ISWI Chapter 176-177 (Patreon)

Chapter 176: The Three Hundred Times Multiplier Is Right!

"Fellow Daoist Ye, would you mind finding a quieter place to talk?"

Li Feihuang's sudden appearance made Ye Chen raise an eyebrow.

Interesting...

Ye Chen had been thinking of an opportunity to get to know this female cultivator with the three hundred times multiplier, hoping to trigger some valuable rewards. Naturally, he wouldn't refuse now.

Though Ye Chen didn't know exactly what she wanted, cultivators were generally indifferent. If there were no purpose, they wouldn't bother getting to know others. The fact that she approached him meant she had some goal in mind.

For Ye Chen, the only thing to fear wasn't that she had something in mind, but that she might not need anything from him. But he couldn't let her think that it would be easy to get what she wanted from him. This way, he would be more likely to get something valuable.

So, Ye Chen showed a hint of hesitation and didn't agree right away.

Seeing this, Li Feihuang immediately spoke, "I have no ill intentions toward you, Fellow Daoist Ye. I won't harm you in the slightest. Also, the location is entirely up to you!"

At this, Ye Chen nodded and agreed.

"Since that's the case, let's talk in the small courtyard where I'm staying in Divine Will City."

With that, Ye Chen led the way.

Upon hearing this, Li Feihuang's eyes showed a touch of confusion.

Wasn't it more appropriate to meet in a spiritual tea house or a private room in a dining hall to discuss matters? You're just taking me directly to your room?

If it weren't for her plain appearance, Li Feihuang might have suspected that Ye Chen had ulterior motives. But the confidence stemming from her strength led her to agree. Even if Ye Chen had bold ideas, Li Feihuang believed she could use her power to calm him down. So, Li Feihuang calmly followed behind Ye Chen as they walked ahead.

In the distance, An Yuyi had intended to find Ye Chen immediately and get an explanation from him. However, she hadn't expected that Li Feihuang would approach Ye Chen first. Both the Divine Will Pool and the Blood Sea Lotus Seed matters couldn't be known to outsiders.

An Yuyi quickly turned to An Miaoli. "Aunt, what should we do?"

An Miaoli remained her ethereal self, gently shaking her head. "No need to hurry. The Divine Will Pool won't open for half a month. We can wait."

An Yuyi, however, lacked her aunt's calm composure and was growing impatient. "Ye Chen definitely stole my Blood Sea Lotus Seed. Aunt, you must stand up for me."

An Miaoli gazed at her niece with a hint of disappointment in her eyes. She gently shook her head. Her niece's temperament would require some refinement in the future.

...

Meanwhile, Ye Chen led Li Feihuang into the courtyard. Instead of entering the room, he invited her to sit in the pavilion in the garden. "This courtyard is equipped with a soundproof array, impervious to any prying eyes or ears."

After Ye Chen brewed some spiritual tea, he turned back to Li Feihuang and was momentarily surprised.

There, in the pavilion, Li Feihuang had unknowingly shed her previous disguise. Her originally dark hair had turned into a vibrant red, swaying in the breeze like a burning flame. Her face, once ordinary, was now transformed, revealing a stunning beauty with bright eyes, radiant teeth, and perfectly sculpted features.

Most striking of all, there was an indescribable nobility in her expression. Her figure had also changed. What had been a straight, unremarkable body had now taken on a fiery, curvaceous form.

As Ye Chen caught a glimpse of Li Feihuang's profile, he couldn't help but think that she resembled a perfect "S" shape, something that could only be described as outrageously beautiful.

Li Feihuang still wore the same clothes as before, but now, with her transformed appearance, even her attire seemed to shine more brightly.

Since Ye Chen had already used his Heavy Pupils to see through her disguise earlier, he wasn't too stunned by the transformation. Still, he played along and feigned surprise. Inwardly, however, he was thinking: Why did Li Feihuang suddenly drop her act? Is she revealing her true identity now?

Is she planning to use her beauty to get what she wants? Well, I, Ye Chen, wasn't someone who would fall for that.

As Li Feihuang returned to her true appearance, she noticed Ye Chen's amazed expression and a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. She was well aware of her own beauty.

Every cultivator, upon seeing her for the first time, would be astonished. Moreover, considering her previous ordinary appearance, the shock from revealing her true form was bound to be even greater.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, no need to stand there, please take a seat..."

Li Feihuang, feeling that she now had the upper hand, spoke with a smile, taking the initiative.

Ye Chen, hearing this, finally sat down, his eyes filled with confusion as he looked at Li Feihuang. "Fellow Daoist Li Feng, what is this...?"

Li Feihuang smiled gently. "Li Feng is just an alias. My true name is Li Feihuang! I am not some independent cultivator, but the last bloodline of the Great Chu Dynasty's previous emperor, the only princess of the Great Chu Dynasty!"

When she spoke her name and revealed her identity, pride shone in her eyes.

This time, Ye Chen truly was surprised. He knew of the Great Chu Dynasty. It was a power on the same level as the Divine Will Sect. Both were forces with Nascent Soul-level strength.

However, unlike most sects, the Great Chu Dynasty operated as a royal family, a rare path in the cultivation world. For Li Feihuang to be a princess of the Great Chu Dynasty, it made sense that she had a three hundred times multiplier. She definitely had some weight to her.

...

Seeing Ye Chen's silence after she revealed her identity, Li Feihuang assumed he didn't believe her.

Li Feihuang had no intention of coercing or enticing Ye Chen. As the princess of the Great Chu Dynasty, she held her pride—how could she resort to such methods? Even if she needed something, it would be done with dignity. She intended to use the grand and noble way of the royal family to win Ye Chen's respect and have him willingly give up the direct disciple slot.

So, Li Feihuang didn't attempt to explain or prove anything. Instead, she stood up, her body floating slightly as she fully activated her Fire Phoenix Spirit Body.

In an instant, Li Feihuang's pupils turned golden, her gaze filled with an air of disdain and dominance. Behind her, a massive Fire Phoenix erupted, the air itself seeming to burn with a surreal heat.

This Fire Phoenix was far more terrifying than the spell they had used during the battle on the platform.

Li Feihuang hovered half a meter above the ground, her golden eyes calmly gazing at Ye Chen. "This is my Fire Phoenix Spirit Body, accompanied by the Southern Radiant Fire. The Fire Phoenix Spirit Body can only be awakened by the royal bloodline of my Great Chu Dynasty. When we fought on the platform, I didn't fully activate my Fire Phoenix Spirit Body. Otherwise, with a flick of my hand, I could have suppressed you effortlessly! Now, do you believe my identity as a princess of the Great Chu Dynasty?"

Ye Chen: ???

You're lying. When we fought on the platform, you clearly activated the Southern Radiant Fire. And "suppressing me with a flick of your hand"? Wait, what grade is your Southern Radiant Fire? How does it compare to my seventh-grade Myriad Star Fire? And how does this Fire Phoenix Spirit Body compare to my Myriad Star Body? You dare to say you could suppress me? Not to mention your eyes—what's so impressive about them being golden? Would you like to see something even more powerful?

During the battle on the platform, Ye Chen hadn't used his Myriad Star Fire or his Heavy Pupils. In fact, he had been holding back. He was afraid that one slap might seriously injure Li Feihuang, and that would be too much of a blow to her. It might make it hard to get anything from her afterward.

So now you're acting like this, huh?

Though Ye Chen grumbled internally, he didn't feel the need to expose her. She had gone through all the trouble of putting on this act, so he would naturally play along. After all, it was three hundred times. He had to give her some face.

With that in mind, Ye Chen put on a shocked expression and said, "Ah... yes, yes, of course..."

Chapter 177: True Identity

"Ah, yes, yes, of course..."

Li Feihuang, now with her Fire Phoenix Spirit Body activated, listened to Ye Chen's words and couldn't help but curl the corners of her mouth in a slight smile.

See? The moment her Fire Phoenix Spirit Body was revealed, Ye Chen was already so shocked he could barely speak. But this was just the beginning. Her Fire Phoenix Spirit Body was only the start. In the future, she would ascend to the Moon Phoenix Body.

However, Li Feihuang didn't dwell on these thoughts. She withdrew her Fire Phoenix and sat back down across from Ye Chen. Although Ye Chen wasn't on her level, she still considered him a talented individual.

Li Feihuang believed she would eventually reclaim the Great Chu Dynasty and become its Empress. As an emperor, she would naturally need a reliable support base.

Ye Chen seemed decent enough and could assist her in the future, standing behind her. An emperor must have not only authority but also grace to manage their subordinates. Using both benevolence and severity was the true way of leadership.

So after impressing Ye Chen with her Fire Phoenix Spirit Body, Li Feihuang thoughtfully decided not to speak further, giving him time to calm down. What Li Feihuang didn't expect was that Ye Chen regained his composure far quicker than she imagined.

In the next moment, Ye Chen was back to normal and, looking at Li Feihuang, spoke seriously, "Fellow Daoist Li, you are indeed powerful. I, Ye Chen, am sincerely impressed. However, I wonder, what is the purpose of your visit to me?"

Ye Chen truly didn't want to watch Li Feihuang continue with her show. He just wanted to get to the point quickly.

Li Feihuang, seeing how calmly Ye Chen accepted the reality that he wasn't her match, couldn't help but admire him more. He was unshaken by victory or defeat, and his mindset was as exceptional as his talent.

Li Feihuang believed she had already taken the initiative, seized control of the rhythm, and completely suppressed Ye Chen. She had also studied imperial tactics with her father. Her father always said that a true emperor, even when in a dire situation, should still carry the aura of a king within their chest.

To openly speak of one's struggles wouldn't be seen as a weakness or something to be looked down upon. In fact, it would make others feel honored, as if they had gained the emperor's trust, and they would be moved, eager to support the emperor's rise.

Li Feihuang believed her father's words were absolutely correct. So, when Ye Chen asked her a question, Li Feihuang didn't hesitate to speak frankly, revealing her situation without any concealment.

"My father encountered an accident and has passed away. And my ancestor is currently in closed-door meditation, attempting to break through to the late stage of the Nascent Soul. After my father's death, within half a month, my father's younger brother, the Champion King, seized power without hesitation. He even attempted to have me imprisoned and disposed of...

"I fled the Great Chu Dynasty with the help of loyal subordinates and came to the Divine Will Sect to seek the Phoenix Blood. My father spent twenty years of effort, gathering countless treasures and materials to help me upgrade my physique. Once I obtain the final drop of Phoenix Blood, I can not only break through to the Golden Core stage, but also advance my Fire Phoenix Spirit Body to the Moon Phoenix Body!

"And with the Moon Phoenix Body, I can return to the Great Chu Dynasty and reclaim everything that belongs to me. After all, the ancestor is still alive, and the rules must be upheld. When an emperor dies, if the ancestor does not designate a new emperor within seven years, the Imperial Throne Contest must be held, allowing all family members to participate, with the emperor chosen by strength.

"The Champion King wants to become emperor, so he must face me in a duel after seven years. If I can awaken the Moon Phoenix Body, I will crush him from every angle!"

When she mentioned the Champion King, Li Feihuang's eyes filled with murderous intent, and she paused for a moment before continuing.

"Ye Chen, right now, I am indeed trapped in a shallow pond. But if you give me the Divine Will Sect's direct disciple qualification, you will have helped me greatly. It will be a service to the dragon. When I awaken the Moon Phoenix Body, defeat the Champion King, and reclaim everything that is mine, becoming the Empress of the Great Chu. I will make you the Golden Dragon Marquis, with command over all the military forces of the Great Chu Dynasty. You will be the true ruler of the Great Chu, second only to me, with power above all others."

Li Feihuang finished speaking and looked at Ye Chen with unwavering determination in her eyes.

Ye Chen was truly stunned this time. He understood Li Feihuang's background clearly.

A princess in exile, huh? That wasn't rare in the cultivation world. Power struggles within sects and families were quite common in the cultivation world as well. After all, greater power meant access to rarer resources. Everyone would want a piece of that.

In fact, the power struggles in the cultivation world were even more brutal than those on Earth. There were stories of sects, where elders who held power suddenly died, and entire families were wiped out overnight, their bloodlines erased. There were also occasional tales of side branches betraying the main family, slaughtering them to the last person.

So Li Feihuang's experience made sense. As for Li Feihuang wanting Ye Chen's direct disciple spot to improve her physique, Ye Chen could understand that as well.

Initially, Ye Chen almost believed everything she said. But then, the last part of her speech made Ye Chen want to laugh out loud and nearly burst into sarcastic commentary. All she needed was for him to give up his Divine Will Sect direct disciple qualification. Then, once she became the Empress again, he would be made a marquis.

A marquis—second only to two people, above all others. Powerful enough to control the court. That pitch... the déjà vu was too strong. It was almost identical to the scam emails Ye Chen received in his past life.

...

Ye Chen had encountered plenty of female cultivators trying to get something from him in the cultivation world after he transmigrated. But Li Feihuang's approach was unique. What made it even more surprising was that she seemed completely serious.

Ye Chen was genuinely at a loss for words. Li Feihuang had clearly run into the wrong person. He had a system, so whether what she said was true or not didn't matter. If she wanted it, he could give it to her. If he had met a normal person, it would be impossible to get a direct disciple spot out of him. And what in the world was this Golden Dragon Marquis business? Could it sound any worse? He was definitely going to give away the direct disciple spot.

However, Ye Chen thought to himself that he should drag this out a bit to make sure Li Feihuang would end up getting a solid blow. Otherwise, just like with An Yuyi, if Li Feihuang thought it was natural for him to hand over the spot without any consequence, that would be a huge loss for him.

Ye Chen showed a hint of hesitation before finally speaking, "Is it possible for the Divine Will Sect to allow the transfer of the direct disciple qualification?"

Li Feihuang immediately responded, "In principle, it's not allowed, but for me, it's possible! After all, what the Divine Will Sect needs is talent. I am exactly the kind of person who meets their requirements."

Ye Chen couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth. This exiled princess, Li Feihuang, revealed her true form, flaunted her special physique, and talked about her impressive background. And now she expected him to fall on his knees and submit. If it weren't for her three hundred times multiplier, Ye Chen would have been tempted to call her a "basic girl" by now.

After a few more back-and-forth exchanges, Ye Chen, afraid he might not be able to hold back his sarcasm, finally spoke seriously.

"Fellow Daoist Li, your aspirations are grand, and your talent is extraordinary! Your identity is so noble, yet you are still so candid and open, with no concealment at all. I am truly honored and deeply impressed. Fellow Daoist's desire to restore the glory of the Great Chu Dynasty—I, Ye Chen, cannot stand aside! I am willing to give my Divine Will Sect direct disciple qualification to Fellow Daoist, without any compensation."

Upon hearing this, Li Feihuang's eyes instantly widened…