ISWI Chapter 1198-1199 (Patreon)

Chapter 1198: Seizing Back the Root of the Jianmu!

At those words, the He family members present showed looks of astonishment.

The lower realm had indeed been strange. By all rights, each generation produced only one True Immortal. The True Immortals cultivated by the He family were far from weak even in the Immortal Realm. They should have easily swept aside the native True Immortals of the lower realm and retrieved the Root of the Jianmu.

Yet the first True Immortal the He family sent down had fallen. Afterward, at enormous cost that left the family deeply wounded, they sent a Celestial Immortal. That one had fallen as well, vanishing without a trace. It was truly bizarre.

And now they had finally uncovered the truth?

Everyone looked on with curiosity.

The clan leader spoke calmly. “The successor of the Heavenly Emperor emerged from the lower realm and joined the Jade Pool Immortal Sect, becoming the junior brother of Jade Moon Immortal Monarch. The Jade Pool Ancestor…

“During the struggle for the Great Sun Origin Core in the Sunset Secret Realm, he slew Wang Teng, the prodigy of the Wang family.

“He also shares a strange connection with Long Wu, one of the avatars of the Seven Extremes Heavenly Maiden.

“Outsiders dismissed these matters as mere rumors. Yet if one calculates from the time this youth entered the Jade Pool Immortal Sect, it coincides exactly with the period after we sent our Celestial Immortal clansman below. At that time, he had only just reached the early stage of True Immortal.

“Therefore, the one who killed our He family clansman in the lower realm and seized the Root of the Jianmu was none other than this person.”

At this, everyone was startled. Still, the combat strength Ye Chen had displayed in the Sunset Secret Realm was truly formidable. A Quasi-Immortal who could kill a True Immortal, and a True Immortal who could kill a Celestial Immortal—such a feat was entirely possible.

Moreover, his identity as the Heavenly Emperor’s successor made them frown. After all, their exile to this world had been caused entirely by the Heavenly Emperor. Without him, they would never have been forced to wander homeless.

Seeing that his clansmen understood, the He family clan leader’s expression turned cold and grim.

“Ye Chen has obtained the Great Sun Origin Core. He will likely advance to Profound Immortal before long and will almost certainly take part in this Heavenly Secrets Hall Assembly. At the assembly, we will kill him and reclaim the Root of the Jianmu. If we succeed, the seal on the Emperor Pass will open all the faster. When that time comes, we will have rendered great service. We need no longer fear that upon returning to the main clan, we will have no place to stand.”

This branch of the He family had drifted far from home. They could not even be considered a remote lineage. Leave aside any favorable treatment upon their return—they sometimes worried that the main family might not even acknowledge them and that the Immortal Realm’s powers might simply wipe them out in passing. That was why they had made such grand moves in the lower realm, hoping to earn merit.

Several young prodigies of the He family under three thousand years of age heard this and smiled with confidence. Those sent to the lower realm had been prodigies as well, yet their cultivation had been suppressed and they had carried no immortal artifacts.

Far from their peak condition, their strength had been less than a tenth of what it should have been. Ye Chen, when he attended the assembly, would at most be a Profound Immortal. They, on the other hand, were already Golden Immortals, some of them on the verge of breaking through to Great Luo Golden Immortal. Under such circumstances, killing Ye Chen would be effortless.

The He family prodigies were full of confidence. The clan leader himself felt no concern. He looked forward to the day when this world would be destroyed and they could return to the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths.

Jade Pool Immortal Sect.

Huo Linglong cultivated at a leisurely pace, gradually entering a profound state. Suddenly, a transmission pulled her back to reality. She frowned slightly and opened her eyes, only to see Ye Chen standing at the entrance of her cave dwelling, smiling as he watched her.

Today was one of the days when the divine pool remained closed to disciples and elders. She alone occupied it. Sensing the lotus flowers that continuously formed and vanished beyond her body to provide concealment, she could not shake the feeling that something might still be seen.

Knowing Ye Chen’s usual manner, and given that this was the pool right outside someone’s door, she did not bother telling him to close his eyes. Instead she lightly struck out with a jade-like palm. The crystalline water of the divine pool surged upward and formed a curtain that shielded her from his view.

A moment later, the water curtain vanished. Huo Linglong spun gracefully, and when she came to a stop, her robes were already in perfect order. She hovered in midair and frowned at Ye Chen. “What do you want?”

She was somewhat displeased that he had interrupted her. No one enjoyed being disturbed while fully immersed. Cultivating within the Great Sun Glazed Purification Pool brought tremendous benefits, more than a hundredfold greater than ordinary practice. She could feel the once-distant position of Immortal Monarch drawing steadily closer.

Ye Chen smiled faintly at her words. “Martial niece, I have something I wish to give Wanwan, yet she keeps refusing me. You are her master. For her sake, please help me.”

Huo Linglong frowned. Gifts again? First the Great Sun Origin Core, then the Nine Heavens Clear Radiance Realm Moon. It was already far too much. Anyone would feel embarrassed. Still, curiosity stirred within her about what Ye Chen intended to offer this time. She stepped forward on long, snow-white legs, the chain at her waist chiming softly as she entered the cave dwelling.

The instant she saw the treasure inside, a chaotic river of stars that seemed to hold an entire galaxy, her eyes widened. “Is that the Chaos Star Orbit?”

Ye Chen nodded with a smile.

Huo Linglong’s lips twitched. For a moment she forgot all sense of propriety and could not help asking, “Where did you get this?”

The Chaos Star Orbit ranked among the same tier of supreme treasures as the Great Sun Origin Core and the Nine Heavens Clear Radiance Realm Moon. Any one of them could elevate a cultivator’s universe after advancement to the highest grade. Their upper limits were extremely high, and the blessings they conferred were top-tier. How did Ye Chen still possess a Chaos Star Orbit? Had the Heavenly Emperor left this as well?

Ye Chen shook his head. “No. It belonged to Xie Linyuan.”

Huo Linglong’s mouth twitched again. She immediately understood why Xie Linyuan had looked so aggrieved that day. Anyone would be frantic after losing a treasure of this level. Yet she truly could not comprehend why Ye Chen had not thought of keeping even one for himself.

Seeing her confusion, Ye Chen smiled lightly. “Xie Linyuan told me that day that if the three are united, one can advance to a perfect universe. Since Wanwan already has two, why not add a third? But she continues to refuse…”

Huo Linglong could no longer suppress the sour feeling in her heart. In the cultivation world, strength reigned supreme. Yet Ye Chen had unhesitatingly given the finest treasures he possessed to the woman he loved. If someone ever treated her the same way, she doubted she could resist.

After a brief hesitation, she turned to Nangong Wan. “Wanwan, accept it. You already hold the Great Sun Origin Core and the Nine Heavens Clear Radiance Realm Moon, yet they still fall within the top-grade category. If you obtain this as well, the universe you form upon advancement will be utterly perfect, its upper limit endless. To leave it unused would be a true pity. I know your nature. You feel embarrassed. But Ye Chen clearly loves you with all his heart. Refusing him is what truly wounds him.”

As she spoke, she suddenly recalled that when she had taken Nangong Wan as her disciple, her purpose had been to separate the two. Now she found herself speaking on Ye Chen’s behalf instead.

Nangong Wan remained silent, still hesitating. Huo Linglong stepped closer and whispered many words into her ear. Only then did Nangong Wan accept the Chaos Star Orbit.

Her beautiful eyes gazed at Ye Chen with pure, profound emotion. “Fourth Ancestor, even if you were not this good to me, I would still love you so deeply…”

Ye Chen stroked Nangong Wan’s hair with tender affection. Hearing the system’s prompt, he smiled brightly.

Chapter 1199: The Grand Assembly!

"Congratulations, Host, on successfully gifting a present..."

"The gift given by the Host is: Chaos Star Orbit!"

"Two hundred thousand times feedback in progress..."

"Detected that the gift given by the Host is extremely important to the recipient..."

"..."

"Triggering maximum critical hit feedback..."

"Triggering heart strike feedback..."

"Triggering double amplification for Dao Companion feedback!"

"Feedback: Primordial Chaos Starlight Origin Crystal!"

"Primordial Chaos Starlight Origin Crystal: Refined from the first ray of starlight at the beginning of Primordial Chaos..."

"..."

"The user can comprehend the Chaos Divine Light, creating a chaos pure land that disrupts and annihilates all attacks..."

"The user's comprehension speed of the Chaos Dao is increased by a thousand times..."

"After the user reaches the Immortal Monarch realm, as long as they comprehend the Chaos Dao, they will definitely be able to master the complete Great Chaos Art in the future!"

"..."

A series of descriptions made the corners of Ye Chen's mouth curl up. This was the complete Primordial Chaos Three-Piece Set. What a massive profit. The Great Sun Origin Core, Nine Heavens Clear Radiance Realm Moon, and Chaos Star Orbit—if a cultivator could advance their universe with all three, it would be a perfect universe.

But for him? Any one of them was countless times more precious than all three combined. He could not even imagine what his inner universe would be like at that time. And the amplification it would bring him would be unimaginably terrifying.

Nangong Wan noticed Ye Chen's joy. She became even more moved at how much the Fourth Ancestor loved her. He was so happy just from giving her things. This made Nangong Wan unable to hold back as she spoke, "Fourth Ancestor, do you have any requests for me? Wan'er is not afraid of anything being excessive. I can agree to anything!"

Nangong Wan had truly received too much. She desperately wanted to repay Ye Chen with something. Ye Chen smiled upon hearing this. "Of course I do!"

Nangong Wan's eyes lit up. Her pretty face flushed slightly with anticipation and shyness. "Fourth Ancestor, just say it. I can do anything!"

Ye Chen's expression immediately became serious. "Wan'er, you should immediately return to nourish the Chaos Star Orbit! Take these top-grade pills as well and reach peak Celestial Immortal as soon as possible! I want you to not come out of seclusion even half a step until you reach Profound Immortal!"

Nangong Wan, whose beautiful eyes were filled with spring-like affection, widened her eyes upon hearing this strange request. This... was not what she had expected. Shouldn't the Fourth Ancestor have made some strange requests?

After all, the Fourth Ancestor was so obsessed with her. But then, Nangong Wan reacted. Although the Fourth Ancestor loved her, he was even more afraid that she would be delayed by emotions on the immortal path. That was why he was doing this. He only hoped she could become better. Thinking of this, endless gratitude surged in Nangong Wan's heart. The Fourth Ancestor really loved her so much!

"Fourth Ancestor, I will definitely not disappoint you!"

With those words, Nangong Wan still wanted to linger a little longer. But Ye Chen made the request again. Nangong Wan could only leave reluctantly, looking back every three steps. Huo Linglong watched this scene.

Besides her mouth twitching, the envy in her eyes could no longer be hidden. Ye Chen truly gave his all for his female cultivators. If there was a man who could treat her like this, she would truly be unable to resist.

For a moment, Huo Linglong's heart was in chaos. She felt as if her Dao heart had been disturbed. She glared at Ye Chen.

Ye Chen was stunned. "Martial niece, why are you glaring at me?"

Huo Linglong snorted coldly. "In the future, when you give Wan'er gifts, don't let me know! I am a dignified Saint Immortal. How could I have time to get involved in you low-realm cultivators' affairs? Since the matter is settled now, I will go back to cultivating!"

With those words, Huo Linglong turned and left. She left only the somewhat stunned and confused Ye Chen behind. Huo Linglong's attitude toward him had improved quite a bit these past few times. Why had she suddenly become cold and indifferent again? A woman's attitude changed too quickly!

...

Huo Linglong went off to continue her cultivation.

Ye Chen, however, felt no urgency to enter seclusion. His preparations remained incomplete, and he had yet to meet with his fiancée.

The expedition to the Sunset Secret Realm had yielded tremendous gains. Though he had not slain many, the quality of those he had taken down was respectable. Wang Teng ranked highest among them, and together with the lawless Twin Kings' immortal physiques, the haul proved adequate. He had also gathered some unclaimed origin essence along the way. Combined and gifted together, these should advance his own constitution another step. Raising his physique first, then his cultivation, would ensure that any rise in realm brought a far greater surge in combat strength.

Yet given his fiancée's temperament, after he had spent so long with Nangong Wan since his return, she was certain to grow jealous and offer a few sharp, sarcastic remarks. He would need to soothe her thoroughly before presenting the gifts.

...

Over the following week, Nangong Wan began a life-or-death seclusion, vowing not to emerge until she broke through to the Profound realm. When word spread, the disciples of Hundred Flowers Peak were stunned.

Nangong Wan was still only at the mid stage—close to the late stage, yet not there. Only at the peak of the late Celestial Immortal stage could one reach true perfection. To enter closed-door seclusion at the mid stage was simply outrageous. Was Nangong Wan truly this driven?

An elder of Hundred Flowers Peak, puzzled, mentioned the matter to Huo Linglong during a break from cultivation. Huo Linglong smiled at the news, recalling Ye Chen's earlier request. Outsiders did not understand, but she did: Nangong Wan's fierce effort was solely to fulfill Ye Chen's task. Huo Linglong was glad to see it.

Some dual cultivators who became Dao companions only dragged each other down. The female cultivator complained endlessly, the male cultivator's mindset suffered, and both ended up weaker than before. Yet with Ye Chen and Nangong Wan, their union had only made her more outstanding and more determined. In her heart, Huo Linglong no longer intended to stand in their way.

Soon afterward, however, she received an invitation to the Supreme Hall Assembly. She glanced at the disciples soaking in the pool and those still waiting in line, her brow furrowing slightly. Her gaze then drifted toward the direction of Ye Chen's cave residence, hesitation flickering across her face.

...

"All right, all right, stop calling me Ying Tiansheng. This is the Immortal Realm already!"

Ye Chen sighed and gently stroked his fiancée's hair.

Yi Qingwu rolled her eyes. "So what? Even if the one I love lies beyond mountains and seas, neither mountains nor seas can bar the way. My heart will always belong to Ying Tiansheng. If you're unhappy about it, Ye Fourth, go find that long-legged beauty of yours, or take a dip in the pool yourself. That Great Sun Glazed Purification Pool might as well have been built for Huo Linglong alone. Placing it right outside your cave residence—don't pretend you weren't thinking of such things…"

Ye Chen fell silent.

He knew his fiancée was jealous, yet he had not expected the jealousy to run so deep. Even after one round of reassurance, it had not faded. There was no choice but to increase the dosage.

Several days later, her expression at last softened.

"Very well. They are them, and you are you. To me, Qingwu, you have always been different. During this trip to the Sunset Secret Realm, I deliberately slew the Wang Clan's prodigy precisely because his origin essence was so rich. Unfortunately, Xie Linyuan shares a certain connection with me, so I could not bring myself to strike him down. Otherwise the gains would have been greater still…"

Gazing at his fiancée, who no longer argued, Ye Chen spoke gently. Then he took out the origin essence he had prepared long ago and offered it to her.