ISWI Chapter 164-165 (Patreon)

Chapter 164: You Saw Me in the Bewildering Forest?

Gu Yunyun reflected on her life. Since being discovered by her master and brought to the mountain, she had been training with her sword. Her occasional descents from the mountain were only to slay enemies with her blade. That was until Ye Chen arrived; thinking she had taken on a disciple, she felt responsible to care for him. Only then did her life begin to change...

Suddenly...

"Knock, knock, knock..."

The sound of knocking arose, accompanied by a voice clearly filled with eagerness and anticipation.

"Master, I'm back. Your disciple has come to show his filial piety!"

Gu Yunyun's reminiscing was interrupted, and a slight smile involuntarily appeared on her somewhat confused face. However, she quickly composed herself.

Ye Chen was back...

She rose leisurely, causing water to splash everywhere. The red dress at her side twirled around Gu Yunyun a few times before wrapping around her gracefully.

After making herself presentable, Gu Yunyun finally opened the door. Her expression was cold and somewhat stern as she looked at the entering Ye Chen: "Why have you returned again? What's the reason this time?"

Ye Chen was unfazed by his master's cool demeanor. He closed the door behind him and replied with a smile, "Master, I was assisting a direct disciple of the Divine Will Sect with a task, and in the ruins, there was a Golden Core demonic beast causing trouble. Since there's not much else happening, Magic Peak Master gave me some time off."

Gu Yunyun observed Ye Chen's cultivation level and raised an eyebrow slightly. Although she had received news from the base two weeks ago that Ye Chen had advanced to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment, seeing it in person still seemed somewhat incredible to her.

Ye Chen's rate of advancement was astoundingly fast. Gu Yunyun had long realized her disciple was extraordinary. Possessing at least a second-grade peak level in alchemy, he was probably better than the Pill Peak Master of their sect.

Moreover, Ye Chen's combat ability was exceptionally strong. He had easily broken through the stages of Foundation Establishment. And in just over two years, he had reached the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. Such feats were simply not possible for someone with a third-grade spiritual root. Ye Chen surely harbored countless secrets.

However, Gu Yunyun was not inclined to delve into these. As his master, she naturally wanted him to be as strong as possible.

Yet, seeing Ye Chen's rapid advancements, she felt a stir of panic within. If this continued, wouldn't Ye Chen surpass her in cultivation? At that time, how could she maintain her authority as a master in front of Ye Chen? Thus, she must hasten her breakthrough to the Golden Core stage.

After listening to his explanation, Gu Yunyun nodded, "If that's the case, you should go back and rest early!"

Hearing the master's dismissal, Ye Chen didn't move but instead took out a pill bottle, "Master, this is a gift I prepared for you..."

Gu Yunyun felt helpless. She knew that when Ye Chen came to see her, he would surely bring some painstakingly crafted top-grade elixir as a gift.

Gu Yunyun calmly nodded, "Alright, I'll accept it!"

Gu Yunyun wouldn't just take without giving back. Over the years, she had actually saved a substantial amount of spirit stones. After all, the sect treated her as the next sect leader, providing her with everything she needed promptly. She had no need to spend spirit stones. It was not reasonable for a master to constantly receive gifts from her disciple.

Gu Yunyun decided that once she achieved her breakthrough to the Golden Core stage, she would use the spirit stones she had saved over the years to purchase a gift for Ye Chen.

Gu Yunyun casually intended to accept the gift without much consideration.

Ye Chen quickly spoke up, "Master, this gift was snatched from a direct disciple of the Divine Will Sect. In the depths of the Boundless Demon Sect ruins, there grows a Blood Sea Lotus whose seeds can enhance a cultivator's spiritual root. The direct disciples of the Divine Will Sect were after this.

"The journey there was truly perilous, especially in the Bewildering Forest where cultivators can get lost. I saw you there... well... it was really dangerous, and I nearly didn't make it out. Those direct disciples of the Divine Will Sect aren't good people either...

"After using me, they turned against me! When the Golden Core Earthheart Python appeared, these scoundrels even tried to divert disaster towards me. Fortunately, I was clever enough to beat them half to death, fed them to the Earthheart Python to calm it down, and it descended the mountain...

"In the end, I obtained this Blood Sea Lotus Seed... but this isn't just any Blood Sea Lotus Seed, it's a Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed. It appears the Boundless Demon Sect wanted to create a mutated variety before they were destroyed, and ultimately, it fell into my hands."

"Master, this Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed could potentially elevate an imagined spiritual root to an Earth-grade. Master, you should take it quickly. Enhancing your spiritual root will increase your chances of advancing to the Golden Core stage."

Ye Chen described the dangers along the way, making sure his master understood the value of the Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed.

In this world of cultivation, there were only a few people Ye Chen trusted: his master and Yao Xi. In front of these two, there was little Ye Chen felt the need to hide.

Hearing this, Gu Yunyun's hand, originally about to casually accept the gift, stiffened.

A Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed? A treasure that could enhance a cultivator's spiritual root?

In the world of cultivation, any item capable of enhancing spiritual roots was exceedingly precious. And one that could elevate to an Earth spiritual root was even rarer. If word got out, even Nascent Soul cultivators might not sit still, eager to seize it.

After all, an Earth spiritual root is nearly synonymous with the Golden Core stage, greatly increasing the likelihood of advancing to the Nascent Soul stage. Who wouldn't be tempted by a treasure that could create such a genius?

Normally, any cultivator who obtained such a treasure would use it in secret immediately, fearful of leaking even a hint of information.

Yet, after acquiring the treasure, Ye Chen hesitated not a moment before running to her, wanting to give it to her to help increase her chances of forming a Golden Core?

At this moment, the facade of indifference on Gu Yunyun's face began to crack. The expression in her beautiful eyes was immensely complex at that moment.

Upon reflection, Gu Yunyun felt she indeed cared deeply for Ye Chen. If there was a treasure that could enhance spiritual roots, she would willingly give it to her disciple. But a treasure that could elevate to an Earth spiritual root?

Gu Yunyun wasn't sure she could bring herself to give such an item to Ye Chen. Yet why was Ye Chen so willing to give it to her?

At the same time, Ye Chen also hesitated not at all to reveal that he had killed a direct disciple of the Divine Will Sect. The status of a direct disciple from the Divine Will Sect was extremely high. If the news got out, it would inevitably lead to Golden Core elders pursuing Ye Chen relentlessly. Yet, he had still chosen to tell her without reservation. Moreover, Ye Chen mentioned that he saw her in the Bewildering Forest.

Gu Yunyun knew that within the Bewildering Forest, one would see their most coveted desires, causing cultivators to lose themselves. Yet, what Ye Chen saw was her.

Gu Yunyun silently lowered her head...

...

Willing to give away the Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed. Daring to confess to killing a direct disciple of the Divine Will Sect. Even seeing her in the Bewildering Forest.

Ye Chen, can you still claim your filial piety is pure?

Gu Yunyun threw the pill bottle back to Ye Chen: "I can break through to the Golden Core without it. You're just a third-grade spiritual root, keep it for yourself."

Ye Chen quickly caught it, his face breaking into a tender smile: "Master, stop joking. A third-grade spiritual root using this could at best advance to ninth-grade or become an attribute spiritual root! Using this treasure on me would be a waste.

"Of course, it should be you who uses it, Master. If you attain an Earth spiritual root and one day break through to the Nascent Soul stage, then I would be the disciple of a Nascent Soul.

"Golden Core cultivators would have to make way for me on the road. I'd be showered with various treasures, directly boosting me to the Golden Core stage! This is far more useful than me enhancing my spiritual root and struggling to break through to the Golden Core stage on my own!

"But Master, you absolutely cannot take on any other disciples! Master, why don't you make a heavenly oath, promising I'll be your only disciple for life..."

Chapter 165: What If I Feel Guilty?

Just handling Ye Chen was already so troublesome. How could Gu Yunyun possibly consider taking on another disciple?

Gu Yunyun looked earnestly into Ye Chen's eyes, "In this life, I will only take you as my disciple. But as you said, you are my disciple! In my eyes, you will always be a disciple.

"Yet, in the entire world of cultivation, it has always been the masters who bestow treasures upon their disciples. When have you ever heard of a disciple giving such a precious gift to their master? If others were to find out, wouldn't they all criticize me, Gu Yunyun, for exploiting my disciple's treasures, seeing only my own interests? They might even suspect if there is some undisclosed relationship between us."

"After all, no matter how deep our bond as master and disciple is, how could it outweigh a treasure like the Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed? Therefore, I cannot accept the Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed! Please take it back."

Gu Yunyun spoke with utmost seriousness.

Seeing his master's firm attitude and realizing she really wouldn't accept it, Ye Chen became somewhat anxious. He immediately responded, "Master, if you don't tell and I don't tell, who would know?"

Gu Yunyun's gaze was serene, "In the world of cultivation, there are countless methods; nothing can be hidden from everyone."

Ye Chen frowned, "Even so, what does it matter if they know? Our matters as master and disciple are clear to us. I, Ye Chen, am simply showing filial piety! Why should we care about what others say? All we need to do is be guilt-free in our hearts."

Seeing that Ye Chen still refused to give up, Gu Yunyun sighed, her expression carrying a hint of confusion as she looked up at the sky...

Seeing that his master remained silent, Ye Chen stood up decisively, "Master, I am giving this Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed to you. If you don't want it, then just throw it away! I, Ye Chen, hereby swear an oath to heaven here and now, that even if it costs me my life, even if I were to jump from here, I absolutely will not touch the Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed again!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Ye Chen turned and walked away.

Gu Yunyun's beautiful eyes widened. She had not expected that Ye Chen, in his determination to have her accept the Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed, would actually make such a heavenly oath. Even if she did not want it, Ye Chen would absolutely not take it back.

This...

Watching Ye Chen leave, Gu Yunyun raised her hand hesitantly, ultimately choosing not to call out to him.

As the door closed again, Gu Yunyun let out a deep sigh.

Guilt-free? But what if I feel guilty? If I accept this Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed, what can I possibly give in return?

After a long while, Gu Yunyun finally reached out her hand and tightly grasped the bottle containing the Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed.

...

Ye Chen left in what appeared to be a carefree manner. Yet he was immensely anxious inside. Returning to the courtyard, he barely reacted to the maids who excitedly rushed up to greet him. But after a long wait, finally, a system notification echoed in Ye Chen's mind.

"Gift successful!"

"Gift was a Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed."

"Processing feedback..."

"100x feedback in progress..."

"Detection of the host's gift has significantly impacted the recipient, exceeding expectations and causing substantial emotional fluctuation, triggering a critical reward!"

"Reward: Bodhi Seed."

"Bodhi Seed: From the sacred Bodhi tree of Buddhism, surrounded by monks chanting for a thousand years, this fruit is born. Upon assimilation, it can enlighten and open the mind, providing extraordinary comprehension, elevating to a Heavenly Spiritual Root!"

A Bodhi Seed?

Ye Chen's eyes widened in astonishment. The system's description of the Bodhi Seed wasn't lengthy, but its effects were terrifyingly potent.

Previously, whether it was the Blood Sea Lotus Seed or the Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed, they only offered a possibility of enhancing the spiritual root, not a guarantee, and the enhancement had its limits.

For instance, Ye Chen, with a third-grade spiritual root, even if he consumed the Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed, the best outcome would be reaching an attribute spiritual root level. It was impossible for him to ascend to an Earth spiritual root because the gap between the grades of spiritual roots was too vast. Relying on a single lotus seed to bridge this gap was too difficult.

However, the Bodhi Seed was different. Once assimilated, it directly elevated the cultivator to a Heavenly Spiritual Root. There were no terms like 'potential' or 'possibility' used. This fact alone thrilled Ye Chen immensely.

And how powerful was a Heavenly Spiritual Root?

According to what Ye Chen had read in the scriptures, a Heavenly Spiritual Root signified a potential Deity Transformation powerhouse. Cultivators with Heavenly Spiritual Roots face no bottlenecks on their path to Deity Transformation status. They could easily break through all the way, illustrating its preciousness.

But encountering no obstacles in cultivation was just one of the benefits of a Heavenly Spiritual Root. The cultivation speed would be much faster. A Heavenly Spiritual Root could also automatically and perfectly filter spiritual Qi, making detoxifying pills like Clear Meridian Pills unnecessary during cultivation.

There were also various other miraculous benefits, too numerous to count. Even the Divine Will Sect did not have a single Heavenly Spiritual Root.

In the Holy Lands, Heavenly Spiritual Roots were exceedingly rare. Once one appeared, even sacred lands would compete fiercely for it. The value of a Heavenly Spiritual Root was thus evident.

To leap from a third-grade failure to a Heavenly Spiritual Root was something even Ye Chen couldn't help but rejoice over in his heart. Choosing not to give the Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed to Yao Xi, but to his master instead, had clearly been the right decision. Indeed, his master was a treasure trove of immeasurable value.

...

Watching the Bodhi Seed within his storage ring, translucent like agate and the size of a fist, Ye Chen resolutely refused the hungry, eager advances of his maids who longed for progress.

Women were indeed interesting, but what could be more important than the path to immortality? Engaging in such diversions was fun, but unless it involved dual cultivation techniques, Ye Chen wouldn't normally forsake his sleep every night. Advancing his spiritual root to a Heavenly Spiritual Root was now his utmost priority.

Thus, Ye Chen chose to enter seclusion without hesitation. Sitting cross-legged on a bed of jade, he took out the Bodhi Seed. The crystalline, agate-like Bodhi Seed emitted a faint luminescence as he held it, its sacred glow undeniable.

Merely holding it in his hand, Ye Chen could feel his mind becoming clearer. Many of the previous confusions in his cultivation seemed to resolve themselves effortlessly at that moment.

Impressed by such miraculous effects, Ye Chen grew even more impatient. He closed his eyes immediately, beginning the process of assimilation. Instantly, the room seemed filled with the faint sound of Buddhist chants.

Sacred light shimmered around Ye Chen. A unique power flowed from the Bodhi Seed into his body, nourishing the pitifully inadequate spiritual root within him...

...

At the peak of Sword Peak, Gu Yunyun still sat there, unmoved. She gazed up at the countless stars. The starlight bathed her, making her skin, visible beyond the red dress, appear as flawless as porcelain.

Thinking of Ye Chen's return, Gu Yunyun instinctively extended her spiritual sense, habitually wanting to check on Ye Chen's activities. Yet, all was quiet in Ye Chen's courtyard.

Gu Yunyun knew that Ye Chen had been practicing dual cultivation techniques. The rapid improvement in the cultivation levels of those maids was evident.

Ye Chen had always been diligent in enhancing his cultivation. But tonight, Ye Chen had even forsaken dual cultivation...

What did that imply? It meant that Ye Chen was probably still worried about her not accepting the Blood Sea Golden Lotus Seed. So much so that he didn't even feel up to dual cultivation.

Gu Yunyun sighed softly. It seemed she really had to use it now. She gently picked up the pill bottle, the golden lotus seed inside emitting a faint glow as it floated out and landed in Gu Yunyun's palm. No longer hesitating, Gu Yunyun gently parted her lips and placed the golden lotus seed in her mouth...

Gu Yunyun had made up her mind. From now on, no matter what, she would only have Ye Chen as her disciple. She would protect this disciple for a lifetime!