ISWI Chapter 1205-1206 (Patreon)

Chapter 1205: Long Wu Arrives!

Heavenly Secrets Immortal City bustled with voices. Unprecedented prosperity had arrived, and the number of cultivators who came was beyond imagination. Many who lacked the qualifications to take part in the grand ceremony still rushed over simply to join the excitement.

After all, this ceremony would decide the Ten Outstanding of the Immortal Realm. Such a contest had never appeared before. No power until now had possessed the calling power to draw the prodigies of every major force in the Immortal Realm to participate, and most of them had even paid for the privilege. It could only be said that the right time, the right place, and the right people had all aligned; none could be missing.

"The Other Shore Immortal Monarch of the Supreme Hall has arrived and gone straight to the Heavenly Secrets Hall. The hall received him with the rites due to an Immortal King. It seems the Other Shore Immortal Monarch truly rivals an Immortal King, or is on the verge of becoming one at any moment."

"The nine dragons of the Wang Clan have actually come together! The Heavenly Secrets Hall treated them with courtesy as well. Yet Wang Xuanji's immortal root was dug out and Wang Teng has fallen. Does the clan still have any prodigy worth presenting? Who is that young man?"

"The Heaven Immortal Sect has also arrived. What a pity it is not the Heaven Immortal King. I heard that the Heaven Immortal King's Four Slaughtering Immortal Swords, combined with his sword formation, can sweep aside all opposition. Eh, who is that female cultivator in front of the Heaven Sect Master?"

"Tch, they clearly did not dare to fight back then. Some surrendered and betrayed; others avoided battle. What are they doing here now? Discussing how to surrender? Or abandoning the arena twenty years from now and letting the Other Domain march straight in?"

"Fools should not display their ignorance. Whether they fight or negotiate, they must first fight and bring trouble to the Other Domain. Otherwise, why would the Other Domain accept them?"

The crowd discussed animatedly, all filled with wonder at the sight of these great figures.

Xie Linyuan, who had already broken through to the early stage of the Golden Immortal realm, did not follow his master into the Heavenly Secrets Hall. Instead, he landed in Heavenly Secrets Immortal City and sat drinking and chatting with several old friends in an immortal pavilion.

Of course, Xie Linyuan would take part in this grand gathering. His aptitude was outstanding. Though his cultivation was still only at the early Golden Immortal stage, his combat strength was by no means weak and might not fall short of an ordinary peak Golden Immortal.

Moreover, the flow of time inside the Chaos Secret Realm differed from the outside. One year outside equaled three years within. Three years would be enough for Xie Linyuan to continue growing. If he could also obtain opportunities and treasures, further advancement was not impossible. After all, the treasures brought out by the various powers this time were truly precious, and many fine items were available.

"Brother Linyuan, have you met that Jade Pool old ancestor? What sort of person is he really? Is he so empty inside that he truly treats the Jade Pool Immortal Sect as his harem?"

"Brother Linyuan, there is a full major realm between you, yet you only managed a draw with him. Does he truly possess an Immortal Spirit Root as the rumors claim?"

"Brother Linyuan, is it true that the Seven Extremes Heavenly Maiden's incarnation was made pregnant by him? I think it is false. The people spreading rumors these days have lost their minds."

"Brother Linyuan, you ultimately suffered for your youth. Later, if that Ye Chen dares to show up, this elder brother will act on your behalf and suppress him."

"Years ago, this elder brother fell for a Jade Pool female cultivator and has been pursuing her ever since, hoping she would leave the sect and become my dao companion. I felt success was near, yet not long ago she suddenly sent a voice transmission telling me not to contact her again for fear of misunderstanding by the Fourth Ancestor. I must suppress that fellow!"

Those around Xie Linyuan were almost all from great powers. Many belonged to Immortal King forces, and the least among them came from Immortal Monarch-level powers. Thus they spoke with particular freedom.

Xie Linyuan's face turned green. He, of course, knew that any claim of an even match was pure self-flattery. Yet that had been the past. After breaking through to the Golden Immortal realm, his mastery of the Other Shore Reincarnation Scripture had risen another level. At the same time, with the treasures bestowed by the old ancestor and the guidance of his master, in a mere two years he had compressed his immortal power a full hundredfold.

It must be known that for immortals at the Golden Immortal realm, the higher the compression ratio of their immortal power, the greater the might they could unleash and the more immortal power they could contain. An ordinary Golden Immortal reaching the late stage would only just achieve tenfold compression. Yet he, merely at the early stage, had already reached a hundredfold. The increase in combat strength was utterly unimaginable.

In addition, although he had lost the Nine Heavens Clear Radiance Realm Moon, the old ancestor, upon learning of it, had still bestowed a treasure of equal grade to help him advance to a top-grade cosmos. The improvement was equally immense.

Therefore, Xie Linyuan firmly believed that if he encountered Ye Chen again, even if he could not suppress him with a wave of the hand, he would at least possess the strength for a proper fight. Relying on the continuous support of his top-grade cosmos and his hundredfold compressed immortal power, he would surely be able to suppress that fellow after a fierce battle. At that time, he would thoroughly threaten Ye Chen, forcing him to treat the goddess better and take responsibility for the child.

While Xie Linyuan was still pondering, the people of the Heaven Immortal Sect arrived, drawing a wave of discussion. He heard some independent cultivators far off making critical remarks, yet paid them no mind. The prodigies of the great powers present also remained silent. Compared with cultivators from minor forces and small clans, they occupied higher positions and understood far more. The more one understood the Other Domain, the clearer one became about its terror. Blind resistance was simply seeking one's own death. If one could lead one's clan and forces to submit, or even survive and become one of their number, then march together to conquer other worlds in the future, no one could refuse.

Among the various prodigies, those who truly intended to oppose the Other Domain were few. Most simply hoped to seize every benefit they could before its arrival and strengthen themselves. If they could shine brilliantly upon the future arena and catch the eye of a great foreign clan, that would be even better. In short, surrender was the mainstream. Yet surrender did not mean doing nothing. Everyone was striving for the sake of surrender.

"Eh, why has even that incarnation of the Seven Extremes Heavenly Maiden arrived?"

"Standing alone above the world, beautiful beyond compare. This is only an incarnation. It is hard to imagine what true grace the real Seven Extremes Heavenly Maiden must possess!"

"I truly wish to see whether she is actually pregnant, yet I dare not."

"That is an Immortal Monarch. Do you not value your life? But why has she come? Surely she has not been moved to stand against the Other Domain?"

"She seems to be searching for someone. Linyuan, could she be looking for you?"

At those words, Xie Linyuan immediately raised his head and at once caught sight of the peerlessly beautiful figure he had longed for day and night. He could not help the stirring of his heart; it felt as though it might leap from his chest. Yet he held little expectation within. After all, he had already recognized reality.

In the next moment, Long Wu frowned and lowered her head. Those clear and unmatched eyes looked toward Xie Linyuan. His body stiffened at once.

Could it be that Long Wu had truly come seeking him? That Ye Chen was unwilling to take responsibility, and Long Wu wished to find for the child an obedient yet promising father who could give the child a bright future?

Xie Linyuan did not mind in the least. As long as Long Wu was willing, he would give everything. Even if it meant changing his surname to Ye and receiving a thorough beating from his father. After all, even though Long Wu was an Immortal Monarch, she was still a female cultivator. Abandoned by a scoundrel, she would inevitably feel sorrow. This was precisely the moment when she needed his comfort!

Chapter 1206: Xie Linyuan Inflates!

In that moment, Xie Linyuan's excitement reached its peak. No matter how great a prodigy one might be, facing the goddess of one's childhood produced the same reaction. He had already prepared the promise to raise the child, to spare no resources in aiding its growth, and to set Long Wu's heart at ease.

Long Wu flew down calmly and stepped onto the immortal pavilion. Every prodigy present fell silent as cicadas in the cold, not daring to utter a sound. Long Wu ignored them all. Looking at Xie Linyuan, she spoke evenly. "Has the Jade Pool Immortal Sect arrived? Where is Ye Chen now?"

The corner of Xie Linyuan's mouth twitched at once, as though a basin of cold water had been poured over him. The goddess still loved another. Yet he treasured every chance to interact with her and hurriedly answered, "I do not know whether Jade Pool has arrived either. Senior, please wait here. I will go inquire. If Ye Chen has come, I will bring him to see you at once!"

Long Wu nodded calmly. Xie Linyuan immediately turned and left, heading toward the city gates. Only Immortal Monarchs and Immortal Kings could fly openly through the sky. Huo Linglong was merely a Saint Immortal, so she would have to enter through the gates. The assembled prodigies hastily followed after him, terrified that a single glance might provoke this woman. Yet their hearts seethed with discussion. Long Wu had come looking for Ye Chen of the Jade Pool Immortal Sect once more. Did that not mean the rumors might be true?

At the thought, their curiosity reached its height. After all, could an Immortal Monarch truly have been made pregnant by a Celestial Immortal? If it were true, that fellow was truly a model for their generation.

Amid the lively discussion, Xie Linyuan had already taken up a patient watch at the city gate. He stood motionless, staring into the distance, determined that the moment Ye Chen arrived, he would seize him and bring him to see the goddess. Since the goddess had come all this way seeking Ye Chen, it must be a matter of urgency.

In this manner, Xie Linyuan waited at the gate for a full three days. At last, an exquisite immortal boat wreathed in divine flames drifted into view from afar. The red lotus imprint upon it, together with the mark of the Jade Pool Immortal Sect, was sufficient to prove the identity of its master.

Xie Linyuan's face lit up with excitement. He immediately flew up and shouted outside the boat, "Ye Chen, you have finally come!"

Inside the immortal boat, both Huo Linglong and Ye Chen were cultivating. At the shout, Huo Linglong frowned, swept a glance over Xie Linyuan, then looked toward Ye Chen. "This fellow has broken through to the Golden Immortal realm. It seems he has come seeking revenge against you at the first opportunity.

"The compression ratio of the immortal power throughout his body does not appear low. The Golden Immortal force he has condensed is likely beyond imagination. Indeed, having the Nine Heavens Clear Radiance Realm Moon taken from him has left him extremely unwilling. He will probably fight you to the death. Yet here he will not dare act freely. Once you enter the Chaos Secret Realm, however, you must be careful!"

Huo Linglong offered the reminder. Ye Chen raised an eyebrow in mild curiosity. Xie Linyuan? Had he truly come for revenge? Breaking through to Golden Immortal was nothing special, yet the fellow had grown rather inflated. He no longer even called him Fellow Daoist Ye, addressing him directly as Ye Chen. It seemed the previous pressure had been applied too lightly!

Ye Chen smiled and strolled unhurriedly to the front of the boat. Standing at the prow, he calmly surveyed Xie Linyuan. "Little Xie, you are making this rather difficult for me."

Should he kill him or not?

Xie Linyuan finally laid eyes on Ye Chen and sensed the aura about him. He was startled at once. Ye Chen's breakthrough to Profound Immortal had been within his expectations. After all, at their last meeting, Ye Chen had already been at the perfection of the Celestial Immortal realm. Advancing to Profound Immortal was only natural.

Yet why had Ye Chen reached the middle stage of the Profound Immortal realm directly? Less than three years had passed. Was that not a little too fast? Was this the terrifying speed of an Immortal Spirit Root?

Even so, Xie Linyuan remained confident in his heart. A Golden Immortal differed from a Profound Immortal. The internal cosmos was far more terrifying, and the gap in immortal power compression was beyond imagination. At this moment, however, he held no thought of comparing strength with Ye Chen. That could wait. He had more important matters.

"Ye Chen, last time you called me Little Xie, and I let it pass. But I am a Golden Immortal now. You ought to address me properly. Think it over carefully afterward. Right now, however, there is a more important matter. Come with me at once."

The moment the words left his mouth, the anxious Xie Linyuan moved to pull Ye Chen into the city. Ye Chen listened and immediately found it amusing. Little Xie had truly inflated.

"What matters?"

Ye Chen remained unmoved, standing calmly in place without following. Yet expectation stirred in his heart. Had this fellow gathered his prodigy friends to challenge him together, to humiliate him, and then to surround and kill him inside the secret realm?

Once those prodigies were wiped out, the old fossils would rise to avenge their juniors and launch successive assaults upon him. At the thought, Ye Chen could not help but feel anticipation. If matters truly unfolded that way, his Primordial Chaos Supreme Body would not be far from perfection.

Xie Linyuan failed to notice the excitement in Ye Chen's eyes. Eager to see the goddess, he explained at once. "Senior Long Wu arrived three days ago and wishes to see you. Come with me to meet her right now!"

Ye Chen and Huo Linglong, who stood behind him, both raised their eyebrows at the words. Why had Long Wu come? No matter how one considered it, her status should not have brought her to this grand ceremony. Had she come specifically for Ye Chen?

Huo Linglong frowned slightly, yet the benefits she had obtained from the Great Sun Glazed Purification Pool restored her confidence. She could not defeat Long Wu, but she could at least protect Ye Chen.

Ye Chen himself felt somewhat puzzled. Had Long Wu devised another method to resolve the matter of the child? If the child could be returned without the two of them meeting, that would of course be fine. After all, Senior An had remained downcast these past years. Returning the child would greatly improve her mood. Besides, with the Heavenly Emperor's imprint upon him, he truly did not fear Long Wu.

At that thought, Ye Chen nodded calmly. "Then let us go." He turned to Huo Linglong. "Martial Niece, you may proceed directly to the Heavenly Secrets Hall."

The Jade Pool Immortal Sect remained one of the Immortal Realm's top-tier great teachings. Though that glory belonged to the past, the Western Empress had once held off several Immortal Kings for a long while, buying the Immortal Realm a chance to catch its breath and allowing the Heavenly Emperor to grow. Under the weight of that historical status, the sect's standing was still high. They could enter the Heavenly Secrets Hall directly for discussions and receive the corresponding rites.

Huo Linglong hesitated. "Martial Uncle, are you certain there will be no trouble?"

Meeting Long Wu was no small matter. That woman behaved like a madwoman, and her killing nature was especially startling. Huo Linglong felt a touch of worry.

Ye Chen smiled faintly. "Rest easy. Until the matter of the child is resolved, she will not raise a hand against me."

With those words, Ye Chen drifted down from the immortal boat. Huo Linglong hesitated a moment longer, then sensed his confidence and chose to trust him. After all, when Ye Chen truly faced danger, he would call for help without the slightest hesitation. His present self-assurance suggested that nothing would go wrong. She therefore steered the immortal boat and flew straight toward the Heavenly Emperor Hall.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen moved at an unhurried pace, watching the young fellow Xie Linyuan with a slight curl to his lips. The boy had grown somewhat inflated and no longer showed the same respect as before. Yet he had not launched into frenzied mockery or outright attacks like those villains.

Coupled with a certain measure of past sentiment, Ye Chen found himself at a temporary loss as to how to handle him. If he caught the fellow inside the secret realm, he would simply squeeze him hard once more, just as he had last time.