ISWI Chapter 124-125 (Patreon)

Chapter 124: So He Likes Me!

Su Yuxuan was stunned. To be honest, she hadn't expected Ye Chen to believe her when she played the sympathy card. After all, who would believe the words of someone from the Demon Sect?

Su Yuxuan had always been cautious when dealing with people from the Demon Sect. Yet, to her surprise, after hearing her sob story, Ye Chen actually seemed to believe it?

As she looked at the Foundation Establishment method and the spiritual material Ye Chen handed her, Su Yuxuan cautiously studied his face.

It all felt so surreal. Especially after the way Ye Chen had treated her the last time, leaving her to fester overnight, filling her heart with suspicion.

How could Ye Chen be so kind-hearted? Was he up to some new trick?

But the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method was right in front of her, and Su Yuxuan couldn't suppress the yearning in her heart. She licked her full lips, both expectant and wary, and asked, "Senior brother, is it really for me?"

Ye Chen smiled. "Of course, it's real. After all, you're just a girl, enduring so much. How could I bear to not lend a hand?"

Su Yuxuan dismissed Ye Chen's words as nonsense. Would he really give her the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method out of pity? Only a fool would believe that.

She tentatively extended her hand.

Seeing Ye Chen only smile at her, with an encouraging look in his eyes, Su Yuxuan warily touched the jade slip. Ye Chen still did nothing.

It wasn't until Su Yuxuan had placed the jade slip and spiritual material into her storage bag that she felt her heart race, and her face flushed with excitement.

She had never expected to actually get the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method. And what's more, it was the one that was most suited to her.

The exhilaration in Su Yuxuan's heart was beyond words. In that moment, she only wanted to find a place to begin her Foundation Establishment immediately. As for why Ye Chen would give her such a precious Foundation Establishment method... was it because he truly believed her sob story? Or did he have some other intentions?

At this moment, it didn't matter anymore.

Su Yuxuan immediately stood up. "Thank you, senior brother. With this Foundation Establishment method, my chances of achieving Golden Core have greatly improved. I will never forget your kindness, senior brother. Once I rescue my family's souls, I will follow you, serving you with all my might, repaying you in every way possible."

Su Yuxuan's words of gratitude were smooth and practiced. After speaking, she made to leave. Clearly, her promises of repayment were nothing more than empty words to her.

However, Ye Chen smiled. "Already leaving? Since you want to repay me, why not do so now?"

He calculated the time—it was already evening outside. It would be better to wait until tomorrow to leave.

The formation in the secret realm had been compromised due to Bai Xunhuan's efforts in gathering materials to set up the formation, leaving many vulnerabilities. Using a top-grade Breal-Seal Talisman would allow them to leave at any time. Since there was no worry about leaving...

Ye Chen figured he might as well collect some interest. Not a single word Su Yuxuan said was trusted by him.

Family? Repayment? People from the Demon Sect could even imprison their own family members in a banner, claiming that the stronger the resentment, the stronger the power. If you believed anything they said, you were a fool.

But the reason Ye Chen was still willing to give Su Yuxuan the Foundation Establishment method wasn't out of kindness.

It was because of a system reward. The system's rewards were Ye Chen's own business. But Su Yuxuan had received so many benefits from him. She would have to give something in return.

Ye Chen's words made Su Yuxuan's body stiffen. She wanted to flee immediately. After all, she had what she wanted.

But remembering Ye Chen's terrifying speed during their previous fight, Su Yuxuan lost some confidence. Even if she used a Break-Seal Talisman to escape, she feared Ye Chen might interrupt her. With the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method now in her possession, angering Ye Chen could result in it being taken away.

Thus, Su Yuxuan shyly stopped in her tracks. "Senior brother, what kind of repayment do you desire?"

Ye Chen's gaze fell upon Su Yuxuan's delicate feet, as pure and translucent as jade.

"I've always been curious, junior sister. When you walk barefoot, does your little foot ever develop calluses? Why not satisfy your senior brother's curiosity?"

A chill ran through Su Yuxuan's heart. As expected, Ye Chen was lusting after her body. But she couldn't defeat him. She couldn't run either. And she certainly couldn't give up the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method.

Since that was the case, she might as well acquiesce to Ye Chen's desires. Her blood spirit root could sense that Ye Chen's physical body, his blood and qi, was incredibly powerful—almost impossibly so. He even seemed to have a special constitution.

If she could use this to her advantage and refine Ye Chen... absorbing his blood and flesh would make her even stronger. Exchanging her body for greater strength? It was worth it!

With that, Su Yuxuan lowered her head in embarrassment, concealing the killing intent in her eyes. "If senior brother wants to watch, then... go ahead..."

...

The next morning.

Su Yuxuan stood there, her expression somewhat dazed. She looked down at her feet. She hadn't expected that Ye Chen would actually keep his promise, only checking to see if she had developed any calluses. The secret technique she had prepared was never used.

But after four or five hours, Su Yuxuan felt uncertain about how to walk on her feet. Despite having used the cleansing spell several times, she still felt uncomfortable. It wasn't clean anymore. She couldn't keep it!

Grinding her teeth in frustration, Su Yuxuan's face was all smiles as she said, "Senior brother, I'm leaving now!"

After spending a month transforming the Myriad Star Body without any cultivation, last night he finally let go of his stress. Although it hadn't been a real battle, there was a certain charm to something more subtle now and then.

With a long exhale, Ye Chen asked, "Are you planning to break through here, or do you want to go outside for your Foundation Establishment breakthrough?"

Su Yuxuan was taken aback. Then, her face turned wary, and she pulled her feet back. Was Ye Chen not done with her yet?

Seeing Su Yuxuan's reaction, Ye Chen immediately realized she had misunderstood. Was he really that kind of person?

"I'll be leaving soon. No matter where you plan to break through, just make sure you tell others that the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method was obtained by me. I'll also say the same to others."

Upon hearing this, Su Yuxuan froze for a moment. The Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method was incredibly precious. If too many people knew, it would definitely cause trouble. Ye Chen had clearly given her the method, but now he was taking the blame? What was his real intention?

As Su Yuxuan recalled the rumors surrounding Ye Chen, she raised an eyebrow. Could it be that Ye Chen liked her? If that were the case, everything started to make sense. No wonder Ye Chen had refined pills for her last time. No wonder Ye Chen had given her the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method.

It also explained why Ye Chen, despite having the power to kill her, had never done so. Even his strange actions last night suddenly seemed to make sense. After all, Ye Chen was so infatuated with her. He regarded every part of her as a treasure.

As for the previous harsh treatment? That must have been because of the opposing factions behind them. That's why Ye Chen's behavior had been so contradictory. If all of this was true, then considering Ye Chen's apparent wealth, she would have many opportunities to benefit from him in the future. This would allow her to grow stronger faster. But Ye Chen was also unpredictable, acting on whims.

So, Su Yuxuan cautiously said, "Then... thank you, senior brother..."

Ye Chen smiled lightly and opened the hall door, stepping outside. There were still a few disciples of the Green Cloud Sect alive, hiding somewhere. Since he was leaving, he might as well take them all with him. After all, the sect hadn't treated him poorly.

However, before stepping out of the hall, Ye Chen turned around and asked, "What you said earlier, about your sob story, was that true or false?"

Perhaps from Ye Chen's behavior, Su Yuxuan had deduced that he likely had feelings for her. With that confidence, she no longer felt as wary around him.

She returned to her usual self, hands behind her back, giving a playful smile as she fluttered her eyes and responded, "Senior brother, what do you think? Was I telling the truth or not?"

Chapter 125: Heaven-Dao Foundation Establishment

"The secret realm has ended. I have obtained the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method! The formation in the secret realm malfunctioned, and it is unlikely to open on its own again. The disciples of the Green Cloud Sect may come out now. I will take you all with me. Do not waste time!"

Ye Chen stood at the front of the hall, his voice echoing across the entire massive peak.

Not long after, seven disciples from the Green Cloud Sect cautiously approached, their faces filled with wariness. Clearly, the internal strife from a few days ago had left a significant impact on everyone.

Leading the group was Fa Zhen. They gazed at Ye Chen with a mixture of awe and envy. After all, it was the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method.

Cultivation was difficult, with one hurdle after another. Obtaining the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method greatly increased the chances of breaking through to the Golden Core stage. Who wouldn't envy that?

But no one felt greedy, not even Fa Zhen. Self-awareness was important. Ye Chen had acquired the Foundation Establishment method and was still willing to take them out of the secret realm. That alone was already a stroke of luck.

"Is this everyone?" Ye Chen asked, his gaze sweeping over the seven of them. He couldn't help but feel a little sentimental.

The Green Cloud Sect had nearly a hundred disciples when they first arrived, yet only this few remained after a few days. As for the disciples of the Misty Sect, almost all of them had perished. The cruelty of the cultivation world was made all too apparent in this moment.

Ye Chen raised his hand and cast a top-grade Break-Seal Talisman. The once tranquil space of the secret realm rippled like the surface of a lake. The next moment, a fissure appeared.

Ye Chen and Fa Zhen, along with the others, stepped through one by one and left.

Meanwhile, Su Yuxuan stood deep within the hall, watching Ye Chen and the others leave, letting out a deep sigh of relief. Finally... she could break through... The Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method was now hers.

Most importantly, Ye Chen was willing to take the blame. Now, no one would know that she was using the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method. In the future, she would give her master a huge surprise.

As she thought about this, a murderous intent surged in Su Yuxuan's beautiful eyes. However, not long after, she felt her feet becoming uncomfortable again. She raised her hand and cast another cleansing spell. Then, she lifted her foot and brought it to her nose to sniff.

Su Yuxuan's body was incredibly flexible, easily allowing her to perform such a move. But for some reason, even though her feet carried a delicate fragrance, she still felt an odd, strange smell.

As Ye Chen and his group emerged, the elder from the Misty Sect, who was at the later stages of Foundation Establishment, wore a particularly dark expression.

"Did you obtain the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method?"

The elder's gaze was murderous.

At the same time, the Magic Peak Master floated in the air. He summoned a flying boat, beckoning the others to board, a faint smile on his lips as he looked at the elder from Misty Peak. "What's the matter? Are you planning to make a move?"

The elder from the Misty Sect hesitated for a moment, then decided against it. While the Magic Peak Master wasn't weak, the elder was confident that he still had a chance to seize the method.

However, Ye Chen was the disciple of Gu Yunyun. If he killed her disciple, he would likely face unimaginable retaliation in the future. The elder still had forty or fifty years left to live and had no children of his own. Even if he managed to seize the Foundation Establishment method, it wouldn't be very useful to him. He would receive some reward if he handed it over to the sect.

But that reward paled in comparison to the consequences of becoming a target of Gu Yunyun. He sighed inwardly and gave up on the idea.

The elder silently watched as Fa Zhen piloted the flying boat, leading Ye Chen and the others away. He then furrowed his brow and looked toward the direction of the secret realm, feeling a bit of a headache.

While the Demon Sect didn't care much about casualties, he had gained nothing, and all his disciples had perished. Even Su Yuxuan had disappeared without a trace. It seemed like he had truly lost out this time.

With a frown, the elder decided to wait three more days. If no more disciples came out by then, he would leave.

...

On the flying boat, Ye Chen sat cross-legged with his eyes closed. He was reviewing the system's notifications. Although he had already checked them yesterday, reading them again still filled him with uncontrollable excitement.

As for why Ye Chen appeared so relaxed and unconcerned about being ambushed, it was because, after leaving the secret realm, he had heard his master's voice echoing in his mind, reassuring him not to be afraid—she was there!

His master had secretly arrived, and it was possible that after leaving him behind on the flying sword that day, she had never truly left.

This filled Ye Chen with warmth. Though his master usually appeared distant and uninterested in him as a disciple, she was reliable when it mattered most. Moreover, his master had a knack for being devious. She was fishing.

Ye Chen speculated that, whether it was the elder from the Misty Sect or the Magic Peak Master, whoever dared to make a move against him would meet with his master's sword the very next moment.

The love his master had for him was something Ye Chen felt he had to repay with filial piety. As long as his master was around, Ye Chen naturally felt at ease as he savored the rewards from the system.

"Gift given successfully!"

"The gift consists of the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method and the corresponding Foundation Establishment spiritual materials."

"Returning rewards..."

"Fifty times feedback in progress..."

"Detected that the gift provided by the host is extremely important to the recipient and exceeds their expectations, causing a significant shift in their mindset. A critical reward has been triggered!"

"Reward: The Great Five Elements Heaven-Dao Foundation Establishment method and corresponding Foundation Establishment spiritual materials..."

"The Great Five Elements Heaven-Dao Foundation Establishment method: Built upon the Foundation Establishment spiritual artifact as its foundation, it forges the Great Five Elements Dao base, improving one's qualifications and awakening two innate divine abilities!"

What excited Ye Chen the most was the final line of the description. Two innate divine abilities.

It was known that the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment method only enhanced the quality of the Dao base, universally increasing combat power, but there was no possibility of awakening innate divine abilities.

However, the Heaven-Dao Foundation Establishment not only raised the Dao base quality to its peak but also allowed the awakening of an innate divine ability.

What's more, from what Ye Chen had read in the books, the Heaven-Dao Foundation Establishment could awaken only one innate divine ability. But the Great Five Elements Foundation Establishment method... it could awaken two. This was unprecedented.

Innate divine abilities were exceptionally mysterious, said to possess all sorts of unimaginable powers. For instance, in the books Ye Chen had read, he came across a record of a powerful individual with an innate divine ability—the Vertical Eye.

In ancient times, there was a powerful being born with a vertical pupil on their forehead. Before reaching the Nascent Soul stage, the ability remained dormant. However, after entering the Nascent Soul stage, the vertical pupil finally awakened.

With the vertical pupil, he could connect to a realm of underworld souls, drawing upon the power of ghosts. It could also imprison enemies within this realm. It was nearly invincible in the Nascent Soul stage. It was even capable of contending with the Deity Transformation stage.

The books also mentioned other innate divine abilities, such as the Heavy Pupil, Supreme Bone, and the Exquisite Heart. Although the books didn't provide detailed explanations, just the names alone indicated that these were no ordinary abilities. The power of innate divine abilities was truly extraordinary.

Innate divine abilities awakened through the Heaven-Dao Foundation Establishment were said to be slightly weaker than the innate divine abilities of real geniuses. But even so, they were still incredibly valuable.

What's more, this Great Five Elements Foundation Establishment method could awaken two innate divine abilities. The rarity of this was beyond imagination.

Looking at the golden jade slip and the two crystal-clear Foundation Establishment spiritual materials in his storage ring, Ye Chen couldn't help but feel gratitude for Su Yuxuan.

With fifty times the feedback and a critical strike, the rewards were so generous that Ye Chen was reluctant to part with them. If it weren't for the fact that it wasn't quite appropriate, Ye Chen almost thought about taking Su Yuxuan back and locking her up in the Sword Peak, delivering rewards to her every week.

Ye Chen was certain that all of his actions were purely driven by the rewards. Her little feet had nothing to do with it.

Shaking his head to clear away such distractions, Ye Chen made his decision.

Upon returning, he would focus on cultivating, adjusting his state, and studying the Foundation Establishment method. He would also gather spiritual stones to prepare for exchanging for magic treasures when he entered the Foundation Establishment stage.

The sect's grand competition was only two months away. After winning the competition and presenting the top-grade Foundation Establishment Pills to Yao Xi, he could finally enter seclusion and attempt to break through to the Foundation Establishment stage...

Just thinking about the Foundation Establishment made Ye Chen's face light up with excitement. It had been three full years since his transmigration. He had put in countless efforts, but it had all been worth it. Now, he was finally about to enter the Foundation Establishment stage…