance. She was merely an ant, posing no threat.

Yet when she followed Ye Chen into the Peacock Clan's residence, she could not help frowning. The woman before her possessed an extraordinary bearing. More importantly, her aptitude was nearly flawless, faintly surpassing even Yi Qingwu.

Wang Xuanji immediately guessed her identity: Yan Ruyu.

Ye Chen, meanwhile, held Yan Wenwen, who had been eagerly waiting and had come out to welcome him in person. He ignored the Little Peacock King's complicated expression and looked with some surprise at the woman behind Yan Wenwen.

Yan Ruyu had changed once again. She appeared even more complete and harmonious, as if she had reached a certain limit and could leave this world at any moment. Her aura had grown more profound. Ye Chen faintly caught the nine-colored divine light bathing her body. Life and death coexisted within it, evolving the cycle of reincarnation. She looked like an immortal being walking in the mortal world.

At that moment, a system notification sounded in his mind.

"Detected change in the gift recipient's multiplier…”

"Updating…”

"Yan Ruyu: 20,000 times!”

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. It seemed Yan Ruyu had successfully nurtured the ninth tail feather using the Chaos Azure Lotus seed. With all nine tail feathers complete, her aptitude had skyrocketed. She had doubled straight from ten thousand to twenty thousand times—only slightly below Elder An's Seven Extremes Immortal Body.

She now ranked third in the world. She truly had something special. This was also the first time Yan Ruyu had taken the initiative to appear when he visited the Peacock Clan.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Ye,” Yan Ruyu said. Her complex eyes rested on him as she bowed slightly, lowering her head. Her voice rang like immortal music. "The Chaos Azure Lotus seed you gave me has benefited me immensely. It allowed me to complete my tail feathers and perfect my divine light. I thank you sincerely.”

Wang Xuanji's pupils contracted sharply.

A Chaos Azure Lotus seed? Ye Chen had actually given it to Yan Ruyu?

Back when the Jianmu Tree still existed, Chaos Azure Lotus seeds produced in this world were considered heavy treasures even in the immortal realm. While their lifespan extension was mediocre for immortals, the true value lay in the aura of new life they contained. Comprehending it could bring great benefits to True Immortals. A seed was even more priceless. If she had obtained it, it could have fully healed the damage from her excavated spiritual root and allowed her to grasp even more laws. The benefits would have been enormous.

Yet Ye Chen had given such a treasure to a mere lower-realm female cultivator. What a waste. Wang Xuanji could not help feeling a pang of heartache on his behalf. He was far too generous.

This only strengthened her resolve to win Ye Chen over. He truly knew how to give. As long as she won his heart, obtaining the World Tree from him would be certain.

Wang Xuanji's eyes shone with firm determination.

Ye Chen smiled and shook his head lightly. "Fairy Yan, there's no need to be so polite. As long as it was useful to you, that's enough.”

His modest words deepened the emotion in Yan Ruyu's heart. With many people present, she spoke earnestly, "Besides thanking Fellow Daoist Ye, I also wish to apologize to you. Previously, I rejected you in public. That was not my true intention. I was focused solely on cultivation and unwilling to entangle myself in karma, so I spoke harshly…”

"Unknowingly, that suppression had become a hindrance to my path. Every time I think back on it now, I feel deep regret. Therefore, after offering my apology, I hope to become Fellow Daoist Ye's dao companion. I wonder how you feel about this?”

The moment Yan Ruyu's words fell, the entire Peacock Clan fell silent. Everyone outside had believed Ye Chen would never win her over. Who could have expected that in such a short time, Yan Ruyu would change her mind and even take the initiative to propose becoming his dao companion?

Many male cultivators in the Peacock Clan felt their hearts shatter. Yet when they considered the Heavenly Emperor's heir's actions, they found it perfectly reasonable. He had given her the World-Destroying Black Lotus Seed and the Chaos Azure Lotus Seed—unique top-tier treasures in this world whose value was immeasurable. When she was in danger, he had rushed to her rescue and even razed the Immortal Ruin Grounds in fury. What woman could reject such a man?

The Heavenly Emperor's heir had truly succeeded through persistence. They felt both admiration and bitterness.

Ye Chen was also surprised. Although he had sensed a change in Yan Ruyu's attitude during the incident at the Land of Fallen Immortals, he had not expected her to express her feelings so directly this time. The speed of her change was astonishing.

For a moment, he even wondered whether she was doing this for a chance to enter the immortal realm. Still, he did not mind. Whether her feelings were genuine or not, as long as it triggered critical strikes, it was fine.

Yan Wenwen looked up at him with an expression that clearly said "hurry up and reward me." She had obviously contributed a great deal.

Ye Chen smiled gently and stroked her hair. He then turned to Yan Ruyu with warm eyes. "Fairy Yan, you are being too serious. You were plotted against by the Alkaid Holy Land because of me. It was only natural for you to be angry. Not only do you not need to apologize, but I am the one who should feel guilty.”

Everyone present was stunned. The Heavenly Emperor's heir's gentleness toward women was frightening. It formed a stark contrast with the ruthlessness he had shown when he wiped out the Yao Clan's upper echelon not long ago.

Yan Ruyu felt his deep affection even more clearly and regretted her past behavior all the more.

On the side, Wang Xuanji sneered coldly in her heart. This woman had kept rejecting Ye Chen before, yet the moment she received valuable gifts, she changed her attitude completely and even took the initiative. She clearly just wanted more—such as a spot to enter the immortal realm.

Only a fool like Ye Chen would fail to see through it and feel happy instead. A top genius acting so humbly, toyed with in the palm of someone's hand. How pitiful.