ISWI Chapter 1048-1049 (Patreon)

Chapter 1048: Can I Also Join the Table?

The Heavenly Desire Sect was only a small sect. Although its founding ancestor had been an immortal, her strength had been limited, and she had left behind no immortal artifacts. Because of this, Fan Qinghe had originally aspired to become a powerful expert and had never held any unrealistic hopes of ascending to immortality.

After meeting Ye Chen, however, her cultivation path had felt like it had been hacked. She advanced rapidly without any real effort on her part — everything was forcefully poured into her by Ye Chen. While the feeling was wonderful, in essence, she was nothing more than a parasite.

Now that the Immortal Qi was about to emerge, if Ye Chen helped them complete the final ritual at this moment, it would undoubtedly drag him down. If that caused him to fail in his ascension, she would regret it for the rest of her life. Therefore, it was actually better that he had not come.

"Master, Martial Ancestor, Ancestor, Great Ancestor… forget it. We cannot hinder Ye Chen's ascension for our own selfish desires. There's no need to send that message.”

Fan Qinghe shook her head and rejected the other women's suggestion.

The other four women, each with their own unique charm, showed complicated expressions — some unwilling, some regretful — but in the end, they all nodded and agreed with her decision.

"That's probably for the best. Perhaps the Fourth Holy Son will feel guilty and give Qinghe a slot anyway. Even if we complete the final transformation and obtain the immortal body, we still cannot leave this world. So it really doesn't matter.”

The loli Ancestor floated in the air and gently stroked Fan Qinghe's smooth little face. She spoke warmly, "No wonder the Fourth Holy Son favors you so much and allows you to bring your entire family to complete the ritual. Your heart is truly kind. You didn't treat your protector as a tool for your own benefit, but instead cared for him as a real Dao companion. If the Fourth Holy Son doesn't come, then so be it. If he does come, you should enjoy it alone. Don't let your master and the others join — it would consume too much and affect the Heavenly Emperor's heir's strength. We old ones were always meant to stay in this world.”

Seeing that all her elders understood her and were thinking for her sake, Fan Qinghe's eyes reddened. Her elders were truly too good to her. But she really could not drag Ye Chen down with her filial piety…

The others immediately stepped forward to comfort her. For a moment, the five generations in the hall were warm and harmonious.

…

However, at that very moment, a voice came from outside the hall: "The Heavenly Emperor's heir has arrived!”

A familiar aura rose — one that the four women except the loli Ancestor knew very well. Joy instantly bloomed in Fan Qinghe's eyes.

With the battle for immortality approaching, Ye Chen had still come. For him to arrive at this time meant he had come specifically to help her transform. He really loved her. Even if it might affect his ascension, he was unwilling to break his promise.

The other four women looked at Fan Qinghe with envy, jealous that she had such a protector. They all flew out together — a dazzling sight of colorful robes, graceful figures, peerless beauties both mature and youthful. The scene was breathtakingly beautiful.

As they looked at Ye Chen, their eyes were filled with complicated emotions. They hated that they had not met such a protector in their own time.

"Greetings, Holy Son.”

"Thank you, Holy Son, for saving us that day.”

The five generations saluted Ye Chen. The loli Ancestor thanked him once again.

Ye Chen looked at Fan Qinghe, his eyes brightening slightly. A system notification had sounded in his mind.

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

"Fan Qinghe: 9,000 times!”

She had risen from seven thousand to nine thousand. Once she completed the final transformation, she would definitely break ten thousand — and likely far surpass it.

Ye Chen waved his hand. Feeling that the time was right and unwilling to waste any more, he smiled gently at Fan Qinghe. "I have now reached the Quasi-Immortal peak. I can help Qinghe complete the final transformation. Let's begin now.”

Fan Qinghe's beautiful face showed a trace of hesitation. She bit her lip lightly before speaking, "Holy Son, the Immortal Qi will emerge in just over half a year. The Nirvana Scripture consumes a great deal of energy. I am at the early-stage Great Saint right now, so the consumption will be even greater. I do not wish to delay your fight for immortality. Let's forget about it.”

The Immortal Qi gathered on the Immortal Path was different from that of the immortal realm. It would be bestowed directly upon emergence. If not refined immediately, it would disperse back into the world.

In that case, if Ye Chen won, he would have to ascend right away. Once he ascended, he would no longer be able to help her complete the final transformation. But if they did it now, she feared it would cause him to lose to the Eight-Crowned King. After all, the Eight-Crowned King was truly terrifying. Therefore, she chose to refuse.

Ye Chen smiled upon hearing her words. Although her worries were completely unnecessary, he was very pleased that Fan Qinghe was thinking for him.

He gently took her jade hand, feeling its silky smoothness, and spoke softly but firmly, "I have never considered the Eight-Crowned King a true opponent. Just listen to me. There is no need to overthink it. In the future, you will simply follow me into the immortal realm. Now, take me to the cave mansion and we will complete the ritual.”

His voice was gentle yet left no room for argument. Fan Qinghe loved this side of him. She melted softly against his chest.

The other four women looked on with even greater envy. As for Wang Xuanji, she was already sneering inwardly.

You only have eight slots. Let's see how many people you can give them to. Scum.

Fan Qinghe, on the other hand, enjoyed being ordered around by Ye Chen. She immediately led the way, holding his arm as they flew toward the specially prepared cave mansion.

However, after flying for only a short while, Ye Chen frowned and stopped. He turned around.

The other four generations of the Heavenly Desire Sect stood in place, their faces full of envy, yet none of them moved. They simply watched silently.

Ye Chen glanced at them with some surprise, then looked at Fan Qinghe.

Moved by the fact that even at this critical time before his ascension battle, Ye Chen was still thinking about her elders and wanted to fulfill her filial duty, Fan Qinghe felt her heart warm even more. He really loved her.

She explained softly, "Holy Son, my master and the others do not wish to burden you.”

The corner of Ye Chen's mouth twitched slightly.

As if you could handle it alone. Besides, how could they be a burden? They were all his wings, helping him grow stronger.

Of course, he would not say that out loud. He smiled gently and said, "Qinghe, the reason I like you the most is because of this. You are always thinking about everyone else. You are the kindest girl I have ever met. But how could I bear to let you feel conflicted and guilty? Go and call your master and ancestors over.”

Fan Qinghe was moved but still hesitant. "But…”

Ye Chen spoke seriously, "There are no buts. I command you to go. Everyone must come. Not a single one can be missing. Otherwise, if word got out, people might think I'm not capable.”

Hearing the command, Fan Qinghe's delicate body trembled slightly. She obediently went to call the others.

The women who had been watching with envy and regret were stunned for a moment, then their faces lit up with joy. This generation's Holy Maiden and her protector truly respected their teachers and elders!

The loli Ancestor looked utterly astonished. "The Holy Son wants me to come too?”

She was a little dizzy from the surprise. She had not expected she would also be allowed to join the table.

Fan Qinghe nodded earnestly. "The Holy Son said no one can be missing.”

For a moment, all five women were deeply moved. The Heavenly Emperor's heir was truly too generous. Later, they would have to restrain themselves and eat as little as possible—just enough for the transformation—so as not to burden him.

Chapter 1049: Only Eight Hundred Times in Return?

Pop…

A sound like a champagne cork popping echoed, after which the cave mansion fell into silence.

Ye Chen looked at the five women lying before him, all emitting Quasi-Immortal peak auras with rolled-back eyes, and felt very satisfied. The combined power of five generations was truly terrifying.

Fan Qinghe had performed exceptionally well. Having undergone perfect transformations from the very first one, her physique was the strongest, and her capacity naturally outstanding. However, the loli Ancestor, who had joined most recently, also gave Ye Chen a pleasant surprise.

The loli Ancestor was petite. Ye Chen could support her entire waist with one hand. Her pure and innocent look paired with deep blue eyes created a unique charm. Of course, once one looked at her figure, that aura of purity vanished completely.

Most importantly, the loli Ancestor was truly able to endure hardship. Although she appeared delicate and would cry after a short while, her resilience was astonishing. She cried while continuing to absorb and transform, giving Ye Chen an entirely different kind of experience.

Still, seeing all five women lying motionless with their eyes tightly shut, Ye Chen felt a little worried. After all, this was the final transformation before ascension. He softened his tone and asked gently, "Qinghe, are you and the seniors alright?”

Even though they did not want to move at all, the five women still forced themselves to gather some strength and open their eyes, which had almost lost their pupils. They wanted to speak but could not utter a word. They could not even maintain proper expressions, looking completely disheveled. Their bodies were limp and powerless. The only thing they could manage was to weakly raise their arms and make a small "V” sign beside their faces, indicating that they were fine and only needed rest.

Seeing them all respond in unison, Ye Chen finally breathed a sigh of relief. Although he might not need them anymore after ascending, he was not the heartless type who discarded people after using them. If they became useless in the future, he would still keep them by his side once he entered the immortal realm. If nothing else, their skills were worth learning. Every time he came for a transformation, he benefited himself greatly.

…

At the same time, the system notification finally sounded in Ye Chen's mind.

"Congratulations, Host. Gift successfully given…”

"Gift: All cultivation achievements from the Mahayana seventh layer to the ninth layer.”

"Nine-thousand-fold feedback in progress!”

"Detected that the gifted item…”

"Triggered maximum critical strike feedback!”

"Feedback: Eight hundred times cultivation achievements.”

"Feedback: Dao Seed Glazed Fire!”

Ye Chen frowned slightly at the feedback. Only eight hundred times for the cultivation achievements? That was far less than he had expected.

However, the moment the feedback fully arrived, his expression shifted. He immediately sat down cross-legged and began refining and adjusting his breathing.

Half a day later, Ye Chen opened his eyes again. He exhaled a long breath of white air that resembled a dragon.

A smile returned to his face. He finally understood. The eight hundred times was not the system shortchanging him. Rather, at his current Quasi-Immortal realm, this was the maximum he could accommodate. His foundation was far beyond what ordinary Quasi-Immortals could imagine. Being able to increase by another eight hundred times was already outrageous.

Most importantly, the system had never withheld feedback from him. Since Fan Qinghe had a nine-thousand-fold multiplier and had even triggered a maximum critical strike, yet the cultivation feedback was only eight hundred times, it meant that the true value of the other feedback had been condensed into the Dao Seed Glazed Fire.

Ye Chen immediately examined the new reward.

"Dao Seed Glazed Fire: The origin fire of the Buddhist lineage in the immortal realm. Possessing this fire grants one a supreme Buddhist nature and unparalleled comprehension. Comprehending laws becomes twice as effective, while continuously nourishing one's own Dao Seed, helping it grow stronger without end…”

Dao Seed?

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. He naturally knew what a Dao Seed was. The essence of ascension was to use a wisp of Immortal Qi to transform oneself. Most cultivators could only use Immortal Qi itself. However, one could also simultaneously fuse with a Dao Seed. Dao Seeds provided immense benefits to cultivation, each possessing different effects and characteristics.

Such things were normally only available to top geniuses in the immortal realm. In the cultivation world, Dao Seeds essentially did not exist. The few people in history who had ascended using Dao Seeds had done so before the Heavenly Emperor's era, when the Jianmu Tree had not yet been destroyed, and the seeds had been sent down from the immortal realm. Nowadays, they were almost nonexistent.

Wait… the World Tree could serve as a Dao Seed.

Gifting away the World Tree would definitely grant him an even stronger Dao Seed in return. However, the stronger the Dao Seed, the more difficult it would be to refine. With this Dao Seed Glazed Fire, he would be able to refine and control any future Dao Seed much faster, gaining greater benefits and mastery.

The system was truly reliable.

…

After such a long time, the five exhausted women, who had been lying there with rolled-back eyes, finally regained consciousness. Although they still looked limp and languid, they could at least stand now. Their faces were filled with pure delight.

Especially the loli Ancestor. It was her first time joining the "table." This was her first time experiencing what it meant to have an inexhaustible supply and what a perfect transformation truly felt like. She felt as though she had wasted all her previous years.

Her gaze toward Ye Chen was full of worship.

"Thank you, Holy Son!”

The five women spoke in voices of varying charm and allure, sincerely thanking Ye Chen.

Ye Chen looked at the five generations before him and smiled. Each of them was already stunningly beautiful in her own way. After this ritual, they looked like flowers nourished by rain and dew, blooming with dazzling, captivating brilliance—elegant, enchanting, and radiant.

The five women felt genuine gratitude toward Ye Chen. Fan Qinghe was moved that he had helped her achieve a perfect transformation even at the risk of affecting his upcoming battle, and that he had even considered her filial feelings by including her elders. Her master and the others were moved by his generosity. He had never treated them as outsiders. Not only had he encouraged them to take more, but he had also even actively "fed” them when they tried to be polite.

This protector was undoubtedly the strongest in the entire history of the cultivation world. There was no equal. Therefore, they all wanted to repay him, just like last time.

However, Ye Chen stood up leisurely. He glanced in the direction of Central Continent, then shook his head. "There's no need to thank me. Since the ritual is complete, you should all focus on your transformations.”

His refusal left the women somewhat disappointed. Previously, their focus had been entirely on the ritual itself, so they had not fully enjoyed it. Now, filled with gratitude, they had nowhere to direct it.

Ye Chen gently stroked Fan Qinghe's head and spoke softly, "Once you complete your transformation, I will let you have your wish. So don't be impatient. Otherwise, you'll only be able to watch from the side, and I'm afraid you'll feel uncomfortable.”

Fan Qinghe's eyes instantly lit up.